tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153266222024-03-13T11:54:38.495-07:00alpine adventuresLinda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-65841347367644505782010-09-03T14:57:00.000-07:002010-09-05T15:24:27.522-07:00Fort Union and Labor Day WeekendWe did get an early start since we were both upset with the Cedar Rail RV Park. Fortunately we didn't have a long drive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlLEJxh2aiXc7oETix38w6JE2OhWu9P6WFWXKlE4O4zW7jFt98GC5m4W6kKecnXexc85PZElERo3q7Tgt8HmjXrBWdnJhFUsa1Y2kbbldYcZOPQxkJzxJJLn1TvNoWLnuBGIptg/s1600/DSCN5593.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlLEJxh2aiXc7oETix38w6JE2OhWu9P6WFWXKlE4O4zW7jFt98GC5m4W6kKecnXexc85PZElERo3q7Tgt8HmjXrBWdnJhFUsa1Y2kbbldYcZOPQxkJzxJJLn1TvNoWLnuBGIptg/s320/DSCN5593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513552671087800946" border="0" /></a>We took our time and stopped at several rest areas along the way. At one of the stops we read a historical marker about the Fort Union Historical Monument. I jumped on the computer and it sounded like a very interesting place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKXSXBygSD8BCfnLFb532UeAnQ74ewe-w9s5recTFsmSZV-PU4j9pMLC6BBPlcnO3DXABTs2e7QLm17tMWeqinmnn6Cw8XhirqAd0rxr381g3rIIO10TZtaMMCpncpFdCprUinA/s1600/DSCN5607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKXSXBygSD8BCfnLFb532UeAnQ74ewe-w9s5recTFsmSZV-PU4j9pMLC6BBPlcnO3DXABTs2e7QLm17tMWeqinmnn6Cw8XhirqAd0rxr381g3rIIO10TZtaMMCpncpFdCprUinA/s320/DSCN5607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513553190431517666" border="0" /></a><br />It was only 8 miles off of our route and we had plenty of time, so detour time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_9YCLamDs45gw06Ui8Hfdz0t0R6ndDtbL-vEEQWhkwFhlm066zaMMo7DVb1X2x-v9SHhKEKPo0NAMvclrjiXbltdqa4Dbb40tJkybSR2alUvYe491Ul0OAPRKDODCuSW6Zwi4A/s1600/DSCN5618.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_9YCLamDs45gw06Ui8Hfdz0t0R6ndDtbL-vEEQWhkwFhlm066zaMMo7DVb1X2x-v9SHhKEKPo0NAMvclrjiXbltdqa4Dbb40tJkybSR2alUvYe491Ul0OAPRKDODCuSW6Zwi4A/s320/DSCN5618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513554377538689954" border="0" /></a><br />We spent two hours wandering around the ruins of what was once the largest fort west of the Mississippi. This was the remains of the Officers Row.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgR91A_Rl2Lww3JN6UO0ig5l4KgEJGc6rzipn-EJ8qmWnW21bIx82kgoSuXsGTcV7sYYJDRIlV0WSwYHI6RQFtxQPz6BRHHId77pWxR3MJdobau15Qa3gZTBl7E0hV-jLEVbRDQ/s1600/DSCN5634.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgR91A_Rl2Lww3JN6UO0ig5l4KgEJGc6rzipn-EJ8qmWnW21bIx82kgoSuXsGTcV7sYYJDRIlV0WSwYHI6RQFtxQPz6BRHHId77pWxR3MJdobau15Qa3gZTBl7E0hV-jLEVbRDQ/s320/DSCN5634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513555214551535858" border="0" /></a>Some restoration has been done but mostly imagination is required to visualize life on this post that was established to protect the travelers along the Santa Fe Trail and act as a supply depot. This was the prison.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TGOd1J45fQi552V5MLQSZ5gQUtQJAKkOVcYi6yAN3nw3_OxhgXcffArxboHXJ7y4sN0PnFAt8txTYWhKxoOh3p_h_ZrzED_wmb-wWArDYcWWC1Jkbhsl4UWXoSrHTZe0sSD9ng/s1600/DSCN5637.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TGOd1J45fQi552V5MLQSZ5gQUtQJAKkOVcYi6yAN3nw3_OxhgXcffArxboHXJ7y4sN0PnFAt8txTYWhKxoOh3p_h_ZrzED_wmb-wWArDYcWWC1Jkbhsl4UWXoSrHTZe0sSD9ng/s320/DSCN5637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513555693986048706" border="0" /></a>The ruts of the Santa Fe Trail are still visible. In fact, the flagstone walkway that was built to the hospital has steps down to accommodate the path of the traveling wagons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIpmH1I_avf7UD0WTFlV2uI77LjFbTKAKlmYDHYhiTebiMjtfds0gxoCYQAbb9t0M7EnwPGlCOSStIROt696DfAnT7zUvb8OK60yLxywlYPoeL1N9fI7H09NZAB9WJLJXfCGGJw/s1600/DSCN5641.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIpmH1I_avf7UD0WTFlV2uI77LjFbTKAKlmYDHYhiTebiMjtfds0gxoCYQAbb9t0M7EnwPGlCOSStIROt696DfAnT7zUvb8OK60yLxywlYPoeL1N9fI7H09NZAB9WJLJXfCGGJw/s320/DSCN5641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513556439318367442" border="0" /></a>The hospital was built for the soldiers but for 50 cents a day civilians traveling through were also allowed to receive medical attention.<br /><br />It was a nice break in the day and we arrived in Albuquerque in the middle of rush hour. Ooops!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_uUPfbP8I9ALwx6VWrskEQ7Jlx7TYQIyDlzCm3H-N5e6SnZ_PzCgvOvKlUQLvuYCb7hR7h1MoiV7_6eLbN26MlxH4Xk8YFjHfOK7aBmgDk5Rl-vxZgEdtlbqTqb5mkCfZijCA/s1600/DSCN5645.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_uUPfbP8I9ALwx6VWrskEQ7Jlx7TYQIyDlzCm3H-N5e6SnZ_PzCgvOvKlUQLvuYCb7hR7h1MoiV7_6eLbN26MlxH4Xk8YFjHfOK7aBmgDk5Rl-vxZgEdtlbqTqb5mkCfZijCA/s320/DSCN5645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513557525106711426" border="0" /></a><br />We found our rv park easily and it was much more pleasant than the last dump. Enchanted Trails RV Park is an older park but fit our needs perfectly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw_wOCiFZcUrqL8akLY7OSZhvzM_6VdITghHdEMaHnRleYLpvwvi3ttRNwwXyedVKvGGF6JP-UMfNnRLBYGSo1r6DOWg-cHZbgjfchkoyO0YfVGzpGAT7pnniu6TDmrDzh2mbfA/s1600/DSCN5643.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLw_wOCiFZcUrqL8akLY7OSZhvzM_6VdITghHdEMaHnRleYLpvwvi3ttRNwwXyedVKvGGF6JP-UMfNnRLBYGSo1r6DOWg-cHZbgjfchkoyO0YfVGzpGAT7pnniu6TDmrDzh2mbfA/s320/DSCN5643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513558123433214146" border="0" /></a><br />Being the day before the long Labor Day weekend, we were afraid that the park would be full and noisy. To our surprise we had plenty of room and nice neighbors. Hmmm......Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-2419328069901663082010-09-02T06:59:00.000-07:002010-09-05T14:57:47.688-07:00Driving Through ColoradoWe decided to spend a couple more days in Lingle, WY while we plotted our trip south. There was a nice rock shop that Doug wanted to visit and we just were feeling like some down time. And that's what we did.<br /><br />So, after spending hours with maps and guide books and campground books, we chose to just climb in the coach on Wednesday and drive. Let the chips fall where they may. I have been feeling anxious (for some unknown reason) to get back to the southwest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-gBoW7KFhJrxt86_70L5sSLIUKOn-KVyEQONODrwji_a9Z9vFR5UAuUIBSLFA3zOEJ3PHBoSXWHY-vRfkKksCvZ_ihk3Y7RBhyphenhyphenNamoxx8MjEp3tRAGxlJs8BBrlAkM6ztrs6RA/s1600/DSCN5573.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-gBoW7KFhJrxt86_70L5sSLIUKOn-KVyEQONODrwji_a9Z9vFR5UAuUIBSLFA3zOEJ3PHBoSXWHY-vRfkKksCvZ_ihk3Y7RBhyphenhyphenNamoxx8MjEp3tRAGxlJs8BBrlAkM6ztrs6RA/s320/DSCN5573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513548549509236770" border="0" /></a><br />Our plan was to find some place to stay in the middle of Colorado then head for Albuquerque. It was an easy drive through Cheyenne and across the Colorado border.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM65B5B-8BuEJ0ht22e8JkBcvkX0FMtuIZAEv3gLMTO5ApehTyuWhroxiGsdTS9kjanDnp9sYxqVxeedu-6G-2aJ5ZDtDJ3w6blNSIJaPxyNn_qga1inbFNsNyQWdzW-NK41a5g/s1600/DSCN5582.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM65B5B-8BuEJ0ht22e8JkBcvkX0FMtuIZAEv3gLMTO5ApehTyuWhroxiGsdTS9kjanDnp9sYxqVxeedu-6G-2aJ5ZDtDJ3w6blNSIJaPxyNn_qga1inbFNsNyQWdzW-NK41a5g/s320/DSCN5582.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513548808767667234" border="0" /></a>The scenery was pretty until we got to Denver. Typical big city, but it was fun to see the home of the Denver Broncos even though we aren't huge football fans.<br /><br />Continuing on, we never found any place to stop that appealed to us and next thing we knew......we were in New Mexico. Barely.<br /><br />We stopped for the night at a park at the top of Raton Pass called Cedar Rail RV Park. What a joke!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXdaujU2_-c8n8Fot1x1X8gHI7bHsYZjltshg6AVEyuuk2HJ-ALmC6CKZz8WYXYKKLPIO8MPto0WLFZcQv0g9KH_snZtpeP4sE_59JU9ucAfzOaUEWEP22fla_wMSwpILLM986Q/s1600/DSCN5585.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXdaujU2_-c8n8Fot1x1X8gHI7bHsYZjltshg6AVEyuuk2HJ-ALmC6CKZz8WYXYKKLPIO8MPto0WLFZcQv0g9KH_snZtpeP4sE_59JU9ucAfzOaUEWEP22fla_wMSwpILLM986Q/s320/DSCN5585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513550555639909362" border="0" /></a><br />They parked us next to a cliff alongside the road going through the park. We were afraid to put the awning out since there was so much traffic going by us. There was absolutely no Verizon phone service and I was told on the phone that they provided wifi. When we got to the park we were informed that we were limited to 25 mb of wifi. We can go through that in an hour!<br /><br />And to add injury to insult, it was the most we have paid for a night's parking all year. Obviously we won't be returning and certainly would never recommend the place.<br /><br />We'll be out of here early!Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-65746500339736866062010-08-29T06:02:00.000-07:002010-09-03T06:59:36.519-07:00Fort Laramie and HistoryIt never ceases to amaze me that we can stop in a little tiny town (Lingle, WY pop. 510) and discover so many wonderful things to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGpC0GwqOVDUvAdchnVUM6fBdXBTkXuFNSBxlMcVluQO3WSjJZtZBlelVi2T-MDAiEdHMEpU6n2FCj3DkqT2pia55UR-YeU4VAVMF7c74RhhJ7zbC7TC2WvZRmBuZ7sbbXUyQEg/s1600/DSCN5557.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGpC0GwqOVDUvAdchnVUM6fBdXBTkXuFNSBxlMcVluQO3WSjJZtZBlelVi2T-MDAiEdHMEpU6n2FCj3DkqT2pia55UR-YeU4VAVMF7c74RhhJ7zbC7TC2WvZRmBuZ7sbbXUyQEg/s320/DSCN5557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512673525807879858" border="0" /></a>We found the Fort Laramie National Historic Site just a few miles west of the park near the town of Fort Laramie. It was established in 1834 as a private fur trading post and later became a military fort to help protect the thousands of migrants using the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIfPoFGhCb0a4pNnCpstjDjaNeqNK63gvjkBvoZhO0QWGozwJVjVU1py-mgEcGe3T3ywYSWTSRutWuvTZxiiVbqC-s3R2XSJv026gfRic7By4djKavoYHhWYmNOJzM-6YodWqEQ/s1600/DSCN5565.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIfPoFGhCb0a4pNnCpstjDjaNeqNK63gvjkBvoZhO0QWGozwJVjVU1py-mgEcGe3T3ywYSWTSRutWuvTZxiiVbqC-s3R2XSJv026gfRic7By4djKavoYHhWYmNOJzM-6YodWqEQ/s320/DSCN5565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512675376217427746" border="0" /></a>Of course, our first stop was the visitor center which happened to be the old commisary of the fort.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACUP5SQrJ4CRB-OENrf8L0Ai9RiET10XksYOToRCWKeYn9YuREUasjQo4Avh3ak_Fg8P15IwG8W3O8RViM7N5Fz58kXiv8zjgsEFwfxgm6iJDfiGIbMo5G96Ow4zCwnhucXy8pw/s1600/DSCN5567.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACUP5SQrJ4CRB-OENrf8L0Ai9RiET10XksYOToRCWKeYn9YuREUasjQo4Avh3ak_Fg8P15IwG8W3O8RViM7N5Fz58kXiv8zjgsEFwfxgm6iJDfiGIbMo5G96Ow4zCwnhucXy8pw/s320/DSCN5567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512675711855478882" border="0" /></a><br />And we loved the authentic teepee inside the visitor center.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdA9yuUiOLq038ADSniM-qvJTAhBaDJQ2peybd9IBV_WEGdyAyMzvz0lQHqVkhoSZz-vdA1eBlfv0J2N_vTBkTGMVN6U6OmSK6o2mlbcpMSGNqICShe_QsvKTQTjdADK2Sc4UBA/s1600/989830616_100_6576.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdA9yuUiOLq038ADSniM-qvJTAhBaDJQ2peybd9IBV_WEGdyAyMzvz0lQHqVkhoSZz-vdA1eBlfv0J2N_vTBkTGMVN6U6OmSK6o2mlbcpMSGNqICShe_QsvKTQTjdADK2Sc4UBA/s320/989830616_100_6576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512678906611656162" border="0" /></a>Outside, we wandered over to the barracks. Some of the doors are open to the public and the inside is decorated as if the soldiers just stepped outside onto the parade grounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-_3M7BbMRxQGaxNKZiC7rNxvwS1B8WYwDJglesK3mRpDnTMf0ixga1g_bfUgZji5nvP2A0fF4xnu2c_MFv1ns4XvbDWVV3v0do2MgsUXSFF-sYY2eMOROjM78QabjwFHiLbGQQ/s1600/989830975_100_6589.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-_3M7BbMRxQGaxNKZiC7rNxvwS1B8WYwDJglesK3mRpDnTMf0ixga1g_bfUgZji5nvP2A0fF4xnu2c_MFv1ns4XvbDWVV3v0do2MgsUXSFF-sYY2eMOROjM78QabjwFHiLbGQQ/s320/989830975_100_6589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512679453119232658" border="0" /></a><br />The bunks and equipment as well as the dining areas were a step back into time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsmEmr7HioxG0G7jBxLwrl31twqE80oJyUO2dmm_hoYQ9MjeY9tU7nH8MINjLQQwtdpO75ICZV9EFyoNltfu-slEKaJRlvOFWOew7gVg-4mxXvbEdDFpGPJpgScQDVNeQZ5TMaQ/s1600/989851002_100_6600.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsmEmr7HioxG0G7jBxLwrl31twqE80oJyUO2dmm_hoYQ9MjeY9tU7nH8MINjLQQwtdpO75ICZV9EFyoNltfu-slEKaJRlvOFWOew7gVg-4mxXvbEdDFpGPJpgScQDVNeQZ5TMaQ/s320/989851002_100_6600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512679930260439842" border="0" /></a>Then, we happened upon this marvelous woman who was not only dressed in authentic costume but acted the part as well. Referring to herself as if she had just stepped out of her covered wagon, she spoke at length about the trials and tribulations of being on the Oregon Trail for months.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU6TsSz7CokZu3FkY1cE9yL8jnEKB-JUBVl_MI3MI2t2a91q4RdxE6wIBFqPEeOzMByvk83SbugcJwtQTL0yyxLlil76Xt4qQRRqJTU7u9WoK38u83C17dUjEvihTndpsbC_xGQ/s1600/989831489_100_6603.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxU6TsSz7CokZu3FkY1cE9yL8jnEKB-JUBVl_MI3MI2t2a91q4RdxE6wIBFqPEeOzMByvk83SbugcJwtQTL0yyxLlil76Xt4qQRRqJTU7u9WoK38u83C17dUjEvihTndpsbC_xGQ/s320/989831489_100_6603.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512680663087041794" border="0" /></a>She was able to answer every question from the construction of the wagon and the care of the oxen to the preparation of meals and clothing. Easily the most fascinating part of the day.<br /><br />We strolled the rest of the fort, peering into the officers quarters (they lived quite well) and getting a feel for life in a military operation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMl-gm5Iy3akJtJnxe5p_WfGUaTpGSKBPUXtYX2owC5IbzU2ZsBskrZXky6cwMoff0Di2kkOtHaF6jeE89shyfGICTpOiQF0GX_rz-VCxHdkiI8RPfQ_q42j7MhS6I5a7f2vBC9Q/s1600/989935278_100_6687.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMl-gm5Iy3akJtJnxe5p_WfGUaTpGSKBPUXtYX2owC5IbzU2ZsBskrZXky6cwMoff0Di2kkOtHaF6jeE89shyfGICTpOiQF0GX_rz-VCxHdkiI8RPfQ_q42j7MhS6I5a7f2vBC9Q/s320/989935278_100_6687.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512681597881268898" border="0" /></a>Leaving Fort Laramie, we drove 15 miles further west to the Oregon Trail Ruts Historic Site near Guernsey, WY.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe4eLF27Zqpd2ZC2SDBrOYTGDFZaX8_Lvp7mRia1MdysJgmyj4C-78WKkAdYRqhs2_N_WaLp1LVkmQXwbiaqi9_EBqpZeEwvLj05-dFQBz3tB9pbYDahBAbEwilUeEVEZKyJdQw/s1600/989935653_100_6696.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwe4eLF27Zqpd2ZC2SDBrOYTGDFZaX8_Lvp7mRia1MdysJgmyj4C-78WKkAdYRqhs2_N_WaLp1LVkmQXwbiaqi9_EBqpZeEwvLj05-dFQBz3tB9pbYDahBAbEwilUeEVEZKyJdQw/s320/989935653_100_6696.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512682827148611346" border="0" /></a><br />This is the best preserved path of the wagons, animals and people crossing the Oregon Trail. The trail, across a sandstone ridge, was worn between two and six feet deep in places. Truly amazing, the hardships that were endured.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAeQg_6TpQFUk4LqM864HrtS_QKdBtSo80cwv47poevPYLMukm-O8GOL6PwNTKgCx2WyIItnE78Ffzu-gv8gE2KxX87YbP64AwBavJkB2npOarB7ZtrEv0g7MlTd158qejLFPKQ/s1600/989936745_100_6724.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAeQg_6TpQFUk4LqM864HrtS_QKdBtSo80cwv47poevPYLMukm-O8GOL6PwNTKgCx2WyIItnE78Ffzu-gv8gE2KxX87YbP64AwBavJkB2npOarB7ZtrEv0g7MlTd158qejLFPKQ/s320/989936745_100_6724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512683503650057298" border="0" /></a>And just a few miles away is Register Cliff. It's the huge sandstone cliff in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1OdGkWEzt3SknJUaJQ3jtHp1NWq6jiAm5cR72NlENxDVSj5mNE8yQjsvLvcjN1bzGMgF2Hhe8kBP4yVJjrLQzcS4yag-2EOdksXsAGgmlIi5twTf8PYQY69f69D3sE4HjEjq-A/s1600/989937012_100_6732.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1OdGkWEzt3SknJUaJQ3jtHp1NWq6jiAm5cR72NlENxDVSj5mNE8yQjsvLvcjN1bzGMgF2Hhe8kBP4yVJjrLQzcS4yag-2EOdksXsAGgmlIi5twTf8PYQY69f69D3sE4HjEjq-A/s320/989937012_100_6732.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512684163538940946" border="0" /></a>Adjacent to an emigrant campground, thousands of travelers have carved their names into the soft sandstone to declare that they had made the trek across the United States. Unfortunately the practice has continued until the present day and we had to search for the names and dates of original emigrants. There were many, many inscriptions dating back to the mid 1800's.<br /><br />It was a long, hot day of sightseeing but the history came to life for a little while.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-38363247602380690772010-08-28T10:57:00.000-07:002010-08-29T19:56:37.096-07:00Heading SouthWith the temperatures dropping at night, we have had to turn the heaters on so it's time to head back south. During the day we've been experiencing temps in the high eighties and low nineties but we have such thin blood now that we don't like being cold.<br /><br />We packed up the coach and headed south on Hwy 14A through Deadwood again. Oops, I didn't realize that there was a huge car show this weekend. Stop and go traffic through town cost us close to an hour although Doug thoroughly enjoyed the old cars. I was nervous as heck cuz he was watching the cars when I thought he should be focusing on the stopped car in front of us. But we made it through without a problem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvyI-JYZcuy7Kd_fhXyb7k_1GgZk7DSpuNaOp1TpOVabzkH8X8vmOwReCJcqtKL7smmMEtY10g0sRfJuCWgEx2wDHU1XwsHMVU0VveqnDy5-i2ckVFxfUTq5zb0-xtGzFN7ooHQ/s1600/DSCN5519.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvyI-JYZcuy7Kd_fhXyb7k_1GgZk7DSpuNaOp1TpOVabzkH8X8vmOwReCJcqtKL7smmMEtY10g0sRfJuCWgEx2wDHU1XwsHMVU0VveqnDy5-i2ckVFxfUTq5zb0-xtGzFN7ooHQ/s320/DSCN5519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510894270349378610" border="0" /></a>From there is was an lovely, easy drive through the Black Hills National Forest and into Wyoming. Once we crossed into Wyoming, the roads seemed to become much nicer for travel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzafODJ1VDhwTpRyGE9_l5eG2YrmdtALHpkmgmZ1JLIlGEoA2gtls7mev5bT1OFBQfsZnLRO2eoNkyzhCBHtN5tik-nNKXkrUc6G3NB7CxSqBNaozTjF9NPOJN2Tg20n2dudAUw/s1600/DSCN5524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzafODJ1VDhwTpRyGE9_l5eG2YrmdtALHpkmgmZ1JLIlGEoA2gtls7mev5bT1OFBQfsZnLRO2eoNkyzhCBHtN5tik-nNKXkrUc6G3NB7CxSqBNaozTjF9NPOJN2Tg20n2dudAUw/s320/DSCN5524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510894892954474034" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped at several historical markers including this scenic view over Salt Creek Overlook.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81p68yaUGsMGBCGdaQq7WltFuRNg9cDmmZ0lYBYaCRuyl7hkkDd6StHMVXrfE4hTQX4f370Af-r0vXgJ0kcffBI6uHPSOwxi-FdGBJr9nlZ9Xl7A7pGGNPGHa3X1PIFGbE3ukdQ/s1600/DSCN5525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81p68yaUGsMGBCGdaQq7WltFuRNg9cDmmZ0lYBYaCRuyl7hkkDd6StHMVXrfE4hTQX4f370Af-r0vXgJ0kcffBI6uHPSOwxi-FdGBJr9nlZ9Xl7A7pGGNPGHa3X1PIFGbE3ukdQ/s320/DSCN5525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510895994862211746" border="0" /></a><br />The view was spectacular and Doug took lots of pictures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIdhfSYS2hRCecD9-oXu0RPA-Gb2QGe-3jjuph3rCDJIxsdgG40_Vc2BeA5gcpqqy6Ebs6gA4QQoShqUkqZMvgc49tGtOdU8BdpiiLyrrDrW1oW3naT0_t0GSgqY9AxyCPSbILg/s1600/DSCN5526.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIdhfSYS2hRCecD9-oXu0RPA-Gb2QGe-3jjuph3rCDJIxsdgG40_Vc2BeA5gcpqqy6Ebs6gA4QQoShqUkqZMvgc49tGtOdU8BdpiiLyrrDrW1oW3naT0_t0GSgqY9AxyCPSbILg/s320/DSCN5526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510896517027209746" border="0" /></a>But what you didn't see in the above photo is the barb wire fence he climbed over to stand on that rock overlooking the valley. Sometimes he drives me crazy. (Although he wasn't the first to do so considering the condition of the barb wire fence.)<br /><br />By 5 pm we had covered a little over 200 miles and arrived in the town of Lingle, WY. Another Passport America park, Pony Soldier RV Park, was waiting for us with a mostly empty park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZFSJnmCCOdFsn6Eo_Qy-iE90HP-dbKh9Rpjs4aNEa4OW2FBGOK_AMkArYArnFLLVEJjdNJ_z8WF3slQLP6ZZs5wDG7-Hy-hjnp4-96DXq1-6263DeNDZVa5aUZaIDteYqe3lqA/s1600/DSCN5536.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZFSJnmCCOdFsn6Eo_Qy-iE90HP-dbKh9Rpjs4aNEa4OW2FBGOK_AMkArYArnFLLVEJjdNJ_z8WF3slQLP6ZZs5wDG7-Hy-hjnp4-96DXq1-6263DeNDZVa5aUZaIDteYqe3lqA/s320/DSCN5536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511029134112955986" border="0" /></a>Doug chose a site at the end of a row with a little shade, a picnic table and lots of privacy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vwq7DMJ12uSpXQGLfX2wUOscd2Bvx8MYRTiJAekOZKJklrIsmS2XFHsgREObAXQZUQS3IqJVVlKXbux1amrceJvrmafmznOtVEe3BThqbz-iajK6wW9i-wNrVdLBgcgA_Jo4yQ/s1600/DSCN5539.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vwq7DMJ12uSpXQGLfX2wUOscd2Bvx8MYRTiJAekOZKJklrIsmS2XFHsgREObAXQZUQS3IqJVVlKXbux1amrceJvrmafmznOtVEe3BThqbz-iajK6wW9i-wNrVdLBgcgA_Jo4yQ/s320/DSCN5539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511030555573620674" border="0" /></a>It's not a fancy park but the owner is friendly and helpful. There's a nice laundry room (which we don't need) as well as a book exchange (which I always need).<br /><br />We'll be here a few days because there is quite a bit to see in this area.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-10381972164176606372010-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:002010-08-28T21:06:36.172-07:00Running AroundWhew......what a busy day running errands. A little after noon we received a call that our new air conditioner shroud had arrived at Green Star RV.<br /><br />We already had a couple bags of unnecessary stuff loaded in the car for Goodwill, so we dropped that off on our way into Rapid City. And we didn't even buy anything more!<br /><br />Then we went to Green Star Rv for the shroud and a new motor for the bathroom fan. Ouch....that stop was expensive, but nice people to deal with. Around the corner was an auto parts store where Doug picked up some paint to make the shroud match the coach.<br /><br />From there we went to Americas Mailbox to pick up our mail before we leave town and then a quick stop at a pawn shop we passed. Doug is looking for a used lapidary saw but no luck there.<br /><br />After filling the gas tank, we hit the grocery store and finally got home about 7 pm. Pooped!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm5raqkAOtTpOOksgTZHfIg8_YotINaebcl8pn1s0DsWbBONdUWlYu-KSCBvygkcf3_fib18zT9piQuHPdLRe1JYEb5EcThAg-n6byaCbj51arftlzxKDgHsZOFYtnj1ZDiGOQg/s1600/DSCN5517.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm5raqkAOtTpOOksgTZHfIg8_YotINaebcl8pn1s0DsWbBONdUWlYu-KSCBvygkcf3_fib18zT9piQuHPdLRe1JYEb5EcThAg-n6byaCbj51arftlzxKDgHsZOFYtnj1ZDiGOQg/s320/DSCN5517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510677589299581106" border="0" /></a>Still, Doug found time to paint the air conditioner cover and while it was drying he climbed up on the roof to dismantle the bathroom fan. With my expert help (lol), he changed out the fan motor, put it back together and turned the switch. It worked.....yay!<br /><br />It was after dark by the time he reinstalled the new air conditioner shroud on the roof and we called it a day.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-7783283612456573392010-08-24T16:51:00.000-07:002010-08-26T17:41:07.509-07:00SpearfishA neighbor suggested, a couple days ago, to be sure and take a ride along Hwy 14A, the Boulder Canyon. Since it was the road to Deadwood we thought today would be a good day to check it out.It was a nice, curvy road up into the hills and down through the canyon but not unlike anything we have already seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fdA3Pg3f69eUXuBuvfxld3Nau3CHF8D8rhME4b_okhpwEtwL9VLszrOak2WfTAP4w-CNCyN7kapIHuius8PWli-1UlC951JRkU37Wn2uWaRTDOXbGU_G9wC5_YaBatMAOxfJ-A/s1600/DSCN5425.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fdA3Pg3f69eUXuBuvfxld3Nau3CHF8D8rhME4b_okhpwEtwL9VLszrOak2WfTAP4w-CNCyN7kapIHuius8PWli-1UlC951JRkU37Wn2uWaRTDOXbGU_G9wC5_YaBatMAOxfJ-A/s320/DSCN5425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509871566599386994" border="0" /></a>As we came into Deadwood we thought we would stop at the visitor center for more information. There's a huge parking lot and what surprised us was the parking meters at every single parking spot. Kinda made us mad so we skipped the visitor center.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRFzuWuou3BRzC1XN-0wFh8JMnqpT0aijlFNaRRShdCA-Iqr3_a93m1bgH3RZTrlByUL_2rpz7fedUf4k6xe99UJZjWjkQpQsUCZvyJqhnmCnbRpcLGgaAdU_fUmMcV3p7o-RJg/s1600/DSCN5426.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRFzuWuou3BRzC1XN-0wFh8JMnqpT0aijlFNaRRShdCA-Iqr3_a93m1bgH3RZTrlByUL_2rpz7fedUf4k6xe99UJZjWjkQpQsUCZvyJqhnmCnbRpcLGgaAdU_fUmMcV3p7o-RJg/s320/DSCN5426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509872526478900834" border="0" /></a>We drove through town and there was absolutely no place to park that didn't have a meter. There were a lot of old and cool buildings but they all seemed to be casinos or restaurants. We were definitely not impressed with Deadwood.<br /><br />So, we continued on along Hwy 14A through the town of Lead and several miles further we took the turnoff at Cheyenne Crossing towards Spearfish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY1SdZ5Z7wQZzbYXgGxpd0t7Ok7rcfei88Lm1LhPqhJkvz97LD9dUJb4NkRXOJNLxxw_Zk0sEy327Pqr_tOTQF2AlH_S0cyNdROpMdPCrEDQnmxEMVp_NrSC9Kdz9mtuERJxUQA/s1600/DSCN5433.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY1SdZ5Z7wQZzbYXgGxpd0t7Ok7rcfei88Lm1LhPqhJkvz97LD9dUJb4NkRXOJNLxxw_Zk0sEy327Pqr_tOTQF2AlH_S0cyNdROpMdPCrEDQnmxEMVp_NrSC9Kdz9mtuERJxUQA/s320/DSCN5433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509873361161363538" border="0" /></a><br />At last we finally found something wonderful. The narrow road winds through Spearfish Canyon following a lovely stream called Spearfish Creek for 20 miles. There were many places to stop and enjoy the scenery and most had fish, so Doug was in heaven.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCM2qp14PozTMDaMuRi2Bn2F5bTP-pHdHhSwIMDNWBnpW3HBj2jCv3cwoEPgH_LDXwfMKKtkZjKiefdGnMp92ufQifc57CGO0FeLuEuuyT4dR0S40cdjAkleDiVwfHVqoXNQpsQ/s1600/DSCN5440.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCM2qp14PozTMDaMuRi2Bn2F5bTP-pHdHhSwIMDNWBnpW3HBj2jCv3cwoEPgH_LDXwfMKKtkZjKiefdGnMp92ufQifc57CGO0FeLuEuuyT4dR0S40cdjAkleDiVwfHVqoXNQpsQ/s320/DSCN5440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509873943361291570" border="0" /></a><br />It took almost two hours to drive the 20 miles with so much to see. This stop was Roughlock Falls. Beautiful and cool amidst the trees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb6hcerRwkTvyc128DuvVfaRz-uuUw9jnp7phCQ1ov83fjfCQcbW7nk5e4T1E2QbdunBzOejG_W6FGjlzo9jTgL1_hPVu4WUIULznz0IdlG8jHYn9WHtsHSnKcEKtj2ZSvasmPA/s1600/DSCN5443.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb6hcerRwkTvyc128DuvVfaRz-uuUw9jnp7phCQ1ov83fjfCQcbW7nk5e4T1E2QbdunBzOejG_W6FGjlzo9jTgL1_hPVu4WUIULznz0IdlG8jHYn9WHtsHSnKcEKtj2ZSvasmPA/s320/DSCN5443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509874463078866370" border="0" /></a><br />From there we took a detour down a dirt road to the filmsite of Dances With Wolves. I've never seen the movie so it didn't mean much to me, but Doug was thrilled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjjCphLPTuuDui47iH8WFYgVZn3A8vsEcINIU-jxVRMoK3JVmUUmZ3hi-kuhy3gWDTXdR_6Ruq2O3vlcV8ZNDGhGvB5tzVnDVVZwYyPj2NzsiqXFPIJ55PkTmayT4iJ0QgFJRcg/s1600/DSCN5458.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjjCphLPTuuDui47iH8WFYgVZn3A8vsEcINIU-jxVRMoK3JVmUUmZ3hi-kuhy3gWDTXdR_6Ruq2O3vlcV8ZNDGhGvB5tzVnDVVZwYyPj2NzsiqXFPIJ55PkTmayT4iJ0QgFJRcg/s320/DSCN5458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509875160125426754" border="0" /></a>Our next stop was Bridal Veil Falls. These reminded me of the some of the falls in Washington and Oregon. We had a nice visit with a gentleman who had ridden his bike eight miles uphill from Spearfish and then was going to coast back down. He advised us to check out the fish hatchery when we hit Spearfish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5ODCerp2Mk5SB45TBDqYX7zMOQKsjAjSxkK9nMuZwfip_iL-VTw-qtjq5dPJIg6wUqCHPYOKidzGRqA3kolAEyp5bBN48VgK7gQzYP3jMWb852ysEsS1v6hRKH9eOptQ-PFy6Q/s1600/DSCN5462.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5ODCerp2Mk5SB45TBDqYX7zMOQKsjAjSxkK9nMuZwfip_iL-VTw-qtjq5dPJIg6wUqCHPYOKidzGRqA3kolAEyp5bBN48VgK7gQzYP3jMWb852ysEsS1v6hRKH9eOptQ-PFy6Q/s320/DSCN5462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509875656957999970" border="0" /></a>So we did! And were we ever glad! It was fabulous. We arrived late in the day and we had the park mostly to ourselves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgKhx33Jptmik4eP7LqfpDp8qAO1R81NL-vubPv5ov0XtqRXS2J7gCUC5vanrdGU3zZXpkeEZ3sPlkp6JwVPg84zHppJo1nyRpVz8aqO6gB_cIWJi48Hp20UYQwMSs5RIGDLM-Q/s1600/DSCN5464.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgKhx33Jptmik4eP7LqfpDp8qAO1R81NL-vubPv5ov0XtqRXS2J7gCUC5vanrdGU3zZXpkeEZ3sPlkp6JwVPg84zHppJo1nyRpVz8aqO6gB_cIWJi48Hp20UYQwMSs5RIGDLM-Q/s320/DSCN5464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509877151436031266" border="0" /></a><br />The D. C. Booth hatchery was established in 1896 and filled with wood troughs and running water. Today it serves more as a living fisheries museum for the public. It's like a beautiful park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jiZ0KDR8JKiKcMi6TV2IElt96Lc5Z2BrRMQ0GGxYnYJ5-AZx4yZ2RK6U4-7SDhnCxcEJKQUoGEMutQjHzyeY-9zEKPCRgGUS-GuJWH6KinzMhxUn6eMos2hp_XwL-yC0HHZLfQ/s1600/DSCN5473.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jiZ0KDR8JKiKcMi6TV2IElt96Lc5Z2BrRMQ0GGxYnYJ5-AZx4yZ2RK6U4-7SDhnCxcEJKQUoGEMutQjHzyeY-9zEKPCRgGUS-GuJWH6KinzMhxUn6eMos2hp_XwL-yC0HHZLfQ/s320/DSCN5473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509878452721217906" border="0" /></a><br />There's a replica of an old Fisheries Railcar used when railroad cars transported fish across the country.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6MX_oyKUF4F3VvxhEmIbXXpSLVZJk9IoTKno_BiQBfsgqAVIuQ9jOHYBapfiD-kqqxvzqxW6d70UHoAViG_3miVQOIdUwjBalklUzNj0a2SR-nqfMdPWc4Vnq68KHvhSwD_zSQ/s1600/DSCN5472.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6MX_oyKUF4F3VvxhEmIbXXpSLVZJk9IoTKno_BiQBfsgqAVIuQ9jOHYBapfiD-kqqxvzqxW6d70UHoAViG_3miVQOIdUwjBalklUzNj0a2SR-nqfMdPWc4Vnq68KHvhSwD_zSQ/s320/DSCN5472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509879296823829138" border="0" /></a><br />Hatchery workers used boats like Yellowstone Boat #39 to collect trout eggs on Yellowstone Lake to be brought back to the hatcheries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1brO-anPgX98MPaFGndZ8XQMiMjKV6bQW6ogYjXN7Z29Z58-lWR1DhUXwsYrDkVKgjUEmkT9LNtWX610D5bw6Nyd5sPnhZ3ucR8qbwg5c3TC0bo8CiF2IaR_Ei9cIlbxlsxZX3A/s1600/DSCN5476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1brO-anPgX98MPaFGndZ8XQMiMjKV6bQW6ogYjXN7Z29Z58-lWR1DhUXwsYrDkVKgjUEmkT9LNtWX610D5bw6Nyd5sPnhZ3ucR8qbwg5c3TC0bo8CiF2IaR_Ei9cIlbxlsxZX3A/s320/DSCN5476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509879756974161634" border="0" /></a>We were disappointed that the museum was closed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb2NABAem6S6nKHywQg9Kp_2o0htD_o7Xgke2RUFih7cYVqB-32pj_WaDjJACQ_UHnPKHsjgxvaGysZQTo-zDRSjMIAjiC5HeiFBuNOzkZsKtMLnxfPUMRRUi10YdLPmi6_G31Q/s1600/DSCN5479.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb2NABAem6S6nKHywQg9Kp_2o0htD_o7Xgke2RUFih7cYVqB-32pj_WaDjJACQ_UHnPKHsjgxvaGysZQTo-zDRSjMIAjiC5HeiFBuNOzkZsKtMLnxfPUMRRUi10YdLPmi6_G31Q/s320/DSCN5479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509880585313959026" border="0" /></a>But I did get a picture of Doug with his new best friend.<br /><br />There was so much to see that Spearfish will be on our list for a return visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__gBREXJRId7t0YKJ5JaQ9o0wS1lpocnT-EIlGcpB3QdzydBvVTt9c1nkrQBRQ_8SAh9DjT5oLeQpuW4GhEABuV0UTFTuqq3RiA_Mu2z1G_NSpU_ScUqLdcJZrKQkNkiy6GgGEw/s1600/DSCN5494.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__gBREXJRId7t0YKJ5JaQ9o0wS1lpocnT-EIlGcpB3QdzydBvVTt9c1nkrQBRQ_8SAh9DjT5oLeQpuW4GhEABuV0UTFTuqq3RiA_Mu2z1G_NSpU_ScUqLdcJZrKQkNkiy6GgGEw/s320/DSCN5494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509881409406846354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__gBREXJRId7t0YKJ5JaQ9o0wS1lpocnT-EIlGcpB3QdzydBvVTt9c1nkrQBRQ_8SAh9DjT5oLeQpuW4GhEABuV0UTFTuqq3RiA_Mu2z1G_NSpU_ScUqLdcJZrKQkNkiy6GgGEw/s1600/DSCN5494.JPG"><br /></a>To top off a lovely day, we had a full moon rise over the hilltops to guide us home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG9YsI1fH3Cs-I21dLNTqArQv6oQXS8riwEhtFdYySbL9gp0O10xtii4z7sQJNSn1gwiZKdDQ6qq79rb81HvW2HFAmtdErARV6b5SR6wkXiygrFZGlPCXWaFbcV06wPaGuRf8uQ/s1600/DSCN5493.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG9YsI1fH3Cs-I21dLNTqArQv6oQXS8riwEhtFdYySbL9gp0O10xtii4z7sQJNSn1gwiZKdDQ6qq79rb81HvW2HFAmtdErARV6b5SR6wkXiygrFZGlPCXWaFbcV06wPaGuRf8uQ/s320/DSCN5493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509881680715650162" border="0" /></a>Perfect!Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-34978474813463788722010-08-23T21:14:00.000-07:002010-08-24T21:33:24.447-07:00Flying Air Conditioner CoversCrazy winds pushed us right out of Rushmore Shadows, north on I-90. We were buffeted for quite a few miles while listening to strange noises on the roof. Then, BAM......Doug watched in the rear mirrors as the air conditioner shroud flew behind us onto the freeway.<br /><br />He pulled over as quickly as possible at 70 mph, then ran back to try and retrieve the cover. Thank heavens there weren't any cars behind us when it blew off. The shroud isn't heavy but it is large and sure could do some damage if it had hit someone.<br /><br />The surprising part is that Doug had checked both of the covers when he was on the roof just before we left the park. Later we were told that the material becomes very brittle after several years under the hot sun and will just snap if the wind gets underneath.<br /><br />We continued on another 20 miles after stowing the pieces in the car until we came to the Bulldog Creek Campground. The office was empty with instructions to proceed with a self-check-in. Half of the park has been shut down already for the winter. Their moneymaker time is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.<br /><br />As soon as we got settled, we jumped in the car and headed back to Rapid City to try and find a new air conditioner shroud. Green Star RV had one they said would be a good substitute but after comparing it with the destroyed one, it was apparent that we would need to order the correct one.<br /><br />Our plan (carved in jello) was to begin our journey south on Wednesday but that will probably change since we need to wait for our purchase. Hopefully Thursday or Friday.<br /><br />Pics tomorrow of the park.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-31463780214761751562010-08-23T17:38:00.000-07:002010-08-25T17:52:01.841-07:00Near SturgisBulldog Creek Campground is the park we chose for hanging out for the next few days. We're located about 5 miles south of Sturgis where it's very peaceful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq391S7rzExnBs0oU9KKx6tOt1Ul93EXhkdJJYoOt5Ht2RaN7NKdJK485RR1xrbrG-iPD4jMYmt9v5BZtXyb6ZYa77BTCcuBjCUbrm7cXan3nTxlIO8ik_NcUstW4dLTqACLw0Rw/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq391S7rzExnBs0oU9KKx6tOt1Ul93EXhkdJJYoOt5Ht2RaN7NKdJK485RR1xrbrG-iPD4jMYmt9v5BZtXyb6ZYa77BTCcuBjCUbrm7cXan3nTxlIO8ik_NcUstW4dLTqACLw0Rw/s320/DSCN5503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509511958581207522" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, it's basically just a huge open field. Behind the coach and trees is I-90 but we are far enough away that it is very quiet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezNhwRjx5zFYCwBbqKhD8UFVBlaKFjKwjSfKMxrrranobFheWWGwNU3Np4w1qtm5i_VzYNtK9UVjdtIEkXXzT0ZnpgQJ-KI7lHRG7JvnQTri1tMSKzleLgKSROKFx3wK-7rpd3Q/s1600/DSCN5508.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezNhwRjx5zFYCwBbqKhD8UFVBlaKFjKwjSfKMxrrranobFheWWGwNU3Np4w1qtm5i_VzYNtK9UVjdtIEkXXzT0ZnpgQJ-KI7lHRG7JvnQTri1tMSKzleLgKSROKFx3wK-7rpd3Q/s320/DSCN5508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509514558526969010" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the view from our front window. The hills are beautiful and the pasture contains two horses that we enjoy watching. There are even deer if we are vigilant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOqSRJ3auZricmKPmZi1AOdWQuVFlTzGB2B34hNpAe1M4VYDRIWxmRnCfqEgL2_cGUIgaSmqaRE3Cy5S0LTsK2zON2_1wULqgezzk_LVGwVyZHQCnjzZF-ZOgeImxAgAd6bYqXA/s1600/DSCN5504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOqSRJ3auZricmKPmZi1AOdWQuVFlTzGB2B34hNpAe1M4VYDRIWxmRnCfqEgL2_cGUIgaSmqaRE3Cy5S0LTsK2zON2_1wULqgezzk_LVGwVyZHQCnjzZF-ZOgeImxAgAd6bYqXA/s320/DSCN5504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509512960593133186" border="0" /></a><br />Here is another shot of the park. It's really empty. There are a couple of other rigs but we have yet to see anyone near them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OjOJEytL7NpQR-lx__hSF1_0BGIJN7rWSsmoJNmLfQaj6hji-N2DlU8MLba7RdKT9oPuBycJLdpZqLRGk7J5wQ5aAw6UNfIRwieMsnmswc5Ey_jqL1CD9rSCaHjKQeEzYcDj1Q/s1600/DSCN5506.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OjOJEytL7NpQR-lx__hSF1_0BGIJN7rWSsmoJNmLfQaj6hji-N2DlU8MLba7RdKT9oPuBycJLdpZqLRGk7J5wQ5aAw6UNfIRwieMsnmswc5Ey_jqL1CD9rSCaHjKQeEzYcDj1Q/s320/DSCN5506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509513344597860370" border="0" /></a><br />So we are just killing time here with all the comforts of home. Tomorrow, we'll check out Deadwood.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-15204581652831956772010-08-22T06:07:00.000-07:002010-08-23T06:20:50.009-07:00Mundane ChoresWe haven't been doing too much the last couple of days. Doug had the urge to pick up rocks so we took a ride south through the towns of Rockerville, Hill City and Custer to an area called French Creek. It turned out to all be national forest where nothing can be removed. Oh well, a pretty drive with no pictures.<br /><br />Then we spent some time going through closets and drawers eliminating piles of stuff that we have accumulated. The coach is approaching it's weight limit for the back axle and we need to lighten the load. It's difficult for Doug to part with treasures but he was ruthless. There's still more to do but we feel much lighter.<br /><br />A weather front blew through during the day and tried to take out our garden. One of the poles went down, dumping the large tomato plant on the ground and throwing a lantern on top of the strawberry plants. We rushed outside to rescue everything but lost a couple of branches on the tomato that were loaded with green tomatoes.<br /><br />Our tall cactus was also tipped over. It seems to be ok now that Doug replanted it. What a mess! Next year we'll grow tomatoes upright in pots, not in Topsy Turvy upside down planters. They are too heavy and awkward.<br /><br />Tomorrow we'll be moving again. We're going north a little ways to the Sturgis/Deadwood area to do some sightseeing.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-24617807684577776152010-08-19T20:08:00.000-07:002010-08-19T20:25:42.638-07:00Official Again!Our main purpose in coming to South Dakota was to renew our drivers licenses. Hard to believe that it's been 5 years since we became residents of this fine state. Time flies when you're having fun!<br /><br />This year, thanks to the National Real ID Act, we will need to jump through a lot more hoops in order to get our licenses. We started looking for our paperwork two days ago and Doug ran into a problem. No birth certificate. Instead of sightseeing and playing, he started going through boxes and drawers and his closet. It's been a loooooong two days. <br /><br />Finally this afternoon, it turned up in an envelope in the big lockbox. We quickly gathered our social security cards, birth certificates, my marriage certificate and stopped at the park office to get receipts proving that we had spent at least one night in SD.<br /><br />We got to the DMV about 3:30 and it was packed. An employee checked that our paperwork was all in order then had us fill out application forms and take a number. At that point I noticed a sign on the wall stating cash or checks only. While I waited in line, Doug ran to the local Safeway to get cash.<br /><br />At 5 pm, our number was called and everything went smooth as silk. Paperwork was perfect, eye exam was perfect, pictures were less than perfect and we're good to go for another five years. What a relief!<br /><br />So......be prepared if you haven't renewed your license this year. All states are in the process of rolling out the Real ID Act and they mean business.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-33096289468429376702010-08-16T19:30:00.000-07:002010-08-18T19:52:14.062-07:00Home Again, Home Again....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPAVAofg5BIrBRPKYc_WTyJKSbSkzgucjkPnQNIOok8HMnWvfj5sFO3JhqOCi8TPFBR5oOGb07OdQLn89FORDE0b6KcFH_l07CB8SvRR5VBADF9w5g4CU3DWsOA7ddkw8_GOojQ/s1600/DSCN5412.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPAVAofg5BIrBRPKYc_WTyJKSbSkzgucjkPnQNIOok8HMnWvfj5sFO3JhqOCi8TPFBR5oOGb07OdQLn89FORDE0b6KcFH_l07CB8SvRR5VBADF9w5g4CU3DWsOA7ddkw8_GOojQ/s320/DSCN5412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506948079763536978" border="0" /></a><br />First, a photo of the not so great park we just left.<br /><br />Good, that's over. So, we left as early as we could get away and had another easy drive of about 150 miles to Rapid City, SD. There were a couple of light rainshowers along the way, but not enough to clean the coach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPk-ZAM4PWTSToayS9f-bQLw570WjVd8o7WZP1q7AO-anWNAaTH4emAmeh1-2QAAIftLNPisfsGU6tAfiK26dPAzhwhdBzugC7vSb4bQs0M0CAchl4xtuxGSpWIcpDcKXGckqMw/s1600/DSCN5422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPk-ZAM4PWTSToayS9f-bQLw570WjVd8o7WZP1q7AO-anWNAaTH4emAmeh1-2QAAIftLNPisfsGU6tAfiK26dPAzhwhdBzugC7vSb4bQs0M0CAchl4xtuxGSpWIcpDcKXGckqMw/s320/DSCN5422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506946949075146978" border="0" /></a><br />The park is another ROD (Resorts of Distinction) park which means we can stay free for a week. Woot!! Lots of trees and green grass with our garden doing very well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnnkKe1EQE241hA68Zo1Z81p_Z2xpKA81laMa09_BHC9_g582VQZ15Z9RKI5Th5o7EGILT8TJDrXZadEPB4tmZ6H04DUNpsQEHZrXQHYk93_pYGMVITJtYxoSESQ4Jq9fgU5z_Q/s1600/DSCN5418.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnnkKe1EQE241hA68Zo1Z81p_Z2xpKA81laMa09_BHC9_g582VQZ15Z9RKI5Th5o7EGILT8TJDrXZadEPB4tmZ6H04DUNpsQEHZrXQHYk93_pYGMVITJtYxoSESQ4Jq9fgU5z_Q/s320/DSCN5418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506947289956148818" border="0" /></a>In the pictures it looks like we are very close to the coach next door, but it's deceiving. The park is very nice and we would definitely stay here again. Great power, water and internet!<br /><br />So, tomorrow we'll head into the big city to pick up our mail at our mail forwarding company, America's Mailbox. We have dealt with them for 5 years now are very pleased with their customer service.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-90402749488515549652010-08-14T06:46:00.000-07:002010-08-16T07:58:34.503-07:00CarhengeAnother short travel day had us departing Creekside RV Park in Chappell, NE around 11 am. It's nice to not have to run around like chickens with our heads cut off getting ready to move.<br /><br />The sun was shining and we chose a backroad that paralleled the freeway but took us through several small towns. I read the history of each one as we passed them and we were able to pick out a number of buildings or businesses that were over 100 years old and historical.<br /><br />When we got to Sidney, only 30 miles away, we decided to take a detour based on something I had read about a bronze strip being place across the interstate where the east interstate met the west interstate during construction. We jumped onto the freeway and headed west hoping to see the bronze strip. Nothing......bummer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I98jtf7F6PvLTXyGK5hly2JZ97QIXuehIvVvdw2ftz6s1FkxYf7T1GLIzAPdCAiTvWErpaLo20QysMRngI4t-sTWQ-UICol8ywdHCyo77RuQsoDaGQOI50GqoRnrAK5FfKlVSA/s1600/DSCN5342.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I98jtf7F6PvLTXyGK5hly2JZ97QIXuehIvVvdw2ftz6s1FkxYf7T1GLIzAPdCAiTvWErpaLo20QysMRngI4t-sTWQ-UICol8ywdHCyo77RuQsoDaGQOI50GqoRnrAK5FfKlVSA/s320/DSCN5342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506006002656577010" border="0" /></a>A u-turn at the next exit brought us back to a rest area where we discovered this sign. It turns out that the Golden Link is a state marker, not a national one and the it's located north of the highway. Oh well, interesting detour anyway.<br /><br />We turned north at Sidney and followed Hwy 385 for about 70 miles through gentle rolling hills. This road is nicknamed the Gold Rush highway because it was used to transport the gold that was discovered in the Black Hills to the railroads waiting in Sidney. Lots of history in this area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-jx8Mj1V_iXAuMmW5wReKfpBOSlvQ863sHTpA2L8hwuHojyrQVY0On5VhuHyWHvueo9jslRIgyCbDJmyVXLLsIL65XmHkeHeTNjDD4iwGmiCX7Nx3FvKyRPFnnaou3kLHZYooA/s1600/DSCN5356.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-jx8Mj1V_iXAuMmW5wReKfpBOSlvQ863sHTpA2L8hwuHojyrQVY0On5VhuHyWHvueo9jslRIgyCbDJmyVXLLsIL65XmHkeHeTNjDD4iwGmiCX7Nx3FvKyRPFnnaou3kLHZYooA/s320/DSCN5356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506007360859094594" border="0" /></a>In Bridgeport, NE we found the historical marker where the Mormons camped near the North Platte River. Bridgeport is recognized as the "Trail City" since the Pony Express, Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Big Medicine Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail all passed through here. I would have loved to see the actual ruts that are still visible nearby at Chimney Rock but it isn't alway easy to use the motorhome for sightseeing.<br /><br />So, we continued on to our destination, Alliance, NE. where we found the Sunset Motel and RV Park. The original plan was to spend just one night here but we usually chose to not travel on Sunday and we paid for two nights.<br /><br />The rv park appears to be an afterthought, tacked onto the back of the motel. Small and marginally acceptable, it will do as a stopover. Pics tomorrow.<br /><br />After getting set up we jumped in the car to visit the highlight of Alliance. Carhenge! Yup, you read that right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Emars26F1dIfbe17-PuozhpEpD9yfEJzTbXmIxY0JbnH4C2_Q-LhzRtZd6lu7sXxp5XdNDjhrRe1GPozFWxbkHXMSQgLXcFwHLoRJkIG6VaJOBTDX7jYv3_XqIV1y-5BFtEG5Q/s1600/DSCN5362.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Emars26F1dIfbe17-PuozhpEpD9yfEJzTbXmIxY0JbnH4C2_Q-LhzRtZd6lu7sXxp5XdNDjhrRe1GPozFWxbkHXMSQgLXcFwHLoRJkIG6VaJOBTDX7jYv3_XqIV1y-5BFtEG5Q/s320/DSCN5362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506009910568853282" border="0" /></a><br />Just 3 miles outside of town is this hysterically funny take on Stonehenge built in a dusty field with 38 cars buried in the dirt. According to the "road culture" website Roadside America, this was constructed in 1987 much to the dismay of the people of Alliance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5y-FKOuHnxYinr5Fi5-CdTQgTcSqkbPHg-K_sXSV4aXfogROl1f5uo_Wm2heuHKhWsHBDzvZcuPTWHkXKqkJLmX1cHZnF2QfjNmF_XDlGVOzJSQlCgXrtsyFejDu4AzF4FnR8A/s1600/DSCN5368.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5y-FKOuHnxYinr5Fi5-CdTQgTcSqkbPHg-K_sXSV4aXfogROl1f5uo_Wm2heuHKhWsHBDzvZcuPTWHkXKqkJLmX1cHZnF2QfjNmF_XDlGVOzJSQlCgXrtsyFejDu4AzF4FnR8A/s320/DSCN5368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506016052086369570" border="0" /></a>It has now become a popular tourist sight with a visitor center and thousands of visitors each year. The American made autos are arranged in a 95 foot (diameter) circle copying the original Stonehenge in shape, proportion and size.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GJWKkv4SEkb5KyvwpGQbraF-vbFTN-bAXsnJrWoRYRO9eNCadGN_PImOnEsVo_NcIJDdeBCVZreSQCS94hAzY8g5CpSq1HRGjcDHVlltpXsDIhPUL2ArJF39ONqXPkSRwteBOA/s1600/DSCN5367.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GJWKkv4SEkb5KyvwpGQbraF-vbFTN-bAXsnJrWoRYRO9eNCadGN_PImOnEsVo_NcIJDdeBCVZreSQCS94hAzY8g5CpSq1HRGjcDHVlltpXsDIhPUL2ArJF39ONqXPkSRwteBOA/s320/DSCN5367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506017297543471458" border="0" /></a><br />The admission is free and it's well worth the stop if you are in the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4zu5Ii1Q9DP5hDvvHtZwCzceJcXj7qNCxfHUKL3-SBHDkr8QAqcUr7VdnQokqPYthfj0jP3ctYZhGiTal7fQA0LB7crkca7EetJ60goLpJ5dpSM9k1LAF4576ummegqibXir6w/s1600/DSCN5375.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4zu5Ii1Q9DP5hDvvHtZwCzceJcXj7qNCxfHUKL3-SBHDkr8QAqcUr7VdnQokqPYthfj0jP3ctYZhGiTal7fQA0LB7crkca7EetJ60goLpJ5dpSM9k1LAF4576ummegqibXir6w/s320/DSCN5375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506018061331171026" border="0" /></a>There are many other sculptures and "art" built from car parts in the field, including this ode to the four(d) seasons....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdiYhGrms57-idMKtrlH1BjtV-15Fnheh6IoHjSrrjXNN5hp8ferFNqChErG1icf7o-3VLfi8NFNjn5o3hqoZWfyeJZsQnMuMgrs3cEVhlj8Djs146dnhY7IQhdbm_knB2_ombA/s1600/DSCN5373.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdiYhGrms57-idMKtrlH1BjtV-15Fnheh6IoHjSrrjXNN5hp8ferFNqChErG1icf7o-3VLfi8NFNjn5o3hqoZWfyeJZsQnMuMgrs3cEVhlj8Djs146dnhY7IQhdbm_knB2_ombA/s320/DSCN5373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506018391746136818" border="0" /></a>and a towering dinosaur.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaArTqZuKO_8Up3c0yszjkyJ8LGa3QyGS4hMCSnM6BQdlFTblsoePgUDFslBT1qtlR58o-b42zv8CW7Zob_0StN2bxtwuKBAn8yx1TUWmuAZsjumyOQ3xuKR2TWGGOZ_aO6kcxZg/s1600/DSCN5401.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaArTqZuKO_8Up3c0yszjkyJ8LGa3QyGS4hMCSnM6BQdlFTblsoePgUDFslBT1qtlR58o-b42zv8CW7Zob_0StN2bxtwuKBAn8yx1TUWmuAZsjumyOQ3xuKR2TWGGOZ_aO6kcxZg/s320/DSCN5401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506019029997299266" border="0" /></a><br />Continuing down the road we discovered a rest area that Doug couldn't resist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLka1n9YYorEvr4spwaOkLcbsC6KlmnfVNkJ2CazmJeuwLLPwg1tcT2vNkn3oc38Ve6TdBPF85LNB0THrVQ0TIl4Kfyi7t2p_gqgVEMxvgCTX-_PubGOcfc0TIaDARDjMOLD2Jg/s1600/DSCN5403.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLka1n9YYorEvr4spwaOkLcbsC6KlmnfVNkJ2CazmJeuwLLPwg1tcT2vNkn3oc38Ve6TdBPF85LNB0THrVQ0TIl4Kfyi7t2p_gqgVEMxvgCTX-_PubGOcfc0TIaDARDjMOLD2Jg/s320/DSCN5403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506019570082451026" border="0" /></a>Perched on top of haybales is a recliner, toilet and pvc wifi pole. It's hard to take pictures when you're laughing so hard! Those Nebraskans have a great sense of humor.<br /><br />It was a long day but very relaxed and entertaining.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-13488822892951804762010-08-12T07:29:00.000-07:002010-08-14T07:50:02.793-07:00Cabela's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQCLQwzy3oHInePMxrIfYf8FFJE60PyUSI_ahfYurrh6zfXNd4FKRldblavwjfdXhNRUQyPRE-e9SwOFZtCceUoo7d3O1ilSnyTB4kJkVSZk7mTH9Z3CNc7zQmEXgoesaGz0vfg/s1600/DSCN5333.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQCLQwzy3oHInePMxrIfYf8FFJE60PyUSI_ahfYurrh6zfXNd4FKRldblavwjfdXhNRUQyPRE-e9SwOFZtCceUoo7d3O1ilSnyTB4kJkVSZk7mTH9Z3CNc7zQmEXgoesaGz0vfg/s320/DSCN5333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505277099840172946" border="0" /></a><br />When Doug learned that the Cabela's main world headquarters was located in Sidney, NE, just 30 miles from us, of course we had to visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRA1gNxxqKgS2uGvQ4IESm2esnTBBE5DW10Frm0NyaqSoWCIPRvvFrSk-BzrdUMGl3Hu5CQC2RMKu5rbC8Xj1J-t462dWHLGEq3pz4AtUDF2-r9HQAZZP9qGi-NbpjFcQmCVkog/s1600/DSCN5331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRA1gNxxqKgS2uGvQ4IESm2esnTBBE5DW10Frm0NyaqSoWCIPRvvFrSk-BzrdUMGl3Hu5CQC2RMKu5rbC8Xj1J-t462dWHLGEq3pz4AtUDF2-r9HQAZZP9qGi-NbpjFcQmCVkog/s320/DSCN5331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505273614541664018" border="0" /></a>Right off the freeway we found this huge complex consisting of not just a large hunting, fishing and outdoor gear store, but they also have a big rv park, a horse camping area, truck and rv parking (overnight) and what appears to be their main headquarters buildings.<br /><br />We checked out the rv park which was very nice, clean and well kept but a little too pricey for our blood. (Make that waaaay too pricey!)<br /><br />Then we entered the store to wander and drool over all of the items Doug thought he needed. But as we meandered and checked prices we discovered that everything is horribly overpriced. Maybe we just haven't done enough retail shopping lately and are out of touch. Still even Doug was terribly disappointed with the place.<br /><br />After our short visit, we picked up a few groceries and headed home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGtl_ohLjiHjqCdKsWfdQ1C5hhYTOl-jWuavQYvyWMz2HAujccKYoLfOJNqqsXT8GgUb48s6R486gJj0Oqh9OrKi8pL74orz6betaH2qeSsrBWQS0W_g37Xx41kWlv60eJgqv_w/s1600/DSCN5334.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGtl_ohLjiHjqCdKsWfdQ1C5hhYTOl-jWuavQYvyWMz2HAujccKYoLfOJNqqsXT8GgUb48s6R486gJj0Oqh9OrKi8pL74orz6betaH2qeSsrBWQS0W_g37Xx41kWlv60eJgqv_w/s320/DSCN5334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505275326735188674" border="0" /></a>Near our rv park we found the Pony Express Park with a lovely little lake. It was so peaceful and relaxing that we spent a while gazing over the water and watching the blue gills dart through the weeds.<br /><br />The park was named for one of the hundreds of historical pony express stations that was located nearby. It was a nice way to end the day.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-49315175493094561392010-08-11T17:28:00.001-07:002010-08-11T17:54:39.542-07:00Another State To Add to the Map!Monday was a ho-hum day so nothing was blogged.<br /><br />But today, Tuesday, was a travel day. After visiting with our new friends, Bud and Marietta, we fired up the coach and left Seibert, CO. The park owners were great people and we would not hesitate to spend a few days here again.<br /><br />Our trip went just fine up until we missed the detour sign for trucks over 7 feet wide. Highway 385 was a nice road and easy to travel. Then we saw the flagger waving us down. He wasn't sure that we were over 7 feet, but we knew better. The coach itself is 8 feet wide with mirrors and exhaust pipes that extend it even wider. Oooops!!!!<br /><br />The poor kid flagging was unfamiliar with the area and wasn't sure if there was a way around the road work that stopped us. After a little discussion and map searching, we turned right and started down Hwy 36. Not bad, we just had to look for the sign that said Beecher's Island and then turn north.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFEj2YP6YctlbN2avNbfUm9txiLM0rMsIRPmnF2MMcZjvHMG3iC8bBNfZ3yfo0Aqlqc3uTo0FzyxnnEMT349QDjvLpMByBDDBOPtGC4GlX6H3J1Y1pUhyu5ATk-hZJg5L0mtUDw/s1600/DSCN5324.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFEj2YP6YctlbN2avNbfUm9txiLM0rMsIRPmnF2MMcZjvHMG3iC8bBNfZ3yfo0Aqlqc3uTo0FzyxnnEMT349QDjvLpMByBDDBOPtGC4GlX6H3J1Y1pUhyu5ATk-hZJg5L0mtUDw/s320/DSCN5324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504316409984545202" border="0" /></a>We missed the sign and Doug managed a U-turn on a narrow country road to get us back. The road north was a dusty, dirty, bumpy backroad that had us a little concerned. My mantra has become......it's all an adventure.......it's all an adventure.<br /><br />I guess it worked because after about 10 miles, the road was paved and a kind stranger told us that if we just stuck with it, we would come back to Hwy 385 past the road construction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqBxzcVTenfRjA_tocotl2AGaR-HP84-5VhE8_GcYk0GdL-SC_tANKJBFMyjUNAmeBg385AMyMZz-sQO_YmOdjZ1auvIteO1B9dJtG0cHLfYo5MGTspIVeraQJBwTdWa1IDv0Dg/s1600/DSCN5325.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqBxzcVTenfRjA_tocotl2AGaR-HP84-5VhE8_GcYk0GdL-SC_tANKJBFMyjUNAmeBg385AMyMZz-sQO_YmOdjZ1auvIteO1B9dJtG0cHLfYo5MGTspIVeraQJBwTdWa1IDv0Dg/s320/DSCN5325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504316934423875234" border="0" /></a>From there, the drive was lovely, corn fields as far as we could see in every direction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQa6rutPMxn9Rem2j3TX91KcM1ZZpdnzpeQ0iWr0Dqko5gmzxXPL1Uxc-XEUGsMoPzDVEkbPlFTLoYy-eFHvjltdsSDUtiRRjASWpDC2wwBEDRqd3Yc5NtMxYcKSa83fdhOMGiA/s1600/DSCN5328.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQa6rutPMxn9Rem2j3TX91KcM1ZZpdnzpeQ0iWr0Dqko5gmzxXPL1Uxc-XEUGsMoPzDVEkbPlFTLoYy-eFHvjltdsSDUtiRRjASWpDC2wwBEDRqd3Yc5NtMxYcKSa83fdhOMGiA/s320/DSCN5328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504317370075231314" border="0" /></a>Then off in the distance we saw a brilliant yellow field and couldn't imagine what it was. As we got closer it turned out to be acres and acres of sunflowers. What a beautiful sight! Even through the bug-riddled windshield. There are a lot of grasshoppers here!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OChtzo_2MR7UXpNDLdyxF9AcCnqU_KWx26fI-jwYnkiB8fOWlRUNGWpvEGnN4f3A48MGM4iQbzTU3L1-sYPOdr8Byex6de7IIdgVizMBuAdLtXm7KI46bHR2Dx-VzXh8YD1G1Q/s1600/DSCN5330.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OChtzo_2MR7UXpNDLdyxF9AcCnqU_KWx26fI-jwYnkiB8fOWlRUNGWpvEGnN4f3A48MGM4iQbzTU3L1-sYPOdr8Byex6de7IIdgVizMBuAdLtXm7KI46bHR2Dx-VzXh8YD1G1Q/s320/DSCN5330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504317896186731298" border="0" /></a><br />We were sure glad to see this welcoming sign as we crossed into a new state for us....Nebraska!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAI3P-IqRFo8nzi8VgbsjTm2WBdE4Ea9b6oKZzQTFZnSPUbvtGa8zLIW1sRbgmFQIq98eREdvLnPCASvYA5TZeljrDrc9slVbV_sXALj9iJmpLsqApazW6GeGgXJouh-chYsm2w/s1600/DSCN5336.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAI3P-IqRFo8nzi8VgbsjTm2WBdE4Ea9b6oKZzQTFZnSPUbvtGa8zLIW1sRbgmFQIq98eREdvLnPCASvYA5TZeljrDrc9slVbV_sXALj9iJmpLsqApazW6GeGgXJouh-chYsm2w/s320/DSCN5336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504318403068975634" border="0" /></a>After a couple of more wrong turns, we finally arrived at Creekside RV Park in Chappell, NE. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEumzl91NGTsHllEph3zBNLii_dJwV4OH0I7KBlZh5vjGskwNTLqiZDMB6uj3mli4xcrO-UDTzMDLPZC5Kh85Z5_oMHpUcXaq1q-3-SAsxVSy-11w7EpBWTZFbDKrIZoXFyIDJLg/s1600/DSCN5339.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEumzl91NGTsHllEph3zBNLii_dJwV4OH0I7KBlZh5vjGskwNTLqiZDMB6uj3mli4xcrO-UDTzMDLPZC5Kh85Z5_oMHpUcXaq1q-3-SAsxVSy-11w7EpBWTZFbDKrIZoXFyIDJLg/s320/DSCN5339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504319304532184162" border="0" /></a>From what I've read, this park is full in June and July as the harvesters flock to the area. But, when we pulled in, we were the only ones here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWTXCrTG43wFfHR1EPV5tIvzVN59D-5nxm9c2uHKhgDcYQQ-P5LuzzZlKliXBaIAitMf46URXrFW7TSSOjL05VdjLi54Cvxk39mVLu0Q5_1FrLtTMJkW1rUPGSmen8uaDyoDKEQ/s1600/DSCN5338.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWTXCrTG43wFfHR1EPV5tIvzVN59D-5nxm9c2uHKhgDcYQQ-P5LuzzZlKliXBaIAitMf46URXrFW7TSSOjL05VdjLi54Cvxk39mVLu0Q5_1FrLtTMJkW1rUPGSmen8uaDyoDKEQ/s320/DSCN5338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504318965370153794" border="0" /></a>It's a very nice park with 50 amp full hookups, lots of green grass and trees and a nice owner. We set up quickly and turned on the air conditioning. 95 degrees, but who's counting.<br /><br />Aaaaah, home again, home again......Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-69143945969597210352010-08-08T16:55:00.000-07:002010-08-10T16:55:55.644-07:00SundayAnother Nascar day to relax at home.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-40351780194902529352010-08-07T08:50:00.000-07:002010-08-10T07:25:25.846-07:00The StormWe spent the day at home where I spent most of the day sleeping. Between the Percoset and the Amoxicillin, I was exhausted and sick most of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2sdXmEUq8aq5b3oarzTpuVD8pzTyEcKRJ_IL0UxsZMbS03xccYGjAQXRc-qSmhdG19TGlZCNLsH7ktUePFxHN2YMKWI_rpeX9DchFF6Oc-GPIHEsRGt7Ev1OqkI_FePoBQonfg/s1600/DSCN5317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2sdXmEUq8aq5b3oarzTpuVD8pzTyEcKRJ_IL0UxsZMbS03xccYGjAQXRc-qSmhdG19TGlZCNLsH7ktUePFxHN2YMKWI_rpeX9DchFF6Oc-GPIHEsRGt7Ev1OqkI_FePoBQonfg/s320/DSCN5317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503068909564579074" border="0" /></a>What a shame because we had a beautiful sunny day until early evening when the monsoon clouds rolled in. We even got some hail the size of quarters that pounded the coach to the point that we were afraid of damage.<br /><br />As the evening progressed, the storm grew worse with two solid hours of lightning backlighting the skies. The thunder sounded right overhead.<br /><br />Then the rain and wind started. The weather center called for extreme weather situations, so we pulled the slides in and closed the curtains in case of breaking glass. The power cut off several times while the coach swayed with the wind. By 11pm everything calmed down although the roads were flooded and we were able to open the coach back up. The humidity was ridiculous and it felt good to open the windows and vents again.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-67730248627865119122010-08-07T08:13:00.000-07:002010-08-08T08:49:46.037-07:00Kit Carson CarouselOur first stop this morning was 35 miles away in Burlington, CO. Our choice for drug stores was 35 miles west to Limon or 35 miles east to Burlington. Did I mention that we are in the middle of nowhere? Since we had been through Limon on our way here, we chose to go east.<br /><br />We found the drug store without any problems and got the prescriptions filled. I didn't think I would need pain pills but by this morning I was thrilled to get them. Doug had been told about the Kit Carson County Carousel and Museum nearby so we decided to find it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCceUO8Fdemxe3RbyWEmil5JJOU93k8FRSahFtlVnHovm5j-Yq6oh4v2H2FmwcO05eLSZe6qIP0KnKr1H3FakRVOStlbI1wTosb4FS60UqqqIjDnR2vUGO6UXT1jaJiFGO6I8AKQ/s1600/DSCN5253.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCceUO8Fdemxe3RbyWEmil5JJOU93k8FRSahFtlVnHovm5j-Yq6oh4v2H2FmwcO05eLSZe6qIP0KnKr1H3FakRVOStlbI1wTosb4FS60UqqqIjDnR2vUGO6UXT1jaJiFGO6I8AKQ/s320/DSCN5253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503058561840865986" border="0" /></a>I'm sure glad that we did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWozZfXq2kUXs1Vv188NzFXSHZJXhJWGWsNHQuBg-X7BslTqe-Y7gks9DsvUZfy7ZsSRiO6u1FvJ8VgMpwMhEXt5Q3jImL3IExz-rk9syj8876_ExL4fTnamYyG2hwBucabyNUQ/s1600/DSCN5254.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWozZfXq2kUXs1Vv188NzFXSHZJXhJWGWsNHQuBg-X7BslTqe-Y7gks9DsvUZfy7ZsSRiO6u1FvJ8VgMpwMhEXt5Q3jImL3IExz-rk9syj8876_ExL4fTnamYyG2hwBucabyNUQ/s320/DSCN5254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503058994982811042" border="0" /></a><br />This old fashion carousel was built in 1905 by the Philadelpia Tobaggon Company and was purchased by the town of Burlington in 1928 for the princely sum of $1200. Much of the town was horrified by the extravagance during the depression and the carousel was allowed to deteriorate. Many years later it was restored and is open every day, all summer long.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4taEbIJZZve7y4rk4dr39SboT_lz0UlT70vG0Fmpj92oOdltiss9ahutO5Q4ysuw7_bReJz2fzyj8eleJGQdzFInJP1mYuwxcZg_aWUNZdpsamEmP1919ykiuTY_4BpTelMmHRg/s1600/DSCN5257.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4taEbIJZZve7y4rk4dr39SboT_lz0UlT70vG0Fmpj92oOdltiss9ahutO5Q4ysuw7_bReJz2fzyj8eleJGQdzFInJP1mYuwxcZg_aWUNZdpsamEmP1919ykiuTY_4BpTelMmHRg/s320/DSCN5257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503059735623950018" border="0" /></a>And the best part.....it costs .25. Yup, one thin quarter, the bargain of the century. We couldn't resist. Doug chose the magnificent lion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA541c2CkyfPzL4CYMwNxWGxII-9mGxIuu_GxPFCrxYzFaq9RpdwS_qKY_W_NC0pNJ4H6K2iEcRacolDWSqirXhwkjoEeky-yXzpXNM0QbeWfN0yig9tGt4qTaKBIJWCA4gEYM8Q/s1600/DSCN5258.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA541c2CkyfPzL4CYMwNxWGxII-9mGxIuu_GxPFCrxYzFaq9RpdwS_qKY_W_NC0pNJ4H6K2iEcRacolDWSqirXhwkjoEeky-yXzpXNM0QbeWfN0yig9tGt4qTaKBIJWCA4gEYM8Q/s320/DSCN5258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503060121857964066" border="0" /></a><br />I chose a reindeer. (If I look a little grim, I'm still in pain.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRySeiFSSNq07SvocQgLVsl5Itq3WPtHwHwUl7JXZqhxRNJBOBEkCvGWDQgIVa-VLQBIGlouxV1IYDDDpTjrYHOrmbDS_X9Qh0Ti0CEc0YiME3x1R92gFlm_RdhAAmdaBf42ynlA/s1600/DSCN5278.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRySeiFSSNq07SvocQgLVsl5Itq3WPtHwHwUl7JXZqhxRNJBOBEkCvGWDQgIVa-VLQBIGlouxV1IYDDDpTjrYHOrmbDS_X9Qh0Ti0CEc0YiME3x1R92gFlm_RdhAAmdaBf42ynlA/s320/DSCN5278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503060509738548914" border="0" /></a><br />The ride lasted 4 minutes at 12 miles per hour with the band organ playing Stars and Stripes Forever. The average carousel runs at 8 mph and we felt like we were flying.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i3V8J8oaMkfq8PzGLhIhjqricJR9FybVHBOp6RJy0Az7M-_rwobk52Rd4ICC7MIgHCL-scMp9dFYJkNFsOzpLZbJY3kcHBIUbhLnnMHZWB-F7YIr91UAn5Anj1Aaxgpoe34Tww/s1600/DSCN5271.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i3V8J8oaMkfq8PzGLhIhjqricJR9FybVHBOp6RJy0Az7M-_rwobk52Rd4ICC7MIgHCL-scMp9dFYJkNFsOzpLZbJY3kcHBIUbhLnnMHZWB-F7YIr91UAn5Anj1Aaxgpoe34Tww/s320/DSCN5271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503062549348449986" border="0" /></a><br />This carousel is a stationary carousel, in that the animals don't go up and down. Which is just as well as you can get dizzy at 12 miles per hour in a circle. But the animals are fantastic! 46 specimens prance around the 45 foot diameter platform in 3 rows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIiBz0ngnWt_rsbQ0wxJzRtjooWPl2t-uOaiBug1Ilb-MeY-VNQHF5peV4gdLcBMgAznXnKqHg7gQWzVYSv1lzjCO7eoEuQNKTDa_Psj9RShBH_-2Gg8hcSgroZVR6Y-QsjIgzw/s1600/DSCN5310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIiBz0ngnWt_rsbQ0wxJzRtjooWPl2t-uOaiBug1Ilb-MeY-VNQHF5peV4gdLcBMgAznXnKqHg7gQWzVYSv1lzjCO7eoEuQNKTDa_Psj9RShBH_-2Gg8hcSgroZVR6Y-QsjIgzw/s320/DSCN5310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503063267116557986" border="0" /></a><br />After our ride, we checked out the museum. There was a ton of information about the history of the carousel and a nice display of how the animals are carved, painted and designed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UeShBcVVWrmzUO7ejZVgZBO3tbDDbDieuvF_5L7335LNTuIuHXxLW5kKi7aDr0HNJH2YrdA0RejP-1AKGYSsDAuadzylqCtoSu4LB_dpvjenEqAriHZCe5n5uVXpj9AHGoUiBA/s1600/DSCN5308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UeShBcVVWrmzUO7ejZVgZBO3tbDDbDieuvF_5L7335LNTuIuHXxLW5kKi7aDr0HNJH2YrdA0RejP-1AKGYSsDAuadzylqCtoSu4LB_dpvjenEqAriHZCe5n5uVXpj9AHGoUiBA/s320/DSCN5308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503063981459949602" border="0" /></a>A wonderful way to be a kid again.<br /><br />Following our entertainment, we found a burger joint, Burger Delite on the way home. Doug chose a huge burger with lots of gooey toppings and about 3 bites into it, felt something hard. Upon closer examination, it was a piece of glass! Luckily he didn't cut himself. The manager apologized and offered us our money back or another sandwich. I was ready to split, but Doug thought the burger was so good that he would try another one. The second burger was very good. Needless to say, we won't be eating there again.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-52979746354574513162010-08-05T10:51:00.000-07:002010-08-08T08:13:00.170-07:00Moving into Eastern ColoradoMoving day is always exciting. We said our goodbye's to the neighbors, finished packing and hit the road about 11 am. It was a beautiful drive along Hwy 24 through corn fields, wheat fields and several tiny towns.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwY1LspWSYX4GjpwlU_fMVkH0CydlGJCceILcdKyYmOJGNAZSIxFBM8W1KjdoxSYt2JRze0Qx5A4E8-qaaB7YkWh4DhSb1yvPXjLRawVP6qvgSYlrQFgVkwVHYzbMcTfefy1ZOg/s1600/DSCN5316.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwY1LspWSYX4GjpwlU_fMVkH0CydlGJCceILcdKyYmOJGNAZSIxFBM8W1KjdoxSYt2JRze0Qx5A4E8-qaaB7YkWh4DhSb1yvPXjLRawVP6qvgSYlrQFgVkwVHYzbMcTfefy1ZOg/s320/DSCN5316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503057068582879954" border="0" /></a>About two hours later, we arrived in Seibert, CO. The rv park is called Shady Grove Wifi Campground and sits in the middle of a residential area. It's a family owned park with super friendly people and is a Passport America park. (1/2 price)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHciwjrDXW0d_gkiayc-LHlXb9KQEIbroMZmiEUOJZ2vNRkKkMbSsWFwISLHF7z6zfKGgRupdh58edmx2oyLzb3thLVBU6QP38fgd_G4Tn3uv0s5Tyhj2NYj5ww3qHIMe4Nl9rA/s1600/DSCN5315.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHciwjrDXW0d_gkiayc-LHlXb9KQEIbroMZmiEUOJZ2vNRkKkMbSsWFwISLHF7z6zfKGgRupdh58edmx2oyLzb3thLVBU6QP38fgd_G4Tn3uv0s5Tyhj2NYj5ww3qHIMe4Nl9rA/s320/DSCN5315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503056849473784562" border="0" /></a>We have grass and trees and full hookups with excellent satellite reception.<br /><br />My first question when we arrived was "Is there a dentist in your fine town?" I had another toothache that was getting worse by the minute. The owner gave me the number of his dentist in the next town, Stratton and they were able to get me in right away.<br /><br />The bad news is I had 2 teeth that were infected and could not be saved. I spent an hour in the chair to have them surgically removed and 3 sutures to close them up. Not one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. By the time Dr Ley finished, there was not a drug store opened anywhere. They roll up the sidewalks in these little towns at 5:30 pm. He gave me a couple of prescriptions and said to be sure to get them filled in the morning.<br /><br />I was feeling pretty miserable when we got back to the coach only to discover that the air conditioner in the bedroom was leaking and we had a huge wet spot on the bed. Just what I felt like doing.......stripping the bed, doing laundry and remaking the bed before we could retire.<br /><br />What a day.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-70558859220543779282010-08-04T10:45:00.000-07:002010-08-07T10:51:41.782-07:00Pikes Peak PlansWe intended to take a drive up the Pikes Peak highway today, but the weather turned bad. It's a toll road now that costs $12 each to drive the 19 miles to the top. And, if we couldn't see any of the views along the way, it seemed like a waste of hard earned dollars.<br /><br />So, we just relaxed around home and started getting things ready to go since we are leaving tomorrow. I guess we'll hit Pikes Peak next time we are in Colorado Springs.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-1894089969336808932010-08-03T08:51:00.000-07:002010-08-07T10:45:19.817-07:00Ghost Town MuseumDoug had the urge to pan for gold and the only place he could find is a tourist trap called the Ghost Town Museum. So that became our plan for the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MRwJBtpSURm6uQC9vke4FVPts_yY2ZgZD2a7fkioONGrUvRoA6WKMBPIQQ0RKFwaQC4rjJmGVKy4NLBJ8rWMQtSFuZTHzWEHrKu0W4459aFDFMTl1j9a_W-ln9NwrL5LVoC2mw/s1600/DSCN5202.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MRwJBtpSURm6uQC9vke4FVPts_yY2ZgZD2a7fkioONGrUvRoA6WKMBPIQQ0RKFwaQC4rjJmGVKy4NLBJ8rWMQtSFuZTHzWEHrKu0W4459aFDFMTl1j9a_W-ln9NwrL5LVoC2mw/s320/DSCN5202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501962697068492258" border="0" /></a>I was convinced that it would be a waste of time and money but to my delight, it was quite fascinating. An entire town is recreated inside a massive building which is historical unto itself.<br /><br />After fighting our way through the gift shop, we paid our admission and started wandering along the boardwalk peering into each shop and vignette.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgBw_n1J-g2NufPd2wT_p9RcTwfDJ79fBwmnmtUe8LdJRbWYy2Qut5qfu1y_584rQpfPd0q-PVeWESK9lTlB91o-_JVia9ErMuWCY-4FOn6K4-sEI43rv5qyEVZ6-onuq5oqlew/s1600/DSCN5203.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgBw_n1J-g2NufPd2wT_p9RcTwfDJ79fBwmnmtUe8LdJRbWYy2Qut5qfu1y_584rQpfPd0q-PVeWESK9lTlB91o-_JVia9ErMuWCY-4FOn6K4-sEI43rv5qyEVZ6-onuq5oqlew/s320/DSCN5203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501963318089971426" border="0" /></a>There was the general store....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8wXyYRJ6duPlSDnYPdN14CFmvDS_gezwLgNqiuvOXYPRp9AQFbGu5AB1eEz8z2glJBgdFliFGLdS2HTWx0ODN-roVJTNfVjVWT_HXU-sm3Xcu0y9BlJ9jOMC25DKloQ537Q4g/s1600/DSCN5217.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ8wXyYRJ6duPlSDnYPdN14CFmvDS_gezwLgNqiuvOXYPRp9AQFbGu5AB1eEz8z2glJBgdFliFGLdS2HTWx0ODN-roVJTNfVjVWT_HXU-sm3Xcu0y9BlJ9jOMC25DKloQ537Q4g/s320/DSCN5217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501963580760552338" border="0" /></a>the barber shop/dentist office.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO37gg-6HHoXIlNLfidT1LL3jsuPv0k8JTdTzq2fKIuVik1YsrxIdyljm442eCdqalu6VlEdXB3TNmbNg_LkW0kUfqHj_lOUBU7JM756sSfB2NDfazdAA7E5_P_5gZUoV_7OF-vg/s1600/DSCN5213.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO37gg-6HHoXIlNLfidT1LL3jsuPv0k8JTdTzq2fKIuVik1YsrxIdyljm442eCdqalu6VlEdXB3TNmbNg_LkW0kUfqHj_lOUBU7JM756sSfB2NDfazdAA7E5_P_5gZUoV_7OF-vg/s320/DSCN5213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501964252418904962" border="0" /></a><br />the print shop for the weekly newspaper....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3-Q4U2WvpXEAwizmoPWTWZmwo3ixBx8BE-IbxO-VEsRpbtLnUZkj8u_3eX4D-4ZX1gZ6rK28jZ5jRsMuUHey_CFXwPeWZ_4YhBsJe1eTOZY-xG-FKUySmNqWv-J8XBxIF8XZ9w/s1600/DSCN5219.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3-Q4U2WvpXEAwizmoPWTWZmwo3ixBx8BE-IbxO-VEsRpbtLnUZkj8u_3eX4D-4ZX1gZ6rK28jZ5jRsMuUHey_CFXwPeWZ_4YhBsJe1eTOZY-xG-FKUySmNqWv-J8XBxIF8XZ9w/s320/DSCN5219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502722699504523586" border="0" /></a><br />They even had old fashion telephones with party lines that you could listen in on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9H9y64vOJZQQbwn7iWkCVL-b1Y73cwd867LQt0YxW-TAgDfiixzR1dkyB1vHNzR2n4WG00JYmtEh7TSAkbUYyXOScJpdRNbwp5QK5LD91GJ3jiK7_9I8PHPl0CK_X7DL_58_Hg/s1600/DSCN5250.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9H9y64vOJZQQbwn7iWkCVL-b1Y73cwd867LQt0YxW-TAgDfiixzR1dkyB1vHNzR2n4WG00JYmtEh7TSAkbUYyXOScJpdRNbwp5QK5LD91GJ3jiK7_9I8PHPl0CK_X7DL_58_Hg/s320/DSCN5250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502725046849259842" border="0" /></a>When we reached the back of the building, Doug found the trough for panning. It was raining lightly and the minute we stepped outside to pick up the metal pans the thunder and lightning started. Standing in water and holding metal pans didn't seem like the best idea unless we wanted to attract the lightning.<br /><br />We retreated back into another part of the building that was filled with more displays and artifacts, hoping that the storm would pass. Another hour went by and we could still hear the cracks of thunder. We finally gave up and beat a hasty retreat for home.<br /><br />No gold for Doug but we really enjoyed the detail of the museum.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-65309145646716678622010-08-02T08:43:00.000-07:002010-08-05T08:50:53.997-07:00Mr. FixitOur furnace quit working several months ago and the repair job was put on the back burner (pun intended) since we didn't need it in the Arizona heat wave. We still don't need it but Doug decided since the neighbor had a mobile repairman charge him $125 for a repair, that he would take a look at the furnace.<br /><br />It required several hours of tearing things apart, blowing air into it to clean it, wiggling wires and politely listening to all of the neighbors advice. When he came inside and turned it on.......it worked! My hero! Doug is so mechanically minded and isn't afraid to tear something apart.<br /><br />After he finished, we ran into town so I could get my hair cut and pick up a couple groceries. Not a thrilling day to blog about but a good day for the pocketbook.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-60272109675214313012010-08-01T08:11:00.000-07:002010-08-03T08:15:03.806-07:00Nascar SundaySunday is our day to relax at home and watch the Nascar race. Go Kasey! oh......and Tony too.<br />Occasionally we accomplish a few household tasks during the day but I think the altitude is beginning to affect us a little. Our energy has been sapped and it's easy to just not do anything.<br />Hmmmmm.....Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-87047134110639122322010-07-31T07:31:00.000-07:002010-08-03T08:11:12.760-07:00Garden of the GodsThe weather here in Monument has sure been strange. We wake to beautiful sunshine and a few white, fluffy clouds. Definitely t shirt and shorts weather! But by late afternoon, the darker clouds start piling up and every evening we get a crazy thunder and lightning storm along with a good rain shower. It cools off considerably and we grab our sweatshirts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SLWoH6ImaKLcD0bdNnfrP59jsanwtsS8sQEZp9ETi8f7SP5RxbxDGSEv8Hdze27b1gR-KjV4bPbPH86Mw1wEJOoaawQgN4wn-A6M5O87YjJyQri108i3tNI3Fa8-p3VuqWYnbA/s1600/DSCN5185.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SLWoH6ImaKLcD0bdNnfrP59jsanwtsS8sQEZp9ETi8f7SP5RxbxDGSEv8Hdze27b1gR-KjV4bPbPH86Mw1wEJOoaawQgN4wn-A6M5O87YjJyQri108i3tNI3Fa8-p3VuqWYnbA/s320/DSCN5185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501192868385758514" border="0" /></a>Still that leaves all day to play and sightsee. So off we went to visit the Garden of the Gods. First we stopped at the visitor center and were disappointed. This marvelous 770 acre public park was donated to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909 with the stipulation that it would remain free to the public.<br /><br />The visitor center is located across the road from the park and is a vision of excess. The prices of everything inside are outrageous beginning with a 14 minute film about the park for $5. We left quickly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-KPEDnWLduL8eLjQzTYohfgNu-cL-ZVexSQePyyO9m8J9WVaIE-Q7P03c_vjay8iXKyVO32ayKjd7FcjXU-dpFsOH6ZQkNsKs_yOPABOCljoLTY4fs-GQFo6y0D5npIqo6poYg/s1600/DSCN5186.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-KPEDnWLduL8eLjQzTYohfgNu-cL-ZVexSQePyyO9m8J9WVaIE-Q7P03c_vjay8iXKyVO32ayKjd7FcjXU-dpFsOH6ZQkNsKs_yOPABOCljoLTY4fs-GQFo6y0D5npIqo6poYg/s320/DSCN5186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501195009041520082" border="0" /></a><br />Across the road is the entrance to the Garden of the Gods.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLrJZejGNVbxkPivRZMUCKtiZoKfgnIany4eF4rW-PExyZIS0FtKOgUOyOHt2-PV0xnMYOYhgX3W_oKVEXr8H5DiM4mAu0XFUziXNsmVdrBW818gLQNlT7ZlhG8_sdEIl45FPcQ/s1600/DSCN5191.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLrJZejGNVbxkPivRZMUCKtiZoKfgnIany4eF4rW-PExyZIS0FtKOgUOyOHt2-PV0xnMYOYhgX3W_oKVEXr8H5DiM4mAu0XFUziXNsmVdrBW818gLQNlT7ZlhG8_sdEIl45FPcQ/s320/DSCN5191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501196617917195186" border="0" /></a>The multicolored rock formations of sandstone are encircled by a narrow road with several parking pullouts which were all full the day we went. It's an incredibly popular park with miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, guided walks and picnic areas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSUK9hTsqdzter6JKdSrDLW_AjvYEk6E7dDgKF3CzcT_3I8R3V1OXhQ7UjIdXn8k7_KJp6j03E4BNxxO_kr3H8gMoujLII7rPcU6WAu8CHIW0LVXr5lNd2ZSltsYw4kA2yKfKCg/s1600/DSCN5195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSUK9hTsqdzter6JKdSrDLW_AjvYEk6E7dDgKF3CzcT_3I8R3V1OXhQ7UjIdXn8k7_KJp6j03E4BNxxO_kr3H8gMoujLII7rPcU6WAu8CHIW0LVXr5lNd2ZSltsYw4kA2yKfKCg/s320/DSCN5195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501197554729622738" border="0" /></a><br />One of the favorite stops is Balancing Rock. There was no place to park so we weren't able to get a very good picture of this amazing boulder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggXnqymn-ZhRJK7wHCsfEglX8kJ6doWJ-jMrkC7dyY9UJnui9uDWJ1-_9r4UeY-Emx7AMCw47VoVAINYQkNJAXWDb0vrr-q1NhacnIlP1o9VvG-ZMvLUAv_yN47k9DYnfkIzZog/s1600/DSCN5192.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggXnqymn-ZhRJK7wHCsfEglX8kJ6doWJ-jMrkC7dyY9UJnui9uDWJ1-_9r4UeY-Emx7AMCw47VoVAINYQkNJAXWDb0vrr-q1NhacnIlP1o9VvG-ZMvLUAv_yN47k9DYnfkIzZog/s320/DSCN5192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501197976477667986" border="0" /></a>We will certainly visit this park again when it is not so busy.<br /><br />Leaving the park, we wound our way along back roads into the town of Manitou. It's a cute little tourist area that didn't interest us too much but when we saw the signs for the North Pole, we couldn't resist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ndK6hVkCjBG1YrrphjbS6Xq1kWdnzs83Z7FPxhlseaTjCFDgDCLBjGvmxCNcNl40DAHh86KqT7tc-ijpVVjcRvhQ8YYe-nVGhg7HDI1QxATTgyLZ03cn5AFrTlYOZ_CxH2lT8Q/s1600/DSCN5196.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ndK6hVkCjBG1YrrphjbS6Xq1kWdnzs83Z7FPxhlseaTjCFDgDCLBjGvmxCNcNl40DAHh86KqT7tc-ijpVVjcRvhQ8YYe-nVGhg7HDI1QxATTgyLZ03cn5AFrTlYOZ_CxH2lT8Q/s320/DSCN5196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501198762237118338" border="0" /></a><br />Up in the hills on the way to Pikes Peak is Santa's workshop complete with an amusement park and gift shop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFoCvM1Jcu-sLsWTlvh42Dxuw2eHXOYj8XmNHqwwLPy2d2f53nOJkQr0cGvsL3hYpKavdkh8ky5kFoxyBQ70qDeLcgvDLjGWepS_y1GTqm2WBrheK5G8HlhQTraxD2hi4hqMz1g/s1600/DSCN5198.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFoCvM1Jcu-sLsWTlvh42Dxuw2eHXOYj8XmNHqwwLPy2d2f53nOJkQr0cGvsL3hYpKavdkh8ky5kFoxyBQ70qDeLcgvDLjGWepS_y1GTqm2WBrheK5G8HlhQTraxD2hi4hqMz1g/s320/DSCN5198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501199565133117874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHy2c-GD8t27dRlGuq3W0y28IeiizChD-1hUXHhpbqr8G0a2bRj22ty9PhoIl2ecRsCZwvfIDP4SJZWtsoEfQBKAz1SOY8dhQTN1JY5rDbEYzNN-K9NoSkKmQSGiwiguiHEPtFg/s1600/DSCN5199.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHy2c-GD8t27dRlGuq3W0y28IeiizChD-1hUXHhpbqr8G0a2bRj22ty9PhoIl2ecRsCZwvfIDP4SJZWtsoEfQBKAz1SOY8dhQTN1JY5rDbEYzNN-K9NoSkKmQSGiwiguiHEPtFg/s320/DSCN5199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501199991828305762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We snapped a couple of shots then headed home.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-64429083971099329732010-07-30T20:40:00.000-07:002010-07-31T20:44:17.371-07:00Breakfast in BedToday we took a well deserved day off. I was feeling exceptionally lazy, to the point where Doug brought me coffee and a doughnut in bed. It's been a long time since he was up before me. But it was such a nice treat that I think I will try for it again.<br /><br />We just spent the day reading and playing on the computers until late afternoon when we went looking for a Verizon store. Doug's phone needed upgrading.<br /><br />And that was our exciting day.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15326622.post-42513308256120974622010-07-29T12:29:00.000-07:002010-07-30T12:49:05.028-07:00Moving on to MonumentWe were not the least bit unhappy about leaving Blanco, CO. The park was forgettable and the town even more so.<br /><br />We knew that we had another tall pass to climb so we got an early start. It was only a 165 mile trip to our next stop but lately we never know what to expect.<br /><br />All went well over the pass, down the other side and through the Colorado countryside. When we hit I-25 we stopped for diesel, then continued north through Pueblo and Colorado Springs.<br /><br />Colorado Heights RV Resort in Monument was our destination, being a ROD park where we can stay for free. After all of the unexpected expenses the last couple weeks, that's a relief.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXopRWNMshhKE7U-171_Gw3j0LRxVA7J_lLYu0ngDiHg9YJjgkp5GRDkma4mZ5hyphenhyphenoxcVdo5ukOqoq1MTmiUK-fFYu76W1fMakU_az4MoIqCmERiy-M1jYJP8TEK3gNTWGiKSH0Ww/s1600/DSCN5175.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXopRWNMshhKE7U-171_Gw3j0LRxVA7J_lLYu0ngDiHg9YJjgkp5GRDkma4mZ5hyphenhyphenoxcVdo5ukOqoq1MTmiUK-fFYu76W1fMakU_az4MoIqCmERiy-M1jYJP8TEK3gNTWGiKSH0Ww/s320/DSCN5175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499787368585240530" border="0" /></a>Doug settled us in just before the thunderstorm hit and within a couple of hours the sun came back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ0p-A9utKEgkMMH_c8fLyfmeFPkVISZC72mEN5pjBgxpfQM2IVQZWjw_7p3zLJ78jh0gOSW72vEEy2iHX6OOnUpdWYtNE7mZrDaryQfaKhR91Ru2W6lrsei9Rqkad2H5HW0r_A/s1600/DSCN5177.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ0p-A9utKEgkMMH_c8fLyfmeFPkVISZC72mEN5pjBgxpfQM2IVQZWjw_7p3zLJ78jh0gOSW72vEEy2iHX6OOnUpdWYtNE7mZrDaryQfaKhR91Ru2W6lrsei9Rqkad2H5HW0r_A/s320/DSCN5177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499787667844881986" border="0" /></a><br />This is a very large park that sells memberships. No thanks, not for us. The section we are in is not scenic. And the rvs are parked one on top of each other in long rows with no trees or anything to break the view. The other parts of the park are better, just barely.<br /><br />Still, we are staying a week (the price is right) and sightseeing and resting.Linda and Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12686255147961269324noreply@blogger.com0