May 2nd - June 2nd

Here we are back in Grand Rapids at the Woodchip campground after 10,410 miles and 886 gallons of fuel since Feb 2, 2011.  This is my final blog entry for this trip and who knows when the next trip will be as we are moving into a house as of August 1^st although this doesn’t mean travel will stop… only slow down.

So to back-track and update you as to our activities, let’s start back in May when we left Steve and Penny Dail’s after celebrating  for 2 days (it really was a great time) and arrived at Mark & Cheryl’s in Sperry IA.  Another super couple.  They were hosting (this means a lot of work for them to get ready) a Bob King clinic on Horsemanship.  They even provided breakfast for those staying overnight. 

Bob King's Horsemanship Clinic

They even let me ride Tuff which is a 7 year-old gelding they have (?) for sale.  If I had the money and Arda would give up her side of the bed, he would be with us today… but alas money wasn’t the problem. 

Wrangler Dave & Tuff

After spending a couple of days at Mark & Cheryl’s, we left our trailer and headed to Chicago to visit Steve and Jenny… oh ya, Sydney too!  We spent almost a week with them and had a great time.  It appears as if they are adjusting very well to Chicago as Jenny is hitting all the spots with Sydney.  We enjoyed the visit to the aquarium, the conservatory, and the  zoo.  Steve is working horrendous hours and traveling a lot.  Hopefully this won’t go on too long as it doesn’t leave a lot of family time.

We were also treated to Mother's Day dinner at Petra's apartment.  I know it was Mother's day but I managed to wrangle my way into a free meal - HA! 


After our week with the kids was up, we headed back to Iowa to pick up our trailer and head to Cowboy Tom and Nancy’s place in Chaska MN.  Guess what, Tom was hosting a Bob King Horsemanship Clinic so we, or should I say I, participated.  Arda was a great help as Nancy, Liz, and Arda looked after lunch each day.  Tom borrowed a horse for me to ride (Ticket) and we had some good things happening with him. 

Wrangler Dave & Ticket

Tom also got me driving the tractor to help with seeding pastures and dragging his outdoor arena. 

We stayed with Tom and Nancy until the 24^th when we took off for Don & Gale’s place in Schroeder MN.

We arrived in the afternoon at the Ring’s place in the woods.  Don and Gale had gone to Duluth for the day to run some errands so we were greeted by Don’s 96-year old Mother, Phyl.  Phyl isn’t quite as spry as she used to be but she sure is sharp.  She even joined us for meals, games, and a fire.  What an inspiration to all of us. 

Phyl enjoying the campfire and ...

We had a very relaxing time cutting up some trees (16 to exact) that the wind blew down on Gale’s Mother’s property.  Of course Don and Gale did most of the work because someone needed to supervise.   

Gale is also a fantastic cook and even likes to cook so we woke up each morning to a fabulous breakfast fit for a king… or Wrangler Dave. 

Alas, all good things must come to an end so on Tuesday AM we hooked up and headed to Gladstone to visit our friends the Lindbergs.

Luna the watch  Dog

Gale and Arda

Don in the  vest Arda made

It is always good to see them as they live on Little Bay De Noc (LBDN) where I have spent many hours fishing and will do so again now that we are “off the road”.    We went to dinner both nights and enjoyed their company so much.  Jeanne also served Pasties Pie to us for lunch which was delicious.  It was also Arda’s first chance to try Pasties Pie… she looks great in them, Oops wrong pasties!

Well Thursday saw us back in GR for a week at Woodchip Campground.  We head to Chicago this weekend (guess who we are going to see) and then onto the cottage to see Dad.

Well that about covers it all for now.  We have once again had a great trip and look  forward to many more.

So until the next time, keep your loops open!

Luv y’all!

   

April 27th - May 1st

We spent the last few days at Penny and Steve Dail's in Larkspur CO. They have a gorgeous home with a view of Pike's Peak.

We wanted to visit Pike's Peak but they had not finished clearing the snow from the road... they thought it might be open this weekend but alas, we left on Saturday which means we have an excuse to go back. Hope Steve and Penny don't move...

It is a real adventure to go anywhere with Penny.  If you go to Wal-Mart (20 minutes away) or the super market (30 minutes away) or for a nice 2 hour drive, you have to pack the cooler with drinks and SNACKS!  Of course there is always “cocktail time” so you have to have snacks again…  Penny is the queen of celebrations!

We had a great time with them as we went to Brighton Saddlery to drop off my Donnie Butler saddle so they could sell it and we went to Cripple Creek where the “girls” gambled the afternoon away… they actually didn’t do too badly.  Steve and I sat on various benches and people watched… also very interesting.  Of course we used up our entire vocabulary talking about various things but especially Cowboy Tom!

We were also lucky enough to meet Brad, Steve and Penny’s son, and his son Austin who is a tremendous young man.  He was able to beat the 2 celebration queens at Farkle!

Saturday morning came too soon as we had to leave for parts north-east.  We headed out across Colorado and then into Kansas.  There aren’t many camp-grounds on highway 83 in Kansas so after stopping at the Norton Police Station to see where we could spend the night, we stayed at the local water tower… another first for us.

Sunday morning we went to St Francis Assisi Church which also happened to be first communion for 6 children… it was neat to see in a small community.  After church we headed east… highway 36 for the day.  We are staying at Seneca KS for the night and tomorrow we will we go to Sperry IA where Mark and Cheryl Lieurance live.

That’s all folks… until next time.

April 15th - April 26

The good times continue as we enjoyed activities with friends.  Friday we went to the Trail Dust which was our favorite steak house when we lived in Arlington except it was no longer in North Dallas.  That location was closed and there was a new one (at least to us) in Arlington.  The menu had changed but not the atmosphere nor the quality of the food… especially the steaks.

On Sunday we went to church on the east side of Dallas with Marguerite Kelly who then treated us to a great dinner and company.  Of course Arda and I had to work for our meals…  Arda cut Marguerite’s hair and I tightened a faucet.  Sure was tough duty but we got ‘er done!

On Monday we had another surprise.  Petra got bumped from her flight to Mexico as her Chicago flight was late getting into DFW.  She called us and we picked her up so we could spend some more time with her.  She and Arda did a little shopping after lunch and then we took her back to the airport around 5 PM.

Tuesday Bach’s joined us for dinner at Spring Creek… once again we enjoyed the BBQ there.  Michelle and Eddie were supposed to join us too as we had not seen them in many a moon but unfortunately they couldn’t make it due to their kids sports… maybe next time.

Wednesday was our last day in Arlington so we had the Lynda, Fred, & Leslie over for dinner.  Arda made Petra’s favorite chicken dish which seemed to go over very well.  We had a good time with everyone and the next morning it was off to Van Alstyne TX to visit the Hunters.

 

We spent Easter weekend with the Hunters and in between many games (Arda says I don’t have to play games for another year!) we went to several different masses.  It was really a fun weekend with Kathleen, Leslie, and I guess I should include Phil. Leslie even took the time to show Arda, Phil, and Kathleen how to shoot her bow.  It was a fun time but unfortunately we had to move on.

We headed out on Monday morning to the Palo Duro Canyon where we had camped with our kids in our popup 30 some years ago.  It had not changed much except this time we had a real campsite with electricity and water.  The last time we did not have any facilities and the temps were in the high 80’s all night.  This canyon is approximately 120 miles long and 600 to 800 feet deep making it the second largest canyon in the U.S. after the Grand Canyon.  We had a few visitors (see video) for dinner and breakfast… no we did not eat them.  Video can be seen by clicking  Palo Duro Canyon.

After breakfast we headed north-west and will spend the night in Trinidad CO.  Tomorrow it is on to Larkspur CO and our friends Steve & Penny.

Until next time.

April 8th - April 14th

Well it is Friday and Petra will be here this afternoon for the weekend.  We have a busy weekend planned starting with Petra's favorite dinner... it was good!

On Sat. Lynda had a get-together with a number of the "old group".  She and Fred were great hosts as they provided not only the libations but also ham, beans, salad, etc.  It was a very great to visit with friends again and catch-up. 

Afterwards we went to the Fort Worth Apple Store as Petra wanted to get an Ipad2 but unfortunately they were out of them.  As they get shipments every day, they suggested we come back on Sunday around 11:00 AM.

So on Sunday after 10:00 AM Mass, we headed back to Fort Worth to the Apple Store.  To Petra's surprise, they had an Ipad which she bought... one happy girl.

With Ipad in tow we went to the Fort Worth Water Gardens where we walked around and enjoyed the beauty.  We used to go here when the kids were little although Petra was a little too young at the time to remember anything.

After the Water Gardens, we drove through downtown Fort Worth on our way to the Stockyards.  They have really done an excellent job of retaining the character of the old west as the downtown area was updated/refurbished.

No trip to the Stockyards would be complete without lunch (including a HUGE margarita), a walk through the maze and just plain people watching.  While the "original stockyards" are no longer there, the area has been modernized with the stores, restaurants, etc. built in and around the old stockyard structures.

After a good time here, we headed to Spring Creek Barbeque where we meet Lynda, Leslie, & Fred for some great BBQ.

Monday Petra was scheduled to leave at 11 AM so we took her to the airport around 9 AM.  We no sooner got home when Petra called to say she had been bumped and wasn't leaving until 6:30 that evening.  So back to the airport we went.  It was great as we got a bonus day with Petra.

Tuesday we had dinner at Lynda and Fred's again where we met Fred's daughter Caroline.  Her 2 year old, Connor, was also there... neat people.  We ate leftovers from Sat but they were as good then as they were the first time.

On Wed Fred and I had lunch at Babe's in Arlington.  They have great fried chicken and all you can eat too!  Wed night we were invited to the Bach's for dinner.  We had pot-roast, key-lime pie, and chocolate brownie... it was delicious.  I didn't know Ed was such a good cook!  He can cook for me anytime.

Well, that is it for this update...  Oops, just about forgot, there are some pictures and movies of our time in Fort Worth at Petra in Texas and Fort Worth Plus.

April 4th - April 7th

Well after a couple of very nice days in San Antonio, we headed to Crockett TX to see the "other Lindbergs".  Arda met Genie on her cross-country bike trip so they are sorta kindreds of the bike seat or should I say saddle(?). 

I met Chuck when  he arrived in Navasota with shrimp (no Tom I didn't get sick from his shrimp), cheeses, wine, plus plus, for everyone.  We also spent some time with them and Genie's brother and his wife when we were in Washington last fall.  They are a great couple.

It was a long day, about 4 hours driving but we persevered and made it to the Crockett Family Resort and RV Park.  We set up our trailer and then headed to Genie and Chuck's with dinner ready for the grill... Chuck sure is a mean cook... as in good cook.

Genie had knee-replacement surgery on March 28th but she was really doing great when we got there.  She wasn't doing the two-step yet but she was walking around without crutches and looked great.  We had a lot of laughs about many things and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We headed back to the campground and to bed around 9:30 that night.

On Tuesday we repeated the day before except the weather was so nice we sat on their dock enjoying the birds, fish, and outdoors.  Did I mention they live on Houston County Lake... they have a gorgeous spot where one can enjoy the lake and all of the  activities that go on there.  Oops better mention that  Chuck made beer-can-chicken and it was delicious... he also provided the libations which were also pretty good.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.

Wednesday was another looong driving day... about 4 hours from Crockett to Arlington :-).  We set up camp once again and headed to Lynda and Fred Weekly's.  Leslie (Lynda's daughter) joined us too.  They had prepared horses-ovaries, wine, and a great dinner which we enjoyed immensely.  We had a great visit as I am sure there will be more.

On a sad note, Lynda's son Joe died suddenly in the fall of last year so Arda wanted to do something for her.  Arda had seen a bear that was done by Cathy Marshall who made one for Mary Eardley out of her son's clothes.  So Lynda packed up a box of Joe's clothes and send them to Arda in AZ where she proceeded to make 2 bears... a "teacher" and "sports" bear.  One for Leslie and one for Lynda but we expect those 2 bears to be well travelled as the share them back and forth.

Joe the Sports Bear & Teacher Bear

We are looking forward to Petra joining us this weekend so will  have more to blog about after she leaves.

Until next time.

April 3rd

Another great day of playing tourist.  We didn't get up until Arda had her coffee in bed.  We then got up, had breakfast, and then got ready for 11:30 Mass.  Once again church was a little different as the celebrant was an older Irish Priest who was a bit more of a traditionalist.

It was a beautiful day with temps in the mid 80's, a nice breeze, and overcast so the sun wasn't blazing down so after church we headed for the River Walk and the Alamo.  It is really a nice area with lots of trees, restaurants, and bars for those who like the night-life.  After lunch at Laundry's (a seafood restaurant on the river walk), we walked a little before we got into one of  the river boats for a water tour.  The River Walk is 2.5 miles long or 5 miles return so the boat tour seemed like the thing to do... easier than walking  :-).

After the boat tour, we headed to the Alamo.  It really is impressive and humbling to stand where so few gave their lives against over-whelming odds for others.  You should visit the Alamo if you ever get a chance as it is really neat place with a lot of history starting in 1724.

Here are some pictures from today... San Antonio

After the Alamo, it was back  to the trailer for another one of Arda's great dinners...

Next stop, Crockett TX to see  Chuck & Genie Lindberg.

February 28th - April 2nd

It has been a while since I wrote anything here but there has not been too much happening, at least exciting for others.  I spent many a day at Bob King’s riding horses but because of my shoulder surgery, I have been unable to rope, which was a bummer.  I couldn’t even do all the ground –work as I wasn’t allowed to lift my arm on its own…  I am now allowed to at least do that as long as I don’t try to do it with anything heavy…  another 4 weeks then I can start gradually building muscle… like I ever had any  J.  I did take therapy for my arm for the past 6 weeks right in Sunsites which was convenient.

Arda has been doing a lot of walking with Betty King and sometimes Nancy Hone (Tom’s new bride).  There hasn’t been a lot of biking going on for whatever reason… you will have to ask Arda.  Arda did spend several days in Tucson with Arda I while Gerry went to Las Vegas to a construction equipment show.  Of course she went to the casino while in Tucson…

On March 4^th we had to put Jake down as he was suffering from Hip Dysplasia, had lumps on his legs and just general lack of enthusiasm for life.  It was a very sad time as we have had him since he was 8 weeks old.  The irony of it all was that he was born on Arda’s Mother’s birthday (Oct. 15^th) and died on March 4^th, her Dad’s birthday.  The local vet handled the entire process with compassion and dignity.  She even sent a follow-up condolence note which Arda and I really appreciated.

Jake the Guard Dog for Cowboy Tom

Must be Christmas... Ho Hum!

Got him done!

It is It is now April 1^st…  Tom and Nancy are headed back to Minnesota with their 3 horses and Arda and I are headed to San Antonio TX (site seeing).   We are staying at the Pilot Truck  Stop in Van Horn TX…  this is the  3^rd time we have stayed here.  After San Antonio we are off to Crockett TX (Chuck and Genie Lindberg), Arlington TX (the Weeklys and others), Van Alstyne TX (the Hunters), Larkspur CO (Steve & Penny Dail), Chicago IL (our kids and of course Sydney), Chaska MN (Tom and Nancy Hone plus Bob and Betty King will be there too), Schroeder MN (Don & Gail Ring), Gladstone MI (the other Lindbergs), then on to Grand Rapids for some doctor appointments.  This should get back in GR around the first of June as we wanted to really make sure all the snow was gone…  This past winter’s memories are still too fresh in our minds.... 

After a little time in GR, it will be off to Canada to see my Dad at the cottage…

We left Van Horn around 9:00 AM as we headed for San Antonio via highway 90 which took us through the hill country... beautiful.  We are not  sure  if we are early or late for the spring flowers as the closer we got to San Antonio, the more we saw but not an over-abundance of them.  Tomorrow (Sunday) it is off to the Alamo and the River Walk to play tourist.

I will update this if something exciting happens…   please don’t hold your breath waiting for a blog.

In the meantime, keep your loops open.

February 10th - February 27th

Here we are again.  It has been a couple of days but then who is counting?  Sometimes it seems  easier to do this once a week as there is less to remember and type but on the other hand it I get lazy and only want to do it once in a while...  we shall see when the next update happens.

As many of you know,  Jake is our new  traveling companion since Steve and Jenny moved to Chicago which has meant  we have had to make several changes in our routines...

Here are a few pictures from our last days at the Woodchip campground in GR.

As we continued our journey, we left Danvailia IL for Chandler OK where we planned to stay for a day or two as we waited out a big storm that was going  across the entire SW.  When we pulled into the camp-ground the manager told us we may not get out until Sat (this was Wed) as he couldn't promise to dig us out before then.  It is a good job we stayed here as about 12" of snow fell over-night, roads were closed with numerous slide-offs and accidents, and it was just plain cold.

Come Thursday morning, the sun was shining, the major roads were bare, and  we were able to drive right out of the campground so we headed west.  We decided to stay in Amarillo TX for the night as we were not too crazy about putting in tons of miles.  It was a lot milder with some snow on the ground but no big deal.

The next morning we headed to Goldminers in AZ.  After a stop for fuel and get the truck and trailer washed to remove all the road salt, we arrived about 3:00 PM to beautiful weather!  Yeah!!!

Cowboy Tom and his new bride Nancy arrived Sunday  afternoon.  They had spent a couple of days with our good friends Steve and Penny Dail who live in Colorado.  Jake was guarding their campsite until they arrived and you know what, he did a great job as no one took the site...

The first week we were here we didn't do a lot as we were just enjoying the nice weather.  Additionally we had some things to do like arrange for therapy for my shoulder... there is a good therapist right here in Sunsites which makes it really convenient.  We went to Tucson on the 18th to have dinner with Jerry and Arda... we celebrated Arda I's birthday with dinner at a local steak-house.  The ribs and prime rib was excellent - they servings were large so Arda and I got at least 2 meals out of the ribs.  I did not ride at all this week... too much going on including have to complete my taxes.

On Saturday, Nancy's daughter Katie and son-in-law Jess arrived from SD for a week's stay in Cowboy's horse trailer... they were very cozy but they had a lot of  fun.  Nancy is doing a great job of getting Cowboy trained...

The week of Feb 21st started off with a bang!  The  21st was Biker Arda's birthday and you know how Arda likes to celebrate her birthday!  I did ride on this day but it was very expensive as Arda, Nancy, and Betty (King) walked and wound up in a jewelery store.  Arda picked out her own present which was a good thing as she wouldn't take it back - HA!  Monday night we went to the Apache Lair Steak House for Arda's birthday dinner.

The rest of the week I spent riding a few hours every day... it sure feels good to be back in the saddle and outdoors again.  One more week and the sling comes off so I will be able to do more things.

Tomorrow (2/28) we get to celebrate Nancy's birthday and  I suspect on 3/1 too as she is a leap year baby... gotta make sure she gets the date!

Well that is about it for now so until next time, keep your loops open.