We arrived home safely on Thursday, October 22 at 3:15 p.m. This trip we traveled 13,500+ miles between July and October 22. Our travels took us from Raleigh to Camrose, Edmonton, and Jasper National Park in Canada and from Jasper to Tucson, AZ and Pine Top and many locations within the state. From Santa Fe we went to Lubbock, TX and then drove 1300 miles to Mankato MN before turning SE and heading back to Raleigh. It was a wonderful trip!
Wonder where we'll end up next year????
Monday, October 26, 2015
Pictures - Lubbock, TX and St. Joseph, MO
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| In front of Buddy's Signature Glasses |
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| Plaque |
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| Glider plane from WWII |
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| Inside the glider |
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| On TV |
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| At the University |
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| His Sign Off from Newscast |
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| Outside the Memorial |
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Pictures - Santa Fe, NM
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| Loretto Chapel |
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| The Mysterious Loretto Stairway |
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| Loretto Main Altar |
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| Here we are |
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| The Oldest House |
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| Inside the Oldest House |
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| Main Altar at San Miguel |
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| San Miguel Church |
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| Old Santa Fe Plaza |
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| Buyers and Sellers outside the Governor's Palace |
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| Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi |
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
October 13-20,2015
After leaving the Amboy Cottage Cafe, we drove to the Amana, IA campground, and the next morning we enjoyed pancakes at the Ronneburg Restaurant. About 10:30 we left Amana and drove to Springfield, IL where we arrived about 3:30. We stayed 3 days, and revisited the Lincoln sights. Our first stop was at the Train Station from which Lincoln left Springfield for Washington. We also visited the Visitor's Center of the Lincoln home, and since it was such a pretty day we walked the 4 historical blocks of his neighborhood.
Wow! The next day the temp never got out of the 50's, and there was a brisk wind. Luckily we had planned to spend the day visiting the Lincoln Presidential Museum. After a late lunch, we went across the street to see the movie sets and costumes used in Steven Spielburg's award winning movie, Lincoln.
On Saturday we left Springfield, IL and drove to Calvert City, KY where we stayed one night. On Sunday we drove to Nashville, TN. It was a short drive, and we arrived about 1:00 p.m. On Monday we stopped at the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and Country Store. It was a very interesting museum and had some of Willie's furniture, his awards, and stage costumes of many of his friends (Patsy Cline, Webb Pierce, and Loretta Lynn just to name a few. He appeared in several movies, and they showed them in the museum as well. We then drove downtown and spent several hours at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Awesome!
Tuesday we explored Fort Negley, a Civil War Fort that the Union used to defend their interests in Nashville. Also visited the Opry Hills Shopping Center.
Wow! The next day the temp never got out of the 50's, and there was a brisk wind. Luckily we had planned to spend the day visiting the Lincoln Presidential Museum. After a late lunch, we went across the street to see the movie sets and costumes used in Steven Spielburg's award winning movie, Lincoln.
On Saturday we left Springfield, IL and drove to Calvert City, KY where we stayed one night. On Sunday we drove to Nashville, TN. It was a short drive, and we arrived about 1:00 p.m. On Monday we stopped at the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and Country Store. It was a very interesting museum and had some of Willie's furniture, his awards, and stage costumes of many of his friends (Patsy Cline, Webb Pierce, and Loretta Lynn just to name a few. He appeared in several movies, and they showed them in the museum as well. We then drove downtown and spent several hours at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Awesome!
Tuesday we explored Fort Negley, a Civil War Fort that the Union used to defend their interests in Nashville. Also visited the Opry Hills Shopping Center.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
From Lubbock to Mankato, MN October 2 - October 13,2015
We left Lubbock on October 2, and drove to Burkburnett/Wichita Falls, TX for the night. On the 3rd we drove to Wichita, KS where we camped until October 5. We spent the 4th doing minor work around the trailer after attending Mass at the beautiful (and huge) Church of the Magdala. We had breakfast at Panera's and as we drove back to camp the Pro-Life groups of Wichita lined the streets with their pro-life signs. We were thrilled! Found a mall, so spent a bit of time walking the mall and had lunch.
October 5 found us on the road to St. Joseph, MO. The next morning after breakfast we went to West Missouri University and visited the Walter Cronkite Memorial in the Journalism building. He was born in St. Joseph, but the family moved to Kansas City when he was small. The Memorial was very nicely done, and we could have spent hours watching the various news clips that were available.
His tv studio is in the process of being constructed, and should be available for viewing shortly.
October 7 we arrived at the Des Moines, IA KOA where we camped for one night. On the 8th we drove hwy 169 to Mankato and pulled into the Land of Memories Campground about 3 p.m. It was exciting being back in Mankato -- especially since my sister didn't know we were in town. We needed to avoid any location where we may run into someone who knew Dom or me. Hit our favorite pizza place for a House Special at Jake's. Drove to Amboy, MN to enjoy cinnamon rolls and sticky buns at the Amboy Cottage Cafe.
The big day, October 10, finally arrived. After breakfast we drove to Good Counsel and joined the crowd at the Craft Fair and Garage Sale. Spent an hour looking for Dominic. Didn't find her, but Jack's niece, JoAnn Burkard found us and we enjoyed visiting with the family. Went up to Dominic's office, and finally saw the famous fishing hat she always wears at the Craft Sale. Came up behind her and surprised her! She was speechless! Enjoyed our surprise visit and on October 13 we met Art and Char at the Amboy Cafe and said our good-byes to Art, Char, Lisa, and Dominic and her friends Ruth and Brenda. Headed out for Amana, IA about 9:20.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Lubbock, TX
On Monday 9/28 we left Santa Fe and traveled to Lubbock, TX. The campground was very nice -- trees! grass! The down side was the BIRDS! They were grackels and were extremely noisy from about 5-dark. In the morning they started screeching about 6. Unfortunately, they also pooped all over the trailer and the truck! Jack ended up having to rinse off the trailer every morning after they were gone until nightfall.
While in Lubbock, we visited the South Plains Fair. The fair has a policy of no admission charge or parking fee until after 12, so we were able to park and go in free. Enjoyed looking at their exhibits and had corn dogs before leaving.
We went to the Buddy Holly Museum and enjoyed seeing the memorabelia of this home town boy and the esteem in which he is held by singers. I picked up a book called "Dance As If There's No Tomorrow" and when I paged through the section on Mankato, I found a picture of a girl who lived across the alley from me and who had gone to the Dance Party that night. We also toured the home of Buddy's friend Jerry (J.I.) Allison who was his drummer and where they practiced often. It brought back some neat memories of Richie Valens, Big Bopper and that January night.
On Wednesday we went to the Texas Tech museum and were reading about Antarctica when we were told to evacuate the building because of fire. We went to the Silent WIngs Museum and enjoyed learning about the roll Lubbock played in training glider pilots in WWII.
Thursday we went back to Texas Tech and finished the Antarctic display and the Ansel Adams exhibit. On Friday we left Lubbock and headed to Wichita Falls, TX for one night before going to Wichita, KS. Wichita was a 2-night stop to catch up on household chores before heading to St. Joseph, MO.
While in Lubbock, we visited the South Plains Fair. The fair has a policy of no admission charge or parking fee until after 12, so we were able to park and go in free. Enjoyed looking at their exhibits and had corn dogs before leaving.
We went to the Buddy Holly Museum and enjoyed seeing the memorabelia of this home town boy and the esteem in which he is held by singers. I picked up a book called "Dance As If There's No Tomorrow" and when I paged through the section on Mankato, I found a picture of a girl who lived across the alley from me and who had gone to the Dance Party that night. We also toured the home of Buddy's friend Jerry (J.I.) Allison who was his drummer and where they practiced often. It brought back some neat memories of Richie Valens, Big Bopper and that January night.
On Wednesday we went to the Texas Tech museum and were reading about Antarctica when we were told to evacuate the building because of fire. We went to the Silent WIngs Museum and enjoyed learning about the roll Lubbock played in training glider pilots in WWII.
Thursday we went back to Texas Tech and finished the Antarctic display and the Ansel Adams exhibit. On Friday we left Lubbock and headed to Wichita Falls, TX for one night before going to Wichita, KS. Wichita was a 2-night stop to catch up on household chores before heading to St. Joseph, MO.
Santa Fe, NM
On Saturday 9/26 we drove into Santa Fe from our KOA campground. The City Plaza was packed with tourists and shoppers. We had trouble acclimating to our way around the historic city, but finally found a tourist info center and got a map. That helped! Our first stop was the Loretto Chapel which was dedicated in 1878. The famous spiral stairway in the chapel was built by an unknown carpenter in answer to prayers to St. Joseph by the Sisters of Loretto. The stairway is 22 feet high, has no center support and was assembled with wooden pegs instead of nails. The story of the chapel has been told in several motion pictures. The Sisters of Loretto turned the chapel over as a museum, and it is no longer a church.
Right up the street is the De Vargas Street House within the Barrio De Analco Historic District and is one of the Oldest buildings in America Between 1709-1710 it was the temporary residence of the Territorial Governor Chacon Medina Salazar. Up until 1920s the house was continually occupied by people representing all the cultures of Santa Fe (Apaches, Navajos, and families of Spanish soldiers.
Right across the alley is the Mission San Miguel. This is the oldest mission in Santa Fe, and Masses are still celebrated here on Sundays - 2:00 p.m. Spanish, 5:00 p.m. English. We also visited the Plaza and saw the Governor's Palace. I personally found the historic part of town to be very touristy- baskets, weaving, pottery, leather, etc. for sale in stalls around the Plaza and on the side streets.
On Sunday we stayed in camp and prepared for our trip to Lubbock, TX.
Right up the street is the De Vargas Street House within the Barrio De Analco Historic District and is one of the Oldest buildings in America Between 1709-1710 it was the temporary residence of the Territorial Governor Chacon Medina Salazar. Up until 1920s the house was continually occupied by people representing all the cultures of Santa Fe (Apaches, Navajos, and families of Spanish soldiers.
Right across the alley is the Mission San Miguel. This is the oldest mission in Santa Fe, and Masses are still celebrated here on Sundays - 2:00 p.m. Spanish, 5:00 p.m. English. We also visited the Plaza and saw the Governor's Palace. I personally found the historic part of town to be very touristy- baskets, weaving, pottery, leather, etc. for sale in stalls around the Plaza and on the side streets.
On Sunday we stayed in camp and prepared for our trip to Lubbock, TX.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Holbrook AZ
On September 20 we camped in Holbrook, AZ and used it as our headquarters as we visited the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. It was a 26 mild journey through the park. THe wood was beautiful. It's hard to believe the area was tropical 225 million years ago, and the trees grew up to 180 - 200 feet tall.
On September 23 we drove to Canyon de Chelly (pronounced SHAY). IT's a few miles outside of Chinle, AZ. The canyon is enclosed by four sacred mountains, and the Dine' (Navajo people) call it Tsegi (SAY-ih) Some of the canyon walls are 1000 ft. above the floor. The 800 ft. spire known as Spider Rock is said to be the home of Spider Woman, who taught the Navaho to weave. The White House ruin is named for the long, white plaster wall. The Ancestral Puebloans built and lived here about 1000 years ago. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Hubbell Trading Post which was founded in 1883 by J. L. Hubbell. It has been open continuously as a trading post since that time, and was turned over to the National Park service in 1967 as a National Historic site. Today, as in 1876, American Indians bring handcrafted rugs, jewelry, pottery and baskets to the trader.
On September 24 we drove to the 3 Hopi Mesas and stopped for lunch on Mesa 2 where we had Hopi tostadas and Hopi Tacos. On the 3rd mesa we visited Old Oraibi, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. It's said to date back to 1200 AD.
On September 23 we drove to Canyon de Chelly (pronounced SHAY). IT's a few miles outside of Chinle, AZ. The canyon is enclosed by four sacred mountains, and the Dine' (Navajo people) call it Tsegi (SAY-ih) Some of the canyon walls are 1000 ft. above the floor. The 800 ft. spire known as Spider Rock is said to be the home of Spider Woman, who taught the Navaho to weave. The White House ruin is named for the long, white plaster wall. The Ancestral Puebloans built and lived here about 1000 years ago. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Hubbell Trading Post which was founded in 1883 by J. L. Hubbell. It has been open continuously as a trading post since that time, and was turned over to the National Park service in 1967 as a National Historic site. Today, as in 1876, American Indians bring handcrafted rugs, jewelry, pottery and baskets to the trader.
On September 24 we drove to the 3 Hopi Mesas and stopped for lunch on Mesa 2 where we had Hopi tostadas and Hopi Tacos. On the 3rd mesa we visited Old Oraibi, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. It's said to date back to 1200 AD.
Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park
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| Painted Desert |
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| Petroglyphs - painted desert |
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| More painted desert |
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| Petrified Log Bridge |
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| Petrified logs |
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| Jack by some big petrified logs |
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| Remains of a prehistoric forest |
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| A landmark on Historic Route 66 in Holbrook, AZ |
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| Overlook on Painted Desert |
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| Old car on Historic Route 66 - in Petrified Forest National Park |
Pictures - Arizona 1
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| Rim Walk - Show Low, AZ |
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| More Rim Walk |
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| Canyon de Chelly |
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| White house ruins - Canyon de Chelly |
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| Overlook - Canyon de Chelly |
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| Apache artist |
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| Spider Rock |
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| Hubbell Trading Post |
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| Hubbell Trading Post |
Show Low, AZ in the White Mountains
After we left tucson we drove up into the White Mountains to visit our friends the Sieglers in Show Low. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and while we were there, we:
1. Took an easy hike on the Rim Trail
2. Checked travel brochures and Roselee, Jack, and I toured the Casa Malpais, said to be the premier archaeological site in the White Mts. The pueblo is in ruins, but you can see a great kiva, pictographs, and an astronomical observatory which signaled when to plant or harvest crops. Thankfully the guide provided walking sticks--the climb was a bit more rugged than the brochure showed.
3. On Friday Jack and I drove to historic Fort Apache. The Fort was established in 1870 to assist the Apache people to remain peacefully on their lands and stem the conflicts among native people and incoming settlers to the region. The military left in 1922 and the buildings became the Teddy Roosevelt Indian Boarding School. The museum on site was very well done and informative.
We also drove a few miles to the Kinishba pueblo ruins of a village of the ancestors of the Zuni and Hopi tribes. There are indications people were living there as early as 800 AD.
On Saturday we said our goodbyes to Ro and Frank and on Sunday headed to the KOA in Holbrook, AZ which was a good location for continued exploration.
1. Took an easy hike on the Rim Trail
2. Checked travel brochures and Roselee, Jack, and I toured the Casa Malpais, said to be the premier archaeological site in the White Mts. The pueblo is in ruins, but you can see a great kiva, pictographs, and an astronomical observatory which signaled when to plant or harvest crops. Thankfully the guide provided walking sticks--the climb was a bit more rugged than the brochure showed.
3. On Friday Jack and I drove to historic Fort Apache. The Fort was established in 1870 to assist the Apache people to remain peacefully on their lands and stem the conflicts among native people and incoming settlers to the region. The military left in 1922 and the buildings became the Teddy Roosevelt Indian Boarding School. The museum on site was very well done and informative.
We also drove a few miles to the Kinishba pueblo ruins of a village of the ancestors of the Zuni and Hopi tribes. There are indications people were living there as early as 800 AD.
On Saturday we said our goodbyes to Ro and Frank and on Sunday headed to the KOA in Holbrook, AZ which was a good location for continued exploration.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Tucson, September 12-13, 2015
Saturday was another 90+ degree day, and we planned to drive about 55 miles to Tombstone, AZ. We arrived about 11 a.m., and our first visit was to the historical courthouse which has become a historical museum. With tickets to view the enactment of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, we took a step back into the wild west of the 1800's and watched Doc Holliday, Morgan, Wyatt, and Virgil Earp take on Frank and Tom McLaury, and Billy and Ike Clanton. Both Virgil and Morgan Earp were badly wounded, and Doc Holliday suffered a superficial hip wound. Only Wyatt Earp walked away unhurt. As a side note, the gunfight did not occur in the O.K. Corral, but in the 18-foot-wide lot BEHIND the O.K. Corral. After the reenactment we had tickets for the Tombstone Historama, which gave a good history of the Town Too Tough To Die. As a final activity for the day, we took a tour of the town's important sites in a stagecoach. It was a fun day.
Sunday was our last day in Tucson. Judy Conway came over after lunch and visited and we gave her a tour of the Far Horizon club house. Later in the afternoon we drove to the Saguaro National Park (east location). The saguaro has been called monarch of the Sonoran Desert, a symbol of the American Southwest, and a plant with personality. Since 1933 this giant cactus has been protected within Saguaro National Park. Preserved within the park are other members of the Sonoran Desert community: other cacti, desert trees and shrubs, and animals. It is one of the hottest and driest regions on the continent. Summer midday temps commonly climb above 100 degrees; less than 12 inches of rain falls in a typical year.
Saguaros grow very slowly, a seedling may measure only 1/4 inch. After 15 years it may be barely 12 inches tall; At 30 years they begin to flower and produce seeds. At 50 years they can be as tall as seven feet. At 75 years it may sprout its first branches or arms which begin as prickly balls and then extend out and up. By 100 years the saguaro may reach 25 feet. Saguaros that live 150 years or more attain the grandest sizes, towering 50 feet and weithing 16,000 pounds.
The park has 7 hiking trails of varying length and the visitor's center has 2 movies about the park.
It was a very enjoyable end to our stay in Tucson.
Sunday was our last day in Tucson. Judy Conway came over after lunch and visited and we gave her a tour of the Far Horizon club house. Later in the afternoon we drove to the Saguaro National Park (east location). The saguaro has been called monarch of the Sonoran Desert, a symbol of the American Southwest, and a plant with personality. Since 1933 this giant cactus has been protected within Saguaro National Park. Preserved within the park are other members of the Sonoran Desert community: other cacti, desert trees and shrubs, and animals. It is one of the hottest and driest regions on the continent. Summer midday temps commonly climb above 100 degrees; less than 12 inches of rain falls in a typical year.
Saguaros grow very slowly, a seedling may measure only 1/4 inch. After 15 years it may be barely 12 inches tall; At 30 years they begin to flower and produce seeds. At 50 years they can be as tall as seven feet. At 75 years it may sprout its first branches or arms which begin as prickly balls and then extend out and up. By 100 years the saguaro may reach 25 feet. Saguaros that live 150 years or more attain the grandest sizes, towering 50 feet and weithing 16,000 pounds.
The park has 7 hiking trails of varying length and the visitor's center has 2 movies about the park.
It was a very enjoyable end to our stay in Tucson.
Tucson, AZ September 9 - 11, 2015
We stayed at the Far Horizons RV Resort in Tucson, and on Thursday we visited Judy Conway and enjoyed visiting with her. We went to dinner at a very nice Mexican restaurant and she gave us suggestions as to places to visit while we are here.
On Friday our first visit was Mission San Xavier del Bac, a national historical landmark and the only remaining intact mission in AZ. It is considered the finest example of Mexican Baroque architecture in the US. It remains a working parish for the Tohono O'odham people, many of whom live nearby. It was founded in 1692 by Jesuit missionary Fr. Eusebio Francisco Kino. The current structure was begun in 1783 by Franciscan Father Velderrain. In 1978 the Patrano San Xavier was formed by a group of Tucson citiens for the sole purpose of restoring and preserving the church. The mission remains a working church. The Franciscan pastor and the parochial vicr provide spiritual leadership to the parish, and services occur throughout the week.
Next to the Mission is the mission school run by the Franciscan Sisters of Charity and it operates grades K-8. As a historical note, Fr. Kino's statue is in the Capitol building, and is one of two representing Arizona.
After lunch we decided to visit the Arizona Desert Museum. What a shock to discover that it was an OUTDOOR museum, and the temperature was a toasty 96! Luckily the restrooms had suntan lotion dispensers, and water fountains throughout the park were numerous. We especially enjoyed the hummingbird area and the aviary. We also enjoyed seeing the mountain goats. The flowers and the cacti were numerous and the paths were well marked and for the most part paved. This museum is ranked in the top 10 of places to visit in Arizona. We didn't realize just how far from the campground we were, and the trip home seemed endless.
That evening we visited good friend, Charlotte Cox. Another wonderful visit!
On Friday our first visit was Mission San Xavier del Bac, a national historical landmark and the only remaining intact mission in AZ. It is considered the finest example of Mexican Baroque architecture in the US. It remains a working parish for the Tohono O'odham people, many of whom live nearby. It was founded in 1692 by Jesuit missionary Fr. Eusebio Francisco Kino. The current structure was begun in 1783 by Franciscan Father Velderrain. In 1978 the Patrano San Xavier was formed by a group of Tucson citiens for the sole purpose of restoring and preserving the church. The mission remains a working church. The Franciscan pastor and the parochial vicr provide spiritual leadership to the parish, and services occur throughout the week.
Next to the Mission is the mission school run by the Franciscan Sisters of Charity and it operates grades K-8. As a historical note, Fr. Kino's statue is in the Capitol building, and is one of two representing Arizona.
After lunch we decided to visit the Arizona Desert Museum. What a shock to discover that it was an OUTDOOR museum, and the temperature was a toasty 96! Luckily the restrooms had suntan lotion dispensers, and water fountains throughout the park were numerous. We especially enjoyed the hummingbird area and the aviary. We also enjoyed seeing the mountain goats. The flowers and the cacti were numerous and the paths were well marked and for the most part paved. This museum is ranked in the top 10 of places to visit in Arizona. We didn't realize just how far from the campground we were, and the trip home seemed endless.
That evening we visited good friend, Charlotte Cox. Another wonderful visit!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Jasper National Park - 2
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| Athabasca Falls |
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| Highway 93 in Jasper Park |
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| More Goats! |
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| Add caption |
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| Heading back to the Hinton KOA |
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| Lodge at Lake Malegne |
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| Athabasca River |
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| More falls! |
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