We are back on Central Standard Time! Left Albert Lea MN in search of the elusive Rhode Island license plate.
Saw a very large windmill farm--at least 100 windmills--the one south of Rockford has 62. Helen wants to know why these aren't more common out west.
Crossed the Mississippi. BIG RIVER!!! into Wisconsin
stopped in Baraboo to see the Circus Museum. When we visited Baraboo to see Carrie perform, Helen got interested in the Ringling family and read about them. The museum was worth the time and then some--why aren't there more people??
Managed to get back to Rockford in time to pick up Diamond (a day early)
Home at last!!
Final Stats: 24765; 4,067 miles; 90 hrs, 41 min driving time. 24.1 mpg overall. average speed 44.9 mph
Saw five National parks. one City park, three national monuments, and a host of touristy things. Took enough pix to fill my 1 gig card twice plus. Went thru 11 states and ended up with 49 state license plates. Most expensive item on the trip was pet care for Diamond and the horses--otherwise we did pretty well.
Signing off!!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Day Thirteen
left Econo Lodge--took pic of Wall Drug. Onward on I90. Stopped at aNational Park Service facility to illustrate the Minuteman missiles which were scattered overthe Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana. All of this area was shut down with the warming of Russian/U.S. relations in early 90s. Interesting video about the process. All the silos were out in the open--the locals all knew where they were--anyone driving by on I90 went by them without knowing.
Saw first corn in ages--stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD--not a big deal--actually in process with putting up the new murals for this season.
Helen asked what the ? on the map was. I told her it was for vistor centers where people could ask questions. She was concerned because out here in the middle of nowhere, they surely don't get many questions. She decided she should ask one: Do you get many questions?
Drove into MN
Somewhere we went back to our own time zone--that and corn and beans and normal farms
make us think of home.
at a rest stop west of Albert Lea, MN saw a commemorative "spike" this is the last sction of I90 finished--done in 1978!!
Stopped in Albert Lea
Stats: 24418; 3,720 mi.; 24.0 mpg; 84:33 time; aver 44.1 mph.
Now at 49 state license plates--only Rhode Island eludes. Great--only 27 cars licensed in the state and only 5 of those ever cross the state line.
Saw first corn in ages--stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD--not a big deal--actually in process with putting up the new murals for this season.
Helen asked what the ? on the map was. I told her it was for vistor centers where people could ask questions. She was concerned because out here in the middle of nowhere, they surely don't get many questions. She decided she should ask one: Do you get many questions?
Drove into MN
Somewhere we went back to our own time zone--that and corn and beans and normal farms
make us think of home.
at a rest stop west of Albert Lea, MN saw a commemorative "spike" this is the last sction of I90 finished--done in 1978!!
Stopped in Albert Lea
Stats: 24418; 3,720 mi.; 24.0 mpg; 84:33 time; aver 44.1 mph.
Now at 49 state license plates--only Rhode Island eludes. Great--only 27 cars licensed in the state and only 5 of those ever cross the state line.
Day Twelve
Left Spearfish--on to Mt. Rushmore. First nat park where we have had to pay--$10 for parking. Soil looks red here--Rapid City. Hills are really black. The stone is granite.
Four presidents is impressive--pix can't capture the mountain. Went to film after--still a good idea. Lots of work and several things changed in the middle. Jefferson was supposed to be on left, but had problems--blew Jefferson off the mt. and went to Plan B.
Four presidents is impressive--pix can't capture the mountain. Went to film after--still a good idea. Lots of work and several things changed in the middle. Jefferson was supposed to be on left, but had problems--blew Jefferson off the mt. and went to Plan B.
Went to Crazy Horse Monument--$20. Really impressive--started in 1948 and just keeps going--no taxpayer monies--all donations. Talked to an Indian lady about beads--since the trappers started coming, the beads are from Europe--now most are from Czeckslovakia.
Went thru town of Custer--they have painted buffaloes--like cows in Chicago.
Went to Dakota Badlands--totally different from WY and CO. drove the 30 mile loop--lots of stops for pix. Left park at north end and went to Wall, SD, home of Wall Drugs--unbelievable tourist stop in town of 818 people. Half must work at Wall Drug. copied my second DVD--I have taken over 1,800 MB of pix--filled up the card twice.
Helenbought a little necklace made of Black Hills gold--which isn't really from the Black Hills but is a style of putting different colors of gold together--and all pieces have some sort of a leaf as part of the piece.
Stats: 23951; 3.253 mi.;24.0 mpg; 77:04 time;aver 42.3 mph
Went thru town of Custer--they have painted buffaloes--like cows in Chicago.
Went to Dakota Badlands--totally different from WY and CO. drove the 30 mile loop--lots of stops for pix. Left park at north end and went to Wall, SD, home of Wall Drugs--unbelievable tourist stop in town of 818 people. Half must work at Wall Drug. copied my second DVD--I have taken over 1,800 MB of pix--filled up the card twice.
Helenbought a little necklace made of Black Hills gold--which isn't really from the Black Hills but is a style of putting different colors of gold together--and all pieces have some sort of a leaf as part of the piece.
Stats: 23951; 3.253 mi.;24.0 mpg; 77:04 time;aver 42.3 mph
Day Eleven
TRNP Pix
Custer's Last Stand--yesterday
Left the teeming metropolis of Glendive, MT. on to Theodore Roosevelt NP in North Dakota. Saw a pheasant in middle of interstate. first game bird we've seen.
Entered the park--on our pass again! Visitor Center was good--saw cabin where TR spent 1884 after his wife and mother died close together. Cabin is called Maltese Cross Cabin--cross on end of a log in front.
Yellow cliffs--drove thru park--much gentler than YNP. Stopped to watch wild horses and prarie dogs. Sunlite makes hills glisten--no idea why. Hills are more rounded than further west.
ND Badlands overlook was impressive. Another buffalo just walked across the road in fron of our car--less than 10 ft away. They were snorting like horses do.
back to I94. Painted Canyon overlook spectacular At another overlook we looked out with binoculars and could see a herd of buffalo and people walking toward then--no idea how they got down there--could barely make them out w/o the binocs.
Into South Dakota. driving down to I90. Stopped in Belle Fourche--the town is about 20 miles south of the geographic center of the U.S. That's due to Alaska and Hawaii.
As we drove south toward Spearfish, SD we started seeing the darker trees (Ponderosa pines)--these are the Black Hills.
Ate at Culvers!!
Stats: 23707; 3,009 miles; 24.0 mpg; 70:26 total time; aver 42.8 mph
Entered the park--on our pass again! Visitor Center was good--saw cabin where TR spent 1884 after his wife and mother died close together. Cabin is called Maltese Cross Cabin--cross on end of a log in front.
Yellow cliffs--drove thru park--much gentler than YNP. Stopped to watch wild horses and prarie dogs. Sunlite makes hills glisten--no idea why. Hills are more rounded than further west.
ND Badlands overlook was impressive. Another buffalo just walked across the road in fron of our car--less than 10 ft away. They were snorting like horses do.
back to I94. Painted Canyon overlook spectacular At another overlook we looked out with binoculars and could see a herd of buffalo and people walking toward then--no idea how they got down there--could barely make them out w/o the binocs.
Into South Dakota. driving down to I90. Stopped in Belle Fourche--the town is about 20 miles south of the geographic center of the U.S. That's due to Alaska and Hawaii.
As we drove south toward Spearfish, SD we started seeing the darker trees (Ponderosa pines)--these are the Black Hills.
Ate at Culvers!!
Stats: 23707; 3,009 miles; 24.0 mpg; 70:26 total time; aver 42.8 mph
Day Ten
On the road to see Custer's Last Stand Battleground.
I remember a Disney movie called "Tonka" An Indian boy (Sal Mineo) tamed a wild horse and named him Tonka Wakan. Later the horse was rounded up for the U.S. Cavalry and named Comanche.
Comanche was really one of the surviving horses of the battle. Comanche was ridden by Captain Miles Keogh.
Used our pass again. We took a bus tour which went to the Reno-Benteen battle site and back to the last stand site.
Had a tour guide--Olivia--who is a Crow Indian. The Crow reservation surrounds the battle site.
We walked from the Visitor Center to the top of the hille where the last stand took place. Stood right where Custer was found after the battle.
Listened to the orientation movie after the tour--actually made a lot more sense that way.
Big question--what is the difference between a tepee and a wigwam?
We now go north to get to I94.
Saw some longhorn cattle. Made it to Comfort Inn in Glendive--what a small town!!
Stats: 23398; middle of nowhere;2699 miles;24.1 mpg; 63:32 total time; 42.6 mph.
I remember a Disney movie called "Tonka" An Indian boy (Sal Mineo) tamed a wild horse and named him Tonka Wakan. Later the horse was rounded up for the U.S. Cavalry and named Comanche.
Comanche was really one of the surviving horses of the battle. Comanche was ridden by Captain Miles Keogh.
Used our pass again. We took a bus tour which went to the Reno-Benteen battle site and back to the last stand site.
Had a tour guide--Olivia--who is a Crow Indian. The Crow reservation surrounds the battle site.
We walked from the Visitor Center to the top of the hille where the last stand took place. Stood right where Custer was found after the battle.
Listened to the orientation movie after the tour--actually made a lot more sense that way.
Big question--what is the difference between a tepee and a wigwam?
We now go north to get to I94.
Saw some longhorn cattle. Made it to Comfort Inn in Glendive--what a small town!!
Stats: 23398; middle of nowhere;2699 miles;24.1 mpg; 63:32 total time; 42.6 mph.
Day Nine
Helen in fog:
left Gardiner--back into park.
Saved another entry fee with our "old people pass".
Went back to Mammoth Springs--went to top of springs. This spring looks like a white mountain but isn't. Another spring was Orange Springs Mound.Mialed postcards at Park Post Office--saw baby elk nursing.
Left YNP on Rt. 89 to Livingston.
Spent several hours getting a replacement phone--most of the time was spent getting the sync with Outlook on the server in Aurora.Carrie called--she is going to coach Miss Senior Colorado (if I got it right)
saw a cowboy herding horses--on a 4-wheel ATV.left Livingston--got onto I90--we know how to get home!!
Switched drivers--first time Helen has driven since day Two.Phone took up a lot of the day.stopped at Comfort Inn in Billings.
Stats: 23120; total 2,422; 23.9 mpg; 58:44 total time; 41.4 mph
Saved another entry fee with our "old people pass".
Went back to Mammoth Springs--went to top of springs. This spring looks like a white mountain but isn't. Another spring was Orange Springs Mound.Mialed postcards at Park Post Office--saw baby elk nursing.
Left YNP on Rt. 89 to Livingston.
Spent several hours getting a replacement phone--most of the time was spent getting the sync with Outlook on the server in Aurora.Carrie called--she is going to coach Miss Senior Colorado (if I got it right)
saw a cowboy herding horses--on a 4-wheel ATV.left Livingston--got onto I90--we know how to get home!!
Switched drivers--first time Helen has driven since day Two.Phone took up a lot of the day.stopped at Comfort Inn in Billings.
Stats: 23120; total 2,422; 23.9 mpg; 58:44 total time; 41.4 mph
Friday, July 10, 2009
Day Eight
left W. Yellowstone--back to Park--no $ used our pass again.
Ran into construction in park. Watched a fly fisherman for a short time--he didn't have any luck.
stopped at Artist's Paint Pots--different colors of bubbling "mud" good hike--said it was 1/3 mile--actual was quite a bit more. View were beautiful.
saw Steamboat Geyser erupt--does so sporadically.
Took the Virginia Falls road--little scary for Helen, but worth the trip.
The store at Canyon Village was best yet--lots of $5 items for guest appreciation day. Had lunch at the Grill--u-shaped counters with stools. Judy was our waitress--really hustled--reminded us of Bernice Makulec.
stopped at Upper and Lower Falls--unbelievable--never seen anything like it. There was a rainbow over the water--below us. Helen felt safe--guardrails--not like Yosemite several years ago.
A male elk was grazing right by a rest area--full antlers--got a few good pix.
I think they plant the elk for the tourists!!
road to Tower fun--traffic stopped in an area--someone saw a black bear--he was up the tree by the time we inched up--I snapped pix from the car--don't know if I got anything.
stopped to photograph the white cliffs--family in front of us in the pulloff brought out a telescope--the young man had looked up on the cliff and seen a bighorn sheep. He set up his scope and we got to watch the female sheep scamper across the rocks.
Mammoth Springs and the Park HQ are at the north end of the park. it is rainy, so we went to the little visitors center and decided to wait til tomorrow to tour the Springs.
Stats: 22933; 2,234 miles; 23.7 mpg; 94.1 gal used;41.7 mph aver; 53:44 total driving time
Great day with the Falls, the springs, and the wildlife.
Went out North Entranceand stayed in Gardiner .
Ran into construction in park. Watched a fly fisherman for a short time--he didn't have any luck.
stopped at Artist's Paint Pots--different colors of bubbling "mud" good hike--said it was 1/3 mile--actual was quite a bit more. View were beautiful.
saw Steamboat Geyser erupt--does so sporadically.
Took the Virginia Falls road--little scary for Helen, but worth the trip.
The store at Canyon Village was best yet--lots of $5 items for guest appreciation day. Had lunch at the Grill--u-shaped counters with stools. Judy was our waitress--really hustled--reminded us of Bernice Makulec.
stopped at Upper and Lower Falls--unbelievable--never seen anything like it. There was a rainbow over the water--below us. Helen felt safe--guardrails--not like Yosemite several years ago.
A male elk was grazing right by a rest area--full antlers--got a few good pix.
I think they plant the elk for the tourists!!
road to Tower fun--traffic stopped in an area--someone saw a black bear--he was up the tree by the time we inched up--I snapped pix from the car--don't know if I got anything.
stopped to photograph the white cliffs--family in front of us in the pulloff brought out a telescope--the young man had looked up on the cliff and seen a bighorn sheep. He set up his scope and we got to watch the female sheep scamper across the rocks.
Mammoth Springs and the Park HQ are at the north end of the park. it is rainy, so we went to the little visitors center and decided to wait til tomorrow to tour the Springs.
Stats: 22933; 2,234 miles; 23.7 mpg; 94.1 gal used;41.7 mph aver; 53:44 total driving time
Great day with the Falls, the springs, and the wildlife.
Went out North Entranceand stayed in Gardiner .
Day Seven
Today we head to Yellowstone NP. No pix for a while--need to find a digital photo place to download from my chip--brought the wrong cord. Hard to choose pix anyway--got a lot.
went by the Tetons again on the way to YNP. At Ox Bow Bend saw white Pelicans swimming in the river.
North of Ox Bow is where we got the shot of Mt. Moran reflected in the lake--pic at the end of Day Six.
Helen spotted several wildflowers-to identify later. Ran into roadwork--had a little of that all the way to, thru, and past YNP. Not a big deal. Had a call from Steve Addante--payback for me calling him while he was on a fishing vacation.
We could see what Holly McKoy had talked about. The fire of 1989 leveled the landscape--just thin trunks still standing--then around them you can see the new growth--"baby" trees all over.
Got stopped by a stoplite jut like the one on Spring Creek over I90--doesn't work as well here--too far away.
Went into YNP from South. Pretty soon a deep canyon (Lewis River Canyon) on the right (Guess who's side?) palms sweaty again.
stopped to dial in on a conference call to the EB meeting in Aurora. Jim Sikich asked if we had seen any jackalopes yet--I couldn't come up with a suitable answer.
stopped at Old Faithful--absolute zoo in parking lot. went for ice cream in one store--long wait--young man gave us huge cones for a single dip--he said he just liked us!!
In the Old Faithful part of the park, there are lots of geysers and hot springs--60% of the world's geysers, etc. are in YNP.
A few of the geysers erupt sporadically--none regularly like OF.
Fountian Paint Pot and other "pots" are muddy pools which bubble up constantly--occasionally one of these will blow up on the walkway.
Saw two elk--people there had just taken a pic of a wolf watching the elk. Later saw more buffalo and elk. Also drove by an eagle's nest--the eagle was perched on the nest.
Went into Montana--still in the park.
Stayed in West Yellowstone--west entrance of the park--town was somewhat of a zoo until about 8:00. Just for grins drove about 10 miles west and went into Idaho--Helen tired and has had wnough for one day.
got one state today--Delaware. We now have 46 states.
Stats: 22840; 2,142 miles; 24.0 mpg; 89.2 gal used; 49:19 driving time, aver 43.6 mph
So ends Day Seven
went by the Tetons again on the way to YNP. At Ox Bow Bend saw white Pelicans swimming in the river.
North of Ox Bow is where we got the shot of Mt. Moran reflected in the lake--pic at the end of Day Six.
Helen spotted several wildflowers-to identify later. Ran into roadwork--had a little of that all the way to, thru, and past YNP. Not a big deal. Had a call from Steve Addante--payback for me calling him while he was on a fishing vacation.
We could see what Holly McKoy had talked about. The fire of 1989 leveled the landscape--just thin trunks still standing--then around them you can see the new growth--"baby" trees all over.
Got stopped by a stoplite jut like the one on Spring Creek over I90--doesn't work as well here--too far away.
Went into YNP from South. Pretty soon a deep canyon (Lewis River Canyon) on the right (Guess who's side?) palms sweaty again.
stopped to dial in on a conference call to the EB meeting in Aurora. Jim Sikich asked if we had seen any jackalopes yet--I couldn't come up with a suitable answer.
stopped at Old Faithful--absolute zoo in parking lot. went for ice cream in one store--long wait--young man gave us huge cones for a single dip--he said he just liked us!!
In the Old Faithful part of the park, there are lots of geysers and hot springs--60% of the world's geysers, etc. are in YNP.
A few of the geysers erupt sporadically--none regularly like OF.
Fountian Paint Pot and other "pots" are muddy pools which bubble up constantly--occasionally one of these will blow up on the walkway.
Saw two elk--people there had just taken a pic of a wolf watching the elk. Later saw more buffalo and elk. Also drove by an eagle's nest--the eagle was perched on the nest.
Went into Montana--still in the park.
Stayed in West Yellowstone--west entrance of the park--town was somewhat of a zoo until about 8:00. Just for grins drove about 10 miles west and went into Idaho--Helen tired and has had wnough for one day.
got one state today--Delaware. We now have 46 states.
Stats: 22840; 2,142 miles; 24.0 mpg; 89.2 gal used; 49:19 driving time, aver 43.6 mph
So ends Day Seven
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Day Six
Left Rock Springs WY @ 7:44 AM. can see snowy mtns off to NE. Helen thinks we just saw some wild horses--our first wild animals--other than the two prairie dogs we saw in Eden (pop 230)--ran over one. Mailed postcards in Farson--just north of Eden.
saw snowy mountains ahead in or near Jackson.
We saw the ruts left by covered wagons on the Oregon Trail. Sign said there were as many as 300 wagons a day. Saw some Pronghorn antelopes.
starting to see beautiful scenery of the Grand Tetons. Saw a cowboy and two cowgirls herding cattle. Mtns are a lot more overwhelming than in CO. took a pic by Hoback River 29 miles from Jackson.
arrived at Jackson--western looking motel. started going thru Grand Teton NP. As Cathy would say "Majestic"!! Unbelievable scenery. We took a pic at the entrance that Unilink used for their logo and advertising.
Unilink was a software company we used to use til they sold to Creative Solutions. They were based in Jackson. Their national sales manager was Holly McKoy whom I knew pretty well. We called her and had dinner at the Snake River Brewing Co in Jackson. As we walked over to the SRBC we saw (Helen saw) a Hawaii plate--our first ever!!
Jackson is a touristy Western town--the town square has antler arches on each corner.
Finally saw a buffalo--ten or so of them crossed the road--everyone stopped--we were less than 10 feet away--we were in the car, not out! Later saw a small herd of 20-30 at Antelope Flats--six babies.
At a stop Helen made a new friend--her Texas buddy!
Stopped at a place in GTNP--purchased something to keep the sun off.
Dinner with Holly was fun. She found a copy of the magazine her husband publishes--we saved one. Caught up with Holly--great, simple dinner.
Views ofGrand Teton (the mtn) and Mt Moran are really sensational--hope the pix are even half as good.
Stats: 1,979 miles total; aver 24.2 mpg; used 81.6 gals; ave speed 46.2 mph; total driving time=42 hrs and 57 minutes.
Look at this pic--one of the best so far!!
Great day!!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Day Five
left Steamboat Springs on US40 same US40 as thru Cambridge OH, Terre Haute, St. Louis and Denver.
desolate country--lots of sagebrush. Helen thought some ground was burned--til I explained it was a shadow from clouds.
Sae a lot of "burned" acreage after that.
Area doesn't look prosperous.
Saw bicyclists--crazy!!
WEnt to Dinosaur National Monument--waste of time. Fortunately, it didn't cost us anything--used out Lifetime NP pass.
took pictures of Blue Mountian--and a little lizard.
moved into Utah--first time for both of us in Utah.
going thru Flamingo Gorge--stopped at dam and then drove thu some beautiful country--storm coming in--pix turned out dark--maybe I can lighten them up later.
We had called Carrie at Cathy's--told her we wanted to know how to set up a blog. Brendon called back while I was navigating some of these curves. Helen is laughing hysterically at me talking to Brendon while driving. At least they didn't call while we were on Pike's Peak!!
Flamingo Gorge was really pretty--lots of red rock--iron during formation.
stopped in Rock Springs WY. unusual room--King bed with bunk beds in a little alcove.
We got no states today--still 36.
Stats: ODO 22415; total 1,716 mi.;24.2 mpg;used 71.0 gal; time=36hrs and 8 min.; aver 47.6 mph.
desolate country--lots of sagebrush. Helen thought some ground was burned--til I explained it was a shadow from clouds.
Sae a lot of "burned" acreage after that.
Area doesn't look prosperous.
Saw bicyclists--crazy!!
WEnt to Dinosaur National Monument--waste of time. Fortunately, it didn't cost us anything--used out Lifetime NP pass.
took pictures of Blue Mountian--and a little lizard.
moved into Utah--first time for both of us in Utah.
going thru Flamingo Gorge--stopped at dam and then drove thu some beautiful country--storm coming in--pix turned out dark--maybe I can lighten them up later.
We had called Carrie at Cathy's--told her we wanted to know how to set up a blog. Brendon called back while I was navigating some of these curves. Helen is laughing hysterically at me talking to Brendon while driving. At least they didn't call while we were on Pike's Peak!!
Flamingo Gorge was really pretty--lots of red rock--iron during formation.
stopped in Rock Springs WY. unusual room--King bed with bunk beds in a little alcove.
We got no states today--still 36.
Stats: ODO 22415; total 1,716 mi.;24.2 mpg;used 71.0 gal; time=36hrs and 8 min.; aver 47.6 mph.
Day Four
Note that the day of the trip matches the day of the month--Day Four=July Fourth--nice planning!!
Left Motel Carrie--made it for five blocks before we stopped.
Had breakfast at one of Carrie's faves--Mama's
left Denver on US 36--the same US36 that goes thru Indy, Rockville, and Dana, Indiana.
Helen says it's a pretty drive--not "like Yike's Peak!!"
Went to Estes Park. and then thru Rocky Mountain National Park. Discovered that we are just barely old enough to buy a lifetime National Park Pass for $10.
I was in Estes Park (or RMNP) way back in 1963. Mom, Anny, and I went to visit my Cousin Jane in Denver and went up to the north to visit Jane's husband's grandparents at their cabin on Grand Lake which is on the south end of RMNP. I waterskied there and I seem to remember Anny tried but Ron Wright kept pulling her out of the water too fast. We also went into the town of GRand Lake and saw a movie--Gunfight at OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas--still a favorite movie. We later left Denver with Jane and her two little boys and drove all night to St. Louis--to Jane's mother's (Mom's sister)
While we were in CO, I drove up to see Jack Duncan who had moved to Steamboat Springs the year B4. I played basketball and sprained my ankle--drove back to Denver and never took my foot fully off the gas (couldn't).
stopped at 8:52 to get Jenna's pix over the phone from DC.
took lots of pix in RMNP--really pretty scenery.
This is where the boys from the County are coming for a 30 mile hike July 9.
Stopped at Rainbow Curve--great view--saw a Clark's Nutcracker (related to a crow) and took a few pix. This place is at 10,829 feet. stopped once more above tree line--"still not a nice drive" quote from guess who.
Left Motel Carrie--made it for five blocks before we stopped.
Had breakfast at one of Carrie's faves--Mama's
left Denver on US 36--the same US36 that goes thru Indy, Rockville, and Dana, Indiana.
Helen says it's a pretty drive--not "like Yike's Peak!!"
Went to Estes Park. and then thru Rocky Mountain National Park. Discovered that we are just barely old enough to buy a lifetime National Park Pass for $10.
I was in Estes Park (or RMNP) way back in 1963. Mom, Anny, and I went to visit my Cousin Jane in Denver and went up to the north to visit Jane's husband's grandparents at their cabin on Grand Lake which is on the south end of RMNP. I waterskied there and I seem to remember Anny tried but Ron Wright kept pulling her out of the water too fast. We also went into the town of GRand Lake and saw a movie--Gunfight at OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas--still a favorite movie. We later left Denver with Jane and her two little boys and drove all night to St. Louis--to Jane's mother's (Mom's sister)
While we were in CO, I drove up to see Jack Duncan who had moved to Steamboat Springs the year B4. I played basketball and sprained my ankle--drove back to Denver and never took my foot fully off the gas (couldn't).
stopped at 8:52 to get Jenna's pix over the phone from DC.
took lots of pix in RMNP--really pretty scenery.
This is where the boys from the County are coming for a 30 mile hike July 9.
Stopped at Rainbow Curve--great view--saw a Clark's Nutcracker (related to a crow) and took a few pix. This place is at 10,829 feet. stopped once more above tree line--"still not a nice drive" quote from guess who.
Stopped at place 12,020 feet--Helen can't imagine that Grandmother Kate liked this even a little--even back in 63.
Visitor's Center at 11,796 ft.
Direct quote from Helen's journal:
"What goes up must come DOWN. Did we really need to do this?? Oh, good! I see trees again. Now I understand the $10 lifetime pass. Most don't live thru it and the park isn't losing much"
Crossed the Continental Divide--firstof many times.
Noticed brown (dead trees)--later found out it's due to the box pine beetle--there is an infestation of 150 years or so--natural progression--new trees, etc. Trees affected are lodgepole pines--Indians used them for their lodges (tepees)
ate lunch at Java Lava Cafe in Granby CO. drove to Steamboat Springs along river--beautiful scenery.
Watched fireworks in downtown SS from Comfort Inn parking lot--really good for a small community.
We now have a total of 36 state license plates.
Stats: OD 22125; total 1,127 mi.; ave 24.0 mpg;used 59.5 gals; ave speed=48.2 mph.
Visitor's Center at 11,796 ft.
Direct quote from Helen's journal:
"What goes up must come DOWN. Did we really need to do this?? Oh, good! I see trees again. Now I understand the $10 lifetime pass. Most don't live thru it and the park isn't losing much"
Crossed the Continental Divide--firstof many times.
Noticed brown (dead trees)--later found out it's due to the box pine beetle--there is an infestation of 150 years or so--natural progression--new trees, etc. Trees affected are lodgepole pines--Indians used them for their lodges (tepees)
ate lunch at Java Lava Cafe in Granby CO. drove to Steamboat Springs along river--beautiful scenery.
Watched fireworks in downtown SS from Comfort Inn parking lot--really good for a small community.
We now have a total of 36 state license plates.
Stats: OD 22125; total 1,127 mi.; ave 24.0 mpg;used 59.5 gals; ave speed=48.2 mph.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day Three
got up early--took CArrie to airport for visit to see Cathy & Brendon and kids. We headed to Colorado Springs. first stop was Garden of the Gods.
After the Garden we went to Pike's Peak. We started driving up--it's 19 miles up to the top at 14,100 feet. We were doing OK until we got above the tree line and above the point where you can look out and see other mountains. Helen was scared--no guardrails--and was in tears. After we went around a series of switchbacks call the WW--because there are that many turns--Helen won and I found a spot to pull off and turn around. We were at about 13,000 feet and mile 13 of 19. On the way up Carrie called to tell she had arrive at Davis--we took the call on the Parrot hooked to my phone--otherwise the call would have been ignored.
I put the Caddy in the lowest gear and we hardly used the brakes going down. The rangers actually stop cars and check brakes for heat at the Glen Cove stop on the way down--about 8,000 feet and mile 8 or 9.
Quote from Mom's journal: "12:22 back to timberline. were up to about 13,000 feet--not quite to the top. I am a CHICKEN. This is NOT fun."
Next time--we take the railway up to the top.
No pix of Pike's Peak--one of us was too busy driving and the other wouldn't look out too often.
left Col Springs. stopped at the Air Force Academy--big place and impressive.
stopped to eat at La Dolce Vita. Sam was our waiter--slow evening--he kept coming by our table and polishing the glasses at the next table over and over.
back to Carrie's for the night.
mileage 21915 total miles 1,217; average mpg=24.4; total time 23 hrs and 16 minutes; average speed 52.4 mph
no license plates today--still a total of 35
Day Two
Left Kearney at 7:47.
we stayed for free in Kearney--12,000 points on our Choice Privileges account. Overcast weather to east-got sunnier as we traveled west.
Stopped at Cozad NE for gas--took forever--had the personal attention of "Jose" the attendant.
mile 21431 time changed to Mountain Standard
crossed into Colorado at 9:45--We're hungry
stopped at Roggen CO nothing to eat in Roggen--actually the only thing we saw in Roggen was an elderly couple painting their fence. If Carrie wants to see a ghost town--this may be it.
stopped at Hudson, CO Found a Subway. Hudson is a veritable metropolis with a plethora of stop signs.
Mileage 21668 Arrived at Carrie's apartment. total miles so far 969; 25.4 mpg; total driving time to date: 15hrs 43 minutes; Average speed 61.8 mph
Total states 35
Carrie's neighbor, Todd, helped Jim carry in the Clavinova. Put it together with only one problem--the electrical clip to connect pedals to computer in piano--went back into the leg--had to get Carrie's only wire coat hangar to poke it back thru. Carrie then played the piano--the trip was worth it.
Carrie went to class--when she came home we went to Lik's for ice cream.
Carrie made Helen ice the toe that got caught in the carpet attachment of her vacuum.
we stayed for free in Kearney--12,000 points on our Choice Privileges account. Overcast weather to east-got sunnier as we traveled west.
Stopped at Cozad NE for gas--took forever--had the personal attention of "Jose" the attendant.
mile 21431 time changed to Mountain Standard
crossed into Colorado at 9:45--We're hungry
stopped at Roggen CO nothing to eat in Roggen--actually the only thing we saw in Roggen was an elderly couple painting their fence. If Carrie wants to see a ghost town--this may be it.
stopped at Hudson, CO Found a Subway. Hudson is a veritable metropolis with a plethora of stop signs.
Mileage 21668 Arrived at Carrie's apartment. total miles so far 969; 25.4 mpg; total driving time to date: 15hrs 43 minutes; Average speed 61.8 mph
Total states 35
Carrie's neighbor, Todd, helped Jim carry in the Clavinova. Put it together with only one problem--the electrical clip to connect pedals to computer in piano--went back into the leg--had to get Carrie's only wire coat hangar to poke it back thru. Carrie then played the piano--the trip was worth it.
Carrie went to class--when she came home we went to Lik's for ice cream.
Carrie made Helen ice the toe that got caught in the carpet attachment of her vacuum.
Day One
Starting mileage: 20698
We left Rockford after taking care of Molly and then taking Diamond to the Doggy Motel.
Finally got started at 8:57--made it all the way to Rochelle before we stopped at McD's for my breakfast and coffee.
Kept on going on I88 then on I80. Crossed the Mississippi into Iowa. switched driving back and forth.
Iowa is pretty boring--nothing unusual happened. Crossed into Nebraska and Omaha. We did get a Nebraska map to add to our collection. Nebraska is also very boring
We started our state license plate log--ended up with 27 states after the first day.
Talked to Jenna--they are at Arlington National Cemetery today.
We stopped for the nite at Kearney. Quit at 8:10
Stats: ending odometer--21305 drove 607 miles; Average mileage 25.6 mpg; used 23.7 gal; driving time: 9 hrs, 57 minutes; average speed for trip 61.3 mph
We left Rockford after taking care of Molly and then taking Diamond to the Doggy Motel.
Finally got started at 8:57--made it all the way to Rochelle before we stopped at McD's for my breakfast and coffee.
Kept on going on I88 then on I80. Crossed the Mississippi into Iowa. switched driving back and forth.
Iowa is pretty boring--nothing unusual happened. Crossed into Nebraska and Omaha. We did get a Nebraska map to add to our collection. Nebraska is also very boring
We started our state license plate log--ended up with 27 states after the first day.
Talked to Jenna--they are at Arlington National Cemetery today.
We stopped for the nite at Kearney. Quit at 8:10
Stats: ending odometer--21305 drove 607 miles; Average mileage 25.6 mpg; used 23.7 gal; driving time: 9 hrs, 57 minutes; average speed for trip 61.3 mph
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