July 6, 2014

It Was Breathtaking!!!

We went to a Chuck Wagon Show on Saturday night. The food was marvelous. Beef, BBQ, baked beans, slaw, brownie dessert. We then enjoyed a wonderful music show by the Triple C Cowboys. They were great. The group was a lot like the family in Sound of Music. Dad, Mom, two sons, and a daughter. They played all kinds of instruments. Very talented. Look them up on Youtube. We then went to the rodeo. I was quickly reminded of the rodeo aroma. LOL Thank goodness we were not down wind during the show. It was a beautiful evening and it didn't get dark till around 9:40 PM!!

On Sunday, we went on a trolley tour of the town of Cody. The weather was cool and we learned a lot about Cody WY and of course a few anecdotal stories about Buffalo Bill. He designed the town himself. One interesting note was that wideness of the streets in this town. When he was working with his engineer/city planner, he insisted that the streets be very wide. He had found in most towns the streets were not wide enough to turn his wagons around in. He also had a really nice motel built that he named after his daughter, Irma. It’s still in operation today and it’s hard to get reservations. There is a really great museum here The Buffalo Bill Center of the West. We enjoyed our time there. You could spend two days seeing all the exhibits.

George had a surprise for us when we left Cody. We took a highway that wound its ways through the most magnificent mountains I have ever or will probably ever see. The highway  is The Beartooth Highway.”  It is an All-American Road, and referred to by Charles Kuralt as “the most beautiful drive in America.” It is the highest elevation paved highway in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The highest elevation is 10,927 feet. We stopped at several lookouts along the way, yes we stopped at the top, and I must say it took my breath away. I did not feel nervous as I sometimes do in high places but, I did hold on to the hand railings. LOL We stopped at one pull off at around 9,000 feet and had a picnic lunch in the car. The wind was blowing too hard to sit outside. We saw beautiful waterfalls, several lakes created by glacial runoff, and sides of mountains that were certainly scenes of avalanches.

George and I usually switch back and forth trading driving duties. This is one segment I told him that there was NO way I was going to drive. I will post a few pictures on FB but they in no way show the depth and wideness and beauty.

We arrived in North Yellowstone  around 7:00 PM. On the ride in, we saw many bison and mule deer. We found our cabin and unloaded.  Then we rode up to Basin Geyser to see the action. The smell sometimes left me holding my breath.  It is really strange to know you’re standing on a volcano. You’re certainly hoping it doesn’t decide to blow.

Oh on an emergency note...our plug for recharging our gadgets stopped working. Could not get either power converter tor work. After wracking our brains as to what was going on, I finally thought that maybe the fuse had burned out. We got the car manual out and looked up the fuse and position and low and behold that was the problem. Got a new fuse in Yellowstone and all were happy.

It was like a roller coaster!!

Saturday

July 5, 2014

We got an early start this morning. After a wonderful breakfast we first headed to gas station to fill up. On the top of the priority list was to clean the windshield. I believe we took out a good percentage of the bug population yesterday afternoon on our wild ride into Cody. On a happier note, the bikers who were here in Cody for a bike convention will have less to deal with. After filling the tank one more time, we headed out.

Today’s ride was absolutely breathtaking in so many ways. As the title tells you we went to high places and low places. We took the scenic Hwy 14 alt. It carried us through the usual scrubby wastelands that are only good for feeding livestock.  We were also treated to seeing mountain peaks that were still covered with snow and I made the comment that I would stand in snow barefooted. Little did I know that we would be going above the snow level. 

This road carried us through Bighorn National Park. We started out in the valley and ended up at an elevation of 10,162 feet. The valley was…..well there are truly no words to describe the beauty. At some points we were dwarfed by huge rock formations that had once been formed by volcanoes spewing out lava. Then years and years of erosion had carved them into spectacular shapes. In some places near the top were lush meadows with lupines, mountain buttercups and other flowers. We came upon a beautiful lake there too. (See facebook). We saw a sign for Medicine Wheel Park. It was a 1 1/2 mile ride up a dirt road even higher. Talked with the ranger there and it was another 1 1/2 mile hike so we didn’t go there. I do plan on googling it when I get home. We saw quite a few hikers heading out. One was wearing a multicolored crocheted poncho, walking with hiking sticks and she left a small bonsai tree on her car roof. Aww, that’s the beauty of America. We are a blend of so many.

We arrived in Cody about 2:00 and went to the Buffalo Bill Museum. What a treasure to enjoy. We spent about 2 hours there looking at the various exhibits. We may go back tomorrow and finish up. We are headed to a supper and Chuck Wagon Show and then to the rodeo.

It’s been a great day. I realized as we were traveling up on that high mountain, how insignificant I was but, I know that my God knows me and cares for me. That makes me feel really big in my heart.

Have a wonderful Saturday evening.

Monuments, Rattlesnake Story, and 80 MPH !!

July 4, 2014

 
Today has been a l o n g day. We drove over 550 miles. It was one of those days that George has plans for us to burn some miles and things to see.

Our first stop today was Chimney Rock and Courthouse Rock. We first heard of them when we played the game "Oregon Trail" on our old Apple II computer. We drove out to the viewing area and was amazed at the beauty and the size of these formations. You could see them miles before you arrived. I can imagine the pioneers excitement at seeing these on the horizon and realize they had reached a destination in their long trek. It was very hot and a stiff breeze blowing.

As we approached the welcome center we saw a DEAD rattlesnake in the road. That's the best kind. When we arrived there were signs in the parking lot and around sidewalks warning of rattlesnakes! Oh wonderful.

As we are going in, a lady is bringing out a push lawnmower to cut the grass. They have let the meadow grass and vegetation grow all around so the beauty can be enjoyed. I told George, there was no way I would be cutting any grass. She went along like she did it all the time. Once we were inside, I talked with her. She said she didn't usually use push mower but a riding one but didn't bring it. I told her she was a heroine in my eyes. She just laughed. When I her that we had seen a dead rattler in the road, she wasn't surprised. She did tell us that if you even run over a dead one and then have tire trouble you should not rub your hand around your tire. Snake venom can get into a cut or open sore. Sounds rather random so I guess this had happened to someone. I'll store that item of info but don't expect to need it.

George had ordered us OREGON TRAIL t-shirts to wear. His was a script from the game. You have to cross the river. Do you want to: 1. float across, 2. caulk and float, 3. take ferry, 4. wait for better conditions; mine said "You died of dysentery", Caroline "gonna kill some bears."  The cashier really liked them and insisted that we get our pics made before we left. I am now wondering where I can wear mine again. LOL

We then went to see Scott's Bluff which was several miles down the road. A beautiful escarpment. We first enjoyed a visit to the welcome center there and then we rode up to the top along a winding road. As we climbed in elevation, the beauty of the valley and surrounding area below was amazing. At the top, you could see 360 degrees of the valley floor below and it seemed you could see forever. I have often wondered what bird saw when flying. I got a glimpse today.

We went to visit the Wyoming Pioneer Museum but it was closed due to the holiday.

I helped with driving again today. I-25 is another pretty straight road. I knew we weren't in North Carolina anymore when I saw the speed limit....80 mph. I can say the Rawlins did not try to reach that speed. 75 was our limit. There were others that passed by us like we were dragging a sled of bricks. I told George if we multiplied what we were driving and added 30+ we could be NASCAR drivers.

The scenery was so changeable today. We left the land of corn and now we are seeing lots of soybeans and alfalfa. Of course the further west we came the land became more rocky and not conducive to planting. One could look to the right and see green pastures and look on the other side and see hills, gullies, and washouts. Scrubby vegetation, some cacti, and in some cases not much ground covering at all. One minute you seeing cliffs on one side and it's flat as a washboard on the other. Amazing and beautiful. We did see some pronghorn this afternoon. Some were grazing with cows. :) All is fair in love and war. Your grass is mine and mine is yours.

Arrived in Sheridan, WY around 8:00 PM. George and Caroline have gone to see fireworks. I opted out. On to Cody tomorrow.

HAPPY FOURTH TO ALL OF YOU

More Corn, Silos, and Grain Elevators

July 3, 2014

I will never eat another bowl of cereal without thinking of all the corn we have seen on this trip. We are almost tired of looking at it. Our roads through the countryside vs. interstate provided us with endless miles of cornfields. My hat is off to the farmers. They have much work to do, plowing, fertilizing, planting, harvesting, buying gas for farm equipment, keeping all that equipment running, selling his harvest and most of all being at the mercy of the elements of nature. I salute them!!

We got up early and left our hotel. Our first stop was the Pony Express Museum/Patee Hotel in downton St. Joseph, MO. The Patee House was a 140 room luxury hotel that served as the headquarters for the Pony Express. We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits. That of the Pony Express and interpretive exhibits of the way things were in the mid 1800’s. There was a dentist office (that was the replica of Walter Cronkite’s father and grandfather who were dentists), Pony Express Office, newspaper office, store, a home, a store, train station, barbershop, optical/ocular doctor’s office, photographer’s shop, and other sites of interest. Also on exhibit were antique fire trucks, old cars, a carousel, and other things donated. One point of interest was that Jesse James was killed one block away by a young boy to whom he had given a gun.

We then left St. Joseph and went to Atchinson, MO to see the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. It was a beautiful home that belonged to her grandparents perched on a cliff overlooking the Missouri River. The house was immaculately decorated. There was a lot of Earhart memorabilia but not that much telling about her great achievements. Mostly pictures, letters, etc. There were even school projects that students had made. I did my junior research paper on her in 1967. Guess I should have kept it and donated.

After going to McDonalds and paying $19.59 for 3 burger meals we headed out only to discover that we did not get our fries. It wasn’t worth going back for. I must say that was the most expensive hamburger/drink I ever had. Oh well, life goes on.

We then drove to outskirts of Beatrice, MO to the National Homesteaders Museum. It tells the history, stories, and hardships of the homesteaders who headed West to get their free land. They surely had it really hard. I would have never ever made it. They left behind most of the comforts of their homes and basically started over.

We are now in North Platte, Nebraska. Time for a good night’s sleep. 400 miles of riding tires one out. Hmmm. There’s fireworks going off outside. They’re celebrating the fourth a little early.

Note: The majority of our driving today consisted of keeping the wheels straight. I drove for over an hour and I don’t think I moved the steering wheel more than 10 degrees.

How cold is it? No Way!!

Wednesday
July 2, 2014

We all got a good night's sleep!  When we got up,  Caroline checked the weather and said it was 66 degrees. We did not believe her. We thought there was a malfunction with the weather app. Ummm No. It was 66 outside and a brisk wind. What a change from the night before. The bottom fell out of the thermometer.

We went into Hannibal and purchased our tickets at the Mark Twain museum. The first floor was dedicated to the times/plots of his books and his childhood. One floor was filled with Norman Rockwell prints that illustrated scenes from Mark Twain's books. There was also a huge pipe organ that Twain had constructed, called an orchestrelle. It was closed up. I sure would like to have played a few notes. We then toured the museum which held many displays that went along with the books of Mark Twain. It was very interesting and entertaining. We then walked through town and toured the boyhood home of Mark Twain, Laura Hawkins's home (she was the inspiration for Becky Thatcher), the home of Tom Blankenship (who was the inspiration for Huckleberry Finn.

Hannibal, MO is the birthplace of Molly Brown (her real name was Margaret and she was called Maggie or Mag as a child. The Molly was created by Hollywood)  of Titanic fame. We visited her home. It was built up on a hill. Very small and unassuming. Interpreter said this area was the Irish slums of Hannibal. Her life definitely changed in later life. She married J.J. Brown and became wealthy. They had a list of her possessions that she claimed insurance for after the boat disaster. Among the list, a $20,000 necklace, $200/300 dresses, ermine and mink wraps. Total claim was about $28,000. In that day and time WOW.

We also visited a lighthouse up on the hill overlooking Hannibal. It was erected in honor of Mark Twain. He has no navigational importance. From there, we got a spectacular view of the Mississippi River. It is flooding some. There was a park on the other shore that was flooded, lots of debris floating down the river too. The town of Hannibal has put out flood gates in anticipation of flooding. Hannibal has an incredible July 4th celebration, Tom and Becky look alike contest, horseshoe contests, mud volleyball (sounds like fun), a carnival, guest bands, etc. The town is all spruced up.

We then went to  Mark Twain Cave to hear a Mark Twain impersonator. LOL He was very good but, George and I was so sleepy after eating lunch we both about fell out.  There was another group of people there and I think some of them needed their nap too. Oh well.

We then drove out of Hannibal and headed towards St. Joseph. We saw many more cornfields, soybeans, and some cattle. Arrived at St. Joseph around 6:00 PM.

The motel has a really nice water park. Brrr it's too cold to go down a waterslide for me.
Think I'll read.

July 1, 2014
Tuesday

HAPPY CANADA DAY!  (Even though we are in USA)

We rested pretty well during the night and got up and packed our things back into the van. After breakfast we headed to St. Louis, MO. We drove up The River Road. It is a beautiful drive as it follows along the Mississippi River.

There were miles and miles of cornfields and soybeans. The corn is planted so thickly you can barely see the rows. George said we were in the corn belt and I believe him. The fields go for miles and miles as far as you can see. It made me appreciate farmers even more. They work hard for their money. Whew!

We decided that SURVIVOR should drop a few contestants in a cornfield to see if they could navigate their way out. They would find me at harvest time, a dried up, bleached skeleton.

As we neared St. Louis we got a glimpse of that beautiful Mississippi River. She is running full right now with all the rain and spring run off. We saw several areas today where there was some flooding. Parks, parking lots along the river are underwater. Newspapers say that she is still rising. Due to this area being in a flood plain, there are huge levees and berms built up around farms and homes to protect them from possible
flooding.

Today we also got to visit Chester, MO the home of another famous character, Popeye the Sailor Man,  We saw several really nice statues of characters from the show. Chester takes pride in her native son.

As we entered St. Louis, we had the maps and atlas ready to take us to the St. Louis Arch. Needless to say, our plan went awry when we found that our exit was closed due to construction. Not good. Here we go down a highway with no idea what to do. Finally, after much cussing, discussing, and Caroline's expertise with her phone GPS we got to the parking deck....hmmm we did go the wrong way on a one way street. We were probably called stupid tourists. LOL

I have a fear of heights. OK, I've said it. I have dreaded this day but have kept it to myself. I psyched myself up about going up the Arch. I said, no one has died, it's not going to fall down, etc". As we entered I see children everywhere all excited about going up. We go through security, get our boarding passes, and get in line. Soon it is time for us to get in our little pod/tram to go to top. I compare it to 5 people getting into an over sized washing machine. We had two new friends from Denmark after the ride. Up we went. It was like riding an elevator/roller coaster. I felt safe the whole way. I had told myself that if I got to the top and was too terrified I would just ride back down. Guess what? I loved it. Absolutely breathtaking. There were small rectangular windows to peer out. All went well and I survived. OK, confession time, I prayed that God would get me through it. He did take my fear away.

Downtown St. Louis
from Arch

Tugboat on Mississippi River

We traveled on to Hannibal. Beautiful drive continuing down the River Road. Topography changed back and forth, flat land and then hills with winding roads and of course glimpses of that beautiful river.

Monday
June 30, 2014

Well the day is here. We have the van loaded down!! I do think we will be looking like the Beverly Hillbillies when we hit Oregon. Maybe the only thing missing at the present time is the rocking chair. After riding across USA with George and Caroline, I may be delegated to ride on the top coming home.

All has gone well so far. We pulled out of Reidsville at 7:30 AM. Early for us. We headed to VA, then across to TN, KY, IL, and MO. We of course stopped at all the welcome signs and made our picture. Some states need to do a little cleaning around their signs....NC and IL.

We stopped between Knoxville and Nashville for a picnic lunch. Nice rest area. There was a cool sign across the street that was a huge guitar advertising a music store. It was the biggest guitar I've ever seen

Traveling was good. Our weather was too. It did rain on us for a while but no storms.

We passed through Metropolis, IL which is the home of Superman. We visited the Superman statue and went to the Superman souvenir store but,  it was closed. :(

We traveled on Cape Gireardeau, MO. The ride was beautiful rolling countryside. George picked this route because it was off the beaten path and it was fun. We arrived around 9:30 PM CST. We were totally pooped! We went to eat at Steak and Shake and I was almost too tired to chew my food. We returned to our room and then went to bed. Rested as well as you can in a strange bed.

Adventures are coming tomorrow.

NOTE: I will not be posting pics on this blog. I need Picasa and I don't have time or the sense to do that right now. I will put some on Facebook.