tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77447643174970735252024-03-13T00:56:31.174-07:00We're Here NowMary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-4649466818744030152014-10-28T14:11:00.001-07:002014-10-28T14:11:11.207-07:00Africa - oh my!
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The first time I read about Jane Goodall in National
Geographic I wanted to go to Africa. I even became a flight attendant when I
was twenty-one so I could afford the trip, but I never got there during my
short career in the friendly skies. I put money away when I could, but the trip
never happened until the call became too great. Last year I decided that I
needed to go to Africa before it was too late – for me or the animals. </div>
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Bob and I just returned from a three-week trip to South
Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. We booked a tour with Overseas
Adventure Travel, a company that caters to active Americans over 50 and were
joined by two old friends. We only had 14 people in our group. I highly
recommend OAT and if you decide to book a trip to one of their worldwide
destinations please use me as your referral (customer #001382737) and you’ll
get $100 off your trip. <a href="http://oattravel.com/">http://oattravel.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7jQYm-RjgQ29UqpZKxX99-ZG9mys_w7QDAslL68-mNHDziRtgzruSG5cV1We7cTGJnZgaUtrIJL7QXgKNAr3Ptx7I_6GsCsTVLZv4jJn0o29T-VewVLZLnnKiaKct02PUOLWPphT2eM/s1600/young+lions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7jQYm-RjgQ29UqpZKxX99-ZG9mys_w7QDAslL68-mNHDziRtgzruSG5cV1We7cTGJnZgaUtrIJL7QXgKNAr3Ptx7I_6GsCsTVLZv4jJn0o29T-VewVLZLnnKiaKct02PUOLWPphT2eM/s1600/young+lions.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on one of our lion walks</td></tr>
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We landed in Johannesburg a few days early and spent that
time with a client who takes care of the animals at a lion preserve a few hours
north of ‘Joburg’. We got to walk in the bush with 7 lions that were less than
a year old. What naughty kids they were – running off, jumping up on people and
acting like all young kitties (don’t have anything dangling from your body).
They were boisterous but manageable. At night we were awakened by the roaring
of the older lions. That’s a sound you never forget. I also spent time there
communicating with the lions, leopards, serval, caracal, and tigers. It was a
great way to get our feet on the ground.</div>
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I wanted to go to Africa to see the animals, and animals we
saw. It was amazing how many critters roamed everywhere. We saw the big five
(lion, cape buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino), sometimes four of them in a
day. In South Africa we encountered both white and black rhino, and even spent
some quiet time in the dark with three rhinos as the full blood moon rose over
the trees. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQyBf78hvCLDH7mCJ96i54Qbo7zur13n-THvh_EPgCOLr1-doIN0Qka-WkD4m0YCZibi8Iod0C99pgfkkieBPZPcJMp3LORUt9yu-f_Fayg9kAf9aRPISP0rUDqR-z0EfmgjIOOqTfoU/s1600/Elephants+at+Mjejane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQyBf78hvCLDH7mCJ96i54Qbo7zur13n-THvh_EPgCOLr1-doIN0Qka-WkD4m0YCZibi8Iod0C99pgfkkieBPZPcJMp3LORUt9yu-f_Fayg9kAf9aRPISP0rUDqR-z0EfmgjIOOqTfoU/s1600/Elephants+at+Mjejane.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elephants in the river at the lodge</td></tr>
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Our first lodge was situated on the Crocodile River and
during lunch we watched elephants, Cape buffalo, antelopes and hippos along
with many species of birds. I was in heaven! At the next lodge a herd of
elephants ran trumpeting from the woods to the water hole a couple of hundred
yards in front of the camp. They drank and played and chased off the baboons.
One night a few wandered into camp and chewed up a lot of trees.</div>
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Many of our safaris were in national parks: Kruger, Hwange
and Chobe, and they reminded me of being in Yellowstone, only the animals were
different. When you saw cars pulled over everyone sped up to see what they were
watching. Once it was lions, another time a hyena, a leopard, and always there
were elephants.</div>
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In Zimbabwe we visited a school that is supported by OAT and
also went to a nearby village. These stops were more fascinating than I had
expected and by the end of our trip I found that the people and the countries
and the land were as important to me as the animals. It really is an amazing
continent.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaLtVSVZKADgHP-pfNWyHMdkxnpi1K5zPLBXuXmHNda6GGEYuqOGEovzJvGEpEEBOrLEFu_d-16DtV6C__OpPm-7UYcdtanYWbgtHAd4mDDncplOuEkeVNlvce_xx3Bl77MuIsfiUzq0/s1600/Typical+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaLtVSVZKADgHP-pfNWyHMdkxnpi1K5zPLBXuXmHNda6GGEYuqOGEovzJvGEpEEBOrLEFu_d-16DtV6C__OpPm-7UYcdtanYWbgtHAd4mDDncplOuEkeVNlvce_xx3Bl77MuIsfiUzq0/s1600/Typical+home.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typical home</td></tr>
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This is just the start of a series of blogs about our time
in Africa and the places, people and animals we met. I hope you enjoy them and
that soon you will experience the wonder of Africa for yourself.</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-33705963190507014292013-08-12T18:29:00.001-07:002013-08-12T18:29:30.679-07:00England and France - Three
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<b>Southern France<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>July 13-24, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7Zq_YO6C4e_nnZesjHJSJ-UWPr_Wqy3hgkzwLY0ls_letq_vHmULvZ6ZpvvN1OT9mSeUUW_rVYYUb3N2100QNY4-lumEpnCZ0NtrMs_jttjo1r8fd992YKil1YSKtU90NYg9gtvv69s/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7Zq_YO6C4e_nnZesjHJSJ-UWPr_Wqy3hgkzwLY0ls_letq_vHmULvZ6ZpvvN1OT9mSeUUW_rVYYUb3N2100QNY4-lumEpnCZ0NtrMs_jttjo1r8fd992YKil1YSKtU90NYg9gtvv69s/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just south of Cannes</td></tr>
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In only a few hours of driving you can go from the middle of the Alps to the Riviera. We drove south <span> </span>through the Italian countryside. Once
along the Mediterranean your driving choices are crowded freeway with limited
views and culture, or seaside road with manic traffic, motorcycles and scooters
passing left, right and sideways, plus maze-like transits through small towns.
It was kind of fun and terrible at the same time. We did a little of both routes hoping that France would be less hectic than Italy.<span> </span>We stopped for a much needed break in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and had a snack while people and yacht watching. Further down the French coast we found red rocks that looked just like Sedona!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdKcexnbd-PBAtGDl5tkDjdFQp4UJ8yWhlAFDNChqserBJF5ixU82kEQQsGvZJtekTeWN0Sk_DyAZvKK3yFMky-S-ToidhrzFmy540RlbxLePlUFOseFIZ8o6wXoPrB6MLSzwgg5oiYQ/s1600/IMG_4519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdKcexnbd-PBAtGDl5tkDjdFQp4UJ8yWhlAFDNChqserBJF5ixU82kEQQsGvZJtekTeWN0Sk_DyAZvKK3yFMky-S-ToidhrzFmy540RlbxLePlUFOseFIZ8o6wXoPrB6MLSzwgg5oiYQ/s1600/IMG_4519.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of Vence</td></tr>
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Our home base for these two days was a very nice B&B
with a pool near Vence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our only
issue was the last few miles of narrow winding road to get to and from it each
day. We spent a day at the beach and I got to swim in the Mediterranean. The
women in France all wear two-piece suits. Mary was usually the only one on
every beach in a one piece, except for two ladies in their 80s! (and of course
there were a few with only the bottom portion of their bikinis on). </div>
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Our B&B host suggested we take a small mountain road
through the Gorge du Verdon on our way to Provence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the winding and crowded waterfront road we weren’t
excited about a winding mountain road, but we are sure glad we took their
suggestion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gorge itself was
not so wide but it was deep and the rock formations on the way reminded us of
the Sierras. In fact, France reminded us of California in a lot of places. It
was WAY more mountainous than we expected. Not too far from the gorge, we
discovered a small medieval town tucked into a hillside called Moustiers des
Saint Marie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fantastic
setting with a chapel tucked high into the rock-cliff and a spring-fed stream
running right through the middle of town. We really liked this place which is
known for it’s ceramics. Beyond the gorge the river flowed into beautiful lake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tFfxs-cnUQ-9W-p6TmiELzrHOV0ZGQIiuSOphbDsoOQvQiKrqq-bvTTizzyKFMLftsJUIZSRWAhJG3Dz8bN9iaLt4qIiQkIi3RRRWjKmG3W9ZxYHBixvDq6Oc-gy2hyBlOn8R_B8els/s1600/IMG_4594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tFfxs-cnUQ-9W-p6TmiELzrHOV0ZGQIiuSOphbDsoOQvQiKrqq-bvTTizzyKFMLftsJUIZSRWAhJG3Dz8bN9iaLt4qIiQkIi3RRRWjKmG3W9ZxYHBixvDq6Oc-gy2hyBlOn8R_B8els/s1600/IMG_4594.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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In Provence, we stayed in Greoux les Bains, a cute little
town with lots of cafes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice
small hotel, narrow stairway to third floor, no-air conditioning, but a very
large un-heated pool that I appreciated very much. We had a wonderful drive
through the blooming lavender and sunflower fields but we missed the baths. We
were also happy to see a wide variety of crops in France, but still no
wildlife. Our only sightings were two foxes.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I love the small towns that look like they haven’t changed
in a few hundred years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
economy of these places is very interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that new development and large cities keep the
countries going, but there is something very satisfying about being in a small
town of maybe 500 people where the stores, houses and small businesses have
been in their same location and operated at essentially the same volume of
business for hundreds of years. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXajLqq7xXIHU0kO9zIbUDkR8h5BP4i7gtvIXKWssHFSNOnYq23TweTvRQcdu9-qR-vm75asuvSjtDCh4QILQTfFrcVR99YyH4z53y4omS97eGmghgHhNS0HhYli2GGp8K8yeFICooWs/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXajLqq7xXIHU0kO9zIbUDkR8h5BP4i7gtvIXKWssHFSNOnYq23TweTvRQcdu9-qR-vm75asuvSjtDCh4QILQTfFrcVR99YyH4z53y4omS97eGmghgHhNS0HhYli2GGp8K8yeFICooWs/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rennes les Bains</td></tr>
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Speaking of small towns our next stop was a hot springs hang
out during the hippie days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rennes
Les Bains is a very small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The natural hot spring is still
accessible just outside town, but there is a developed warm pool in town where
most people go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were
there, remnants of the hippie heyday were everywhere - a small open-air market,
young nomadic singles and couples with kids, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt Bugarash is nearby and has some of the same legends and
aura as Mt Shasta. Mary and I hiked about half way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very cool place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Carcassonne is a fully restored medieval town complete with
towers and moat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stayed overnight just outside the walls of the ancient city so we were able to
hang around into the night and enjoy a lovely meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked Carcassonne very much.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNa6KN3Lf3FmNl7TyD_PRcWDFPKXQxnz9ThPIo3ZrDBKzQaxj5QrcoBsLSgwcK4pZEr4DAiXVTtMD9DX_pXZhVpxXEPP_-dRSQJIm1uvStUZlz8wtPF5Ro3yDr52T0vxXvu6DmTzJkcc/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNa6KN3Lf3FmNl7TyD_PRcWDFPKXQxnz9ThPIo3ZrDBKzQaxj5QrcoBsLSgwcK4pZEr4DAiXVTtMD9DX_pXZhVpxXEPP_-dRSQJIm1uvStUZlz8wtPF5Ro3yDr52T0vxXvu6DmTzJkcc/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carcassonne</td></tr>
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touristy but also very great.<br />
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After a long drive on the wonderful and expensive French
highway system, we arrived in Chartres, home to the wonderful and magical
Cathedral of Chartres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hotel
room had a good view of the front the Cathedral that dominates the town and
surrounding area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cathedral
dates from the 11<sup>th</sup> century, has a labyrinth in the floor and some
of the most amazing stained glass and flying buttresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At night during summer they project a
laser light show on three sides of the cathedral and a few other buildings in
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On TV or the web the show
looks pretty hokey, but in-person it is really spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the sun sets so late, the shows
go late into the night. We were able to see it lit up from our bed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7abjHT2A-7XUMASEz6F2BmRKVp0C-Dv9JXKn__WxhVRjrniC2uFE22sQx7jS_azCFXDEpB_iMF_6Rlf4zrZOL17KgtqO33XrcIzJkjv8AdZUsNfwcqj8iKMbtC2opMZV5JoqtT2JW6Q/s1600/IMG_4690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7abjHT2A-7XUMASEz6F2BmRKVp0C-Dv9JXKn__WxhVRjrniC2uFE22sQx7jS_azCFXDEpB_iMF_6Rlf4zrZOL17KgtqO33XrcIzJkjv8AdZUsNfwcqj8iKMbtC2opMZV5JoqtT2JW6Q/s1600/IMG_4690.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chartres Cathedral</td></tr>
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Speaking of late sunsets…I had always thought that Paris was
at about the same latitude as San Francisco, but it is more like Minneapolis.
Almost all of the major cities in northern and central Europe are in the higher
latitudes. Florida actually lines up with Saudi Arabia!</div>
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Our last stop was Paris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to Paris the day the Tour De France was ending there.
We watched the finale from our hotel room rather than fight the crowds on the
Champs Elysees. Our last two days in Paris were very hot - 95 degrees!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We toured around the city and caught
all the major sights, but it was very crowded in late July so we only got into
one Museum, the Rodin, which is one of my favorites.</div>
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After a wonderful flight to Atlanta on an Air France Boeing
777, and a short hop on Delta to Sarasota (SRQ) we were very glad to be back in
our new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, Air
France had great meals, fservice, free drinks and smiling happy flight
attendants in economy - what a pleasant surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>Logistical Suggestions:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you drive in Europe, we highly recommend
a GPS. They aren’t perfect but they are great for roundabout directions and if
you make a wrong turn they just pick-up from wherever you are. The French
freeways are expensive, but worth it for the time saving and they have great
and plentiful rest and service areas. It was not any fun driving in England!<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> Being on the wrong side of the road, on the wrong side of
the car is a challenge. Add tiny roads with hedges or walls right up to the
asphalt and you’ll find Mary hyperventilating. </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Thoughts on Food</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were thankful not to see a lot of
American fast food places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw
none in the smaller towns and only MacDonald’s, Burger King and KFC in the
larger cities. England had very little vegetables on most menus (only peas),
and almost no salads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France had
great salads, but they were expensive relative to other items on the menus.
France, of course, had generally very good food, one surprising thing was that
pizza and pasta were everywhere in France. We never thought we could get tired
of wine, bread and cheese, but I think we did it on this trip. A glass of wine
in France was often as cheap as a cup of tea, so how can you turn that down?</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-28053666996131725582013-08-12T18:13:00.001-07:002013-08-12T18:13:14.407-07:00England and France 2013 - Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Northern
France<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>July 1-12, 2013<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif9I0OnJolJIBFZGz72ATkQfs3s02U-MLhFU1bwhP7Do20PqS3dR-YNDpqLuHcobaiN37FTzN0mMHJNYAEHiw5Grm53LAYTdDBq4qjdt9ST6KNRc9S99CQerqO69m1AZsRy-ht_dpcf0/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif9I0OnJolJIBFZGz72ATkQfs3s02U-MLhFU1bwhP7Do20PqS3dR-YNDpqLuHcobaiN37FTzN0mMHJNYAEHiw5Grm53LAYTdDBq4qjdt9ST6KNRc9S99CQerqO69m1AZsRy-ht_dpcf0/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ile de Sein</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After flying
into Paris we immediately drove out to the Brittany Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were heading west to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went there with our
friend Frederique and her daughter, in hopes of connecting up with Dony,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an ambassador dolphin. Ile de Sein is a
special place, rugged and peaceful with almost no significant vegetation, but
there is a village of stone and plaster houses with a few shops and businesses.
Fishing was the historical industry, and there still is some fishing, but day
tourists and seasonal residents seem to account for the majority of
activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area has many rocky
bays and shoals and beautiful lighthouses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have seen a picture of a lighthouse almost being
inundated by a large wave, the picture most likely came from this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, we experienced pretty nice and
calm weather while we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, we did not get to see Dony.<br />
spend four days
on Ile de Sein, a small island several miles off the coast in the
Atlantic.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcjM38dZdLhPDpbFJ9rb-vpbrzOuEVeeIesDnI5NGRev3eNFQOvrpsPmV_UNX4qyaFosupSnY3UHG2UQ4V5Ml1zYojaFfRBnTRlMImNte5eUQpAPZAMv1eBl3SAq99k6V9D-HWyBOn1U/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcjM38dZdLhPDpbFJ9rb-vpbrzOuEVeeIesDnI5NGRev3eNFQOvrpsPmV_UNX4qyaFosupSnY3UHG2UQ4V5Ml1zYojaFfRBnTRlMImNte5eUQpAPZAMv1eBl3SAq99k6V9D-HWyBOn1U/s1600/IMG_4394.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach at Fouras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After Ile De Sein, we followed Frederique to her home in Fouras,
just south of La Rochelle on the mid-Atlantic Coast of France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fouras is great town of moderate size,
and Frederique and her kids live in an original townhouse right across the
street from the bay and a castle!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbDcxc37T47C3iUt09WpU3jd6Bzln4dNta_QP9IDU2CQX2wfvXp4rhFc0h5SONWCwkK4w4bAbAEyr4ecx49KexYonEt07-GkaDxugS5ab486dwO5mCsnTQmAPMk5IKUDMPlDHvCAZKFc/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbDcxc37T47C3iUt09WpU3jd6Bzln4dNta_QP9IDU2CQX2wfvXp4rhFc0h5SONWCwkK4w4bAbAEyr4ecx49KexYonEt07-GkaDxugS5ab486dwO5mCsnTQmAPMk5IKUDMPlDHvCAZKFc/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zena's place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the coast we went straight to the interior of France
near the center of the country – the Morvan region. Zena, an old friend of
Mary’s, lives on few acres in a 200+ year-old farmhouse. She has outfitted and
decorated the house really nicely, keeping the rustic feel décor while upgrading
functionality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thoroughly
enjoyed the fresh food from the garden and<br />
<br />
Zena’s excellent cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We explored the old Roman ruins and
sites in the area, and made a trip<br />
to Abbey De Fontenay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This restored 14<sup>th</sup> century
Cistercian abbey near Montbard is a gem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is far enough off the beaten track to not be crowded, and the
buildings and grounds are very peaceful and awe inspiring.</div>
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From a cathedral of monks to a cathedral of mountains, we
went to Chamonix, a town in the French Alps near the Swiss and Italian borders.
Mont Blanc (the highest peak in Europe) and its sisters are the main
attraction. Skiing in winter and hiking and cable car riding in summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was great and the majesty
of the Alps from Chamonix was breathtaking.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVojnTVZ8twqBvpeeh8Qz2GrF2RtGRX2tJJSrThmR8CxPrwF-FqJ0z27L3vwkhLSDn1EYgGJoRftaFqIO1go9JqbuyF2yV0c4A7n6v0PnFlo5MLcnwQG0SDuWgjPCCjrjZyuy8dx62Wo/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVojnTVZ8twqBvpeeh8Qz2GrF2RtGRX2tJJSrThmR8CxPrwF-FqJ0z27L3vwkhLSDn1EYgGJoRftaFqIO1go9JqbuyF2yV0c4A7n6v0PnFlo5MLcnwQG0SDuWgjPCCjrjZyuy8dx62Wo/s1600/IMG_4490.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Blanc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We drove through the 7 mile-long Mont Blanc Tunnel from
Chamonix to Italy and spent a day and night in Pre St Didier. There we enjoyed
a very relaxing day at the thermal baths - a lovely complex of pools,
waterfalls, saunas, relaxation rooms, snacks and massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both loved it and appreciated the
break from sightseeing, driving and walking. Our massages were good too. We
needed this because our next stop was the hubbub of the Italian and French
Rivieras.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-67049996491205381532013-08-12T17:57:00.001-07:002013-08-12T18:05:52.435-07:00England and France 2013 - one<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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A while back Mary got invited to speak at the second annual
Awakening to Animals Conference in England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time we thought it would be great to extend our trip
a few weeks and explore France and connect with a couple of friends living in
France.</div>
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As it turned out the trip came only two months after we
moved into our new house in Florida, so we weren’t real anxious to leave our
new home on an extended trip. But, airfare is expensive, so we decided to keep
to our original schedule; 10 days in England and 23 days in France.</div>
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<b>England June 19-30, 2013</b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq_kyWHMc9kyTna9XxPdStSt-tR3kNdVAkVn3pablkDPUZZVU7wFymMDie27a_jwX98TPco6tJOjWmz4CIp3DtwaPGqqjyjV5HjLyCpchLY-bAQVoJv_GwawG_j-8rZi2hR-OR07D0M0/s1600/IMG_3882_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq_kyWHMc9kyTna9XxPdStSt-tR3kNdVAkVn3pablkDPUZZVU7wFymMDie27a_jwX98TPco6tJOjWmz4CIp3DtwaPGqqjyjV5HjLyCpchLY-bAQVoJv_GwawG_j-8rZi2hR-OR07D0M0/s1600/IMG_3882_2.JPG" height="184" width="320" /></a>Before the conference we spent a night in Oxfordshire at
Swinford Manor Farm B&B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
farm was very nice and located right along the Thames, near Oxford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a nice trail beside the river
</div>
where we could see the private barges and view the very old and still operating
hand-powered lock system.<br />
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The conference in Kenilworth was excellent; eight presenters
over two days - topics ranged from saving white lions in Africa, to natural
horsemanship and emotional healing with horses, to holistic veterinary care, to
Tellington Touch, to Mary’s presentation on Whale and Dolphin Consciousness
& Spirituality.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZp5rAhZe9MEoSQ7KdOVSf89QtcWmOdthR4s3QYLOGKER3ZH7w7Hsw7d06pVRug6CnGO7apZNMaqxrMq9mkFF4rBCJjw4eYimRIzeiDEjn6PmgN6FqM_jre0FG1pFtagogS9kahx3ypo/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZp5rAhZe9MEoSQ7KdOVSf89QtcWmOdthR4s3QYLOGKER3ZH7w7Hsw7d06pVRug6CnGO7apZNMaqxrMq9mkFF4rBCJjw4eYimRIzeiDEjn6PmgN6FqM_jre0FG1pFtagogS9kahx3ypo/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the conference Mary and I went to see the ancient
stones of Avebury and Stonehenge, and to the Glastonbury area where we met up
with Mary’s friend Madeleine. She showed us the sacred sites of the Tor and the
Chalice Well. Glastonbury is quite the ‘new-age’ town, and we had fun wandering
through the many crystal and rock shops.</div>
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Thanks to a picture on a BING search engine home page, we
headed south to the Dorset Coast to explore Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. This
area along the English Channel across from Normandy is very beautiful with
rolling hills and cliffs and some very interesting rock formations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Durdle Door is an arched rock formation
that looks a lot like a very large Dragon taking a drink of water from the
ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice hike along
the coast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsUmdxOKDC6qVmJsE_pBv1Tv4lWfeSWoxFRXwW2vGZWoqnDU3UAw0xyI__PJr7bSmP1553h2S0A0XnkihhFg-FbPBPIAW41FbNjDKVgfq92gGZiUHNOFuJxJ2JRUzJlpZtX3XasnrDZY/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsUmdxOKDC6qVmJsE_pBv1Tv4lWfeSWoxFRXwW2vGZWoqnDU3UAw0xyI__PJr7bSmP1553h2S0A0XnkihhFg-FbPBPIAW41FbNjDKVgfq92gGZiUHNOFuJxJ2JRUzJlpZtX3XasnrDZY/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp0d_1bW6ccOWRveFoN3leiztizNUBnJ7AjIRtECeOhCywak_nWPbSeDJJ_LbVBSFA_YuEJHVZpgLmzS84RiuyyP1Eozlq2d6Y-Rdu8_QI4_tzjbhBsCSJQ9b6IG7duzsG6c3nbKdLj0/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp0d_1bW6ccOWRveFoN3leiztizNUBnJ7AjIRtECeOhCywak_nWPbSeDJJ_LbVBSFA_YuEJHVZpgLmzS84RiuyyP1Eozlq2d6Y-Rdu8_QI4_tzjbhBsCSJQ9b6IG7duzsG6c3nbKdLj0/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We then drove to London for two days of sightseeing before heading to France. London was packed with tourists and they were also in the middle of the Gay Pride weekend when we arrived, so the people watching was fantastic, but the crowds and traffic were a bit much.</div>
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As we traveled the English countryside trying to stay on the
left side of the road and not hit the quaint stone buildings jutting into the
roadway, we were longing for the wide open spaces of North America. We got
spoiled traveling in our fifth-wheel trailer for so long - always the same bed,
air conditioning and no hauling heavy suitcases up and down narrow 300 year-old
staircases. We looked forward to France where we could at least drive on the
right side of the road again. Driving on the left side of the road from the
right hand drive cars was a lot harder than I thought it would be. </div>
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We were surprised by a few things in England. We didn’t see
hardly any wildlife other than a few dead badgers on the road. The only crops
we saw were hay and wheat. The food and drink were very expensive, and except
for London – the food choices were pretty boring and almost always the same. It
was hard to even find a green salad on the menu! We did find the rest areas on
the English motorways to have excellent services and snacks.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-53265192201539655652012-10-25T17:24:00.002-07:002012-10-25T17:29:55.741-07:00Emerson-Getten Housing Safari<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mary has always wanted to go on an
African Safari and we are still hoping that we can do that in the near
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, right now we are on a
Housing Safari.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I frequently go out on ‘Game Drives’
(driving around looking at neighborhoods and houses), in addition to wringing
out every last bit of information and insight I can from the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary usually stays back at camp – she is busy
with work now, and she does not have a great deal of patience for sorting
through all the maybes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is much more
happy to scrutinize the short list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are, of course, looking for the ‘Big Five’ – curb appeal, tropical
landscape, open floor plan, great neighborhood and right location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yes, it has to be affordable for us, too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We started out thinking we could spend
about $400k and be able to be on one of the barrier islands (Gulf Islands) Anna
Maria Island, Longboat Key or Lido Key and within walking distance to the
beaches of the Gulf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we found
that you don’t get a lot for your money and that insurance and taxes out there are
high, and when there is a hurricane warning you are in the first evacuation
zone. We also realized that while we liked the elevated houses, it actually
separates you from the nature that we are trying to get close to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also $400k is a stretch and would mean we
would both be working for quite a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are a couple of our ‘affordable’ favorites from the islands..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7080-Longboat-Dr-N-Longboat-Key-FL-34228/45794145_zpid/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7080-Longboat-Dr-N-Longboat-Key-FL-34228/45794145_zpid/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/312-57th-St-Holmes-Beach-FL-34217/2131525990_zpid/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/312-57th-St-Holmes-Beach-FL-34217/2131525990_zpid/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We considered trying to build on the
islands but all of the lots are in excess of $200k and building is expensive on
the islands. Here is one nice lot on Longboat Key..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/721-Broadway-St-Longboat-Key-FL-34228/99693239_zpid/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/721-Broadway-St-Longboat-Key-FL-34228/99693239_zpid/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then discovered the Northwest Bradenton
Area (west of 75th St West and north of Manatee Ave). This area is very close
to the beaches (even biking distance) and there is also the Robinson Nature Preserve
and Palma Sola Botanical Garden to provide hiking and biking in a large natural
area of mangroves and bayous where the Manatee River meets Anna Maria Sound and
Palma Sola Bay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great bird watching and
sunsets!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this area, it looks like we could
get much more house and land and be closer to $300k. We have even seen some
pretty good things under $300k. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have come to understand that we
are looking for a combination of house, landscaping, neighborhood and location
that has some special ‘wow’ factor for us. We both like unique, and therefore
the new or tract neighborhoods feel a little ‘Stepfordish’ to us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, even funky feels a little better
than a more upscale but uniform neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These three houses are a good representation of what we’ve seen.. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.yellowkeyrealty.com/property/m5832651/306-nw-73rd-nw-street-bradenton-fl-34209/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.yellowkeyrealty.com/property/m5832651/306-nw-73rd-nw-street-bradenton-fl-34209/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (nice floor plan and landscaping)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.michaelsaunders.com/properties/property-detail/9206-18th-nw-dr-bradenton-fl-34209/M5828312/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.michaelsaunders.com/properties/property-detail/9206-18th-nw-dr-bradenton-fl-34209/M5828312/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (great location and neighborhood)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8509-19th-Ave-NW-Bradenton-FL-34209/82392202_zpid/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8509-19th-Ave-NW-Bradenton-FL-34209/82392202_zpid/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (nice house - similar to Evergreen floor plan (below) – same
builder)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lot prices are much more reasonable
in NW Bradenton than on the islands, and we are discovering that building costs
are much lower here in Florida than in Washington. Therefore we are likely to
consider buying a lot and building a house. The good news is we don’t need or
want a big house so it might be possible to get the things we want without the
price getting too out of hand. But building is a big uncertainty, so we are
considering a house plan with a development home builder, but since it would be
on a large lot in a different neighborhood it would not seem as
‘cookie-cutter’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the lots we are considering. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.michaelsaunders.com/properties/property-detail/1508-80th-nw-st-bradenton-fl-34209/M5822884/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.michaelsaunders.com/properties/property-detail/1508-80th-nw-st-bradenton-fl-34209/M5822884/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are three of the floor plans we
are considering.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://houseplans.designsdirect.com/home-plan-details.asp?PlanNum=2284"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://houseplans.designsdirect.com/home-plan-details.asp?PlanNum=2284</span></span></a></div>
<a href="http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW07702/three-bedroom-"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW07702/three-bedroom-</span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://nealcommunities.com/model.html?SubivisionID=122&SubdivisionModelID=600"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://nealcommunities.com/model.html?SubivisionID=122&SubdivisionModelID=600</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any feedback, thoughts, ideas or
insights you might have will be welcomed and appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will keep you posted…<o:p></o:p></span></span>Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-67011664939549265062012-09-19T19:31:00.000-07:002012-09-19T19:31:09.415-07:00We Made It!
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Bob and I spent our last two days on the road, running ahead
of, then waiting out, and dodging storms. We drove out of Knoxville early as the
rain started, and stayed ahead of the storm all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a doosey - Knoxville got 5+ inches in 24 hours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyWz0SgbW89QD1wzX_eaXK2qoHeXyf_uejfuL58vhbUDdITPgGHz4zksbFvTlrXQkWymkzMiPbjYtkYzdaa_n0OtLeMY38HbYmj4XypHleN_29pHwoSAoPxDBQx_ONpo0v3iQRj8-gHo/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyWz0SgbW89QD1wzX_eaXK2qoHeXyf_uejfuL58vhbUDdITPgGHz4zksbFvTlrXQkWymkzMiPbjYtkYzdaa_n0OtLeMY38HbYmj4XypHleN_29pHwoSAoPxDBQx_ONpo0v3iQRj8-gHo/s200/IMG_2887.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSYti9ti-MrMveeJOHlJBohRYRxTFD8vWssAclI9IusdaKaUdetKs621AniKkUXbIuuQPTLBtyjJN-iQDfGK_sABhRPykD6kHAeyCXCXOBE94C5fOhW3FD8Hq-CLW7ZCycZKfS7V3GVI/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSYti9ti-MrMveeJOHlJBohRYRxTFD8vWssAclI9IusdaKaUdetKs621AniKkUXbIuuQPTLBtyjJN-iQDfGK_sABhRPykD6kHAeyCXCXOBE94C5fOhW3FD8Hq-CLW7ZCycZKfS7V3GVI/s200/IMG_2888.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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We spent the night at a nice little RV park just north of
Valdosta, GA. We had been passing fields of cotton during the trip and hoping
we could pick some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, just
down the road from the RV park was a small field of cotton. This was the first
time either of us had seen cotton growing up-close so we stopped and picked a
few balls. It feels just like cotton except it has hard seeds in it. The plants
also have flowering blossoms. </div>
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<br /></div>
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That evening we had dinner at Cheddars, a new favorite
restaurant of ours. They have great food at even greater prices. Check and see
if there is a location near you! </div>
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The next morning, there were HUGE storms approaching with
high winds, thunder and lightening, so we hunkered down with the weather
channel and waited for most of it to pass. It was a good decision as they lost
power in parts of Valdosta just south of us, and we didn’t get much wind or
heavy rain where we were.</div>
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We drove into Florida just before noon yesterday and stopped
at the big welcome center for some free juice and brochures. What a great
place. Bob and I both agree that I-75 is one of the best highways in the
nation. The section from southern Georgia all the way to Tampa is in great
shape, and they have nice rest areas in Florida about every 30 miles. Bob sampled a lot of the vending machines.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVBV5ouJzkN1CBlpyvHDVCvbnRxHuFdzK0HXGJuEo2omQ7KG6zRlMKGNymqzNRVs0EkV8cHqm-bBkJXcCAuujsRHzaONVA0BU53gbnYjk9E0E-JIs1IWCiv0JKrxUqD41MlvLppad8c/s1600/IMG_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVBV5ouJzkN1CBlpyvHDVCvbnRxHuFdzK0HXGJuEo2omQ7KG6zRlMKGNymqzNRVs0EkV8cHqm-bBkJXcCAuujsRHzaONVA0BU53gbnYjk9E0E-JIs1IWCiv0JKrxUqD41MlvLppad8c/s320/IMG_2893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_umic5nd7vqaw4YT2dKIt2_1fg2tsiYrNgAiRsTxjVVb5gITWOMNJh7VJ775PZ1I2TQMYjph13DOphQRzR1LdDbDElYR_whddaxOtxsj3m5iVY__WK7RIB1LrHyiDoS1KTeyzBzuTX_Y/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_umic5nd7vqaw4YT2dKIt2_1fg2tsiYrNgAiRsTxjVVb5gITWOMNJh7VJ775PZ1I2TQMYjph13DOphQRzR1LdDbDElYR_whddaxOtxsj3m5iVY__WK7RIB1LrHyiDoS1KTeyzBzuTX_Y/s200/IMG_2896.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake in the RV park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We are getting settled into our new RV park in Bradenton,
just north of Sarasota. We’ve got a shady spot and the neighbors seem nice.
It’s still a little quiet around here as most people are gone until winter when
it will be totally full. I enjoyed walking around the RV park’s lake today and
checking out the birds. This evening we went to the beach for sunset and then
celebrated with Bang Bang shrimp and drinks at Bonefish Grill – another
favorite eatery. There are a few around the country.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_ob-W6iLdZoqk7e2n1EBaswNhzPN3GgiWwBnKKPb7BvceCXI4T6-1UmS2-y0abVxudNmLdD1HdjWPtxK6z6nt50yleUmB1zkG5H0E_9ZYlgfGDwFTNnEMsvmoji5-SNn4fM9ya20Wro/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_ob-W6iLdZoqk7e2n1EBaswNhzPN3GgiWwBnKKPb7BvceCXI4T6-1UmS2-y0abVxudNmLdD1HdjWPtxK6z6nt50yleUmB1zkG5H0E_9ZYlgfGDwFTNnEMsvmoji5-SNn4fM9ya20Wro/s320/IMG_2898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm8eVIUeqS1p5h8qsQuNkJyJJChZ8qvC1qof6wa3dGyLyGI8hydv8i3qOyPKqdv8zKTLTbtItBTKDD6SsWrr0NZH8QIXgqDa_tUVE50l_nvfZwbjPvQKkAiZy_mAxJUEM-bNa4ZVWZ0o/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm8eVIUeqS1p5h8qsQuNkJyJJChZ8qvC1qof6wa3dGyLyGI8hydv8i3qOyPKqdv8zKTLTbtItBTKDD6SsWrr0NZH8QIXgqDa_tUVE50l_nvfZwbjPvQKkAiZy_mAxJUEM-bNa4ZVWZ0o/s320/IMG_2899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary in the waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tomorrow Bob and I will celebrate our 4<sup>th</sup> wedding
anniversary in our new state. It’s exciting to be starting this new phase
together. The next several months will be filled with researching
neighborhoods, searching for houses, squeezing in some fun times at the beach,
and maybe even working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a
one-year lease at the RV park, so we don’t have to rush. We will continue to
post any blog-worthy news. Bye for now………</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-21842237305966079732012-09-16T20:30:00.000-07:002012-09-17T14:52:21.732-07:00The Volunteer State
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Mary and I spent a few days in Tennessee mostly visiting
with friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My niece Misty lives just south of Nashville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a couple of years older
than my son Matt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her second
daughter was born six months before Matt’s first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt and Misty have skied together a lot, both as kids and
adults. Misty and her husband Adam have a great house just outside Franklin, TN
and the two daughters seem to keep them pretty busy. It was great to spend an
evening with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxrVrRpKZv9ropfs70sie9-yy8svtWqUamZcOKCuknHwQkT3gZEmxezo4EUGO-Bk2ZAeMoCRF3ORlrv3HHHZ0ZBsjBH3Of94nrdouW0oR42JqHgQUyuqZQMahw5bl_AkI1np5_HRjl4Y/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxrVrRpKZv9ropfs70sie9-yy8svtWqUamZcOKCuknHwQkT3gZEmxezo4EUGO-Bk2ZAeMoCRF3ORlrv3HHHZ0ZBsjBH3Of94nrdouW0oR42JqHgQUyuqZQMahw5bl_AkI1np5_HRjl4Y/s200/IMG_2859.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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While visiting Misty, we stayed at the Nashville KOA and got
to see one of our favorite things – the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary and I had previously looked in to
being Wiener Ambassadors, but the website was looking for young energetic
types - not geezers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Misty parents (Deb’s brother Mike and his wife Kathie)
recently moved to Lenoir City, TN, just outside Knoxville (about three hours
from Misty).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been stuck
in Portales, NM and suddenly got the opportunity to move to the Knoxville
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have only been there for
two weeks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotTszBMEOYTVb_MR9-lDpl_vwzH7vxLQ9S3_MgYmpNlpB740dK8IKo57PivrGSZYpDqPhheyUd6_VL5e-dYCirHMAuA1Sembgy4EGwJKpajq_b2wKWnSpXvKKiRITL5mkVpjKvNf-1gk/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotTszBMEOYTVb_MR9-lDpl_vwzH7vxLQ9S3_MgYmpNlpB740dK8IKo57PivrGSZYpDqPhheyUd6_VL5e-dYCirHMAuA1Sembgy4EGwJKpajq_b2wKWnSpXvKKiRITL5mkVpjKvNf-1gk/s200/IMG_2874.JPG" width="200" /></a>The four of us got to play tourist in Knoxville on the day
of the big game between the University of Tennessee Volunteers (Vols) and the
University of Florida Gators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knoxville seems to be a fantastic medium sized city and the entire city
was decked out in “Volunteer Orange”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The color is exactly the same as the Home Depot orange, so I felt right
at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed the farmers
market and historical area of the city, but it was especially exciting because
it was so alive with people tailgating and having fun even 7-8 hours before
game time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately Tennessee
lost the game.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9D8GK5l8NvWG346oss9DrdsPY-3ZDNiU7hWArRAKDrN6_d4IJbYPpyWz-s_AH47ggTx1rdX73Z7mUF0FCHzds_jIrYIoKeA8SWj2N1IDj5ENr2QVIGuFtv5bNqDPyFVydIjbrrU0sAo/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9D8GK5l8NvWG346oss9DrdsPY-3ZDNiU7hWArRAKDrN6_d4IJbYPpyWz-s_AH47ggTx1rdX73Z7mUF0FCHzds_jIrYIoKeA8SWj2N1IDj5ENr2QVIGuFtv5bNqDPyFVydIjbrrU0sAo/s200/IMG_2873.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Mary has a friend that also recently moved to the area.
Carie and Mary were flight attendants together at Northwest Airlines almost
forty years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary’s career was
quite short, but Carie is just now retiring!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carie and her husband Andy built a beautiful house on one of
the many TVA lakes in the area about a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a very nice lunch with them, and even got to go out
on their boat and experience the winding wooded Watts Bar Lake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI1hT8Z1dnKNx8513pETz1OAXAgdGOed5g-10chNYof-etgYhUaMSeYSNHi4Hg2vKt2P4JsDFMa__HiG_aa4G-4V7qGHs3CTD-TgKFYkm4HgRXmOvTynxvw2Kxu7pYyYFF9xqxhd6OWo/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI1hT8Z1dnKNx8513pETz1OAXAgdGOed5g-10chNYof-etgYhUaMSeYSNHi4Hg2vKt2P4JsDFMa__HiG_aa4G-4V7qGHs3CTD-TgKFYkm4HgRXmOvTynxvw2Kxu7pYyYFF9xqxhd6OWo/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In fact, we learned that it is possible to boat all the way
from eastern Tennessee to the Mississippi and then out to the ocean. A big
surprise for us has been the abundance of navigable waterways throughout
Arkansas, and Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built many dams
starting in the 1930’s, largely to provide electricity and flood control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to the convoluted topography, a
side benefit is hundreds of miles of smooth waterways that provide animal
habitats and a myriad of recreational and residential opportunities for the
citizens and visitors of Tennessee.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mary and I had thought of taking some more side trips before
we head to Florida, but we are ‘getten’ ready to set up our home base in the
Sarasota area. We can explore more of the Southeast later. So, tomorrow we will
head down I-75, and after one more overnight stop we should be at Pleasant Lake
RV Resort, our new home base for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-16355492699550758662012-09-12T21:00:00.000-07:002012-09-13T05:45:47.253-07:00Memphis/Graceland
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<br />
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Bob and I spent an hour the morning we left Hot Springs
getting another new tire put on Harriet. It seems that we are always in need of
a tire, but at least Bob discovered an impending problem before it happened. We
left town a little late, but we were safe.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As we traveled east, the hills and forests of Arkansas gave
way to fields of rice, cotton and sugar cane. It was nice to see some new crops
after so many miles of corn and soybeans in the Midwest. Did you know that 48%
of the rice grown in the USA is grown here in Arkansas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t. They call this area the
Mid-South……hmmmmm. Seems like the North-South to me. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qNMssKdPZcGJPYW6VgfA2VQ9bgGeGwzi86RaqdnN8YkCvjnRMfxsnGhPdbIDFntP1BU-lfp3il7rkvYkIMctuLZyH0D8xFU6r5GO-3klzECQZuXSLBW4e9s4vVqPzpgFSLLzzqlUvL0/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qNMssKdPZcGJPYW6VgfA2VQ9bgGeGwzi86RaqdnN8YkCvjnRMfxsnGhPdbIDFntP1BU-lfp3il7rkvYkIMctuLZyH0D8xFU6r5GO-3klzECQZuXSLBW4e9s4vVqPzpgFSLLzzqlUvL0/s320/IMG_2810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We camped at a nice RV park in West Memphis that is right on
the Mississippi river. Bob really enjoyed watching the tugs pushing huge loads
by at all hours of the day and night. The hum of those big engines is quite
soothing. Unfortunately at night some plant that we can’t see must start up,
because there has been quite a stench in the evening. It smells like cooking
corncobs – yuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the shipping
activity and the aromas reminded Bob a little of Tacoma.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemQR_uZyAdH5vXUF6dr2Sq0xeusWSylw46f90RruPm2lxPeKFgsQc_GpPF6boAi0PJ3GQDystJNemjQqZ69scrIS7C26B4I2Nwgg7alWV_mGmN6A1E87XqvEo8NQj32XifaQn8GoOYkY/s1600/IMG_2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemQR_uZyAdH5vXUF6dr2Sq0xeusWSylw46f90RruPm2lxPeKFgsQc_GpPF6boAi0PJ3GQDystJNemjQqZ69scrIS7C26B4I2Nwgg7alWV_mGmN6A1E87XqvEo8NQj32XifaQn8GoOYkY/s320/IMG_2815.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elvis's Living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Paul Simon convinced me many years ago that I should go to “Graceland, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee” – so we went and it was wonderful. They have saved so many of Elvis’s personal things, gold records,
clothes, airplanes and household items. The mansion is still just as it was
when he died 35 years ago. We also visited his gravesite. Bob and I were
reminded that Elvis stopped doing live performances for about nine years while
he was staring in movies, but he made his big comeback with a TV Special in
1968 that put him firmly back into the music scene. He had a huge influence on
the entire world of music.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsw8OxlRqlTKu3DP6g_oKY8_nycbsiGvGTPN_Uh486HW0wQ9rFWynxTH1sUB3GuigvdiudPVQDI0y_coOhwylViRIAg8cA7VjgpyndEsKxaeEVC2_nTt8gk9eFMxNEqVYQaiBx0LugcA/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsw8OxlRqlTKu3DP6g_oKY8_nycbsiGvGTPN_Uh486HW0wQ9rFWynxTH1sUB3GuigvdiudPVQDI0y_coOhwylViRIAg8cA7VjgpyndEsKxaeEVC2_nTt8gk9eFMxNEqVYQaiBx0LugcA/s200/IMG_2848.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony where King was shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Memphis is the city of museums, but there was only one that
we really wanted to visit – The National Civil Rights Museum housed in the
Lorraine Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. We spent all
afternoon there and it was truly amazing. Our country’s journey to civil rights
lasted for hundreds of years, but the events of the 1960s finally brought some
results. It’s often easy to look back and think that things happened so
quickly, but the struggles of the 50’s and 60’s were a long and arduous series
of victories, setbacks and victories. I am always blown away by the history of
the 60s and today was no exception.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO5zdDeDy5vFEMbvME5Q4tYO2ct6yzjGWGAJMj5kuhEC-ZVlmRxVB2SFY_W6naaZ9JtHhy36HgeCqk3rB6o0D1B7-02iXyUlessp_a7TClR9_Q6_79QNbT5Fymxz0KOMnlJKduMkxr0g/s1600/IMG_2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO5zdDeDy5vFEMbvME5Q4tYO2ct6yzjGWGAJMj5kuhEC-ZVlmRxVB2SFY_W6naaZ9JtHhy36HgeCqk3rB6o0D1B7-02iXyUlessp_a7TClR9_Q6_79QNbT5Fymxz0KOMnlJKduMkxr0g/s200/IMG_2817.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do you compare Elvis Presley with Martin Luther King
Jr.? They both had a huge influence on America and the world, and they both
died way too early in Memphis. It was a day of great history and remembering
these men and their struggles and accomplishments. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We finished our day in Memphis with a stroll down Beale
Street and had drinks, gumbo, jambalaya and gator chips at a local joint. Fun
stop!!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-27603508725209563452012-09-11T06:19:00.000-07:002012-09-11T06:19:28.865-07:00Hot, Hot, Hot Springs
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Mary and I made it to Hot Springs Arkansas just in time for
100+ degree temperatures, we didn’t think it was too conducive to sitting in
hot water, so we decided to check out the other things this area has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were pleasantly surprised…a huge
lake, crystal mines, mountains, forests, rivers, barbeque, music, motorcycles
and even a presidential library.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjGxtDloIEmysUAra72vB6lxgpe_xT6c3Xmy29sh7gUK68kVlOrzTQUjawdif4c0oMBHmmmcZnD1hg64wtCIGwcZXPd90PMAj4KqZfnNkJix0HokPFov9Rf2can4fWo-gWopayrfBzXA/s1600/IMG_2741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjGxtDloIEmysUAra72vB6lxgpe_xT6c3Xmy29sh7gUK68kVlOrzTQUjawdif4c0oMBHmmmcZnD1hg64wtCIGwcZXPd90PMAj4KqZfnNkJix0HokPFov9Rf2can4fWo-gWopayrfBzXA/s200/IMG_2741.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Ouachita</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary has a friend that just moved to Hot Springs from
Maui.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We connected with her and
she was very gracious and gave us the inside scoop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rented a boat and spent an afternoon on Lake Ouachita
(wash-i-ta) with Mary’s friend and her dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake has over 200 islands, 1000 miles of shoreline and
nice clean water for swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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We heard some great blues at the Ohio Club – a small
nightclub that has beeb in continuous operation since 1905.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot Springs is a small city surrounded
by a National Park that was first created as a national reserve (before the
national park system was created).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reserve was created to protect and provide public access to the
natural hot water springs. The national park includes some trails on the hills
surrounding the town, a 210 foot observation tower on one of the hills, and a
string of architecturally significant historic bathhouses. Some are not in
operation and one of them serves as the National Park visitor center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8nVwKqN04FX8Gi6kmlmUvwWwey1IsVSKHBoDTSC-twpMmZOWgrIbbRbKtBubLNKtk85RHPoXEE-0H9wBo9pBULoz3xDuEowfQ-BCe0x_m3O9Nxnian2_hyQ8lrCmOHtJ5migOLhscI0/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8nVwKqN04FX8Gi6kmlmUvwWwey1IsVSKHBoDTSC-twpMmZOWgrIbbRbKtBubLNKtk85RHPoXEE-0H9wBo9pBULoz3xDuEowfQ-BCe0x_m3O9Nxnian2_hyQ8lrCmOHtJ5migOLhscI0/s320/IMG_2801.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Hot Springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After the weather cooled a bit, we visited two of the
bathhouses. The Quapaw is the only one with communal pools so we started there
since Mary and I like to sit in hot water together. The Buckstaff Bathhouse
still carries out the traditional routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary and I were led off to separate men’s and women’s locker
rooms where we disrobed and were given a sheet and a loofa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An attendant then led us to a large 100
yr old porcelain tub filling with the magical natural hot water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes the attendant comes
in and starts scrubbing you with the loofa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next stop is a steam cabinet – mine was like a closet, but
Mary had the classic cabinet where your head sticks out and your body
par-boils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The steam was followed
by a “needle shower” (sounds scary – but it’s just a lot of small jets of water
spraying at you from all directions – but the piping does look like the same
vintage as Frankenstein’s).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a soothing hot towel and sheet wrap you get a 20-minute full body massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary’s massage was quite modern, but
mine reminded me of those old boxing movies where the trainer slaps, pats and
rubs vigorously. It was actually pretty good.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87EOT0XmOwLVhp8RY5mrLTUY03ltmhWIyGG7pcXUwjVeWql_XpnHBkhzh-rrO-NxNkSrUQLTP7OugK6ksve73fPVbJ9HySR3mXc_sw7QAqKhH7AIWPt8WcMRjOnQ46J64uOhpSjj8FQ/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv87EOT0XmOwLVhp8RY5mrLTUY03ltmhWIyGG7pcXUwjVeWql_XpnHBkhzh-rrO-NxNkSrUQLTP7OugK6ksve73fPVbJ9HySR3mXc_sw7QAqKhH7AIWPt8WcMRjOnQ46J64uOhpSjj8FQ/s200/IMG_2751.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clinton Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a side trip to Little Rock to check out the Clinton
Presidential Library and Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a great place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
there the day after Bill’s speech at the Democratic convention. The library includes
replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room and had very well done displays
chronicling the events, decisions and results of the Clinton years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also has a fabulous restaurant.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary and I drove 15 miles north of Hot springs to the
Coleman Crystal Mine. They pile up the “tailings” of the mine and you can dig
up your own crystals for a small fee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had planned to do some digging, but we found such reasonably priced
stuff in the store that we skipped the digging and cleaning and bought a few
lovely specimens. This area has many crystal mines and there are rock shops
along several highways.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMHmH4I6_MFYq1ee4NAx0etz6Cgq8qygn5Yeet6_kon_Mp1ihTpD6RZQ-sP1GqZvfqx3kQZX2A7PmBqwVJY4g7tcrJ47HX0cay1K2l73mRoLPS9LeNg2yEB58hj-_IQ8yPhcuiwY7GdE/s1600/IMG_2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMHmH4I6_MFYq1ee4NAx0etz6Cgq8qygn5Yeet6_kon_Mp1ihTpD6RZQ-sP1GqZvfqx3kQZX2A7PmBqwVJY4g7tcrJ47HX0cay1K2l73mRoLPS9LeNg2yEB58hj-_IQ8yPhcuiwY7GdE/s320/IMG_2791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stayed in Hot Springs for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a very nice RV Park along the
Ouachita River, but we also discovered that there are some great State Parks in
the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Arkansas State Parks
are free for day use, and many of them have full RV hook-ups, and marinas with
rental boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited Lake
Catherine State Park in the early evening and found a free Bluegrass Concert,
and the Rangers were making peach cobbler in a “dutch oven” and handing it out
free to the audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a nice
touch!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found some great BBQ at Stubby’s, good burgers at the
Ohio Club and a fantastic wide-ranging menu at the Bleu Monkey Grill!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food prices are also very reasonable in
this part of the country. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbP7VLIpMDfCPAe9y78Uz6iZzpzdKeK2mfHz8GK5aKXvUsS4FqkxW5yjb2LsQz0SDZaFHROsTixJWXNn1P2KnMgwViRQb3vc3rt6SjluH55AbSF7Nsq6qFBCwFnbpKSyfB5encnex7ag/s1600/IMG_2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbP7VLIpMDfCPAe9y78Uz6iZzpzdKeK2mfHz8GK5aKXvUsS4FqkxW5yjb2LsQz0SDZaFHROsTixJWXNn1P2KnMgwViRQb3vc3rt6SjluH55AbSF7Nsq6qFBCwFnbpKSyfB5encnex7ag/s200/IMG_2774.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we were at Sturgis, SD we got there just after the
Motorcycle Rally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we were
here for the Hot springs Motorcycle Rally, and while it is not on the scale of
Sturgis it was fun to see all the bikes and it gave us a small glimpse into
what the Sturgis Rally must be like.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, we really like the Hot Springs area and we’re
sure we will visit again someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost forgot to
mention….Arkansas was the last state to fill up our map of the lower 48.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary and I cracked a small bottle of
champagne and toasted as we placed the decal on our map.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re heading to Memphis tomorrow. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-40600655211901680202012-09-03T17:45:00.000-07:002012-09-03T17:45:07.097-07:00Five states in a day
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<br />
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The route Bob and I drove from Nebraska City to Afton,
Oklahoma, took us through five states in one day. The highways followed the
Missouri river for quite some time and brought us from Nebraska into Iowa, then
Missouri, Kansas, back into Missouri and then Oklahoma. It was a pleasant drive
through rolling hills with oaks and a wide variety of deciduous trees. We were
also amused as we passed lots of towns with familiar names – Miami, Pittsburg,
Oregon, and Tia Juana. There are so many towns with the same name all over the
country. We’ve already encountered quite a few Emersons, but no Getten City
yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have to give Iowa my A rating for their rest areas. They
were frequent, clean, new, and each one had a different theme with lots of
information. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzpfdvNWBcVF6d2UZvmDlt-OraC0KfflisbqjhfLGSAF8X_XADCZR2Qtq6uVmDCpTuBpTtP6GgmLIdT6AQgNodVInddo0MP-OUJpOiVKSxdFoDgWtl3BBXwBIQ1Js37w52I-8P4I4CM/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzpfdvNWBcVF6d2UZvmDlt-OraC0KfflisbqjhfLGSAF8X_XADCZR2Qtq6uVmDCpTuBpTtP6GgmLIdT6AQgNodVInddo0MP-OUJpOiVKSxdFoDgWtl3BBXwBIQ1Js37w52I-8P4I4CM/s320/IMG_2686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKpMgWXQTtBI9giEIUCchf-yWQ69RjPhlct4t-pUuG4ofxVsp52zrh8H2ceMaeZ4plnxRg1aQt4EAY7a_Spe64DyHSBbzVToOdPH-kJ0cCUtZUEYeSR2lFaZtSpb06gzkn4SrNaBMs7U/s1600/IMG_2695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKpMgWXQTtBI9giEIUCchf-yWQ69RjPhlct4t-pUuG4ofxVsp52zrh8H2ceMaeZ4plnxRg1aQt4EAY7a_Spe64DyHSBbzVToOdPH-kJ0cCUtZUEYeSR2lFaZtSpb06gzkn4SrNaBMs7U/s200/IMG_2695.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
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Bob and I arrived at our RV park on the shore of the Grand
Lake O’ the Cherokees in northeast Oklahoma just as they were setting up for a
potluck dinner. The owners insisted we come, so we got a free dinner and
enjoyed some conversation about Oklahoma and the full-time RV life. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQStwQ16mFdIIXY57poFL_SwQTVkINMhKAaKi_qdLC02pjo3ZB4JMY-rMQTaLOYBo-VP5QfGEKFF7xfo22WG3LJsWLDeI68jsbZMIaUPeY4SbuAJFg0vqj-vPz2-R1HaSY9ShkydAAi8k/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQStwQ16mFdIIXY57poFL_SwQTVkINMhKAaKi_qdLC02pjo3ZB4JMY-rMQTaLOYBo-VP5QfGEKFF7xfo22WG3LJsWLDeI68jsbZMIaUPeY4SbuAJFg0vqj-vPz2-R1HaSY9ShkydAAi8k/s320/IMG_2692.JPG" width="320" /></a>Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees is a tremendous lake with 1,300
miles of shoreline. It is famous for fishing with many Bass tournaments
throughout the year. There are also lots of blue herons, white egrets, gulls
and this time of year, pelicans. It seems so odd to find what I consider
“seabirds” in the middle of the country, but there they are.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd_h8fonTydSNaQphip2fV77XEQnmT999cqPU2Xg63BGb_A4vHMr7t-N4OUw5iQ8s2nwiOtWgB-F7Rll_81Lf_Zz5Q_3IvHv1WXYhZywr8HLyNisGyTx8s1obGyuGlAWd8FGFuSg9RyI/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd_h8fonTydSNaQphip2fV77XEQnmT999cqPU2Xg63BGb_A4vHMr7t-N4OUw5iQ8s2nwiOtWgB-F7Rll_81Lf_Zz5Q_3IvHv1WXYhZywr8HLyNisGyTx8s1obGyuGlAWd8FGFuSg9RyI/s200/IMG_2700.JPG" width="200" /></a>We have been experiencing quite hot weather this week –
about 104 today and more of the same predicted for tomorrow. Harriet’s air
conditioner has been running non-stop for about ten hours today and we are so
grateful. Even though it was hot we walked through the Bernice state park next door
and visited their nature center that had great exhibits. I had quite the
conversation there with a young girl who noticed my whale tail necklace and
surmised that I wasn’t from around here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are off to Hot Springs, Arkansas tomorrow and will
finally be able to put that last state sticker on our RV map. We will have
visited all of the lower 48 in Harriet, fulfilling one of our goals when we set
out in January of 2010.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-85707953589176500842012-09-01T21:00:00.000-07:002012-09-02T05:01:44.607-07:00Hobo, Grotto, Wind, Tires, Trails and Trees
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When Mary and I left Minnesota, our plan was to head
straight for Nebraska so we could fill in one of the three remaining states on
our map of the lower 48, but we got side-tracked by some interesting
diversions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent the night in
Iowa so we could experience…..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBl7gDAnG58Z5dO8Zvr7tW8wxn1mbAcMHW-w5xpyUQ4pJn5vtuMkr-PnVbpH8qK2CtAMGB-hR3fMfjA0FhPngxdK_ezpPYNxfvCBcuWxqdg2K4iVVzDFMtYFTDo2gY17DfEdACG9m5KI/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBl7gDAnG58Z5dO8Zvr7tW8wxn1mbAcMHW-w5xpyUQ4pJn5vtuMkr-PnVbpH8qK2CtAMGB-hR3fMfjA0FhPngxdK_ezpPYNxfvCBcuWxqdg2K4iVVzDFMtYFTDo2gY17DfEdACG9m5KI/s200/IMG_2602.JPG" width="200" /></a>Britt, Iowa, the home of the annual Hobo Convention and Hobo
museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term Hobo comes from
the greeting “Ho! Beau”, as men traveling for work would great each other
during the great depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
also learned (from the brochure-the museum was not open when we came through)
that the definition of a Hobo is “one who wanders and works”, whereas a Tramp
is “one who wanders and dreams”, and a Bum is “one who neither wanders nor
works”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess Mary and I are
Hobos aspiring to be Tramps, and hoping we don’t end-up Bums.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1xFuvtd8YLL9BeQPMsl-QWaREZO5HgSSXvXNtD4NQ2FYxGxXGD5bDt0hbX2uHHhG_-OY4bG4U9gKtExBGlRPpyBZAMzWy8A0Z-1vqtAmaExTgGSzsB6NHDtLK4hRmeHzrR2n2ca7MPQ/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1xFuvtd8YLL9BeQPMsl-QWaREZO5HgSSXvXNtD4NQ2FYxGxXGD5bDt0hbX2uHHhG_-OY4bG4U9gKtExBGlRPpyBZAMzWy8A0Z-1vqtAmaExTgGSzsB6NHDtLK4hRmeHzrR2n2ca7MPQ/s320/IMG_2621.JPG" width="320" /></a>We visited the Grotto of the Redemption, a wonderful
Catholic shrine built entirely of stones, petrified wood, stalactites, crystals
and gems that were gathered throughout the western states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father Dobberstein gathered from 1900
to 1912 and then began a 40+ year obsession to build a very large rambling and
strangely beautiful labyrinth of walkways and alters and caves to honor
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The site is literally out
in the middle of nowhere (Iowa) and includes thirteen great statues made of
Carrera Marble from Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
grotto kind of reminded Mary and I of Coral Castle in Florida. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adjacent church has a 300lb amethyst
and a carved wooden alter with stained-glass windows from Germany.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9D7rJL3GkvOF8Bmph76AL4yqs3S1ZHoV25wdFa2i119R5XKGisp6dAb7Ru4obKLdonRFLqyner50j0mFpcAqvjRlL7obhG-5w3tEMazW7UMseFsTFP5weGWpA0rQFXWI2_SX-stTFG8/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9D7rJL3GkvOF8Bmph76AL4yqs3S1ZHoV25wdFa2i119R5XKGisp6dAb7Ru4obKLdonRFLqyner50j0mFpcAqvjRlL7obhG-5w3tEMazW7UMseFsTFP5weGWpA0rQFXWI2_SX-stTFG8/s320/IMG_2610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl_jW9Vkk56dFNSnVldXLYe56IddjpWBYJGDQW569AklMpsSUxMNrXLbErnttEntyfeegiBrjIS2vpb8AfZKx63TRU1qGgdSKYUTJxw3Ju3RNUyHholUaLhQOfuXwH7-tIgJUm7CK0Nk/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl_jW9Vkk56dFNSnVldXLYe56IddjpWBYJGDQW569AklMpsSUxMNrXLbErnttEntyfeegiBrjIS2vpb8AfZKx63TRU1qGgdSKYUTJxw3Ju3RNUyHholUaLhQOfuXwH7-tIgJUm7CK0Nk/s200/IMG_2622.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWQU2mHJvL37Sg9IpxNtdYfJIwReTiFtEgiHZrQAFC-CueWvt-DSpwlb4nQjP0uB8O7sxpVVrmQDKalWo-QAyCMrsFWmkLofpZOmRVX8TMxfNSgUIeq50d2TBXzJniVPSW8EF5QdpKsM/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWQU2mHJvL37Sg9IpxNtdYfJIwReTiFtEgiHZrQAFC-CueWvt-DSpwlb4nQjP0uB8O7sxpVVrmQDKalWo-QAyCMrsFWmkLofpZOmRVX8TMxfNSgUIeq50d2TBXzJniVPSW8EF5QdpKsM/s200/IMG_2658.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also learned that Iowa produces a greater percentage
(20%) of its electrical energy from Wind than any other place on the planet,
though they are not the largest producer of wind power in terms of total
megawatts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind blowing across
Iowa seems almost constant, and there are very large windmills almost
everywhere. There were also lots of semi’s carrying huge blades on I-80.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our way to Nebraska City, one of the tires on Harriet
separated. When this happens the tread rips off and sometimes can do great
damage to the trailer. Luckily, only some of the lower sheet metal was bent and
I was able to pull to the side of the road (I-80) safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our motor club dispatched someone to
put on our spare for us (it takes a pretty hefty jack), and we were on our way
again in about one and one-half hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was able to get a new tire and borrow a jack in Nebraska City to put
it on in the RV park. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Nebraska City turns out to be a pretty interesting small
(7,000 pop) town. We really enjoyed Parker’s BBQ – a must if you are ever here.
The area was a prominent stop for Lewis and Clark, a major starting off point
for the westward migration, and thanks to J Sterling Morton, a significant
player in the country’s appreciation for trees. The Morton family settled just
outside of Nebraska City on a large tract of grassland and proceeded to plant
trees of numerous species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
patriarch was the US’s first Secretary of Agriculture (under Grover Cleveland)
and was the founder of Arbor Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A day to celebrate and plant trees, and as the literature points out,
one of the few holidays that is not political, religious or commemorating some
past event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arbor Day is a day to
look to and invest in the future by planting a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of Morton’s sons went on to become the owner of the
Morton Salt Company and another son, the Argo cornstarch company.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmUl0FnT_VxIMK-uassopcmCjIEWHk1SxnuVmdXNRc9TCPWTTPngGmYupVCn81gYgJxuvVodcQadRJIIrLHFd0MZ_t2nPK5UdcgZSQ6LEwDp90mjuBU-TLmeDuHU8XSXzDtUoxCBzwjQ/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmUl0FnT_VxIMK-uassopcmCjIEWHk1SxnuVmdXNRc9TCPWTTPngGmYupVCn81gYgJxuvVodcQadRJIIrLHFd0MZ_t2nPK5UdcgZSQ6LEwDp90mjuBU-TLmeDuHU8XSXzDtUoxCBzwjQ/s320/IMG_2661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We visited a fairly new and well-done Lewis and Clark
interpretive center that included some trails overlooking the Missouri
River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a little over two years
the expedition went from St Louis to the Pacific Ocean (and back!) via the
Missouri, Snake and Columbia Rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They recorded over 100 new plant and 122 animal species and learned of
the migration of the salmon from the native cultures that they
encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We biked along a
trail called the Steamboat Trace that ran along the western edge of the
Missouri River (before it was channeled). The Missouri, as we learned, used to
flow wide, up to 3 miles, and shallow along Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring floods added fertile silt to a
broad stretch of “bottom land” and the river wandered a very curvy path before
modern channelization and dredging deepened and straightened its course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the great westward migration from 1846-1866 Nebraska
City was home to several “freighting” companies who would outfit the wagon
trains with livestock and supplies for their journey on the Oregon, California
or Mormon trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the advent
of the transcontinental railroad the overland route was obsolete and Nebraska
City was no longer a major commercial transportation hub.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We successfully waited out hurricane Isaac up here in
Nebraska and were able to learn a few things to boot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are heading out tomorrow to Oklahoma - another of our
“not visited before” states.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-781289718293884452012-08-27T20:23:00.002-07:002012-08-27T20:23:48.818-07:00Wayzata, MN - My Home town
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9w7BuJVPgb7CHsdGPlZN9Wl3IBySe5VieY2szQayK9QeVmoJfhTNTA9rySuNTVFasBgRlfvIhF3NeWRvZSVmUQ9cJoO6FbH2ZNP7C3WfLOdWJaifYNPqm4cL3fnJQRblraVLPpi8aKew/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9w7BuJVPgb7CHsdGPlZN9Wl3IBySe5VieY2szQayK9QeVmoJfhTNTA9rySuNTVFasBgRlfvIhF3NeWRvZSVmUQ9cJoO6FbH2ZNP7C3WfLOdWJaifYNPqm4cL3fnJQRblraVLPpi8aKew/s200/IMG_2577.JPG" width="200" /></a>On the way to Minnesota, we passed many prairies and wheat
and cornfields. Bob and I stopped for lunch at the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD,
where the annual corn festival was just setting up. The Palace was built in
1892 and every year they redecorate the outside with cobs of corn and cornhusks
in new and elaborate designs. They call it a folk-art wonder on the prairie of
South Dakota. Yes indeedy – it certainly is a wonder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazKg6CTm9ivquLy2PGrSs0JA-AY1MteTdtoIMHYCailJALQLRtYzX1QgPllExe7BOvUt3O0rPfKH7WSzT3G2NbspS-QkeyV-cqSllXlfIrECUuAjnKHYVjll3WJMYcVb-oUUHia3zyxw/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazKg6CTm9ivquLy2PGrSs0JA-AY1MteTdtoIMHYCailJALQLRtYzX1QgPllExe7BOvUt3O0rPfKH7WSzT3G2NbspS-QkeyV-cqSllXlfIrECUuAjnKHYVjll3WJMYcVb-oUUHia3zyxw/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" width="320" /></a>Bob and I spent five days with my parents in Wayzata,
MN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wayzata is on the shores of
Lake Minnetonka, where Minnetonka Moccasins and Tonka Toys are from. We have
seen those moccasins in almost every state we have visited – they are SO
popular. My parents actually live north of there, which is now Plymouth. They
live in the house they built when I was 5 years old and we affectionately refer
to it as “the museum”. They still have paintings I did in high school in the
basement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the Gettens and
Hammeses have lived in the Wayzata area for several generations. A lot of my
aunts, uncles and cousins still live within a few miles of my parents.</div>
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My Dad and Mom will turn 87 and 80 this year. We celebrated
their 61<sup>st</sup> wedding anniversary with a lovely meal in downtown
Wayzata. They are both very active at the Catholic Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even managed to get us to go to
mass on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom sings in
the choir, and my dad has been a “server” at mass for over 80 years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both still drive (pretty fast) and
they have a large garden that dad tends and mom has to process and can. She
says she’s ready for an apartment, but dad still loves the house and yard
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also still flying his
small plane and just recently passed his two-year check-ride and physical.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj_wfVy9gI66dq3TZ15BNPoacecGuaLAEoVt4AG0g7hiG1vVLptI6VybaSnF_djUZ6yGP8SDKg9O9F8E5WZhvzm8Rd__TBfa1Bd6xqQXbrEaYdpweBJDJNZa7zrWijBmMqAmHvzyah-c/s1600/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj_wfVy9gI66dq3TZ15BNPoacecGuaLAEoVt4AG0g7hiG1vVLptI6VybaSnF_djUZ6yGP8SDKg9O9F8E5WZhvzm8Rd__TBfa1Bd6xqQXbrEaYdpweBJDJNZa7zrWijBmMqAmHvzyah-c/s320/IMG_2006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bgSNHLrH6YZaPuJdx-hnnJzdZfBAJhZ-Y1Ay-cQLKlrQ0chE092WrqyHGGz24LzrtPbxmXAftypUHZ-ZnynANYtRbBSydPO7CfGotGsLU_1wRf56avSn66wkQvRb6s_3ARXAobd8xR0/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bgSNHLrH6YZaPuJdx-hnnJzdZfBAJhZ-Y1Ay-cQLKlrQ0chE092WrqyHGGz24LzrtPbxmXAftypUHZ-ZnynANYtRbBSydPO7CfGotGsLU_1wRf56avSn66wkQvRb6s_3ARXAobd8xR0/s200/IMG_1992.JPG" width="200" /></a>Bob and I enjoyed meeting my friend Nan at the Mill City
Farmer’s Market in downtown Minneapolis and we walked out on the stone arch bridge
that crosses the Mississippi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hadn’t seen Nan since high school and it was great to reconnect. Later that
day, we were having drinks with my friend Ron, also from high school, at the
“muni” – the local municipal bar and pub. There was a group at the table behind
us talking about going to Orcas Island to attend a “granola wedding” and Bob
finally couldn’t stand it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told
them that we got married on Orcas, and that I had lived there for most of 19
years. It turned out the man had graduated from the University of Puget Sound,
the same year that Bob did!! What are the chances of that? </div>
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During our time here we also had drinks and meals with my
aunt and uncle and cousin and their spouses. Bob also reconnected with Bonnie,
who he worked with in Seattle during the 1980s and attended our wedding.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We had planned to leave on Monday, but tropical storm Isaac
has given us pause. This has been a good lesson for us as to how variable these
storms can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are heading to
Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas to finish off our map of the lower 48, but it
looks like the weather is going to be pretty nasty in Arkansas later this week,
so we decided to delay a day. That gave us a chance to wash the outside of
Harriet and do some shopping. We also had lunch at Smash Burger, which just
moved ahead of Five Guys for our favorite chain burger. I still think that
Fudruckers is in the running, but we have to have another lunch there before it
is declared the current winner.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-17360153500798615832012-08-21T20:38:00.000-07:002012-08-23T20:38:39.044-07:00The Not So Badlands
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Mary’s friends really liked Badlands National Park, so we
thought we would spend the night there on our way to Minneapolis. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Badlands NP is like a mini version of some of the areas in
northern Arizona and southern Utah, eroded pinnacles and dried mud washes in
various hues of grey, blue, yellow, pink and green, yet here in the South
Dakota grasslands the area is teaming with wildlife. In one short 20-mile
stretch of road we were able to get close-up encounters with Pronghorn
antelope, Big Horn sheep, and Prairie dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also got more distant views of Bison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPkv4ovh_hH-AEnd58I8ygafMnNCVDJIlDEzRQaRiv6q046SN_q2Qpo8ydcprAuXShMMU1l2jRvMwcals92nfKGQcJFPQSNCx3WOuO4O1eE0bDfSO08I1XTmB0hYKuEJjrjpQeEqhkZY/s1600/IMG_2534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPkv4ovh_hH-AEnd58I8ygafMnNCVDJIlDEzRQaRiv6q046SN_q2Qpo8ydcprAuXShMMU1l2jRvMwcals92nfKGQcJFPQSNCx3WOuO4O1eE0bDfSO08I1XTmB0hYKuEJjrjpQeEqhkZY/s200/IMG_2534.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_CjM7CWhOhVpBOVV_1tjD5pMg2EXzpK5oZjON9BEke81FwTzan7gtp0beDrQqI-nbY8uead7XWwT8GCiugRigKEPXDeERc34Cso9P2gLPTCbUbUtxdwcWsv-p0IcUzIb0NnTAEfMOLw/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_CjM7CWhOhVpBOVV_1tjD5pMg2EXzpK5oZjON9BEke81FwTzan7gtp0beDrQqI-nbY8uead7XWwT8GCiugRigKEPXDeERc34Cso9P2gLPTCbUbUtxdwcWsv-p0IcUzIb0NnTAEfMOLw/s200/IMG_2547.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Today was one of the very few days we have used the air
conditioning in Harriet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
pretty hot today 92+ so we only did some short walks from viewpoints, no long
hikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, we did have a great
sunset and a very dark and starry night sky. We have seen the Milky Way many
more times so far on this trip than we did on the whole of our extended journey
in 2010-11.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh yes, I have to mention that a major roadside attraction
is located between the Black Hills and the Badlands of South Dakota. The famous
Wall Drug is just off I-90.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary
and I wandered the many shops and museums, so now I can say we have been to
Wall Drug. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-39211868742029755952012-08-20T20:06:00.000-07:002012-08-22T20:11:53.290-07:00The Black Hills
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<br />
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Bob forgot to mention in our last blog that I actually lived
in Glasgow, Scotland, for a few months in the early 70s. I had gone there to be
with a man I still refer to as Wacko Bill – not my finest hour. It’s very
different from Glasgow, MT.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The road and terrain between Glasgow and the Black Hills of
So Dakota looks just like between Glacier and Glasgow – flat with wheat fields
and the occasional corn field. Having grown up in the Midwest and seen lots of
corn, I can tell which fields are “real” corn and which are the new GMO type.
It’s quite scary that less than 1% of the corn I’ve seen across the country
(including our fast trip in the cars to Florida) are real corn.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We made a quick stop at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in
North Dakota and were surprised to learn that they have wild horses there. We
didn’t spend enough time to find them, but it was an interesting place in the
National Grasslands and North Dakota Badlands. Bob helped out a distressed RV
renter who’s door was stuck shut! It turned out that they live only a few miles
from my parents – small world.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILJnKxPt8M6ulyYQ7vIrUsZOwEdjCMAHIlQJcPQpUEPqvOh3PbWTXEVpiA8-QmhDw6lDxpkNcdOEjAEZqTFlObKGm4PaqJzDmBKarGOgKEZ234jsn_hPuPNkh9NJ-aUrgFQ_YoN_lUfs/s1600/IMG_2465_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILJnKxPt8M6ulyYQ7vIrUsZOwEdjCMAHIlQJcPQpUEPqvOh3PbWTXEVpiA8-QmhDw6lDxpkNcdOEjAEZqTFlObKGm4PaqJzDmBKarGOgKEZ234jsn_hPuPNkh9NJ-aUrgFQ_YoN_lUfs/s200/IMG_2465_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Splitface</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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We set up at a nice campground outside of Sturgis, SD called
Rush-no-more. Bob and I were able to get a site in a quiet upper loop that
backs up against the National Forest. We were greeted by a wonderful cat with
unusual markings that came to see us each day. One side of her face was black,
the other tortoise shell, and it split in a perfect line right down the middle
of her nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She enjoyed turkey,
ham and tuna during our stay to supplement her usual diet of grasshoppers.
There were also many deer and dozens of wild turkeys passing through. We
enjoyed the pool and hot tub.</div>
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Sturgis is the site of an annual motorcycle rally that has been
held for 72 years and attracts more than 500,000 people each year. What a zoo
that is, and fortunately it was over about a week before we arrived. We had
been marveling at all the bikes heading west as we came across the mountains
and prairies. The town itself isn’t much and has only about 6,000 residents.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsgkIVJWOk6XdgMQcSCuxSyC0RaMDLfM3KtDVmPuwv0-0O7YrsTslpSludkhW-gDouWhHxrUgc9QiCzYxkZzTKz_e5gfqhEorXyZQmn5r0oWRh3burMHC0vB1HjHnrefNgD_KF3SLN30/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsgkIVJWOk6XdgMQcSCuxSyC0RaMDLfM3KtDVmPuwv0-0O7YrsTslpSludkhW-gDouWhHxrUgc9QiCzYxkZzTKz_e5gfqhEorXyZQmn5r0oWRh3burMHC0vB1HjHnrefNgD_KF3SLN30/s200/IMG_2467.JPG" width="200" /></a>Bob and I rode our bicycles 16 miles on the Michelson Trail
that winds through the Black Hills for 110 miles. We realized it’s been a long
time since we were on those bikes. Time to get back into it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB0472x5Sg0Vwfw1h7btxRhh5l6Z6DLlO72JJETGIGO_IIX4xyqDKK3SaaiJaRAt-FTeM2_cHSYuUmmZ3pB-DyQ6do36x8S559Ek7roDES77x8JfcWuadDb5Nq3UL_AfApCRdXINl92g/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB0472x5Sg0Vwfw1h7btxRhh5l6Z6DLlO72JJETGIGO_IIX4xyqDKK3SaaiJaRAt-FTeM2_cHSYuUmmZ3pB-DyQ6do36x8S559Ek7roDES77x8JfcWuadDb5Nq3UL_AfApCRdXINl92g/s200/IMG_2483.JPG" width="200" /></a>Four old friends of mine, who were traveling in a motor home, heading west from Boston, met us at the campground for two nights. It was great to see them and spend some time together. Everyone went to Deadwood, SD and had lunch at Miss Kitty’s Cantina. Bob and I visited Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane’s graves there. All six of us hiked to the top of Bear Butte, a mountain that is sacred to the Native Americans. There were many prayers bundles and flags hung from trees and we saw a ceremonial area. It was a great climb with good spiritual energy and you can see four states from the top.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjosCbbYdbuoGQFoDUZ0wJ1sweISqrJVy3LoPhlolDvXSyzIlT9wdrD7_k6tNiiXvlt0XFD4x9qXYxicksiV1KF_YD40D_He_X-1XjufDRIaDU5naGrdoGwePeaw9K2jFijOR_YHdIGg/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjosCbbYdbuoGQFoDUZ0wJ1sweISqrJVy3LoPhlolDvXSyzIlT9wdrD7_k6tNiiXvlt0XFD4x9qXYxicksiV1KF_YD40D_He_X-1XjufDRIaDU5naGrdoGwePeaw9K2jFijOR_YHdIGg/s320/IMG_2506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Butte</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrERon96a0xANhZqUg5P-vVaFGa6oYpQo0w_TUvMQbnJnEwPMv0yyOy0CH0DJcZdskTCgTaKyQH7mdaqMcqAq4DxtS-RNGVE6wwhxkRHPE6TbY0WoH0XxTEuy-zEQEbHrxm8JvG9_U9s/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrERon96a0xANhZqUg5P-vVaFGa6oYpQo0w_TUvMQbnJnEwPMv0yyOy0CH0DJcZdskTCgTaKyQH7mdaqMcqAq4DxtS-RNGVE6wwhxkRHPE6TbY0WoH0XxTEuy-zEQEbHrxm8JvG9_U9s/s320/IMG_2514.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob and the friends on the top of Bear butte</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-63124865807332719132012-08-16T20:35:00.000-07:002012-08-16T20:35:18.181-07:00Glasgow, Montana
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Most of you know how much I like things Scottish, so I
thought an overnight stop in Glasgow would be fun, but there are no kilts in
Glasgow, MT, just cowboy hats and plenty of large pick-ups.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6FuhSM6FFk1JMHX8FpbC8BmN4ug7EfRYHZobtTYTMtQ2ghn9bA1G9B_PnTAH3MK12NYYiZbr7nTgTCYf491ndbJUaq5CECG3R4coJnTw20DCBqP0RgTVMCss6hNDVK1nldh1AuN7Yaw/s1600/IMG_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6FuhSM6FFk1JMHX8FpbC8BmN4ug7EfRYHZobtTYTMtQ2ghn9bA1G9B_PnTAH3MK12NYYiZbr7nTgTCYf491ndbJUaq5CECG3R4coJnTw20DCBqP0RgTVMCss6hNDVK1nldh1AuN7Yaw/s200/IMG_2453.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBary0la_6EHoZBUEok-GjCXTxiH9C5ZsSk0Qiq8cj1VPQpr9KT6aFEoLxgX38wCP7a0ARtd-aXRe5R2y3mtpKqLecijec7kfpYhyphenhyphenamldcGpVrUmweWvWNeVFxM8CNwIXIXKpBJMrTis/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBary0la_6EHoZBUEok-GjCXTxiH9C5ZsSk0Qiq8cj1VPQpr9KT6aFEoLxgX38wCP7a0ARtd-aXRe5R2y3mtpKqLecijec7kfpYhyphenhyphenamldcGpVrUmweWvWNeVFxM8CNwIXIXKpBJMrTis/s200/IMG_2450.JPG" width="200" /></a>However, on the outskirts (no pun intended) of town lies a
hillside adorned with all manner of strange creatures. The inhabitants of this
hillside not only include the usual bear and wolf, but also brontosaurus,
triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mary was able to get a few pictures of the elusive critters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThjQDJn6QqcRkpnwYlzk_s2nz31ekgsjXD_K_q3MRA-4UbIVyaUgiho7iH8NxVIaV_hr0riR5tKxq5HuvVf6E3LQD-fT9XcId17iFVCxM-oWKbGIIPqj3C1VTKDQ8Gh7aSyV54A96B9I/s1600/IMG_2390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThjQDJn6QqcRkpnwYlzk_s2nz31ekgsjXD_K_q3MRA-4UbIVyaUgiho7iH8NxVIaV_hr0riR5tKxq5HuvVf6E3LQD-fT9XcId17iFVCxM-oWKbGIIPqj3C1VTKDQ8Gh7aSyV54A96B9I/s200/IMG_2390.jpg" width="150" /></a>I did manage to get a latte in Browning, MT as we headed
east this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once beyond
Browning, Montana truly opens up into the “Big Sky” country - nothing but
grasslands, wheat and wide-open vistas. We took advantage of the broad views
and watched the International Space Station flyby twice tonight.</div>
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Neither Mary nor I have been on this stretch of highway
before - US 2 running the entire width of Montana, but Mary has been here
before. The highway parallels the BNSF railway, and Mary once took a very long
and boring train trip from Seattle to Minneapolis and back on that very track.</div>
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Driving Ozzie and Harriet along the highway is less boring
than sitting in a train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary has
been reading the new book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, out loud as we drive. It is
about a very troubled and ill-prepared woman who sets out to cover 1100 miles
of the Pacific Crest Trail alone. The book is very interesting and well
written. Mary has always wanted to do the Pacific Crest Trail, but at our
advanced ages we are setting our sights on slightly more modest challenges.</div>
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Our next stop is Sturgis, South Dakota<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-70484557297312937322012-08-15T20:46:00.000-07:002012-08-15T20:46:20.787-07:00Gorgeous Glacier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My, oh my. I had forgotten how magical and fantastic Glacier National Park is. What a wonderland! I haven’t been here since 1990, and Bob’s only visit was in 2005, but it is SO worth exploring.</div>
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We both love Zion National Park, and it has always been our favorite park, but Glacier is a now a very close second. I believe that Zion is the spiritual heart of America, and it has a very special energy and sense of “being”, but Glacier is raw wilderness, mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls, rivers and an amazing array of wildlife. There are tons of trails to explore and the exciting trip up to Logan Pass on the thin Going to the Sun Road with only a teensy guardrail on the edge that drops off 3,000 feet to the river below is breathtaking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-2Dt__wpAQ_Vb31lw5ZZMnmycfLfVfJJed09PhI9YyoM2tbH8VK9HNN-pbkCAEgjZPzYVaQDmIPecZr6cYdrAsJo45aUkzAH6RDVHid1Bv4j4N8lrpgz47VyVQ3ph97Zniuq5YMUKfc/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-2Dt__wpAQ_Vb31lw5ZZMnmycfLfVfJJed09PhI9YyoM2tbH8VK9HNN-pbkCAEgjZPzYVaQDmIPecZr6cYdrAsJo45aUkzAH6RDVHid1Bv4j4N8lrpgz47VyVQ3ph97Zniuq5YMUKfc/s320/IMG_2414.JPG" width="320" /></a>Glacier also has at least four (more than most) grand old Lodges built around 1900. I just adore looking at the rare photos they always hang in these lovely old structures built mostly out of huge timbers that sport an oversized fireplace in every main lobby. Bob and I discovered the “special” drinks they serve here that always include huckleberry, so we made it an afternoon tradition to stop at a Lodge for cocktails on the deck in the late afternoon. My favorite is the Huckleberry margarita. Bob fell for the Huckleberry whiskey sour. We bought a bottle of huckleberry syrup in hopes of duplicating these gastronomic delights in the future, so if you visit us, please request one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBujFLJZP861PyrbtEcxUcUsONGbA-61syGaySe1sq3FuqQoAzxdf6nLcrp3k80X7dDaq-PypgxvXp1kQ05rYA9zKjlULl75nVxNy163wnHTwshDndaxFgcobHhmQu8QEpBk47cX4h4js/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBujFLJZP861PyrbtEcxUcUsONGbA-61syGaySe1sq3FuqQoAzxdf6nLcrp3k80X7dDaq-PypgxvXp1kQ05rYA9zKjlULl75nVxNy163wnHTwshDndaxFgcobHhmQu8QEpBk47cX4h4js/s320/IMG_2388.JPG" width="320" /></a>If you want to see the glaciers in Glacier, you need to get here soon. They have been receding rapidly for many years now. In 1850 there were 150 glaciers in the park and in 2010 there were only 25. They say that there won’t be any left in the park by 2020 or 2030, depending on how things heat up. What a shame, but it will still have those magnificent mountain peaks and most everything else. Perhaps it will be renamed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNpGNhvN9lnXVoZ0IVs3eI1m2aY2Vy5fF0mmpmljvjjeRboFdGDQcnPUaMLyerHLyjdNoZKl9rSa3FLbyYP_Q4TL-axP6PZlMHsrE0JL7mcP6snC56cnUlY8CpvP14zQVh_50vJZXSBc/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNpGNhvN9lnXVoZ0IVs3eI1m2aY2Vy5fF0mmpmljvjjeRboFdGDQcnPUaMLyerHLyjdNoZKl9rSa3FLbyYP_Q4TL-axP6PZlMHsrE0JL7mcP6snC56cnUlY8CpvP14zQVh_50vJZXSBc/s200/IMG_2352.JPG" width="200" /></a>Bob and I got out on a trail or two every day and managed to see several areas of the park. We had lots of close encounters with mountain goats that seemed quite used to people. One jumped down on the rocks right next to us when we were having a snack. What a shock! We also saw a moose in a lake along the trail and two grizzlies having a fun time wrestling and playing in a river. Big horned sheep showed themselves at two different locations, and we saw lots of ground squirrels and a marmot close up too. As usual, there were no sightings of mountain lions or wolves, although they are prevalent here. Several trails were closed because of bears and lions and even more were posted as high use areas. This is the only park I have been in where they recommend bear spray if you are hiking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRcujtIed3fhEC67Jh_CAqJXIv0V5fLtB9iI3ergXyBL9lf08qS43CDtCbCjAM1ccr5IM19w4RQYR2z0vQl4FIM5SOBWb6G20FvljF2TT3F3IMpPNLK4YhTOaiicJg0PF6C-Bkmz3qlI/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRcujtIed3fhEC67Jh_CAqJXIv0V5fLtB9iI3ergXyBL9lf08qS43CDtCbCjAM1ccr5IM19w4RQYR2z0vQl4FIM5SOBWb6G20FvljF2TT3F3IMpPNLK4YhTOaiicJg0PF6C-Bkmz3qlI/s200/IMG_2239.JPG" width="200" /></a>The altitude varies from around 3,000 ft to over 8,000 ft. The weather has been quite warm (low 80’s) and not too cold at night. There are several places to overnight in the park and at the West and East entrances, but the area is not too over done or touristy. Another great thing is the Red Busses. These are the same fabric topped busses used in the 1930’s. Ford rebuilt several of them for the Park Service and it is great fun to see them on the roads throughout the park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygYvuziJk37yaTUj6tWab1S1j9gwL2IQ8jZ0fWY-TF9-HiAjsIguwJHcc0B1msZ_gQpTZd5eeG6a-mak5ek1LZRJELYWi35YnC7kTPnb5ikgyd52SxKNzIjU2rmcHZDMAMiZQ5vCaC7Q/s1600/IMG_2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygYvuziJk37yaTUj6tWab1S1j9gwL2IQ8jZ0fWY-TF9-HiAjsIguwJHcc0B1msZ_gQpTZd5eeG6a-mak5ek1LZRJELYWi35YnC7kTPnb5ikgyd52SxKNzIjU2rmcHZDMAMiZQ5vCaC7Q/s200/IMG_2342.JPG" width="200" /></a>While here, we spent an evening at Lake MacDonald watching for shooting stars and we also saw some unexplained flashes of light. Maybe low level lightening in Canada? We just don’t know, but we saw bright flashes of light over the mountains at least a dozen times. We also enjoyed watching the International Space Station fly overhead on two nights. You can find out if it’s visible from your location by going to http.spaceweather.com/flybys/. It’s really fun to watch it come up, go over and out of sight in about three minutes. It is much bigger and brighter than other satellites you see in the night sky. We’ve done this many times in our travels and it’s always fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ_VJdfje0tQAUlKg7VaRJC8xD6o6NHIYi5ORyG3zxZneceLu_lxp0xsd1TBfg-Vpm3Gwfsv_SGXNFhYyCFW1emcBa04yBDFIpku2KEIc-7Ox1rQp55xy7qgz2epvbSFXPjxM9qcpYMY/s1600/IMG_2423_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ_VJdfje0tQAUlKg7VaRJC8xD6o6NHIYi5ORyG3zxZneceLu_lxp0xsd1TBfg-Vpm3Gwfsv_SGXNFhYyCFW1emcBa04yBDFIpku2KEIc-7Ox1rQp55xy7qgz2epvbSFXPjxM9qcpYMY/s320/IMG_2423_2.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MM3Klne043HvIlQor1Kntl-FGmQrynGkjtqKn3WYL9ZoJ6Yh_RGisehqa_2XyGvKiFSSPt9HgHqIN-3axs0-Jp9mfw2edBrwfzfv9vfDi_0ewBVMkMAjNT3Z5y89v8n9GlDOP2Shr38/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MM3Klne043HvIlQor1Kntl-FGmQrynGkjtqKn3WYL9ZoJ6Yh_RGisehqa_2XyGvKiFSSPt9HgHqIN-3axs0-Jp9mfw2edBrwfzfv9vfDi_0ewBVMkMAjNT3Z5y89v8n9GlDOP2Shr38/s200/IMG_2400.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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If you can, put Glacier on your list of MUST visit places. It is SO worth it!</div>
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<br />Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-44451764878805718852012-08-11T23:30:00.000-07:002012-08-12T19:45:21.857-07:00Oops and Ouch<br />
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Bob and I left Olympia in Harriet on August 9<sup>th</sup>,
but not without a little drama. When Bob tried to back out of the driveway, we
found that the brakes in Harriet were stuck on. This had never happened before
and we were stumped. After an hour of messing around, Bob noticed that the
emergency brake trip cord on the hitch had fallen out. It’s good to know that
works so well and also something new to check each time we hook up. It was an
easy fix once we discovered the problem and it only put us a little behind in
our schedule.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3IBuNXe8HQBNS3LFESNBeorNtGF9LLL2ciosAZeT7MHQS2KCaPEvJa7_6Aw1yALC1O84Kjs8MhdSIxQuABhI_5b79rBiF1g8Y-RN8YXgR-001aLeP4v0dhRI63v8JawhVXbdMD1bUy8/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3IBuNXe8HQBNS3LFESNBeorNtGF9LLL2ciosAZeT7MHQS2KCaPEvJa7_6Aw1yALC1O84Kjs8MhdSIxQuABhI_5b79rBiF1g8Y-RN8YXgR-001aLeP4v0dhRI63v8JawhVXbdMD1bUy8/s200/IMG_2224.JPG" width="200" /></a>We had a lovely trip across the Cascades with clear blue
skies and warm temperatures and no other incidents on our way to Sandpoint,
Idaho. This is a lovely area with steep mountains surrounding Lake Pend
Oreille. The lake is about 30 miles long and very clean and clear. Bob enjoyed
taking dips in it since we are camped at a fun place right along the shore in
Hope, Idaho. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90GWvAFDrfC8JXNxppCkmL0RmnxmLvnXmrb6YORsv5i1ZO9OvW97WeQ1Y6yCyT_tFElpk5s-jkqbBytbGyPsh6Uj3_GCfSgOUj6D1lUUnRXF9Aqbj1eRh5UUbzYb_nMP2Ju5lTGoJP_w/s1600/IMG_2231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90GWvAFDrfC8JXNxppCkmL0RmnxmLvnXmrb6YORsv5i1ZO9OvW97WeQ1Y6yCyT_tFElpk5s-jkqbBytbGyPsh6Uj3_GCfSgOUj6D1lUUnRXF9Aqbj1eRh5UUbzYb_nMP2Ju5lTGoJP_w/s200/IMG_2231.JPG" width="200" /></a>We are staying at Jeb and Margaret’s Trailer Haven – an old
time campground and summer resort. This place has been operating for perhaps
50+ years and many of the people here come for the whole season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember when people said they were
going up to the lake for the summer? This is where they go. This park is about
half RVs and the rest are “park models”, small mobile homes. We noted license
plates from all over, but the highest number is from Alberta. Eh?</div>
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We planned to go hiking on our first full day here, but Bob
was feeling dizzy in the morning so I went for a walk and let him sleep. He
finally got up around 11:00 and then suddenly felt really awful and broke into
a cold sweat. He urged me to call for the local paramedics who took him by
ambulance to the Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint as I followed in our
truck. Bob went through a battery of tests and was hooked up to several
machines for about three hours. The GOOD NEWS is that his heart and blood work
are great, so is his blood pressure, and they determined that he had an inner
ear disorder causing the dizziness. They gave him some medication and we came
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob’s feeling fine now and
it’s good to know what great shape he’s in. </div>
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Saturday we drove back into Sandpoint and walked through the
downtown Farmer’s Market and the arts and crafts fair at the beach. It was
another lovely day. There were many people in town because this is also the
weekend of the Festival at Sandpoint, a musical event that runs for 10 days. Kenny
Loggins was headlining tonight, and although we thoroughly enjoyed his show in
Reno last year, we decided to stay home and rest up for tomorrow’s drive to
Glacier National Park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nP1fzahw6Pnigft6lDiu1C4_HwmlPCsD9c_xNeEINKK6htReKXZ2IDonwfNdqv63baaAEbmw3hPMmhfddCApMaS5FAG136zkkImDZ7fvOo2Wm_2gtFkhTuqX58d2lxlxDHWk8fPrPtg/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nP1fzahw6Pnigft6lDiu1C4_HwmlPCsD9c_xNeEINKK6htReKXZ2IDonwfNdqv63baaAEbmw3hPMmhfddCApMaS5FAG136zkkImDZ7fvOo2Wm_2gtFkhTuqX58d2lxlxDHWk8fPrPtg/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We couldn’t resist heading out to the grassy area along the
lake at about 11pm to see if we could catch some of the Perseid Meteor
Shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wowza – we had a
spectacular clear sky and could see the Milk Way bright and shiny. I haven’t
seen that for a long time. Within a half hour we spotted 4 satellites and over
a dozen meteors. We are hoping to catch another show tomorrow night in Montana.</div>Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-74677413006951460602012-08-08T21:48:00.001-07:002012-08-08T21:48:22.493-07:00“Goodbye you Old Acres of Mudd”<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">
</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcoZ6oHFXHwuCWqg9kWXvNszsX_Jyv8rEfe4d2zwqF-4yzEvZ5qntAUwZhJLed80vkoe7s5vsxC1VfJ_gG0BSXhXFXu0ntg1H-3bE6obXx9a7ZuS8JXH4tCpqM7v5CgCTcm7PyC8y8Ag/s1600/IMG_1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcoZ6oHFXHwuCWqg9kWXvNszsX_Jyv8rEfe4d2zwqF-4yzEvZ5qntAUwZhJLed80vkoe7s5vsxC1VfJ_gG0BSXhXFXu0ntg1H-3bE6obXx9a7ZuS8JXH4tCpqM7v5CgCTcm7PyC8y8Ag/s200/IMG_1872.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6uU8O3nc5htoA3zxTnA9TpqA8SH3ngvqgCkvUxxTjgi0pxMxbjXO4S-5s0XxghX35TNB7W-PUjV65zIO89qboRGN3KjTC5eJu-0C0rk-vBhBK9Y6jEZPi_dDaLuGpiyg_aIvmNbdN8c/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6uU8O3nc5htoA3zxTnA9TpqA8SH3ngvqgCkvUxxTjgi0pxMxbjXO4S-5s0XxghX35TNB7W-PUjV65zIO89qboRGN3KjTC5eJu-0C0rk-vBhBK9Y6jEZPi_dDaLuGpiyg_aIvmNbdN8c/s200/IMG_1949.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mary
and I love the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After George Bailey’s enlightenment, he is very appreciative
of his little town, and as he rushes home he says “Hello you old Building and
Loan”, and “Hello you old movie house”, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now every time Mary and I get sentimental about arriving
or leaving places we say “Hello or goodbye you old…..”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
old house in Olympia has a sign on the driveway that says Acres of Mudd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This refers to the mud in the bay at
low tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove by today for
the last time before we head out toward Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV3Xq7Jy85he_1SvBZxMww2G3LoWczVRR_pQyzJf-u7F6CQ29SE3j83boADt8RjdhKRGPPxKuVgJx4_BVye01vV3dAa97I0mGmBQM2TiMc2Z7i_BbaX9lV3RRP2elZJuS4fFsuA8S1no/s1600/IMG_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifV3Xq7Jy85he_1SvBZxMww2G3LoWczVRR_pQyzJf-u7F6CQ29SE3j83boADt8RjdhKRGPPxKuVgJx4_BVye01vV3dAa97I0mGmBQM2TiMc2Z7i_BbaX9lV3RRP2elZJuS4fFsuA8S1no/s200/IMG_1629.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Much
has happened since our last blog entry….The dolphin swim trip to Bimini was
fantastic, and we attended a great Fairy Congress event in the Washington
Cascades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our house finally sold
and we sold off most of our furnishings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have been living in the fifth wheel trailer in Matt and Tiffany’s
driveway for more than six weeks now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCZprFJdHN_jGH7Ty19pnmlWym7OIdMQm8w9on7U40jLtmKXf5BwSbtSXIn3NvkVrwyuhwFf0PwGzrWZoDjLu9RLiy1kfkdQ2PHcYRjCWuweTXLJe5IUPMFyd70mk0ddp_xEDrvEAoJw/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCZprFJdHN_jGH7Ty19pnmlWym7OIdMQm8w9on7U40jLtmKXf5BwSbtSXIn3NvkVrwyuhwFf0PwGzrWZoDjLu9RLiy1kfkdQ2PHcYRjCWuweTXLJe5IUPMFyd70mk0ddp_xEDrvEAoJw/s200/IMG_2185.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My son Matt and his wife Tiffany had their first child Rowan on July 19<sup>th</sup>.
Rowan and her mom and dad are doing great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister Tammy came up from California to help out, and I
know Matt and Tiffany really appreciated her experienced help and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ4YFMuJRi3pyae0kKsZoc7DfbNsX9iUWOQ2maC4-YT0lcwv5Z6Gcty4awOu7_YlPTQwFoDF2SvCrh3yc8KRcJMLf3Lm7TAS6tf6j_Zb1AMoAV_DqYivzkWcPD1jtOYdO9Un6LnzaTr4/s1600/IMG_2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQ4YFMuJRi3pyae0kKsZoc7DfbNsX9iUWOQ2maC4-YT0lcwv5Z6Gcty4awOu7_YlPTQwFoDF2SvCrh3yc8KRcJMLf3Lm7TAS6tf6j_Zb1AMoAV_DqYivzkWcPD1jtOYdO9Un6LnzaTr4/s200/IMG_2217.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Last
week, Mary and I drove our van and Prius with our remaining belongings to
Sarasota to put in storage until we arrive in the fifth wheel trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive was long and hot and we had
to replace a few tires and a part on the turbocharger on the van. We ended up
driving slowly (under 60 mph) because of these van issues while trucks and cars
whizzed past us at 75-80 mph. Mary was not very excited about driving behind
the van and having to look at my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>motorcycle hanging on the back for 3300 miles, a
motorcycle that Mary thought I should have waited to get in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was right!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
are leaving in the morning for a more leisurely trip across the country in
Ozzie (the truck) and Harriet (the trailer). This is our opportunity to
experience some areas we missed on our first cross-country ramble, and to make
sure we cover the four states we missed (North Dakota/Nebraska/Oklahoma/Arkansas).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will try to send a blog entry after
each stop. If you have any must see or do suggestions please don’t hesitate to
email.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
it’s Goodbye, you old Puget Sound, Goodbye you old Mt Rainier, Goodbye you old
Orcas Island, Goodbye you Old Olympia, and a fond farewell to Washington family
and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span>Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-39444633242272612392011-09-21T17:16:00.000-07:002011-09-25T17:19:32.236-07:00Tahoe Ho!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjoV4S7-Bm9Qf87870Ld7jVOX2qGXYaMNpiHTghqfi-kopJNzBcmSVmodfXQIrrMqJdcaOlKARMhWPVQ3yRgdJAnidEhMeu8UHBBt1Bu80hjPIZYQy7RdwfEMSNFT5CBG4Y-3j09m1AM/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjoV4S7-Bm9Qf87870Ld7jVOX2qGXYaMNpiHTghqfi-kopJNzBcmSVmodfXQIrrMqJdcaOlKARMhWPVQ3yRgdJAnidEhMeu8UHBBt1Bu80hjPIZYQy7RdwfEMSNFT5CBG4Y-3j09m1AM/s200/IMG_1425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656456217301743458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnmglSASxSa_mPC_To4iMj6SWhDiNi_ZLm96V5p3rY6Gu2BvF14jDkR5IjGI9kRQ7o40bRdTakA-2DYzciQJfa0-7HcbkSdUB8zwunPj7IiFuds5dS1UAqscgPCMaUEfUSs0mvDBHlvo/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnmglSASxSa_mPC_To4iMj6SWhDiNi_ZLm96V5p3rY6Gu2BvF14jDkR5IjGI9kRQ7o40bRdTakA-2DYzciQJfa0-7HcbkSdUB8zwunPj7IiFuds5dS1UAqscgPCMaUEfUSs0mvDBHlvo/s200/IMG_1417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656456210071725842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdhTwVH52W-AZHuQQHQknmls-CAJ3h4yX8Clkb8ktPVabpzjchUojCmJnsuSxZalK2rPtZfuBkJGsQSShyphenhyphen8EHuK2bkTGv-GVz1oIndB866UkTZrvt7v6Aq4I7ufUWIenSezoz9AwHC84/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdhTwVH52W-AZHuQQHQknmls-CAJ3h4yX8Clkb8ktPVabpzjchUojCmJnsuSxZalK2rPtZfuBkJGsQSShyphenhyphen8EHuK2bkTGv-GVz1oIndB866UkTZrvt7v6Aq4I7ufUWIenSezoz9AwHC84/s200/IMG_1406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656456032615211634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WeAVzP1x0ouMhJ4gZ-8mf_B8tWvIacODLrPFsoyIe1UAIQfjRjLM2WpaaotsM6AUOngPbXsLmmGf_q32bITXcCMxtK2-8tx533jxiKG2Vg76u2tHpF8q7ZZqaLqHQN9mlzg56zMr-TY/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WeAVzP1x0ouMhJ4gZ-8mf_B8tWvIacODLrPFsoyIe1UAIQfjRjLM2WpaaotsM6AUOngPbXsLmmGf_q32bITXcCMxtK2-8tx533jxiKG2Vg76u2tHpF8q7ZZqaLqHQN9mlzg56zMr-TY/s200/IMG_1440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656455908537694098" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>641</o:Words> <o:characters>3655</o:Characters> <o:lines>30</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4488</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1287</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">The first vacation of my life was at Lake Tahoe. I was born in Sacramento, CA. Practically my whole family has a love affair with Tahoe. During my high school years we had a cabin a few miles from the lake and my mom would spend the entire summer there with various family members visiting off and on (I am the youngest of seven siblings and there were always numerous nieces and nephews coming along). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Since Mary had not really experienced Lake Tahoe, I was anxious to share it with her. We stayed on the Nevada side at Zephyr Cove campground. The campground is very nice and fairly large. Our site, however, was right along the highway and quite noisy. It was okay though, since we didn’t hang around the campsite much.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">The weather was clear and cool, but actually felt quite warm in the sunshine. Mary and I enjoyed hiking the Pacific Crest trail both north and south from Hwy 50. Hiking among the huge granite slabs with blue sky and blue water is breathtaking (especially at 8,000 ft elevation). I actually took the first hike of my life at Tahoe. The hike is a steep one-mile up granite slabs from Emerald Bay to Eagle Lake. At the age of sixteen my high school girlfriend and I started out with our picnic lunch and “Mickey Mouse” thermos. We never made it to Eagle Lake. Somehow, we lost the trail and got stuck on some very large boulders that are much easier to climb up than down. We turned back after “Mickey” fell off a boulder and got shattered to pieces. I finally made it to Eagle Lake almost 40 years later with Mary.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I always remember the Tahoe area as smelling especially “piney”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I finally found out why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had always assumed that most of the pines were Ponderosas, but Mary discovered that the vast majority are Jeffrey pines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These pines are especially aromatic and if you stick your nose near the bark you can smell the aroma of butterscotch or vanilla. Neither of us had heard of Jeffrey pines before. As it turns out, Jeffreys are only prevalent in the High Sierras and are dominant over Ponderosas at higher elevations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Tahoe is an interesting combination of exceptional natural beauty, tacky development, smoky noisy casinos, the clearest water I have ever seen in a large lake, broad open spaces, beautiful houses and bad traffic. The different communities around the lake each have their own character. Some are boating oriented, others snow skiing, the Stateline areas have the casinos, and there are a whole lot of small national forest campgrounds and beaches all around the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Except for the few large casinos most of the lodging options are small family owned motels and resorts with a few of the larger chain motels scattered about. Unfortunately the water is quite cold even in the height of summer, but boating, water skiing, sailing and beach going is very popular, and because the lake is so large (22 miles by 12 miles) it is never crowded on the water.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My sisters Margie, Cheryl and Tammy, and my brother Tim joined us for a few days. It was great to see them, and to relive some of the old Tahoe memories and stories. Margie’s daughter Christie and grandkids also joined us for an afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Mary and I bade farewell to Tahoe on September 20<sup>th</sup> which also happens to be our anniversary. We weren’t sure how far we could drive, but our goal was to be in a place with some good restaurants for our anniversary dinner. Luckily, we were able to make it all the way to Bend, OR. Jack and Nancy had recommended the Pines Tavern Restaurant and we were finally able to eat there. The food was really good and they even gave us free Crème Brule!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">This trip made us realize the wonderful natural and manmade diversity that California has to offer, and on a large scale too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mary and I have both lived in California before and we don’t really want to live there again, but we do think it would be great to spend the better part of a year exploring the full-range of California, enjoying summer in the mountains, winter in the desert and spring or fall on the coast or in the vineyards. No other state has every climate and habitat like California does.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">We got home on September 21<sup>st</sup> and now it is time to prepare for fall and winter. We are scheduling an open house for the weekend of October 22-23 as a last-ditch effort to sell the house before winter sets in. We are having a contest to see if I can win the lottery before we sell the house. Right now it looks neck and neck. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-9503017163740139692011-09-15T21:45:00.000-07:002011-09-16T21:54:39.314-07:00The road to Yosemite<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLStZW9rkgvJGBSFF-_Vg4GqV4-_rFqhSM-shvq7MKIwg64zBaPcE5uTLTF_vnAg7vyk8gCpH1Hzy28u-a95RZYxTOieCkdGmlN8RszTMcb-MQ0nt1lAWEuwoH66h1IApZx4SmBNbIaQ/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLStZW9rkgvJGBSFF-_Vg4GqV4-_rFqhSM-shvq7MKIwg64zBaPcE5uTLTF_vnAg7vyk8gCpH1Hzy28u-a95RZYxTOieCkdGmlN8RszTMcb-MQ0nt1lAWEuwoH66h1IApZx4SmBNbIaQ/s200/IMG_1373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653187381748177122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUY1l6xlmQhFstdbhm-pst5Q1eVNnF_vRcHv6DqdCSkNmj7T8XQB2S10bRDtDpA-L3Z0hzzfVcRq79WvHr6MwfZFt0uTQUJMmqUcZkq9l3VCGDfijuWcfO_pkdAb1Rs3tppPiPyz_Cr0/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUY1l6xlmQhFstdbhm-pst5Q1eVNnF_vRcHv6DqdCSkNmj7T8XQB2S10bRDtDpA-L3Z0hzzfVcRq79WvHr6MwfZFt0uTQUJMmqUcZkq9l3VCGDfijuWcfO_pkdAb1Rs3tppPiPyz_Cr0/s200/IMG_1287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653186739076975794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST83S-1WZwgS6Uo2nT60ZwtiCG2ZT2TdNnIRbAVrtN8UvuYR0FIPuAkdoYgswodnmWXkgiJapBTRHbdntscqCHN3NMTQx-6z0_mRB-BtCZjzUTM_ZfRa0bhuYa6GdW9yA92xA5cqbyrI/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST83S-1WZwgS6Uo2nT60ZwtiCG2ZT2TdNnIRbAVrtN8UvuYR0FIPuAkdoYgswodnmWXkgiJapBTRHbdntscqCHN3NMTQx-6z0_mRB-BtCZjzUTM_ZfRa0bhuYa6GdW9yA92xA5cqbyrI/s200/IMG_1352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653186381013484978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbooQ6EMPGqv0hswXksk1DWEeFXefxXlWgPpBRweZiymt3VSm0Hf8JJ1jdBAzIwTKLjmVA20cWk8oC5542K8hUGqtCo39YoY0t3e0d3z1BIMCJN06c65g3qWlSA9nDIiriFTEBW1FBfMk/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbooQ6EMPGqv0hswXksk1DWEeFXefxXlWgPpBRweZiymt3VSm0Hf8JJ1jdBAzIwTKLjmVA20cWk8oC5542K8hUGqtCo39YoY0t3e0d3z1BIMCJN06c65g3qWlSA9nDIiriFTEBW1FBfMk/s200/IMG_1337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653186080213196978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m8gZJqo_MzPbX3AUxFd12jmgizpBoMNwn-lB80qi8M4SNovL73XRGpKxhgn2h1sp0PoQw04l1MOCosS7RhQQ7x6vrCjbTfHY0_Xtainm9cAeveyGA_uvKRB8BRcqTuitwEAC1wO2cHs/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5m8gZJqo_MzPbX3AUxFd12jmgizpBoMNwn-lB80qi8M4SNovL73XRGpKxhgn2h1sp0PoQw04l1MOCosS7RhQQ7x6vrCjbTfHY0_Xtainm9cAeveyGA_uvKRB8BRcqTuitwEAC1wO2cHs/s200/IMG_1350.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653185775872909170" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>461</o:Words> <o:characters>2628</o:Characters> <o:lines>21</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>3227</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1287</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Bob and I left our campsite at Mt. Lassen, uncharacteristically early so that we might have time to investigate Mono Lake after we arrived at our next campsite in the small town of Lee Vining, outside of Yosemite. It was a lovely day and the traffic was light that early, but between Reno and Carson City we had a blowout on the freeway. Fortunately it was a tire on the RV and we had a decent shoulder to pull off on. It took two hours for the tow truck to arrive and change the tire. We were unable to find a new one in Carson City on a Sunday, so we got a spot in a local RV park and had to wait until the tire stores opened on Monday morning.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">On the way through Reno, before the tire POP, we had commented on a billboard that said that Kenny Loggins was in concert for that night ONLY. What a great way to spend the evening instead of being distressed about the tire and our delay. So we got tickets and went to the show, which was FANTASTIC!! Kenny, now 63, still has a perfect voice and tons of energy. He moved around the stage and the audience and did many old favorites. I once had tickets to see Kenny in San Francisco in 1986, but instead of going to the concert, I went to Yosemite with a friend from England. Now here I was on my way to Yosemite, and instead I went to see Kenny Loggins. Weird? Yes, but so exciting and serendipitous.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">On Monday we got a new tire and landed at the RV park with enough time to visit Mono Lake. It’s quite an interesting place! Very salty water filled with brine shrimp and alkali flies. I did not enjoy the flies, but did see some interesting birds. Many migratory birds stop here to feed on the shrimp and flies during their long trip between the arctic and South America, and many California gulls from the coast nest here. The lake also has fantastic formations called tufas that build underwater where fresh water springs enter the salt water</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Yosemite is truly spectacular. Tioga Pass is 9,945 feet and many of the upper park roads are above 8,000. We did some steep hikes at elevations up to and over10,000 feet and it is really tough for us sea-level folks. The Tuolumne meadows area is spectacular and filled with granite domes and steep cliffs. Bob and I loved the hike up Lembert Dome and we spent a few hours on the joint John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail where we came upon two deer who were eating mushrooms and were reluctant to leave their feast because two humans had entered the area.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Bob and I spent one day in upper Yosemite and one day in the valley. I have to admit that we didn’t like the valley as much. We hiked to Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls and Vernal Falls, all of which were flowing like crazy. This is unusual in the fall, but we did have thunder and lightening storms yesterday. On our way into the park this morning we actually encountered snow on the road. There were lots of people in the valley and it was interesting to see that many were from Europe. We ran into a large group from the Czech Republic and several from the UK.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Next time we come to Yosemite, I think we’ll skip the valley and spend all of our time in Tuolumne Meadows and the upper park. We barely scratched the surface there. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-8893573407002791802011-09-10T23:17:00.000-07:002011-09-10T23:26:16.202-07:00Mt. Lassen - 10,457 feet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD54U1F1mMgUgEK_ZtcqNM23kymGB0kqp5ndrim14e5Lt0WZGrj2tLUHZWjxfGu1gAW7AQ2GbejSN_GYOh7e6xDJ7QwMHpKOXGVpDwABKDY-asn7H925JQ9GWqda3S6AkIXxDaCi1MIRQ/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD54U1F1mMgUgEK_ZtcqNM23kymGB0kqp5ndrim14e5Lt0WZGrj2tLUHZWjxfGu1gAW7AQ2GbejSN_GYOh7e6xDJ7QwMHpKOXGVpDwABKDY-asn7H925JQ9GWqda3S6AkIXxDaCi1MIRQ/s200/IMG_1269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650984383653107890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8vTe9hD0Hl4OvQmneHDrI4Mz9bq8lvU7CIzGH8pFA-BXGZjdMQ2R-RLjyvLVcXDRDHZKcQR7yg0R6FWnku6_hKmyOVgLD4EXffCldkAAiYLaiuk7TmHCvUK7ImmGuH-9zbaGdkM6PEc/s1600/IMG_1219.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8vTe9hD0Hl4OvQmneHDrI4Mz9bq8lvU7CIzGH8pFA-BXGZjdMQ2R-RLjyvLVcXDRDHZKcQR7yg0R6FWnku6_hKmyOVgLD4EXffCldkAAiYLaiuk7TmHCvUK7ImmGuH-9zbaGdkM6PEc/s200/IMG_1219.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650984128257516322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ecFLVrP_W0xsDrhnT8ggatnsMYZVzPRNKugq9hWCyTgh_NuTtQkdiIQRUGprDEonxgeQ30Fkr_Z97KyS5sCfJhaE9-xx1xzxa4-530T0IufvylCIWjq3XPxG4WxYd7796QhyAYD0Qrc/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ecFLVrP_W0xsDrhnT8ggatnsMYZVzPRNKugq9hWCyTgh_NuTtQkdiIQRUGprDEonxgeQ30Fkr_Z97KyS5sCfJhaE9-xx1xzxa4-530T0IufvylCIWjq3XPxG4WxYd7796QhyAYD0Qrc/s200/IMG_1241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650983778477242530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRSuVL2JGugMRiTylFazgSfWKGzoOCBZWKGJCt5VZPYRtGOWKhFEcRCPcDzvCSNiauWzjMmL9w74cpOZaSO5uuAVP92YUsbqTXDcGGYd2DOo1htAwpk_He22RIe22vxtf2eD_s5nfMJc/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRSuVL2JGugMRiTylFazgSfWKGzoOCBZWKGJCt5VZPYRtGOWKhFEcRCPcDzvCSNiauWzjMmL9w74cpOZaSO5uuAVP92YUsbqTXDcGGYd2DOo1htAwpk_He22RIe22vxtf2eD_s5nfMJc/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650983514353052210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjYYUx8coS3S_lA7nfHV48U6L25GDtJDzpq6ZHoiIhQHRx0oKQEvXsVFGlxrYDbcmoJcsCUWdTRryIV6T3vuy_xfwNpgZ9EV6IscMZ_wKEAlVeTFKaG02UuEUhUSv-Gq-Q4RumKYywUk/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjYYUx8coS3S_lA7nfHV48U6L25GDtJDzpq6ZHoiIhQHRx0oKQEvXsVFGlxrYDbcmoJcsCUWdTRryIV6T3vuy_xfwNpgZ9EV6IscMZ_wKEAlVeTFKaG02UuEUhUSv-Gq-Q4RumKYywUk/s200/IMG_1264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650983176885502338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah2MKSXkXm_GD9h_7VXbYaAUpj_NPGWvc4lfGflezaB-4TaIXu2t0e6ujTH_nLdFUJcdt78_vHfoVstBKbiuph0OhhsHX1aIP_HI7BvS6ZS7hqQ2GCNzGUlzmjEjWtVulm3b0kOKDua4/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah2MKSXkXm_GD9h_7VXbYaAUpj_NPGWvc4lfGflezaB-4TaIXu2t0e6ujTH_nLdFUJcdt78_vHfoVstBKbiuph0OhhsHX1aIP_HI7BvS6ZS7hqQ2GCNzGUlzmjEjWtVulm3b0kOKDua4/s200/IMG_1248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650982860432960322" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>384</o:Words> <o:characters>2191</o:Characters> <o:lines>18</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>2690</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1287</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">I had visited Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park in 1990 and had always wanted to return here. This was Bob’s first visit to this amazing and diverse park. We love it here!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">Hiking is high on the agenda for this entire trip and there are so many wonderful and varied hikes. We started with the Lassen Peak trail, but after 1.3 miles the trail was closed for repairs. The views were superb but we were at about 9,500 feet and a strong cold wind was threatening to blow us off our feet. A nice ranger guarding the gate took our photo. We’ll have to come back and do the whole trip to the top another time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">We also ventured into Bumpass Hell, an area of bubbling mud pots, steam vents, fumaroles and boiling ponds, replete with the smell of sulphur. The hiss and thunder of the steam vents was quite erie. These thermal features are constantly changing and a reminder of how active this whole area still is. Mt. Lassen had major eruptions in 1914 and 1915, but it has been quiet since 1921.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">At the higher elevations we encountered snowfields along the road and trails. Often we had to slog over these patches of snow even though it was hot and most of the trail was very dry and dusty. We did find several lush green meadows and fields of prolific wild flowers. Yes, “spring” has finally arrived here at Lassen in mid-September.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">Lassen National Park is one of the few places on earth that has four types of volcanoes: composite, plug dome, cinder and shield. Around these various volcanic mountains are lakes, streams and forests of pine, fir and manzanita. We didn’t see much in the way of wildlife.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">The most challenging and interesting hike at Lassen was Cinder Cone. The trail went almost straight up and was comprised of soft sand and cinder pebbles. But it was worth the climb! We had spectacular views of Mt. Lassen and were able to walk down into the cone. All around we could see the lava that flowed out from the bottom and also the painted sands that formed when hot cinders landed on them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">A ranger suggested we go into Redding and see the Sundial bridge, so one evening we did just that. They had a rib cook-off and free concert in the park nearby and we enjoyed wandering around. After dark we walked the pedestrian only bridge which spans the Sacramento river. My how it has grown since that gusher coming out of the park in Mt. Shasta! The bridge has a frosted glass deck that is lit from beneath and it is quite beautiful at night.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;font-size:medium;">There are so many trails still unexplored here that I’m sure we will come back again. And we need to make the trek all the way to the top on that trail that was closed for repairs.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-8263626733668355022011-09-07T22:57:00.000-07:002011-09-10T23:16:01.450-07:00Mt. Shasta - 14,165 feet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ZBz4t_O3fvSdmCcU1zg5iGkU8f0Icn5IXojMDZebE-TZJ19WZWlwVswDDBnef_8MHwq4la_IYRxUQLWqXCjPEWFSEEQR7QIQ5-so_QOoIDD1y68awC1gtIaJgkbNi1JDCJYoNlJTLE/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ZBz4t_O3fvSdmCcU1zg5iGkU8f0Icn5IXojMDZebE-TZJ19WZWlwVswDDBnef_8MHwq4la_IYRxUQLWqXCjPEWFSEEQR7QIQ5-so_QOoIDD1y68awC1gtIaJgkbNi1JDCJYoNlJTLE/s200/IMG_1121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650981846102401586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W52PHNmFxo8stkQ1a1UFHyskmXA8kWgGNsel0Hl6yimUrcVFtP824R1thUhqs89Dm237tKtCEcdG9A4c6EWcmPgJSAuO7QAz17d4qvla8uG4KPiZyQG5kEy_wmmYF8YLI3uPEw8Ktns/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W52PHNmFxo8stkQ1a1UFHyskmXA8kWgGNsel0Hl6yimUrcVFtP824R1thUhqs89Dm237tKtCEcdG9A4c6EWcmPgJSAuO7QAz17d4qvla8uG4KPiZyQG5kEy_wmmYF8YLI3uPEw8Ktns/s200/IMG_1103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650981188225804946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzoI9jcFkQALA3bcR21jNXn6v0k5LUvsOIOwv2PcHumuFlmzPouE4sPUgzGl2rEdhv07DJhlpKTGJsEta4sz-lRSShuBOofHW8gXvL1t585OaKa_heSz6bgNiSLUJUngXox_qlLBibDQ/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzoI9jcFkQALA3bcR21jNXn6v0k5LUvsOIOwv2PcHumuFlmzPouE4sPUgzGl2rEdhv07DJhlpKTGJsEta4sz-lRSShuBOofHW8gXvL1t585OaKa_heSz6bgNiSLUJUngXox_qlLBibDQ/s200/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650978992450591586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfm1xUrDg6lO9adS65eOqgUtR8mUsn7Us30l_torsurzMHsBHqWBj_IFA6zP1k1AfT_yrKjvNFaI_7VSSz00_oqhf_rbs55RaU_zc5gHUOKBF4e70cqHtZ0NyQ6jdEIddr690J3_f_fE/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfm1xUrDg6lO9adS65eOqgUtR8mUsn7Us30l_torsurzMHsBHqWBj_IFA6zP1k1AfT_yrKjvNFaI_7VSSz00_oqhf_rbs55RaU_zc5gHUOKBF4e70cqHtZ0NyQ6jdEIddr690J3_f_fE/s200/IMG_1155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650978372800782962" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>361</o:Words> <o:characters>2063</o:Characters> <o:lines>17</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>2533</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1287</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Bob and I decided to take one last road trip this summer before the cold weather sets in. We missed the California mountains on our big journey since it was winter on our way south in January 2010 and also on way home in April 2011, so this is our chance to visit those sites.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Our first stop was Mt. Shasta in northern California. We have both visited this area in the past, but this was our first time here together. Shasta is a mystical, magical mountain and draws spiritual seekers from all over the globe. We heard many foreign languages on the trails and even saw a group of monks and nuns at the highest parking lot.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;">This was such a late spring/summer in the west that we hadn’t been able to do any hiking in Washington until a few weeks ago when we did get to Mt. St. Helens and also to Mt. Rainier. Now we are at another volcano in the long chain that runs down the west. It was fabulous to get out on the trail to South Gate Meadow, which is high up on Mt. Shasta at about 9,000 feet. From the trail we could see Mt. Lassen in the distance and the coast range. We also visited Panther Meadow a little lower on the mountain. We are trying to adjust to the altitude, the heat and the dryness – all new concepts for us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Right in the town of Mt. Shasta, is a city park where you will find water pouring out of the side of the hill. Locals come and fill their containers here with this precious clear water that has taken 50 years to filter through the mountain before gushing into a stream. This is the headwaters of the Sacramento river and we filled every empty container we had with this delicious water.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;">We also visited with Catherine who was on our dolphin trip this year. She owns a fantastic store in town called Soul Connections. If you find yourself in Mt. Shasta, don’t miss this amazing collection of books, gifts, musical instruments, clothes, etc. It’s right on the main street.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Bob and I also drove out to McCloud falls and hiked from the lower to the middle falls. It was lovely along the water and we enjoyed the respite from the high elevation of the mountain. Later that day we hiked at Castle Lake where Bob got to do a little swimming. This area reminded us very much of the Sierras.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">We spent three nights here in Shasta and found the energy of the mountain to be very grounding and calming. I actually felt sleepy a lot. I was also drawn to look for Sasquatch on every trail and twist and turn in the mountain roads, but no luck – this time.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-79684438966485289562011-08-21T22:44:00.000-07:002011-09-10T22:55:57.070-07:00Central Oregon & Washington<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8an34SneuGmEyDxsJMIUkNnPWbe0RYp5Sk2UMvESlI2Jyyu-FH6Ce7hP7iNMOp_kTa0XwpY8rQQYjmz6XgvSzxLEbmGaOjIwTToXk727-IWdTe7TmxtYz-aLGHXgujHUVtsAIPjMWYkk/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8an34SneuGmEyDxsJMIUkNnPWbe0RYp5Sk2UMvESlI2Jyyu-FH6Ce7hP7iNMOp_kTa0XwpY8rQQYjmz6XgvSzxLEbmGaOjIwTToXk727-IWdTe7TmxtYz-aLGHXgujHUVtsAIPjMWYkk/s200/IMG_0990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650976593763467026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRduhmhQvW7ZdB3Oqz4WdnaTrjtBm1jsL9kG6vr6RzRV-gEOa4ZlEbZuAeTaN9v6-rXdedWpGEacTcxwUPIBrKkvQIKI6VAcv4BlFjpSAO2BPGKEbCE-duN6WwRADvN7TLwRwSoY1kWJY/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRduhmhQvW7ZdB3Oqz4WdnaTrjtBm1jsL9kG6vr6RzRV-gEOa4ZlEbZuAeTaN9v6-rXdedWpGEacTcxwUPIBrKkvQIKI6VAcv4BlFjpSAO2BPGKEbCE-duN6WwRADvN7TLwRwSoY1kWJY/s200/IMG_0976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650976286778077138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKtvck3_E3vMu7P9mBpIwysNcstwR3oLNLHmk8G7UiNBwaA5W9ZtF2pOoPbf-xhbp6uUMHnYoIo8aubJJsTXFNRL25G9JkG8_Xb8ZRIZte37QIgIijBFsBbq2shuqWufkY8uVd2U56nY/s1600/IMG_1010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKtvck3_E3vMu7P9mBpIwysNcstwR3oLNLHmk8G7UiNBwaA5W9ZtF2pOoPbf-xhbp6uUMHnYoIo8aubJJsTXFNRL25G9JkG8_Xb8ZRIZte37QIgIijBFsBbq2shuqWufkY8uVd2U56nY/s200/IMG_1010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650975711777704770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP87xyRpwids2aA6dK9ECXzNrUNlAkQzZySfewW1heUNro2hAa0wa8_QTzBSY-HfzedP7DnGEMuTNkTBbZMUDx6BhOCgXP687dqHiAvuX41aVF10s6MKfc__FlpFZFHURNAIGj2IAPjY/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP87xyRpwids2aA6dK9ECXzNrUNlAkQzZySfewW1heUNro2hAa0wa8_QTzBSY-HfzedP7DnGEMuTNkTBbZMUDx6BhOCgXP687dqHiAvuX41aVF10s6MKfc__FlpFZFHURNAIGj2IAPjY/s200/IMG_1072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650975310154461538" /></a><br /> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>513</o:Words> <o:characters>2925</o:Characters> <o:lines>24</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>3592</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1287</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">We really didn’t get to explore or experience central Oregon or Washington on our epic journey, but we were able to hit some of the highlights this August.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Estacada, Oregon</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Mary’s brother Tom lives about an hour outside Portland in the cascade foothills near the small hamlet of Estacada. Tom and his wife Janice have a large spread with lots of animals and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">We had a nice visit with Tom and Janice, their great dogs, the horses, the pig, the turkeys, the peacocks, the emu, the chickens, the llamas, the zebu, and of course the cats. We just stayed one night and had a great breakfast of fresh eggs in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks, Tom and Janice!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Detroit Lake and Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Next stop was Detroit Lake State Park, a pretty large lake and a nice campground with full hook-up sites. We spent an afternoon at the lake and I got to add Detroit Lake to my list of swimming holes. But, the big attraction here is to go to Breitenbush Hot Springs. Our 5<sup>th</sup> wheel is a bit too big for the Breitenbush campground. Breitenbush is a Hot Springs Retreat Center run by residents of the adjoining intentional community. They host countless retreats and seminars throughout the year, but you can also just visit on your own, or even just for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Mary and I got a day pass and lunch. They serve three vegetarian meals per day and the food is great. The real draw is the hot springs. There are three stone pools set along a hillside path with the farthest one being the hottest and also a place of silence. At the bottom of the hill is a series of smaller round concrete hot tubs that also vary in temperature. In addition there is a cold dunk tub that can be quite exhilarating! The water is extremely clear and pure and has no sulfur odor. They also have a steam hut. All the hot springs facilities are clothing optional and most people (but not all) partake of the pools in the nude. The clientele ranges from young families to old geezers and everything in-between. It is a fun and interesting place.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Bend, Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of Jack and Nancy Smith (my aunt and uncle on Deb’s side). They have a very nice house on 13 beautifully manicured acres just north of Bend. We parked our 5<sup>th</sup> wheel there as a base for exploring Bend, and we got to spend some time with Jack and Nancy. We connected with Mary’s friends Candace and Ed and Harry and Anne. We hiked Todd Lake and Smith Rocks State Park, and toured the High Desert Museum and surrounding area. Bend really has grown (85,000 pop.) into a great little city. The setting on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains seems almost perfect. It has excellent access to lakes and mountain hiking and skiing but with the sun and warmth of the high desert. Neither Mary nor I had been to Bend for over fifteen years and both of us were very impressed. The area is definitely a must see if you love summer or winter.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Leavenworth and Cashmere, Washington <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My niece Laura (on Deb’s side) was getting married in Cashmere on August 21, 2011. Laura had asked me to officiate the ceremony, making this my second wedding service in two years. The occasion brought most all of the Hall side of the family together for the first time since Deb’s memorial service. We staged a surprise 60<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary celebration for Bill and Audry and we shared some fun times in the “Bavarian” town of Leavenworth Washington. The wedding ceremony went well, Laura was a beautiful bride, and the weather was very warm and sunny. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-16065851719552096992011-06-16T15:30:00.000-07:002011-06-16T15:38:24.564-07:00Road Trip Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DCpxoqLPAg-4A_zMBGkdBctFAp2KMF8X-Ln_MKNgcXl7ZGExrFaJ_5lj8ej11IfV-vesXn4Ixu27uE0ZArAntnIw9FsRYtJMwCyB8KQe2a5BknOYC4KzK5_hyphenhyphenugCJcCRwWWdWpgRN6k/s1600/IMG_9839.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DCpxoqLPAg-4A_zMBGkdBctFAp2KMF8X-Ln_MKNgcXl7ZGExrFaJ_5lj8ej11IfV-vesXn4Ixu27uE0ZArAntnIw9FsRYtJMwCyB8KQe2a5BknOYC4KzK5_hyphenhyphenugCJcCRwWWdWpgRN6k/s200/IMG_9839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618949908060334482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOrl-OFLV5PVO9TMp4OcvEP98w7rYuGURNUXKxC9y5bQi4fBRQcEly7QXAkR-VHyKUdvFgcUVD5jlSzqfm0FH5MkZFw5pv3ZD0PiSOD9tPPzdFWAuo-9gxHVha6G4lqIRKsSygW1o5Gc/s1600/Jan+2010+OrCal+004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOrl-OFLV5PVO9TMp4OcvEP98w7rYuGURNUXKxC9y5bQi4fBRQcEly7QXAkR-VHyKUdvFgcUVD5jlSzqfm0FH5MkZFw5pv3ZD0PiSOD9tPPzdFWAuo-9gxHVha6G4lqIRKsSygW1o5Gc/s200/Jan+2010+OrCal+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618949899024259490" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Mary and I left Olympia on January 2, 2010 and returned home on April 15, 2011. It was quite a trip. We covered 44 states and put almost 50,000 miles on the truck (we estimate about 25,000 on the 5<sup>th</sup> wheel).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are some observations:</p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The infrastructure stimulus money has vastly improved many thousands of miles of local, state and federal highways. We ran into road projects everywhere.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Northeast & New England roads are in the worst shape. The highways and surface streets were bumpy, rutted and full of potholes.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Asphalt is usually a smoother ride than concrete.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Turkey vultures and blue herons are everywhere (much to our surprise).</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Raccoons are the most prolific road kill in all areas of the country. We did see many species though including a bear and a cougar.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Florida has the most specialized license plates – about 100.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There is a lot of empty land everywhere!</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Bob likes wandering more than Mary.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There is a lot of potential in this country for wind energy.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Highest speed limit – 80 mph – west Texas I-10.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Canadian customs will take away your 22 rifle.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">US Customs will take away your grapefruit.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There are wild bears in Florida.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Cougar warning signs are in most wilderness areas throughout the country, but the only one we saw was dead on I-10 in the California desert.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Best Burger chain – Five Guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Bridgeport CA (Hwy 395) had the country’s highest priced fuel ($5.39 diesel in April 2011).</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Safeway is our favorite large grocery chain.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">All “City Limit” signs should include population <u>and</u> elevation.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">All deserts and most mountains used to be sea floors.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The desert really does feel like the ocean when you consider the wide open spaces and immensity of the landscape.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The large monolithic rock formations of the desert are like the whales of the ocean.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">It is less scary going up than coming down.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">A lot of trees seem to be having trouble and are dying.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The air, water bodies and landscapes are generally cleaner now than 30 years ago.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">American architecture is better now than 40 or 50 years ago.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Old towns are usually more interesting than new towns.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Some places haven’t changed in 40-50 years.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The recent economic strife is visually evident almost everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Waffle House is fun to say, but is <u>not</u> a good place to eat.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There are still ashtrays at <u>every</u> table in some Kentucky restaurants.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Retail workers in western states seem happier and have a better customer service attitude than most other places.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">It can be very difficult to nearly impossible to find a good latte in the vast majority of North America.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The quality of your RV park and space matters at least as much as where it is.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">No matter where you are, or what you have, there is always something better, and there is always something crappier.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There is no place in the USA that is dark enough to see all the stars.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">People are usually less scary than they look (they’d have to be).</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Outdoor tiki bars are a lot less fun when the temperature is below 50 degrees.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Sailing really is more interesting than motoring.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">With a decent guide book and the internet it is often quite easy to know more than the locals.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">We missed our hairdresser and chiropractors more than we could have imagined.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The more time you spend in one place, the less you remember what you did. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Almost everyplace has an “historic downtown”.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The eastern mountains may not be tall, but they are certainly steep and rocky!</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Boats and horses appear to be the most under utilized but well taken care of assets in America.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Monthly expenses to travel the country in an RV are about the same as living in a house in one place.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">RV parks range in price from $25-$125 per night, but average around $40.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">The size of our rig made it comfortable for us to live in it for over a year, but limited the places we could stay, especially in state or federal parks. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Many people told us it was their dream too, to travel the country for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Political campaign ads on TV are nasty in all states.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">There are very few places with good weather in the winter.</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>What’s Next?<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our trip made us realize that what we had missed spending the last 21-36 years in the Pacific Northwest was sunshine, hot weather and warm, clear water. We really appreciate Puget Sound, the forests, lush vegetation, and of course, our beautiful mountains.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our journey allowed us to discover the wonderful beauty and clarity in the desolation of the desert, and to savor the freedom and pleasure of leaving for the day and not having to make sure you have a coat nearby. We thoroughly enjoyed the day-after-day sensuality of feeling the sun and warm breezes, and realizing that it can be warm even after the sun goes down.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Upon arriving home we spruced up the house and it is now for sale: <a href="http://www.nwwf.com/search/detail.cfm?cou=Thurston&ln=233896">http://www.nwwf.com/search/detail.cfm?cou=Thurston&ln=233896</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are not absolutely sure where we will end up, but we are thinking Southwest Florida, somewhere between Clearwater and Ft Meyers, most likely the Sarasota area and maybe even Longboat Key. The specific attraction of Southwest Florida is the accessibility of the salt water and the boating and sailing possibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Florida also provides easy access to the Caribbean.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What Florida does not have is topography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are NO mountains (or hills) and the hiking is mostly limited to nature trails in parks and wildlife refuges (at least in southern Florida). Beachcombing will have to replace hiking, biking will also be a good option, and we will have to make it a priority to get on (and into) the ocean often.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The fifth wheel will still be in the picture to help us escape from Hurricanes or possibly the humid heat of late summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The road trip showed us that there are a thousand places in North America to explore warmly in summer, but there are only a few nice and warm winter escapes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We love Puget Sound, but we are ready for a new chapter, and we are confident that friends and family will visit often, and that we will be able to help them explore new areas of the country.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> The photos are Mary at a NW beach and Bob in SW Florida. Where do you want to be?</p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744764317497073525.post-26476719310824792572011-04-20T18:34:00.000-07:002011-04-20T18:40:42.635-07:00Home again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92yI3il0BM790YYStW3sJShJzYAxjJsmvhJ1i4cGUZne2SLRftqGK9OTv9f6FdXU3GPgKvTBZh9c_cY_0fGHMAmyhpnScX1Z-aWyVyzD2tN7wSHDbDcTZ0dyxO5sf8fr_tU6iZpDpqDw/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92yI3il0BM790YYStW3sJShJzYAxjJsmvhJ1i4cGUZne2SLRftqGK9OTv9f6FdXU3GPgKvTBZh9c_cY_0fGHMAmyhpnScX1Z-aWyVyzD2tN7wSHDbDcTZ0dyxO5sf8fr_tU6iZpDpqDw/s200/IMG_0464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597845641494506690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VzK7o69pCEpBWcJPMYvR_ihYtrw6ETAMGqlyGIzhJE3mX8Q9GPMoYU3VbwPXOLXNvWXbKgy8khUqHsYlV1bl6mqCNWe8XT6FjUVfbJDknwm0-eJjq4ezVXJTGeunEaVAo5GNqHy808M/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; 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margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV91Tl7JlnDqjf7hF8qUsnOKsKs0RixPYyHFuNRKHy7P_nngravG1fiGWB2_y5sA4TLTBLyyLaWp7km3CPNhMCIQn5XSMiQM9JPwOoHk89rypfd9jkb3yqkm2lpP_km9H6XXfnO7dpnNs/s200/IMG_0469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597845055884634706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK43jTVsY2uPmugK5iYAGsnv3vROma27vmVogNNF4CZFkTNQwGNf0seNElGUoxiCuOU3zUvh4pQsntDtBlQlqCLUtqjPlf4wxWJBmm6YRfru5Nlsws_KpNi8Q63CMaqjGIYwsJnRfm-3M/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK43jTVsY2uPmugK5iYAGsnv3vROma27vmVogNNF4CZFkTNQwGNf0seNElGUoxiCuOU3zUvh4pQsntDtBlQlqCLUtqjPlf4wxWJBmm6YRfru5Nlsws_KpNi8Q63CMaqjGIYwsJnRfm-3M/s200/IMG_0473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597844919061025362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhSb5w-xqIVgBdo37IzSvFDzMbkATmkUMBlGE0S0JeBB1Nj3PJt9_fK4WMkfM-3lMj1ERFDOIb9Xr1yuLkjVkqhkYkckXDlHD5cBKYgnFeOsa9KviDVbQpeWTTPbN2MEbIV4wtOqwCVU/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhSb5w-xqIVgBdo37IzSvFDzMbkATmkUMBlGE0S0JeBB1Nj3PJt9_fK4WMkfM-3lMj1ERFDOIb9Xr1yuLkjVkqhkYkckXDlHD5cBKYgnFeOsa9KviDVbQpeWTTPbN2MEbIV4wtOqwCVU/s200/IMG_0477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597844913811237554" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DF1wlAQ0fIzMjxJ6vxNYJbYKI-GrbtA0PZ1uoAHcgLIInTDCfhNbHDkSHydIxU7TvQaIOrFUMOYXWiEeXS6XY0MaaT-YlBDPSYTEnuyLQfIR-VBljayC7AHeW20vDSPiA4eHNnS9x9o/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DF1wlAQ0fIzMjxJ6vxNYJbYKI-GrbtA0PZ1uoAHcgLIInTDCfhNbHDkSHydIxU7TvQaIOrFUMOYXWiEeXS6XY0MaaT-YlBDPSYTEnuyLQfIR-VBljayC7AHeW20vDSPiA4eHNnS9x9o/s200/IMG_0475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597844723560745538" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The drive from Reno through the east side of the Sierras was wonderful. We found ourselves in Ponderosa Pine forests and broad meadows with gorgeous views of snowy peaks. Bob and I even got to see Mt. Lassen for a brief time. At higher elevations, the snow was still along the side of the road, but the road surface stayed clear and dry the whole way. Mt. Shasta was also out in all her glory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As we crossed over the Siskiyou Summit into Oregon, it started to rain. Ah, the Pacific Northwest – looking and feeling just as it did 16 months ago. Everything was green, cold and very soggy. We spent a night at an RV park along I-5 in Oakland, OR, and headed for home in the morning. It was cold and still raining with very low cloud cover when we left, so the mountains were all hidden from us. No glimpses of Hood, St. Helens or Rainier. Boo Hoo. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we arrived home, we found that our house sitter had been able to move out and there were clean sheets on the bed, so we didn’t have to stay out in Harriet as we had expected. It was chilly in the house, but so good to see Franny and Lester, my cats. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Poor Lester is in kidney failure and down to 7 pounds from his previous 16. We are glad to be here and spend some time with him before he goes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Right now we are busy doing yard work, cleaning up the house and trying to settle back into the old homestead. There is so much to do! And the weather is so cold! It’s like February here instead of April.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We’ll sit down and do a recap blog in the next few weeks. Many blessings to you and we hope that you are having a wonderful spring.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Mary and Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765207915714893019noreply@blogger.com0