Definately Feel Loved!

We have been extra busy the last several weeks so I will get 

you caught up in the next couple of blogs.

It was wonderful visiting friends and family in Des Moines, Iowa!

We ate at several of our favorite restaurants,
some more than once, while catching up on what
 has been happening since we left.

Two family reunions, doctor and dentist appointments, and the
solar eclipse just to name a few of the things that happened
 in August. We stayed at Jester Park and Bob Shetler
Campground at Saylorville Lake which is close to Camp Dodge.

One afternoon we visited the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
on the base with our friend Rich. A small but nicely laid
out museum covering WWI – current conflicts. Inside they
 even have a Huey Helicopter and tank!

Iowa sweet corn was something we ate about every
 other day. Yummy! I froze some to bring back to Arizona along
with ten pounds of Graziano sausage, which is Scott’s favorite.

 Duane and Sue hosted a Going Away party in September
 and we were overwhelmed with love. It was very hard to leave.
Miss you guys!
I am sorry that we couldn’t see everyone!

 Scott & Dale in front of his 1950 Chevrolet pickup truck.

After visiting family in Kansas City, we stopped in
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for a couple of days 

to see our friends Dale & Nelda. They head up the
Tulsa Cruise Night and every Tuesday over 200 cars
converge in the parking lot for fun and prizes.
Lots of classic cars and friendly people.

Check it out when you are in the area. 

Tulsacruise.net 

One of Scott’s dream cars. 

1963 Corvette Sting Ray 

Pure beauty!

 A true classic American muscle car!

Scott had a 1966 Nova like this when he was a teenager. 

Another goal that was accomplished on this trip was
a visit to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa. 

I like this quote since I just started learning 

how to play guitar.

We were amazed at how many of his instruments

 were on display.

Cool lightening.

Scott dressed for just this occasion with 

his Alice’s Restaurant shirt.

Handwritten Lyrics of "This Land is Your Land".

Look closely because it was originally written as

 "God Blessed America for Me". 

We spent two hours reading, watching videos, and listening to
audio clips at the many stations placed around the center.

"They Laid Jesus Christ in His Grave"

Woody’s art work.

If you are in the Tulsa area, it is worth your time to visit the 

center to learn more about this music icon and his influence

 on other musicians and the world.

"Love is the only medicine I believe in. "
Woody Guthrie

Colorado to Iowa

We were a little disappointed when we went into
Golden, Colorado for the Farmer's Market.
It was postponed until next Saturday because of
Buffalo Bill Days. Streets were blocked and traffic
was heavy because of the parade and all the
activities. We walked around and asked about the Farmer's
Market and there were a few vendors at a different location
so we were able buy some peaches, strawberries, veggies
and cheese curds.

 It sprinkled most of the day but it made
a beautiful sunset!

One of our favorite places to go is

Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

 Yes, we were able to attend another concert
at this amazing place.

Peter Frampton & The Steve Miller Band were great!

Here is a fabulous view at the concert with Denver lit up
in the background.

We can see Red Rocks Amphitheater from Bear Creek 

Campground where we stayed for four days. 

 We ate our way through Nebraska. Well there isn't

 much to do except see fields of corn, soy beans and large,

smelly, cattle lots. In Lincoln we had lunch at La Paz

Mexian Restaurant which has very good food. 

Then we had to stop and get ice cream at eCreamery
in Dundee-Happy Hollow Historic District which
 is located west of Midtown Omaha, Nebraska.
 

 We did a u-turn when we saw Great Harvest Bread.

 They closed in Des Moines several years ago so it
was a treat to purchase some specialty breads.

It was late in the afternoon but we still stopped at Walnut, Iowa.
 It is a little town with many antique shops that we have
wanted to go to for years but never took the time.
It is fun to wander through the shops and see things
you used just a few years ago or growing up.

We finally made it back to Des Moines, Iowa
 which we left a little over a year ago!

Our son Joel and his girlfriend Olivia.

Since we are staying here for about 5 weeks
 I am taking a break from blogging to enjoy
visiting with family and friends.

 "There's no place like home,
 there's no place like home, 
there's no place like home."
Dorthy from The Wizard of Oz

Carlsbad, California to Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico

Spending the weekend with Stephen and Julia at 

Carlsbad State Beach in California was a blast! 

We floated on boogie boards, got smashed by the waves, 

drug across the sand by the powerful ocean, 

swallowed salt water and soaked in the sun.

Enjoying dinner outside at Garcia's in Carlsbad Village 

was a perfect way to end the day.

Two of the three grandfurkids - Storm and Romeo.

They were so fun to watch!

I had to stop and pick up a bag of oranges right 

along the orchard. They were so juicy and tasty!

We ran into a few storms as we traveled along 

Interstate 40 into New Mexico.

The scenery is just spectactular!

Julia suggested we check out Chaco Culture National Historic

Park since we were so close. It is in a remote area of

northwestern New Mexico.

We called ahead to check on the road condition coming in 

the south entrance and the lady said it should be no problem 

with a RV. Thankfully we parked the RV in Crown Point 

and just drove the car!

  After 20 miles of gravel and 14 cattle grates we arrived at 

Chaco Culture National Historic Park.

We arrived just in time to go on an hour long ranger-led talk 

which are always very informative. Chaco people began 

building multi-story stone buildings here is the mid-800’s. 

In the early 1100’s Chaco Canyon had become a ceremonial
and economic center. People gathered here because it was 

and still is a sacred place.

Chetro Ketl Kiva

This figure 8 kiva is very unusual. 

Some believe it is a portal for aliens.

 Chetro Ketl is known for its elevated kiva   
and a 500 foot long back wall.

We walked along the Petroglyphs Trail to 

Pueblo Bonito which is the largest great house with over 600

 rooms and 40 kivas. Kivas are used for spiritual ceremonies.

Pueblo del Arroyo

Chaco Canyon

This sign was on the way out. It should have been at the 

entrance also, but would that have stopped us? 

Probable not.

"National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely 

American absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our 

best rather than our worst."

Wallace Stegner

Beauty to Ashes

For those who are eligible don't delay.
On August 28, 2017, the price of the 
America the Beautiful – The National Parks and 
Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass will increase 
from $10 to $80. This pass is an amazing deal and
 we have saved hundreds of dollars.

One more trip through Yosemite before we leave!

A rock slide on El Portal road.

They built two temporary bridges to navigate around it.

Arch Rock is the west entrance into Yosemite.

We headed across Yosemite on Tioga Pass road that 

just opened up a few weeks ago once they 

removed the snow.

Another beautiful sight at Olmsted Point.

To the right of the tree is Half Dome and the left is Clouds Rest.

Can you see the hikers?

Those are not ants! It takes an average 12 hours for this hike!

This is beyond our capabilites.

Tenaya Lake 

Tenaya Lake's water was cold and clear.

In Tuolumlne Meadow a buck heads in our direction!

It was thrilling to see him that close as he ran 

across the road into the forest. 

Tuolumne River winds through the meadow.

There are still piles of snow around Tioga Lake.

Tioga Lake

The snow melt is still creating beautiful waterfalls.

Mono Lake
This body of water has been the backdrop of many 
Hollywood and television productions. 
We turned around and went back through Yosemite. 

When the sign says no commercial trucks - they 
mean it! We waited about 20 minutes while this semi 
maneuvers back and forth to turn around 

and he just missed the sign.

 Soaking in the beauty.

Relaxing around Tuolumne River. 

At 9,000 ft. elevation the temperatures were in the 60's.

 We could see the smoke from the Detwiler fire near
  Mariposa on Highway 49 as we headed home.

This picture was taken from our deck the next day.  A few 

hours later they had mandatory evacuations for the city of 

Mariposa. Smoke has also covered Yosemite, where we were

the day before, and includes many miles around us. Those 

evacuated are in Oakhurst which is the town 

just north of us where we do our grocery shopping.

The fire continues to grow. It currently has burned

 76,000 acres.

 Our car was covered in ashes when we lefts on Friday.

Firefighters are heroes.

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength

 to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

Christopher Reeve