Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 106

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 106

Mid-West

5/28-29/09 – Billings, Montana - Lake Elmo, Family Dinner, Jam Session

On Thursday, we go fishing with Don and Carolyn at Lake Elmo.  This lake is located near some suburbs of the ‘upper rimrock’ portion of Billings, but feels like you are way far away from everything.  One of Montana’s Fish and Wildlife offices is located right next to the lake, making it easy to obtain fishing licenses and other tourist information.  The office also had an awesome display of stuffed animals of all kinds. Well worth the trip. I have to own up to catching two goodly sized fish  – but not hummers.  While there, we also talked to a couple of women who came to fish off of the fishing dock we were on.  They insisted that we go see Georgetown Lake.  They claimed that it is more spectacular than Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park or the Black Hills (hard for us to swallow that one). 

Montana Fish And Wildlife Art

On Friday, we have dinner with all our Billings.  We ate at the Montana Rib and Chop Restaurant, because I saw it from the road the first day and it reminded me of the Texas Restaurant that was so good.  It was fun to be able to share a meal and talk and play (real good restaurant to play in).  We plan to return when things are a little calmer and take Kim and David up on their offers of golfing and fishing adventures.  Both activities we love. 

Carolyn And Lake Elmo

After dinner, we went to Hardee’s to listen to Carolyn play in a jam session.  This was fabulous.  I have to learn some new “big” and “emotion-filled” words.  Every time we hear and watch Carolyn play, we are amazed and so entertained.  The others that drop by there were great and one pesky looking older gentleman, not a regular, sang a song in a voice that was dumbfounding. Several of the jammers were multi-instrument talented and we were honored to listen to them.  

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 105

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 105

Mid-West 

5/26-27/09 Billings, Montana – Golfing, Riverfront Park,

Little Big Horn Battle Site, Pictograph Cave State Park 

Don and Carolyn took us golfing at a par three golf course located right in Billings.  The course was very unique due to all of the luxuriant green grass that was part of the fairway.  I had gotten used to scrubby, tough, short – if any – grass.  It was much different.  Don had an excellent game and I had one good hole.  Sam and Carolyn played well. We had a very good time.  Later, Sam and I went to Riverfront Park, where a small lake bulges off of the Yellowstone River in Billings.  The park was full of ducks and geese, including new hatchlings.  The walking paths and picnic tables were being well used and several people with kids were fishing. A nice park.

Just One Family

On Wednesday, Sam and I take off to the battle site of the Little Bighorn, where Custer met his end.  Sam and I are constantly being amazed that events that we thought happened ‘eons’ ago, actually occurred in his great grandfather’s day.  Not that long ago – and yet a technical age away.  We really enjoyed this historic area, including the fact that the park is no longer just Custer’s version, but both sides of the battle that occurred between Americans.  Markers are set out for all known battle sites and fatalities.  This is one of the sites where the American Indians, who were fighting for their way of life, won a battle. A self - tour (using information plaques and a numbered trail) allows you to follow the battles by purchasding and using a written guide. This allows you to ‘see’ the battle unfold over a large area of land.  We spend about 4 hours actually going through the park, not including drive time and lunch.  Lunch was at the Indian Trading Post café, and we had Indian fry bread tacos.  So-oh-so good.  We both recommend this and the price of the paper guide is well worth it. 

Custer And Soldier Markers

Native American Honor Art

On the way back to Billings, I talk Sam into visiting the Pictograph Cave State Park. As State Parks go, it is pretty small. Nevertheless, there are nice paths listed as a ‘light hike’ to the caves. Detailed signs make it enjoyable (and successful) in finding the various pictographs.  I have pictures, which helped as well.  One thing that Sam and I learned first in Arizona, then in Mexico, is that insects are used to make the color red. Both in the then and the now. The insects are also what makes the dye/paint very long lasting.  The whole point being the reason why the red parts of the old paintings, including cave paintings, are easiest to see. (Yuck!)

Pictograph In Red

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 104

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 104

 Mid-West

Monday - 5/25/09 – Billings, Montana  -  Red Lodge

Billings is laid out a little different.  It is a longish town, if you discount the upper region.  When coming in from the Crow Indian Reservation area (Big Horn/Hardin), the city is laid out to the left. Once you make the turn, the Yellowstone River and the lower mountains of the Bighorn Mountain range hem it in from the left and a rimrocky wall of cliffs from the right – on top of which is the ‘up’ part of Billings, including the Airport.  A walking/hiking path follows much of the upper rimrock area, but we did not get there. 

Rimrocky For Sure

We are staying with Don and Carolyn at their two-story townhouse. I am convinced that we could live in the ‘basement’ and it would not be a problem. At least for us. Especially with Carolyn and Don cooking.  Big, big grins on both our faces!  Don bought a software program to help convert his records to CD’s and he and I spend scadocious amounts of time trying to figure it out, while providing Sam and Carolyn with an opportunity to visit uninterrupted.  We also gave them something to laugh at.  I don’t know about Don, but I had a good time. We never figured it out. When we ran out of computer ideas, we went to the new Cabela’s that opened in Billings.  It is massive. Almost as large as the one in Stirling, Nebraska.  Not as many floors and not quite as many stuffies.  But lots by any other standard.

Nerds? Well At Least Not Computer

Don and Carolyn took us on a road tour to Red Lodge, Montana.  We drove next to the Yellowstone River and then  Rock Creek.  The area around Red Lodge was very active in coal mining in years past. Some mining still continues.  Near Red Lodge is the site of one of the largest mining disasters of Montana.  The area is very scenic, green grass, rolling hills.  The town of Red Lodge is very picturesque and has many quaint shops and restaurants.  We shopped and ate – enjoying both very much. 

Don, Carolyn, Sam In Red Lodge

We were invited out to Kim and David’s for dinner.  Probably things in Billings are not normal, but it sure seemed like the roads were bad. The construction-caused road closures multiply at the speed of light, and there is a conspiracy to make it next to impossible to get to Kim and David’s from anywhere.  We make it.  Their home is a two story fantabulous structure with room all over. A big, big garage and a separate workshop add to the size.  Sam was drooling – again. The furnishings are very generous and give the whole place warmth.  I really like the openings given to the sunshine, allowing lots of light to enter the home. We had a wonderful evening, visiting with everyone and watching Abby do Abby things. We had a seafood stew with lots of clams and crab.  You should have seen that Abby eat the seafood.  She is only six.  I am not entirely sure that it is legal for her to eat and enjoy massive amounts of seafood at her age.  Amazing.  Katie on the other hand is a reserved, 14 year old. She is doing way, way exceptional in school. She also excels at basketball and soccer.  She’s way too good looking and I am sure mom and dad will be learning how to check dates out sooner than they think. 

Abby Being... Well, ABBY! 

I took pictures of Abby.  Pictures of her hoola-hooping in the family room, pictures of her being a fashion model and in general ‘Abby’ pictures.  Owen would have loved following her around and joining in her play.  

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 103

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 103

Mid-West 

5/14/09 – Billings, Montana

5/15–5/24/09 - Flying home and back for Grandparent psyche fix

Today we visit with Cecil, then Carolyn comes to lead us to Kim and David’s (niece and nephew) where we can drop off our trailer so we can fly back to Portland. Sam, Cecil and I have dinner at Don and Carolyn’s.  Thank you so much.  They get us to the airport early in the morning.

Owen And Jaron Doing Yardwork

We are returning to Portland to “refresh” our Kid, grandkid, family and friend tanks. Not that I am getting homesick.  We also have doctor, dentist, hair and etc. appointments.  The flights are fun. One was in a prop plane.  Nic and Owen pick us up at the airport – way late in the evening, and poor Owen is conked out by the time our plane lands.  Thanks Nic for picking us up! On the way back we got to fly in circles way down by New Mexico, while a thunderstorm passes over Denver.  We celebrated Mother’s and Father’s Days, Tauna and Nic’s birthdays and Kid’s Day every day.

Four Generations - One Is Hiding

After we pick up all our rocks and stuff from Cecil in Aumsville (spending some time to visit with him and grand niece Jessica, we head to Salem.  Owen came with us to visit Great Grandma Maxine. We had brunch in Salem with Grace/Wayne, Cecil/Jessie, Virgil/Georgia, Mark/Lauri and two of their sons, Shawn and Scott/Tami, their kids and Tauna and Jaron.   After eating, Sam, Tauna, Owen, Jaron and I went to visit mom.  She is doing well and it was good to see her. We collect the drawings Mom makes for the kids to color. We had been able to spend the night at Tauna and Aaron’s to give them a short night out.  They went to the doctor the following day and returned to tell us that our next grandchild is a GRANDDAUGHTER – OOOOH!! Celebration that she is healthy! Me breaking both the dishwasher and the clothes washer and Sam having to get them fixed.  Weeding/gardening with Owen, going to the UFO Festival in McMinnville with Kirsten, Nic, Owen, Joanne, Steve and friends.  A dinner at Joe and Lea’s, a night out with them and another with Virgil and Georgia. Phone talk with Evonne. Church and lunch with Beth and time is over. Kirsten takes us back to the airport. Thanks Kirsten. Not having enough time or energy to see everyone we had hoped to see on this trip back to Portland. We fly back to resume our year long adventure. To all of you we missed – We miss you!

Sam, Jaron, Owen And Me

Don and Carolyn pick us up at the Billings Airport – we are very late.  Thanks!  I am not sure if United is the lateness problem or what. Me – I am ready for a vacation.

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 102

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 102

Mid-West

5/13/09 – Billings, Montana

On The Road Again

I did not cry – Just looked back a lot as we moved forward.  We do plan to return, not only to re-see what we have seen, but to see and do what we have not. We are on our way to Billings.  My brother, Cecil is going to meet us in his BIG rig and take some of our heavier items home for us (rocks).  So we pack up and head out.  The weather is chilly, but no moisture (OK, just a little in my left eye).  It is gray and overcast.  We take the scenic route in Wyoming toward Horton, in an attempt to get a glimpse of the Devil’s Tower.  We did not see anything on the horizon anywhere, due to it being soooo overcast.   We Pass the Big Horn Mountains on the left and enter Montana.  Sam is stuck on the Big Sky motto of Montana and can hardly keep his eyes on the road.  He just wants to know where it is.  The mountains become less high and more rimrocky the closer to Billings we get – going by freeway.  We pass the Little Big Horn area and want to return if we get a chance.

Not With the Trailer!

On we go to Billing and make it to the Billings RV Park, where Cecil is already waiting.  (He must have jet engines on that RV of his.)  We spend the evening having dinner, and repacking approximately 2000 pounds of rocks from our trailer and Brutus, into his towed pickup and RV.  Cecil also took some other bulky items back home for us.  THANKS, CECIL!!!!! We dreaded taking all that through Canada and Alaska.  Big sigh of relief.  I will not turn into Lucille Ball after all.

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 101

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 101

Mid-West

5/6/09-5/12/09 – Deadwood, South Dakota - Fishing, Wall Drug and The Badlands

Fishing: Sam and I went fishing – a lot.  We caught fish. Trout.  The lakes are beautiful and very worth the time just to look at and ponder the meaning of – oh let’s say the different amperage of electricity. We fish at Horse Thief Lake and Sylvan Lake. We enjoyed this immensely.

Sylvan Lake

Deadwood:  On a day that is a little cold and miserable, Sam and I go to Deadwood.  Way back when, we camped there with the kids on the side of a mountain.  A big lightening storm battered our little tent trailer.  Beautiful fireworks, but a little scary. This time we leave the trailer in Custer. Where are those kids? The town of Deadwood has changed. Much less family oriented and much more adult.  The old town area, that used to have family-based live theater and shops, is now a casino area.  Since it had started to snow as we were driving up here, and the roads had iced up, we decided to spend the night.  We ended up in a hotel that had been restored from the “olden” days.  It was actually very nice and a treat from the trailer.  We enjoyed this day-trip immensely.

Deadwood, South Dakota

Wall Drug and the Badlands:  When we were fishing one day at Horse Thief Lake, a fellow fisherman fan told us about Sheep Mountain in the Badlands.  He recommended that we go a little off the regular trail and see this area.  The road ends at a sheer drop off cliff – starting at the road and going down.  We had to see.  We went to Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota for the first time.  I am sure that you have met at least one person that has told you that you gotta stop here if you are ever in the area.  Well, now you will hear it again.  You gotta!  Especially if you have kids asking “Are we there yet?”  Just be sure you have enough money.  Food, art, cloths, toys, stuffed animals, rocks, pharmaceuticals, furniture, furnishings, ice water, free coffee/donut to all veterans, and Black Hills gold jewelry, just to mention a little.  Seeing the jewelry reminded us that we had gotten Tauna a black hills gold ring for her 13^th birthday when we were in South Dakota last time.  She did not make it home with it.  We decided to replace it the best we could. Memories can sometimes be expensive, but well worth it. We spent our allocation plus on souvenirs.  Then on to the Badlands. 

Jackalope In Wall Drug's Backyard

We decide to go past Wall and take the scenic road backwards, ending up at Wall again.  We turn right off of the main highway and see wonderful, flights of fancy-type rock and mountain formations.  Shades of red, lavender and brown mixed in angled formations, including sheer walled cliffs. Looking down crevices in the ground and not being able to see the crease.  Amazing sights.  Someone has created pathways - many which are handicap accessible – without taking away from the stark beauty.  One of the signs described the area as angry looking.  I think that if you want to give the area an emotion description – I would make it haughty and uncaring of what we think of it.  It is there, looking the way it does, because that is what it is. Beautiful!  We do not go back to Wall, we follow a trail to Sheep Mountain – you need to check that area out on your own.  We loved it.  

The Good And the Bad Lands?

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 100

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 100

Mid-West 

5/7/09-5/12/09 – Black Hills, South Dakota

Uh, Ask My Mom

Sam and I took many drives around the Black Hills National Forest, Needles Highway and all through the area.  Besides looking at the scenery (fabulous), we look for wildlife and rocks. We found plenty of both.

So Cute

Wildlife:  Back in Oregon, even around Imnaha, we would give the kids a quarter for each deer that they spotted.  If we would have made that deal here, we would have been broke the first day. Hundreds of deer. Everywhere you look – deer.  Sam says they are white tails and they must be very smart, because we see no fatalities on the roads.  Elk is spotted on almost every outing.  Healthy, healthy big elk.  Bison by the herds.  Bison with little (Ha!) buffalo calves and fighting teens.  Bull bison with heads so big, you wonder how they can hold them up – but they do.  So proud.  Antelope that are so big and beautiful, and everywhere. Wild donkeys and their spotted, cute colts.  Mountain goats. Mountain sheep. One pretty red fox.  Wild turkeys. Marmots. Prairie dogs and their towns. Birds, ducks, geese, osprey.  You could not go through this area without seeing wild animals, unless you had your eyes closed for hundreds of miles. I also want to mention the non-wild, long-horned, Texas long-horned cattle.  All colors – all with very long horns.  I would be having extreme nightmares if I ever had to milk any of these critters.

And A What?

Rocks:  When you hit the South Dakota border, you begin seeing “shiny” rocks, mountains, gravel, roads, whatever.  The mica and iron pyrite assures that you will think of this area as a ‘Wonderland’.  We got rocks!  We visited rock stores.  We load up with rocks.  We can hardly make it to the grocery store without stopping to look at rocks.  We are hooked on rocks.  Sam drives up behind Mount Rushmore-behind Keystone and finds an old dirt road to help us up the mountain.  After clearing the path of a downed tree, we come upon an old mine shaft.  We know better then to go in, but we look at the rocks all around it.  We come home with a few.  When we get back home, you will have to check out our front lawn and back rock garden.  Pretty!!!  Sam is hooked and going to get into lapidary and jewelry.  I plan to make out like a bandit!

Pages Of Mica, Rocks, Rocks, Rocks!

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 99

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 99

Mid-West

5/6/09-5/12/09 – Custer, South Dakota - Mount Rushmore Monument, Crazy Horse Monument, Evan’s Plunge

Crazy Horse Monument: We were disappointed that more work had not been completed on Crazy Horse. It is still very impressive, but his horse remains in the imagination stage.

Crazy Horse

Mount Rushmore Monument:  Mount Rushmore was stupendous.  We both have been here twice before: once as kids and once with our kids.  This time, there were no crowds.  We were not trying to keep up with parents or trying to keep up with kids – so we had a first time experience with this ‘honoring’ mountain.  We drove into the park, not remembering how far from the main highway it was located.  As we pull into the parking lot, we see the President s gazing over our heads and a strategically placed American flag gives the sighting a patriotic feel.  I was awestruck again over this majestic, massive, piece of art-sculptured out of a rock mountain. We walked through the passage of state flags and viewed a part of the past from the amphitheater area. We were able, for the first time, to walk unimpeded on all the trails, studying all the information provided.  The only thing that was closed was the original artist’s workshop. Birds, squirrels and mountain goats keep drawing my eyes away from the many different views of the men above.  The trail makes it possible to face each man’s statue pretty square on, resulting in the feeling that they are looking directly back at you.

Very Patriotic Big Men

Evan’s Plunge: We backtrack one day to spend some time at Hot Springs, South Dakota, just to re-experience the mineral pool called Evan’s Plunge.  When we took the kids – it was crowded.  This time, Sam and I had the very, very, very large indoor pool (including the water slide) almost to ourselves.  A very nice experience.  The pool has smooth pebbles covering the bottom and the water is naturally replaced, completely, several times a day.  The water stays at 87 degrees even in winter and they post the mineral content.  Sam and I spent most of the morning swimming and floating.  Sam took the plunge several times.  We used the extreme hot spa area and left prior to the scheduled tour bus arrival.  Very nice. They have an outdoor pool that opens a little later in the summer.

Indoor Pool At Evan's Plunge

The weather runs from very nice and sunny – to below freezing, with snow – and everything in between. 

This Is Awesome!

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 98

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 98

Mid-West 

5/5/09 - Custer, South Dakota

We take all of our new rocks and our memories with us as we leave Alliance. We are driving up through the panhandle when Sam is struck by a ‘something he should have remembered before now thought’. It hurt. Sam left all his fancy Mexico dress shirts in an Alliance dry cleaner.  Luckily, a phone call and Marty said he would help out. Thanks again! We take a short detour through Hemingford, Marsland and Crawford to get to Chaldron (area recommended by Marty for rocks).  We enjoy this area and would like to come back without the trailer attached.  It circles the Nebraska National Forest, which Sam was just barely able to pass by.  Then we enter South Dakota.

Flags Up

Sam has made declarations that the Yucatan Peninsula was the most beautiful area, then Sedona, then the area between Durango and Cripple Creek.  I have always thought that South Dakota is one of those special places.  Sam now declares that this area is indeed the most beautiful – for a lot of ‘beautiful’ reasons.

Roamin' The Rim

We go through Oelrichs, Hot Springs and into Custer.  Turn right into the main town area, then left at the sign to Mount Rushmore.  At the top of the hill, we turn into the Custer Crazy Horse Campground. This is the same campground that we stayed at several years ago, when our kids were wee ones. It is much older and more shabby – no comments please.  We were able to locate the tree-filled, steep, hillside space where we had once parked our tent trailer and memories gushed back. There is a rock formation at the base of the hill, nestled within the trees and our kids, along with all the others of the campground-played well into the dusk- all those years ago – just yesterday. The pool was open then, but not in use now.  We did look for the rocks we had to leave behind due to weight issues.  Not sure if we found the same ones, but we found some beauties. We spend seven full days here in South Dakota, and still did not do everything we had planned. The nostalgia that hits us almost everywhere we go was not expectd, but it was an integral part of our whole experience here.  Love you! Wish you were here with us!!! 

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 97

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 97

Mid-West

5/2/09 - 5/4/09  Alliance, Nebraska

I recently found out that my cousin, Saundra Michelle-age 37, had passed away unexpectedly a few short months ago.  Although I had never met her, her sister’s that I have met, along with her parents, Mary Louise and Floyd, are wonderful people, who will love her always.  Sam and I can only extend our sympathy to her immediate family members, including her parents, three sisters, brother, and her husband. I know she will always be missed.

Scotts Bluff

My mother is from Alliance, Nebraska.  Many of my relatives that remained in Nebraska are relatively “new” to me. My brother, Cecil (not to be confused with Uncle Cecil), took my mom and I to Nebraska several years ago.  My first trip was when I was a little kid.  I do not remember much from my first visit. Sam has not been to Nebraska at all.  Aunt Mary Louise arranged for other family members to meet with us.  She and Uncle Floyd met with us the first day, spending the day talking “family”, eating and taking us to the cemetery and to the locations where different family members lived ‘just eons ago’. Floyd also gave us a tour of the Alliance area in general. We spotted deer, alpaca and pheasants. Trains are a dominant feature of this area and they are a major employer.   We enjoyed this day very much and appreciated Aunt Mary Louise’s efforts on our behalf. We had dinner with them and cousins, Brenda and Marty, and their son, James.  Although we have spent very little time together, these people ‘feel’ like family – the ones that we enjoy being with. 

James, Lisa And Big Dog

The second day, we had dinner at Brenda and Marty’s.  Cousins Rhonda and Carl (with his wife, Susie and three sons – Austin, Andy and Calan) also were able to make it. Brenda and Marty’s son and my second cousin James and his fiancé Lisa, with their new HUGE at least a half-pound of dog (I got cute pictures of the dog in a pocket) also made it.  Brenda has made a kind of hobby of putting together family history, including my mother’s mother (grandfather’s first wife). I found out a lot of information I did not know, and hopefully I will remember. Although having a blended family, for whatever reason, can be difficult, there should always be a time when the only thing that matters is the ‘family’ part. Aunt Mary Louise and Uncle Floyd were there. Sam took Brenda and Marty’s yellow lab on a walk and I had to re-talk him out of getting another dog. I learned how to play dominos-with a train.  Aunt Doris now lives in Brush, with her daughter. We missed visiting with her.

Chimney Rock

On the third day, we went to Scott’s Bluff  - the land formation - with Brenda and Marty. The bluff is very distinctive and has nice walking paths in strategic locations.  It overlooks the entire area, including the Platte River.  It has a visitor’s center that we visited.  We then went to Chimney Rock, taking pictures and going through the visitor’s center there as well.  I really like the Platte River.  I think it is because it is the feature of Nebraska that I fixed on when a child, thinking about where my mother came from.  Marty and his brother bought a piece of land along the Platte to hunt fowl on.  They have built a duck blind and a cabin.  We walked the property and enjoyed the sound, sights and feel of the property, including ducks, geese and rocks.  Sam was just a scoonch envious. Marty is a rock hound – serious.  We could have spent a full day or two just looking at the various agates, rocks, fossils, petrified wood and arrow heads/scrappers, that he has collected. As we were leaving, he gave us some agates, a fabulous fossil find, petrified wood and some cut geodes.  We will cherish and take good care of them.  We thank everyone for taking the time to see us.  We appreciate all each of you did for us to make our visit in Alliance a great family and adventure experience.  THANKS!!   

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 96

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 96

Mid-West 

4/30/09 – Brush, Colorado

5/1/09 –  Alliance, Nebraska

Time to move on.  We get up and find that Kyle was home. We visit briefly with him before we left. Jacob was working hard at Vail, Colorado.  As we were getting ready to hitch the trailer up to Brutus, we again experienced a problem with it wanting to fall off the blocks before we could get it on the hitch. Arnie helped Sam with a pad to help retard slippage and away we went. (Sam was envious of Arnie’s garage and shop. I was envious of his organization skills.) At the main road, we turn left going though Kiowa and turning left again at Limon.  This way, we were able to miss Denver and Denver traffic in its entirety.  Grin!!

Antelope

On the way, we see real cowboys herding a real herd of cattle, with the help of some dogs. We also take scads of pictures of antelope, and watch as the land gets a little flatter. Windmills dot the farms and ranches.

Ooooo! Cowboys!

We enter Brush, Colorado in search of Uncle Cecil and Aunt Lavonne (my side of family).  We were able to locate Aunt Lavonne, but Uncle Cecil was out on the golf course.  We decided to track him down.  We ended up being given a golf cart to aide in our search.  We started at the fairway named in his honor (he had worked at the golf course for years after retiring.)  We finally found him.  I took lots of pictures as he finished up his game.  We had a great, but short, reunion and decided to spend the night. We also wanted to spend time with their son, Steve and his wife, Sue.  I had not met these cousins before.  Luckily, after we had set camp at the City Park, Steve was able to locate us at the Laundromat.  We had been taken captive by finicky machines.  Thanks, Steve for tracking us down. 

Me And Uncle Cecil

We met the next morning for breakfast and had a great visit.  This part of our trip may not have a lot of stupendous scenery, but spending time with people you love and want to know more about, is priceless.  The time passes way too quickly.  We plan to return in the next few years to spend more time here.  Brush has been experiencing hard economic times and many businesses that were here a few years ago are gone.  Hopefully, it will find a new economic base and have a comeback.

Sam And Car Henge

Sam and I leave the first truly free camping spot since we left home, and travel on towards Alliance, Nebraska.  Since Sam has not been to Nebraska before, he has missed out on visiting Cabela’s located in Sidney, Nebraska.  HUGE, huge store – a tourist attraction of it’s own. We stop, shop and drop a few dollars and get back on the road.  We make it to our destination in Alliance in the evening and call Aunt Mary Louise to let her know that we made it in. Before we call it a night, we drive down the road a little, so Sam could see Car Henge.  The story goes that a farmer and his kin were having a gathering, got a little snockered and ended up recreating Stone Henge, only with cars.  Car Henge is suppose to be correct in placement with its namesake and is now maintained as a tourist attraction. Sam was more interested in the old cars that were used, then in it’s “correctness of placement”. Some other items of interest have been added at the site.  If you are ever in Alliance –Ya gotta go!

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 95

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 95

Mid-West

4/29/09 – Elizabeth, Colorado

We hit the Shirk residence mid-week, making it hard for Leslie to spend time with us, but she did.  Thanks Leslie!  This morning we took a walk around the neighborhood with Arnie and his dog ‘Scruffy’.  The dog’s name is not Scruffy, but Sam called him that and we cannot remember his true name.  Sam cherishes the time he can spend with Arnie, one of the real-life figures that shared part of his childhood. We visited with Spencer (who is going to get married this summer in Oregon.) and did some shopping. When Leslie got off work, we went to dinner. Later we visited Castlewood Canyon State Park, where the Castlewood Dam burst in 1933.  The dam, built in1890, burst on 8/4/33, sending billions of gallons of water – up to an 11 feet high wall of water – all the way to Denver.  Due to a couple of phone operators hundreds of people were able to escape. Instead of many fatalities, only two deaths occurred. Remnants of the dam can be seen in this wonderful canyon park located in Colorado’s Black Forest. Cherry Creek continues to meander through the area. The hiking are striking. 

Arnie, 'Scruffy and Me

We had made a trip to visit Leslie and Arnie’s in 2006.  They took us to the Manitou dwellings and Red Rock Canyon, near Manitou Springs, Colorado.  They also took us to lunch at the famous, five star resort, The Broadmoor, in the center of Colorado Springs.  There is a lot of wonderful scenery, history and activities available in the Denver area. We enjoyed the family time we had with Leslie and Arnie on this visit.

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 94

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 94

Mid-West 

4/28/09 - Elizabeth, Colorado

We get up late.  Why? Because it is COLD! We finally start moving around and decide to go look for a place to have breakfast and do a little sightseeing.  Cripple Creek is another small, picture postcard, mountain town made up of very old, old buildings –including a jail.  Mining was the old economy builder, gambling the new economy sustainer.  Almost all of the buildings have been turned into casinos, with hotel, jewelry and a few other businesses scattered in.  Very rustic. We ate and played a little, then left for Elizabeth.

Cripple Creek

I Wanna Know The Story

Going back up and down the mountains was a lot easier in daylight without the extreme cold weather.  We even got a peek at Pike’s Peak.  The drive was very scenic.  We returned to Colorado Springs, turned left, then veered right to go to Franktown.  There we turned right and followed Brutilla’s directions to Cousin Arnie’s.  Arnie was waiting for us in his driveway.  He directed us to a landing place for the trailer.  He is looking good!  We visited and caught up on family news and continued the visit when Leslie got home from work (so sorry).  Psst!  Arnie is a good cook, I am just not sure of the safety of his car hobby.  Nuf said.  

Must Be Close

We traveled to Colorado to visit with Arnie, Leslie and family, once before and our mouths continue to drool over their home, furnishings and setting.  What a home!  It is a multi-story home with a full wrap around deck on the second story and a smaller deck off the master on the third.  The inside and deck is made of massive pine, vaulted ceilings, areas that call for talent in the interior decorating.  Luckily, Leslie has that talent.  She has done a fantastic job of making this structure a home, with a little help from Arnie and her boys.  It should be featured in magazines.

Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 93

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 93

Mid-West

4/27/09 – To Pueblo –Oops! Cripple Creek, Colorado

It was cold last night and the ground is wet.  We are having a hard time saying good-bye and stay ‘asleep’ until both Ray and Lori have left for work.  We came to visit relatives and we are leaving good friends who happen to be relatives.  I am going to miss Lori, Ray, Troy, Tracey, Harley and Alex very much. Lori – you keep in touch! 

Treasure Falls

As we start putting the trailer on Brutus, the trailer rebelled and started slipping, causing damage to the jacks that hold it stable.  I do not think that I stopped it from totally dropping off the blocks, but I did try.  Sam was able to get hooked up, with the help of some of Ray’s tools and off we went.  We drove out to the main road, turned left and passed through Bayfield where we wave at Troy, Tracey and the girls.  Thanks to all of you for a wonderful time! 

Brutilla

We head up Highway 160.  The scenery is so beautiful.  We start climbing.  The treeful, big mountains are sprinkled with snow patches. It is beginning to look like November instead of April. We stop at Treasure Falls to watch the water fall 105 feet into the rocks below. Ouzels live here and bob along the bottom of running streams, just like they do in the Siuslaw Mountain streams back home. Fun to watch. Almost frozen streams rush down the mountainsides anxious to meet up with other streams, until they are big enough to be given a name of their own.  Brutilla keeps clicking up the altimeter numbers until they are well over 10,000. I think she is trying to keep me busy while Sam is driving.  Full grown rocky mountains, covered with trees, spattered with snow and rocks too far away to pocket.  At one point, a river bursts out of the snow – right beside me, just to disappear a few feet and seconds later. So quick! So fantastic! So awesome! God is great! This is still part of the San Juan Mountains. Park Creek running into the Rio Grande Forest. Southfork (the town) at 8180 feet and beautiful blue sky. Through Alamosa, staying on this most scenic road until Walsenburg, where we turn left again.  On to Pueblo. When we reach there, we decide we have not had enough and need a little more adventure. 

Getting There

We include Brutilla in the discussion and decide to go UP again!  We pass the exit to Eden, around Colorado Springs and through Woodland Park.  Circling a cloud-hidden Pikes Peak, we turn left yet again onto a frosty, narrow road that leads up around the sides of mountains. I am not sure how Sam could drive Brutus, pulling the trailer over the black ice, with darkness falling, as I had my eyes closed.  When I asked Sam, he said he did not know either, as he had his eyes closed too.  We made it.  Found a RV park that was open and willing to give us tips on how to keep our water works from freezing overnight. Now this is adventure!! Yes it is!!