Merry Christmas

 and Happy New Year

from the Arizona desert!

The Last Leg

We spent five days in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

visiting friends and seeing local attractions.  

 Belvidere Mansion

This three-story Victorian mansion was built in 1907.

Beautiful entrance with tin walls and ceilings.

On the first floor is the Pink House 

where we enjoyed a very nice lunch. 

Next we visited the Will Rogers Museum

 in Claremore.

Will was an actor, vaudeville performer, 

cowboy, humorous social commentator,

performed with the Ziegfeld Follies and more.

He was famous for his direct and to the point quotes.

"After eating an entire bull,

 a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. 

He kept it up until a hunter came along 

and shot him... 

The moral: When you're full of bull,

 keep your mouth shut." ~ Will Rogers

"Some people try to turn back their odometers. 

Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way.

 I've traveled a long way and 

some of the roads weren't paved." - Will Rogers

 

Have you seen his roping skills?

Click on this video and you will be amazed. 

Roping Skills

The Tulsa Chevy Classic Club was invited to 

a private showing of a car collection. 

Wow, what a thrill to tag along with our 

friends and see so many amazing cars!

After lunch, our next stop with the group was

Gasoline Alley Classics in Sapulpa which was

a former Model T assembly plant. 

The owner, Michael, has been working 

on this store for several years.

Notice the paper on the windows. 

We got a sneak peek and the 

Grand Opening was just around the corner.

Every inch of this store oozed with creativity.

If you are on Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma

stop in and see this cool place. 

Right on the edge of the Rio Grande del Norte 

National Monument, which is north of Taos, is

one of our favorite spots to camp in New Mexico. 

Looking south from our spot,

and looking north.

Fantastic place to chill. 

Since there are no towns for miles around

we were blessed to see the Milky Way!

Northern New Mexico is so beautiful and 

sage fills the air.

You have to experience it yourself.

We were cranking up the Eagles tunes, 

and "Taking it Easy",

as we pulled into Winslow, Arizona.

Spent a few days celebrating with our son, Joel.

He completed the 5 year Apprentice Program 

and is now a Journeyman Sheet Metal worker!

So proud of him!!

You can't beat an Arizona sunset.

Three months and 12,800 miles.

Wow, we are truly blessed to be able to 

have such a wonderful summer!

Thanks to everyone who prayed for our safety 

and follow our travels!

We would love to hear where you have been,

to inspire us for our future adventures.

Cumberland Gap, Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Nashville, Tennessee

 

Because of the morning fog, we waited several 

hours before going to Cumberland Gap.

The visitor center is a must. There are two

videos that inform you on all the history, 

how Daniel Boone opened the West and the 

sons he lost there. 

It is a four mile long winding road up 

the mountain to the Pinnacle Overlook.

As you can see, the fog didn't lift.

Standing in Virginia and Kentucky. 

This was our view from the Pinnacle.

On our way back down 

we saw another deer. 

Driving through Knoxville we could see 

the Sunsphere Tower that was built 

for the 1982 World's Fair.  It was raining so we

 took out our umbrella and walked around town.

Onto Cades Cove in the 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You can see why they call these the Smoky Mountains.

It is an eleven mile loop you drive around to see 

many cabins and buildings from the early 1800's.

John P. Cable Grist Mill

This wild turkey had his eye on us.

Henry Whitehead's place.

John Oliver's cabin is the oldest log home.

Along the highway from Knoxville to Nashville 

you can see that the vines cover everything!

It is a real problem in this area of the U.S.

Marathon Automobiles Building in Nashville

now houses many business.

Of course, we had to check out 

Antique Archaeology.

We love watching the show and some of their

"finds" were on display.

Broadway Street is where all the wildlife 

is seen day or night from rooftop to street level.

 It is a favorite place for bachelorette parties

on fire trucks and open topped party busses.

We were definitely out of place since we didn't have 

on our cut off jean shorts and cowboy boots!

 Hearing all the different bands playing in the bars and 

restaurants through their open windows 

as you walk around was cool.

Found some delicious peaches at the Farmers Market 

and had some great BBQ before going to 

Zanies Comedy Club.

We were definitely some of the oldest people

in the crowd which didn't make a difference

because we laughed all night. So fun!

Shenandoah National Park Virginia

 

We entered Shenandoah from the north

and were surprised to see this hang glider

soring with a bird.

There are many pull-offs on Skyline Drive.

Just beautiful!

It was a windy day and

 these butterflies were hanging on.

We camped in Big Meadow 

about half way through the park. 

No cell service or electricity, but they 

provided bear boxes and plenty of deer. 

In the morning we hiked to Dark Hollow Falls. 

It is 1.4 mile down and back up, 

a moderately challenging trail.

Pardon the windshield shot but no time to jump out.

On to West Virginia

to see the Sandstone Falls in

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.

It is a great place to rock climb, kayak, hike or camp.

We were too tired from our last hike so we

didn't explore this park.