September 2011

Thursday, September 1

We attended more workshops and then the closing ceremony for the Escapees RV Club Rally.

Friday, September 2

We met up with Mike and Pat to do some sightseeing and started at an overlook to a coal mine pit. 

From there we went to the Gillette Museum.  We ate lunch at Godfather’s Pizza and saw other rally attendees there.  

Saturday, September 3

Mike and Pat came and said “good-bye.”  We had our truck and fifth wheel weighed before we left and headed to Interior, SD.  Badlands Ranch Resort is located just outside of Badlands National Park.  It was a nice, small, quiet resort.  There were two other couples who had also been at the Rally.  We ate dinner at the Cowboy Corner – a gas station that had a small convenience store and also a small café.  The interesting thing about the café was that most days only lunch was served and only one entrée was available.  But that evening, dinner was being offered – prime rib, baked potato, salad, and dinner roll.  It was a great meal, almost a pound of meat and a huge potato.  We took half of our dinners home.

Sunday, September 4

Attended the Christian Church in Rapid City.  

Monday, September 5

Went to Wall Drug Store and ate lunch and did some shopping.  Had homemade ice cream that was really good.  

Drove through more of the Badlands.

Tuesday, September 6

Moved to Camp America in Salem, SD.

Wednesday, September 7

Went to DeSmet, the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder (author of Little House books).  We saw the school that Laura Ingalls Wilder attended as well as the one she taught in.  

Toured the house that Charles built in town and learned about the Ingalls and Wilder families.  

We then walked around the town seeing other historical buildings, including the church that they attended and the house that Laura and Almanzo built.  Ate lunch at the Wards Store/Bakery in another historical building.  Then we drove to the location of the Ingalls homestead outside of town.  None of the original buildings are there, but the cottonwood trees that Charles planted are still standing.  

From there we drove to Mitchell to see the Corn Palace.  The Corn Palace has murals around the outside of the building that are made of ears of corn and other grains.  The murals are changed every year.

Thursday, September 8

The next move was to the KOA in Sioux Falls.  Kent had an adjustment made on the fifth wheel  so that it would sit differently on the truck and adjust how weight is carried.  Went to Falls Park to see the falls illuminated at night.

Saturday, September 10

Went to Falls Park for the Octoberfest.  When we got there, things were just getting set up, so we walked around the old town area and went to the museum.  The Octoberfest was disappointing because there was very little German food (one stand with main dishes, another with pastries).  Also, the music was a mixture of country and western and very little polka.

Sunday, September 11

Attended the Oakwood Park Christian Church in Sioux Falls.  

Monday, September 12

Mike and Pat had told us about the campground at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  We decided to try it when we moved to Des Moines.  It wasn’t too bad and there were very few rigs.

Tuesday, September 13

We did some shopping and then ate lunch at Brickhouse Café.  Had trouble finding our way out of the Fairgrounds when we headed to Christy (my niece) and Mike’s for dinner.   There was a special event at the fairgrounds and the road to the gate that we’d been using was blocked off.  We kept wandering around finding locked gates and dead ends.  We were late getting to Christy’s but had a good time when we got there.  After dinner, Mike and Christy wanted to show us around the area and we also stopped so they could see our home.

Wednesday, September 14

Mike and Christy recommended Woody’s Smoke Shack.  The owner has won or placed in several BBQ competitions.  The food was very good.

Thursday, September 15

Left Des Moines and drove to Kellerton.  I wanted to see the church building where my dad preached when I was 2 to 4 years old.  The house that we lived in was also still standing—just barely.  We walked around the town a little.  

Then we drove to Centerville.  When arriving in town, we missed the sign that said no large trucks around the town square and it was an interesting maneuver to get the fifth wheel around it.  Fortunately there were a lot of open spaces in center parking.  We had lunch at the Blue Bird Restaurant which is a place my family ate at over the years when visiting my grandparents, aunts and uncles.  After lunch we went to Main Station Cemetary outside of Moravia.  This is where my dad is buried as well as my mother’s parents and many relatives.  The little country church that used to be here was moved into Moravia.

Then we drove as far as Columbia, MO and got permission to stay overnight in the Bass Pro Shops parking lot.  

Friday, September 16

Arrived at Lost Valley Lake Resort outside of Owensville, MO.  After we were set up, we drove to Owensville and ate at Dos Primos.  Great Mexican food.  The cheese sauce on the chimichanga was different than what I’ve had before and very good.

Saturday, September 17

Dorcas (sister), Gary (brother-in-law), Debbie (sister), and Mom came to see us.  It was the first time that mom and Debbie had seen our fifth wheel.  I fixed breakfast for everyone and we visited.  Mid-afternoon all of us went to Owensville for lunch and then to Walmart.

Sunday, September 18

We attended worship at Warrenton Christian Church which is where Dorcas, Gary and Debbie attend.  Lunch was served after the service and we stayed for it.  Then we all went to Defiance to Daniel Boone’s Home.  Other buildings have been brought there and some constructed to form a village.  After the tour of the home, we went to the school house and had our “lessons.”  One of the demonstrations on the village green was firing of a cannon.  

We went to Maggie’s for dinner.  The pork tenderloin sandwich is huge--big enough to make two large sandwiches.

Monday, September 19

We met Dorcas, Gary, Debbie, and mom in Linn for dinner.

Tuesday, September 20

Emily (niece) brought mom out to the resort to spend the day with us.  Mom was staying with Debbie and Emily.  Debbie came out when she got off work.  Then we went out for dinner in a little town nearby.

Wednesday, September 21

We picked up mom to take her home.  We stopped at Meramec Caverns in Stanton, MO and took the tour.  Mom was going to wait for us, but when she found out that the path was paved and easy to walk, she decided she would be able to do it.  She was glad that she did. 

Then we headed to St. Louis and stopped at Sweetie Pie’s (featured on DDD) for a late lunch.  The Southern comfort food is served cafeteria style.  We finally got to mom’s apartment in O’Fallon, IL.

Friday, September 23

After breakfast, we left mom’s and headed back to the resort.  Debbie called and invited us for dinner.  So we went to Hermann for an evening with her.

Sunday, September 25

Went to church in Owensville and then had lunch at Dos Primos.

Monday, September 26

We had passed Swiss Meat & Sausage a couple of times, and decided to check it out for lunch.  It turned out that it had been featured by Jamie & Bobby Deene on Food Network’s  “Road Tasted.” 

Tuesday, September 27

Debbie and Dorcas came over when Debbie got off work.  We ate dinner at the café at the resort.

Wednesday, September 28

Moved to Grand Rivers, KY and stayed at the campground behind the Miss Scarlet Restaurant.

Thursday, September 29

We went to Paducah, KY and toured the National Quilt Museum.  No photography was allowed.  Then we walked along the flood wall of the Ohio River and looked at the murals painted on it depicting the history of Paducah. 

Friday, September 30

Moved to Diamond Cavern Resort at Park City, KY.  We went to Mammoth Cave to find out about the tours.   Had dessert at the restaurant in the hotel at Mammoth Cave.

August 2011

Monday, August 1

Kent had breakfast with his Uncle Albert.

Tuesday, August 2

Went to Dan and Sue’s to help them.  Kent cut up the tree branch that had fallen on the pump house.  I worked on pulling weeds out of the gardens.  Kent took measurements for repairing the pump house.  He also repaired the kindling box.  Dan and Sue took us to Vern’s for lunch.   Continued working in the afternoon.  Kent and I went to El Burrito (our favorite Mexican restaurant in Ft. Collins) for dinner.

Wednesday, August 3

Kent met with the attorney and accountant regarding his mom’s estate.   It rained hard in the afternoon and the wind blew rain through the open window in the bedroom.  Took three towels to soak up the water.  The bedding got wet, too.  Lesson learned--when it rains, check the bedroom window. 

Thursday, August 4

Back out to Dan’s.  Kent worked on the pump house and I did more weed pulling.  We met Dale and Janice for dinner at HuHot’s Mongolian Grill. 

Friday, August 5

Back to Dan’s and did some more work. 

Saturday, August 6

Had the fifth wheel washed and waxed.  Two people started at 8:00 and worked until 12:00.  Then one left and the other worked for another 2 hours.  This is a job that would have taken Kent and I at least a whole day.  Went back to El Burrito.

Sunday, August 7

Attended services at Dayspring Christian Church.  

Tuesday, August 9

Went to Dan’s early so Kent could finish the electrical switch on the pump.  Then we went to the church for their senior lunch.  Kent played on the seniors’ team for Bible Bowl against the high school team.  As Kent puts it “the high schoolers annihilated them” because they had faster fingers on the buzzer.  Dan and Sue picked us up for dinner and we went to a Greek restaurant, Taverna.  We had really great sandwiches and for dessert, a baklava cheesecake.

Wednesday, August 10

Kent too the truck in for a complete diagnostic check and to have the vibration checked out.

Had dinner at Nordy’s with Kent’s Uncle Albert, his cousin, Derry, and his wife, Jan.

Thursday, August 11

Our 44^th anniversary.  Didn’t do anything special.  Did go get ice cream after dinner.

Friday, August 12

Kent closed out the estate checking account.  Got the truck back.  The drive shaft and u-joints had to be replaced.  The original was one-piece and it was replaced with heavier duty units and separate parts.  This will be much better if something has to be replaced in the future.

Sunday, August 14

Attended services at Dayspring.  Really good Sunday School class and exceptional sermon.  Did some shopping and got a hydration pack and wide-brimmed hat for hiking.  Baked a Rustic Berry Tart.  It’s a new recipe.  Dan and Sue picked us up for dinner and we went to the Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet.  It had a great selection and we enjoyed it.  When Dan and Sue  took us back, they stayed for a visit and dessert.

Monday, August 15

Met Uncle Albert for a late lunch at Country Buffet.  

Tuesday, August 16

Had breakfast at the Silver Grill Café in Old Town.  Then we went back to hook up the fifth wheel and left Ft. Collins.  Stopped for lunch in Chugwater, WY at the Buffalo Lodge.   Then continued on to  the Glendo Lakeside RV Park, Glendo, Wyoming. 

Wednesday, August 17

Met a couple who are also headed to the Escapees RV Club Rally (where we going).  They will have the SOWERS booth.  Had a nice visit with them.   

Thursday, August 18

Left Glendo and went to Rushmore Shadows RV Resort in Rapid City, SD.  

Friday, August 19

Went into Rapid City to go to Cabella’s, Sam’s Club and Walmart.  We also went to Mount Rushmore Black Hills Gold Jewelry and saw how the jewelry was made.

Saturday, August 20

Read in the paper that there was a workshop for chorus and quartet groups and that they would be performing at the Mount Rushmore Amphitheater before the lighting ceremony.  The performances were well worth it.  

Then we stayed for the slide show and the lighting ceremony.  

Sunday, August 21

Attended worship service at the campground.  It was led by a lay minister who stays several months of the year at this resort.  It was better than some of the services we have attended in churches.  We had a nice visit with him after the service.  He’s a Southern Baptist from Louisiana.  

Monday, August 22

My birthday.  We took the Mount Rushmore Bus Tour which started at Fort Hays, Dances with Wolves Film Set.  A van picked us up at the resort and took us to Fort Hays where we started with an all you can eat breakfast.  The first stop on the tour was Mount Rushmore.

Then we went up Iron Mtn. Road, went through scenic tunnels, went to Custer State Park and had lunch at the State Game Lodge.  From there we went to see the Cathedral Spires and along the Needles Highway.  

The narrowest tunnel that we went through was only 4 inches wider than the bus which made it very exciting.  We also went to Sylvan Lake (which I think is where my family camped when I was just starting high school about 50 years ago).  

The last stop was at Crazy Horse.  

Then back to Fort Hays for a chuck wagon supper and music show.  It was a great day.

Wednesday, August 24

We went shopping and I found a pair of  Black Hills gold earrings.  Had dinner at the Firehouse Brewery, a place used in Rachael Ray’s $40 a Day program.  We had a coupon for half off of an appetizer, so we tried the artichoke dip served with garlic parmesan beer bread – very good.  Kent had gumbo and I had a roast beef opened face sandwich with garlic-cheese mashed potatoes.  

Thursday, August 25

Moved from Rushmore Shadows to Devils Tower KOA, Devils Tower, WY.  Ate at the Longhorn Café which is part of the KOA.  Kent had really good battered and deep fried steak tips.  I had the broasted chicken which was really moist inside with a crisp skin.  The movie, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” was shown at night on the deck outside the café.  Part of the movie had been filmed at this location and at Devils Tower.  This area was a ranch and not a KOA campground at the time.  This is a view from our camp site.

Friday, August 26

Went to Devils Tower and hiked around the base of it.  These are views of it while hiking.

Saturday, August 27

Went to Gillette, WY for the Escapees RV Club Rally which was held at the Camplex.  What a sight to see all the various styles and sizes of RVs.  We got set up, then registered, and walked around the vendor areas.  Kent talked to the Good Sam insurance representatives and they can lower our premiums.  He also bought a tire pressure sensor system for the fifth wheel tires at a better price than he has found anywhere else.  Before Opening Ceremonies, this Rally was already worth attending.  Went to dinner at the Aztec Restaurant – not very good.

Sunday, August 28

Went to the Christian Church for worship service.  The Welcome for first time attendees was held in the afternoon.  We saw Mike and Pat (a couple we met at church in Ft. Collins) after the welcome session and found out that they are parked in the same row, just a few spaces down from us.  The opening ceremony for the rally was also held that evening.

Monday, August 29

Attended workshops and learned a lot.  It looks like the majority of attendees are full-time RVers.  It’s interesting to visit with full-timers who have been living this lifestyle for several (or many) years.

Tuesday, August 30

Attended more workshops.  Ate dinner at Pokey’s Smoke House because it was recommended by a couple of people – not the best barbecue, but OK.

Wednesday, August 31

More workshops.

July 2011

Friday, July 1

We toured the Pendleton Woolen Mills, then walked around the historic district, including along the river.  Had a good dinner at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant.  

Saturday, July 2

We left Pendleton and headed to Intermountain RV Park in Wendell, ID.  In the middle of the night the propane detector went off.  There was no way to disconnect it without cutting the wires.  Turned the propane off.

Sunday, July 3

Attended First Christian Church in Twin Falls.  The building was built in 1929 and has beautiful stained glass windows.  The people were friendly and welcoming.  After lunch we went to the Visitor Center and the Perrine Bridge and looked out over the Snake River.

From there we went to see the Shoshone Falls.  It’s known as the “Niagara Falls of the West.”  We were a little late in the season as they had started diverting water for farm irrigation; but it was still an impressive sight.  

Monday, July 4

First stop was at Subway for breakfast and also got sandwiches to take with us for lunch.  Went to Craters of the Moon National Monument.  Watched a video about the history of the area.  Then we took the loop drive and stopped to take some hikes.  We hiked the North Crater Flow Trail, the Devils Orchard Nature Trail, and went to the top of Inferno Cone (which is a cinder cone).   

Ate dinner at Farmer’s Restaurant in Wendell.  After all the driving and hiking, we didn’t feel like driving anywhere to watch fireworks.  

Tuesday, July 5

Kent repaired the propane leak and added disconnects for the detector.  

Wednesday, July 6

After eating breakfast at Farmer’s Restaurant, we left Wendell.  We stopped for lunch in Roy, UT at the Burger Bar (a DDD place) and had great burgers and onion rings.  

Then we continued to East Canyon Resort south of Haneford.  At first they assigned us to a site that wasn’t long enough for us to park the fifth wheel (and no place to put the truck), nor wide enough to open the slides.  Plus, the hook-ups would have been on the wrong side.  When I looked at their campground map, that site was designated as a pull-in for small motor homes.  Someone in the office obviously didn’t know how to read their site maps.  They gave us a different site, but we could only have it for two nights instead of three and we didn’t want to have to move to another site to spend the third night.  So we cancelled the third night and called Moab to see if we could arrive a day earlier than reserved.

Friday, July 8

Left Haneford and went to the OK RV Park in Moab.  It’s in a good location, and we got the best site—close to the office and laundry room, bushes and trees are completely along one side and blocks the view of the building, and there are two trees on the other side.  We have a great view of the mountains.  

Saturday, July 9

After lunch at the Moab Diner, we went to Hole in the Rock.  Rooms had been cut out of the sandstone mountain for a restaurant and a home.  The restaurant is now a gift shop and tours are given of the home.  

Sunday, July 10

We attended the Moab Church of Christ, a very small, friendly church.  When we mentioned the number of churches located so close together, we were told that the land was donated by Charlie Steen (“the uranium king”) to be used for religious groups.  In the evening we walked (1 ¼  miles each way) to the Branding Iron Restaurant.  Just as we finished eating, it started to rain.  It was a warm, gentle rain -- nice walk.

Monday, July 11

Went to Arches National Park.  We did these hikes:  Park Avenue (.5 mi.); Balanced Rock (.3 mi.); Windows (1 mi.); lower Delicate Arch viewpoint (100 yds);  Sand Dune Arch (.3 mi.).  What amazing sites!  

Tuesday, July 12

We had breakfast at Zax Restaurant and then went to Canyonlands National Park.  We did these hikes:  Mesa Arch (.5 mi.); and the First Overlook for Upheaval Dome (.8 mi.).  We also went to the White Rim overlook.

Wednesday, July 13

We went back to Zax for dinner and had all you can eat salad bar, soup, and pizza.   Then we walked the trail along a creek in town and circled around to go down Main Street.

Friday, July 15

Left Moab and went to the Uncompaghre National Forest near Norwood, Colorado.  We checked at the Forest Service to ask about dispersed camping.  We found a really nice spot not far off the road with an opening to use the solar panel, but also getting some shade.   Went back into Norwood to get a shovel and Kent got a fishing license.

Saturday, July 16

Took a drive to Beaver Park area.  I finally got to see the areas where Kent has gone hunting.  Kent decided to fish one of the streams.  No luck.  While he fished, I did a little walking.  

When we got back to our campsite, I did some more walking while Kent worked on rebuilding a campfire ring.  Kent went for a walk after dinner and I sat by the campfire and read.  We saw a beautiful sunset.

Sunday, July 17

Attended the Christian Church in Norwood.  Met a man who grew up in Ripon, CA and attended Ripon Christian School (that’s where Kent worked before we moved to Heavenly Hills).  The guest speaker was someone Kent had met when he at been at the church before.  There was also an older man who had been a classmate of Dad Kinion’s.  So Kent enjoyed visiting with these men.   After church we had lunch at Costa Alegre.  It was exceptionally good Mexican food.   Then we drove to Naturita and got fuel and also hot dogs and marshmallows.  Drove around the back roads to get to Miramonte Reservoir.  Kent thought that we passed the little house that his family lived in when he was a little boy.  We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire that evening.

Monday, July 18

Left the forest and headed to Blue Mesa Resort near Gunnison.  Stopped at the Walmart in Montrose and called for directions to the Resort.  About 6 miles before the Resort, we had a blow out on the fifth wheel.  God was looking out for us as the incident happened right before there was a pull out area on our side of the road.  We were able to pull off safely and Kent changed the tire.  We then went on to the Resort.  It’s the largest RV park that we have stayed in so far.

Tuesday, July 19

We went into Gunnison to go to McDonald’s to use the internet.  The campground’s service is slow.  Sent Utah photos to family and friends.  Kent made calls to find a replacement tire and also a call to order a shelf and holder for the freezer.  We spent a couple of hours at the Gunnison Historical Museum since the resort had given us complimentary passes.  

Wednesday, July 20

Kent took the new tire back to Gunnison to have it balanced.  Attended the tour and sales pitch for campground membership.  We decided that it would be advantageous to buy into it.  Afterwards we went to Black Canyon of the Mesa.  Didn’t take any long hikes.

Went to Montrose and spent time with Kent’s Aunt Irene and his cousin, Frank Kinion.  Had dinner with them at Applebee’s.  On the way back to the campground, my sister, Dorcas, called and said that our brother, Dan, had a heart attack that morning, but he’s doing OK.  When we pulled into our camp site, a woman came over and said she was really sick, didn’t know what was wrong, and needed to go to the hospital.  They had a large motor home and didn’t have another vehicle with them.  Kent took her and her husband to the hospital in Gunnison.  She had suffered a heat stroke, was dehydrated and possibly had a virus, so she was kept overnight. 

Thursday, July 21

Kent took the husband to pick up his wife.  He also took the old spare tire in to have it inflated.  We had been given tickets for a free dinner at the resort.  They served pizza, salad, apple pie with ice cream.  

Friday, July 22

Left Blue Mesa and went to Colorado Heights RV Resort in Monument.  Called Dan to see how he was doing.

Saturday, July 23

The resort served biscuits, gravy, and hash browns for $3.50; not bad.  They had an ice cream social in the afternoon and served cookies (25¢) and ice cream (50¢ a scoop).  For dinner they barbecued hamburgers and served it with chips and dessert for $3.50.  These are good times to meet people and visit.  

Sunday, July 24

Attended Academy Christian Church.  The traditional service was very well attended and the people were friendly.  The best sermon we’ve heard for awhile and the worship time was very good.  Went to the mall and walked before the stores opened.  I did some shopping. Talked to Danielle and she said that they got set up for Skype and said we needed to check into it.  For dinner we went to Rosie’s Diner in Monument.  When we got back, we went on the internet and downloaded Skype.

Tuesday, July 26

Had breakfast at Rosie’s Diner.  Went to the Museum of Mining.  Then we went to Wimberger’s Bakery & Deli and Kent bought some German meats and bread.  Had lunch at Popeye’s. 

Thursday, July 28

Kent talked to a neighbor who saw a bear go between their fifth wheel and ours last night.  We’d heard there was a bear in the park, but we hadn’t seen it.

Friday, July 29

Moved from Monument to Lakeside KOA in Fort Collins.  After we got set up, we ate dinner at Outback, and did some grocery shopping.  Dan called and asked if we had time to help him and Sue with some projects.

Saturday, July 30

We went to McDonald’s so that we could try out Skype.  It works great and we got to see Josh, Danielle, and Megan.  It is so cool to do a video call.

Sunday, July 31

Attended services at Dayspring Christian Church.  We went to the White Fence Farm Restaurant in Lakewood for lunch.  It was a really good fried chicken dinner.  Then we went to Dan and Sue’s to see how we could help.  Kent helped put the bench seat back into the van.  Then he got the irrigation pump running.  It’s not wired correctly and he will take care of that later in the week.