Thank you to all those Veterans who have made our lifestyle possible.

We have been at home but thought you might like to see some pictures we have taken on our trips to our local beach, Thornhill Broome. It is part of Point Mugu California State Park

We're home for awhile!

We have been home for a few weeks and are almost back to normal. I thought I would post a few memorable photos that we took on our last trip.



















Sunset in Florence, Oregon



























Some of the wildlife at the Little Bighorn Battlefield





















And last but not least, Duffers and his mom














Don't give up on checking in on us!! In a few weeks we are off to the beach. We will continue to post. Type to you soon!!!

July 5th - time to catch up!!

We spent a week in Cousin Judie Oien's driveway in Baltic, South Dakota. What a great time. Judie had arraigned a reunion for all the "cousins". Our family is full of great cooks. The eats were fantastic and the stories and laughter were even better.









The cousins and their spouses. What a handsome bunch!!













Some of the kids and grandkids of the cousins. At least ones we could round up for the picture.













When we left South Dakota we headed to Nebraska. I was on a hunt for the grave site of my great-great-great grandfather who homesteaded with his young family to Nebraska sometime in the 1880's. He died in 1888.

He was buried in an abandoned cemetery (Enfield Cemetery last used in 1905) outside the town of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. A gentleman and his wife were responsible for saving some of the stones and placing metal plaques to preserve the information on the stones. They cared for the place for about 10 years. Something must have happened to them as the condition of the grounds are going back to nature. We were unable to find any camping sites near there so we ended up in Grand Island. Just a round trip, in the Honda, of 170 miles. Boy, does my husband indulge me....off we went.



We found the cemetery and after trudging up the muddy hill, Lyman Hawks was the first stone we approached.















What a thrill for me to stand there and pay my respects. Judging by the condition of the place I may well be the last Hawks to visit.











Then came yesterday, Independence Day!!! Duffy hopes your 4th was glorious!!!

PS Happy Anniversary Rick and Dauna!!! See you soon!!!








Today is July 5 and we are in West Wendover, Nevada. We went to a casino but left some money in their care. We had a good time but it is very hot (near 100) here. Thank heavens for hook ups and air conditioners.

Tomorrow we head for Winnamucca, Nevada. There is a very nice campground there where we stayed when we went looking for opals.

The Devil's Tower

After spending a day at the site of the Little Big Horn Battle we headed on out the next morning for Sundance, Wyoming to visit Devil's Tower. Sundance gets its name from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who had something to do with the area, as for Devil's Tower I don't know how it got its name. The Indian legends all called the site the "bear's teepee". Many of you might recognize it from the movie "Close Encounter's of the Third Kind". It actually was the first official U.S. monument--so dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt. A really great natural monument as the pictures show.




At the base of Devil's Tower is the largest prairie dog preserve in North America. Apparently, this small creature is found on only 2% of the land it previously shared with the buffalo and many other animals in the mid-west. For this reason the preserve was created.









Duffy got exhausted just thinking of all those Prairie Dogs running free and no one is allowed to chase them!!




From here we head for South Dakota and Vicki's relatives.

Battle of the Little Big Horn--Hardin, Montana

After a day of traveling through Montana, we arrived at Hardin a few miles from the historic site of this famous battle. That night we were treated to an electrical storm of in the distance. It was very entertaining until we found out it was headed our way when the local TV station interrupted its normal broadcast to warn of a severe thunderstorm headed toward Hardin with 60 mph + winds and quarter size hail. We pulled in the slides and waited. Fortunately, no hail just wind, rain and a spectacular lightening display by mother nature. When we figure out how to put video clips on this site we will show you a sample of the lightening.












The next day was beautiful and we visited the site of "Custer's Last Stand". Being able to walk and travel (by car) the battle ground, along with roadside displays with illustrations you really got a feel for the battle and how it played out. The bottom line--Custer was a fool, or didn't know better--he had 200 + men against an estimated 8,000 Indians; and he attacked them.












On the day we visited the site, with puffy clouds and a brilliant blue sky you know why Montana is known as "Big Sky Country".

We're on the move!!

Since last we posted we have been on the move. Our first stop was in Pendleton, Oregon.


We visited the Pendleton Mills and the Pendleton Underground. The Blankets and clothing were beautiful but the clothes were too expensive and we already have a blanket for the coach. We were unable to tour the mill as they don't have tours on Saturdays.









The underground was created by the Chinese who were not allowed to be out after sundown. In order to travel from place to place they dug tunnels. Since some things were already in the basements of buildings their work was eased a bit. Over the years the underground housed Chinese laundries, opium dens, card rooms, saloons, speak easys and even an ice cream parlor. In addition there was a meat market that used the basement to make ice to keep their meats fresh. For those that wanted some excitement, the town boasted no less than 34 saloons and 18 bordellos. The bordellos were not closed until 1953 when a new Presbyterian minister came to town and for six months wrote down all the names of visitors he saw entering the houses of ill repute. He then went to the City Council and threatened to publish all the names unless they closed the houses down. They did so that night at a special meeting--obviously most of the council were probably on the list.




We continued along the Lewis and Clark Trail to Orofino, Idaho on the Nez Perce Reservation. We had a beautiful camp site on the Clearwater River. Lewis and Clark were looking for the Columbia River to make their way to the Pacific. They asked the Indians if this was the big water of the Columbia, and the Indians said "no". In actuality the Clearwater River empties into the Snake River which then empties into the Columbia.













We visited a few stops marked as Historical Sites. From this site (where the Nez Perce helped the Lewis and Clark expedition build canoes for their voyage) you can see the Dworshak Dam. It is the highest straight-axis, concrete gravity dam in North America. The lake the dam creates is 54 miles long.








After a couple of day in Orofino, we headed out down highway 12 towards Missoula, Montana (this also the Lewis and Clark trail). Almost all the way we were accompanied by the Clearwater River alongside the road. One spectacular sight after another of awesome rapids. Just as surfing is popular on the West Coast, riding the rapids is the sport of most young people here. Highway 12 climbs through the Bitteroot Mountains before dropping you at Missoula's doorstep. When you consider that Lewis and Clark started their trip on August 31, 1803 from Pittsburgh, you have to have a tremendous amount of admiration for their courage in embarking on such a journey.

It ain't exactly camping!

More pics of the new digs

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. With so much more work area than I had before it's a breeze. The convection/microwave combo oven has really been great. It really does cook like an oven!







Just so you know, Duffy doesn't always sleep on the couch! He likes the Euro Loungers too.












We are almost ready to head out from Oregon to South Dakota with many stops along the way. That means we will be taking lots more pictures to share. This blog is just about to get interesting. It ain't exactly camping!

Rody Days in Florence, Oregon

Who knew? Florence, Oregon had Rhododendron Days! And we were there!

We decided to go into town for lunch and hit Parade Central. They actually close down 2 lanes of Highway 101 for the festivities. I was able to take some pictures as we went over the bridge looking down into Old Town and then some on 101.

Rody Days also draws a large contingent of Bikers. I haven't figured out any connection between biking and gardening but it must exist.

Duffy doesn't really care where we are as long as he can sleep on the couch!



It ain't exactly camping!

Our Oregon Saga Continues

Last weekend it turned really hot in Eugene so we decided to head for the beach. Florence is only about 50 miles from here so off we went. We stayed in another Lane County park, Harbor Vista. What a great site.








What are Dave and Duffy enjoying? THE VIEW!! It was really a fantastic time.












Today is our grandson Tim's 12th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!!


Tomorrow is our 43rd wedding anniversary. We always have a special steak dinner in our home away from home when we are on the road for our special day.

We are back outside Eugene amongst the pine trees so it will be very peaceful.









It ain't exactly camping! But it'll do!

The first weeks in Oregon

Even though we are "stuck" in Oregon waiting for some parts, we are getting a chance to explore.

The weather here changes dramatically from day to day. We even had one morning when we woke up to SNOW!















We toured the Cottage Grove Covered Bridges. It was a really nice drive and the bridges are wonderful. Most of them were built in the 20's and 30's. Only one is still open for traffic with one lane over a small stream.












So far we have only managed one family visit. Michael and Yvette (David's cousin) St John live in Vancouver, Washington. We spent a few days there and had a great time. Michael and Yvette are special people even if we are related. Yvette and I were able to exchange some family photos and stories. I was able to get their wedding picture. They were married in Nigeria while both serving in the Peace Corps.





It ain't exactly camping!

Our New Home Away From Home

Pics of our new coach (2009 Monaco Camelot 40ft.)
Four slides, tile floors, Euro loungers, leather couch, solid cherry cabinets, Corian counter tops, Micro/convection oven, 12 cubic foot refrigerator w/icemaker, 2 HD tv's, surround sound entertainment system, Sirius radio, sleep number mattress; full size shower,----------------- IT AIN'T CAMPING ANYMORE.

In the future follow our travels at this site.