Lows - Highs - Lows - Highs

It has been a rainbow week - tears and sunshine. Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers.

We left Lubbock, Texas and are heading north to Colorado. In our “National Geographic Guide To Scenic Highways and Byways” book we read about a scenic road in the Texas Panhandle. From Silverton we took Route 207 north and after several miles of flat land you drop into Tule Canyon.  

After several miles of agricultural land where milo and wheat is grown, out of nowhere appears Palo Duro Canyon which is 9 miles wide and 120 miles long. 

Capulin, New Mexico was our overnight stop. It is one of those small towns that if you blinked you would miss it. The cool thing about this area is Capulin Volcano National Monument. 

You drive up to the top on a road that is scary, with hairpin turns and few guardrails. As you hike the steep ascents around the rim to the highest peak at 8,182 feet the views are amazing. 

Ladybugs swarm around the plants. 

A Horned toad greeted us along the path. 

Hiking around a volcano was a unique way to start our day. Once we were back on the road it rained most of the way to Colorado Springs.

Ron & Karen suggested we take the Glen Eyre Castle tour. The history, innovations, family tragedy and influence in the community was very interesting.  It was so peaceful there that we had lunch outside on the patio overlooking the carriage house. It is a great feeling not to have to rush.   Seeing the beautiful mountains and soaking in the sunshine has been refreshing. Glen Eyrie Castle

 Since school is now back in session, and we are still traveling, I think it is sinking in that I am retired. We feel so blessed every day. Follow your dreams. Thanks Wanda! 

 “Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” Josh Shipp. 

Have a great year teachers and staff! Good luck to the young adults who are going to college. I am proud of you and would love to hear how you are doing!

 Bear Creek State Park in Lakewood, Colorado is where we are staying for a week. It is about two miles from Red Rocks Amphitheater and 15 minutes away from Golden. It has large lots, we can see the mountains and Denver. We saw 1964 which is a Beatles tribute band at Red Rocks Amphitheater and had a great time singing along. An amazing natural venue you need to experience.  We really enjoyed lunch at The Cheesecake Factory before the concert. Thanks Katie & Reagan!

The Farmer’s Market in Golden, Colorado has been a family favorite for years. 

 All this for $10.00! 

I couldn’t pass up the peaches from Palisade, Colorado for $8.00. 

Scott has been waiting for months to get his favorite buffalo, elk and beef jerky from Climax Jerky out of Dillion, Colorado. Colorado is one of our favorite states so far.

     “Memories take us back, dreams take us forward“    

                                                               

BBQ, Friends & Sad News

Luling was once know as "the toughest town in Texas".  You can tell that it is an oil town by the smell and seeing all the decorated pump jacks around town.  Luling Pump Jack Art

Black's - Lockhart

City Market - Luling

Luling and Lockhart are two towns where we devoured some delicious barbecue meat. Of course we had to try out the restaurants that consistently hit the top of the lists or are in the book, "500 Things To Eat Before It's Too Late" by Jane & Michael Stern. Thanks Bill & Carol! It would be cruel to show you the pictures of the sausage links, brisket and ribs. Yummy! We have eaten at Luling BBQ, Kreuz and Smitty's before and it is difficult to pick a favorite. 

On one of the rainy days we went to the Zedler Mill Museum & Park. It was established in 1874 as the Luling community's grist mill. If you like history click on this link to read more. Zedler Mill

 

One row cotton picker.

San Marcos River 

Lake Pointe RV Resort in Canyon Lake, TX was our home for four days. The adult pool was about 50 yards away and when the rain stopped we were there. The exercise was needed because we went out to eat with Vernon & Terri at the Grist Mill, Clay & Vicky at Garcia's and Bump & Kathy at Clear Springs. Catching up with long time friends was so fun!

As we made our way west through the rolling hills and craggy canyons in the Texas Hill Country we stopped at Medina. Why Medina? To see Joel & Sally who are the son and daughter-in-law of long time friends from Des Moines, Iowa. John & Jeannine came down to see their new grandson and their daughter Amanda flew in from Florida so we were able to see the whole family. We stayed at Arms of Hope a christian organization that helps disadvantaged youth along with single moms. Joel and Sally have worked at Arms of Hope for several years. Check out the success stories and programs that are making a difference in Texas. Arms of Hope

Our spot was next to a creek and a grove of pecan trees. Everywhere you go you see deer. It is a very peaceful area and we went on a few walks around the beautiful grounds.

Our hearts are broken. We found out on Monday that Brett Neal was killed in a car accident on Saturday 8-20-16. Brett was one of the kids I watched for many years and was the same age as our son Joel. He graduated from Valley High School and played the drums. We have many great memories and will never forget his smile. Please pray for his parents, brother, family and friends.

Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever.

Last Week In Livingston, Texas

This trolley is going nowhere but we are hitting the road.

Yes, I received my temporary license on Monday and all the legal stuff is done. Yeah!

I will miss the water aerobics class and the wonderful ladies I met.

At the live jam session on Thursday they played some rock n' roll songs we requested. When we told them our last day was Sunday they serenaded us with one more song. How sweet! 

Are we overweight? I am talking about our RV.
Did you know they have Weight Watchers for RV's?

Before hitting the road we wanted to utilize the Escapees SmartWeigh service to make sure the weight of our RV is evenly distributed.  For safety and tire wear, each wheel or corner is individually weighed so you can shift your contents and don't overload one area. We thought about weight distribution when loading but were shocked to received a glowing report. She told us not to move a thing! In fact the RV is underweight. We have never heard that in our life.

Scott and I are also happy about some modifications Duane did for us before leaving West Des Moines, Iowa. He took our rectangular cutting board and cut it to fit the round sink which makes the area more functional. It also hides the dishes when I don't get them done. He also installed a soft release hinge on the garbage lid so it doesn't fall in. They both work great! Thanks Duane!

We have met some very nice people at Rainbow's End.
Leonard has a Blue Bird school bus and is making it into his home on wheels. We stopped over for a personal tour. He has a Jacuzzi tub, a fold down Murphy bed, heated floors, some very cool lighting and an eight foot work shop area at the back. You can check it out: Leonard's Blue Bird Bus

Before leaving the area we wanted to go to Gokey's Old Town Emporium & Creamery in Goodrich, Texas. A small town of 271 people. After strolling through the aisles that are jam packed with antiques, we indulged in some ice cream. Scott had a cookie dough shake and I had pistachio almond ice cream in a waffle cone. We sat in a red and white booth next to the soda fountain stools and jars of candy. An adorable shop ran by a friendly couple. Notice the sign above the window - Life is Sweet.

The last 30 days here have been great. We definitely needed some transition time after the last few crazy months selling our house and preparing to go full-time. We have had time to rest, get all the legal stuff done, and still did a few activities. Scott has been perusing the atlas and has made some plans for the next six months and is itching to get on the road.

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." Anita Desai

Pokemon Go Adventures

We got your attention with that title! 

With all the obsession of Pokemon Go we couldn't resist posting this sign we saw in town! 

We got a good laugh and someone is very creative. 

Another church sign read: Too hot to change the sign.

I know some of you already think we have lost our minds.

Just to make it perfectly clear, we do not play Pokemon Go! 

We did experience a few new adventures last week. 

• I started attending water aerobics with a few ladies in the morning. They are so nice and it is a great way to get some exercise in the hot weather. 
• We went to the live jam session which had five musicians. There was a bass violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar and an accordion. It was mostly country music but some gospel. I thought it was a thrill to sing "Deep In The Heart Of Texas". Click on the link if you want to hear the song. Deep In The Heart Of Texas  Scott who prefers rock wasn't as thrilled. Experiencing the jam session is what traveling around the country is all about.
• Scott and I played a few games of pool which we use to play weekly at our sticks and bricks home. He won both games.
• Bonnie and Erla - Scott's hair looks great. Wink Wink 
• Scott received his real Texas drivers license in the mail. I am still waiting for my paper work to arrive.
• We have talked to five different single women who are rving full-time. They impress me because I don't think I would be that brave.

I hope everyone was able to see the opening ceremony of the Olympics. We can all be united by cheering on these amazing athletes. USA! USA! USA!

This plaque hangs on our remote control holder. 

It reads: Home There's no place like it. Especially when you can take it with you!

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Roadside Art & Galveston Island

 Tuesday we had to stock up on our favorite glazed pecans from Sweet Taste of Texas. While in Houston we had a nice visit with Jason, Becky and family. 

Thursday was rainy off and on so we decided to drive around Lake Livingston. As we turned a sharp corner in Trinity, Texas we came across this metal art sculpture. There were more sculptures in the yard at this gated home. 

You never know what is around the next corner in life or traveling. 

 Fred Hartman Bridge in Baytown, Texas on the way to Galveston.

Click on this link to see how the residents created
something positive after Hurricane Ike. 

Galveston Tree Sculptures

Many beautiful historic homes to tour. 

 We spent a few hours walking on the beach 

but because of a flesh eating bacteria we didn't get into the water. 

The decision to stay in Livingston for 30 days was a good one. We are having fun and learning a new pace in life. Scott still stays up late listening to music. I am sleeping in a little which gives both of us our own time. I have my daily devotional and read before he gets up. The internet is great in the park so we have live-streamed two different services on Sunday and then we go to the Vesper Service at the CARE Center. We talk with Joel every Sunday night and he seems to be doing great.

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.