Wednesday, October 28, 2009
No Big News
I've spent the last couple of days trying to get things organized for the upcoming weekend. The weather is getting colder right now, but I am thankful not to be in Colorado or the panhandle of Nebraska for the forcast is for up to 2 feet of snow in the next couple of days. Us? Just rain. Maybe. I have spent the past couple of hours writing about our experiences and opinions concerning a Continued Service Plan on our Coach. Recent new owners, asked for some guidance on whether or not to purchase this plan. It's insurance. It's a pain. We've used it a couple times on some pretty costly but necessary repairs, that I wouldn't have wanted the whole bill, but quite honestly, the plan was misrepresented and doesn't pay nearly as well as they said it would. Having said that....moving on. Sent DH to wash some blankets for me downtown today and he ended up playing cards. I have got several functions and appointments made in the last couple of days. Christmas Reservations made in Kearney. Family Reunion Reservations for June in Cheyenne, done. Dental Check ups for tomorrow. DH goes for medical tomorrow and I will go next week. Can't believe that the month of October is almost over. Haloween is in two days...so is the end to Daylight Savings time. Don't forget to turn your clocks back on Saturday night!~
Sunday, October 25, 2009
6 Days and Counting...
Coming down to the wire now.
She's positive there's birds out there for her! This coming Friday night kicks off the 2009 Pheasant Season in Nebraska. There will be a Hunter's Feed and Gathering at our Steak House, and then it'll be early to rise on Saturday morning. KayCee is restless now, after going out yesterday and testing out a field, put up three pheasants. DH went out and did some practice shooting this afternoon at the local gun club, and then we took a ride when he came home. It was mostly cloudy today,thought it was gonna rain any minute. Hoping the sun appears tomorrow or Tuesday as I want to make a fall trip to Harlan County Reservoir before it gets all snowy. We have another trip to Kearney to do some returns and pick up some supplies at Wal Mart. We noticed a vehicle backed up to the local motel that has been closed this year. Looked like they were moving beds in the house, so maybe there will be a new business starting up. Our hunters are going to really miss that place this year. We can hope it stays open. Our racing friends are gearing up for the Nationals in Las Vegas next weekend. I'm really jealous that the girls are planning on having a fire pit and roasting marshmallows. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Glenn wins their class, as if he does we will be headed to the Mexican Riviera the end of November! That sounds pretty good. It just gets colder and colder here!
She's positive there's birds out there for her! This coming Friday night kicks off the 2009 Pheasant Season in Nebraska. There will be a Hunter's Feed and Gathering at our Steak House, and then it'll be early to rise on Saturday morning. KayCee is restless now, after going out yesterday and testing out a field, put up three pheasants. DH went out and did some practice shooting this afternoon at the local gun club, and then we took a ride when he came home. It was mostly cloudy today,thought it was gonna rain any minute. Hoping the sun appears tomorrow or Tuesday as I want to make a fall trip to Harlan County Reservoir before it gets all snowy. We have another trip to Kearney to do some returns and pick up some supplies at Wal Mart. We noticed a vehicle backed up to the local motel that has been closed this year. Looked like they were moving beds in the house, so maybe there will be a new business starting up. Our hunters are going to really miss that place this year. We can hope it stays open. Our racing friends are gearing up for the Nationals in Las Vegas next weekend. I'm really jealous that the girls are planning on having a fire pit and roasting marshmallows. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Glenn wins their class, as if he does we will be headed to the Mexican Riviera the end of November! That sounds pretty good. It just gets colder and colder here!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Very Little Snow but Very Much Accomplished
We've pretty much been staying inside the past couple of days.
Weather not fit to be outside. Gusty winds and rains and a little snow today.
The Wii has been getting a workout. My arm is sore and at least DH isn't bored. It's pretty amazing how technology has made it possible to bowl and play tennis in the house, and it seems like the real thing!
KayCee got a dry run with her hunting boots yesterday and with the weather not good for going to the field, we've been playing a lot of catch in the house with the toy pheasant.
Not a clue as to how she'll do with the real thing this year without Wyatt. Today we got the rest of her Haloween outfit in the mail. Her shirt says "trick or treat, smell my paws!" Pretty quiet around here otherwise.
Weather not fit to be outside. Gusty winds and rains and a little snow today.
The Wii has been getting a workout. My arm is sore and at least DH isn't bored. It's pretty amazing how technology has made it possible to bowl and play tennis in the house, and it seems like the real thing!
KayCee got a dry run with her hunting boots yesterday and with the weather not good for going to the field, we've been playing a lot of catch in the house with the toy pheasant.
Not a clue as to how she'll do with the real thing this year without Wyatt. Today we got the rest of her Haloween outfit in the mail. Her shirt says "trick or treat, smell my paws!" Pretty quiet around here otherwise.
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Beautiful Fall Day
Here in South Central Nebraska, these beautiful days, we know as numbered! We have finally got a couple days of sunshine after many with no sun at all. The corn crops need to dry more, but folks are starting to go full bore into harvest. Tis the season, so they say. Hunting season is getting closer. Our dog knows there's a change in the air. We made a trip to Cabelas yesterday after spending some time with the grand kids. DH had to pick up some essentials and take advantage of a sale that was over yesterday. Today we finally had the TV serviceman here and now have all of our channels on all TVs. Yea! I was almost getting used to going to bed without one on! NOT. Tomorrow I have a lady coming to wallpaper some walls here. It should be an interesting day. We have been working with our Wii Fit every day. It's kinda fun doing it together, because a partner to motivate ya to exercise is always a good thing.
In thinking of the upcoming Travel Session, I have received the new Good Sam Magazine "Highways" and in that was my upcoming 2010 Trailer Life Directory order form. I will order it when I get to Arizona, but until then, I have the 2009 copy. I would recommend using the website.....www.goodsamclub.com It has all of the same information as the magazine, and you can find RV Parks to stay at. Many of the listings are in the Trailer Life Directory, it gives the ammenities and contact information of the parks. I have to decide in the next couple of months which memberships I will keep this year, or if I will let some go. I use the Trailer life Directory and Good Sam the most.
I have heard that lots of folks are starting to return to our Desert Valley Resort. I'm getting excited about seeing (and using) the new exercise room, hanging out with all the friends we have made and exploring more in Arizona. Until then, it's time to get back to planning the winter functions.....here in good old Nebraska!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Summary and Continuance
Today I have a chance to sit down and give you a short summarization of the recently finished travel season.
DH and KC left early this morning headed out to help with the Youth Mentor Hunt for the Republican Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. KayCee has bright shiny teeth and all of her maintenance shots she had done yesterday. I have taken some time today to wash windows, vaccuming the new carpet and basically having a day to organize. There's a football game on this afternoon and hopefully we will get to watch it. Go Big Red! Yes, I'm still a die hard Husker Fan!
In looking back over our summer travels, we came back across the mountains from California in May, stopping in Nevada,Wyoming,Kansas,Nebraska,Iowa,Missouri,back across Kansas, ending in Fountain Colorado on October 9. The trip across Donner Pass was trying and very rough. We traveled approximately 300 miles per day for 6 days. That is too fast and will try very hard not to do that again! Blame that one on the NHRA Summer National Drag Races in Topeka! One thing that is dear to my heart is Drag Racing, on both the sporting and professional level. We have met and made some very dear friends and I have received my mailing for seating for the 2010 Arizona Nationals. We will be there for sure the end of February. Topeka holds a very sad memory, in that we lost our dear companion Wyatt. Our 14 year old German Shorthair. Thankfully, we found a very caring Veterinarian, and Pet Creamation Service. The daily care and comfort that we provided for our young female shorthair somehow made the grieving process a little easier. Again, thank god for our racing family helping us through that one. After saying goodbye in Topeka, we headed for Nebraska, where our family increased by two. Our youngest daughter gave birth to twins prematurely and we spent about 3 weeks visiting with family around our home area. Tad and Danica are a real blessing for the Dossett family! We then met up with a musician friend from our days in Arizona last winter. He is originally from Nebraska City and was in town playing for the annual Cherry Festival. Located in the south east corner of Nebraska, Nebraska City claimed their fame by the origination of Arbor Day and tranportation of goods on the Lewis and Clark trail at the Missouri River. We made our way into Iowa where we made a big wide circle of the state. The first stop was in Osceola at Terribles Casino and RV Park. From that base, we visited the birthplace of John Wayne and the Covered Bridges of Madison County. Experienced a Maid Rite (loose meat sandwich). Just as Nebraska has an exclusive Runza Sandwich, the Maid Rite is exclusive to Iowa.
We stayed in all kinds of RV Parks, from a city park, to a quaint shaded park adjacent to a Drag Race Strip. In the Center of Iowa we had to have some repairs to our generator and spent four days at a Cummins Dealer in Cedar Rapids. That gave us the opportunity to see all the damage and rebuilding of that city after the severe flooding of the Cedar River and the Central part of Iowa from 2008. We spent the week of the 4th of July at the famed Amana Colonies in a very nice grass RV Park with room to host Rallys and rigs of any size. They had a nice fireworks display, postponed until the 5th by rain the whole day of the 4th. We had several Traditional meals in their Dining Halls. Everything was served family style, with cottage cheese, pickled beets and saurkraut at each evening meal. Not a McDonald's in sight or any fast food. In northern Iowa, we visited the memorial site, crash site and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Famed last performance location of Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in the 50S, and still a working ballroom that was hosting a performance by Randy Travis the day that we were there, his big Prevost in the parking lot. We toured the Winnebago plant at Forest City and stayed in a rural RV Park about 4 miles from town. We traveled across the top of the state on a state highway and landed in Arnolds Park Iowa. A Resort town on the edge of Iowa's "Great Lakes", Lake Okoboji and Spriit Lake. We stayed in a new RV Park that had a nice rural Location. The rest of the swing through Iowa was back across the lower tier of counties, taking advantage of the customs of the Amish and Mennonite communities and enjoying their crafts and wonderful baked goods. Right before leaving Iowa, DH had to bend over and put his back out in Mt. Pleasant. My heart sunk, we got a recommendation for a Chiropractor and went directly there. He had several adjustments, and I was prepared to stay there for the usual required month for him to recover, and all in all, it was cut down to two weeks. South into Missouri we went, stopping to tour Hannibal, with their claim to fame with Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. The famous caves and museums, and a dinner cruise on a river boat was the highlight of that stop.
We stopped off and drove into St. Louis to see the Arch. DH took the trip to the top, but with my fobia of heights, I waited below. Once across to Marshfield on the way to Branson, we had a little shopping to do, at Camping World and Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, drove on south in the toad because I had a funny feeling about the RV Park where I had made reservations. Good thing we did that, as I would have been very unhappy there, it was too far away from all the activities in Branson. We ate at Lambert's, (home of the Throwed Rolls) and they came around with huge stainless steel bowls of fried okra...YUM. Found a small park, (Oak Grove Campground) we loved this place. Awesome shows, lots to see and do.
We drove and toured the surrounding area around Table Rock Lake. Had company there for a few days, and got to show her around. We enjoyed the Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Silver Dollar City with all their fall foliage and decortions. Back toward the barn in Kansas, we stopped and toured the Wizard of Oz Museum and hung out for their Oztoberfest at the town of Wamego. Being not far from Ft. Riley, we got to see the Mounted Color Guard for that Army Post. Our son was a member of the Mounted Color Guard at Ft. Carson in Colorado, so we always appreciate seeing them. We had some yearly maintenance done on the coach in Colby KS. and stopped off in Goodland, witnessing the first snow flakes of the season. Of all the places that we went this summer, I am really impressed with Iowa and it's lush green and groomed fields. I loved Arnolds Park and in Missouri, I could see us spending more time in Branson. The run to the barn in Fountain Colorado to get the coach tucked in was done with just hours to spare. The next day was freezing rain and slick roads abounding.
We will hang out here at the sticks and bricks for a few weeks while DH gets his fill of pheasant hunting and I try some new wild game recipes. We will visit friends and relatives and enjoy the holiday season before we grab the coach and head south for the remainder of the winter. We are still loving life and being retired. It's been a weird summer all around weather wise. Who knows what the upcoming weeks hold, but I'm prepared to hibernate if needed. I don't like cold. Stay tuned...usually here there's always something going on.
DH and KC left early this morning headed out to help with the Youth Mentor Hunt for the Republican Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. KayCee has bright shiny teeth and all of her maintenance shots she had done yesterday. I have taken some time today to wash windows, vaccuming the new carpet and basically having a day to organize. There's a football game on this afternoon and hopefully we will get to watch it. Go Big Red! Yes, I'm still a die hard Husker Fan!
In looking back over our summer travels, we came back across the mountains from California in May, stopping in Nevada,Wyoming,Kansas,Nebraska,Iowa,Missouri,back across Kansas, ending in Fountain Colorado on October 9. The trip across Donner Pass was trying and very rough. We traveled approximately 300 miles per day for 6 days. That is too fast and will try very hard not to do that again! Blame that one on the NHRA Summer National Drag Races in Topeka! One thing that is dear to my heart is Drag Racing, on both the sporting and professional level. We have met and made some very dear friends and I have received my mailing for seating for the 2010 Arizona Nationals. We will be there for sure the end of February. Topeka holds a very sad memory, in that we lost our dear companion Wyatt. Our 14 year old German Shorthair. Thankfully, we found a very caring Veterinarian, and Pet Creamation Service. The daily care and comfort that we provided for our young female shorthair somehow made the grieving process a little easier. Again, thank god for our racing family helping us through that one. After saying goodbye in Topeka, we headed for Nebraska, where our family increased by two. Our youngest daughter gave birth to twins prematurely and we spent about 3 weeks visiting with family around our home area. Tad and Danica are a real blessing for the Dossett family! We then met up with a musician friend from our days in Arizona last winter. He is originally from Nebraska City and was in town playing for the annual Cherry Festival. Located in the south east corner of Nebraska, Nebraska City claimed their fame by the origination of Arbor Day and tranportation of goods on the Lewis and Clark trail at the Missouri River. We made our way into Iowa where we made a big wide circle of the state. The first stop was in Osceola at Terribles Casino and RV Park. From that base, we visited the birthplace of John Wayne and the Covered Bridges of Madison County. Experienced a Maid Rite (loose meat sandwich). Just as Nebraska has an exclusive Runza Sandwich, the Maid Rite is exclusive to Iowa.
We stayed in all kinds of RV Parks, from a city park, to a quaint shaded park adjacent to a Drag Race Strip. In the Center of Iowa we had to have some repairs to our generator and spent four days at a Cummins Dealer in Cedar Rapids. That gave us the opportunity to see all the damage and rebuilding of that city after the severe flooding of the Cedar River and the Central part of Iowa from 2008. We spent the week of the 4th of July at the famed Amana Colonies in a very nice grass RV Park with room to host Rallys and rigs of any size. They had a nice fireworks display, postponed until the 5th by rain the whole day of the 4th. We had several Traditional meals in their Dining Halls. Everything was served family style, with cottage cheese, pickled beets and saurkraut at each evening meal. Not a McDonald's in sight or any fast food. In northern Iowa, we visited the memorial site, crash site and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Famed last performance location of Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in the 50S, and still a working ballroom that was hosting a performance by Randy Travis the day that we were there, his big Prevost in the parking lot. We toured the Winnebago plant at Forest City and stayed in a rural RV Park about 4 miles from town. We traveled across the top of the state on a state highway and landed in Arnolds Park Iowa. A Resort town on the edge of Iowa's "Great Lakes", Lake Okoboji and Spriit Lake. We stayed in a new RV Park that had a nice rural Location. The rest of the swing through Iowa was back across the lower tier of counties, taking advantage of the customs of the Amish and Mennonite communities and enjoying their crafts and wonderful baked goods. Right before leaving Iowa, DH had to bend over and put his back out in Mt. Pleasant. My heart sunk, we got a recommendation for a Chiropractor and went directly there. He had several adjustments, and I was prepared to stay there for the usual required month for him to recover, and all in all, it was cut down to two weeks. South into Missouri we went, stopping to tour Hannibal, with their claim to fame with Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. The famous caves and museums, and a dinner cruise on a river boat was the highlight of that stop.
We stopped off and drove into St. Louis to see the Arch. DH took the trip to the top, but with my fobia of heights, I waited below. Once across to Marshfield on the way to Branson, we had a little shopping to do, at Camping World and Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, drove on south in the toad because I had a funny feeling about the RV Park where I had made reservations. Good thing we did that, as I would have been very unhappy there, it was too far away from all the activities in Branson. We ate at Lambert's, (home of the Throwed Rolls) and they came around with huge stainless steel bowls of fried okra...YUM. Found a small park, (Oak Grove Campground) we loved this place. Awesome shows, lots to see and do.
We drove and toured the surrounding area around Table Rock Lake. Had company there for a few days, and got to show her around. We enjoyed the Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Silver Dollar City with all their fall foliage and decortions. Back toward the barn in Kansas, we stopped and toured the Wizard of Oz Museum and hung out for their Oztoberfest at the town of Wamego. Being not far from Ft. Riley, we got to see the Mounted Color Guard for that Army Post. Our son was a member of the Mounted Color Guard at Ft. Carson in Colorado, so we always appreciate seeing them. We had some yearly maintenance done on the coach in Colby KS. and stopped off in Goodland, witnessing the first snow flakes of the season. Of all the places that we went this summer, I am really impressed with Iowa and it's lush green and groomed fields. I loved Arnolds Park and in Missouri, I could see us spending more time in Branson. The run to the barn in Fountain Colorado to get the coach tucked in was done with just hours to spare. The next day was freezing rain and slick roads abounding.
We will hang out here at the sticks and bricks for a few weeks while DH gets his fill of pheasant hunting and I try some new wild game recipes. We will visit friends and relatives and enjoy the holiday season before we grab the coach and head south for the remainder of the winter. We are still loving life and being retired. It's been a weird summer all around weather wise. Who knows what the upcoming weeks hold, but I'm prepared to hibernate if needed. I don't like cold. Stay tuned...usually here there's always something going on.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Rain, Drizzle, Fog and jet lag!
That's the story here in the big city of Oxford today. The other biggie is the fact that I feel like I have jet lag! Am so tired today I can't hardly put one foot in front of the other. I slept in way late for me, and I still needed a nap. I blame part of this on the weather,hopefully I won't get sick. Got some technical issues dealt with today. Ordered a Retrofit Kit that we need for the Fuel filter/water seperator on the coach. Made some appointments and cooked a little. DH ventured out in the weather and went to town this afternoon. It has been drizzly and cold all day. Hope it straightens up pretty soon, I'm tired of this already. We have to be on the road to the Vet Clinic early on Friday, as KayCee gets her teeth cleaned, nails clipped and shots. Last night I let her out in the back yard and she treed a coon up a telephone pole and I had a devil of a time getting her to come back in! I hated to break the news to her, but shes a bird dog, not a coon dog. She never really barked at it, just stared in disbelief. Have to make the trek to Kearney while she's being worked on to pick some things up and go to Cabelas. It's hard to believe, Thursday is hubby and my 31st anniversary. We have survived lots of stuff over the years,good and bad and are still going strong. He still makes me laugh, even when I don't want to so....I think I'll keep him around another year!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
It's Been a Long Week
We made our way across Kansas on I70,amid the wind and oil wells along the way, headed toward the barn to put Betsy away for a while.
It's nice to have a heated building and the owner to start her every 2 weeks while we are gone. We eliminate the need to winterize.
Thursday we arrived at Colby, had a 1:00 appointment at the Cummins dealer for service. Over $800.00 later we ran on down the road to Goodland and pulled into the campground amidst great big flakes of snow! I have relatives in Goodland, mostly in the cemetary, but didn't take time out this trip to see them! In following the weather forcasts all week I knew that Friday was going to be the only clear shot we had to get to Fountain and the storage before it got rotten for several days, and I decided to take a run for it. I was almost afraid to look out Friday morning, fearing it would be all white, but luck was with us and not a flake on the ground, so we packed and stowed, cleaned and dumped and made the 3 hour trip to Fountain by late afternoon. I broke a few of my "Cardinal" Rules that day. I don't like to travel after dark but we wanted to get to Nebraska before the storm, so we left Co. Springs after getting Betsy tucked in and drove the 6 hrs. in the dark, and made it home at 1:30 a.m., just in time for it to start snowing! Am I nuts? I hate cold! The only good thing about this is I can wear my John Force Racing Coat~!LOL After unloading we got to bed about 3:30 a.m. and up early. Had a boatload of stuff to arrange and put away, didn't have any food so went out to eat and drove to Kearney NE
to Copperfields, where my son's band was playing. We walked in and suprised him! Once again getting home at 2:00 a.m. this morning! I got a lot done today, am exhausted. DH can't get the DVR hooked back up correctly, so will have to call some place for help tomorrow. Things are arranged and finally got some food, so will be able to stay home and eat, maybe make up for some of that maintenance expense. KayCee got a bath in the real bathtub today, and she's curled up by me on the couch. Now I have a clean spoiled brat!
Its foggy, light fine snow, my deck is covered, and it's time for the week's racing finals from PA. With only 3 races left I don't want to miss them. Glad I don't have to follow a schedule for a while or worry about driving in the wind and weather. We drove in wind every day this week except for Friday. Posts may not be as interesting or picturesque from here for a while. I will just have to try to keep up. Things here are pretty much as we left them, and it will be good seeing family and friends. Now if we can just get these electronics mastered..... my football team - Denver Broncos just went 5 - 0! Yea team!!! Pretty awesome year for their new young coach!
It's nice to have a heated building and the owner to start her every 2 weeks while we are gone. We eliminate the need to winterize.
Thursday we arrived at Colby, had a 1:00 appointment at the Cummins dealer for service. Over $800.00 later we ran on down the road to Goodland and pulled into the campground amidst great big flakes of snow! I have relatives in Goodland, mostly in the cemetary, but didn't take time out this trip to see them! In following the weather forcasts all week I knew that Friday was going to be the only clear shot we had to get to Fountain and the storage before it got rotten for several days, and I decided to take a run for it. I was almost afraid to look out Friday morning, fearing it would be all white, but luck was with us and not a flake on the ground, so we packed and stowed, cleaned and dumped and made the 3 hour trip to Fountain by late afternoon. I broke a few of my "Cardinal" Rules that day. I don't like to travel after dark but we wanted to get to Nebraska before the storm, so we left Co. Springs after getting Betsy tucked in and drove the 6 hrs. in the dark, and made it home at 1:30 a.m., just in time for it to start snowing! Am I nuts? I hate cold! The only good thing about this is I can wear my John Force Racing Coat~!LOL After unloading we got to bed about 3:30 a.m. and up early. Had a boatload of stuff to arrange and put away, didn't have any food so went out to eat and drove to Kearney NE
to Copperfields, where my son's band was playing. We walked in and suprised him! Once again getting home at 2:00 a.m. this morning! I got a lot done today, am exhausted. DH can't get the DVR hooked back up correctly, so will have to call some place for help tomorrow. Things are arranged and finally got some food, so will be able to stay home and eat, maybe make up for some of that maintenance expense. KayCee got a bath in the real bathtub today, and she's curled up by me on the couch. Now I have a clean spoiled brat!
Its foggy, light fine snow, my deck is covered, and it's time for the week's racing finals from PA. With only 3 races left I don't want to miss them. Glad I don't have to follow a schedule for a while or worry about driving in the wind and weather. We drove in wind every day this week except for Friday. Posts may not be as interesting or picturesque from here for a while. I will just have to try to keep up. Things here are pretty much as we left them, and it will be good seeing family and friends. Now if we can just get these electronics mastered..... my football team - Denver Broncos just went 5 - 0! Yea team!!! Pretty awesome year for their new young coach!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Snow! Right Now!
Sitting in Goodland Kansas in the snow tonight. We had a service job today in Colby and came as far as Goodland. Looks like tomorrow will be the only nice day left for a week....so we will head it on in and put Bessie in the warm building tomorrow. I am busy packing up What will go and what will stay. Tired tonight, but not too tired to watch the Nebraska Football Game. They're playing in the pouring rain in Missouri and it looks miserable there too. No pictures now, I don't have time this evening! Last night we stopped in Russell and I told DH at dinner that I had a funny feeling that something bad was going to happen, and I never shook that feeling today. Well at noon my youngest son called and he had to go to the hospital for stitches in his middle finger this morning after cutting it to the bone on tin while installing a furnace! The first Workman's Comp claim he's had in 8 years with the company. I hope that's all the bad stuff. How weird is that? It's really chilly in here, I think we'll have another blanket on the bed. KayCee even covered up with a blanket on the couch. It's supposed to be in the upper 50s tomorrow and very little wind. We only have about a 3 hour drive, so we'll just wait for it to warm up a bit and go for it. Well, better get back to work. I have a feeling this is not going to be the leisurely transition that I hoped for and then to drive all the way to Nebraska yet tomorrow afternoon may be too much and we stay in Co. Springs for a day or two. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
More Touring in Abilene Today
Got a late start this morning! Went to Ike's Museum to finish the last of the Presidential gallery.
They had an Ike look alike greeting patrons today and as we left, Danny got to pose and shake his hand for the NBC news crew from Wichita. So I suppose he was on TV tonight. I have two or three areas of the artifacts and presentations that were my favorites. Some of the early utensils and quilts that were handmade by Ikes mother, the room with the many artifacts and gifts from leaders of other countries. A mosaic tile desk and accessories, all the bejeweled and adorned swords and unique bowls and sybolic gifts of countries demonstrating peace and admiration of this man. He was pretty awesome all the way through his life. We finished in time for lunch downtown at a quaint little donut and sandwich shop and from there we stopped in at the Visitors Center in search of more info. The next stop was the American Indian Art Center, where on display are many hand made and hand painted items by many different Native tribes. Had a nice visit with the Curator about some Geaneology Issues I have, and I bought some flute music cds. I have never seen such a large selection of Books on the evolution of different tribes. We finished up the touring section of Abilene at the Grey Hound Hall of Fame. Walked through and read about the history of Grey Hounds and the Racing Industry. I fear it is kinda fading away, with all the other gambling today. We were greeted by two resident retired racers. They are very mellow dogs, but just a little big for RV Travel! We had a coffee break this afternoon at the Russell Stover Candy factory and outlet store.....I did my part and bought a carmel apple. DH was much naughtier. On the way home we drove out of the way and took a look at Enterprise KS. A little town not far from here. Looks to be a dying little town, a bedroom community of Abilene.
DH lets KayCee do pretty much what ever she wants to! Tonight they headed out to the field for a little exercise after she rode along and spent most of the day in her cage. We will be heading west in the morning fairly early to miss the great wind gusts.
Will be stopping in Russell so don't have too far to go. The heat is running tonight and it's down to 51. As long as we have water and diesel, we'll have heat if necessary.
They had an Ike look alike greeting patrons today and as we left, Danny got to pose and shake his hand for the NBC news crew from Wichita. So I suppose he was on TV tonight. I have two or three areas of the artifacts and presentations that were my favorites. Some of the early utensils and quilts that were handmade by Ikes mother, the room with the many artifacts and gifts from leaders of other countries. A mosaic tile desk and accessories, all the bejeweled and adorned swords and unique bowls and sybolic gifts of countries demonstrating peace and admiration of this man. He was pretty awesome all the way through his life. We finished in time for lunch downtown at a quaint little donut and sandwich shop and from there we stopped in at the Visitors Center in search of more info. The next stop was the American Indian Art Center, where on display are many hand made and hand painted items by many different Native tribes. Had a nice visit with the Curator about some Geaneology Issues I have, and I bought some flute music cds. I have never seen such a large selection of Books on the evolution of different tribes. We finished up the touring section of Abilene at the Grey Hound Hall of Fame. Walked through and read about the history of Grey Hounds and the Racing Industry. I fear it is kinda fading away, with all the other gambling today. We were greeted by two resident retired racers. They are very mellow dogs, but just a little big for RV Travel! We had a coffee break this afternoon at the Russell Stover Candy factory and outlet store.....I did my part and bought a carmel apple. DH was much naughtier. On the way home we drove out of the way and took a look at Enterprise KS. A little town not far from here. Looks to be a dying little town, a bedroom community of Abilene.
DH lets KayCee do pretty much what ever she wants to! Tonight they headed out to the field for a little exercise after she rode along and spent most of the day in her cage. We will be heading west in the morning fairly early to miss the great wind gusts.
Will be stopping in Russell so don't have too far to go. The heat is running tonight and it's down to 51. As long as we have water and diesel, we'll have heat if necessary.
Monday, October 5, 2009
I 70 Corridor
Yesterday we went to Wamego KS and enjoyed their Oztober fest. On the way through the country we came across this rept
ile specimen in the road trying to warm up. DH had to get out and get these pics. Think maybe poisonous, but too cold to move much and I don't know what species it is. The plans were to tour the Wizard of Oz museum there, and it just so happened that this weekend was their fall festival and they capitalize on Dorothy, the ruby slippers and the wizard to bring a little fame to their town.
The museum was a very well put together collection of all things OZ. They were having a raffle giving away 3 sets of stuffed Oz characters that survived the Trade Center collapse.
We enjoyed the nice day by walking around the downtown area and seeing all the booths with wares for sale.
Live music was set up on a bandstand at the end of Main Street. Food trailers with Funnel cakes that we couldn't resist. Had to sit down and listen to the music and have a funnel cake.
The mounted Color Guard from Fort Riley was making the rounds up and down the streets and since my eldest was a member of the Mounted Color Guard at Ft Carson, I felt compelled to go pet the horses and shake their hands!
A funnel cake, hard rock band and Mounted Color Guard. We couldn't have asked for a better day. We drove 14 miles south to the town of Alma,KS as they had Native Stone buildings and a creamery advertised, but since it was Sunday it was closed so we drove around a bit and headed for home. I got some pictures of a train going through our campground when we got home.
You can see how very close it was! I woke up several times in the night, so decided to leave for Abilene today. We were on the road by 9:00. The fall color changes are lots more apparent now. Pulled into the RV Park and Dealership about 10 a.m. Consulted with the service dept. and got a minor problem fixed with one of our window awnings. Bought some water filters to get things changed up and ready to store. This campground is small and looks to be a lot of full time working around here.
We spent most of the rest of the day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Was very interesting and so much to see that we will go back in the morning for a while. There's a couple more things I want to see in Abilene and then we will move on. It's drizzling and cool tonight. Pizza and Drag racing and Monday Night Football is the activity of this evening. Next stop....Russell.
ile specimen in the road trying to warm up. DH had to get out and get these pics. Think maybe poisonous, but too cold to move much and I don't know what species it is. The plans were to tour the Wizard of Oz museum there, and it just so happened that this weekend was their fall festival and they capitalize on Dorothy, the ruby slippers and the wizard to bring a little fame to their town.
The museum was a very well put together collection of all things OZ. They were having a raffle giving away 3 sets of stuffed Oz characters that survived the Trade Center collapse.
We enjoyed the nice day by walking around the downtown area and seeing all the booths with wares for sale.
Live music was set up on a bandstand at the end of Main Street. Food trailers with Funnel cakes that we couldn't resist. Had to sit down and listen to the music and have a funnel cake.
The mounted Color Guard from Fort Riley was making the rounds up and down the streets and since my eldest was a member of the Mounted Color Guard at Ft Carson, I felt compelled to go pet the horses and shake their hands!
A funnel cake, hard rock band and Mounted Color Guard. We couldn't have asked for a better day. We drove 14 miles south to the town of Alma,KS as they had Native Stone buildings and a creamery advertised, but since it was Sunday it was closed so we drove around a bit and headed for home. I got some pictures of a train going through our campground when we got home.
You can see how very close it was! I woke up several times in the night, so decided to leave for Abilene today. We were on the road by 9:00. The fall color changes are lots more apparent now. Pulled into the RV Park and Dealership about 10 a.m. Consulted with the service dept. and got a minor problem fixed with one of our window awnings. Bought some water filters to get things changed up and ready to store. This campground is small and looks to be a lot of full time working around here.
We spent most of the rest of the day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Was very interesting and so much to see that we will go back in the morning for a while. There's a couple more things I want to see in Abilene and then we will move on. It's drizzling and cool tonight. Pizza and Drag racing and Monday Night Football is the activity of this evening. Next stop....Russell.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Land of OZ
We made it back to Kansas ToTo! Today was the kind of day that I would have just as soon started all over or skipped entirely. The wind wasn't blowing this morning and we got a decent start from Nevada, but our two hour trip turned into six. In 15 miles we were crossing the Kansas State line at Ft. Scott. One missed exit and around the block to make it onto 54 East.. it was quite a jog. Went almost the whole way on two lane with no shoulder to speak of. Not my favorite kind of road. Finally made it to Lyndon and to a very small RV Park that was mostly full of worker bees living full time. DH unhooked the car so we could pull in easier. Left no place to park the car. Started the set up process and figured out there was a problem with the breaker in the box and he didn't want to change it out, so I called ahead and we decided to move on. We then went in reverse of unhooking sewer, etc. and hooking up the car, got him to uncharge my card and up the road we went, through Topeka, took exit 333 as instructed at Paxico. A mile back on a skinny little road into town and ....skinny little road across the raised up railroad tracks.The Mill Creek Campground. Here we are, a quarter mile down the fence row to their "Camp" OMG did I mention the railroad tracks work? It's a U.P. line. Trains about every hour. She forgot to mention that part. The only part I heard was the sites were 90 feet long! I LIKE THAT. The trains? Not so much. I was sittin here tonight and could have sworn we were still traveling cause I was moving like we were. Here comes another one. Don't know if I will sleep. This reminds me of when the kids were little, we lived in a two story house directly across the street from the railroad tracks. We got used to it and it used to shake the dishes in the cupboard. Maybe it'll come back to me, as these are lots closer. We drove into Wamego today to check out the Oz museum. There's quite a few things in this area that are worth a look. They are having Oztober Fest this weekend, so we will go back tomorrow to the Oz museum. I want to see the Ruby Slippers and what ever else they have. There's quite a lot of road construction in that town. We stopped at an IGA for milk, drove around a park in town.
The location of a Genuine Dutch Mill and Prairie Village. Across the street was a small fishing lake with a metal foot bridge and madonna statue in the center. Very calm setting.
Had a leisurely drive back to the camp through the country. Harvest is in full swing around here. Soy Beans and Corn. Saw a different looking Combine that we've not seen before. Looks like a foreign bug! Not far from here is a coal fired Electric Generating plant. It looks pretty impressive. Thank goodness this railroad line isn't supplying the coal there! That's the next line up, and I think it's Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Fixed supper after all that and took clothes to the laundry. Did two loads and discovered that we left our rubber door mat in Nevada. Tomorrow will be a better day I hope.
The location of a Genuine Dutch Mill and Prairie Village. Across the street was a small fishing lake with a metal foot bridge and madonna statue in the center. Very calm setting.
Had a leisurely drive back to the camp through the country. Harvest is in full swing around here. Soy Beans and Corn. Saw a different looking Combine that we've not seen before. Looks like a foreign bug! Not far from here is a coal fired Electric Generating plant. It looks pretty impressive. Thank goodness this railroad line isn't supplying the coal there! That's the next line up, and I think it's Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Fixed supper after all that and took clothes to the laundry. Did two loads and discovered that we left our rubber door mat in Nevada. Tomorrow will be a better day I hope.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Wind blows and We Rock
This energy thing! The wind can make things go....and the wind can also make things stop! Like us.
45 mph wind gusts aren't anything I want to go out and experience. Too many things break and repairs too costly. One event last year cost us an a/c cover and a new windshield. Thanks to the bird that couldn't motor in 50mph gusts! Several Rigs came off the road late this morning and showed up without reservations. This little park is almost full. Today I used my time grouping, making lists and arranging some things to make it easier to pack up and move out for a while. We measured for new front wrap around drapes. It was even too windy to go out and finish the polishing we have left. We drove around town some more and got in on the Homecoming Parade. We stopped in to the Vineyard Farm and Home store and I bought some more packages of "Fresh Cab" scent packages that repels mice during storage of an rv or Semi. We used them last year and had no signs of rodents, so will repeat that process. This evening the wind has gone down.
It's nice and peaceful here tonight. DH finishing a book about Branson and I took the time for a nice long hot shower. Gotta love my Aqua Hot Hydronic Heating System. I never run out of hot water as long as I have water, and I have 100 gal on board. I much prefer that to going to the public bath house. We got word that our good friend, musician/producer is back at the old winter stomping grounds..Desert Valley RV Resort. Glad to hear he made it safely with his new motorcoach, and I am really looking forward to getting back there myself! The nights are definitely cooler. There's freeze warnings up north in NE tonight. We will try to move out in the morning by 9 a.m. Only about 130 miles to go, and then we will climb in the Sub and go into Topeka and around the area. Slowly making our way north and west. Had a call from a good friend in Falcon Co. and they have moved. She thought we would be heading that way, and we will go out for supper and visit with them a bit when we get to Colo. Springs. Just a few more stops and hopefully we'll slide on into the city before the next storm arrives. They've already had their first snow, so it can come any time.
45 mph wind gusts aren't anything I want to go out and experience. Too many things break and repairs too costly. One event last year cost us an a/c cover and a new windshield. Thanks to the bird that couldn't motor in 50mph gusts! Several Rigs came off the road late this morning and showed up without reservations. This little park is almost full. Today I used my time grouping, making lists and arranging some things to make it easier to pack up and move out for a while. We measured for new front wrap around drapes. It was even too windy to go out and finish the polishing we have left. We drove around town some more and got in on the Homecoming Parade. We stopped in to the Vineyard Farm and Home store and I bought some more packages of "Fresh Cab" scent packages that repels mice during storage of an rv or Semi. We used them last year and had no signs of rodents, so will repeat that process. This evening the wind has gone down.
It's nice and peaceful here tonight. DH finishing a book about Branson and I took the time for a nice long hot shower. Gotta love my Aqua Hot Hydronic Heating System. I never run out of hot water as long as I have water, and I have 100 gal on board. I much prefer that to going to the public bath house. We got word that our good friend, musician/producer is back at the old winter stomping grounds..Desert Valley RV Resort. Glad to hear he made it safely with his new motorcoach, and I am really looking forward to getting back there myself! The nights are definitely cooler. There's freeze warnings up north in NE tonight. We will try to move out in the morning by 9 a.m. Only about 130 miles to go, and then we will climb in the Sub and go into Topeka and around the area. Slowly making our way north and west. Had a call from a good friend in Falcon Co. and they have moved. She thought we would be heading that way, and we will go out for supper and visit with them a bit when we get to Colo. Springs. Just a few more stops and hopefully we'll slide on into the city before the next storm arrives. They've already had their first snow, so it can come any time.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Last stop in Missouri
It was intended to be just one night here in Nevada Missouri, unfortunately there's warnings for 40 mph winds for tomorrow.
We will stay another day. I'm looking forward to the rest of Kansas. I will use the rest of tomorrow to plan our sights and finish the outside cleaning.
It is also time to schedule the annual service and maintenance on our coach. That way we can grab it in January and go down the road with no worries, so will check out Cummins dealers and schedule a service for next week. Today started out with a threat of Thunderstorms standing between Branson and our destination. As it turned out, we experienced a shower on the way through Springfield, but otherwise was an uneventful trip. The winds were light, the foliage is flirting with the changes of fall and we got settled here in Nevada just as another thundershower blew through the area.
This park has new owners that have only been here 3 months. It is a very nice clean little park with mini golf, a pool, exercise/meeting room and clean restrooms/laundry.
I had a real good visit with Julie, one of the owners this afternoon. She is from south Texas and has a son on his second tour in Iraq, due to come home in two weeks. We found we had a lot of things in common and I learned that being with another military mom, no matter how long it's been, those memories still bring on the tears......for both of us! She is doing some of the exact same things that I did before my son arrived home, only her son is stationed in Hawaii, and she can't go meet his plane like we did.
My prayers are with all of them that he makes it home safe. There's a cool down in the evenings now, we run the heat pumps at night. We took a drive around this town late this afternoon and had supper at a recommended Mexican restaurant. They have a Walmart and we drove through the parking lot, and as we did, DH asked me if I needed anything, and I said "No...but it always just sucks me in!" He added, "It's too bad we didn't bring a camera" He's such a smart... sometimes....Now watch me end up there tomorrow!
We will stay another day. I'm looking forward to the rest of Kansas. I will use the rest of tomorrow to plan our sights and finish the outside cleaning.
It is also time to schedule the annual service and maintenance on our coach. That way we can grab it in January and go down the road with no worries, so will check out Cummins dealers and schedule a service for next week. Today started out with a threat of Thunderstorms standing between Branson and our destination. As it turned out, we experienced a shower on the way through Springfield, but otherwise was an uneventful trip. The winds were light, the foliage is flirting with the changes of fall and we got settled here in Nevada just as another thundershower blew through the area.
This park has new owners that have only been here 3 months. It is a very nice clean little park with mini golf, a pool, exercise/meeting room and clean restrooms/laundry.
I had a real good visit with Julie, one of the owners this afternoon. She is from south Texas and has a son on his second tour in Iraq, due to come home in two weeks. We found we had a lot of things in common and I learned that being with another military mom, no matter how long it's been, those memories still bring on the tears......for both of us! She is doing some of the exact same things that I did before my son arrived home, only her son is stationed in Hawaii, and she can't go meet his plane like we did.
My prayers are with all of them that he makes it home safe. There's a cool down in the evenings now, we run the heat pumps at night. We took a drive around this town late this afternoon and had supper at a recommended Mexican restaurant. They have a Walmart and we drove through the parking lot, and as we did, DH asked me if I needed anything, and I said "No...but it always just sucks me in!" He added, "It's too bad we didn't bring a camera" He's such a smart... sometimes....Now watch me end up there tomorrow!
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