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Saturday, September 8, 2012
A few days ago we decided to take a day trip to Kansas City to visit Union Station for a few hours. We were joined on the trip by Mark & Dortha.
At the Sedalia Amtrak station.
Dortha, Mark & Donna
All Aboard !!!
The original main waiting area for 10,000 people.
Each door to the right and left each led to a loading platform beneath the building.
Lunch at Pierponts Restaurant was excellent.
Back on the train at 5:00pm we were back in Sedalia by 6:45.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
We took a couple hours yesterday to visit the campus of the College of the Ozarks just south of Branson. This college is quite a success and is very unique in how it is operated. Students work at various jobs around the campus for 15 hours per week in exchange for their tuition. They also must work one 40 hour week in between semesters.
This banner hanging in the Keeter Visitors Center displays their Mission. The Keeter Center houses large meeting rooms, some historical displays, and a large Dining Room, which a group of visited about a week ago for dinner.
A portion of the Keeter Center
An interior view of a part of the center.
A portion of the huge dining room.
We also visited parts of the campus where students work.
The weaving area.
The grist mill.
The Nursery.
The stained glass department.
This stained glass clock is a work in progress and will be presented to Laura Bush when she visits the campus in November.
The Kitchen where they make fruit cake as well and jams and jellies.
All of the items produced by the students are sold by the school for revenue. The school also operated it own dairy and vegetable crops. Many of the items produced are actually used in the Restaurant and in the student dining hall.
Monday, August 22, 2011
From High Plains CG, Gillette, WY
We are still in the campground across the street from the Cam-Plex, the site of the 2011 Escapade. Today is the 11th day we have been here, and the fun continues non-stop. Several dinners with our friends, including a trip to Las Margarita. A total of five couples including Joe & Marcia, Rich & Mary, Bob & Molly, Wallace & Wanda, and Donna and I.
The margaritas and the food were great.. not one negative comment from anyone. In fact we had so much fun, the lady next to us said: " Ya'll are having so much fun, where are you from?" Of course the answer was Ky, Ga, Tx, Va, and Il. -:)
The Las Margarita Dinner
But before I get into all our activities here in Gillette, I need to mention a few things about our time back in West Yellowstone and then at Cody, WY.
While we were in West Yellowstone we managed to go see 3 plays at a couple of downtown theaters. All were very entertaining and we enjoyed them immensely. Of course, no photography was allowed so I have no pictures.
We also went to see a car show in West Yellowstone at a city park. Was really a great turnout with maybe 300 cars in attendance. I sure would have liked to have tried to buy this 1957 Chevrolet HT, that is until I found out it was appraised at $95,000. Oops !
1957 Cheverolet HT
One day Donna and I drove over to Virginia City, Id, stopping in Ennis for lunch. We ate at a really cute little diner that was part of a pharmacy. After driving over the pass between Ennis and Virginia City, we spent a few hours exploring the old town and all the old original buildings.
Part of Main Street
One of the several bars
Several of the old merchantile stores had been restored (maintained) as they were during the boom days. Although you could not enter I mangaged to get a few pictures through the windows.
Grocery Store
On the way back from Virginia City we took a little detour by Earthquake Lake and Higben Lake. Earthquake lake was form in 1959 when and earthquake caused a landslide damming up the Madison River. It seems I totally forgot to take any pictures of this area.
We moved over to Cody a couple of weeks ago. We had a couple of great dinners there with just the two of us. One nite we ate at the Proud Cowboy Saloon and had some huge portions of Prime Rib. Then the next night was at a great little Italian place right on the main drag.
We spent a lot of our time at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
This museum is absolutely fantastic with much more to see and do than can be accomplished in one day.
There was even an outside demostration of Chuck Wagon Cooking.
Checking the beans
Admiring the biscuits
The museum was really fantastic, with actually 5 museum in one location. Absolutely worth the trip. Different areas included the Plains Indians, Western Art, Bill Cody info, guns from 1800, and Yellowstone Natural History.
I think this just about concludes our experiences up until we got to Gillette, which I will continue in the next blog.
Friday, August 19, 2011
From High Plains Campground, Gillette, WY
While parked in Island Park and in between visits to Yellowstone, we had quite a few other adventures.
West Yellowstone Museum
One such adventure was to the West Yellowstone (the town) Museum housed in the old Union Pacific RR Depot that displayed a lot of the history of the area including information about the Union Pacific RR and its impact on Yellowstone NP visitors.
Pack Mule to haul supplies to Ranger Outposts.
Madison Hotel
The Madison Hotel was built in the early 1900's and is still operated by two sisters who are the grand-daughters of the original owner. Although the hotel has been expanded several times, the original six rooms of the hotel is still as it was back then, and furnished as they were originally.
The original staircase
One of the six original rooms
The front of the Madison Hotel
Top Of Mountain Trip
One day, with our friends Kevin and Arlene, we drove to the top of a 10,000 foot mountain where there is some huge radio (radar) installations.
The antenna installation
View from near the top
Wildflowers along the road to the summit
Meanwhile, back here in Gillette, waiting on the Escapade to start, we are having a great time with some really good friends. We arrived here at High Plains Campground a week ago today and that night had a great dinner with Bob and Molly at The Chop House in an old hotel downtown.
Joe and Marsha stopped by on Saturday. We had a great visit, then we went for Chinese dinner. Although Bob and Molly were gone all day, they managed to catch up with us at the Chinese place.
More in my next blog...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
From High Plains CG - Gillette, WY
We took another day to further explore Yellowstone National Park. It just takes a long time to see even the highlights. This was our last tour of the park and there was so much we did not get to see. Our plan was to visit the Canyon area and the Lake area, probably some of the most interesting areas of the park.
We first visited the Visitor Center at the Canyon area.
Canyon Visitor Center
We visited the Lower Falls viewpoints to get several perspective of the Lower Falls.
Lower Falls - Notice the greenish water and the folks at the brink of the falls.
Lower Falls from a farther distance.
The canyon downstream from the lower falls.
As we traveled toward the Lake area, we ran into a Major Buffalo Jam, with a hundred or more cars simply stopped in the road watching a huge herd of buffalo. The park rangers attempt to keep traffic moving, but it still moves at a snail's pace.
Buffalo Jam
This big dude decided to take him a big old 'sand waller' right by the side of the road as we passed by.
Buffalo Sand Waller
Arriving at the Lake Area we crossed the lake at Fishing Bridge.
Yellowstone Lake at Fishing Bridge
We returned back to camp by way of some 'pots' that we had visited before, but we got to see one of the geysers erupt.
Start of the eruption
While waiting on the geyser, we learned a new way to eat Cheeto's without getting your fingers all orange colored.
Use Chopsticks
Going to Yellowstone NP was not the only thing we did while at the Valley View CG in Island Park, ID. We also ate out a couple of times in West Yellowstone, visited the Museum, saw three 'melodramas', visited John Sack Cabin, visited Virginia City, ID, even had a few happy hours with our fellow RV'ers.
I will try to get most of that covered in my next blog or two.
August 15, 2011
We got up early to try and beat most of the traffic in the park. We had only gone a few miles into the park when we met this buffalo walking right along the roadside.
We drove on up the western Loop Road toward Mammoth Spring, near the north entrance to the park.
Mammoth Springs
Because of road construction the Upper Loop road was closed, so we passed on trying to walk around the springs.
A little further down the road we spotted this thing. Don't know just exactly what it is.. maybe a coyote or some coyote / dog cross.
Just what is this??
Around the visitors center and the commercial there were nearly a hundred elk just hanging around on the lawns and in the esplanade of the main road.
Relaxing in the Esplanade
We also headed out to the northeast entrance through Lamar Valley where we saw hundreds of more buffalo, but I won't bore you with a lot of buffalo pictures.
The Classic Northeast Entrance
We also stopped at the Tower Falls Overlook to get a view of these real nice falls. The visitor center at this location was fairly new and very nice.
Tower Falls
More on our third trip to YNP in the next blog.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
From Valley View RV, Island Park, ID
We have been spending a lot time with our friends here in the park, with a lot of 'pot luck' dinners and 'happy hours'.
One day Donna and I took off on our own and headed in the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, with Old Faithful as our destination. But first there was a lot of things to see on the drive south on the Grand Loop Road.
Rapids on the Firehole River
Firehole Falls
Eruption of Old Faithful
Eruption of Beehive Geyser
Beehive Geyser is right next to Old Faithful, but only erupts about once per day, while Old Faithful erupts about every 88 minutes. We were fortunate to be able to see both eruptions.
We also visited the Old Faithful Inn, the original lodging at Old Faithful.
The Massive Fireplace in the Inn
The section of the park that we visited on this trip is noted for all the geysers and hot springs.
Although this quadrant of the park is not noted for its wildlife, we did manage to happen upon a couple of examples.
A young bull elk with a huge rack
A young bison from a long distance with telephoto lense.
We had a great day in just a small portion of the park and will view another sedtion in a day or two.
Monday, July 25, 2011
From Snake River RV, idaho Falls, ID
We have been enjoying our stay here in Idaho Falls, ID. We were surprised to learn that we are still in Mormon country. Far over 50% of the population are Mormon. There is even a Mormon temple here, shown below looking at the rear of the temple, across the Snake River.
The Mormon Temple
Of course, no visit to Idaho Falls would be complete without a visit to the falls.
Part of the Falls
One night we were invited by Larry and Melissa of 'One More Time' to join them at a show they were doing at a local assisted living facility. We met Larry & Mellissa a couple of years ago, and got more acquainted at last year's Escapade in Goshen.
Larry and Melissa are quite talented, have a great show, and do a great job of keeping the audience attentive and involved.
Larry & Melissa - One More Time
This past week-end the Eagle Rock Art Guild held an Art Show on the Greenbelt along the Snake River.
Crowd at Art Show
We also visited the Crater of the Moon National Monument, a drive of about 80 miles from Idaho Springs. Not sure how the name came about, as there are no craters. The area is filled with Lava Rock from volcanic activity over thousands of years. Eruptions have occured about every 2000 years, and it has been 2000 years since the last one.. HUH ???
We didn't tarry too long, but did take time to do the 7 miles driving tour of the area. Besides the next one is actually predicted to occur in Yellowstone National Park.
A tree encased in molten lava, the exposed.
Our trip took us through an area where there are a number of Nuclear Research Labs in operation, some dating back to the 1950's. In fact, as an experiment, the little town of Arco was the first town in the world to be completely electrified by nuclear power.
Former City Hall, I think
We will be leaving here tomorrow and moving up the road closer to Yellowstone and join up with some of our RV Friends that we haven't seen in a while.
And Lots of exploring of Yellowstone.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
From Snake River RV Resort, Idaho Falls, ID
We moved to Idaho Falls today.
But first I have to bring this blog up to date on our stay in Thayne, WY. We had a great time sharing our stay with Bob & Molly, Mac & Lynette, and John & Bridgette. We had quite a few 'Happy Hours' and cook-outs and a great many games of 'Chase the Ace'.
One day we all drove over to Afton and drove about 3 miles up along Swift Creek to view the intermittent spring. After reaching the parking area it was a 3/4 mile walk (slightly uphill) to the spring, and I finally made it... quite a walk for me.. -:)
This spring is like a cold-water geyser that accumulates the water inside a huge cave, then spouts it out about every 18 minutes.
The Spring Flowing Right Out of the Mountain
Donna and I in front of the spring
The group at the spring
Donna and I did a lot of driving around the Grand Teton National Park and saw quite a bit of wildlife.
A young cow elk
A large herd of elk
But probably the most exciting sighting was that of a Grizzly bear and her two cubs. They were stalking a small herd of elk, but never were able to attack.
Grizzly Number 610 with her two cubs
The above photo was shot with a 400mm at a distance of about 1/2 to 3/4 mile. Jackson lake is in the background.
The same Grizzly
The above photo is the same photo after cropping the first one to show a close up of the bear with her cubs. There is also one of the cow elks to the right of the bear in the photo with her head up being careful of the bear.
We watched this drama unfold for most of an hour. Eventually, the bear led her two cubs back into the bushes and seemed to leave the immediate area.
The scenery in Grand Teton is nothing short of spectacular.
From Jenny Lake viewing the Tetons
The Tetons
Close up of one of the peaks
We also saw lots of deer and buffalo.
One night the entire group went to the Bar J Chuckwagon Supper for some great food and entertainment.
The group at Bar J
Ronnie serving up his Dutch Oven biscuits prior to the supper
The Bar J Band
We also toured a couple of factories in the area, the first being the Aviat Aircraft factory, best known for their aerobatic Pitt Special.
Pitt Special
The company makes very few Pitt Special these days, but mostly builds the Husky.
The Aviat Husky
Another really interesting tour was of the Freedom Arms Pistol factory. Occupying a very non-descript building in the little town of Freedom, this company is known for its .454 special pistol.
Freedom Arms Crest
Oops, I forgot to get any pictures of the pistols.
On Monday, John & Bridgett and Mac & Lynette left for Island Park in Idaho where they will be for a month. The gang gathered up to see them off.
Departure Time
On Tuesday night Bob and Molly joined us for a great 'parting' dinner at the Nordic Inn in Alpine. A great menu and excellent food for our last night together until we get to Gillette for the Escapade.
Brenthoven's Nordic Inn
We had a fantastic time for over two weeks with some great friends, and are looking forward to seeing them again over the next 6 weeks.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
From Star Valley Ranch RV Resort, Thayne, WY
We arrived here on Sunday, July 3, after an all-day trip from Cheyenne. Bob and Molly met us at the gate and led us to the site they had obtained for us. We are staying on a site owned by Tom and Judy Tillery, who occupy the site next door. They are great folks.
We have done a little exploring, finding the road up Swift Creek that leads to an 'intermittent spring'. More on that at a later date.
Mac and Lynette arrived a couple of days after we did, along with John and Bridget the same day.
John and Bridget
One day Donna and I drove into the town of Jackson, about 50 miles from where we are staying. About 35 miles of the drive is along the Snake River, where lots of rafters enjoy a trip down the snake.
The Big Kahuna
In Jackson, we spent a while just perusing a few shops and admiring the town. Donna and I were here on a skiing trip in 1974, and of course, some things have really changed, and some are much the same. Much more touristy now, of course.
The Wort Hotel was built in 1942 and was restored after some fire damage in 1981. We used this hotel as headquarters when we were trying to return to Houston during a snowstorm at the end of our ski trip.
The Wort Hotel
Outside view of the Cowboy Bar
We stopped in and had a snack at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar...
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
where the barstools are saddles...
Saddle Barstools
The downtown plaza square has an arch at each corner made of Elk horns. These structures were built in the 50's, I think. I know they were there in 1974, when we were here.
Elk Horn Arch
We also drove out to Teton Village where we and a group of friends went skiing in 1974.
Teton Village Tram Lift
When we were here in 1974 we stayed at the Alpenhof, the only Lodge at Teton Village at that time.
The Alpenhof
With our trip to Teton Village we also got to see part of the Tetons Mountains in the Teton National Park.
Teton Mountains
We went back to the park another day for more mountain viewing and searching for wildlife. But more on that visit in a later post.
Monday, July 4, 2011
From Star Valley RV Resort, Thayne, WY
Time to get caught up on our travels. We headed out of Arlington Tuesday morning continuing our trek to the west. We made it to Dumas, where we stayed in a new park called Dumas RV Resort, located about a mile south of Dumas. Brand new, all gravel, but with full hook-ups and 50 amp service. You really can't call this a resort, but it met our needs.
From Dumas we headed on toward Raton, NM to hit I-25 north toward Colorado Springs and Denver. Since we were making such good time, we decided to surprise our good friends Mac and Lynette, who were staying in Cheyenne, WY.
We didn't let them know we were coming, but called the park and got the site right next door to them. Mac came jumping out of his fifth wheel when we pulled in.
We had a great time in Cheyenne, spending some quality time with our friends and exploring Cheyenne. Of course, we did manage to eat a bit, too. -:)
One afternoon, while Mac and Lynette were off in Colorado visiting some relatives, Donna and I went to the 'Gunslinger Show' downtown.
A Lady Gunslinger
At the end of the show there was even a hanging... and I was the Hangee !!! Since Donna was also part of the hanging, we got no pictures. They picked on me because they found out I was from Texas... and here I was in Wyoming wearing shorts and tennis shoes. -:)
But I did get a nice straw cowboy hat out of the deal, compliments of the Wrangler store.
Kowboy Kpoppa
The Wrangler
Located next to the Wrangler is the Cheyenne Depot, which is now used as a visitor's center and museum, with a Pub and Grill on one end.
The Cheyenne Depot
We also visited quite a few other interesting sites:
The Botanic Gardens
The Old West Museum
This painting is of Quail Dobbs, a famous Wrangler Bullfighter 'Barrel Man', whom we have met several times at the Lufkin Rodeo.
The Wyoming State Capital
We stayed at the Terry Buffalo Ranch RV Resort, which is a part of the Ranch owned by Ron Thiel.
Ron Thiel
Mr. Thiel stopped by our coach one afternoon as we were sitting outside and we had a long visit learning of the history of the ranch. Consisting of almost 30,000 acres, it is the 2nd largest Buffalo Ranch in the US. They maintain a herd of about 3000 head, which increases to 5000 after calving season. Ron is a very interesting guy and we had a great time getting acquainted.
We also took a ride on their train that circles through one of the herds.
The Train
We traveled around a small part of the ranch seeing lots of exotic animals, but particularily the buffalo herd.
The Big Daddy
Some of the calves.
Our last night in Cheyenne we went to the Senator's Steak House and Saloon on site for an excellent meal. In addition to Mac and Lynette we were joined by some new friends from Arkansas ( Larry and Paula ) and California (Al and his wife).
I will end this blog with a great Wyoming sunset...
'till next time.....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
From Arlington KOA, Arlington, Texas
Yes, we bought a new (to us) coach. So we have been back in Lufkin since last Monday. And, yes this was quite a 'spur of the moment' thing. We had no intention of even looking at trading. But while in Hatch, Utah I checked the Foretravel web site, and there was a great deal on an '07 model. By noon, while having lunch with Bob & Molly and Jim and Ellie, we had a deal over the phone.
So off we went, with some 1400 miles to get back to Lufkin and Nacogdoches, where the factory is located. Since sometimes these deals don't pan out, we only let a couple of folks know of our intention.
The coach is an '07 Foretravel, 42 feet, with 4 slides. Engine is a 500 hp Cummins. It is taller, both inside the coach and in the bays than the other Foretravel, making it 9 inches overall taller.
We stopped in Arlington on Sunday to have our Satellite Internet Dish removed. Arriving in Nacogdoches shortly after 1pm on Monday, we viewed the coach and sealed the deal.
We took delivery at noon on Wednesday and spent the next 3 days at home making the move. Who would have thought we had so much 'stuff' in the old coach. -:)
Okay... so you want to see some pictures.
Below is all I have so far:
I took these this morning right before we left Lufkin to re-join are friends and continue our trek.
We are here in Arlington to have the Satellite Internet dish re-install and will head on west tomorrow sometime.
till next time
Thursday, June 23, 2011
From ????
If you have never visited Bryce Canyon, then you have missed a real treat. This has to be one of the most beautiful of all our national parks. We actually spent a couple of days exploring the park, driving its roads and taking in every viewpoint it had to offer. Its beauty and uniqueness is absolute stunning.
And the approach to Bryce through Red Canyon has some awesome scenery also.
Red Canyon
Before entering the park is a huge commercial area with several large hotels and resorts, an RV Park, lots of shops, and several dining opportunities.
Part of the commercial area outside the park.
Just a few hundred yards down the road is the entrance.
Following are some of the scenes within the park.
The pictures can only show a small portion of the beauty and uniqueness of Bryce.
One day while we were still in Hatch, UT, Bob & Molly, along with Jim and Ellie drove over to Hatch, and we had a great lunch at Cafe Adobe in Hatch.
We left Hatch on Saturday the 18th, and hope to resume our travels Sunday the 26th of June. We are looking forward to seeing our friends in Idaho, Yellowstone NP, Cody, Wy, and of course at the Gillette, WY Escapade in late August.
And..... we just might have a surprise for our great RVing friends.
More on the surprise soon.....
Thursday, June 16, 2011
From Riverside RV, Hatch, UT
Well we wrapped up our stay in the St. George area a couple of days ago, with a great trip to the Tuacahn Amphitheater for a production of Grease.
Molly and Donna checking out the menu for the pre-show dinner
The amphitheater is located at the end of a canyon and is also the site of a high school for performing arts.
We were treated to some pretty good entertainment at the RV park while we were there.
'Nickle" ( Nancy Flowers)
Michael Hargis
We visited Bryce Canyon today, and I will try to write a blog about that as soon as possible.