Forgot to enter the mileage

I forgot to enter the mileage here, I did it on facebook and announced the winner was Barbara McGrath. She will receive a very special prize when we see her when she gets here on Wednesday! I'm glad she will be here early to help me with the party next Saturday!!!

Marty has some really fun games planned, you shouldn't miss it. All are welcome, bring a covered dish and a lawn chair. Music provided by Bear Hill Bluegrass!!

Look forward to seeing you all then.

Beginning Mileage

Back Home

It feels really good to be home, kinda. This vacation has been so good. Our memories will last forever, only at our ages we won't remember them until they are 20 years old.

Don't forget about the mileage challenge. We have a picture of the ending odometer, but we won't post it until you're given a chance to do the math. Don't forget there is a very special grand prize that will be awarded. The deadline for entering the contest will be Saturday May 15th at high noon! You can enter your guess right here by clicking on the comments button at the end of this post.

Thanks for coming along on our journey.

Pam & Marty

Made it to St. Louis

Well we made it to St. Louis, well just outside the city. We visited our friends Jeff and Trish. It was good to see them both. The last time we saw them was a couple of years ago at his parents 50th anniversary party. They built a very nice house and have started collecting animals. They have 5 horses, 4 dogs, 1 cats and assorted chickens. We've been wanting to get out to see Jeff's funeral home for quite a while. Pictures are below. He played a funny trick on Marty, as we walled in the door and down the hall he put Marty's name on the outside of one of the viewing rooms. I didn't notice, but it was kind of weird for Marty when he noticed. But that is the extent of a morticians sense of humor.

We didn't stay too long, got to meet the dogs, golden retrievers which made me miss Abel more. Anyway, we had a nice dinner and we hit the road, again. We did see the arch from the highway though.

Haven't done anything real interesting other than drive. We're getting excited to be home (see Abel really) as we are heading east.

As this trip winds down, I'm starting to appreciate this experience even more. Can't believe some of the sights we have seen. It is really hard to believe that Marty and I got along the whole time.

Thanks for checking in.
P.S. It's ok to write back to me.

Beautiful place

Branson MO

We got to Branson yesterday and since it was late we just hung out and went to bed early. What a nice comfy bed.
Got up early and walked thru town, then went to the toy museum.
Frank, remember your robot you used to scare me with? Had similar ones, but I guess I broke the last remaining one!
There was a barbie dream house like we used to have, it was made out of cardboard. But the display that brought back the memories was the case that had Mrs. Beasley doll and a Crissy doll. Nancy used to love her Mrs. Beasley more than anything. I used to play with the Crissy doll that had a button in her back and you could make her hair long or short. Those were the good ole days, we played with dolls, we didn't have to change poopy diapers!!!
Marty took me out for a nice dinner (he had a coupon), we had a seafood buffet. He looked all day for a coupon for dinner, then he forgot to use it. Now he knows how I feel when I go to the grocery with coupons. But I'm still glad it was him and not me.
We saw a magic show this evening. It was almost like a date, but don't tell him!
Going to head out in the morning and head towards St. Louis. At least right now that is what the plan is.
Good night.

No one told us which to to turn at the fork!?! (you will have to enlarge the picture)

Abandoned gold mining town

Pike's Peak

I can't believe I did this

Before leaving South Dakota, Marty and I visited Wind Cave. I enjoy going through the caves and stuff. We wanted to do jewel Cave also, but somewhere in the 15 miles that separate the two caves we changed our minds. big surprise huh?

We ended up near Pikes Peak. We also found ourselves back in the mountains, they seem to draw us in. Anyway, we camped at a nice campground that was nearly empty. We drove through a couple of abandoned gold mining towns. Part of the scenic drive included a loop through the towns, we also ended up in the area that they were actively mining. I don't think that was part of the route. Those truck are so big! One tire was bigger than Ruby. I drove over the Royal Gorge Bridge. You can't see in the picture, but it is a wooden suspension bridge that spans over the gorge 1,000 ft. That is not a type--1,000ft! Marty will tell you how I feel about wooden bridges, as well as low water bridges. Not my favorite!!

Speaking of Ruby, don't forget about the mileage challenge. I will give you a hint, she is due for another oil change.

We headed east yesterday morning, nothing real exciting, drove half way thru Kansas and stopped for the night. Today we finished Kansas. Very flat.

We are in Branson Missouri now, we will be here for two nights. Probably just do some exploring and planning our day tomorrow. There are a couple of parks and scenic drives in the morning and maybe a show and buffet in the evening. Then we should be off to St. Louis on Friday morning. All plans subject to change any second!

Nice to see mountains again. The Ozarks.

Rachel, I hope you had a nice birthday! I miss you.

Andy, Jody, Darin and Kendra, thanks for taking such good care of Abel. Kendra you are exercising him too much, I don't know if I can keep up with him when we get back. hahaha

Happy belated birthday to Bob. I hope you enjoyed your surprise visit from Scott.

We're off to explore, talk to you soon.

Pictures Bear Country & Mt. Rushmore

What a sight

Babies

Lynx

Sleeping grizzly-best kind

Black bear

Grizzly-hide-n-seek

Dressed up for halloween-Statue of Liberty

Arctic wolf-tough

Quite the rack!

This is what they call wet & slushy

Greetings from Custer South Dakota

Yesterday was quite a busy day. We visited Bear Country USA, which is a drive thru wildlife park. We saw Arctic wolves, wolves, coyote, buffalo and both black and grizzly bear. I am just fascinated with the bear, they were all over the place. We were really lucky they opened for the season at 8:00am and we were there about 8:15. Things are looking up. It was only flurrying, but there was a high wind warning.

We found a bagel shop here in Rapid City, Marty was so excited. I know a long way to go for a bagel, but what the heck.

After breakfast we headed to Mt. Rushmore via the Needles Highway (thanks Andy for the tips on Bear Country and Needles Hwy), anyway, as we drove aroound a bend, there it was, we were both speachless, what a sight! It just appeared in the sky, incredible. Of course then we drove to the monument itself. What a work of art.

From there we drove to Badlands National Park. What a ride that was. It is hard to believe that we were on the same planet. We did a loop (scenic) ride around the park. We took a short walk down a trail, but is was really really windy so we ended up back in the van.

It was getting late, so we decided to head towards a state park that we wanted to visit, Custer State Park. On the way, we stopped in a little town called Wall, we walked around a little, just to stretch. The road to the park was a blast, it was one of those roads with the whoop-de-whoop humps. It felt like a roller coaster (or what I imagine a roller coaster to feel like since I don't ride them). They manage to hide them so you don't know exactly when they are coming up. Since the speed limit was 70 and the road was ours.....I laughed until I cried and I caught Marty doing the same. When we got there the timing was perfect, it was dusk, so we took the wildlife scenic loop thru the park. Saw more mule deer and lots of buffalo, we saw what we think was a pronghorn, but he was on the move and wouldn't stand still for a picture. We also came across some wild burros, one was much more cooperative, he stood still and posed for what seemed like 5 minutes.

It was dark by now so we headed to find a room. We couldn't find anyplace to eat, so we pulled out our camping food, which I am glad we had. I ate peanut butter and jelly yummy. Marty ate a sardine sandwich, yuk.

There are a couple of parks we wanted to visit today, but I don't know the weather is supposed to be snowy and windy again today. Somebody, anybody please turn the switch and let them know it's spring.

I know that it isn't quite the season for parks and all but I can't believe that these beautiful parks are so empty. People don't know what there missing! It seems to be mainly the state parks. Especially when we were in New Mexico, they were closing all but about 17 of the state parks.

For some reason my connection here isn't allowing me to publish pictures, so you will have to use your imagination for now.

On the road again.......

I forgot pictures from Yellowstone

It was pretty tough just before

they closed the park.

Herd of Bison


Massive animal

Mule Deer

Eagle's nest (left of the tree on

the right)

We're in South Dakota

Here are some pictures I haven't posted yet.

Matt and Marty

Lynn "Mom" making mandal bread

Denny, Lynn, Marty & Pam

at Griffith Park

Marty and Lynn

I tried to post last night but couldn't get a good connection. We left Yellowstone right after breakfast to get out of the weather. What a long, long day. We were quite a while on our planned route and found the road closed. We had to turn around and go around the mountain. We drove like 450 miles and ended up practically right where we started. But we found a room in Thermopolis Wyoming. The weather was tolerable when we went to bed, but got up to more snow, wind and temps in the low 20's.

We checked the road conditions before we left and the highway department said our route was wet and slushy. Well it had some slush but mainly snow. This was the highest we've been, 9600 ft.

Now we are settled into a Super 8 in Custer, North Dakota. The weather is much better and seems like a lot to do around here. We'll do that tomorrow. Gonna take it easy and rest up this evening.

some pictures

A falcon native to Texas/Mexico

African falcon

pretty tall tree

Can you find Pam in this picture?

The campsite I woke up to.

Isn't he just the cutest?

Yosemite in April

Coffee anyone?

One of our fabulous views

Still on our way to Yosemite

By the time we made it to Yosemite the rain we were driving in turned to snow, so we checked into a motel. When we did get in the park the next morning the weather wasn't favorable for driving too deep into the park. They were also requiring drivers to have chains. The weather forecast wasn't any better for the next day, so we decided to stay and make a decision in the morning. Weather wasn't any better in the morning so we decided to head north to the Redwood Forest. We took the most beautiful route to get there. Strawberry Fields Forever.

We drove until well past dark, we did find a campground so we pulled in and set up for the night. What we didn't know was that when you check in during normal business hours, you receive the combination to get into the bathroom!! Once Marty found that out, he knew that I wouldn't be happy when I woke up, so he did the only thing Marty knows how to do...he took off with me sleeping in the back, AGAIN! We didn't leave any money in the envelope, "no pee, no fee", that is my new motto. (By this time I am on to Marty, I slept in my sweats!)

When I woke up, the sun was just rising. I looked out the back window and I saw Marty standing over a campfire he had built for me, he was in the middle of the most massive trees I had ever seen. Marty had managed to find a state park in the forest. Marty delivered again, I was in the Redwood Forest!!

We enjoyed the fire and I made us a pot of coffee. Of course there wasn't any electric at the campsite, so me being the caffeine freak I am, I found electric and a shelf in the men's room. So right there right next to the urinals, I brewed our morning coffee! We also grilled our breakfast (all beef hot dogs) over the fire. That was the best hot dog I've had, even if we didn't have sauerkraut.

When the fire burned out we packed up and headed into the forest. Oh my God! It is just so hard to find the words to describe these trees. We went to the site of the biggest tree in the world. I felt like I woke up in the land of the jolly green giant!! We came across a herd of elk and watched them for a while. We took a small hike. We even paid for a stupid "tour thru a tree", but it made for a nice picture.

We found a beautiful campground, again almost completely empty. This by far was the most beautiful site. The only problem, bear country!! Each campsite was equipped with a steel vault to lock up all your food. I was a little nervous at first, but became comfortable very quickly, until about 2:30am when I had to decide just how bad I had to go to the bathroom. I had to go pretty bad! I am still here, so you can breathe now, there wasn't a bear out there. A great nights sleep for both of us.

The next morning we decided to continue up the coast since Yellowstone was northeast from where we were. That was pretty much a day of driving and enjoying the scenery.

Our next destination was Crater Lake park in Oregon. That was incredible too. This park is opened year round, I don't know how they do it. The guides for the snow plows were like 12 ft. high. At one pull off, I took a picture the snow was taller than Ruby. Did I mention that we were driving thru an avalanche zone? When we got up to the lake, which in on top of a mountain at 6600 ft. there were more people there. There were a lot of hikers hiking in snowshoes. To get into the lodge/gift shop you enter thru the basement and take the elevator up, because the snow was too deep around the front doors.

The rest of the drive thru Oregon sucked. We nicknamed it "Boregon". We drove for miles and miles and miles and didn't see anything!! We drove into Idaho and had to settle in for a couple of days so I could have an address to send my fixed computer to. While we were there we did some housekeeping. We also went to a Birds of Prey exhibit which was very interesting.
The computer was to be delivered by noon. I tracked it thru FedEx and I knew it was on the truck for delivery, so we waited and waited. At about 1:30 decided to get some lunch, as soon as we left we passed the truck on the road. Yeah, we're on our way again!! Headed to Yellowstone.

Another day of driving. When we made it to Yellowstone we checked into a hotel.
Got up early this morning and it was snowing just a little bit. We didn't know whether we should do an imax movie first or go to the park first. We opted for the park. When we entered the park the ranger told us which roads were closed. There were the ones at the highest elevations and a couple of loops for the bears who are just coming out of hibernation. We had entered at the west entrance and planned on leaving thru the north entrance which was still open. I think we stopped at every pull off on the way to Ole Faithful. Our first spotting of wildlife was a couple of mule deers. They were pretty far off so we needed the zoom lens. We thought that we were destined to not see anything. We turned a curve and right in the road huge bison, just standing there. I didn't know just how big they are, they weight up to 2,000 pounds. Beautiful animals. When we got to Ole Faithful it was snowing pretty hard and the wind had kicked up a lot. It was quite the wait for the next eruption, so we decided that the smaller geysers (vents) that we had pictures of would have to do!! It was like 24 and the wind and snow blowing like crazy, it was cold! We headed out toward the north entrance and planned on finding a motel there and continuing exploring in the morning. By that time they were closing all the roads in the park. I don't usually do the snow driving, I leave that up to Marty, but at this point I was driving. The snow was coming down so hard we couldn't see in front of us, and the wipers were freezing up, and there wasn't a place to pull off to clean them, but I did it. Dad, would would be so proud.

We found a hotel and took a nice long nap. When we woke up we went to the imax theater. We watched both of the movies, Bears and Yellowstone. Great shows, both of them. We were planning on heading back into the park in the morning, the weather earlier said that only flurries tomorrow. Just watched the local news, they measure their flurries in inches here! So we don't know what we are going to do. hmmm, should I stay or should I go now?

I know I have forgotten a lot and will add it when I remember. It's just nice to have my computer back.

For some reason, I can't put my pictures in right now, but I will try one more time tonight.

I'll let you know what we decide to do.

Lots of catching up to do

When we left Barstow we drove to Big Bear Lake CA, but the campgrounds weren't opened for the season yet. We drove around the Lake it was really beautiful on the south side of the lake, the northern side was pretty busy, with cabins, lodges and lots of people and shops.

Since we couldn't find a campsite we decided to head to Lynn & Denny's a day early. It was so good to see them.

Saturday was a pretty quiet day, I took it easy and Marty went to Venice Beach and did some shopping. After a delicious dinner we went to Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium. The view of LA from there was great. The telescope was set of Saturn.

We got to see Matt and Stephanie on Sunday, it had been way to long since we've seen them. We packed a nice picnic lunch and visit. It was just a nice nice afternoon. When we got home Denny even played boggle with us!

Mailed my laptop in to get fixed. Such a pain in the butt. This computer should have been protected, I paid for it. I had been uploading my pictures on a daily basis, but I also had to buy a bigger memory card for my camera.

We drove up the coast and found a campsite right on the pacific ocean in Jalama Beach! The sunset was beautiful. I couldn't believe how lucky we were to find this beach. There was a small sign on the side of the road that said camping to the left. When we turned there was a sign that said the road ended in 14 miles, and it did end, right on the beach.

Headed for Yosemite and had every intention of hooking up with Marty's cousins who were vacationing there. We drove right up the coast on the scenic #1. We stopped at many pull offs, just to look at the beauty. We stayed a particularly long time at the pull off to watch the elephant seals. It required a little bit of a hike to see them, but definitely worth it. I couldn't believe no one else was there. We pulled off at one of the overlooks, backed in, opened the rear doors and took a nap.

Denny thanks for the beach tips Cayugas was beautiful as well as Phieffer beach.

We were getting low on fuel and it was $4.07 in Carmel, so needless to say Marty didn't stop there. Found gas for $3.25 yeah Marty.

At the pace we were going we realized that we wouldn't make it to Yosemite that day and had to call Marty's cousin.

Well it is getting late. I will pick up on the activities of the 21st and post some pictures tomorrow morning.

A day of rest

We spent the day in Barstow today, taking it easy. We checked out of our motel and did laundry. We drove around town and went to a couple of antique malls. Nothing special. We have been going from sunrise to way past sunset and needed to take a rest.

Off to Big Bear Lake Park tomorrow, going to camp there, then off to LA to see Lynn and Denny. Looking forward to seeing them haven't seen Lynn for like two years and even longer since we've seen Denny. Don't really have any definite plans, just going to spend time and enjoy the company.

Mom, since you mentioned bed bugs I have been itchy all day, thanks!

Nancy-I used your safeway saving card today. When the receipt came out the woman asked me how to pronounce my last name, I started to say Kramer, but that would have really confused her.

Cookie-congratulations on your new horse. You know that once I tell Sylvia and Kyla they will want to visit. They want to visit you anyway, though.

Sylvia & Kyla, Aunt Cookie got a new horse and is looking at a pony this weekend, won't that be fun?

If you see Frank tomorrow tell him happy birthday!!

Have a good night, see you tomorrow.

Misc. Pictures

This is a meteor crater in Arizona.


Sylvia and Kyla, we are so excited everytime we talk to you. I hope you have gotten your packages. Keep you eyes out for more!





Kyla, I didn't know that you were counting the days that we have been gone, you are something else. Don't forget that when we get back it's time for our Memorial Day party! I will need your help getting ready, so rest up ok?





Sylvia, I will need you to help set up the talent competition for the party ok? I think you will be very good at that.





I don't know if you can see the little thingys coming out of the plant, but the indians used to pull them out and would weave shoes and baskets and different things out of them. Saw a pair of shoes that were almost 200 years old and still intack.

This is the watch tower that I mentioned. Designed by a woman in 1932.

The Grand Canyon this doesn't do it justice!

I think I have figured out how to put the pictures in with the text! The only problem is they come out backwards. I'm sure by the time the trip is over I will have it down.

Marty and I have decided that today will be a day of REST all we plan to do is check out of the hotel drive to town, find a laundromat and another hotel and just hang out.

I'll check back soon!

April 14, 2010

Quite the campsite!

Oatman Ar

I talked to Seth the other day and he reminded me of a story that I forgot to tell you about. When Marty and I were checked into our hotel just outside of Oklahoma City,we parked in an empty parking lot. We went out to get something out of Ruby and she was surrounded by a bunch of K-9 police dogs and officers. They were parked right up against the van, so Marty (being the protective person he is of Ruby), didn't like that and of course had to say something in a rude tone to the effect of the parking lot is empty and they didn't even leave enough room to open the door. He wasn't happy!! We couldn't figure out why the police would have Ruby in their sites. It turns out there was some kind of training or something going on and they were just checking out the bumper stickers.

Also in New Mexico we saw a lot of armored 4 wheel drive vans and pick-ups. We later drove past some secured government stuff.

We went to Verde Canyon and road the train through the canyon. It was a beautiful day and we had packed a picnic lunch to eat before the ride. The ride through the canyon was great, the train went through a tunnel carved thru the rock, an opening just large enough for the train.

We went thru the Prescott National Forest where the elevation was 7,000 ft and overlooked the canyon and beyond.

Someone pinch me! I can't believe the beauty that I am seeing.

After the train ride we decided to take the back country byway instead of the scenic route. We were so glad we did. The road we were on was on the side of a mountain and was barely wide enough for two cars. We were pleasantly surprised to come across a very happening place. Lots of art galleries, cafes and specialty shops.

Had a really hard time finding a place to camp, we finally came along a KOA just outside the Grand Canyon.

Guess who woke up on the road again? Yep. I've decided that when we camp I will sleep with the keys! Rachel, that toothebrush came in really handy thanks!!!

Grand Canyon day! Oh my gosh absolutely beautiful. We were at the park before it opened so we went to the cafe near the visitor center and had breakfast. The pictures don't do this justice. We stopped at every overview. We found a dirt road with an open gate, it might just as well said "welcome". We drove down a couple of miles and found a quiet spot hoping to see some wildlife, before we knew it we were asleep, that was the best nap we've had for a long time.

I have been so excited about visiting the skywalk at the Grand Canyon, but after talking to one of the park rangers he told us that it was $80.00 each to walk out on the platform and the pictures make it look a lot longer than it is. He directed us to a watch tower that had a better view. We went there instead. I wasn't going to complain to Marty about being cheap because he has been very generous (I have lots on new jewlery). The view was spectacular. I thought it was really cool that the watch tower was designed by a woman in 1932. She oversaw the entire construction down to the placement of each rock.

When we left the canyon we drove thru Navajo Indian Reservation. The park ranger suggested we try a navajo taco it was really good. Meat, bean, cheese, lettuce etc. on fry bread.

While driving we happened upon Wupatki Sunset Crater Volcano National Park. The elevation was 7045ft. I can't believe how high we were.

Had to start to find a place to spend the night, as we were driving we thought we saw snow, Marty said no it can't be snow it was 72 that afternoon. Sure enought snow, not just flurries, it was snowing and blowing, then as quick as it started it stopped.

We found a nice little dump to spend the night in. I mean a real dump! We were tired and it was just to sleep so...we brought in our bed linen and pillows and went to sleep. The man said he had wifi, but there wasn't a signal strong enough. When we went to breakfast the cafe also had wifi, but noone knew the security code!!

We were off to Joshua Tree National Park. On the way (continuing on the backcountry byway) we came across an old prospecting town, Oatman AR. What a find! The town was great, they put on a gunfight show in the center of town. All the merchants were dressed the part. Oh, while we were driving there up and down a mountain with no guardrails and drop offs hundreds of feet, maybe millions, there were signs to watch out for animals but we couldn't make out the animals until we got to town. There were wild burros. They were walking the streets and protected by law. They are decendants of the burros the prospectors brought with them looking for gold.

Marty also found some more bumper stickers. Dad, you'll love this, it's my favorite.. It says the three stooges, with pictures of Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer!!!

We left Oatman and continued to Joshua Tree, we drove and drove and drove and drove. We are deep in the desert. We found the park (after 11:00) and went to sleep. It was a dry, dark campground. No hook-ups, there was a composting toilet, but not even electric in the bathroom. The visitor and ranger stations were solar powered. There were some great campsites there, right in between the rocks.

This morning we went into town for breakfast and got some groceries for lunch and went back to the park. After driving from one end to the other we decided to not stay there another night. So we hit the road. We stopped and made a couple of sandwiches and ate in the van.

I had wanted to visit Death Valley, but after the last few days I am done with desert!

The desert is someplace you don't want to be if you have sjogrens!! My eyes were on fire. We stopped a couple of times just so I could put drops in them. Does anyone know just how big the Mojave desert is? It is big. We drove all afternoon and for miles saw noone and nothing. We made it to Barstow CA and are now in a hotel/motel.

Marty found something he wants to do tomorrow, but I wasn't really listening, too tired to do anything more than nod my head.

Marty and I are spending soooo much time together, I can't believe that after 30 years I'm finding out things about him that NOBODY should know! He's asleep so I will tell you, (don't let on like you know), he knows ALL the words to the Partridge Family song "I Think I Love You" How sad is that? There is more, but if I told you he'd kill me! Send me a private email. hahaha

OK, getting silly now. Thanks for reading, and please talk to me, somebody, anybody please say something!!!

Good Night