October 1, 2015

September 19, 2015

Yesterday we said goodbye to Scottsbluff and headed down Hwy 92, connected with US 26 in Bridgeport, NE then jumped on I-80 eastbound.  The run down to the interstate was very easy with very little traffic and beautiful rolling hills.  Since we drive a leisurely 55-58 MPH, we had a chance to take in all the beautiful countryside along Hwy’s 92 and 26.

Of course, that all changed when we got on I-80.  Trucks, trucks and more trucks.  I understand that they are out there driving to make a living but that doesn’t make it any more fun of us.  Then there are the folks who try to go 100 MPH, pass us, then pull in right in front of our rig and slam on their brakes, trying to make the next exit.  God, I hate that!

We pulled into the Sunny Meadows Campground just north of the boulevard in Elm Creek, NE about 3:45 PM CDT.  This is just pretty much a large dirt parking lot that has RV hookups but $15 at night Passport America rate, it works for us.

After getting unhooked, we drove into town to mail some cards and find an ATM.  We then spied Stuck’s Last Call Bar & Grill so we stopped in for a cold one and something to eat.  They offered a good selection of bar grub and the beer was cold.

One of my bucket list items is to visit all of our president’s library’s so today we’re headed to Abilene, KS to tour President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s.  Looking forward to that.

September 20, 2015

Yesterday morning, we left Elm Creek and headed south on Highway 183 bound for Abilene, KS.  The drive was easy over rolling hills with very light traffic and light winds for most of the way.  After turning onto I-70 the traffic picked up significantly as did the winds.

We pulled into the Flying J Travel Plaza in Salina, KS for fuel and using out Pilot/Flying J Discount Card, we got the cash price at $2.34 a gallon.  Since we never carry that much cash, the card saved us $.10 a gallon.  Joyce calculated that the rig got 9.2 MPG on that leg of the trip.  Very nice.

We pulled into the Four Season RV Acres about 3:30 PM and after unhooking the CRV, we headed into Abilene for some groceries.  Our first stop was at the visitor center where we picked up a couple of brochures and information.  We then drove around the town admiring all of the beautiful homes and during the drive, we found the Elks Lodge so we decided to stop in and see what’s shakin’.

Well, there went going to get groceries.  They were serving dinner, so along with having some great conversation with a few of the local members and watching Louisiana Tech get beat by Kansas State, we were there for about three hours.

September 23, 2015

On the 20th, we toured President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Library and Museum.  His museum is on 10 acres that was originally the family’s farm back in the day.

 Bread proofing box.  The President's mother would typically make 9 loaves of bread every other day.

On Monday we left Abilene and headed to the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, MO, arriving here at about 2 PM.  The run over wasn’t bad except having to navigate through the Kansas City maze.

During the drive over our Garmin GPS that we have had for six years finally gave up and died so after we got set up in the casino’s parking lot, I drove to the local Costco and got us a new one while Joyce went to make her donation to the local welfare fund.

Yesterday we toured the President Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and then Harry S. Truman National Historic Site.

 This is the only record in existence that the President ordered the dropping of the first atom bomb.

September 25, 2015

We left the Ameristar Casino at about 10:30 AM and made the short 108 mile run to the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, MO.

Yesterday, we toured Warm Springs Ranch, the breeding farm for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.  What an amazing place.

There were three foals less than two weeks old.

This is the W from the original brewery sign.

 This big guy was one of the stars in the Puppy Love commercial.

Read more about these wonderful horses, including what it takes to be a Bud Clydesdale at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales

After that we drove northwest of Boonville to visit the Boone’s Lick State Historical Site and then the village of Arrow Rock.

 These drainage ditches are all over town.

 Only one guy was locked up in the jail.  They let him out that night because he was making too much noise.

September 29, 2015

After leaving Boonville, we made the run to Scott AFB, IL.  We had heard some horror stories about driving through St. Louis so we decided to take a longer, but easier route around the city.  Well, that didn’t work out so well.  Traffic was very bad on I-270 around the south side of the city and to make it even worse, there was a lot of construction.  But, we made it through and across the Mississippi River with just a couple of frayed nerves, arriving at Scott about 2:30 PM.

After getting set up in our reserved parking site, we made a Base Exchange and Commissary run.  On the way into the BX, we ran into Chuck Carter and his wife Vicky.  Chuck flew with the 710th MAS/ALS at Travis AFB, CA for many years and now lives in the Scott area.

On Sunday we rode the Metro Link (the station can be accessed from the base) to St.Louis for the sole purpose of visiting the Gateway Arch.  Riding the train into the city is much easier than driving and trying to find parking.  But that being said, here’s a recommendation.  Plan your visit to St. Louis for a day when the Cardinals and Rams are not having home games on the same day.  Just sayin’.

After getting our National Parks Passport book stamped, we walked the few blocks to the Arch.  First up was to watch a 45 minute movie about the building this thing.  Next, we got in what can be best described as a washing machine tub with five seats for the ride to the top.  Ya get pretty up close and personal in those things.

After spending a few minutes there, we squeezed back into the tram car and made our way back down.  We had a bite to eat before getting on the train for the ride back to Scott.

Yesterday we left Scott about 10 AM and jumped on I-64 for the run to Hartford, KY.  We pulled into the Ohio County Park and Campground about 2:30 and got a back-in site with 30-amp electrical and water for $8.50 with our Passport America discount.  I can tell you that this place ain’t fancy but for less than $9 a night, what the heck!

We then drove back up to Owensboro, KY to have dinner with Gary and Lynn Dauby, the parents of our daughter-in-law Adrian.  We me at Colby’s, a great restaurant that we have been to before.  It was a lot of fun visiting with Gary and Lynn again and when reluctantly leaving, we found ourselves wishing for more time with them.  Thank y’all for your valued friendship and for picking up the tab for dinner.  Next time, it’s on us!

This has been a long one so I’ll stop for now.

Barry and Joyce

September 20, 2015

September 15, 2015

Woke up yesterday very strong and gusty winds so the first thing I did was check the weather reports for central Wyoming, especially for I-25 south toward Cheyenne.  Most of it was fairly good except from Wheatland on south but our route of travel had us turning off onto US 26 to Torrington, WY.  Good to go.

We left Casper about 9:30 AM, jumped on the interstate and headed south.  Most of the way we had a quartering westerly tailwind but we did get a few straight cross-gusts that got our attention.  The winds were much better after tuning east onto US 26.

We stopped in Torrington, WY for fuel, paying $2.39 a gallon.  Joyce calculated that we got 8.7 MPG on this last fill-up so that made us pretty happy.

We pulled into the Riverside Campground in Scottsbluff, NE about 2:30.  This is a city park with all pull-though sites on dirt/gravel.  Not bad, especially for $20 a night.

After getting set-up in our site, we drove down to visit the Elks Lodge.  The drinks were cold and the natives are darned friendly.

We plan to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument this morning and then hit the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gersey this afternoon.  Tomorrow we will go see Chimney Rock National Historic Site and maybe take in the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

September 16, 2015

Yesterday was a busy, touristy kind of day.

After having a store-bought breakfast at the local Perkins, we headed off the visit Scotts Bluff National Monument.  After checking in at the visitor’s center, we got our National Parks Passport  book stamped and after watching a great video about the Bluff, we took a short walk on the trail.

Joyce did a little more walking up the trail so I sat down on a bench to rest.  While sitting there and taking in the grandeur above me, I wondered just how hard the trip through this area was for the pioneer’s.  I could only imagine the heat, dust and danger’s they endured.

Mormon pioneer hand cart. 

Some came through this area looking for riches in California, some for the fertile valley’s of Oregon and some to escape religious persecution.  But, if you think about it, they all came with a sense of adventure.

After spending a while there, we then drove to the top of the bluff on a road that was built in 1937.  We took two short walks that allowed spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Next stop, Chimney Rock, about 20 miles to the southeast of Scottsbluff.

We watched another video and then took a few pictures.  Since the formation is on private land you can’t walk out to get closer.

The local Indian’s called this rock formation Elk’s Penis.  Remember, the Lakota Sioux had no way to relate the look of the formation to a chimney so they named it for something they were familiar with.  Read more here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimney_Rock_National_Historic_Site

September 17, 2015

Yesterday was another full day of sight seeing. 

After having a quick breakfast, we drove the fifty miles back over into Wyoming to tour Fort Laramie National Historical Site.  The fort played a significant roll in the region from it’s establishment in 1834 to when it was abandoned in 1890.  Many of the buildings have been preserved along with numerous artifacts.

On the drive to the fort, I noticed a dive bar in Lingle, WY called The Bitch’s Corner Bar.  Well, you know we just had to stop in and check it out.

Yup, it’s a dive alright.  Lois Tobin, the owner wasn’t there but the young lady bartender told us the story of the name.  Seems Lois complained a lot so she called herself The Bitch.  Lois had to fight with the city council to allow her to put up the sign but, in the end she finally prevailed.  Very interesting place and to top off the day, they make a killer hamburger and chicken gizzards.


Thanks for visiting our blog site.

Barry & Joyce

September 15, 2015

September 2, 2015

We finished our hosting gig at Devil’s Lake on Sunday so Monday morning, we drove over to Spirit Mountain Casino.  There we joined Jim & Jeanne Glaspey and Dwayne & Donna Hayes for an evening dry camping in the casino’s huge RV parking area.

Later all of us went to have all-you-can-eat crab in the buffet.  Some of the hosts from Devil’s Lake came over as well.

Yesterday all of us made the short trip to Champoeg State Park where we’re spending a couple of days relaxing.

September 6, 2015

On Friday we hooked up the CRV and headed up to Hermiston, OR for a one night stay.  After getting set up at the Pioneer RV Park, we joined Mike and Dorothy Clements at the Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant for supper.

Saturday morning we left the RV park about 9 AM, jumped on I-82 headed up to Rick and Patty Stills’ home in Rathdrum, ID.

After getting setup in the back yard, we headed down to the Elks Lodge to say hello to Bob Shaw who was preparing potato’s for the evenings meal.  Back at the house, Rick fixed a great taco supper for us.

On Saturday Joyce, Rick and I went and had pedicures then we did some shopping.  Patty was visiting her son and his family in New York and returned home yesterday.  After Rick picked her up at the airport, Joyce and I met them at Capone’s Pub & Grill in Post Falls.  Bob and Teresa Shaw joined us there as well.

September 7, 2015

Yesterday was very rainy and cold here in Rathdrum.  You can definitely tell fall is on it’s way  in this part of the country.

During a break in the weather, Rick grilled some killer hamburgers for supper.

September 9, 2015

On Monday morning we hookup up our rigs and headed toward the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.  Our first leg was to Deer Lodge, MT where we stayed at the Indian Creek RV Park.  Our plan was just to spend one night there and then head down to West Yellowstone, MT for another night before going down to the National Park.  Well, that didn’t happen.

When we got up yesterday morning, Rick said that they would have to turn around and head back home due to a family emergency.  So, after very sad goodbye’s, Joyce and I headed toward West Yellowstone.

We had planned to stay one night dry camping at Baker’s Hole Campground but given the weather reports for that area calling for temperatures down to 28 degrees, we decided to try for an RV park.  Joyce made some calls but everything in West Yellowstone was booked solid.

After discussing our options, we decided to make the run all the way to Colter Bay.  Plan 2 was to make a reservation at the RV park for one night and then move into the campground for our remaining three days.  When I called, we were told that they were booked up and to try the campground.  Plan 3 went into effect.

Joyce called what she thought was the campground but wound up talking to a different lady than I did at the RV park.  Guess what?  Yep, they had one site left.

Our drive down to Grand Teton took us through Yellowstone National Park which Joyce and I had visited some years ago.  The speed limit through the park is 45 MPH with many 25 and 35 MPH zones and with the amount of traffic, it was slow going.  Several times folks would see something on the side of the road, slam on their brakes and darned near come to a complete stop.  I don’t think people have a clue what it takes to stop a 14 ton motor home or, maybe they just have a death wish.

So, after 275 miles of driving, we finally pulled in here at 4:30.  The cost here is $60 dollars a night, a lot more than we like to spend but today we plan to move over to the low rent district, which will be $12 a night.

After getting setup in our parking site, we drove over to the campground and talked to the volunteers working at the check-in booth.  They said we won’t have a problem scoring a site there this morning so we plan to move about 11 AM.

This big guy just walked right through the campground.

Saw these guys during our boat tour on Jenny Lake.

 

September 14, 2015

On Saturday morning we reluctantly left the Grand Teton National Park and headed east on US 287 and then a couple of county roads, picking up US 26 to Casper, WY.  The drive took us over a mountain pass that went up to 9500 feet and some really beautiful country.  Well, it was beautiful until we dropped down the eastern site then it was just rolling farm and ranch lands.

After driving 258 miles and a stop to get 30 gallons of fuel (at $2.70), we arrived at the Fort Casper RV Park in Casper, WY.  Our purpose in coming here is to visit Joyce’s family as there isn’t very much to see in the area.  We have been here before and did all of the sight-seeing things then.

We have made some plans in our travels due to the RV park owner in Union, TN calling and informing us that they can’t accommodate our stay.  Change 2 to Plan 1 is now in effect:
After Scott AFB, IL:
Hartford, KY (1 night)
Cave City, KY (4 nights)
Yuma, TN (1 night)
Savannah, TN (2 nights)
Lynchburg, TN (2 nights)
Then on south.

Also, we are going to be parking our RV at the Foster Creek RV Park on the Naval Weapons Station north of Charleston, SC from 21 October thru the 30th.  Joyce and I are flying to New Haven, CT to see our new grandson.

Well, that’s enough for now.

Barry & Joyce

August 28, 2015

August 4, 2015

Yesterday we went to the Lincoln City Outlets so that I could get some new work shoes.  While in the G. H. Bass store, I also found a couple of pairs of light weight pants.

We then drove done to Newport to hit Freddy Myers to pick up a few groceries and some cable components so I can set up our portable satellite dish.

On the way back to Lincoln City we stopped at Gracie’s Sea Hag in Depoe Bay for some beverages and supper.

August 6, 2015

So, we have been here at Devil’s Lake for almost a week now and man, have things changed around here.  When we hosted here before in site B-1, the job was to clean yurts/camp sites, sell firewood on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and other stuff as necessary.  When we got here on Saturday, we had one night of firewood sales added to our schedule.  No big deal as we always thought that five nights of wood sales was a little much for hosts to handle.

Yesterday Joyce had to go over to Salem to see a dermatologist about some spots on her face.  The doctor burned off several spots and took biopsies on two others.  We should have the results in a week or so.

August 15, 2015

As most of y’all know by now, our son Justin and his wife Adrian have had a son, Travis Duskin Crocker, born 9 August 2015, 9 lbs, 21 in.  We are all very excited!

 First Bath

Abigail and Skyler, our grand kids who live in St. Augustine, FL, started school last week.

We have been very busy here at the park.  No RV sites are to be had without a reservation and for the most part, we have been full just about every night.  Yesterday the ranger’s checked with Beverly Beach and South Beach and they said they have been full as well.  Want to camp on the Oregon coast during the summer?  Make reservations way in advance.

Last Tuesday we had lunch with Dave and Debi Westphal at their home in Gleneden Beach.  They were the visitor center hosts at Smith Rock a couple of years ago and have remained active hosts since.  Debi fixed a great lunch and we had fun talking about what has been going on in our lives.

August 24, 2015

Last week Joyce had to go back over to Salem to have some basal cell spots on her arm and leg removed.  Hope that is the end of that for a while.

We have been closely monitoring the fire situations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho for the past few days right now our plans to spend some time in the Grand Teton National Park is looking iffy.  Some folks that are there now have reported on Facebook that the smoke is terrible and to the point that you can’t see the mountains.  For right now we are still planning on making the trip up to Rick and Patty Stills’ home in Rathdrum, ID but even that could change.  Hope not but as always our plans are written in Jello so we can stir the pot if necessary.

August 28, 2015

We are almost at the end of our hosting gig here at Devil’s Lake State Park.  We have had a good time here on the Oregon coast, especially enjoying the cooler weather.

Saturday the 22nd, there was a nice little car show here in Lincoln City.

On Tuesday Dave and Debbi Westphal came up to the park for a short visit.  For dinner we walked over to Kyllo's Seafood Grill were we all ordered off of the happy hour menu.  Kyllo’s is pretty pricey but their happy hour offerings are affordable.

We’re going to be buttoning down the hatches for the next couple of days.  The weather forecast is for significant rain here accompanied by some high winds.  Although the rain is welcomed, we could do without the gail force winds.

On Monday we plan to move over to Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde and meet up with Jim and Jeanne Glaspey and Dwayne and Donna Hayes for our last all-you-can eat crab night.  We’re going to spend the night there and then all of us are heading over to Champoeg State Park for two days.

More next time.

Barry & Joyce

August 2, 2015

July 20, 2015

In just a short ten days we will be packing up and moving over to Devil’s Lake State Park.  We have enjoyed our time here at Smith Rock but it’s time for a new adventure.

On the 18th and 19th, we visited Jim and Jeanie Glaspey, Donna and Dwayne Hayes and Ron and Tisha Glaspey at LaPine State Park.  Fun times as always with the Glaspey Clan.

July 27, 2015

On the 19th we welcomed Chuck and Sue Svendsen from Oakridge for a visit.  Monday morning we drove up to Three Creeks Lake, which is a few miles south of Sisters.  After relaxing there for a while, we then drove down to Sisters for a before dinner appetizer at the BJ’s Ice Cream parlor.  Dinner was at the Sandbagger Saloon at Crooked River Ranch.

Say Howdy Chuck!

A gift from Sue.  These were her fathers and I am honored to have them.

 

One of the resident's at Smith Rock!

Well Hello Ladies!

Mama and her twins.

On Tuesday we went to Bend to do some shopping at the Bend Factory Stores and at REI.  Then we had dinner with our co-hosts at the Oishi Japanese Restaurant in Redmond.

On Thursday we had Tom Halter of Advantage RV Service out to do the recall on our Norcold refrigerator and service our generator.  If you need service on your RV here in the the Bend/Redmond area, we highly recommend Tom.

August 2, 2015

Yesterday we made the run over to Devil’s Lake State Park in Lincoln City where we will be hosting for this month.  It is really nice to be in cooler weather!

We have had some inquiry’s about our itinerary for the run to Florida in September.  Well, as you can guess, we’ll be doing a lot of sight-seeing during the two month trip.  If any of our readers live or your traveling in the same areas we are, please give us a shout.  Perhaps we could get together.

On this I will be checking off some bucket list items including, three Presidential libraries and several Civil War battlefield areas.

Rathdrum, ID:  Visit Rick and Patty Stills.
Grand Teton National Park:  Rick and Patty will be going with us.
Casper, WY: Visit Joyce’s sister.
Scotts Bluff, NE:  I have always wanted to see Chimney Rock National Historic Site and Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Abilene, KS:  President Dwight Eisenhower’s Library.
Independence, MO:  President Harry Truman’s Library.
Booneville, MO:  Going to visit the Warm Springs Ranch where the Budweiser Clydesdales are born and raised.
Scott AFB, IL:  Close enough to St. Louis to see several sights there.
Union City, TN:  I was born close to there in Martin, TN.  I want to do some genealogy research in Gibson and Weakley Counties.
Corinth, MS:  See the Shiloh National Battlefield.
Nashville, TN:  Been there, done that before but we have good friends who we are going to see this time.
Lynchburg, TN:  Care to guess why we are going there?  Does Old No. 7 ring a bell?
Chattanooga, TN:  Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.  Also, several other places.
Atlanta, GA:  Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, President Jimmy Carter’s Library and more.
Americus, GA:  Andersonville National Historic Site and the National POW Museum.  May go over to Plains and see if President Carter and Rosalynn are home.  Peanuts anyone?
Savannah, GA:  We have been there once but didn’t get to do much sight-seeing due to very bad weather.  We’re hoping for sunny sky’s this time.
St. Augustine, FL:  Spend most of the winter here spoiling grand babies.

‘Nuff for now.

Barry & Joyce