Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Hey is anyone out there? We just got back from the dr.'s office. Tom had 50 cc's of fluid taken off the knee. Oh, shades of 2004 all over again. It is bone on bone and we have to make a decision, knee surgery or not. Shots of cortizone help some, but the problem would still be there. Oh well, wish us luck.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Well, this is the day, we arrive home. Charley (our dog) was ill, Tom (my husband) is hurting, so we thought why not just go home, see doctors and feel better. That is what we did. On Saturday we were in Columbia, MO. then we drove to south of Atlanta, Ga. and today finished the trip home. Wish we could have stayed out longer, but when people and pets need to see dr.'s then it is not such a good time. Maybe next year I will finally get to Memphis and Nashville.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
After doing the laundry last evening I was really tired. Slept really well last night. This morning all refreshed we deceide that we will go to Deadwood then travel north through Spearfish Canyon before returning to the motorhome.
When we were here in 2007, we were on the motorcycles. What a difference it makes touring in the car. We wish we had our motorcycles, so that we could tour the great routes that they suggest for the motorcycle rally, once again.
The city of Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. The city is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and he is buried in the local cemetery. The cemetery is up the hill and it is very steep, so Nancy took pictures from the parking lot, as you can't drive into the cemetery. You must walk! Calamity Jane is buried next to Wild Bill, rumor has it they were married, but records don't show that they were ever married.
The city itself has paver streets, buildings as they were more than 125 years ago, complete with "wild women" in the upper windows. They allow gambling in Deadwood one of the only cities in S.D. to have gambling. They have trolly cars that run up and down Main Street asparking is almost non-existent. The old railroad station has been turned into a small museum. The whole town is picture perfect, and Nancy did just that.
From there we headed out to Spearfish canyon. On the motorcycles, you can hear the stream alongside the road with every curve. In the car with windows and sunroof open you can hear, but it just doesn't compare. It is a scenic drive and the cliffs are so steep, and the forest so green and the stream so near. The stream is flowing fast, but after Bridal Veil Falls, the stream is dry. We get into Spearfish and find a place to eat lunch. Then Nancy does a little shopping in the city before heading back to the motorhome.
When we were here in 2007, we were on the motorcycles. What a difference it makes touring in the car. We wish we had our motorcycles, so that we could tour the great routes that they suggest for the motorcycle rally, once again.
The city of Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. The city is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and he is buried in the local cemetery. The cemetery is up the hill and it is very steep, so Nancy took pictures from the parking lot, as you can't drive into the cemetery. You must walk! Calamity Jane is buried next to Wild Bill, rumor has it they were married, but records don't show that they were ever married.
The city itself has paver streets, buildings as they were more than 125 years ago, complete with "wild women" in the upper windows. They allow gambling in Deadwood one of the only cities in S.D. to have gambling. They have trolly cars that run up and down Main Street asparking is almost non-existent. The old railroad station has been turned into a small museum. The whole town is picture perfect, and Nancy did just that.
From there we headed out to Spearfish canyon. On the motorcycles, you can hear the stream alongside the road with every curve. In the car with windows and sunroof open you can hear, but it just doesn't compare. It is a scenic drive and the cliffs are so steep, and the forest so green and the stream so near. The stream is flowing fast, but after Bridal Veil Falls, the stream is dry. We get into Spearfish and find a place to eat lunch. Then Nancy does a little shopping in the city before heading back to the motorhome.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Do you remember Yakov Smirnoff? His old saying “ Vat a Koun-tree?” Yup, it certainly is. This is living proof of that statement.
We left Livingston, Montana this morning and headed east. We wanted to make it into North Dakota, which we did about 3:00 this afternoon. What a day this has been.
Does anyone remember the old song Home On the Range? Well, I do declare that is what we have touring the west. Tom actually saw the antelope this morning. So the lyrics of: Home, home on the range, Where the deer and the antelope play, where seldom is heard a discouring word, and the sky's are not cloudy all day. That really is what we have here in the old west.
Remember when I told you all about the cowboy's and their herding the cattle down the road, well today we saw more cowboys on horses. I really had though that was a thing of the past, but in Montana and the Dakota's that is the norm.
When we were almost into Billings, Mt. We saw a sight on the side of Interstate 90 that I didn't know still existed and that was a covered wagon, brightly painted red being pulled by 4 horses. Yes, it was quite the sight, but more important it was a family of gypsy's in the wagon. Yes, it was traveling down the side of the interstate and yes we were truly surprised. Oh well, live and learn.
We have had such an incredible journey so far. We have traveled many miles and have quite a few to get us back home, but the journey has been worth it. We only regret when we see all the motorcycles along the road that we do not have our motorcycles with us.
But, we manage to talk with quite a few folks, and find out about their journeys across America on motorcycles. Just yesterday when gasing up we ran into a guy from Alaska (in the military) who rode to Sturgis (with his buddy) and was heading home. His buddy was getting transferred to North Carolina so he was headed home all by himself. Today I talked with a couple about motorcycle seats, and what made them comfortable. So, we are meeting many people and enjoying every minute of our trip.
Unfortunately today we did not get any photo's of our trip. Such a shame. I would have loved to have the photo of the gypsy's for you to see.
We arrive in Buffalo, S.D. and not any campsite for the next 120 miles. We ask in town and they tell us to use the little county park at the south end of town. The old parks have closed and no one has re-opened them. We thank them for their hospitally and head to the county park.
Carmen and Waldo say “See ya” soon.”
Do you remember Yakov Smirnoff? His old saying “ Vat a Koun-tree?” Yup, it certainly is. This is living proof of that statement.
We left Livingston, Montana this morning and headed east. We wanted to make it into North Dakota, which we did about 3:00 this afternoon. What a day this has been.
Does anyone remember the old song Home On the Range? Well, I do declare that is what we have touring the west. Tom actually saw the antelope this morning. So the lyrics of: Home, home on the range, Where the deer and the antelope play, where seldom is heard a discouring word, and the sky's are not cloudy all day. That really is what we have here in the old west.
Remember when I told you all about the cowboy's and their herding the cattle down the road, well today we saw more cowboys on horses. I really had though that was a thing of the past, but in Montana and the Dakota's that is the norm.
When we were almost into Billings, Mt. We saw a sight on the side of Interstate 90 that I didn't know still existed and that was a covered wagon, brightly painted red being pulled by 4 horses. Yes, it was quite the sight, but more important it was a family of gypsy's in the wagon. Yes, it was traveling down the side of the interstate and yes we were truly surprised. Oh well, live and learn.
We have had such an incredible journey so far. We have traveled many miles and have quite a few to get us back home, but the journey has been worth it. We only regret when we see all the motorcycles along the road that we do not have our motorcycles with us.
But, we manage to talk with quite a few folks, and find out about their journeys across America on motorcycles. Just yesterday when gasing up we ran into a guy from Alaska (in the military) who rode to Sturgis (with his buddy) and was heading home. His buddy was getting transferred to North Carolina so he was headed home all by himself. Today I talked with a couple about motorcycle seats, and what made them comfortable. So, we are meeting many people and enjoying every minute of our trip.
Unfortunately today we did not get any photo's of our trip. Such a shame. I would have loved to have the photo of the gypsy's for you to see.
We arrive in Buffalo, S.D. and not any campsite for the next 120 miles. We ask in town and they tell us to use the little county park at the south end of town. The old parks have closed and no one has re-opened them. We thank them for their hospitally and head to the county park.
Carmen and Waldo say “See ya” soon.”
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday we did not really do much at all. We drove north and bought a compressor and then further north to a Camping World. We wanted to have them help us with our Evenbrake (the supplemental braking system) but they could not help us for at least a week.
Saturday we left Seattle area and actually started east. Our first day out we drove hard, steep mountain passes and made it to Osburn, Idaho. Wow, Idaho is a really neat state. It has very steep mountains, lovely streams and the scenery just doesn't quit.
Sunday morning we leave Idaho headed for Montana. We were thinking of heading north to Glasier National Park. When we were at the Idaho campsite the people next to us said their sister lived near the park and that a normal 2 hour drive in an auto took them 4 hours, so we scrapped that idea, and instead we thought if we could make it to Livingston, Montana then we might be able to go into Yellowstone. Just after we threw that idea around Nancy looked out the side window and wow, a real live cowboy herding a bunch of cattle down the service road. Never did Tom or Nancy think that they would see that. But, between Harley stores they sure did.
Monday morning was cool, but with a great weather forcast. The weather was for high 60's to low 70's in Yellowstone, and off we went. The road from Livingston to Yellowstone is a federal highway and has some really magnificent sights. When we arrived at the entrance to Yellowstone Nancy got out and took a few photo's of the entrance. From there they deceided that we would travel clockwise around the park. We found the upper and lower falls. Lovely!
We found many hot springs the edges of the volcano's and of course the old "Faithful". We had a wonderful day in the park and Charley liked her ride with us. We saw buffalo, elk and of course deer. Charley even got close to the Elk for a short time. Our ride back to Livingston was great, we had the sun coming over some mountains to the west and highlighting the mountains to our east, yes we got some terriffic shots. Tom will have to figure out what shots to post for you.
We arrive back at campsite tired and glad to be home.
Saturday we left Seattle area and actually started east. Our first day out we drove hard, steep mountain passes and made it to Osburn, Idaho. Wow, Idaho is a really neat state. It has very steep mountains, lovely streams and the scenery just doesn't quit.
Sunday morning we leave Idaho headed for Montana. We were thinking of heading north to Glasier National Park. When we were at the Idaho campsite the people next to us said their sister lived near the park and that a normal 2 hour drive in an auto took them 4 hours, so we scrapped that idea, and instead we thought if we could make it to Livingston, Montana then we might be able to go into Yellowstone. Just after we threw that idea around Nancy looked out the side window and wow, a real live cowboy herding a bunch of cattle down the service road. Never did Tom or Nancy think that they would see that. But, between Harley stores they sure did.
Monday morning was cool, but with a great weather forcast. The weather was for high 60's to low 70's in Yellowstone, and off we went. The road from Livingston to Yellowstone is a federal highway and has some really magnificent sights. When we arrived at the entrance to Yellowstone Nancy got out and took a few photo's of the entrance. From there they deceided that we would travel clockwise around the park. We found the upper and lower falls. Lovely!
We found many hot springs the edges of the volcano's and of course the old "Faithful". We had a wonderful day in the park and Charley liked her ride with us. We saw buffalo, elk and of course deer. Charley even got close to the Elk for a short time. Our ride back to Livingston was great, we had the sun coming over some mountains to the west and highlighting the mountains to our east, yes we got some terriffic shots. Tom will have to figure out what shots to post for you.
We arrive back at campsite tired and glad to be home.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Not sure what today brings. We call our friend and stockbroker, Terry. He tells us about Leavenworth, Wa. It seems he has a customer in Leavenworth and they had told him what a beautiful area it is. We think what the ???? and so we look at the map and head east towards Leavenworth. It is a good day for a ride - typical weather what we think of for Washington, cool, overcast and looks like it could rain.
We leave Bothell and find US 2 eastbound. We travel through some small towns before having basically an open (twisting, up & down with hairpin turns and switchbacks) road before us. We are traveling alongside a good sized creek. At times it is flowing very fast, it has rapids and lots of rocks in the riverbed. The country is absolutely beautiful. The forests, the rock cliffs and the rivers, are we ever lucky that we get to view some of the most fantastic scenery there is in the world.
We find Leavenworth and what a city. It is little Bavaria. Frankenmuth, Mi. should take lessons on how to make the city look great. The sidewalks remind me of Bavaria, only they are a little smoother, pavers instead of cobblestone. The flowers abound everywhere. The tourists are everywhere, too. We finally find a restaurant with parking so that is where we eat. Yes, the town does seem to have a parking problem. After lunch Waldo lets Carmen off in the city to shop and Waldo and Charley find a spot to park off the main drag. Waldo calls to tell Carmen that he found a little coffeehouse and he will be there, with a cup of joe. Go ahead and shop till your heart's content. Carmen proceeds to find all these little neat shops, filled with items from Bavaria and a few items from America. Carmen makes her purchases and then we head back to Bothell on another route.
After arriving back in Bothell we remember we need to return something to Costco. So we leave Charley in the rv and head to Costco. While there we talk to someone in electronics. Tell them about this funky screen we keep receiving on our gps. Yup, we have a defective gps. Costco makes things right, they return the gps for us, credit our account and then we can purchase a new one. We shop a little more before heading out.
We finally find a Red Robin for a late dinner. Then it's back to the campsite, oh wait the new gps does not have our location marked in it. We finally remember the address and punch it in and off we go. What a great day.
We leave Bothell and find US 2 eastbound. We travel through some small towns before having basically an open (twisting, up & down with hairpin turns and switchbacks) road before us. We are traveling alongside a good sized creek. At times it is flowing very fast, it has rapids and lots of rocks in the riverbed. The country is absolutely beautiful. The forests, the rock cliffs and the rivers, are we ever lucky that we get to view some of the most fantastic scenery there is in the world.
We find Leavenworth and what a city. It is little Bavaria. Frankenmuth, Mi. should take lessons on how to make the city look great. The sidewalks remind me of Bavaria, only they are a little smoother, pavers instead of cobblestone. The flowers abound everywhere. The tourists are everywhere, too. We finally find a restaurant with parking so that is where we eat. Yes, the town does seem to have a parking problem. After lunch Waldo lets Carmen off in the city to shop and Waldo and Charley find a spot to park off the main drag. Waldo calls to tell Carmen that he found a little coffeehouse and he will be there, with a cup of joe. Go ahead and shop till your heart's content. Carmen proceeds to find all these little neat shops, filled with items from Bavaria and a few items from America. Carmen makes her purchases and then we head back to Bothell on another route.
After arriving back in Bothell we remember we need to return something to Costco. So we leave Charley in the rv and head to Costco. While there we talk to someone in electronics. Tell them about this funky screen we keep receiving on our gps. Yup, we have a defective gps. Costco makes things right, they return the gps for us, credit our account and then we can purchase a new one. We shop a little more before heading out.
We finally find a Red Robin for a late dinner. Then it's back to the campsite, oh wait the new gps does not have our location marked in it. We finally remember the address and punch it in and off we go. What a great day.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
We are in the Emerald City, Seattle. Tuesday morning we left Centralia and found a wonderful campsite, Lake Pleasant. This is just outside Seattle in the city of Bothell, Wa. It is rated a 5 W in Woodall's. Woodall's is like the king of rating campgrounds. Yes, 5 W's is like 5 stars. It was an easy day and last evening Carmen made a wonderful meal. She had plenty of time to prepare it and so Carmen and Waldo had a lovely pot roast, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans and cucumbers & sour cream .... mmmmmmm!!!.
Wednesday morning found us getting ready to head into the city. We wanted to find the downtown Harley Davidson store. Did that. What traffic though. Then we found the Pike Place Market. Only problem was we could not find parking for the market, so our look was just in passing. From there we went to the Space Needle. The charge to go up was high but we expected that. We used valet parking and wanted to have lunch at the top. Our lunch paid for the ride up and also for the valet parking. The top of the needle was really neat. The weather was overcast so all the photos are not as neat as it would have been had the sun been out. We did enjoy our lunch and the observation deck. The sun came out just after we retrieved our car and headed back to play in Seattle traffic.
From there Nancy wanted to find the first Costco store. No it is not in Kirkland, it is in Seattle. It is huge!!! About the size of 1 and 1/2 of our stores. They really did not have any thing that we don't have in our store, but the overall size was something else. They did have a car wash and the gas station, but no liquor store.
After that we wanted to head home. We tried to get on the expressway but missed the turn. We drove around and found where we wanted and headed out over the bridge to the other side of Pudget Sound and our campsite, but wait we pass really close to another Harley store, maybe they will have light colored shirts??? Yup, they did.
Carmen and Waldo wish you a great day. We certainly had another great one.
Wednesday morning found us getting ready to head into the city. We wanted to find the downtown Harley Davidson store. Did that. What traffic though. Then we found the Pike Place Market. Only problem was we could not find parking for the market, so our look was just in passing. From there we went to the Space Needle. The charge to go up was high but we expected that. We used valet parking and wanted to have lunch at the top. Our lunch paid for the ride up and also for the valet parking. The top of the needle was really neat. The weather was overcast so all the photos are not as neat as it would have been had the sun been out. We did enjoy our lunch and the observation deck. The sun came out just after we retrieved our car and headed back to play in Seattle traffic.
From there Nancy wanted to find the first Costco store. No it is not in Kirkland, it is in Seattle. It is huge!!! About the size of 1 and 1/2 of our stores. They really did not have any thing that we don't have in our store, but the overall size was something else. They did have a car wash and the gas station, but no liquor store.
After that we wanted to head home. We tried to get on the expressway but missed the turn. We drove around and found where we wanted and headed out over the bridge to the other side of Pudget Sound and our campsite, but wait we pass really close to another Harley store, maybe they will have light colored shirts??? Yup, they did.
Carmen and Waldo wish you a great day. We certainly had another great one.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Well, Carmen and Waldo had a fantastic day. We started out for Mt. Ranier and thought the weather looked like it might be rainy and overcast all day. We did not want to travel about 100 mile to the park and have bad weather so we headed back to the campsite, and Carmen did the laundry.
When the laundry was finished the weather had turned nice so we headed out for the mountain. We did the drive the way the GPS told us to go. It was back roads and once we got out of one town the driving was great. We found a nice little restaurant in Randle and had lunch. Then it was onward to the great mountain. Wow, the glacial ice was blue and you could see the mountain for a long ways. It is truly amazing to realize that this mountain could blow its top off and if that were to happen it would be many more times worse than when Mt. St. Helen's blew.
The theatre at Paradise told how one side of the mountain has lush green forests on it and that it was more ecologicaly important than a rainforest, in that it replenish's the earth. We are not sure that is true but it was in the movie put out by the National Forest Service. Anyhow it is surely a sight to behold. I know that Tom will have a hard time finding just which photos to post, but he will try. The waterfalls are everywhere and the forest is nice, but after seeing the giant redwoods they just can't compare.
We came home to have a light dinner and drinks before thinking to call it a day. Tomorrow we must move, the RV park doesn't have room for us. Thank heavens we got the chance to see both Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Ranier.
When the laundry was finished the weather had turned nice so we headed out for the mountain. We did the drive the way the GPS told us to go. It was back roads and once we got out of one town the driving was great. We found a nice little restaurant in Randle and had lunch. Then it was onward to the great mountain. Wow, the glacial ice was blue and you could see the mountain for a long ways. It is truly amazing to realize that this mountain could blow its top off and if that were to happen it would be many more times worse than when Mt. St. Helen's blew.
The theatre at Paradise told how one side of the mountain has lush green forests on it and that it was more ecologicaly important than a rainforest, in that it replenish's the earth. We are not sure that is true but it was in the movie put out by the National Forest Service. Anyhow it is surely a sight to behold. I know that Tom will have a hard time finding just which photos to post, but he will try. The waterfalls are everywhere and the forest is nice, but after seeing the giant redwoods they just can't compare.
We came home to have a light dinner and drinks before thinking to call it a day. Tomorrow we must move, the RV park doesn't have room for us. Thank heavens we got the chance to see both Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Ranier.
Sunday, August 2,2009
Today was a perfect day. We left Tillamook early this morning and arrived in Centralia, Wa. We arrived before noon and still had plenty of time to play tourist. We headed out towards Mt. St. Helen's. Wow, is this ever the sight to see. The devastation after the mountain erupted was huge. The area is starting to heal itself. The rivers were completely buried so they had to forge new streams and you can still see the ash from where the mountain erupted. The area had been forested by Weyerhauser and they have re-planted some area. It is interesting to see what they tell you when they re-forested the area and with what type of tree.
When we were at the end of the line, we could see where the top of the mountain blew off and the area of lava flow. It is amazing. I can't begin to tell anyone just how large of area was affected by the blowing of the mountain. The area has new streams starting where the old ones were covered with ash and debris. You can see some of the tree stumps were twisted like matchsticks and ripped from their roots. It is really beyond belief. I can just say it was worth all our time going to the area and seeing it for ourselves.
On our way home we stopped and picked up some locally grown vege's for dinner. What a nice treat. Great to have home grown vegetables, one can never get enough of them.
Well, Carmen and Waldo wish everyone a happy and great August.
When we were at the end of the line, we could see where the top of the mountain blew off and the area of lava flow. It is amazing. I can't begin to tell anyone just how large of area was affected by the blowing of the mountain. The area has new streams starting where the old ones were covered with ash and debris. You can see some of the tree stumps were twisted like matchsticks and ripped from their roots. It is really beyond belief. I can just say it was worth all our time going to the area and seeing it for ourselves.
On our way home we stopped and picked up some locally grown vege's for dinner. What a nice treat. Great to have home grown vegetables, one can never get enough of them.
Well, Carmen and Waldo wish everyone a happy and great August.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Oh, today was fantastic. We paid for another day in Tillamook and headed out for the Oregon coast. We traveled up the 101 and the terrain is just so breatakingly beautiful. Oh, wish you all could see it is person. Let's just say that the sea fog is present every day, but the landscape is ever changing. When the sun comes out it changes the landscape and things you just looked at look entirely different. We got to Astoria, Or. and found a great place for lunch. It was on an old logging dock right out over the water. We sat inside the restaurant and saw ocean freighters going up the Columbia river. Really neat.
We asked our waitress about the bridge over to Washington, is there a toll? How long is it? She told us, No toll, and it is the longest non-suspension bridge in America. She said when the winds come up it can get a little scarry, but some say the bridge is 4 miles long and others say it is 5 miles long. Take your pick. It climbs really high over the river. So we thought we would take a little side trip into Washington. We traveled over the bridge and did a little side trip of about 40 miles. We found the town of Ilwaco, Washington. They are a little fishing village, with lots of people there on the week-ends. Really lots of fun.
Then we found our way back over the bridge and headed back to Tillamook. What a day and it was so nice. The weather was not overly warm and the sun was out for part of the day. Can life get any better than this????
We asked our waitress about the bridge over to Washington, is there a toll? How long is it? She told us, No toll, and it is the longest non-suspension bridge in America. She said when the winds come up it can get a little scarry, but some say the bridge is 4 miles long and others say it is 5 miles long. Take your pick. It climbs really high over the river. So we thought we would take a little side trip into Washington. We traveled over the bridge and did a little side trip of about 40 miles. We found the town of Ilwaco, Washington. They are a little fishing village, with lots of people there on the week-ends. Really lots of fun.
Then we found our way back over the bridge and headed back to Tillamook. What a day and it was so nice. The weather was not overly warm and the sun was out for part of the day. Can life get any better than this????
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