TnT (Terry & Teri) Travels

Fairfield Lake State Park

2012-01-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

We went for a walk

Road Trip to Fairfield Lake State Park

2012-01-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

Today we had a short drive to Fairfield Lake State Park. Fairfield Lake is the cooling water for a coal fired power plant. This is a nice Texas State Park.

Road Trip

Our Camp Site.

The Depot Museum in Henderson, Texas

2012-01-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

This afternoon we drove to Henderson, Texas to see the Depot Museum. We got an education on short line railway, Cotton Gins and Carousels.

Our Campground

Shelby has a street named after her.

Jim Reeves Memorial

2012-01-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

After we went to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame we went a few miles east of Carthage to the Jim Reeves Memorial

Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

2012-01-13T17:58:00.000-08:00

This morning we are in Carthage, Texas and we find at the local Chamber of Commerce that Carthage is home to the Tex Ritter Museum / Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Chamber of Commerce is in a local mansion.

Tex Ritter

Some photos of the museum.

Jim Reeves radio station recreation.

Hand written copy of Willie Nelson’s Hit song “ Hello Walls”.

They also had displays of Rex Ritter’s son, John Ritter.

Road Trip to Texas

2012-01-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

Today we are going to Carthage, Texas. We crossed for Arkansas to Texas on Interstate 30 at Texarkana. Teri loves the name.

We had an uneventful great drive.

Last dig in the Crater of Diamonds

2012-01-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

Today is the last dig in the Crater of Diamonds. After a rain the diamonds should be easy to spot by looking on the ground and looking for something that appears wet or shinny when the other rocks do not.

No that is quartz. Teri and I picked up lots of rocks, mainly jasper and quartz. But we went home with zero diamonds.

We looked at the weather for the next 7 days and Oklahoma and the panhandle of Texas are going to be cool and windy so, tomorrow, we are heading south on US highway 59 to Carthage, Texas.

Thundershowers

2012-01-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

Today is a bust for diamond hunting. So we got the vacuum cleaner out, the Imhoff care package mailed and by 3 pm the weather cleared up a bit to we took a the Little Missouri walking trail.

Diamond Hunting

2012-01-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

It rained over the night so we went surface hunting for diamonds in the diamond field.

Teri is on the left is the field.

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas

2012-01-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

Arkansas The Natural State is blessed with an abundance of geological wonders. Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, stands out as a unique geological "gem" for you to explore and enjoy.

Here you can experience a one-of-a-kind adventure hunting for real diamonds. You'll search over a 37 1/2-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater that 100 million years ago brought to the surface the diamonds and some of the semi-precious stones lucky visitors find here today.

Today we arrived at the park.

Found a campsite.

Then went Diamond hunting.

Road Tour of the area around Hot Springs Arkansas

2012-01-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

We started the day off by touring around the rest of Hot Springs National Park.

Then we went to Lake Ouachita State Park for lunch, This is a huge man made lake around Hot Springs. This is also the home of ‘Three Springs Mineral Waters’.

“Surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, Lake Ouachita is known for its scenic natural beauty and the clarity of its waters. These pristine waters form the largest manmade lake within Arkansas's borders. Named one of the cleanest lakes in America, 40,000-acre Lake Ouachita is a water sports mecca for swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, and fishing. Angling for bream, crappie, catfish, stripers, and largemouth bass can be enjoyed in open waters or quiet coves along the lake's 975 miles of shoreline.

Located just a short drive from the spa city of Hot Springs on the lake's eastern shore, Lake Ouachita State Park is your gateway to this popular water sports lake”

The 3 Sisters Springs property changed hands in 1883 and was sold once again in 1904 to Robert Mooney. Throughout this time the springs were just open pools of water. In 1907, when Mooney sold out to W.M. Cecil and partners they began developing McFadden’s Three Sisters Springs Resort.

Cecil became the sole owner after buying out his partners In the mid-1930s. He made the area into a resort with cottages and a spring house and opened a bottling company, claiming each spring could cure a different set of diseases. He named his bottled product World’s Wonder Waters. The water was distributed throughout the United States. The cost of the water in 1927 was $.10 per bottle.

After the site underwent another ownership change in 1939, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acquired it in 1951 in conjunction with its Lake Ouachita construction project.

See http://www.lakeouachita.org/3-sisters-springs-lake-ouachita.htm for all the ailments the spring was claimed to cure.

Scenic Highway

We took the scenic drive up to Nimrod Lake Dam site on the Fourche Lafave River.

On the way back we found this fix-er-up-er.

Tomorrow we go to Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Day 1 in Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

2012-01-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

from Wikipeadia:

Established from Hot Springs Reservation, Hot Springs National Park is a United States National Park in central Arkansas adjacent to the city of Hot Springs. Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, and the area was made a national park on March 4, 1921. It is the smallest national park by area in the United States. Since Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federal reserve, it was the first to receive its own US quarter in April 2010 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters series.

The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range. In the park, the hot springs have not been preserved in their unaltered state as natural surface phenomena. They have instead been managed to conserve the production of uncontaminated hot water for public use. The mountains within the park are also managed within this conservation philosophy in order to preserve the hydrological system that feeds the springs.

People have used the hot spring water in therapeutic baths for more than two hundred years to treat rheumatism and other ailments. While it was a reservation, the area developed into a well-known resort nicknamed The American Spa that attracted not only the wealthy but indigent health seekers from around the world as well.

The park includes portions of downtown Hot Springs, making it one of the most easily visited national parks. There are numerous hiking trails and camping areas. Bathing in spring water is available in approved facilities at extra cost. The entire Bathhouse Row area is a National Historic Landmark District that contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America, including many outstanding examples of Gilded Age architecture. The row's Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the park's visitor center; the Buckstaff and Quapaw are currently the only facilities still operating as bathhouses. Other buildings of the row are currently in various states of interior restoration or are used in other capacities.

The park has become increasingly popular in recent years, and recorded over 1.5 million visitors in 2003, as well as nearly 2.5 million non-recreational visitors.

Open Hot Springs

Fordyce Bathhouse

from the National Parks web site:

Shell fountain in lobby.

The first floor introduces you to the beauty of the bathhouse. From the lobby's marble and stained glass transoms, to the marble partitions of the bath halls, to the stained glass ceiling in the Men's Bath Hall, you can see why the Fordyce Bathhouse was considered to be the best. This ceramic fountain is at one end of the Fordyce lobby. Spring water flowed from the spout at one time.

The Fordyce Bathhouse operated from 1915-1962, when it closed due to declining business. It remained vacant until reopening as the park visitor center in 1989. Now you can watch an orientation movie, shop the Eastern National store, and tour.

Electrotherapy was once part of the massage department offerings.

The Dressing Rooms and Men's Massage Rooms originally dominated the second floor. Now you can see modern exhibits in one of the former dressing rooms. You can watch a 9-minute movie that shows the traditional bath routine.

Fordyce Bathhouse Gymnasium

The third floor showcases the Music Room. Its patterned tile floor, stained glass ceiling and Knabe grand piano exude opulence. State Rooms speak of the luxury of relaxation, while the Gymnasium gives a glimpse of the forerunner of modern health clubs.

HISTORIC FORDYCE BATHHOUSE BROCHURE

Businessmen enjoying the two lanes at the Fordyce bowling alley.

The Fordyce was the only bathhouse to have a bowling alley. The Fordyce Spring was on display in the basement, too, while other areas were strictly for maintenance of the bathhouse. Today you can still see the Fordyce Spring, the original Otis elevator mechanism and use modern rest rooms.

The Stained Glass ceiling in the Men Bathhouse

the men's bath fountain.

Steam Chambers

Music room

Men’s parlor

we stopped for lunch then went to the Buckstaff Baths to experience the “bath”

I had a 2 hour bath which included a 20 minute bath then a soaping down by an attendant, then a 10 minute sitz bath, then 2 minutes in a steam room, then a 10 minute prone hot towel rest and finally a shower.

The shower was similar to this one.

Teri had something similar on the ladies side except she also had a massage.

We then went to the book store at the Lamar Bathhouse.

We then went for drive up the mountain behind bathhouse row and stopped at the outlook

Sunset over the mountains

Road Trip to Hot Springs National Park

2012-01-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

We stopped for lunch here.

We are camped at Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park

Off to the Hot Springs tomorrow

Cardinals, Titanic and Acrobats of China

2012-01-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

This morning we watched the Cardinals!

This afternoon I died in the Titanic

We were given a boarding pass with a name of someone on the Titanic. I was one of the musicians that died on the Titanic. Teri was a attendant for one of the first class passengers and she survived the sinking.

The museum was very well done and worth the 2 hours to get through the displays.

In the evening we went to see the acrobats of china. It was a great 2 hour show.

We saw everything that was available so tomorrow we are off to Arkansas.

Across from the Titanic is this:

Drive around Indian Point then a show “Tim Hadley as Hank Williams”

2012-01-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

We checked into ABC Campground in Branson Mo last night and things have changed drastically. There are only 1 or 2 paying customers, the office is closed and so are the washrooms. But, the internet works and the rates have dropped to 20 dollars per night,

We took a drive to Indian Point to see the lake. This is an extremely popular area. But the swimming beach is a concrete slab.

Also, the entertainment industry in Branson shuts down in January, February and starts up again in March. So we had very limited choices. We picked all the choices we could and went to a time share presentation to get them for 49 dollars. We spent the noon being shown a very nice timeshare with a high high pressure sales pitch. We declined.

Tonight we saw Hank Williams AKA Tim Hadley in a small 300 seat theater. This was a great show. We both enjoyed the excellent singing, band and history on Hank Williams.

Happy New Year on a Road Trip

2012-01-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

On December 28th we went on the road again to rejoin our motor home in Branson, Mo.

We found our motor home in excellent shape on Jan 1, 2012 after a slow but uneventful road trip.

Kansas City

Jerry’s took great care of the motor home.

Boxing Day at the Imhoffs for a ATV rides and Weiner Roast

2011-12-26T15:21:00.000-08:00

Every Boxing Day the Imhoffs have a fire in there back yard.

We host the Turkey Christmas Dinner

2011-12-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

The Imhoffs supplied the turkey and we hosted the dinner.

Christmas Eve at the Meyers House

2011-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

We hosted the Imhoffs and Thelma for Christmas Eve ham supper.

Shelby in the Nativity Scene Play at the Paradise Hill Catholic Church

2011-12-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

We went to the carol festival at the church and Selby was in the Nativity Play.

Shelby in the Paradise Hill School Christmas Concert

2011-12-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

Every year Paradise Hill School has a Christmas Play with all the kids from Kindergarten to Grade 6 in the play.

Grade 2s are elves.

Some photos:

After the play the kids in Grade 2 went to their classroom for a gift exchange. This is Shelby’s gift.

Visit to Mom in Calgary

2011-12-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

I went for a visit to my Mom and two of my sisters in Calgary.

My sister Heather and husband Jer.

My sister Jackie, Mom, Jackie’s son Reid and Me.

Supper Guests.

2011-12-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

David (Teri’s brother) and Pauline come for a visit and supper.

Shaylene at Maidstone Tournament

2011-12-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

Shaylene and the Paradise Hill School Basketball Team

Shaylene’s First Basketball Game

2011-12-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Shaylene is playing basketball this year. This is the first game of the season.

Grandma playing with Shelby before the game

Shelby by the school mascot.

Shaylene in full uniform at practice

Next Door High Efficiency Furnace Chimney

2011-12-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

Just the icicle formed by the chimney.

Shaylene Stars in a School Play.

2011-12-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

Paradise Hill School has there drama night. Shaylene stars in ‘Walls’ one of the three 1 act plays presented tonight.

Shaylene in full makeup.

Achievement Day and Tree Trimming

2011-11-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

Shaylene wins ‘Most Improved Player’ in Volleyball.

Grandma and Shelby trim the tree.

A Walk of the beach at our Lake Lot at Brightsands Lake.

2011-11-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

Teri and I went to our Lake lot on Brightsands Lake for a walk of the beach. It had been a bit warm and a snowman has almost given up standing.

Grandkids Making Cookies

2011-11-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Teri felt she recovered enough to have the Grandkids over for the weekend.

One of the things we did was make ginger bread cookies

Week ending on November 19th

2011-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

This week was spent with Doctor appointments, Arm brace fittings, day surgery and initial recovery.

We got home from Saskatoon on the evening of the 16th of Nov. and everything went well, in fact very well. I turned out it was not a rotator cuff repair but instead she had a rotator cuff decompression or a Acromioplasty. This was done arthroscopic and she will heal MUCH faster. She will NOT have to wear a sling for 6 weeks straight but just when the shoulder has pain.

Home at St.Walburg and Off to the Imhoff’s with the Goodie Box

2011-11-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

We made it to St.Walburg late on Saturday Night with one day to spare. Today we went to the Imhoff’s with their goodie box from the trip.

We had a great visit and supper. Thanks

Road Trip Day 3 North Dakota to St.Walburg

2011-11-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Today is the longest day we left the middle of North Dakota and went through Estevan to travel back home.

We found the land of SNOW in North Dakota onwards.

Road Trip Day Two Iowa to North Dakota

2011-11-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

More evidence of the flooding of the Missouri River. This is the railway tracks with the track bed washed out.

Burning off the stray in South Dakota

More evidence of flooding.

Road Trip Back to Saskatchewan

2011-11-10T07:56:00.000-08:00

Today we set off to return home. We put the motorhome in storage in Branson, MO this morning and are heading north. Teri got a phone call from her surgeon that there was a cancelation and she is slated for day surgery on her arm on Nov. 16th, 2011 in Saskatoon.

As we entered Iowa we say the devastation for earlier flooding of the Missouri River. The fields in the flood plain valley had not seen a crop this year.

This Photo is taken on interstate 29 going north at the Iowa border. Notice the river silt still on the highway. There are gas stations and hotels along this stretch that still have not reopened.

Tom Mullica–A Tribute to Red Skelton

2011-11-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

We went to one extra show that was not on the agenda and it was Tom Mullica’s Red Skelton. Teri laughed so hard that Tom gave Teri a signed poster for “my #1 Laugher”. Teri was sitting in the front row and she thoroughly and loudly enjoyed the show.

Casandra the Voice of an Angel

2011-11-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is our Agenda

This is the Crew

Casandra the a 18 piece band

The comic songs

Duets

This also was a great show, not as impressive as SIX but a great show.

RVFEST Christmas in Branson

2011-11-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

The tour we are on is called ‘RV Fest Christmas in Branson’ hosted by Les and Jean Potteiger. They did an excellent job of hosting a great small rally. Thanks again. Les and Jean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

from Les and Jeans Blog this is part of the recap.

“

The third RVFEST ‘fun’ rally is history! The owners of seven RVs rendezvoused 5 November 2011 at America’s Best Campground (ABC), Branson, Missouri for an action-packed, seven-day rally. Attendees represented California (Beverly Hiltachk and Paulette “Casper” Nordahl), Florida (John and Audrey Murphy, and Bill and Martha Potteiger), Michigan (Joseph and Betty Medsker), Missouri (Larry and Judie Stocker), Virginia (Les and Jean Potteiger) and Saskatchewan, Canada (Terry and Teri Meyers) making this an International rally. Jean and I thank all for attending and supportingRVFEST Christmas in Branson.

Our scrumptious Welcome Dinner Saturday evening was served in the balcony of the Hughes Brothers Theater after which we were entertained by the unbelievable SIX, an a cappella group that sounds as if it is accompanied by a full orchestra, but there are no instruments - all musical sounds come from the SIX brothers! There are four more brothers that work behind the scene. They concluded the show with Silent Night accompanied by their Father playing his own arrangement on the piano. Their performance was outstanding to say the least. Their six Chevrolet Camaros are lined up by the street in front of the theater! Our rally was ‘off and running’!

Sunday on the agenda was the beautiful Casandre’ The Voice of an Angel in the afternoon followed by Hollywood’s Christmas Spectacular that evening. The vivacious Casandre’ is backed by a 10-piece live orchestra. She beautifully sang a variety of songs and entertained us with comedy as Aunt Erma! The Spectacularsingers/dancers entertained us with Christmas songs from the movies. We had great theater seats for all shows except the Spectacular and this influenced our evaluation of this show.

Christmas with the Lennon Sisters in the Andy WilliamsTheater Monday afternoon was a hit that featured sisters Janet, Kathy and Mimi, and at times, three of Janet’s granddaughters singing many Christmas songs. It appears that the musical Lennon family will continue to entertain America for many more years! We attended the spectacular Twelve Irish Tenors show that evening. We thoroughly enjoyed them. After the show, we met all twelve young ‘hunks’ in the lobby.

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show Tuesday afternoon was a Christmas spectacular featuring a North-South competition with trick horseback riders and a comedian as well as a spectacular Nativity scene with live animals and angels flying above with a video narration by Dolly Parton.

Wednesday morning was spent with Buck Trent who greeted us in the lobby before the show. The former Hee Haw star provides a wonderful show with talented entertainers. It is a pleasure to listen to vocalist Kenny Parrot as well as Buck and his entire band. That evening we were entertained by the one and only Oak Ridge Boys singing many of their hits as well as many Christmas songs. It was a ‘Country Day’ that pleased all!

Our Saskatchewan guests departed Thursday morning to return to Canada, by car, leaving their RV in Branson for a winter trip to Arizona. Teri had been waiting two years for a rotor cuff operation and when a last minute cancellation came up, she jumped at the opportunity to have her shoulder repaired.”

The blog goes on about the stuff we missed, but still we really enjoyed the part we where able to attend!!!

Saturday Night the 5th and SIX

The opening of the RVFEST was the group SIX. They were great!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE3ia5ug5qE&feature=player_embedded

This is off of their website.

ABC Campground in Branson, Mo

2011-11-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

We are staying in Branson at the ABC Campground. This is a great campground just out of town on a quiet road but very close to Branson. The fall colours are still present.

Teri just loved this sign as you exit the campground.

Fall Colours in the Ozarks near Banson

2011-11-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Old Downtown Branson, Mo

2011-11-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

This evening we toured the old downtown in Branson.

Teri just loved Dicks 5 &10. It reminded her of a old store in Meadow Lake, Sk. where she grew up. We found lots of stuff we could not do without!!!!

Road trip to Branson Missouri

2011-11-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today we drove to Branson. We got the road sign for Kansas as well as Missiuri.

Hutchinson, Kansas

2011-11-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hutchinson is a city of 40,000 about 40 miles from Wichita. We stayed at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Kansas Underground Salt Museum

The Museum

Tram Ride in the Great Hall

It’s a 70-second trip to the Kansas Underground Salt Museum 650 feet (200 m) below the Kansas prairie. Visitors ride in a double-deck elevator that holds fifteen people on each level.^[17] Because of the large size of mining equipment and the limited size of the elevator shaft, most of it had to be disassembled to go underground. Then, of course, had to be put back in working order. Reversing that process to take out obsolete equipment would be inefficient considering there is plenty of space in the mine to just abandon it. So there have been many more downs than ups involving mining machinery and vehicles. And over the years, numerous no-longer-used items have accumulated throughout the mine, creating sort of an ever-expanding time capsule.

Therefore it also created an invaluable resource for Salt Museum curators. They scoured the 67 miles (108 km) of mined caverns at the Hutchinson Salt company. The artifacts they were able to collect have significantly contributed to the scope of the museum displays.

The weather in Kansas may be erratic and unpredictable, but conditions underground are very predictable and constant. The mine naturally maintains a temperature of 68 degrees with a relative humidity of around 45%.^[18] The mine chambers are very large, ranging in size from 2,500 to 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) with ceiling heights ranging from 11 to 17 feet (5.2 m). Since 1954, anyone going into the mine has been required to wear a hard hat and rescue breather.^[19] In the history of Hutchinson’s salt mine, no visitor or mine employee has ever needed to use the breather. The Mine Safety and Health Administration, which regularly inspects all aspects of the operation, considers the Hutchinson mine one of the safest in the world.

The material used for much of the museum flooring is very similar to concrete; but instead of sand, salt is used with the cement and water. Thus, it is known as Saltcrete. With the ready availability of the salt, it is definitely practical and cost effective for the museum. Saltcrete does leach – emitting a fine dust of salt – until it is cured, which takes approximately one year. It has limited applications because water makes Saltcrete blister and disintegrate.

Underground Vaults & Storage Gallery

Superman and Jack Frost costumes in the UV&S Exhibit

While the 26-acre facility is a secured site in another area of the Hutchinson Salt Company mine not open to the public, Underground Vaults & Storage (UV&S) has replicated the look and set-up of its operation for the Kansas underground Salt Museum. The company is internationally known for its highly protective, secured storage capabilities, including being home to the original film of many movies, like Gone with the Wind and Ben Hur, as well as television show masters. UV&S also stores medical records, oil and gas charts, and a host of other valuable documents and other materials from all 50 states and many foreign countries.^[23]

Businesses prefer this storage because of the constant temperature and relative humidity, the high security level created by “shaft only” access, and the mine’s safeguard from natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes or earthquakes. Underground Vaults and Storage and the Kansas Underground Salt Museum have been loaned several artifacts and actual costumes from popular movies. The temporary exhibit includes such notable memorabilia as Batman and Mr. Freeze costumes from Batman & Robin, James Dean’s shirt from Giant, the Snowman from Jack Frost, and Agent Smith’s costume from The Matrix.

This is an old IBM system 38 Computer stored down in the salt mine.

The storage capacity 64MB, 1979 Cost $91,780, in 2007 dollars $274,000

IPOD Nano storage is 8,000MB and the cost in 2007 $230.00.

UV&S used this System 38 until the early 1980s. By comparison the iPod has 63 times more storage capacity, runs 72 times faster and is available for about $230.

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is a museum and educational facility in Hutchinson, Kansas that is best known for the display and restoration of spaceflight artifacts and educational camps. It is one of only three museums to display flown spacecraft from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.

Facilities

The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center grew from a planetarium established on the Kansas State Fairgrounds in 1962. The 105,000-square-foot (9,800 m²) facility now houses the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow, and the second largest collection of space artifacts in the world, second only to the National Air and Space Museum.^[1]^[2]

The Cosmosphere has four venues: The Hall of Space Museum, The Justice Planetarium, The Carey IMAX Dome Theatre, and Dr. Goddard's Lab, which is a live science presentation. The Cosmosphere also hosts a series of camps for children as young as those going into second grade, up to a camp designed for grandparents to attend with their grandchildren.

The only Smithsonian affiliate museum in Kansas, the Cosmosphere was voted one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas in a 2008 national poll.^[3]

Collection

Included in the Cosmosphere's collection are an SR-71 Blackbird, the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft from Mercury 4 and the Odyssey command module from Apollo 13, as well as Redstone and Titan II launch vehicles used in the Mercury and Gemini programs. A prized item on display is a moon rock from Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the moon.

The Cosmosphere is the only museum in the world that has both an authentic restored V-1 flying bomb and an authentic restored V-2 missile. It is also the only museum outside of Russia that has an authentic, flown Vostok capsule.

Nearly all of the vehicles, rockets, spacecraft, and spacesuits on display are either authentic or a "flight-ready backup," which is identical to the item actually flown: if a problem is detected in a spacecraft, rocket, or suit before it is flown, the backup fills in on the mission for the damaged item. The only replicated items in the Cosmosphere are the model of Glamorous Glennis, the Bell X-1 flown by Chuck Yeager, and the life-sized space shuttle replica that greets visitors.

The Cosmosphere museum begins with the earliest experiments in rocketry during the World War II era, explores through the Space Race and Cold War, and continues through modern times with the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

Teri and I have been to Houston Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Museum and the Smithsonian Space Museum in Washington DC, but this museum is the best at explaining the space race of the 1950’s to early 1960’s with both the Russian and USA displays. The Russian displays are exceptional.

Road Trip from Garden City to Hutchinson, Kansas

2011-11-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today we drove from Garden City to Hutchinson. We are still in Kansas.

Some of the thing we saw:

Wind farms. Who knew the land on Oz could be windy?

Nice place for lunch.

The view at lunch.

Dodge City, Kansas

2011-10-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

Dodge City was founded in 1872, just five miles west of Fort
Dodge on the edge of the military reservation. It quickly became a
trade center for travelers and buffalo hunters. The same year, the
railroad reached Dodge City, assuring its continued existence and
making it a major shipping point. An estimated 850,000 buffalo
hides were shipped from Dodge City in the years 1872-1874.
Through the years Dodge has had many titles: Buffalo
Capital of the World, Cowboy Capital, Queen of the Cowtowns,
Wickedest Little City in America, Beautiful Bibulous Babylon of
the Frontier and others. Dodge City was the buffalo capital for
five years until mass slaughter destroyed the huge herds and left
the prairie littered with decaying carcasses.

Farmers, during hard times, gathered the bones and sold
them for six to eight dollars a ton. The bones were used in the
manufacture of china and for fertilizer

.
By 1875, the buffalo were gone as a source of revenue, but
the Longhorn cattle of Texas soon took their place. From 1875
to 1886, over 5,000,000 cattle were driven up the Western Trail
from Texas to Dodge City. Cowboys from the cattle drives had
more than a little influence in establishing Dodge City’s reputation
as the wildest town on the western frontier. Such notable law
men as Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp became legends in their
own time as they fought to bring law and order to the streets
of Dodge City.

The town these early men knew was laid out with two Front
Streets, one on either side of the railroad tracks. The city passed
an ordinance that guns could not be worn or carried north of
the ‘deadline’ which was the railroad tracks.

The south side where ‘anything went’ was wide open. In
1876 the population was 1,200 and nineteen businesses were
licensed to sell liquor.

During those first years the population varied according to the
season, swelling during the summer with the influx of cowboys,
buyers, gamblers and prostitutes. Business houses, dance halls
and saloons catered to the Texas trade. Saloon keepers renamed
their places Nueces, Alamo and Lone Star and served brandies,
liqueurs and the latest mixed drinks. Ice usually was available so
even beer could be served cold. Some saloons advertised anchovies
and Russian caviar on their cold lunch menus.
Gambling ranged from a game of five cent Chuck-a-luck to
thousand dollar poker pots. Many saloons offered some type of
musical entertainment, a piano player, a singer, or as in Chalk
Beeson’s Long Branch, a five piece orchestra.
Beeson also organized and led the famous Cowboy Band
which entertained all over the west at cattlemen’s conventions,
concerts, dances and in
Washington, D.C. at the
inauguration of President
Harrison.
The town thrived and its
populace of buffalo hunters,
railroad workers, soldiers
and drifters “settled their
differences” in shoot-outs.
Lawlessness reigned, creating
the need for a burial place
... Boot Hill Cemetery.
For six years Dodge
had no official cemetery. Persons dying who had friends, enough
money or sufficient standing in the community were buried in the
post cemetery at Fort Dodge. Others, penniless or unknown, were
buried where it was convenient to dig a hole. Boot Hill, now a
part of downtown Dodge City, is the most famous burial ground
in all western lore, even though it was used only until 1878.
Fort Dodge was closed in 1882 and by 1886, the cattle
drives had ended. An illustrious period of history was over but
the legend lives on in Dodge City’s historic preservation of its
romantic and internationally famous past.
— Kansas Heritage Center

Dodge City sign from the west side

Dodge City Sign from the East Side

We went up the hill for a tour of Boot Hill. Boot Hill was the resting place for the indigent people who died in the early years of Dodge City.

The jail is relocated here. Built about 1865.

This tombstone reads: A Buffalo Hunter Named McGill who amused himself by shooting into every house he passed. He wont pass this way again. Died March 1873

A Photo of what is left of the original boot hill

Replica of the Long Branch Saloon. In the 1970’s Washington had money available for down town rejuvenation and many of the historic buildings of Dodge City disappeared. The Long Branch Saloon had burned down years earlier.

Had to have a saparilla at the Long Branch Saloon.

Downtown Dodge City

Santa Fe Trail Tracks 1822 to 1872 near Dodge City, Kansas

2011-10-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Santa Fe Trail Rut Site

The Santa Fe Trail served as the pioneer highway from 1821 to 1872 as a link from the east to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trail allowed traders to move goods across the country safely and easily. Nine miles east of Dodge City you can see the most clearly defined rut trails, still visible after almost 150 years. The site is nestled among the gently rolling hills of the Kansas plains, where the breeze moves the grasses and the peace of nature accompanies this enduring piece of unique history. Don't miss the opportunity to see this rare landmark.

Soule Ditch

The Soule Canal, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, includes the Eureka Irrigating Canal. This ditch and canal were put under construction in 1883 by Asa T. Soule, a prominent Dodge Citizen, and can only be seen as nothing less than an engineering marvel from the 19th century.

Here are a few photos:

Buffalo Bill in Oakley, Kansas

2011-10-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

We stopped at the Buffalo Bill bronze in Oakley, Kansas. This is where the legend started.

Buffalo Bill, Buffalo Kill Statue

This magnificent sculpture of Buffalo Bill about to bring down a buffalo is on Hwy. 83 and 2nd Ave. It was created by sculptor and painter Charlie Norton. In 1868, William F. Cody -- "Buffalo Bill" -- was making his living as a contract buffalo hunter, feeding the crews laying tracks for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. At the same time, William Comstock, also known as "Buffalo Bill," made his living as a contract buffalo hunter feeding the soldiers at Fort Wallace.

To determine the real "Buffalo Bill," a contest was held west of Oakley. Bill Cody brought down 69 buffalo and Bill Comstock brought down 46 buffalo. From that day forward, the legend of William F."Buffalo Bill" Cody was born. [Joe Boulter, 10/28/2006]

We are in Kansas!!! ( Downtown Oakley to be exact)

Monument Rock, Kansas

2011-10-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Just south of Oakley, Kansas is a very unusual piece of sandstone called Monument Rock.

From Wikipedia

Monument Rocks (also Chalk Pyramids) are a series of large chalk formations in Gove County, Kansas, rich in fossils. It is a National Natural Landmark. It was the first landmark chosen by the US Department of the Interior as a national natural landmark. The chalk formations reach a height of up to 70 ft. and include formations such a buttes and arches. They were formed 80 million years ago.

On January 29, 2008, Monument Rocks and Castle Rock were jointly named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.

This may be one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, but the signage was terrible and the road was just like a Saskatchewan gravel side road.

Some photos:

On the way we saw a new crop that we have never seen before. They seem to plant this crop where the irrigation does NOT reach.

This is sorghum, or as the locals call it Milo.

One species, Sorghum bicolor,^[1] is an important world crop, used for food (as grain and in sorghum syrup or "sorghum molasses"), fodder, the production of alcoholic beverages, as well as biofuels. Most varieties are drought and heat tolerant, and are especially important in arid regions, where the grain is staple or one of the staples for poor and rural people. They form an important component of pastures in many tropical regions. Sorghum is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia and is the "fifth most important cereal crop grown in the world"

Carhenge !!!!!

2011-10-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

On todays road trip we stopped in a small city called Alliance, Nebraska in the Corn Belt.

Here we find CARHENGE.

and low and behold the people of this town have recreated Stonehenge with automobiles.

Road Trip to North Platte, Nebraska

2011-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Today we spent a long day on the road traveling to North Platte, Nebraska through a huge area of stabilized sand dunes.

Mount Rushmore then Custer State Park

2011-10-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today we did the tour of Mount Rushmore then drove through Custer State Park. Unfortunately the Needles Highway was not open.

Portions of Needles Highway in Custer State Park were closed for about three weeks because of logging operations to fight mountain pine beetles.

Badlands National Park South Dakota

2011-10-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

Today we drove around the Badlands. Huge prairie dog towns, bighorn sheep and buffalo are easy to view in this National Park.

There are so many photos so here is a slide show.

Trip to Wall, South Dakota

2011-10-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today we drive to Wall Drugs at Wall SD. Wall Drugs has signs and more signs and more signs ……………..

Teri took most of these photos as we drove down the interstate. Thanks Teri!!!!!!!

Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge at Chamberlain.

About half way we crossed the Missouri River again at Chamberlain, SD.

Wall Drugs at Wall, SD

Boehnen Memorial Museum

2011-10-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

We visited this museum this afternoon.

From their website

‘The Boehnen Memorial Museum and gift shop was constructed in 1983. It contains a reconstructed life-sized lodge and many displays relating to village itself. The lodges are typical of the approximately 70 of these 20-foot by 40-foot lodges that have been buried over the centuries. Other exhibits describe the extensive trade networks, pottery, tools, and spearpoints. There is a bison exhibit and a model of how the village might have looked 1,000 years ago. We have a 15 minute video in our media room that will introduce visitors to the Village and the history of the inhabitants who lived here so long ago. Guided tours through the museum, grounds and Archeodome are always available by request’.

Thomsen Center Archeodome

The Thomsen Center Archeodome covers the open archaeology dig in the prehistoric Indian village and provides visitors year-round access. The 10,000 square-foot building encloses two full lodges on its exposed earthen floor. It includes a full laboratory, darkroom, computer classroom, and video conferencing studio. The site is the only preserved protected archaeological site open to the public in the state of South Dakota. The Archeodome provides an enclosed archaeological teaching and research facility—one of very few such facilities in North America.

A traditional Buffalo Boat ( made from 1 buffalo hide)

The CORN PALACE of Mitchell, South Dakota

2011-10-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

This morning we toured the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.

They are busy changing the corn to new murals with the new crop of 13 colours of Corn grown locally for the Corn Palace.

The Area inside the Corn Palace and more Corn murals. All around the halls there are photos of all the different years and the murals.

Travelling the Dakotas on Highway 83

2011-10-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Today we travelled Highway 83 through the Dakotas.

Corn and Sunflower everywhere! And the corn is all over the place.

Bismark, North Dakota

2011-10-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today we drove down to Bismark and visited the North Dakota State Capital ‘the Skyscraper on the Praire’ and visited the museum on the capital grounds.

Washburn, North Dakota at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan

2011-10-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today we went in the morning to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center / Fort Mandan near Washburn, South Dakota

This was a great Center with lots of information on Lewis and Clark in North Dakota

The mighty Missouri River

Fort Mandan replica used for one winter by Lewis and Clark party.

Kindersley to Weyburn Travel Day

2011-10-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

Today we left the farm and went through Saskatchewan Landing to Hwy 1 and drove to Weyburn.

Snow bird of a different feather.

The town of Dog River.

Weyburn city campground.

Frank and Kathy’s Farm

2011-10-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

On the 16 of October to the 19th of October we camped at Frank and Kathy’s Farm site and enjoyed the chores and fellowship at the farm.

Teri took this photo from the front window of the cabin.

Chores – a new shed for the ski-doo this winter is ready.

Kathy doing her chores – feeding the deer.

More deer photos

Weasel Video

Weasel living at the storage shed

Our Camp with a deer in the background.

Thanks Kathy and Frank for the wonderful hospitality.

Thanksgiving at the Meyers House.

2011-10-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today we had Thanksgiving Dinner with the Imhoffs and Thel. This year the Imhoffs wanted German Rouladen for supper instead of turkey.

Shelby tried on her Halloween costume that Teri make. Doesn’t the costume look great and scary.

Every few months I measure the girls and mark their heights on the door jam to the spare bedroom. Shelby is marked on one side and Shaylene is marked on the other side.

Shaylene’s Growth Chart

She is 5 feet 7 1/4 inches tall.

Shelby’s Growth Cart

Shelby is 49 3/4 inches tall or 4foot 1 3/4 inches.

Height comparison between Shaylene and Shelby

Shaylene’s Growth Chart in 2004.

Shaylene is 56months and 27 days older than Shelby.

October 8th less 57Months is July 8th 2004 less 3 days is July 5th 2004.

Shaylene was exactly the same age as Shelby on July 5th, 2004. On May 12, 2004 Shaylene was 49&1/2 inches tall. On August 24th, 2004 Shaylene was 50 inches tall.

So on July 5th, 2004 Shaylene would have been about 49 & 3/4 inches tall.

therefore

Shelby is EXACTLY the same height as Shaylene at the same ages!!!!!!!

Shaylene receives the “Rookie of the Year” award in Golf

2011-06-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Today, Teri and I went to Paradise Hill School for the sports awards.

Shaylene received an award in Golf “Rookie of the Year”

Canada Geese and the goslings on the way for morning tea at Shannon’s home.

Shannon, Teri and Bandit. Bandit is Shannon’s new horse.

I worked on the blog and have posted up to Feb. 23rd

Happy Birthday Teri

2011-06-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

My good wife is having anouther anniversary of her 49th birthday.

We had the Imhoffs over (Kevin is down south waterskiing) and Teri’s adopted mother Thel (I bought the drug store from Thel in 1985)

Helpers to blow out the candles

Day 5, Puerto Vallarta

2011-04-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today we have about 8 hours in Port. We booked a ATV ride in the hills around Puerto Vallarta.

The view leaving Port.

Day 4, Second day in Cabo

2011-04-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

The original itinerary says we would have 3 Ports of call, but do to the violence we only get 2 ports of call. The good news is we get 2 days in Cabo!

Today, David and I are going on a zodiac to do some whale watching and some snorkeling on a Zodiac. The girls are doing a land tour that includes a church, glass blowing and Tequila factory tour.

Whale Watching and Snorkeling

Unfortunately this was not our Zodiac Captain.

Here is our Zodiac with the Captain.

Scenery on the way to the whales

Gray whales

Bottle Nose Dolphins

Snorkeling

David with a sponge.

One of the younger kids on the tour star fish

Our captain looking for more goodies to bring up and show us.

Gray whale and child

Cruise ships all over the place.

Private Yacht

The Girls Land Tour

Back on the ship for Elvis

Piloting the Tender back to the Ship (for about 15-30 seconds)

Great Day

Day 2 of Cruise

2011-04-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today is a travel day to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Our cruise has a slight twist to it as there is Johnny Cash and Elvis on our tour for us to enjoy as a private show.

Sundeck is full today.

Out for supper.

Going on a Cruise

2011-04-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of our 7 day cruise with the Norwegian Cruise Line on the Norwegian Star. We will be doing the 7 day Mexican Riviera Cruise with David and Pauline Dishko (Teri’s Brother and Sister in law).

David and Pauline

Leaving the Port of Los Angeles for Mexico.

Next stop Cabo San Lucas.

I visit the NHRA Motorsports Museum

2011-04-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

I found out that the NHRA motorsports Museum is just 2 miles away. Teri gave the blessing for me to explore. It was a great museum full of drag racing, speed racing and some specialty cars. Great car museum!!!!

The Cadillac below is called CadZZilla and is a 1948 Cadillac series 62 Sedanette. I t is owned by Billy F. Gibbon and ZZ Top.

This surfer truck is outside the museum.

Trip to Pomona, California KOA campground.

2011-03-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Today we completed to trip to Los Angeles area in preparation for a cruise.

California wind farm

Rest Stop

Camping spot in the Pomona KOA

Very interesting tow vehicle

Teri gets her hot tub.

Leaving Casa Grande for California

2011-03-30T21:50:00.000-07:00

Last days for our flower pot

2011-03-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

We have a flower pot we purchased in January. The flowers are now beautiful.

Hot Dog Roast at Casa Grande North Mountain Park

2011-03-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today we had a block party at a park just north of Casa Grande.

Hot Dog Roast over a real fire.

Last hike of the Hiking Club

2011-03-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is the last hike of the season to Fatman’s Pass just south of Phoenix.

Great views of Phoenix with varied terrain, Great Hike to end the season.

Day 3 of the Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

2011-03-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

All of us still alive after our trip down the Colorado River. Off to Casa Grande.

Day 2 of Grand Canyon Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

2011-03-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

This will be in 5 parts:

The start
Rafting
Exploring a waterfall
helicopter ride out
Skywalk

The Start

This is the hotel we stayed at.

Our bus that will take us down to the Colorado River. This road is the only road to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

the view going down to the Grand Canyon on the dirt road.

Our group half way down the road to the Colorado River

At the Colorado River

Rafting the Colorado River

The rafts the natives use on the last 40 miles of the Grand Canyon are a 16 foot Zodiac style raft with a gas motor. We will be on the river for about 6 hours.

We all got very wet!!! Some of the rapids are quite extreme.

Exploring the Waterfall

Helicopter Ride Out of the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Skywalk is quite the experience.

That evening we got a ride back to the hotel in one of the buses. Tomorrow we drive back to Casa Grande.

Start of 3 Day Trip to Grand Canyon for Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

2011-03-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Today we boarded a full sized passenger van, for a 3 day trip to the Grand Canyon. There was 12 of us signed up for this trip.

Our Tour Operator.

The wonderful weather near the Grand Canyon on the 21st.

Trip to Biosphere 2

2011-03-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Today we went on a road trip. First we stopped at Tom Mix statue.

Then off to Biosphere 2

Then off to a copper mine

Palm Creek Car Show

2011-03-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Every year Palm Creek host a car show. Here are a few examples for the cars entered.

Steaks on Sale at Costco

2011-03-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

We have anouther excuse for a happy hour / pot luck. Steaks are on sale at Costcos!!!!

We all anteed up a few bucks and bought steaks. All the sides are pot luck. Anouther wonderful day.

St. Patrick's Day Happy Hour and Supper

2011-03-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today we have anouther excuse for a happy hour / pot luck supper.

Some of the Photo:

Back to the Petroglyphs

2011-03-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

At happy hour on the 15th Bob and Lori heard about our trip with the camera club. Bob was fascinated with our trip. So this morning we retraced some of our steps with Bob and Lori but went a bit farther to an old mine.

Camera Club Field Trip

2011-03-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today Teri and I went with the Camera Club to visit the desert, an old stage coach house and petroglyphs. This was within 20 miles of Casa Grande.

Trip to Yuma to see Burt and Phyllis

2011-03-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

On the way to Yuma we took this photo of the one cattle farm west of Casa Grande.

Click on the image to enlarge!!!!

Then we visited the Yuma Territorial Prison

Lunch at the park below the Prison

People playing in the water park that is the very small Colorado River. There is very little water left in the Colorado River at Yuma. You can walk across at this point.

Burt and Phyllis

Burt and Phyllis Imhoff in their home at Yuma. This is a 4 axel 5th Wheel.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve Hike

2011-03-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hike Friday and off I go to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Today we walked a loop up across a pass then back around the other side.

Some Photos:

Lunch at the pass

Camera Club

2011-03-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

I have joined the camera club at Palm Creek RV and have enjoyed the experience and learning immensely.

Todays assignment is ‘movement capture’. So a half hour classroom teaching, then practical training.

Here are my results

Cactus Fly In at the Casa Grande Airport

2011-03-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today Bob, Lori, Teri and I went to the Casa Grande Annual ‘Cactus Fly In’. There were 100’s of old vintage aircraft that flew in, including some old WWII bombers.

Here are some photos:

Hike Club–Golden Gate Mountain Loop

2011-03-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

I went to the Friday hike, this time near Old Tucson.

Just a few picks of the Hike:

Big skys

Lunch

Old Mine

Palm Creek RV Resort annual Wood Show

2011-03-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

The wood show was today. Just some examples of the skill of some of the wood crafts

Mo and Jill host a house warming Happy Hour

2011-03-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Mo and Jill live beside us and just purchased a very large Montana 5th Wheel to leave at Palm Creek RV.

Mo and Jill hosted a happy hour/house warming/tour at their site today.

Mo and Jill

Happy Hour crowd with my motorhome in the background.

Body World Exhibit in Phoenix

2011-02-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

Today Teri and I invited Bob and Lori for a trip to Phoenix to see the Body World Exhibit at the Natural History Museum.

I was NOT allowed to take photos so these are from their website:

It was incredible, shocking and gory all at the same time. We all where glad we went.

Hike Club–Packsaddle Loop

2011-02-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

Today I went on the Hike Club north-east of Scottsdale.

Some Photos:

Lunch break

Apache Trail with a side trip “Dolly” on Canyon Lake

2011-02-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

The Apache Trail, or AZ 88 as it is officially known, links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Globe via Theodore Roosevelt Lake, through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest; 40 miles of steep, winding and mostly unpaved road past magnificent scenery of twisted igneous mountains with dense forests of saguaro and ferocactus, and several deep blue lakes.

An Old sign on highway 88.

The Apache Trail

The “Dolly” on Canyon Lake.

Some of the views on the Dolly at Canyon Lake.

The end of the Apache Trail is at Roosevelt Dam.

All the lakes are a result of dams on the Salt River as it comes down the Superstition Mountains.

Pottery Club Show at the RV Park

2011-02-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

Palm Creek RV Resort Quilt Club Show

2011-02-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

There is a large quilt club in the park. This is an example of some of the displays.

Hike Club–Saguaro Lake Hike

2011-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

Today I went with the Hike Club on the Saguaro Lake Hike. Part of the many dams on the Salt River.

We went for a hike on the north side of Saguaro Lake.

Some of the photos:

Our Group

Lunch Break

Fishing.

Doves Nesting

2011-02-17T17:38:00.000-08:00

After repeated flushing out the start of a dove nest on the main slide of the motorhome(under the awning). The doves have started a nest at a more appropriate area.

This is the palm tree to the right of our motorhome.

Trip to Superior Az. and Roosevelt Dam

2011-02-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today we did the tourist drive to Roosevelt Dam Via Tonto National Monument.

We First stopped in Superior Az., an old mining town

Then we went through a tunnel to this:

Then off to Tonto National Monument(Cliff Dwellings)

The Lower Cliff Dwellings

The long climb up the trail.

This next photo I took on the way up. Roosevelt Lake is in the background. This photo won the weekly competition at the Photo Club.

Roosevelt Bridge

Roosevelt Dam

The day was ending so we went straight back to Casa Grande.

Day Trip to Canyon Lake

2011-02-12T14:13:00.000-08:00

Today we left early for a trip up to Canyon Lake.

First Stop

Palm Creek Rv Park to the Dairy Barn

Just outside Casa Grande there are many dairy barns. We stopped at a small dairy north and east of Casa Grande about 5 miles.

As a side note if the wind blows a barnyard smell is around Palm Creek RV Park. Those on the dark side (non pet section) blame this on the dogs.

Second Stop

We stopped at the Lost Dutchman Mine Museum near the Lost Dutchman State Park.

Diary Barn to Superior

There was live music and an outdoor craft fair going on the Museum grounds and lots of people.

A wall of Treasure Maps

The Peralta Stone Maps

The stories of their discovery and what they represent are as many and as varied as the legends of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, itself. The two most popular versions are that the maps were discovered, and dug up, by Travis Tumlinson in 1949, on a small hill above the Fish Creek Bridge.

Another story is that they are stolen by two Mexican nationals from the basement of a church in Arispa, Mexico, and taken to Texas where they were sold to Travis Tumlinson who brought them to Arizona. Tumlinson believed they showed a route to the Peralta mines or treasure troves, in the Superstition Mountains.

Navajo Rug Loom

Live Music

Cactus Garden at the Museum

Off to Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flats

We are on the Apache Trail up from the Lost Dutchman Mine Museum to Tortilla Flats.

Weavers Needle

Vista on the way to Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake

The dam responsible for Canyon Lake

Lunch

We ran out of time and had to turn around and go home.

Lori has a birthday anouther block Potluck

2011-02-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

Lori, (Bob the carver’s wife) from across the street if having her 14th anniversary of her 65th birthday, so we had a surprise birthday potluck.