tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86250494413581251862024-03-19T04:43:14.724-04:00Where's Eldo?A photo journal about returning to full time RVing after seven years of homeownership. We full timed in a motorhome for three years, then came off the road to a house for seven years, we missed full timing so much we sold our house and bought a fifth wheel. On the road again!Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.comBlogger1501125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-39473229762396389602024-03-09T08:32:00.007-05:002024-03-09T13:46:53.253-05:00SOLD!! The Pinnacle Has New Owners!<p><span style="font-size: large;">It didn't take as long as we thought it would. Our 40 foot Pinnacle was sold last week to a couple that is interested in traveling more and in more style and room than what they had.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were so grateful to <a href="https://allegiantrv.com">Allegiant RV Repair Service</a> in Middlebury, IN, who not only repaired our RV after the accident, but did such an amazing job that it looked brand new when finished! The owner, Tony, is a wonderful and ethical person to work with. RV repairs are top notch. Service is top notch. If you EVER need repairs in the Elkhart area, we HIGHLY recommend Allegiant RV Repairs and Sales. On a whim, we asked him if they ever do consignments, and they do! We cleaned it and got it ready for sale, they posted it online in a number of places, put it out front on their lot which gets a lot of local transporter traffic, handled all inquiries and paperwork and at the first break of warm weather in late February, we had a buyer. Not only did the first people who looked at it decided to buy it, but the same day, another couple was ready to sign a check to purchase it if the first sale didn't go through. We were blessed in that we bought it just before the pandemic hit in 2000, and sold it in the middle of current pricing where RV prices are just now starting to come down. We came out a little bit ahead and we are thrilled and relieved.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSocJKBkSE7qjwaTYIvVTGgw62EKP9j__CEi5DzAntfY035ILm694PPMHoCAA5uWzbyAjcZ70-q9L13zyVlO_iWIfT6PiNKnK0eAzAR2AZ18kTMUJ-6tnUI7SNyMlQHMX1BZjy9DOGK5ujUGt-jqhOs_GHXc6z5oXF5ov21wp2dgUphUxeTnXd_SLPOrQ/s1306/Pinnacle%20sold.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSocJKBkSE7qjwaTYIvVTGgw62EKP9j__CEi5DzAntfY035ILm694PPMHoCAA5uWzbyAjcZ70-q9L13zyVlO_iWIfT6PiNKnK0eAzAR2AZ18kTMUJ-6tnUI7SNyMlQHMX1BZjy9DOGK5ujUGt-jqhOs_GHXc6z5oXF5ov21wp2dgUphUxeTnXd_SLPOrQ/s320/Pinnacle%20sold.png" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we bought it in 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's bittersweet to not have the rig any more, but it was time for us. It's going to be even more bittersweet going back through our blogs and photos as we reminisce. What a time we had! What amazing experiences and beautiful scenery we got to see! Sparky is really glad she was diligent about recording all our travels and adventures. It was quite the life!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Eldy is going to be 76, Sparky is going to be 74 this summer. We hope to travel again some day in a much smaller rig, but we shall see. Eldy is going to have hip surgery in a couple of weeks, Sparky is subbing a lot for now....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is busy crafting on non-subbing days, which aren't very many! Here are some things she has made in the past month or so....She's really into making zippered pouches, totes and rope bowls right now. Next month, it will probably be something else. If you ever want to see how A.D.D and random Sparky is in her craft endeavors, check out her Etsy shop here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanBeanGifts?ref=dashboard-header">JeanBeanGifts</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqUg9rxbmOh9eF91BvaGyCmRn38tU5pKU6UfOxN7-hhs58TWRCGRSM6FYWAl8OCMSbHHpy4lp-lBVtNOS1SuNlMJRZJ084lir_LNcTjAugW1Ka1Rp0F22j2LptVIqbHU71XRpfhSO_eQn2hwsLK7wkeLljXBL2bNeRMwXIAs2D6AFWdmKwotBH7sfJXs/s1024/my%20projects%20collage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqUg9rxbmOh9eF91BvaGyCmRn38tU5pKU6UfOxN7-hhs58TWRCGRSM6FYWAl8OCMSbHHpy4lp-lBVtNOS1SuNlMJRZJ084lir_LNcTjAugW1Ka1Rp0F22j2LptVIqbHU71XRpfhSO_eQn2hwsLK7wkeLljXBL2bNeRMwXIAs2D6AFWdmKwotBH7sfJXs/w375-h375/my%20projects%20collage.jpeg" width="375" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Our next "adventure" is Eldy's hip replacement surgery on March 19th. If anybody has any advice of any kind about recuperating, please let us know! And thank you in advance....</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Bye for now..... Sparky and Eldo</span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-35545706522396804762024-01-07T10:38:00.003-05:002024-01-07T10:51:19.793-05:00Hitch Itch? <p><span style="font-size: large;">When we were first traveling in our class A motorhome years ago, (a 40 ft.Tiffin Phaeton) we would pack up and move every few days or a week and head out to our next destination. We were so eager to travel and see the country, and campgrounds were so reasonable and available, we could do lots of spur of the moment traveling. So we did! We loved it. If we didn't like the area where we were, we'd say, "Let's head out tomorrow and plan along the way." There was lots of flexibility in our planning and spur of the moment decisions while driving down the road. Call a campground while driving and see if they had room? No problem, and they usually did. Don't like the particular campground? Pack up and leave and head out for a different one the next day. Sometimes we'd pull into a campground and it was so bad we pulled right back out and kept going! A motorhome was a LOT easier to pack up and go in those days than a travel trailer or fifth wheel which we last had so that made it easy to change our minds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Full time RVers, which is what we were, would nickname that urge to get back out on the road and head out, getting the "hitch itch". Eldo used to love to sing that first line of Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" song because we had the hitch itch quite often. But-after three years of busy traveling, we loved Florida's west coast so much we settled down and bought a house in Bradenton and lived there for seven years. Eldy loved his golf, Sparky loved her subbing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to our second interval traveling full time-- We got the hitch itch after living in crowded Bradenton/Sarasota, with all it's humidity, hurricane threats and jumble of constant newcomers heading to Florida to the land of sunshine and beaches. Eldy got the hitch itch really badly after seven years, and Sparky was right there with him. He said, "What do you think about heading out on the road again?" Sparky said, "SURE!" This time in a 40 ft. fifth wheel with a big honkin' dually, which is all we could find at the time of Covid and once again off we went as full timers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">BUT- campground prices and availability had become much more of a logistics challenge, so we'd have to stay longer, at least a week to three weeks, juggling our special thousand Trails membership requirements, and campground availability. It had to become a much more regularly scheduled journey with regular stops as we traveled this past three years. That part, we didn't like as much. BUT--if you have the funds and can do it, you can still have "hitch itch", not be tied to specific campgrounds, move around more and travel farther, but you will still have to plan ahead. Many more people are still RVing after Covid, and campgrounds are not keeping up with enough spots and updated amenities nor are there enough campgrounds to meet the demand, so there are many more people competing for spots.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We still got the hitch itch, but now we were forced to plan WA-A-A-A-Y ahead, weeks out in advance where we were going, where we were going to stay, and how to use our Thousand Trails membership to the max. That created a similar travel plan each year, due to budget constraints of traveling to the same areas at about the same time each year. For three years, we followed a similar path--the northeast in the summer, fall in the midwest, winters in the southwest, then back to spring in the midwest. Even though we were in a somewhat predictable travel pattern, we still would find interesting things to do and branch out with short day trips looking for unique activities at each location. If you have been following our blog, you would see some repetition but also some great new things we did each year. Once we decided to come off the road, due to our accident and ages, we settled down in our hometown area of Elkhart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Do we miss traveling in the RV? Yes, we do...BUT--there are lots of wonderful things going on in our area, and we can still travel and do little trips when we get the "hitch itch". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just recently, Sparky went to a "Fire and Ice Festival" in downtown Goshen, IN, the next town over from where we currently live. It was a small festival, but supposedly, there were to be over 30 ice sculptures, each made from a 300 pound block of ice, an ice throne you could sit on for photo ops, an ice sleigh as well, and fire dancers. Because Eldy is having hip troubles, he chose to have Sparky go check it out as there would be a bit of walking all around downtown.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the ice sculptures were very cool! (ouch! Sorry about that one!) </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-4cUUH4SNSjVzHO1s1YE4w6wH-5TWt4hVExETSe81ADfhQVZ8dvZQzpx1AeurH5yZfY1mQAyqrYhmr96zzK_kXg8d1PIBECSxoumASHtXQPbVpxsnMtaakA6q9l5MFfLcei73sL5TkVAAHNeltIpvSva9pL65qjXRwUl5vdmXli-JZKxdmNlWT-2uPw/s5712/IMG_3338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-4cUUH4SNSjVzHO1s1YE4w6wH-5TWt4hVExETSe81ADfhQVZ8dvZQzpx1AeurH5yZfY1mQAyqrYhmr96zzK_kXg8d1PIBECSxoumASHtXQPbVpxsnMtaakA6q9l5MFfLcei73sL5TkVAAHNeltIpvSva9pL65qjXRwUl5vdmXli-JZKxdmNlWT-2uPw/s320/IMG_3338.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVYneoNH7v5MCujMmJR41LUXAxm4OUwTk4tBO-XAq3BcpzC7khiUYs9CRrZCc46A-DMf4yInET6nBPnvf45CSrB3eynuadm8w3rCB5aE8oXUNcd98z6QHUhGdzIY2ek1LFs4zMuysyg72S__WYMUO2uq2l8SW2m-w73YDZ3J1-WiSsCM9_tSSPkmaXKk/s4032/IMG_3330.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVYneoNH7v5MCujMmJR41LUXAxm4OUwTk4tBO-XAq3BcpzC7khiUYs9CRrZCc46A-DMf4yInET6nBPnvf45CSrB3eynuadm8w3rCB5aE8oXUNcd98z6QHUhGdzIY2ek1LFs4zMuysyg72S__WYMUO2uq2l8SW2m-w73YDZ3J1-WiSsCM9_tSSPkmaXKk/s320/IMG_3330.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G_NFETFePzIm0elpwDUVn8cKxHSzWOt4SCH-2CUexjs94N07HuEN7nRnvPeQEbWP-8Fo-ak3E7OJF7_kErP7sglIYH-E1rDXfnXkOwAQw7UEvxi1KFrTJyuYcK-M5cMRvqm_m58wYcUvlLwlZYKd8Ov6t85LrBVV0HQx_2JD0768x9maPzEjj3CnDAI/s4032/IMG_3327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G_NFETFePzIm0elpwDUVn8cKxHSzWOt4SCH-2CUexjs94N07HuEN7nRnvPeQEbWP-8Fo-ak3E7OJF7_kErP7sglIYH-E1rDXfnXkOwAQw7UEvxi1KFrTJyuYcK-M5cMRvqm_m58wYcUvlLwlZYKd8Ov6t85LrBVV0HQx_2JD0768x9maPzEjj3CnDAI/s320/IMG_3327.jpg" width="240" /></a></span>This guy was working on a frog eating a pretzel in front of Jojo's Pretzel Shop. He said he'd been coming to this festival and carving for years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sparky got to sit on the ice throne for a brief moment--any longer and she would have froze her tushie off!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYRJXl1e9opHv5CHXwsRi4J9209z0W1Mt_0qrZrObe9MXMvWusjANwtGnovEjjgfIchlPlgaFiPfDr-VWO2tWneniqfE6KgQM1A4U6eoUyqqXcwmFmPfmXZ9FShb6bkv_QJXATbY3QCvRhkn9m9gTCfTs4Na1iLIZcBtTzZfVNnVe1AmGKKRWKoc0zmY/s4828/IMG_3341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4828" data-original-width="3443" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYRJXl1e9opHv5CHXwsRi4J9209z0W1Mt_0qrZrObe9MXMvWusjANwtGnovEjjgfIchlPlgaFiPfDr-VWO2tWneniqfE6KgQM1A4U6eoUyqqXcwmFmPfmXZ9FShb6bkv_QJXATbY3QCvRhkn9m9gTCfTs4Na1iLIZcBtTzZfVNnVe1AmGKKRWKoc0zmY/s320/IMG_3341.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HScb-dx7iHckYRg1G2PL3CC7tD_toQYmvLD6v9J9os9z6cyYGbqTWS-yXPKV1ocSIxirZ9ay06o5XmkFif2hIqvychCgqRDgdiOeqTKzr0AwRIhUkkGhJfk5IqHgedkYZcqmya5Q11FVW1ydEp5SG3-tg8pzBbRLRRzy5bK8AuSbXBvgqJFUhCxqahg/s5712/IMG_3292.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HScb-dx7iHckYRg1G2PL3CC7tD_toQYmvLD6v9J9os9z6cyYGbqTWS-yXPKV1ocSIxirZ9ay06o5XmkFif2hIqvychCgqRDgdiOeqTKzr0AwRIhUkkGhJfk5IqHgedkYZcqmya5Q11FVW1ydEp5SG3-tg8pzBbRLRRzy5bK8AuSbXBvgqJFUhCxqahg/s320/IMG_3292.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Clementine's</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Over Sparky's Christmas break (she is working at substitute teaching pretty steadily again) we took a couple of little trips to see family on both sides, and then we decided, on the spur of the moment, (yay!) to head up to South Haven, Michigan, one of our old stomping grounds years ago when we had our class A motorhome. It's a beautiful little lake town with a nice harbor, a lighthouse and a great summer or winter destination. There are lots of cool little shops downtown. There's also a beautiful RV park there, where we had stayed years ago, called <a href="https://www.sunnybrookrvresort.com">South Haven Sunny Brook. </a> We did not drive by there, but we decided to visit <i>Clementine's, </i>a beautiful restaurant in an old bank building downtown South Haven. There are two locations, one here in South Haven, the other <i>Clementine's Too </i>in St. Joseph, MI. The old restored bank building made into a restaurant at the South Haven location is AMAZING! Even more so with the holiday lights and decorations. Here's what you see when you enter the lobby:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDxp6vfWQ06QI7KgCNXsv5KNDgn1aUuS2e148PAT3nt665tvTV8VxwVxwoPyGO4I1kyMRgZwSeJhMhbFn0cKiOJGhMmpeUlc9uWayht7GCMqYUbdL3_jsuwwHhx8m8kxGiYWfSbDXvGX-ZAdx2UUvU126JPxNDh03TzlesFgklXOpS8UINtSTwYyeUhg/s5712/IMG_3301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDxp6vfWQ06QI7KgCNXsv5KNDgn1aUuS2e148PAT3nt665tvTV8VxwVxwoPyGO4I1kyMRgZwSeJhMhbFn0cKiOJGhMmpeUlc9uWayht7GCMqYUbdL3_jsuwwHhx8m8kxGiYWfSbDXvGX-ZAdx2UUvU126JPxNDh03TzlesFgklXOpS8UINtSTwYyeUhg/w308-h410/IMG_3301.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the bar area:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrl2XqFEL7iTJKf7uw-rBTIpdyXZWGHxRKZcWvBtTEP09dSqqvM4aMtzBjADt8T3_GRsU_fFfrILlo-fG3G8O2C-wWjmCagjKiIA39wsCFAHr3Du1i5Vw0PiRjIeWs-kjkOgnsQ5MXEWBMdfD2svcfGy064dvP2Y_eW3S_7QIzdaGclEzzj-3gc2qDvs/s5712/IMG_3295.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrl2XqFEL7iTJKf7uw-rBTIpdyXZWGHxRKZcWvBtTEP09dSqqvM4aMtzBjADt8T3_GRsU_fFfrILlo-fG3G8O2C-wWjmCagjKiIA39wsCFAHr3Du1i5Vw0PiRjIeWs-kjkOgnsQ5MXEWBMdfD2svcfGy064dvP2Y_eW3S_7QIzdaGclEzzj-3gc2qDvs/w389-h292/IMG_3295.JPG" width="389" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The food is delicious and the menu extensive...We love their onion ring towers--two sizes to choose from. We recommend the smaller one, it's plenty big enough for two people, but our eyes were bigger than our stomachs so we had to have the tall tower. That's a lotta onion rings! Then Sparky had to have fried zucchini, with a ranch/dill sauce.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKz1AddZ_uNuZMYgdjCJwylBv36J9sDJ74Yf0oHAndt_BVNdVIWn28RhosVAiVky0lvc4lHHs81w-g2zziHr-V1dooe3dqlHv2XniMxm2FkUjHEPYU7pcZZW-1wyg1iYL3OPyhTbrWZlvVKB49hUopUpDMVbi5kX3DfFj0724_BhfZveWhPY9oe4V-Ng/s5712/onion%20rings%20Eldy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKz1AddZ_uNuZMYgdjCJwylBv36J9sDJ74Yf0oHAndt_BVNdVIWn28RhosVAiVky0lvc4lHHs81w-g2zziHr-V1dooe3dqlHv2XniMxm2FkUjHEPYU7pcZZW-1wyg1iYL3OPyhTbrWZlvVKB49hUopUpDMVbi5kX3DfFj0724_BhfZveWhPY9oe4V-Ng/s320/onion%20rings%20Eldy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhYfNlsAxJX2EYTWIeOEn3rKQT0RX4l7ENQuhCjPFo50nd4mXq7eXGK8S6kIvF0WNdL6TGOZn4187bhmx3452lqMQvhfmD-Wk3aqT-vrtuIUR_P_EwvdkwyNnJKEJd3HNZrUl0pCvhN50_23ULuVD0ZHT8LMkeZ9tnDkYROHI1uc-1xsVNXc3EX_3LB8/s3088/IMG_3306.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhYfNlsAxJX2EYTWIeOEn3rKQT0RX4l7ENQuhCjPFo50nd4mXq7eXGK8S6kIvF0WNdL6TGOZn4187bhmx3452lqMQvhfmD-Wk3aqT-vrtuIUR_P_EwvdkwyNnJKEJd3HNZrUl0pCvhN50_23ULuVD0ZHT8LMkeZ9tnDkYROHI1uc-1xsVNXc3EX_3LB8/s320/IMG_3306.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />After a wonderful meal, Sparky had to walk the pier to see the small lighthouse there. During the winter, photographers have captured amazing shots of the winter weather--huge ice slab buildups with huge waves crashing over the pier, but today, it was a calm day very little wind, so Sparky walked out to the end of the pier where the lighthouse is, and walked back. (Eldo has a bad hip so he is being careful, it was an icy, slippery walk!) And, it was COLD and a wet chilly day! We're still trying to get used to that after living in Florida for seven years. Those midwest winters were a distant memory for us, but they have returned to the forefront with a vengeance! We are living it as we write...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieytc-i6DAj3QmzZFS1Ly6RIBXnN6a5TBFfrUnEhuUVRChtZf_kC9KLCL3HF42IIKG8C92CXlQKxeHSCH67SGCL9-LtdOel8ueCFWZTvYfHeF1f4rE1DUDCFNVrEMhiYpYp70koxk-I1d-857mkYLql9K5QoMNyzj4rurTVIOx4lzT6XmjI2bH4WPvsXQ/s4032/IMG_3303.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieytc-i6DAj3QmzZFS1Ly6RIBXnN6a5TBFfrUnEhuUVRChtZf_kC9KLCL3HF42IIKG8C92CXlQKxeHSCH67SGCL9-LtdOel8ueCFWZTvYfHeF1f4rE1DUDCFNVrEMhiYpYp70koxk-I1d-857mkYLql9K5QoMNyzj4rurTVIOx4lzT6XmjI2bH4WPvsXQ/s320/IMG_3303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After the pier walk, we headed back to the car and spotted an outdoor skating rink--how fun! Sparky would try that, especially since now, a lot of rinks have plastic grown up sized "sleds" that you can push around in front of you so you won't fall down. Sparky would definitely need one of those, her balance is terrible as a 73 year old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qsga7JnVaVq5DtxgPIPQYmI08XNuri_-axDSoBObznAJatL8ijpeuRkluNzAeJ39Sik3ia_sMk2oBCOySzCliwgtdmzdqiI7oOHsoq_Ym9pWFCBlZZVbTyir7A6GHclxtqWA72Uq7GMMeK2ytASioocgtqQXeliYjyKw9zrGzhAQz94z_CMR69d1_M8/s5712/IMG_3315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qsga7JnVaVq5DtxgPIPQYmI08XNuri_-axDSoBObznAJatL8ijpeuRkluNzAeJ39Sik3ia_sMk2oBCOySzCliwgtdmzdqiI7oOHsoq_Ym9pWFCBlZZVbTyir7A6GHclxtqWA72Uq7GMMeK2ytASioocgtqQXeliYjyKw9zrGzhAQz94z_CMR69d1_M8/s320/IMG_3315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-aFaAMIufccUttmYA_Q0rqcz3FgGqzLcEIrsKrcve4NHZXQxhjwOcmoBEyRSTzw1LY-wqvbOig1PcMfgQeE6uzNdhsCfV6Gos2XGgB0_RfSrG0N1hErx7RszQc5Bd8oli63-xdDkBdc4i-3RsTAkX5YrSsiYP-YaWnj5-qeGWhUYMzyVUE-tLsc-i9Q/s4032/IMG_3312.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-aFaAMIufccUttmYA_Q0rqcz3FgGqzLcEIrsKrcve4NHZXQxhjwOcmoBEyRSTzw1LY-wqvbOig1PcMfgQeE6uzNdhsCfV6Gos2XGgB0_RfSrG0N1hErx7RszQc5Bd8oli63-xdDkBdc4i-3RsTAkX5YrSsiYP-YaWnj5-qeGWhUYMzyVUE-tLsc-i9Q/w215-h286/IMG_3312.JPG" width="215" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">(Yep, and I wouldn't let her out on the rink unless she had one, firmly says E.) There was also a cool fire pit right by the rink, for warming yourself. This reminded Sparky of skating on her elementary school football field that was flooded each year in the wintertime, and where she lost her two new permanent front teeth in a fall in second grade while skating backwards. (It was so traumatic, she still talks about it 66 years later laughs Eldo.)</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2HL55s5xME6A7vuU7vwYRDFPwal40I8n-TBwg-vmXZewtutGLtYgBCFFkNE9cOntYPYMY_yB1Sq58AApi0JTO3n9uIfn0Q4wdjUfC-YosfduBSuhyphenhyphenI4h-YFECEcSHcuWT2yoiaJK_M_KViFBf6AGvkaagkaWAH_rmT8pJ_kkP_oJIoqGCkn8Cog94gg/s5712/IMG_3311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2HL55s5xME6A7vuU7vwYRDFPwal40I8n-TBwg-vmXZewtutGLtYgBCFFkNE9cOntYPYMY_yB1Sq58AApi0JTO3n9uIfn0Q4wdjUfC-YosfduBSuhyphenhyphenI4h-YFECEcSHcuWT2yoiaJK_M_KViFBf6AGvkaagkaWAH_rmT8pJ_kkP_oJIoqGCkn8Cog94gg/w355-h267/IMG_3311.JPG" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool mural near the rink</td></tr></tbody></table></div>South Haven is a cool town....we really enjoyed our visit today. We love doing little day trips and venturing out once again. With the day coming to a close, we head back to Elkhart, our home for now and for awhile. Have you ever had the "hitch itch"? For us, hitch itch just looks a little different these days.....<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-41287904952479734122023-12-26T13:13:00.002-05:002023-12-26T13:13:54.006-05:00A Trip to the Motor City<span style="font-size: large;">Holidays are wonderful times to get together with families, especially if you don't have to fly! Sparky's sister lives near Detroit, so off we went for a quick trip to the Detroit area close to Christmas. It's about a 3.5 hour drive from Elkhart, and we needed to put a few highway miles on our baby Bronco to "break in" the engine. Guess that's still a thing--vary your driving speeds the first thousand miles. We definitely have been doing that!</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We went to Belle Isle Island, a 982 acre island park that is 2.5 miles long, in Detroit, developed in the late 19th century. Belle Isle, also known as the "Jewel of Detroit", is the main island with several surrounding islets. You can walk or bike all around the island which would be 5.4 miles. One third of the island is a natural wooded area. Of course, it's surrounded by water, with 7 miles of shoreline. There are three lakes on the island, and 230 acres of forested wetlands. You can rent kayaks there, picnic, fish, swim and visit all the wonderful resources. There's an aquarium there, which is ranked among the top ten aquariums in the country by visitors, a gorgeous memorial fountain, a beautiful conservatory that is under renovation, a nature center, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which we visited today. That's the Edmund Fitzgerald anchor Eldy is standing in front of outside the museum.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr8cWmxGdImJ-cnpx8wct_cBMJGzfptdAy__WHU5Gu-jpUPQFQhH97KA3ko04PLKIL09aJ4UumyT7GudwMSaDvTPtOz8D2Hm-c1num0kpOl7FqM5EzzBQMKXzOtOf_hJ593_RnGjUwpKq9vTiOOV57o0pO2hJRRuawlKvKnS5ygV2vF696zsd3c3XrAQ/s5712/Eldy%20and%20Edmund%20anchor.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr8cWmxGdImJ-cnpx8wct_cBMJGzfptdAy__WHU5Gu-jpUPQFQhH97KA3ko04PLKIL09aJ4UumyT7GudwMSaDvTPtOz8D2Hm-c1num0kpOl7FqM5EzzBQMKXzOtOf_hJ593_RnGjUwpKq9vTiOOV57o0pO2hJRRuawlKvKnS5ygV2vF696zsd3c3XrAQ/w411-h308/Eldy%20and%20Edmund%20anchor.JPG" width="411" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eldy in front of the Edmund Anchor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The museum was very cool. The museum is all about the steamships that have traversed the Detroit River from the early days and the boating history associated with the Detroit River.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When first entering the museum walkway coming in, you see the Miss Pepsi hydroplane racing boat. It's about 36 feet long and about 9 feet wide, and ran on 230 gallons of jet fuel. It was built in the late forties and retired from a successful racing career in 1952 because no one could challenge it. It was the fastest hydroplane on the Detroit River during its time. No wonder, as Detroit's expertise in engines and motors was legendary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFI3FOtNMWhddeIiEEX9Kp-sm-K9nyE_gTBmUPb-ksoT7usMRmXb3HHnqKcOEQTEnQ8NKXlvjYY4gYVo0A6O7hqeTFWmxzkfI8O2lOTf8HrSvyW6R644KMDYn1EibJ60gqNVG1jKw8sV4nrQzJmA_nWE9QX4DKCQNjlplHjy8tgpcn22vRKbuZjfVGgc/s5712/IMG_3154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFI3FOtNMWhddeIiEEX9Kp-sm-K9nyE_gTBmUPb-ksoT7usMRmXb3HHnqKcOEQTEnQ8NKXlvjYY4gYVo0A6O7hqeTFWmxzkfI8O2lOTf8HrSvyW6R644KMDYn1EibJ60gqNVG1jKw8sV4nrQzJmA_nWE9QX4DKCQNjlplHjy8tgpcn22vRKbuZjfVGgc/s320/IMG_3154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-0ZSrBuoC3ci6wyXzIVAuAcQ9f33mX1BTJrQdY6djXxxxAG_gX-p1x9ZEz8FQDdEldev9gx88iTCBSO5XarZbDu8Cz-6RCO-mWs5UTshN2UpXceCsHWiw_axoDMOPo6qap9aT6U7oLWmSgyfxPduX7oRL_mSrl5Ip6voVTlIT3Q7eom1rnpwKRvE5Ag/s5712/IMG_3158.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-0ZSrBuoC3ci6wyXzIVAuAcQ9f33mX1BTJrQdY6djXxxxAG_gX-p1x9ZEz8FQDdEldev9gx88iTCBSO5XarZbDu8Cz-6RCO-mWs5UTshN2UpXceCsHWiw_axoDMOPo6qap9aT6U7oLWmSgyfxPduX7oRL_mSrl5Ip6voVTlIT3Q7eom1rnpwKRvE5Ag/w387-h290/IMG_3158.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gothic Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you continue on into the museum, the most beautiful oak carved entry room awaits. This is part of the Gothic Room, a smoking room from the City of Detroit III steamship. The steamship was a side wheel steamer, one of the largest sidewheel steamers on the Great Lakes and at the time it was built and launched, the largest in the world. The Gothic room had intricate English oak carvings and was located on the top deck of the ship. There was plush leather upholstery, leaded glass windows, and a pipe organ for entertainment. The ship also had a winery on board, a palm tree court, and salons. These luxury steamers were the forerunners of today's cruise ships. The ship ran between Detroit and Cleveland, or Detroit and Buffalo. Nothing but the finest china, crystal, and accommodations for passengers who wanted a luxurious cruise during the early 1900's.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUl7MMsOISn3OgdoyPlsKGLqyWDoivUIJ3GUEvqS_ww68u2Xcynp7rqxI_E6cxPgVkXFUk3i5GIFyh2t7MwYceYAGHlTAScOuCy2lS_PdRYKcLqtrOzELb9JJh5U4xHKD9LRqhMC6MyE/s5712/IMG_3171.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUl7MMsOISn3OgdoyPlsKGLqyWDoivUIJ3GUEvqS_ww68u2Xcynp7rqxI_E6cxPgVkXFUk3i5GIFyh2t7MwYceYAGHlTAScOuCy2lS_PdRYKcLqtrOzELb9JJh5U4xHKD9LRqhMC6MyE/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The museum had a pilot house where you could try your hand at navigating a freighter past buoys to dock it. That sounded like fun! The video said Sparky crashed into a buoy, but she swears she never hit anything! (That's what she said about the dent in the truck, says Eldy.) There were many more wonderful exhibits. Sparky loved the freighter horn area, where you could push a button, and hear all the different signals that a freighter uses while navigating the river. Love the sound of those horns!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDGEjG4MyvvV5ePgBN_fNHcMPDkx7fqoR5dK6HVovHiwEpnjzDoSa0k_BxeRrqBYr3IBPpcrBSS6pfenXoMu6dszEmJgbCNQxn6dGJDcx2zwkgwOA3T13afLTogbSpiBk4yZMMBLDov-VcO2raKDIjRcgw8S8yFUloGVugDMbezc1BI_HNkprZ9_Yk2c/s5712/IMG_3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDGEjG4MyvvV5ePgBN_fNHcMPDkx7fqoR5dK6HVovHiwEpnjzDoSa0k_BxeRrqBYr3IBPpcrBSS6pfenXoMu6dszEmJgbCNQxn6dGJDcx2zwkgwOA3T13afLTogbSpiBk4yZMMBLDov-VcO2raKDIjRcgw8S8yFUloGVugDMbezc1BI_HNkprZ9_Yk2c/s320/IMG_3163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The museum was small and easily walkable, but interesting and informative. There was a sizable section devoted to microplastics and how damaging they are to people and the environment. Even beer has microplastics in them, sad to say.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHx_p4tBVwcLVCPfL2jNdwgbGLrsAkeukJ5PzBJQr59b77iNscpXfh8CRXJ9ksVHtUyxlzlHAkPMNnzPftJMDT5DslZtnl45-cC-BfD6efEq_G16eTzY7cbp29eGnYRoaBMgXykdWJsLIryJyQfcC5DO0fu89NE1IwcHjPVGsXrmjjt8mvk8GAdtelCI/s5712/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHx_p4tBVwcLVCPfL2jNdwgbGLrsAkeukJ5PzBJQr59b77iNscpXfh8CRXJ9ksVHtUyxlzlHAkPMNnzPftJMDT5DslZtnl45-cC-BfD6efEq_G16eTzY7cbp29eGnYRoaBMgXykdWJsLIryJyQfcC5DO0fu89NE1IwcHjPVGsXrmjjt8mvk8GAdtelCI/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuMEFOptMKtiDxUSpbg7D1UOY9orXiYmHCGiD2B9Mvh5BhdqwKQeoJyREaTZhv68nnZOI9h7W2YbSnAu9zh94PyVCAoQ_qMg6Mh98TgSJFNx8vejkvrcKc0V1Gcwk1B_uyUN1Z-SneVDwgBABuJ5cRNO7WZJ8CE-LhZd9hvzWyNuvAEwwZR7I2bLEkow/s4032/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuMEFOptMKtiDxUSpbg7D1UOY9orXiYmHCGiD2B9Mvh5BhdqwKQeoJyREaTZhv68nnZOI9h7W2YbSnAu9zh94PyVCAoQ_qMg6Mh98TgSJFNx8vejkvrcKc0V1Gcwk1B_uyUN1Z-SneVDwgBABuJ5cRNO7WZJ8CE-LhZd9hvzWyNuvAEwwZR7I2bLEkow/s320/IMG_3139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>While in the Detroit area, we visited the Motor City Brewing Works, a brewery and grill. It had the most fantastic pizza and salad, and Eldy loved his tavern brewed Witt beer that he had. The salad had fresh mozzarella on it. Yum!<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We also drove around downtown Detroit a little bit. We viewed the Brush Park district where opulent old homes at the turn of the century are being renovated and restored to their former glory. This area used to be called the "Little Paris of the Midwest" in its heyday. We didn't get any photos, because it was such a dreary day. But here is one from the internet of one of the more famous ones--the Ransom Gillis house, which has been restored.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu9XNi0QYT6R-2IxusWG9bEEe__BlM-UJphQcFF9lj3NLA9D4af_liPzTt8wUtwGErkbyQA8F0PZGmix8V3gnfjHXLdGaVtcq4W1oBKmR8R3y3h-Nx4KFFl-5g7mmLlYinbWRXcXfkSa-gyn98qz95Aq_xHFCV3s3_jnyQKjCyT3x63WsfI6xWRR6uZo/s1466/Screenshot%202023-12-26%20at%201.00.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1466" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu9XNi0QYT6R-2IxusWG9bEEe__BlM-UJphQcFF9lj3NLA9D4af_liPzTt8wUtwGErkbyQA8F0PZGmix8V3gnfjHXLdGaVtcq4W1oBKmR8R3y3h-Nx4KFFl-5g7mmLlYinbWRXcXfkSa-gyn98qz95Aq_xHFCV3s3_jnyQKjCyT3x63WsfI6xWRR6uZo/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-26%20at%201.00.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Our brief Michigan holiday was over too soon...then it was back to Indiana to share Christmas Eve with Eldy's son and his family. Here are the Three Musketeers-- (Sparky's brother-in-law, sister, and Eldy) at the brewery:</span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXGWprwFGw1vD-XS8K6Pr4-uUZR0Mm82Tfix9Qg8N1_pPtJ8fWyvGBiyz__Qv-a8mv9NVBsKyWlAliqIJvIm6NbdoCCm7NS_w-qQah6MTE51Me9Fo_mkC-kwYagxc9PYEKjSmUFA2s_aMNGI9V3Csha0DNpewMyAEj1EG_VGL8ziVEye1RbD_si21n4g/s5712/IMG_3143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXGWprwFGw1vD-XS8K6Pr4-uUZR0Mm82Tfix9Qg8N1_pPtJ8fWyvGBiyz__Qv-a8mv9NVBsKyWlAliqIJvIm6NbdoCCm7NS_w-qQah6MTE51Me9Fo_mkC-kwYagxc9PYEKjSmUFA2s_aMNGI9V3Csha0DNpewMyAEj1EG_VGL8ziVEye1RbD_si21n4g/s320/IMG_3143.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Back in Indiana.....Eldy's son's family...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXfXlSa5Keusibyy0cpDIUrafL0qe1merhzr1UAQn6uXScZAgv17j9AyQP-SwaA5BKFx94Pt90icV9cFd11lk-Ef7dDaxFFb-56jBhm_FIvKO2NQL3_xBlnkURMaLZ-tditqiaSRqXHQSfP-wAqd-c5AvR4LhpDQ5q_BMBW_3vEG8PxmhbWuarDlA19c/s4032/IMG_4457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXfXlSa5Keusibyy0cpDIUrafL0qe1merhzr1UAQn6uXScZAgv17j9AyQP-SwaA5BKFx94Pt90icV9cFd11lk-Ef7dDaxFFb-56jBhm_FIvKO2NQL3_xBlnkURMaLZ-tditqiaSRqXHQSfP-wAqd-c5AvR4LhpDQ5q_BMBW_3vEG8PxmhbWuarDlA19c/s320/IMG_4457.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">From our family to yours...may the coming New Year bless you with good health and good tidings....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Sparky and Eldo</span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-66644295478395104102023-12-07T17:14:00.011-05:002023-12-08T18:01:19.991-05:00SOLD! Time for a New Ride.....<p><span style="font-size: large;">After waiting and waiting for repairs to be done to our rig, we decided to sell our truck or trade it in and then sell our RV. We are not going to be RVing any longer for quite awhile, but when we do, it will be in a smaller rig IF we head back out on the road, or decide to be snowbirds.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">It's been tough driving around down in a big dually, finding big enough parking spaces, and finding decent diesel prices which are currently hovering around 3.99 here in northern Indiana. Oil changes on this behemoth are over 300.00 each time, in addition to extra expensive parts when they are needed, so we thought it was a good time to jump in on a trade. Car dealers are having to get many used cars from auctions, and are not getting very many trade in vehicles, so Eldy did his research, we did our due diligence on driving some different SUV's, and here is what we settled on:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQHB-vVyVz0yAWuJG_88IMl-bo8QmAvdIy-L26T88DCWAsmUmRkRA5MptV2Ye3DMOmxqms6o_7Iv8G9zYCLakVzG0Dg8bLmZY_t7mI9YXBgG4-FLipQsRP5ZaW8n6eP3ljv-kRcMw43kUq7DdO5KPhRRWjFj4waDEjuThTRBKXLlC4DB1QBq6MdQnTI/s5712/Eldy%20and%20Bronco.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDQHB-vVyVz0yAWuJG_88IMl-bo8QmAvdIy-L26T88DCWAsmUmRkRA5MptV2Ye3DMOmxqms6o_7Iv8G9zYCLakVzG0Dg8bLmZY_t7mI9YXBgG4-FLipQsRP5ZaW8n6eP3ljv-kRcMw43kUq7DdO5KPhRRWjFj4waDEjuThTRBKXLlC4DB1QBq6MdQnTI/s320/Eldy%20and%20Bronco.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We traded our truck in for a 2023 Bronco Sport, the Outer Banks trim model. Owners affectionately call it the "Baby Bronco." It's got some great safety features, some awesome new technology in it, and the ride is amazingly smooth for a truck type/sport vehicle chassis. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6jSoyq4IY542FBslxEPFClGJdMsWQUD-6Q0pBX2rd6kNgFZUFFvehQ7RfBjqJbYfiNu273GnclehcgSb7-YYZDVJpmIs2Um3hXm5kcVeKxsRLZRpQquPYPz2M6hMV5hSyGHl5hETEXjsXpXyOyD4VzPOiDabwwzBJg3NdEmHcUmaQd5aixF2CZjIoas/s5712/Jeannie%20and%20Bronco.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6jSoyq4IY542FBslxEPFClGJdMsWQUD-6Q0pBX2rd6kNgFZUFFvehQ7RfBjqJbYfiNu273GnclehcgSb7-YYZDVJpmIs2Um3hXm5kcVeKxsRLZRpQquPYPz2M6hMV5hSyGHl5hETEXjsXpXyOyD4VzPOiDabwwzBJg3NdEmHcUmaQd5aixF2CZjIoas/s320/Jeannie%20and%20Bronco.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We have a built in phone charging pad. We have heated seats and steering wheel which is so nice for our aging bodies! We have a terrific sound system in it. We have adaptive cruise control which slows down the car if the car in front of you slows down. Lane assist, lane centering, what's not to like? Especially if you have a tendency to wander a wee bit from side to side while driving. (Just like Sparky is starting to do on her own feet when walking! lol...) There are lots of safety features and interesting technologies that are going to take us a bit of time to figure out. The inside is steel blue and gray, a really pretty combination. We are going to put a hitch on it, so Sparky can transport her bike.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What about our RV, you might be wondering? We have put it up for sale. It's just too big for us now and with getting older, we need something smaller and easier to travel in and for shorter periods of time. The repair shop did an AMAZING job on the body work. It looks like a brand new rig!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1uWcfT4-iS1fG_bnIWIb7U1ggJSD6OlhysdXZNqRMwJ4p1eoU5UQPV6KmH-40zDnXmiyRE6m3l3r_wF9lZb3b5dcpMPqZG9_txkxUMjC9ho4Yyj7y_3ReWZehabINB6AynsArAU3LeVldpdfp-8kvdfuFf54Mjqld1j1SluTpgdkK8kUV3qj0itBhWw/s5712/IMG_2855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1uWcfT4-iS1fG_bnIWIb7U1ggJSD6OlhysdXZNqRMwJ4p1eoU5UQPV6KmH-40zDnXmiyRE6m3l3r_wF9lZb3b5dcpMPqZG9_txkxUMjC9ho4Yyj7y_3ReWZehabINB6AynsArAU3LeVldpdfp-8kvdfuFf54Mjqld1j1SluTpgdkK8kUV3qj0itBhWw/s320/IMG_2855.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, down the road, we will look at a class C, which is a smaller recreational vehicle. With a class C, you don't have to tow a car behind unless you want to. We would take off for the worst of the winter months in the midwest, heading towards the south and west, and then return back to Indiana for the spring, summer and fall. We shall see.....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, Sparky went to Houston for a quick trip over Thanksgiving, passing through O'Hare Airport on the way. Sparky loves airports, and they are getting more and more interesting with art work and architecture, to enjoy your temporary stay, IF you are not in a hurry to get somewhere! This C terminal at O'Hare is so cool!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV0EaidEHYVJHH8W98ZJFJhjVbxWWqZW0qOZfiSVI0DMKdPhrgeTT-Kty13MkE1ehL8E5_Azvhgie1dxEjzT8tR-yKhkydtKcpyKGlKXJSXwAOzafb2wJDBy2rz9tLvcJ3hcb3vXPjqgGhJPsXA8ZakBu6l39XMyv2mLg4-Jd43nPCwRXqNuJCF1QNmY/s4032/IMG_2944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV0EaidEHYVJHH8W98ZJFJhjVbxWWqZW0qOZfiSVI0DMKdPhrgeTT-Kty13MkE1ehL8E5_Azvhgie1dxEjzT8tR-yKhkydtKcpyKGlKXJSXwAOzafb2wJDBy2rz9tLvcJ3hcb3vXPjqgGhJPsXA8ZakBu6l39XMyv2mLg4-Jd43nPCwRXqNuJCF1QNmY/w287-h382/IMG_2944.jpg" width="287" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There are also beautifully designed walkways with artwork. This one had a park bench shaped like a guitar along the side further back.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobE8kwUOmmA96vujc59P7y6uvWgUQFzhkgTDVJPNmctldrJ2YVlPNlDm_bopn57WIclzWL_SUe7ORVvg2z4Y7iJ3hVgaJ8H3x_JzSlLpwGJJMwK946QK__MsiVkyEMG5rOB5L6XV353G0Vz1q1fgeY3R6Bj7pO3Ca6NjewVzfDyzHBq_gooeid3yVmV0/s4280/IMG_2935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4138" data-original-width="4280" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobE8kwUOmmA96vujc59P7y6uvWgUQFzhkgTDVJPNmctldrJ2YVlPNlDm_bopn57WIclzWL_SUe7ORVvg2z4Y7iJ3hVgaJ8H3x_JzSlLpwGJJMwK946QK__MsiVkyEMG5rOB5L6XV353G0Vz1q1fgeY3R6Bj7pO3Ca6NjewVzfDyzHBq_gooeid3yVmV0/s320/IMG_2935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryQ3wmkHvnJyU79jHKYyEPO9Mcaj9yahJdzk-k9DGYN5NJ8KrRuUsbAQyph_NYD-ZFuq6PIyA4oD1aAft8aMpUg8DqmCw94LprHPSYIeLueiq_qmV7IoX71wWfJbRUxC-Unp21pOMOzh6NG_P9R5ykxICxQYpir6U-whLG-5CZ4BrSTVaidSGstKp6Jw/s2040/image000000.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryQ3wmkHvnJyU79jHKYyEPO9Mcaj9yahJdzk-k9DGYN5NJ8KrRuUsbAQyph_NYD-ZFuq6PIyA4oD1aAft8aMpUg8DqmCw94LprHPSYIeLueiq_qmV7IoX71wWfJbRUxC-Unp21pOMOzh6NG_P9R5ykxICxQYpir6U-whLG-5CZ4BrSTVaidSGstKp6Jw/s320/image000000.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Eldy had Thanksgiving with his family, but didn't take any photos. Phooey! </span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">Back to Houston....Sparky's grandson is now almost as tall as Sparky, and he loves playing basketball. He's quite the reader, too, and when we last talked, he was recommending books for Sparky to read. (Robert Louis Stevenson's </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>The Strange Case of Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</u>). We went to a fun arcade place and played a variety of fun games. Sparky's favorite was air hockey. She was ahead 4-1, then got slammed by her grandson and ended up losing. Guess he let her win the first few as he didn't want to shut her out completely right away, he said, haha.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BziAMjK3LhY6jTnj8RjMM2uT2qH7AxjiXLMc-cQe8VHg03JZj9XjRCMZeHzEmF86Pv_VQvU5ix1oe9rP747ULIWaOGtuZMt6YkATlLmo7YEHZ2Op8OpFCNI3nz2BDjMCyZEa4wDYT6SLFkq0UobbCRetnhyiIEfJh7xb3TyL6ej17lR4_S8OhiiU3_M/s4543/IMG_2960.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3248" data-original-width="4543" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BziAMjK3LhY6jTnj8RjMM2uT2qH7AxjiXLMc-cQe8VHg03JZj9XjRCMZeHzEmF86Pv_VQvU5ix1oe9rP747ULIWaOGtuZMt6YkATlLmo7YEHZ2Op8OpFCNI3nz2BDjMCyZEa4wDYT6SLFkq0UobbCRetnhyiIEfJh7xb3TyL6ej17lR4_S8OhiiU3_M/s320/IMG_2960.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrtku9xA8OgVrr64oLiNMi5Wr6KqFSerqqcJBahbe-JZKO2kpk3Gr1yWE5DFYUSzCy5OfXVR_84mYQ68NqPky-svpT5CEy9psFzN8doWXJ1f4lJ8vrrOGWt8WgI1HZFFf3K3XpGU3aNOrHreeik4itrF5VD40aCZOwW2FuIdilJcIpuCYRwl7lUmWwRg/s4107/Kerry%20fall%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4107" data-original-width="3360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrtku9xA8OgVrr64oLiNMi5Wr6KqFSerqqcJBahbe-JZKO2kpk3Gr1yWE5DFYUSzCy5OfXVR_84mYQ68NqPky-svpT5CEy9psFzN8doWXJ1f4lJ8vrrOGWt8WgI1HZFFf3K3XpGU3aNOrHreeik4itrF5VD40aCZOwW2FuIdilJcIpuCYRwl7lUmWwRg/s320/Kerry%20fall%202023.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was 40 degrees in Houston that day!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The visit was over too soon, and it was back to school after the weekend. Bye-bye Houston, TX for now....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtxnuOS5kdeYiK7VqBwKVNqiR2ClTqu5VqH8aJFTk4l0pU3v_OpF4kHf9HRsxgYiq-RfIPXwx2cEQbv1TknmvCwCH_JfivvOR_KFvr1JAM-o4Q-GE8aoQrqLpjWUTQOfBEO0_xvZEb9GzJLXOgoKOaZU2sd6DHpP8t8wwOPMJw33e0AG3u_gj1M_5xIA/s4032/IMG_2997.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtxnuOS5kdeYiK7VqBwKVNqiR2ClTqu5VqH8aJFTk4l0pU3v_OpF4kHf9HRsxgYiq-RfIPXwx2cEQbv1TknmvCwCH_JfivvOR_KFvr1JAM-o4Q-GE8aoQrqLpjWUTQOfBEO0_xvZEb9GzJLXOgoKOaZU2sd6DHpP8t8wwOPMJw33e0AG3u_gj1M_5xIA/s320/IMG_2997.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boots made for walking-Houston airport</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">And back to Indiana....Sparky has been super busy subbing and really loving it. She only will do grades K-4, but even kindergarten is getting tough. The kids really have a hard time sitting still at that age, and there isn't enough physical activity to help their little bodies settle down for awhile. It's much more academically oriented and quite a few are just not ready for that yet. Sparky sees a lot more emotional difficulties in the primary grades--kids are very stressed these days, and teaching is much more difficult than it used to be. Teachers are seeing a lot more emotional outbursts, anger issues, inability to focus issues, and many are quitting the field due to micromanagement of teaching practices. Teachers can't teach the way they'd like to teach any more. Tests, tests, more tests.....There's no room for creativity, no time in the day for it, but the really talented and gifted teachers manage to get a little imagination and wonder into the day despite that. </span></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky was in a second grade classroom last week and the kids were required to listen to a video all about the War of 1812, and expected to understand how it occurred, and what led up to it. The instructional vocabulary was way above their heads, and there were maybe two students who actually had somewhat of an idea about politics and the direction the country was headed at that time. That was the main focus of the reading program curriculum---history. Times most certainly have changed! In other schools there is a heavy emphasis on phonics, which Sparky has always advocated for, so everywhere she goes, she sees different aspects of education, and she finds that very interesting. Part of the allure of subbing, besides trying to make a difference with kids, is that Sparky loves the interaction with the kids and being called "Mrs. Sparkles" or "Mrs. Sprinkles" often. So she will keep subbing until the day she no longer can or somebody gently suggests, "Have you thought about volunteering at the local food bank?" Haha...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Blog posts may be coming fewer these days, but we will stay in touch. Thank you so much for following us along in our journey and if you are still interested in reading, we appreciate that even more as our lives keep changing and moving in a different direction. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Bye for now.....Sparky and Eldo<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-18214849867764733472023-10-28T08:29:00.002-04:002023-10-28T08:33:27.065-04:00Life is One Long Ride, Enjoy the Journey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdg3pXYrJMP8ADvOIx9wW1ouLJq2rwXhZvevejhs9CSqLuBSzqnwHyMsZwjvp1k47A6Q2XnwVtfFItP0Y0d3Ty9g9ffvar2_Xy6nTOTj4dlqA_PHJX3sYa6TlLQ76Am78rKlMLKX6E1oYGKgbFCMKe6zPYiagPEbDIzdRMSYPklU1P0idUbrZFcoGrDQ/s4032/me%20on%20the%20PUmpkinvine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdg3pXYrJMP8ADvOIx9wW1ouLJq2rwXhZvevejhs9CSqLuBSzqnwHyMsZwjvp1k47A6Q2XnwVtfFItP0Y0d3Ty9g9ffvar2_Xy6nTOTj4dlqA_PHJX3sYa6TlLQ76Am78rKlMLKX6E1oYGKgbFCMKe6zPYiagPEbDIzdRMSYPklU1P0idUbrZFcoGrDQ/s320/me%20on%20the%20PUmpkinvine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4z9130I7rr97q6sDSH-EGXzCo7JXkNuHBBW1jWzkvIRO2yIvxgC9y3m0hC4_IjaFWhldRFe2RCRgsug-N9JIpENAMCYkob0ZJbZbzofmA__qL_n4Uvq9FdAdxYVDIVeeL02oEQu3FT-qVUYkLpxjSUxc49P6WXbf0PJcy31iDUQEgVVerqETKrllz-pc/s4032/best%20bike%20trail%20photo.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4z9130I7rr97q6sDSH-EGXzCo7JXkNuHBBW1jWzkvIRO2yIvxgC9y3m0hC4_IjaFWhldRFe2RCRgsug-N9JIpENAMCYkob0ZJbZbzofmA__qL_n4Uvq9FdAdxYVDIVeeL02oEQu3FT-qVUYkLpxjSUxc49P6WXbf0PJcy31iDUQEgVVerqETKrllz-pc/s320/best%20bike%20trail%20photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Sparky LOVES riding her bike, as anyone who follows our blog knows. This post is yet another tribute to one of the nicest bike trails in the US, the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail leading out of Goshen, IN to Shipshewanna, with some other trail spurs along the way. Even though it is not a Rails-to-Trails, it's a beautiful paved path most of the way. Because some day Sparky is going to be too old to ride, she wanted to make another post about riding the Pumpkinvine in late October so she can look back on these photos and reminisce about the different seasons on the trail....Here is what she saw on her 16 miles today from Goshen to Middlebury and back.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Less than two weeks ago, the trail was a canopy of mostly green leaves. Now, it's all shades of yellows, browns and oranges. The trees changed so fast!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x7pfNYCZO6MYSsF541dxuu1hmbsmSUgkmBsS8r_jwBYDEL-kmSO400ngZNQLENT6rSdtppB8VUVZ4iJ3flfdqVYYsXUMC1qp-unm3UTU_kLY9chUkrfX1MccWQn6bCBaJOPBbv-beWRIxDtvNHY6btGE3MyMw2FvlWkMWxVyUYf2CHlTaAIAgiwRoWc/s4032/maple.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x7pfNYCZO6MYSsF541dxuu1hmbsmSUgkmBsS8r_jwBYDEL-kmSO400ngZNQLENT6rSdtppB8VUVZ4iJ3flfdqVYYsXUMC1qp-unm3UTU_kLY9chUkrfX1MccWQn6bCBaJOPBbv-beWRIxDtvNHY6btGE3MyMw2FvlWkMWxVyUYf2CHlTaAIAgiwRoWc/s320/maple.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Riding the trail, the carpet of leaves on the ground would change from a swath of yellow.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDG_zRwA766gbaqmVGnCejfh7q-3ircOwVzbyyvw-pgyXWC5rwiDuxixNcCzNUbl3w7d_xO2lgvf45sMEGY1wLvES4Mm-q5FvFzvISGZmZqXb9gP8_9Lhg1EsG9VH-sMRQi5xzdJschGzuBH1kpLZtzr6brpoLQTKGxalnyQxHZPp_8YS2WG5GackfGw/s4032/IMG_2724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDG_zRwA766gbaqmVGnCejfh7q-3ircOwVzbyyvw-pgyXWC5rwiDuxixNcCzNUbl3w7d_xO2lgvf45sMEGY1wLvES4Mm-q5FvFzvISGZmZqXb9gP8_9Lhg1EsG9VH-sMRQi5xzdJschGzuBH1kpLZtzr6brpoLQTKGxalnyQxHZPp_8YS2WG5GackfGw/s320/IMG_2724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To browns in another section, then oranges, and reds yet in another section of the trail, even a swath of green.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeidQdqWg7w5o0TojPP7tMB6nv7Ve6_GxRY8MEDDuxA_I8lcu7szgp5qW0KTwrsG58nPshyENUD00cFzl_cN_D_Q4r-QTX5J-1E_XPcaGnvdVx3K5oefFzpGo4EVZ8bhyphenhyphenhFCNpcqX1rxJ0jNtgASVZR-uJKobQkTdyMc23epV0FCm_XJDyGmefCiPucFc/s4032/green%20leaves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeidQdqWg7w5o0TojPP7tMB6nv7Ve6_GxRY8MEDDuxA_I8lcu7szgp5qW0KTwrsG58nPshyENUD00cFzl_cN_D_Q4r-QTX5J-1E_XPcaGnvdVx3K5oefFzpGo4EVZ8bhyphenhyphenhFCNpcqX1rxJ0jNtgASVZR-uJKobQkTdyMc23epV0FCm_XJDyGmefCiPucFc/s320/green%20leaves.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The flaming sumac are predominate on the trail now. With many of the trees having shed their leaves, the sumac really stand out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N_jNntO_7PawLdyCbQEx61JBfMb3pFEYoX14ct4VBgD7aDC7LRNLutHN1cs9BZDRlTxpXzllE7FsB1jZsfHuQ7CJCGU8B6YDsIKqcGO_yc8cY9IkcAnrT4GwSBivpY5zrdVbqxmiPMZ1H3MiAwTFIEF55TPMkB6TlLdVYItPierXvn86Sabp3OQa8wM/s4032/sumacs.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N_jNntO_7PawLdyCbQEx61JBfMb3pFEYoX14ct4VBgD7aDC7LRNLutHN1cs9BZDRlTxpXzllE7FsB1jZsfHuQ7CJCGU8B6YDsIKqcGO_yc8cY9IkcAnrT4GwSBivpY5zrdVbqxmiPMZ1H3MiAwTFIEF55TPMkB6TlLdVYItPierXvn86Sabp3OQa8wM/s320/sumacs.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5aHah6kU6E4d34n3L1TDO2dKKzF4G0kZ56v9bQg0PN-0fBqBeMgHlzBbILcefzJ56Ic_FxkwMAl0cAope4haP4UHE4dfBa0XiDl8BIAex3DsHM92HI-FhiW3_k-ciRUEJzwgDeHAcEldTceJFDwzerYE2a7FjsFn6EA-OjkK5WTGRU6dKYQVngKxCP0/s3658/red%20sumacs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3658" data-original-width="2743" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5aHah6kU6E4d34n3L1TDO2dKKzF4G0kZ56v9bQg0PN-0fBqBeMgHlzBbILcefzJ56Ic_FxkwMAl0cAope4haP4UHE4dfBa0XiDl8BIAex3DsHM92HI-FhiW3_k-ciRUEJzwgDeHAcEldTceJFDwzerYE2a7FjsFn6EA-OjkK5WTGRU6dKYQVngKxCP0/s320/red%20sumacs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The farmers have harvested their corn but the soybeans are still standing....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pLpILJP2SLzm-yARS5LNnrik0q31mlVXQldGMvNLr4tGmqPSa4JRVbi_YRa1wYATFjxfyqvwDEoUlDLSN3z1Ysl1oeKI4-00MPVKSQoRhcBAT4hbh_2XxX7vaxNSgSPZ8DIEKLpAYJNltrBUgFrtcQ2Xf_x9bT5-AYkcC5M8ogsdnNblOQ-u-VDyNyU/s4032/soybean%20crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pLpILJP2SLzm-yARS5LNnrik0q31mlVXQldGMvNLr4tGmqPSa4JRVbi_YRa1wYATFjxfyqvwDEoUlDLSN3z1Ysl1oeKI4-00MPVKSQoRhcBAT4hbh_2XxX7vaxNSgSPZ8DIEKLpAYJNltrBUgFrtcQ2Xf_x9bT5-AYkcC5M8ogsdnNblOQ-u-VDyNyU/s320/soybean%20crop.JPG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvJyrOF89NbvoLnwiHUeok4fHYoOPdCh7StKn37mCbG_Lty4X-G1fA3k7E5eLn1ky4SjzolqxbywHQZ23c-fQJUMNN2MbWfGgm8lQzHrxMFuP8pA7oG6_NucT5UKOZB_wZ-ly2mQbxDs8GJrH4Ht2QkXCgfHwcldSIezYfHJgf_BvqsDj4PNCEZEEYws/s4032/green%20decaying%20leaf.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvJyrOF89NbvoLnwiHUeok4fHYoOPdCh7StKn37mCbG_Lty4X-G1fA3k7E5eLn1ky4SjzolqxbywHQZ23c-fQJUMNN2MbWfGgm8lQzHrxMFuP8pA7oG6_NucT5UKOZB_wZ-ly2mQbxDs8GJrH4Ht2QkXCgfHwcldSIezYfHJgf_BvqsDj4PNCEZEEYws/s320/green%20decaying%20leaf.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div>There was a section of trail that had raindrops still glistening on the leaves, the patterns were cool! No matter how she tried, she couldn't capture the sparkle of the dew drops, when looking at them without the camera phone, they looked like rhinestones on the leaves. Through the lens, ordinary raindrops. Nature is so beautiful, especially on this trail. Even decaying leaves (at left) look cool.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5qy7NYAehxblnJAXzIANMtsblFVrGj9RW0rXluGaV231uLUJSguxXK9ongVOkF8EfNZ2M8GrIQ-OjIIVDbOKVcVseuMVuCzOU6LVytLS0ogWgdn5lCukw47haxIj04rnDLpfxEBfoDr91hPhSKmqNrgWW8SBrqPujQAS_JImnI1lxUSX4PreAZ0wo30/s4032/dew%20drop%20green%20leaves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5qy7NYAehxblnJAXzIANMtsblFVrGj9RW0rXluGaV231uLUJSguxXK9ongVOkF8EfNZ2M8GrIQ-OjIIVDbOKVcVseuMVuCzOU6LVytLS0ogWgdn5lCukw47haxIj04rnDLpfxEBfoDr91hPhSKmqNrgWW8SBrqPujQAS_JImnI1lxUSX4PreAZ0wo30/s320/dew%20drop%20green%20leaves.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Not only are there the usual fall colors, there was a small shrub or bush that was PINK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5zkc-iFfRUKsfkpFG3cCVoAt_QPSfOPhXe8VXlRRM3EMvVoJHdn_zfGUAmXBLWfCauQg6z4xQLqFM0rhTP2jZbdgl4od-4YBaTgYDSY7UC3QALoswXNbd03Ih-q1l-VzvSoF42DMgA-II3brUvgwRy_3h3lh5cARJnPo0U967TOTviAWqT5VeVnmiaw/s4032/pink%20on%20the%20vine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5zkc-iFfRUKsfkpFG3cCVoAt_QPSfOPhXe8VXlRRM3EMvVoJHdn_zfGUAmXBLWfCauQg6z4xQLqFM0rhTP2jZbdgl4od-4YBaTgYDSY7UC3QALoswXNbd03Ih-q1l-VzvSoF42DMgA-II3brUvgwRy_3h3lh5cARJnPo0U967TOTviAWqT5VeVnmiaw/s320/pink%20on%20the%20vine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>If you're been following us, you might remember Rocky the Trail Snake? Someone with a little whimsy started a painted rock snake with a head and about three rocks way back in the early summer. They posted a sign about adding to him with a link to a FB group for him. "Rocky" has grown to a length of over 160 rocks by now and is about 26 feet along at the side of the trail off on the berm. He has been lovingly attended to by someone sweeping away the fall leaves so you can see how he's grown. Here is a section of the newest rocks. People are so clever with painting them!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWW14FdFS51uD0PW3mC8X2EjDh1F0NuFOofLcQoYvxoTAIgppgmBQ99i-YWukn2iLVCE9YOcmoQ5ZniaFJ6fSqnnDNg10r8WBIPMaZPWtCh6ZdUe1RW8rdehWSchwHXbT-8kklJ5ZXle5L6FTg2ATeFq08AU2mwYoctVCxTa_mgiShj2g4fs0VPA2ECM/s4032/more%20rocky%20rocks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWW14FdFS51uD0PW3mC8X2EjDh1F0NuFOofLcQoYvxoTAIgppgmBQ99i-YWukn2iLVCE9YOcmoQ5ZniaFJ6fSqnnDNg10r8WBIPMaZPWtCh6ZdUe1RW8rdehWSchwHXbT-8kklJ5ZXle5L6FTg2ATeFq08AU2mwYoctVCxTa_mgiShj2g4fs0VPA2ECM/s320/more%20rocky%20rocks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Somebody added a really big rock with a Halloween theme painted on it, two ghouls with "return of the living" painted on it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNXo5I4BTVHhhQeAPJyDEXW2qXa2u_2QbZPPJW67q7oaGWeaoKnP4EK6Zwcr1mnwYYLGBOCafjkIUehyphenhyphenLSNz6cJyem741QqnGkHt8wh0rGNxO1GeU7iINh01lVdw8Y84g3NbeU1vdXXi9_O3eZVl1Oyc5OodigZmMh7dwvROb-540e5dXyyeyVOIaFDo/s4032/big%20rock%20Rocky%20snake.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNXo5I4BTVHhhQeAPJyDEXW2qXa2u_2QbZPPJW67q7oaGWeaoKnP4EK6Zwcr1mnwYYLGBOCafjkIUehyphenhyphenLSNz6cJyem741QqnGkHt8wh0rGNxO1GeU7iINh01lVdw8Y84g3NbeU1vdXXi9_O3eZVl1Oyc5OodigZmMh7dwvROb-540e5dXyyeyVOIaFDo/s320/big%20rock%20Rocky%20snake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Soon Rocky will be hibernating but it has been fascinating to see his growth and the participation of the riders and walkers along the trail, as they added cool additions to his tail.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Another cool thing about the trail is they have regular events and others scheduled to use the trail. There is a running race this weekend, Sparky saw some runners on the trail today getting their mileage.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo8OUq01-3IjIdAiaHJT9O4lZQyJ2qUvmv30UCRs7cUUbAssY3n8LZX7CyHeJ0nQMhoBC0b2wsFtQpT4Ra61sq_VbhJl1CbSqiWca-RerFuOXiPGBHbAfzb-2WcFLRlsGfJYLCgkIniA81M2AwApG0esuLjpHSDK6L6uJpjO-4VB5v7nEro3G0Im9XuY/s4032/race%20on%20the%20vine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo8OUq01-3IjIdAiaHJT9O4lZQyJ2qUvmv30UCRs7cUUbAssY3n8LZX7CyHeJ0nQMhoBC0b2wsFtQpT4Ra61sq_VbhJl1CbSqiWca-RerFuOXiPGBHbAfzb-2WcFLRlsGfJYLCgkIniA81M2AwApG0esuLjpHSDK6L6uJpjO-4VB5v7nEro3G0Im9XuY/s320/race%20on%20the%20vine.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are really enjoying fall's beauty... A big cold front is coming in soon...Highs in the FORTIES, lows in the twenties and thirties for the next two weeks. We are ready. Bought an ice scraper, Sparky bought her boots and we are stocking up on fall and winter clothing. That's something we really didn't need while we were traveling out on the road, following the sun and staying where it was warm most of the time.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gF8L20BlabccmVHXRYT9aC_cknDTflCYmIgfc8Cg-qJJJJeuTznHf4yV8R3OCbbVCI0b4bPj4C-Fin0Fiz0EXIQ9tLiH8TBO3TIZLO6Wz0WlUzboPe9nP7i7q06qQnjhwKAuv9RNFmFXt329KzVxmBxe_DmJPQ4pBDdhH8qCM0ZNfZZGNPH_x_x77u0/s4032/fall%20leaves%20on%20Pumpkinvine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gF8L20BlabccmVHXRYT9aC_cknDTflCYmIgfc8Cg-qJJJJeuTznHf4yV8R3OCbbVCI0b4bPj4C-Fin0Fiz0EXIQ9tLiH8TBO3TIZLO6Wz0WlUzboPe9nP7i7q06qQnjhwKAuv9RNFmFXt329KzVxmBxe_DmJPQ4pBDdhH8qCM0ZNfZZGNPH_x_x77u0/s320/fall%20leaves%20on%20Pumpkinvine.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky will probably change her tune when the first icy sleet comes to Elkhart, IN, but she has lots of crafting projects ready to go for those bad weather days, and she is subbing a LOT, keeping very busy. Eldo is doing lots and lots of research about all kinds of things. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The latest on the rig is it has been painted, but a part is still on hold! Probably another couple of weeks before we can pick it up. We are having it winterized and not traveling anywhere at this point in time, we are going to settle in for the season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We know we won't have any travel stories for awhile, but occasionally, we will venture out of Elkhart and will keep you posted. Thanks for reading and staying with us, if you are! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaHkrWkeoz39M3Nu1rNJkIoUDWvfixPchGUZYQzoVyKfPgtbBBcOCMVtTrNmbIffEV9KVsdfmL2wKhtMxSNTNrafVJ4yb2s8LEhKK-ku5caKTQsMbrPGNtWeXOnpJ7E5BAQr7zESONoSaGInV88i6gtAv9m6T0Ucg3E6aD1g4-bAEzIHHt-dyVOYG-pg/s4032/IMG_2717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaHkrWkeoz39M3Nu1rNJkIoUDWvfixPchGUZYQzoVyKfPgtbBBcOCMVtTrNmbIffEV9KVsdfmL2wKhtMxSNTNrafVJ4yb2s8LEhKK-ku5caKTQsMbrPGNtWeXOnpJ7E5BAQr7zESONoSaGInV88i6gtAv9m6T0Ucg3E6aD1g4-bAEzIHHt-dyVOYG-pg/s320/IMG_2717.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-32555937103042276162023-10-15T16:01:00.006-04:002023-10-15T16:24:50.729-04:00Keeping Busy...It's Fall, Y'all!<p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky loves fall....It's her favorite season. Not Eldo's, because he knows winter is coming and he hates it that we have to now spend it in northern Indiana. S</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>poiler alert! </span><span>Sparky loves winter, too..She's probably going to see if she can cross country ski this winter. Maybe on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail! Speaking of the Pumpkinvine, the trail is still pretty green, even for mid October, but it's changing.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0tqmgQ1Ts2uLc8pZ11RtwrYIHZF6ryYVRYXe-NLldZhOK5LAaYjwdw62u9kX5Hy6x-myzOZvKFFEdZA0ALc0BwB4ZWhxcrigf5ttGgMo3qxr6nEOwfVJgqj_TC_IU0utclZwpsTJb52f42XzdU0_9gjmrxRkYiTbhmBFxawyf4Qv5yk5CTIsvi97EbE/s4032/fall%20on%20the%20vine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0tqmgQ1Ts2uLc8pZ11RtwrYIHZF6ryYVRYXe-NLldZhOK5LAaYjwdw62u9kX5Hy6x-myzOZvKFFEdZA0ALc0BwB4ZWhxcrigf5ttGgMo3qxr6nEOwfVJgqj_TC_IU0utclZwpsTJb52f42XzdU0_9gjmrxRkYiTbhmBFxawyf4Qv5yk5CTIsvi97EbE/w294-h392/fall%20on%20the%20vine.JPG" width="294" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are still waiting to hear about our rig, it should be done any day now. They are waiting on one more part and then they will paint it...So we've kept busy doing a few cool things..Sparky took the architectural boat tour in Chicago. Eldo has a pinched nerve in his back, so he stayed in Elkhart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXJZgusyrlODPtdYHjuSdZktXdaiKVSGtngtNwoiAC0V8elVBm9rFBNLber2lVLPzqqMNwEzeXf1vwa4gyC-355KocZE_M9XX0zbIR6Xy-HLEW4KIGpcxeKAPt-u_IpNna2YQRL1k8Y9eZwcqy6VW3oqF3Age2jHcSGu5ZtfRh6IjMl-RZj57PsjhE-I/s2699/Jeannie%20and%20Jeannie.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="2699" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXJZgusyrlODPtdYHjuSdZktXdaiKVSGtngtNwoiAC0V8elVBm9rFBNLber2lVLPzqqMNwEzeXf1vwa4gyC-355KocZE_M9XX0zbIR6Xy-HLEW4KIGpcxeKAPt-u_IpNna2YQRL1k8Y9eZwcqy6VW3oqF3Age2jHcSGu5ZtfRh6IjMl-RZj57PsjhE-I/w214-h211/Jeannie%20and%20Jeannie.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky went with her best friend of 40+ years, Jeannie Garrett. We started out from the South Shore Railroad Station at the South Bend Airport. Fare is 7.00 one way for seniors. When we met up, we discovered that we were both wearing black hoodie sweaters! We might as well ave been twins, lol.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The trip is not without hassles, even though it is inexpensive to get to downtown Chicago. Because new and old tracks are being renovated, or rebuilt, or relocated (not sure which) you get off the train in Michigan City, IN, ride a chartered bus to the railroad station in Gary, then hop back on the train the rest of the way to Chicago. The chartered buses (provided by the South Shore) are nice but cramped seating. Seats are plusher than airplane seating, but jammed really close together sideways and front to back. Good thing it's less than an hour ride to get to the train station!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Lots of stairs up and down at the railroad stations, just in case anybody with questionable knees wants to know.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqK5TRRdNcMKIRdRIshnTXb4Dj8FyEHWGsKme26auG-OAT4H5EOWfiD2mWSevTbAU6j5GgHFsMCSsP9ga8_Pgdl3cfoaOFEB1Yqk4mvOl32NJbVNAsyMIKwJF6hZEE4Nu-ajpqI1gGrA2h1QnyiCFkJrJEyqPBWd_0cQi1ylY_FkSe1cnjfffs5PXe4E/s4032/IMG_2477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqK5TRRdNcMKIRdRIshnTXb4Dj8FyEHWGsKme26auG-OAT4H5EOWfiD2mWSevTbAU6j5GgHFsMCSsP9ga8_Pgdl3cfoaOFEB1Yqk4mvOl32NJbVNAsyMIKwJF6hZEE4Nu-ajpqI1gGrA2h1QnyiCFkJrJEyqPBWd_0cQi1ylY_FkSe1cnjfffs5PXe4E/s320/IMG_2477.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaGXU_mvgjuh_KiY5Ab_aRFaJFc7PHfwhmKpoXpmQdyTqbEU9SUkNLEYAI3ApRgmbuZ_geQa0xbMkw8LuMbSziC6rBCy0QnDLgTbBjDko2ywLBH0US3bfqpz-VqInm71SoUS8XtmiM9W4U-7BIMPjWyVHiViZ1inbgb6F_9sTlDOFTqCch8XwL9NzkGU/s4032/IMG_2490.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaGXU_mvgjuh_KiY5Ab_aRFaJFc7PHfwhmKpoXpmQdyTqbEU9SUkNLEYAI3ApRgmbuZ_geQa0xbMkw8LuMbSziC6rBCy0QnDLgTbBjDko2ywLBH0US3bfqpz-VqInm71SoUS8XtmiM9W4U-7BIMPjWyVHiViZ1inbgb6F_9sTlDOFTqCch8XwL9NzkGU/s320/IMG_2490.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We got to Chicago and boarded the boat for a 90 minute tour of the Chicago River architecture. (Fare was 57.00 each. There are several boat tours available on the river and some for a little less. They are all pretty similar but the one sponsored by the Chicago Architectural Society seems to be the most popular.) </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This tour is so amazing, that many locals do it more than one time. You see all the cool architecture from 20 feet down below the street level on a boat by traveling all three branches of the Chicago River. Chicago is home to four different architectural schools and has one of the most diverse and largest collections of skyscrapers in the world. There are many architectural styles and architects reflected in the city's skyline, from Gothic Revival, Brutalism (a 1950's-1960's style that is massive, blocky, has rough surfaces, and uses a lot of concrete) to Post Modern.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jeannie (the other Jeannie), has been on the tour twice already. That's how great it is, each guide always has a few other stories to tell and she always learns something new on the tour. It was really great! A beautiful day, in the low eighties, the tall skyscrapers give you a little bit of shade now and then, and the wonderful stories of the styles, the buildings and the stories of the architects visions keep you captivated. The Great Chicago Fire was the catalyst for new fire codes and new ideas which brought architects from all over the world to the Windy City. Architects' work from Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Mies van Der Rohe, Jeanne Gang, and many more grace the city's skyline.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You learn a LOT of cool things! Sparky didn't know that because of raw sewage and pollution dumping into the Chicago River, polluting the city's source of drinking water from Lake Michigan, city residents became very ill with typhoid, cholera and other waterborne illnesses. As a result, engineers came up with a plan to reverse the water flow from Lake Michigan BACKWARDS towards the Mississippi River in the early 1900's. On to the buildings!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>333 Wacker Drive</b>--Curves on the river side with alternating stripes of blue and green glass--blue for the sky, green for the grass....then the traditional rectangular shape on the street side. This building was featured in the movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", where Ferris's dad worked, and the exterior was featured in the movie, "Batwoman".</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKU6GMK_67kCZd86zsKMtovKeoVAiAXRg-Z4uXrnMbIVLJ3IldrOgpU1ZEGRAOw8vgHQD2D1RuuLIw4O4r2q6Bx9pFjfbsSGNA_MAcYI3r2vfTCeut8Srfz8y3EYx9ysoT0wCDypDLq8jG2EdlkplLIDGxjXTGEFNkW_rFFMkqFiKD_EfnaaGXki2Okg/s4032/333%20Wacker%20Drive.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKU6GMK_67kCZd86zsKMtovKeoVAiAXRg-Z4uXrnMbIVLJ3IldrOgpU1ZEGRAOw8vgHQD2D1RuuLIw4O4r2q6Bx9pFjfbsSGNA_MAcYI3r2vfTCeut8Srfz8y3EYx9ysoT0wCDypDLq8jG2EdlkplLIDGxjXTGEFNkW_rFFMkqFiKD_EfnaaGXki2Okg/s320/333%20Wacker%20Drive.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>150 North Riverside--2017</b>--a really interesting building, nicknamed "the pencil".</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5InEWVWEE9iuM8VBr-JrTS4jRiyoSkHY7w8dXbTXmUkZ8W-b1VZW_XeHmkWzNHnKLLJFi5MEtJTIp9OHNerJnJ7R7f5eme8hh8V8P_u7wjHUOp1Wzr9u3AjlfTDyX3wdWPlKFGrnVfht-aIApbhCdBdIocK_1G0l4TGjjIJr6L7EFYbKvebFvPv5VatQ/s4032/150%20N%20riverside.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5InEWVWEE9iuM8VBr-JrTS4jRiyoSkHY7w8dXbTXmUkZ8W-b1VZW_XeHmkWzNHnKLLJFi5MEtJTIp9OHNerJnJ7R7f5eme8hh8V8P_u7wjHUOp1Wzr9u3AjlfTDyX3wdWPlKFGrnVfht-aIApbhCdBdIocK_1G0l4TGjjIJr6L7EFYbKvebFvPv5VatQ/s320/150%20N%20riverside.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">This skyscraper was built on a site that was only <b>39 feet</b> wide because of railroad tracks, city easements and Riverwalk requirements. They squeezed a 1.5 million square foot building onto the compact site by starting narrow at the bottom and widening at the top with a massive concrete "spine" that holds the elevator core. Caissons were drilled more than 110 feet below the surface. Vertical metal fins help cool the building. Because of the strong winds that buffet high skyscrapers, there has to be a way to mitigate the wind. Hidden in the upper floors are giant water tanks containing 160,000 gallons of water. The water sloshes around in the opposite direction of the wind which reduces sway.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdhyvUJ4I6ky5gez7pTzZDkHxVNOwNOOeqI9Dpa0Gkm7MHte8Ocz_-JKDZgbtqDcw6uRUCWIiqz6wjcAhnWUNe9J3fjQJBkNVRY40pPl5JCOew5yrlL_cEWMISP61ozOVHwj8ndu_DwgFra8TycullZ0K7j4REFTS8f1NsiAr9S5SWd8SkNim2TisJ-w/s4032/Marina%20City%20Towers.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdhyvUJ4I6ky5gez7pTzZDkHxVNOwNOOeqI9Dpa0Gkm7MHte8Ocz_-JKDZgbtqDcw6uRUCWIiqz6wjcAhnWUNe9J3fjQJBkNVRY40pPl5JCOew5yrlL_cEWMISP61ozOVHwj8ndu_DwgFra8TycullZ0K7j4REFTS8f1NsiAr9S5SWd8SkNim2TisJ-w/s320/Marina%20City%20Towers.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marina City Towers-1962</b>--the "Corncob" Towers...There is a second one right beside the first. It's a city within a city...The scalloped balconies give a very distinct look to these residential palaces. When it was built, it was designed to have everything you could possibly want to have within your reach--a theater, swimming pool, bowling alley, ice rink, stores, restaurants, and a private marina that never freezes if you live there and have a boat.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sears/now the Willis Tower-1973</b>, formerly the tallest tower in the world for about 20 years. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The design for the tower came from a package of cigarettes and how they are bundled inside the package. So the building's inner core is based on a bundled tube design.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE43FUepfA8SXKHgsK1prQM2Jd5W3dxsUT-eWPfj8LJ5OmfGw8k8aNw320UMTR22Mz476Bi8XIGV8wB8WJf8xOSBEqaJGOiPFC9oDcWSNJLZivY1mgfgfsCtTJKg0GqI3WtL3xcRyviDL6uWoGQHNzkmOsFpN6vKhVSHjhJM48ku7qEEJm0px9ApryiJ0/s3999/Sears:willis.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3999" data-original-width="2810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE43FUepfA8SXKHgsK1prQM2Jd5W3dxsUT-eWPfj8LJ5OmfGw8k8aNw320UMTR22Mz476Bi8XIGV8wB8WJf8xOSBEqaJGOiPFC9oDcWSNJLZivY1mgfgfsCtTJKg0GqI3WtL3xcRyviDL6uWoGQHNzkmOsFpN6vKhVSHjhJM48ku7qEEJm0px9ApryiJ0/s320/Sears:willis.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sears/Willis Tower on the left</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It contains 43,000 miles of telephone cable. (!) Six roof mounted robotic window washing machines clean 16,100 windows. The building is designed to sway up to 3 feet and has the world famous Sky Deck Observation Center, the highest public viewing center in the United States. On a clear day you can see four states.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>300 S Wacker Drive--1970's</b>--"You are right here"...at the red rectangle. As you ride along the river, you pass this building that has a 400 foot tall map showing your exact location marked by a red rectangle as you pass by. The red rectangle lights up at night.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAE9oihCbLZpkC_I4f0iCa80XUnYoAEjMtYpgIfQH1VmQ3zIYTRaDiSaZvXNf8rupVulPmSCbNuV_tOPEpK68QbrucAF_N0owj69iC4wWk3o9GScBvk80C2yoGTvk8X0uYlZByYkgMRTpumnTtJm3_kIulPVx97B9dvjAwucrPelmNzyGCDz-hTZvJdY/s1146/300%20S%20Wacker%20Drive%20map%20on%20bldg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1146" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAE9oihCbLZpkC_I4f0iCa80XUnYoAEjMtYpgIfQH1VmQ3zIYTRaDiSaZvXNf8rupVulPmSCbNuV_tOPEpK68QbrucAF_N0owj69iC4wWk3o9GScBvk80C2yoGTvk8X0uYlZByYkgMRTpumnTtJm3_kIulPVx97B9dvjAwucrPelmNzyGCDz-hTZvJdY/s320/300%20S%20Wacker%20Drive%20map%20on%20bldg.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">The NBC Tower--1989</b><b> </b>The Art Deco style with flying buttresses...</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGNrZigLbM0sFeE0Qk5fSmGY7V3Xcyfq2VsQbO3j41oWwbnA3fGuCQbXCe9iZPU-zrPF-sJL57x6xIZnffmD3OiYJH_hYQUTAdqEH9G8NZVfeiKJgGRmNSKQdEL_hc9w-mI_b7oZarctX3BYFfDpDAhvWLShXGaEFThPg7jNOy0_O4_D9URzvWdHhq8A/s4032/NBC%20tower%3F.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGNrZigLbM0sFeE0Qk5fSmGY7V3Xcyfq2VsQbO3j41oWwbnA3fGuCQbXCe9iZPU-zrPF-sJL57x6xIZnffmD3OiYJH_hYQUTAdqEH9G8NZVfeiKJgGRmNSKQdEL_hc9w-mI_b7oZarctX3BYFfDpDAhvWLShXGaEFThPg7jNOy0_O4_D9URzvWdHhq8A/s320/NBC%20tower%3F.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NBC Tower</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Going under several of Chicago's famous bridges, was almost as cool as seeing the buildings above!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKvm2Hfkf2vI3ud7yzN3NRWLiNAJSuD8C8qpRxjlfDcHkHCQg3_XOY-LYanZDkwsl3dg0ylFyu48UgDUXVCtpt0qU43BJYoMMrt_8HNybtrSRe-DgNCbwHaOxjey21PpPFaI5CYejWm0VrBkoaH_Jp4KXw0-h2AelHEyL3UefLq6BQOSjzVXwr3orrBY/s4032/under%20the%20bridges.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKvm2Hfkf2vI3ud7yzN3NRWLiNAJSuD8C8qpRxjlfDcHkHCQg3_XOY-LYanZDkwsl3dg0ylFyu48UgDUXVCtpt0qU43BJYoMMrt_8HNybtrSRe-DgNCbwHaOxjey21PpPFaI5CYejWm0VrBkoaH_Jp4KXw0-h2AelHEyL3UefLq6BQOSjzVXwr3orrBY/s320/under%20the%20bridges.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52fpvvfuMOdPwVtR4wv8gzukx3S0Jn0S7L9TLMWZgnuw7K0R8uo6fF6UTfwUkYhQjF9vv3H_BilhyQBe9YbuCecHb5eCTanGY7SUv-Jmbs4wXQ1e0X6flk4hpHUK8fTAZjVt6sNTHeOi-b0v9g6VPp0cRUj0n9Kqp0wpMFO4Vx7kL75PmtoNAXlfrqm4/s1116/aqua%20tower.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52fpvvfuMOdPwVtR4wv8gzukx3S0Jn0S7L9TLMWZgnuw7K0R8uo6fF6UTfwUkYhQjF9vv3H_BilhyQBe9YbuCecHb5eCTanGY7SUv-Jmbs4wXQ1e0X6flk4hpHUK8fTAZjVt6sNTHeOi-b0v9g6VPp0cRUj0n9Kqp0wpMFO4Vx7kL75PmtoNAXlfrqm4/s320/aqua%20tower.png" width="291" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Aqua Tower--2010 </b>designed by Chicago architect Jeanne Gang. It has the look of <i>terrestrial</i> (land)<i> topography</i> (the natural and physical features of an area). It resembles hills and valleys. Each balcony is designed to maximize the sunlight and views of the surrounding area and mimics limestone formations in the Great Lakes region. It has one of the city's largest "green" roofs with a water efficient irrigation system. Sparky missed taking a photo, so this one is courtesy of the internet.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZGmudg532sXjJw5Y3HYwP1YIq8lNt8gKNY-bYhEWfND28qHuRhM_10Pqna4kTYwqUcQsuCy0OePt34QPgPavYBNCO2TUoYsRoDNSoJO3LxuhkDhuYRY-fcFvCQi0bjuR-abf7-yWBMp2g95hO77dDRfkGreTC1NcKnsDhpKcQ2eLKYRT5sasJwyQ7A8/s4032/St.%20Regis:Vista%20Tower.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZGmudg532sXjJw5Y3HYwP1YIq8lNt8gKNY-bYhEWfND28qHuRhM_10Pqna4kTYwqUcQsuCy0OePt34QPgPavYBNCO2TUoYsRoDNSoJO3LxuhkDhuYRY-fcFvCQi0bjuR-abf7-yWBMp2g95hO77dDRfkGreTC1NcKnsDhpKcQ2eLKYRT5sasJwyQ7A8/s320/St.%20Regis:Vista%20Tower.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Regis</td></tr></tbody></table>One of the most beautiful skyscrapers (in Sparky's opinion) was the <b>St Regis Chicago--2020</b>, formerly the <b>Vista</b>. It is 1,198 feet tall, the tallest structure in the world designed by a woman, Jeanne Gang. It is three towers connected in a step like structure and has 6 different shades of glass. This building set is unique in shape (called a <i>truncated</i> <i>pyramid</i>) and that it has three "blow through" floors of uninhabited space that allow winds to pass through to reduce sway in addition to six water tanks containing 400,000 gallons of water to counteract the movement of the wind.<p></p></span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4qiqmblnzo_hSfFACTQEe8P2iIQLMRbpw8AZQpImSBXdxSO8tOVatkeplGZ2SZlDKajCYfZo-xR5l84tzCsQj7qV9OGO11NFAWnBML8Ad3UQtiytfy2QzzcyHZOTON8Ky73ht44M0QXV1qVAbOiKp4e_OPI53l9xTFzA-zoJYklJ0frA0aBfhzQeXBo/s4032/IMG_2523.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4qiqmblnzo_hSfFACTQEe8P2iIQLMRbpw8AZQpImSBXdxSO8tOVatkeplGZ2SZlDKajCYfZo-xR5l84tzCsQj7qV9OGO11NFAWnBML8Ad3UQtiytfy2QzzcyHZOTON8Ky73ht44M0QXV1qVAbOiKp4e_OPI53l9xTFzA-zoJYklJ0frA0aBfhzQeXBo/s320/IMG_2523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>One of Sparky's favorites was the <b>Tribune Tower. </b>This is a beautiful building that was the result of a contest back in 1922 with a 100,000 dollar prize, to be built in the Gothic Revival style. It has an octagonal tower rising to a crown with a three story arched entryway. The entryway has depictions of Aesop's fables and 150 small remnants of stones and/or materials from buildings around the world that are encased into the concrete walls on the outside of the building. Examples are the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid, petrified wood from the Redwoods National Park and many more. Home to The Chicago Tribune for many years, it has now been turned into residential condos. The view from the river is the view of the entire building. The closeup is from walking to the Tribune Tower just a short distance away from the boat dock where we disembarked.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPv0f2OYluPW58rD7wGKpyymJy_e8-W64nCehkjeXOFylrrHAt-kbc0n9nXl_slVV2xpN30i9OOix5mPV4C8BnGON9V4AVqe4V4CtwMqT5EasPvXnioXHMIE0jGweNgqtChEPvkBIK6LrGBBNbdHZv0sOld6Ioawz78l7MkU_BsqGgzeS1MbFJnr3yXg/s4032/IMG_2520.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPv0f2OYluPW58rD7wGKpyymJy_e8-W64nCehkjeXOFylrrHAt-kbc0n9nXl_slVV2xpN30i9OOix5mPV4C8BnGON9V4AVqe4V4CtwMqT5EasPvXnioXHMIE0jGweNgqtChEPvkBIK6LrGBBNbdHZv0sOld6Ioawz78l7MkU_BsqGgzeS1MbFJnr3yXg/s320/IMG_2520.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tribune Tower entryway</td></tr></tbody></table>Once we got off the boat, we decided to walk just a few blocks to the American Girl Doll Store. Jeannie's granddaughters had several dolls as they were growing up, and Jeannie has sewn lots of clothes for them. The store was pretty amazing, if you are an American Girl doll aficionado. They even have a HAIR SALON to style your American Girl doll's hair. They had FIVE stylists ready, willing, and able to help you with your doll's hair.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79nIi6qjYU889towqnUB1wVHpShLC4EsgnCDuECpOWV-2N8Z_-06ICCw0OnMrTfbmvU4vEq6p_yBDCqfVe9ORuKsf8yP6V74ZZiiXh7B-ks-X7WuOgVVeMKDtn__T8Cefupf38XeljsV7O_NfcOxHACLCEUxDy4nP7ucTrhZlUV82mp7HgrfEqMrPQs/s4032/IMG_2532.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79nIi6qjYU889towqnUB1wVHpShLC4EsgnCDuECpOWV-2N8Z_-06ICCw0OnMrTfbmvU4vEq6p_yBDCqfVe9ORuKsf8yP6V74ZZiiXh7B-ks-X7WuOgVVeMKDtn__T8Cefupf38XeljsV7O_NfcOxHACLCEUxDy4nP7ucTrhZlUV82mp7HgrfEqMrPQs/s320/IMG_2532.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycvKicRK2X9u4CbF1a8bS3oBevOgAIOqMPrhaqoQnnf_lj520GJuAAsol-Efw-7l5UbIDbOHvHxidx17xjQSdoaV6wP-NHpvN12rlz_-I82Ewzukzr46tB9C_JZZP9IEQwCniJdVeEI1BefcdZfttNjx1pkfu-yQOvYzDto41ZEFIcrvpqpjCJ9DAC_E/s4032/nutcracker%20american%20girl%20doll.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycvKicRK2X9u4CbF1a8bS3oBevOgAIOqMPrhaqoQnnf_lj520GJuAAsol-Efw-7l5UbIDbOHvHxidx17xjQSdoaV6wP-NHpvN12rlz_-I82Ewzukzr46tB9C_JZZP9IEQwCniJdVeEI1BefcdZfttNjx1pkfu-yQOvYzDto41ZEFIcrvpqpjCJ9DAC_E/s320/nutcracker%20american%20girl%20doll.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />American Girl dolls, 18", run close to one hundred dollars and more. They represent periods in history for certain models and are well researched and relatable, and so they are VERY popular with little girls. This American Girl doll at left, is a special holiday addition and was selling for over 300.00!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you have to go to the ladies' room while you are at the doll store, they even provide a special doll hook IN THE STALL for you to hang your doll on while you take care of business. Geesh!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTG9pEi3YYfqTeAjn5Ck6hbPpdmNMNRpsYcYtQZn77P4p2G5hukvRKncRo2W99gB1hFTm-ICTmHWTKj5pm8E99R-naemmcZud_Ed901ct6fDbiyNt6JDrBT6nxDGHhJMUCicdFN7Ds-Oc1hIR_cIpgY3UHiP-jUUfzb_UYAhK_QW1UdAl83AUZUs3RCg/s4032/IMG_2531.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTG9pEi3YYfqTeAjn5Ck6hbPpdmNMNRpsYcYtQZn77P4p2G5hukvRKncRo2W99gB1hFTm-ICTmHWTKj5pm8E99R-naemmcZud_Ed901ct6fDbiyNt6JDrBT6nxDGHhJMUCicdFN7Ds-Oc1hIR_cIpgY3UHiP-jUUfzb_UYAhK_QW1UdAl83AUZUs3RCg/s320/IMG_2531.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After walking a few city blocks back and forth and having been in the sun all day long, we were tired, so off we headed back to the South Shore train station for our train/bus/train trek home to South Bend and for Sparky, on to Elkhart.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was a fabulous day, not a cloud in the sky. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlouF2UxkNU4DNFSkuYYv_0sr5qbHZ3TlZwy5R9eZq2ZvrEQ8RJBGdDPgqPOJX1WqlUnrop28fn2YgXO3fGdn0COrVWmg3UADfcI1_Ir-bdW4-iVPuwW09g4FHcwSCvVFniC7tMMGfD5zncSUGDJsMa6Ya8c32KdACBlOwXAHTGAZDj3Ht0xhgfxcJCYc/s4032/on%20the%20river.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlouF2UxkNU4DNFSkuYYv_0sr5qbHZ3TlZwy5R9eZq2ZvrEQ8RJBGdDPgqPOJX1WqlUnrop28fn2YgXO3fGdn0COrVWmg3UADfcI1_Ir-bdW4-iVPuwW09g4FHcwSCvVFniC7tMMGfD5zncSUGDJsMa6Ya8c32KdACBlOwXAHTGAZDj3Ht0xhgfxcJCYc/s320/on%20the%20river.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky has seen Chicago many times during her time growing up in the 50's and 60's, traveling by train to downtown from the suburbs, but never had she seen Chicago from the river perspective. With that, she will leave you with this take on Chicago architecture....Looking up at the Tribune Tower. Bye for now.......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf3bqzD1d4e3j0rpTr2W0CosS4OTKpuPfSLy4LcRpw4n27dLoW6yAn4P-YItdzf-BlriBHCjPX74oaGfa0Zfg8R1msLwT9kY1-4XfZ1tq80fj180LyqnCqVayJqwtuGLkpdHQGJy18emzJo7s444Ez4a4W-_83vZzwOewLRFjJr3vfDRtnccV97uIDvA/s4032/chicago%20perspective.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf3bqzD1d4e3j0rpTr2W0CosS4OTKpuPfSLy4LcRpw4n27dLoW6yAn4P-YItdzf-BlriBHCjPX74oaGfa0Zfg8R1msLwT9kY1-4XfZ1tq80fj180LyqnCqVayJqwtuGLkpdHQGJy18emzJo7s444Ez4a4W-_83vZzwOewLRFjJr3vfDRtnccV97uIDvA/w302-h403/chicago%20perspective.JPG" width="302" /></a></div><br /></span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-28855803345286447812023-09-27T17:19:00.009-04:002023-09-30T19:01:13.643-04:00It's Been Awhile....<p><span style="font-size: large;">And it's going to be awhile longer....Our rig is mostly done, but waiting still for skirting parts which will be another two to three weeks. We haven't gone over to look at it, because Sparky has been busy subbing, and Eldo just finished his assistant coaching position with his granddaughter with the high school girls' golf team, in which they qualified to be in the regionals--a wonderful finish for both coaches' first season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkkoVGlVaj9NwcK64lvkSmZ-jT6_1ifkoOP3tg3jGQT1a6skVDyb4YSt7z99wRz4t59KBb956L-8YwTEpoHOTLLcQoS8JSAVVd8NGfdaF4AG1AoDjOVod7Ci0KeLgmmEL0sjWgVnwPx2CccP5pKglkfQ5cSUPwG5U76dw6FryV2nd_hmB6003yE__9ck/s4032/IMG_2422.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkkoVGlVaj9NwcK64lvkSmZ-jT6_1ifkoOP3tg3jGQT1a6skVDyb4YSt7z99wRz4t59KBb956L-8YwTEpoHOTLLcQoS8JSAVVd8NGfdaF4AG1AoDjOVod7Ci0KeLgmmEL0sjWgVnwPx2CccP5pKglkfQ5cSUPwG5U76dw6FryV2nd_hmB6003yE__9ck/s320/IMG_2422.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is really enjoying teaching again....the kids for the most part have been really great, and she feels very welcomed in the schools. Finding enough substitutes each day is a real challenge in this area, so she is in demand. And she gets hugs, drawings, and little notes which are great. The drawing at the left was from a little third grader who got every detail down from what Sparky was wearing that day, from earrings to a brown fanny pack, badge, black capris, and athletic shoes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpUxz5glSI2Bhv8-wDMdDS3dIj8uxKK0f1GNgz5VaQi82sJO3vOaI9hHLmfM96H4tY5Y2uQiTGZG1hiW9GKkIxkYrewq33k0n62ewlJjGyAPfU_j56sNBr6cunLEKobpGsRc5Prl_RB4BLkzd2TswfdGCeLt8Q1N6nl5FvJQ5oh0V40qn84GwBKfVuxk/s4032/IMG_2349.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpUxz5glSI2Bhv8-wDMdDS3dIj8uxKK0f1GNgz5VaQi82sJO3vOaI9hHLmfM96H4tY5Y2uQiTGZG1hiW9GKkIxkYrewq33k0n62ewlJjGyAPfU_j56sNBr6cunLEKobpGsRc5Prl_RB4BLkzd2TswfdGCeLt8Q1N6nl5FvJQ5oh0V40qn84GwBKfVuxk/s320/IMG_2349.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is still riding the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail, it's the best one in the area and it's a wonderful trail to ride as the seasons change. Now, in late September, the asters are starting to peek through the fading summer coneflowers, ornamental grasses, and the leaves are starting to turn on the trail. A new portion/extension of the trail has been added near County Rd. 35 and County Rd. 20, it's been a couple of years in the making and that means that you no longer have to go out and ride two lane county roads for over a mile to get back to the portion of the trail that leads to Middlebury. It was always a little scary when construction trucks, garbage trucks and other speeding vehicles whizzed by you on the two lane roads as you got off one part of the trail to get back on the next part of the Pumpkinvine. On one ride, Sparky saw tomatoes for sale! They were delicious, the last ones off the vine this late in the year....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5nV1CmyAflxwsYMwErUAY0EB0q0Y9o3Nexdng2w1aOOC4m7ZV4ryy4ASz5wQDTkJW4zKMPAmJuZWFeh3uqwdie66JlYCb985a_iwAlYQ2u4ln16-hn_fBuU2uHyZBSnEYa0wec26cbDCJdiX0nuvUiyAICceA8JtIu3smoyAe8LDfI3XZaZk1brjyKw/s4032/IMG_2318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5nV1CmyAflxwsYMwErUAY0EB0q0Y9o3Nexdng2w1aOOC4m7ZV4ryy4ASz5wQDTkJW4zKMPAmJuZWFeh3uqwdie66JlYCb985a_iwAlYQ2u4ln16-hn_fBuU2uHyZBSnEYa0wec26cbDCJdiX0nuvUiyAICceA8JtIu3smoyAe8LDfI3XZaZk1brjyKw/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU2Wy4_CR0ciL4BmiedVj_VT14XZ0DVl_hF-LSdOAfnExTIcXc0w81GHJS3bTX3wv-W6dLgUp1zFJQnwzQG_nLhWR8jpTDeJY2QFPazQXlw7nV05aSwLpBFzXX4NVGYxKDdGHjmPSbHLtodSzsY4qi3ZoCiWCwSmgcdjGtZb_DvbRrfGyhNNaDdqmpJA/s4032/IMG_2355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU2Wy4_CR0ciL4BmiedVj_VT14XZ0DVl_hF-LSdOAfnExTIcXc0w81GHJS3bTX3wv-W6dLgUp1zFJQnwzQG_nLhWR8jpTDeJY2QFPazQXlw7nV05aSwLpBFzXX4NVGYxKDdGHjmPSbHLtodSzsY4qi3ZoCiWCwSmgcdjGtZb_DvbRrfGyhNNaDdqmpJA/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old farm truck on the Vine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaXhJXWwvTdf1IqO1gNX6AkZbul6g3XP7uBQ2Ft6wsg8z-QDC_3_zX3XU7B54FW7DoK8QwI7E-qKMxrGnpsjt4-sq2kKSJJkKOWF5Hyw2zEr09VkCcygpihrD6QZA4wvQT8FRUFKBg9RXGAMmn4au2Jr-yfRYwSwy2R70m9Zo99s-bly6SI8QKv1R-Lc/s4032/apple%20picking%20favorite.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaXhJXWwvTdf1IqO1gNX6AkZbul6g3XP7uBQ2Ft6wsg8z-QDC_3_zX3XU7B54FW7DoK8QwI7E-qKMxrGnpsjt4-sq2kKSJJkKOWF5Hyw2zEr09VkCcygpihrD6QZA4wvQT8FRUFKBg9RXGAMmn4au2Jr-yfRYwSwy2R70m9Zo99s-bly6SI8QKv1R-Lc/s320/apple%20picking%20favorite.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XgOf7IMeZ_glTOQFmjWmhH9JOrijlt8-diZIWjqNL6dCzQqlY58Tdhd-t3CBhuxGeb_JrAlXFGGYacygpsMZmyfqXg9vfldDer5JNyN5wXcErrZM28JGICwMcxaE6epOfg53RNG811VZeFjQtyYbUUna7_JSYCnMS4sTYpSCys7ZbwTqE-vwRuaFhsQ/s4032/IMG_2421.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XgOf7IMeZ_glTOQFmjWmhH9JOrijlt8-diZIWjqNL6dCzQqlY58Tdhd-t3CBhuxGeb_JrAlXFGGYacygpsMZmyfqXg9vfldDer5JNyN5wXcErrZM28JGICwMcxaE6epOfg53RNG811VZeFjQtyYbUUna7_JSYCnMS4sTYpSCys7ZbwTqE-vwRuaFhsQ/s320/IMG_2421.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We took a trip one weekend to one of the local apple orchards, Kercher's. We were going to pick apples with the apple picking pole, but the crowds were enormous. So we just picked up some cider, enjoyed looking at the ample pumpkin and gourd selection, and went on our way. We will go visit another day during the week when it is not so busy. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We are going to revisit</span><span> </span><span>Miller's Old Cider Mill, too, in Middlebury, where you can view an old original cider press being used by Mr. Miller and his family to press cider. Talk about fresh cider!</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn1QKy6VuiVPiwA89f3pEDcsz7ZQ_qc0A6f1BQpuO6YM7WuC3wYSB-TT7PwASsmxBU3vQn261EoyuK2MUKuPI9x1VPMRqyhU8Rf55NDIln0oNJfcBnnqxD1SZ9IzFIFAaRhFIEdPVDtIAbM1fRPtxeUzghBOVl72Qj0OfaVd1cwHDeO-MvLN_OAsvSPs/s4032/IMG_2395.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn1QKy6VuiVPiwA89f3pEDcsz7ZQ_qc0A6f1BQpuO6YM7WuC3wYSB-TT7PwASsmxBU3vQn261EoyuK2MUKuPI9x1VPMRqyhU8Rf55NDIln0oNJfcBnnqxD1SZ9IzFIFAaRhFIEdPVDtIAbM1fRPtxeUzghBOVl72Qj0OfaVd1cwHDeO-MvLN_OAsvSPs/s320/IMG_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky saw an Amish buggy for sale. It was around 2,000.00 for a closed one. That seems like a bargain when new ones can range from 4-10,000 dollars and the average is 9-10,000. The buggies have makes and models just like cars. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Amish buggies can be more high tech than you think with automotive style brakes, a dash console with LED components and switches, taillights, and turn signals powered by cordless tool batteries.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">They are made from wood, metal, and/or fiberglass. The material used affects the price. Buggy accessories/choices include: plexiglass or no plexiglass, shapes and cushioning of seats, different types of brakes, upholstery materials, curtain doors, sliding doors, hinged doors in the back, some dashboards made from inlaid or exotic wood, and then there are a variety of lighting options. The cost of the horse is extra--figure around 3-12,000. Many Amish buy retired thoroughbred race horses, that's why you see such spirited, beautiful trotting by beautiful horses pulling buggies as you drive around the northern Indiana countryside near Elkhart, Middlebury, and Goshen. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Even though Amish buggies are becoming more updated with more modern options, horse drawn transportation is still seen as a way to avoid the distractions and temptations of modern technology. According to some writers, the Amish are not all against technology, but only adopt something new after deciding that it won't drastically change their way of life, like solar panels! </span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Each buggy takes about 100-150 hours of labor to make. There are two main types of buggies--open or closed. Open buggies are wagon like for hauling and shopping trips, sometimes referred to as a "hack", an equivalent to a pickup truck. A two seater is sometimes referred to as a "courting buggy". You can buy buggies as single, double--a two seater, or a queen which has one seat with extra storage behind the seat. The most common buggy is the surrey. They are built with a bench seat and a storage area in the back. Surreys come open or closed. Covered buggies are called top buggies. The newest version of the buggy is called the mini-surrey, which holds more passengers than the regular top buggy. Sounds almost like the Amish version of the minivan!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know?....According to a well known Amish buggy maker... A good buggy maker will make a buggy so it collapses in a crash. Even if they did not, the entire buggy collapses if a wheel is damaged. You WANT to be thrown from a buggy. If car or truck weighing several tons crashes into you, being thrown is your best chance to survive. The buggy may be designed to splinter, eject, and throw the passengers and driver, hopefully into the grassy roadside. Living in this area, we hear of crashes more often than not, as buggies share the roads in this county with big semis, construction vehicles, and careless drivers who don't realize the hazards of driving and sharing the roads with the Amish and Mennonite communities. We have seen more than one crash directly as well, and it's always very upsetting to see that, as buggy injuries are usually more severe than car to car crashes and the horse is often the one to suffer the most.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What's coming up in the near future? We don't know....G</span><span style="font-size: large;">olf season has ended and different holidays are nearing...maybe a day trip for foliage viewing in Michigan?....Festivals are always wonderful to see and there are plenty in the area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's it for now...thanks for following along and catching up with us...See you later!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-2542881112985274162023-08-09T11:47:00.003-04:002024-03-17T16:29:42.711-04:00August in Elkhart<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft50nVF3bXaPTXze3SvIUl2IuC27qyidZ2ci2C4eEQl2HXBxJUBixXxIMnPT4n_SGkyHySoAm0ObTHWxDeypPYA1w7Gli1vdNrz9hRQmgBXO5WFVov_Y322AEkUYc6gXh-naWbTB4cgPCeZO9jiH4X8IedOL0Aq2mqHGNiQhvWqgxlNaiJJKpICQI-uk/s4032/IMG_1969.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft50nVF3bXaPTXze3SvIUl2IuC27qyidZ2ci2C4eEQl2HXBxJUBixXxIMnPT4n_SGkyHySoAm0ObTHWxDeypPYA1w7Gli1vdNrz9hRQmgBXO5WFVov_Y322AEkUYc6gXh-naWbTB4cgPCeZO9jiH4X8IedOL0Aq2mqHGNiQhvWqgxlNaiJJKpICQI-uk/s320/IMG_1969.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We are officially moved into our small apartment, a total of 911 square feet. That's a nice uptick from about 400 square feet, which we think we had in the fifth wheel. That 911 square feet would be small and tight for a lot of people if you were coming from a house, but coming from living in a tight RV, it feels a LOT roomier. The apartment has two bedrooms and one bath. Oh, boy, Sparky gets a room to craft in! It is also very light and airy, which is a very welcome change from the dark interior of the fifth wheel.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was a challenge going from an RV with LOTS of cupboards for putting everything in them, to the apartment with the only shelving and cupboards in the kitchen. We were surprised and just a little disappointed to find that there was NO medicine cabinet in the bathroom. You KNOW old people have lots of meds, right? So we had to get creative with tubs and shoe boxes under the sinks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOdqBw-OghXH6n-rgnF29bC2hWQlVcNgn9btHA-6HfsUrkAqD2DFtknh8PSx6hRSHG89Xh8-qrwm1gcpcbUL7shMcwjnAyF9AJRPhXMUO-RTxOo_3Vaul970EmS1SveUWp7dCxOH2n9OvBH3vsA_oHy1bzzo-QlH6oeodGQENcOuDYv1C6QBRLss19vM/s4032/IMG_1982.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOdqBw-OghXH6n-rgnF29bC2hWQlVcNgn9btHA-6HfsUrkAqD2DFtknh8PSx6hRSHG89Xh8-qrwm1gcpcbUL7shMcwjnAyF9AJRPhXMUO-RTxOo_3Vaul970EmS1SveUWp7dCxOH2n9OvBH3vsA_oHy1bzzo-QlH6oeodGQENcOuDYv1C6QBRLss19vM/s320/IMG_1982.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sauder cabinet</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Keeping that in mind since there were NO built in cabinets, as we gathered pieces of furniture from yard sales and thrift shops, Sparky insisted just about everything had to have a dual purpose and drawers or doors. Sparky bought a Sauder tall cabinet with shelves to put together. Back in the day, everything Sparky owned as a young single mom was pretty much Sauder put together stuff. Sauder is pretty decent furniture and the how to assemble guide is very thorough. And funny. Further on in the manual it said to pause for a beverage!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT53-43pkDChfJCfOOjCKuQQ1LziMIAcPCjs966SU5yA2FUSylqhe42S5Y14Au2MXtg9WyxMDWDlyvduuHuFt934eURq2dh_ze86B1VxTLxaV8Scz_MrEW5CtpZp1MAGdZdaPAX6JXewCVrphLZu2DnHdpqsinNsNrvBv2DpGHEW98tWYdI4zBxY4tUHk/s4032/IMG_1963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT53-43pkDChfJCfOOjCKuQQ1LziMIAcPCjs966SU5yA2FUSylqhe42S5Y14Au2MXtg9WyxMDWDlyvduuHuFt934eURq2dh_ze86B1VxTLxaV8Scz_MrEW5CtpZp1MAGdZdaPAX6JXewCVrphLZu2DnHdpqsinNsNrvBv2DpGHEW98tWYdI4zBxY4tUHk/s320/IMG_1963.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">But we still have boxes and boxes to unpack and finding spots to put everything away is the biggest problem. Eldo says, "I can't believe we had all this in the RV!" That's because it was all contained behind closed cabinet doors, lol. The main bulk of what's left is Sparky's amazing craft supply collection. (AHA! I knew it wasn't MY stuff! exclaims Eldo.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The apartment, although small, has lots of natural light coming in. We have a little patio and a storage shed. The complex has a nice laundry, a small pool and a workout room. And if you are so inclined to do yard work, because you miss having a yard, (that would be Sparky) residents can get paid 10.00 an hour rent credit for work done around the complex!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL9hOhvF7ThL9i6cQgSTm3hYvY89hvh7nxPeBuZcsYuKvxAgmJwyyaL9PyZdgljEuhkS6vKOP5OvAsMnlwssucd9bEUiIrh9d9TSEAmgpvnuj-pVmXLLI9FPt24voqAQSOKi1itdZTBpn8zrzTpQov142DpUF0efCbUkNOslxmcFMK7458aE0oJp8f64/s4032/best%20coneflower%20trio.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL9hOhvF7ThL9i6cQgSTm3hYvY89hvh7nxPeBuZcsYuKvxAgmJwyyaL9PyZdgljEuhkS6vKOP5OvAsMnlwssucd9bEUiIrh9d9TSEAmgpvnuj-pVmXLLI9FPt24voqAQSOKi1itdZTBpn8zrzTpQov142DpUF0efCbUkNOslxmcFMK7458aE0oJp8f64/s320/best%20coneflower%20trio.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey headed coneflower</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is a bit further from the Pumpkinvine bike trail, but that doesn't stop her from getting out there and riding 12-18 miles a couple times a week. The wildflowers are incredible right now....The lavendar bee balm, grey headed coneflowers, purple coneflowers, they are all blooming like crazy along the trail. It's a beautiful ride any time of the year.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbdj_6g3WxBRRRyyoUI-EhntB_kE_zAYMYE3F-HIbU3_xLFBs6Fo3471tUy49wQA_Nq_LrjwUa_RajD_X1gL67xM_cqkMrpkUHOKasDLkz4edajkREl60nE5GLyy_1zYYxKFI4bgJ4dsQYEAIB_AuVAJ-Q09YuvRMn9hElmS0X-2sNvQR29Ps1Mxzjo/s4032/zinnias%20and%20corn.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbdj_6g3WxBRRRyyoUI-EhntB_kE_zAYMYE3F-HIbU3_xLFBs6Fo3471tUy49wQA_Nq_LrjwUa_RajD_X1gL67xM_cqkMrpkUHOKasDLkz4edajkREl60nE5GLyy_1zYYxKFI4bgJ4dsQYEAIB_AuVAJ-Q09YuvRMn9hElmS0X-2sNvQR29Ps1Mxzjo/s320/zinnias%20and%20corn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amish farm-corn and zinnias</td></tr></tbody></table>The butterflies are really enjoying the prolific bloom of flowers...</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqnvH9FUn7HVnzCv4dlgiKU1WqnvDJi2JJ2Xo45b1sSIa1w5F4jKa_fzDL2Cb9jT8z97MFGk_0SPsRNgkZjZEdCSvKeRvlYeuSIFGGvOA36qIx4h-_0-__5oNiuU5rFvcIHJfBa12Ukj9TfWixCH9BBjni9RvIApHdGC8X-e62J76sYRwhI8CQPLPdUE/s4032/wingspread%20swallowtail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqnvH9FUn7HVnzCv4dlgiKU1WqnvDJi2JJ2Xo45b1sSIa1w5F4jKa_fzDL2Cb9jT8z97MFGk_0SPsRNgkZjZEdCSvKeRvlYeuSIFGGvOA36qIx4h-_0-__5oNiuU5rFvcIHJfBa12Ukj9TfWixCH9BBjni9RvIApHdGC8X-e62J76sYRwhI8CQPLPdUE/s320/wingspread%20swallowtail.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The cornfields are tasseling....There is nothing better than Indiana sweet corn in August and it's everywhere. The farm fields are beautiful. It's amazing how tightly packed those cornstalks are! The yields must be great for the farmers. They've had ample rain this year and not had to irrigate as much.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbHEYp5M8SEKOVGGM3oe-7umwPcWH8yCxr-B282Tepvt_s1viF-Gq9-UBAlyczxdpJfzJGkp5Rw6_JcCnq3GURbnllWcvW_NzyLyryURz7YZBkH_aL13ABfTC1mhoZA5Nso0eHPqJYOgs2LgQ9dvrt6bpMmQjKhBqP_164nDvJEmthvNE2OXYQkqZUic/s4032/barn%20and%20field.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbHEYp5M8SEKOVGGM3oe-7umwPcWH8yCxr-B282Tepvt_s1viF-Gq9-UBAlyczxdpJfzJGkp5Rw6_JcCnq3GURbnllWcvW_NzyLyryURz7YZBkH_aL13ABfTC1mhoZA5Nso0eHPqJYOgs2LgQ9dvrt6bpMmQjKhBqP_164nDvJEmthvNE2OXYQkqZUic/w437-h328/barn%20and%20field.JPG" width="437" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1uGOltbeHJrrHx9dSyVmKEzuI3q-iESf3DVMZeLSCE6wzX-RUdPxjhxzuJBn0C0RZw_iEHRqQ2Glf3WyyDAEXr_W9QEovEPz1KhG8_jM1_0QqNX7tYQBZKdOwpKSOg8ImxcDO-0o5VqGGgMMaGOBrMUBPAJas2wL_VZ6y14ntebZRr30bZ5zif9AwX4/s4032/IMG_1950.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1uGOltbeHJrrHx9dSyVmKEzuI3q-iESf3DVMZeLSCE6wzX-RUdPxjhxzuJBn0C0RZw_iEHRqQ2Glf3WyyDAEXr_W9QEovEPz1KhG8_jM1_0QqNX7tYQBZKdOwpKSOg8ImxcDO-0o5VqGGgMMaGOBrMUBPAJas2wL_VZ6y14ntebZRr30bZ5zif9AwX4/s320/IMG_1950.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallowtail on bee balm</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">It's hot, but not unbearably so, like in the southwest. Temperatures are in the high eighties during the day and low sixties at night. We are really enjoying the area as we settle down for awhile. Sparky will start subbing soon, hopefully, and Eldy is in the height of golf season with the Concord High School girls' golf team. He is VERY busy and that's a great thing for him to have an outside interest that gets him up and moving around. The golf team won their first match and are steadily progressing with their skills. They should have a very respectable season with their new coaches!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08DGvHgHFCzBjanu3QAnQGUIGlHA1bdQEHYqmJAobfqgRWGTCOK8A_2l4sWuipSfzhT24M_Tjjl9H3O8lyeYckZifP41905uoHMZsXDSV-f7YOly6BkUX9nHgw9SG0PLxxXBvXA2hGuuVf-ACY2OZLlBgNYUryxeOVhBtXYqGw9JZntfHef_uuf7LJQ0/s4032/drone.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08DGvHgHFCzBjanu3QAnQGUIGlHA1bdQEHYqmJAobfqgRWGTCOK8A_2l4sWuipSfzhT24M_Tjjl9H3O8lyeYckZifP41905uoHMZsXDSV-f7YOly6BkUX9nHgw9SG0PLxxXBvXA2hGuuVf-ACY2OZLlBgNYUryxeOVhBtXYqGw9JZntfHef_uuf7LJQ0/s320/drone.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky saw the biggest drone she had ever seen while bike riding. It was spray dusting the cornfields. It stopped spraying as it came to the end of the field where she was just outside the edge of the fence. Wonder if she was on camera and the operator stopped spraying because of that? It immediately flew back towards the farm and didn't spray any more after that. Maybe it returned to get more spray?</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Along with the many many fields of corn, there are of course, soybeans. Did you know soybeans produce pretty little purple flowers hiding underneath their canopies of fuzzy leaves and stems? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOsLK7iABXSz7W3HpfxfcN3cu1Y705slNxrjD8kUOtjF5nENCEetQP4mTlFPxA-kV7o8XNV3-T3yQgsBr2kuNf0w3URK0uOzzqzO0AyXXDcB0JxA6xHvsGTmZLzAJ1PKSmrAWqKIQvqbbBHxxrxzP3hwJO7Uz7JcHojYx7MOI6n2wGBTeCB6CIa4OcZg/s4032/IMG_1952.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOsLK7iABXSz7W3HpfxfcN3cu1Y705slNxrjD8kUOtjF5nENCEetQP4mTlFPxA-kV7o8XNV3-T3yQgsBr2kuNf0w3URK0uOzzqzO0AyXXDcB0JxA6xHvsGTmZLzAJ1PKSmrAWqKIQvqbbBHxxrxzP3hwJO7Uz7JcHojYx7MOI6n2wGBTeCB6CIa4OcZg/s320/IMG_1952.heic" width="240" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;">You may not always see Amish while riding the trail, but they are always out and about either in the fields or in their buggies traveling here and there. Sparky just missed a buggy today....</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIspfLL2vQZ05kluQALHxYsZ1heZhgI8MBhw2RxBrnBRPwfnwcx1xWmMGDEaCHHzgdiedXOdkDfCNhzUMORLZM10ijLxgGBzJk9d8WopMbDWmleRvktoH533KN0pVIuQL-q8C2H9i3bduKxARnK92_3BLEV0CWlxyljzMAUHqivOcXRnoaGEPALR2Tutk/s4032/poop%20trail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIspfLL2vQZ05kluQALHxYsZ1heZhgI8MBhw2RxBrnBRPwfnwcx1xWmMGDEaCHHzgdiedXOdkDfCNhzUMORLZM10ijLxgGBzJk9d8WopMbDWmleRvktoH533KN0pVIuQL-q8C2H9i3bduKxARnK92_3BLEV0CWlxyljzMAUHqivOcXRnoaGEPALR2Tutk/s320/poop%20trail.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVllkOkaWqJz2hNjim1T2RdCZqzFVDnlNFMRI3pcqpoUk9qWnuFiwyQNe44M62QN7swAYNXrcQ4l5nh9ay2uaj5XfvcgRgIgjNPMpm0CGBr_UqTg9L4xRGKBB9UhWB_zLd2q0SbhhZb_-CRzuGsemmKK0RPb8uv3XWj_jYvcuaVc3aqufAasNP6CD3XM/s4032/long%20rock%20snake%20trail.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVllkOkaWqJz2hNjim1T2RdCZqzFVDnlNFMRI3pcqpoUk9qWnuFiwyQNe44M62QN7swAYNXrcQ4l5nh9ay2uaj5XfvcgRgIgjNPMpm0CGBr_UqTg9L4xRGKBB9UhWB_zLd2q0SbhhZb_-CRzuGsemmKK0RPb8uv3XWj_jYvcuaVc3aqufAasNP6CD3XM/s320/long%20rock%20snake%20trail.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>The rock snake has gotten a LOT longer! Look at this little dude. In case you missed it, someone started a two rock snake with a little request to post on social media as the snake gets additional rocks. Sparky first saw it with the head and one rock earlier this season and that was it. How fun for people riding along the trail! There are some cool rocks in the snake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfOl2IUyRnLJxTriONqw2QiYLkMKy0F2ZfYDJZn5QgonKV0rrQieF0zU9GriOWhf0jZUpEddsHJmfx-ZGinoYF6ildRPozH5BnmKLpeVs_h6C7wjlGR-cnoHQ8xHrKRokVECMQxOsFQ_6havtaOEfeqosmBdgLg_-n_X7BhbuZPsducUfhTboAZfO1hM/s4032/favorite%20rocks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfOl2IUyRnLJxTriONqw2QiYLkMKy0F2ZfYDJZn5QgonKV0rrQieF0zU9GriOWhf0jZUpEddsHJmfx-ZGinoYF6ildRPozH5BnmKLpeVs_h6C7wjlGR-cnoHQ8xHrKRokVECMQxOsFQ_6havtaOEfeqosmBdgLg_-n_X7BhbuZPsducUfhTboAZfO1hM/s320/favorite%20rocks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some more talented rock painters.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXZ0Ls6L3adwLzQ3WK_SLFm7ROYSpNMHV7jVaTC7i86FKSfvYzpuc2CVbdrKLM4lEvCqwZ38z8lmL5Sl9i2AVppns27YLQzz8dy84dS94TGUoP0BZfEqUq8aL44J_weAeIZs5dsGLlp9hn_u-kqGl6v5zHwDZtrlDHaEobpwF0wZSI7n7VpB1Ts2pCFM/s4032/cool%20rocks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXZ0Ls6L3adwLzQ3WK_SLFm7ROYSpNMHV7jVaTC7i86FKSfvYzpuc2CVbdrKLM4lEvCqwZ38z8lmL5Sl9i2AVppns27YLQzz8dy84dS94TGUoP0BZfEqUq8aL44J_weAeIZs5dsGLlp9hn_u-kqGl6v5zHwDZtrlDHaEobpwF0wZSI7n7VpB1Ts2pCFM/s320/cool%20rocks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The flower quilts are at the height of their season. Now is the time to go see them if you are in the area...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd0p4E2o6fdKNNvkXpbO28K_iriEZVTcuiFlf9ZHpXlwvIQe0H2nNv8s9KRQiYuhxdpHU-vslcfdFnYBohghv0JgY9B0Avfsoz7JjB8JzGL_74dwwr0JutMkPXu6Hdk9cXysXUN0gGge1XYwoqiztCWuJ_UDRprmGG1NbXtRLjd73-Il6CI_6_UZvqB0/s4032/IMG_1614.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd0p4E2o6fdKNNvkXpbO28K_iriEZVTcuiFlf9ZHpXlwvIQe0H2nNv8s9KRQiYuhxdpHU-vslcfdFnYBohghv0JgY9B0Avfsoz7JjB8JzGL_74dwwr0JutMkPXu6Hdk9cXysXUN0gGge1XYwoqiztCWuJ_UDRprmGG1NbXtRLjd73-Il6CI_6_UZvqB0/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt garden Abshire Park Goshen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtxlBFrjaC2H6AeijeaTOkZY5btpTSjcedRZoowzV2c9WrxEcwPIknjMfXXklPN1Q10VSw71NAoLpOW8YqQoj-u7N2tTEWmIc_iFpUpbNouJZdPrHnyMXwOTVmhdwXVSXBU7K71Zj1ZUZnXUx3DkwJ-QG84Kd8l7k0ie7a42W33QxB1IbPh2z7rov8Jw/s4032/IMG_1957.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtxlBFrjaC2H6AeijeaTOkZY5btpTSjcedRZoowzV2c9WrxEcwPIknjMfXXklPN1Q10VSw71NAoLpOW8YqQoj-u7N2tTEWmIc_iFpUpbNouJZdPrHnyMXwOTVmhdwXVSXBU7K71Zj1ZUZnXUx3DkwJ-QG84Kd8l7k0ie7a42W33QxB1IbPh2z7rov8Jw/s320/IMG_1957.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Goshen</td></tr></tbody></table>We continue to enjoy the small town of Goshen. They close off the streets the first Friday of every month with usually some sort of theme, for music, food vendors and shopping discounts. We haven't made it over there yet, but it's on our list of fun things to do when it's not too hot. Sparky loves the downtown vibe there....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We are regular visitors to JoJo's Pretzels on Main Street in Goshen. They have really great warm, freshly made pretzels. Sparky loves her sour cream and onion pretzels, Eldo loves his garlic/parmesan pretzels.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And with that....School starts next week and Sparky already has work lined up with a fourth grade class for half days for two weeks! We shall see you later down the road or in town, haha...Five days till the RV goes in for repairs, the countdown begins in earnest!<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-25336929986769167022023-07-18T20:28:00.001-04:002023-07-18T20:32:34.994-04:00While We Wait Some More....<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPgJOKjTI_OPJtiXUvfh8XgnGnt-h12_8Vz8XuhvEjreoOLPPiKjwwNgFJTE9PRZ2HShBWH6Qhws64QPb1Yp6SPkxIl9EVDDi5fZ_c-fp4gxDjCdMdrWPRyQB9RVshRq_1ywCy-mmiq5kugs2c4llrnman051SP-nM5dzPhu0v82T3O8OTQ5Pa7xlLQY/s4032/IMG_0475.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPgJOKjTI_OPJtiXUvfh8XgnGnt-h12_8Vz8XuhvEjreoOLPPiKjwwNgFJTE9PRZ2HShBWH6Qhws64QPb1Yp6SPkxIl9EVDDi5fZ_c-fp4gxDjCdMdrWPRyQB9RVshRq_1ywCy-mmiq5kugs2c4llrnman051SP-nM5dzPhu0v82T3O8OTQ5Pa7xlLQY/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Tompkins site</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">It's hard for Sparky to stay away from writing! However, not much news to report. Camp Tompkins remains our favorite "campground" site...With family right across the driveway, how can you not like where you are?! You can tell we definitely have made ourselves at home.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz8E8MEwdJ6MwuYOFPZmm1IHIiuSYFmNHHnKqo0BsYJlLAGV0hvVc_eeHRNHZf3--e1GTSgWVzeIz-vvNjOTZil1O6fNIhKDytWkqbqn9hbKABJecjuD65PToFvRFqgWEcqBwzH-lpQJl7quq2dW_-Q4m3TLyriHKAfqXClVmA4AR9zGtzjDzTnt0qtI/s1122/Screenshot%202023-07-06%20at%208.08.09%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1034" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz8E8MEwdJ6MwuYOFPZmm1IHIiuSYFmNHHnKqo0BsYJlLAGV0hvVc_eeHRNHZf3--e1GTSgWVzeIz-vvNjOTZil1O6fNIhKDytWkqbqn9hbKABJecjuD65PToFvRFqgWEcqBwzH-lpQJl7quq2dW_-Q4m3TLyriHKAfqXClVmA4AR9zGtzjDzTnt0qtI/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-06%20at%208.08.09%20AM.png" width="295" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>The guys are exploring BBQ grills and options. Eldy is thinking about purchasing a grill so he can cook a little more when Sparky has her subbing days this fall. As usual, he does his research for WEEKS before deciding to make a purchase. Pellet grill? The Green Egg? Kamado Junior? Pit Boss? Traeger? The choices along with the pros and cons of each are ENDLESS!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Plus our patio for our upcoming apartment is VERY small and you have to wheel your grill 10 feet away from the apartment each time you want to use it because of the fire hazard so weight and mobility is going to be a factor, too. Sparky would settle for a very small Weber, but Eldy is more inclined towards the bigger, the better, haha.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Because we have to furnish a little 2 bedroom apartment from scratch, (coming from an RV), we are scouring garage sales and have picked up some more bargains. How about a vintage maple dresser for 74.00? Here's the before:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZqf-WZCgY6g5iygwyZfeUxc0vi_agb49lkyMPui1b9zE7sZDgs2kxrX_1-9ELHXA8pgHH2WRILzdbCQOfkdHIK4Ig9ulGwCLSe8QKp1RLvlO0e16ZjJev5h1_FrpPTVCXNgf7rmeCsk_Nszp6ul7eIYn36-T41RR8cSKYOJsVRrovxJWDXCV7VSqgmU/s4032/IMG_1136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZqf-WZCgY6g5iygwyZfeUxc0vi_agb49lkyMPui1b9zE7sZDgs2kxrX_1-9ELHXA8pgHH2WRILzdbCQOfkdHIK4Ig9ulGwCLSe8QKp1RLvlO0e16ZjJev5h1_FrpPTVCXNgf7rmeCsk_Nszp6ul7eIYn36-T41RR8cSKYOJsVRrovxJWDXCV7VSqgmU/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And here's the after: Sparky is a little disappointed in her glazin/antiquing skills, but hey, this was the first try. With more practice, maybe it will more closely resemble the Pottery Barn style, which she really likes. She just has to remember, it's just paint, and she can redo it down the road. She's learning, after all. Eldo is very kind, he does not critique her efforts at all! Sparky is going to chalk this up to a Pinterest fail, haha. But--there are two "matching" nightstands in the works as well, 15.00 each...Hey, there's not a lot of great cost in these pieces, so that's a good thing. (YEP! says a very patient Eldy.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XaeGwBX9VNzmBn_CVBPxF5nYU3pjjkf69uYckQdKyZp9lpN_Qmp3Thi7W1d4ZqLlbgy3r41Mhh6_MRzVjrVKQeLv5gXAaORNJfB_OjqzhjhBqS2DUenCm_-lU2jJWmZKMcA3pVy_hnWaiAQqUDlLh3-27PqQqQvBgF7F8Ru6LPMKBWpwcF6_tsrIY9I/s4032/IMG_1622.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XaeGwBX9VNzmBn_CVBPxF5nYU3pjjkf69uYckQdKyZp9lpN_Qmp3Thi7W1d4ZqLlbgy3r41Mhh6_MRzVjrVKQeLv5gXAaORNJfB_OjqzhjhBqS2DUenCm_-lU2jJWmZKMcA3pVy_hnWaiAQqUDlLh3-27PqQqQvBgF7F8Ru6LPMKBWpwcF6_tsrIY9I/s320/IMG_1622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioClz-RXP-_CZmBDWrEejYCZgpuaxJQXLXkly9uKwg5GF_QCdvyDMZad1LFeyMyR-LL-sWCg-Q3Jxnqu-9pcP_SIbzdnbsGR6SvTHaM50bXT7X-qfuPC8s3KsEnnC53zmG7y1JGNwYzpCqjmVK0Y0WPqRj6AwwDSownMkOspMGaM_FQTOCz8ZhXI69MXI/s4032/my%20before%20end%20table%20craftsman.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioClz-RXP-_CZmBDWrEejYCZgpuaxJQXLXkly9uKwg5GF_QCdvyDMZad1LFeyMyR-LL-sWCg-Q3Jxnqu-9pcP_SIbzdnbsGR6SvTHaM50bXT7X-qfuPC8s3KsEnnC53zmG7y1JGNwYzpCqjmVK0Y0WPqRj6AwwDSownMkOspMGaM_FQTOCz8ZhXI69MXI/s320/my%20before%20end%20table%20craftsman.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The " before" end table</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is really into refinishing furniture now, even if she doesn't know what she is doing just yet...as some of the bargains are really scuffed up, but they can be saved! The problem is, the humidity has been quite high so painting days are limited right now. Here is another purchase for the living room. We bought this end table for 10.00 and didn't like the orangey/yellow finish. The "before" is nice, if you like that color finish (pine or oak?) but Sparky chose to do this for the after.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj214sZRXwN4iGHFIM4CQZcujh9OmqhnZjwEkfjjcAHMr8DEFsP6G2fUdwzMO9LaQcPYDk7g8R9WAMUU_AD9jiBE4n_tRI4ytd1aW03_xm9zdav2rs_DH_rXc0HvVthldELUljdw2Ejuvfx1d_DblZMGsRSiBRg4-QtomVNZMSrbDc_XwdO50WdEBbTx8g/s4032/IMG_1212.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj214sZRXwN4iGHFIM4CQZcujh9OmqhnZjwEkfjjcAHMr8DEFsP6G2fUdwzMO9LaQcPYDk7g8R9WAMUU_AD9jiBE4n_tRI4ytd1aW03_xm9zdav2rs_DH_rXc0HvVthldELUljdw2Ejuvfx1d_DblZMGsRSiBRg4-QtomVNZMSrbDc_XwdO50WdEBbTx8g/s320/IMG_1212.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Pumpkinvine continues to be beautiful during the hot summer. Although the spring wildflowers are gone, the jungle of green that awaits you along the Goshen to Shipshewanna portion of the trail in the shady forest is enticing. And so is Moody's Ice Cream Shop along the trail, the farm behind the shop has lots for people to look at....The Amish love it, too. This is one of Sparky's all time favorite photos with her iPhone.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY2u_Wdp4oQAQiw-mhSkuvaXBs9pd1bEyZb_biHAqCuki-sVnUMzIM8pPlBV_PUWow51RuSMsHW_jDOzQcmS1s_aTgx872f5vJm8bDNyCRAMQSIU8dsDuIUphnuNn1gz3sIN28ENo-v2JWxr_VTFnjuqjJdgAdtL5R4WXKzqMV1MYbvztxph_4Boj4rw/s4030/IMG_1262-(W2).JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="4030" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeY2u_Wdp4oQAQiw-mhSkuvaXBs9pd1bEyZb_biHAqCuki-sVnUMzIM8pPlBV_PUWow51RuSMsHW_jDOzQcmS1s_aTgx872f5vJm8bDNyCRAMQSIU8dsDuIUphnuNn1gz3sIN28ENo-v2JWxr_VTFnjuqjJdgAdtL5R4WXKzqMV1MYbvztxph_4Boj4rw/w470-h253/IMG_1262-(W2).JPEG" width="470" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Orange milkweed is in bloom along with coreopsis....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJZ3uFeKzoLASftq0smSsmFTrUgZ39XSGN5aIQJyf2wsjNACQRzbZlQAEjFoGojf_XXSrrcEwmbZpRmzLssD05bGstBU7wrzoyEP1pPqIJYxVaDBuWAjt7sICn-LZwdmiIFu16-N2mYLkGd9NS_06xoXUIBK1JKReVVTzdVm9JQBN8xlRIDBKZ315U1g/s1292/Screenshot%202023-07-06%20at%208.10.06%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1292" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJZ3uFeKzoLASftq0smSsmFTrUgZ39XSGN5aIQJyf2wsjNACQRzbZlQAEjFoGojf_XXSrrcEwmbZpRmzLssD05bGstBU7wrzoyEP1pPqIJYxVaDBuWAjt7sICn-LZwdmiIFu16-N2mYLkGd9NS_06xoXUIBK1JKReVVTzdVm9JQBN8xlRIDBKZ315U1g/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-06%20at%208.10.06%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">A few black eyed Susans in a field....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-E0f_krkOXFwA4YZp1ewnDvu5bc8CIxRbkWLHsXDwxOLadueNjeCE5k3Al8unME1r_t4UHf8zUmCvitTQZVj--L9732DmLdi4XadQ3-WTNPK1kP7jILVE-itemq6Q69HX0PsnQMBTlpiHjysjS9tiCkB_Pti1XDsDBOIsaUNn31dC09OnzTWIpqqOVM/s3840/IMG_1066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-E0f_krkOXFwA4YZp1ewnDvu5bc8CIxRbkWLHsXDwxOLadueNjeCE5k3Al8unME1r_t4UHf8zUmCvitTQZVj--L9732DmLdi4XadQ3-WTNPK1kP7jILVE-itemq6Q69HX0PsnQMBTlpiHjysjS9tiCkB_Pti1XDsDBOIsaUNn31dC09OnzTWIpqqOVM/s320/IMG_1066.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now in July, it's purple coneflowers, tall bellflowers, grey headed coneflowers and lavender bee balm. </span></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBYwD9silFHYn2zL2t6eGlDpwu_8Gg4V0UOcDNFrhgzelSs1f_NLKOqHHZQ4kYnm_3K6avCF8dSn0oKf47tpTvP-C535TIzbp6z-jCRA9VHRc-w8WSwV800hGrlPDf5XtEJt-LIidv-S-sbjNxzpR0GD9qj7e3lSio6Vbtws_x19JQ6_AhureEpHGhxw/s1034/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%207.39.25%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="826" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBYwD9silFHYn2zL2t6eGlDpwu_8Gg4V0UOcDNFrhgzelSs1f_NLKOqHHZQ4kYnm_3K6avCF8dSn0oKf47tpTvP-C535TIzbp6z-jCRA9VHRc-w8WSwV800hGrlPDf5XtEJt-LIidv-S-sbjNxzpR0GD9qj7e3lSio6Vbtws_x19JQ6_AhureEpHGhxw/w366-h458/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%207.39.25%20PM.png" width="366" /></a></div><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">This beautiful horse was eating the fence post!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qREXTN4317UYzoe6XKF7gXoi4yFZuQSr9lVCfXkf16YJqTYslCmgKNRtfMIe7ak1K5iqvlLQKs4zdnZN4bn5dR3i5Sbl1DtAUGQxdzRni_4cULllNrvVaOiu_PT-7jkCgF_0RNVYtkw1lZio9ZVGSMvLvSTx0qTZSbln49IeCNfZYqhf4rZvRyoWW6g/s4032/IMG_1061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qREXTN4317UYzoe6XKF7gXoi4yFZuQSr9lVCfXkf16YJqTYslCmgKNRtfMIe7ak1K5iqvlLQKs4zdnZN4bn5dR3i5Sbl1DtAUGQxdzRni_4cULllNrvVaOiu_PT-7jkCgF_0RNVYtkw1lZio9ZVGSMvLvSTx0qTZSbln49IeCNfZYqhf4rZvRyoWW6g/s320/IMG_1061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Always the laundry is out most days on the farms...This is a LOT of laundry! But being just two people, everybody else's laundry is a lot compared to ours....Big house, big family, big laundry load.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZ9x8Ir9a5yB5hSRVqxUBvpRn57F9gNLMVTS6brjH-M1iHIJvEZs2-P8xTtoDJ9ynaunQYhZsspKsgAbzWKwpMVm3QpQ5I9drjl0vTZf0dMI-iT1mNKAgx-xrF9Dc7OWxTQZlaODTTLbbjUwLG8T7zh9YgEilQD5bphqmBfzx9UFHopn7CRcL6csDkw/s4032/IMG_1062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZ9x8Ir9a5yB5hSRVqxUBvpRn57F9gNLMVTS6brjH-M1iHIJvEZs2-P8xTtoDJ9ynaunQYhZsspKsgAbzWKwpMVm3QpQ5I9drjl0vTZf0dMI-iT1mNKAgx-xrF9Dc7OWxTQZlaODTTLbbjUwLG8T7zh9YgEilQD5bphqmBfzx9UFHopn7CRcL6csDkw/s320/IMG_1062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The quilt gardens are coming along and soon will be at the height of their bloom. This garden below is on the Das Essenhaus grounds, a great hotel/restaurant in Middlebury, and the pattern is called the "Solar Wheel". These gardens are a part of a tour you can take called the Heritage Trail, spoken of before in the blog, and the tour is from Memorial Day to mid September. Eighteen quilt gardens and 21 hand painted quilt murals make up the tour. It's a fun way to see the area by car. This one is one of Sparky's favorites. It has white begonias, orange marigolds, yellow zinnias, dwarf red salvia, and denim shock wave petunias.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J50vXQ_b_p7usCcY5q-pYBYQkzSkDESmhP-BWieGvz2nZoBz5QZyMobo4SQZaccwO9Pl0CHFCihVhpIsLQpmSXpOaqE1nfhGE7V6RSnNl1oQC66c2IFWP9JT1rgdZmMIWlkaQOVv-yOzCviCZrZ2BWMZE59vwyIa9bY5uMokjwW5R_o8Oi8cdt9SK84/s4032/IMG_1073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J50vXQ_b_p7usCcY5q-pYBYQkzSkDESmhP-BWieGvz2nZoBz5QZyMobo4SQZaccwO9Pl0CHFCihVhpIsLQpmSXpOaqE1nfhGE7V6RSnNl1oQC66c2IFWP9JT1rgdZmMIWlkaQOVv-yOzCviCZrZ2BWMZE59vwyIa9bY5uMokjwW5R_o8Oi8cdt9SK84/s320/IMG_1073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sparky had a wonderful two day visit with her sister and brother-in-law in Michigan. She took the Amtrak, which had a brand new rail car for passengers on the way there--the ride was terrific, very smooth, and inexpensive. (Thirty-four dollars one way from Niles, MI to Royal Oak, MI, and about a four hour ride). On the way back, an older rail car and the usual, noisy, lurching hang-onto-the nearest-seat walk to the restroom ride.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhA_mLKi-h05qFuOfKrLMRqRtv6pi1yRvQK5k0k_5je5Z8jUUUIMJlqB7oRH4hq_3X9R5KhsHiBYJmJV9-tMO_V41T7yO4jXSKRnb24iwpSbq924FQyJjsUWXf_ImXhJ-FsKWyeZjQHI3yDGzXh0uhPHDO83vxZh_GdtCgd8hsM0ecPk_RPQPRrDwDU4/s4032/IMG_1497%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhA_mLKi-h05qFuOfKrLMRqRtv6pi1yRvQK5k0k_5je5Z8jUUUIMJlqB7oRH4hq_3X9R5KhsHiBYJmJV9-tMO_V41T7yO4jXSKRnb24iwpSbq924FQyJjsUWXf_ImXhJ-FsKWyeZjQHI3yDGzXh0uhPHDO83vxZh_GdtCgd8hsM0ecPk_RPQPRrDwDU4/s320/IMG_1497%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sparky fell in love with her sister's golden doodle, who was a VERY well behaved and intelligent bundle of curly fur. Eldo started researching doodles, but they are expensive! And besides, we are not wanting the additional responsibilities and costs of taking care of one right now, too much going on with everything! But boy, he sure was adorable and lovable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNa7CQa7PdBOaniMiaWo1-2qrdf1JcVd3WPm6tqegu-FTxaKcjMGAPjx7iZMPlWlpcZS7R9E5KAX7BB40Db2p1H6-r1XIfMFnG89kACBVbF1zLrAHswzn6p5Xzz0DJYcNCyr8U9YEnLdqYjU9aahhxj262PlD9aQRWMKXKNBBwDn-qfmnqNw0ZpDWzJg/s2360/IMG_1504%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="1970" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNa7CQa7PdBOaniMiaWo1-2qrdf1JcVd3WPm6tqegu-FTxaKcjMGAPjx7iZMPlWlpcZS7R9E5KAX7BB40Db2p1H6-r1XIfMFnG89kACBVbF1zLrAHswzn6p5Xzz0DJYcNCyr8U9YEnLdqYjU9aahhxj262PlD9aQRWMKXKNBBwDn-qfmnqNw0ZpDWzJg/s320/IMG_1504%202.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We toured Belle Isle State Park, a beautiful 982 acre state park near downtown Detroit. It's an island! You can see the barges come down the Detroit River and Canada to the south just across the river. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnxP95vgnk_ZxhYwyA7MJ9dLic4a0UpdJAO7aI-0QATrwhEPa-02t8fsL-IpFJEkuh4-uGcpMILfFC9DIOvM2ungg39W-1JQGxlR8ABQjkZeeDnKvvaR1PRAsjrA2cCvXodNcse07W2Rcc0H2KrnDszRvSn6_27bBcvFiVr0hLrjlgKJOZUEkyHmyC3g/s4032/IMG_1480%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnxP95vgnk_ZxhYwyA7MJ9dLic4a0UpdJAO7aI-0QATrwhEPa-02t8fsL-IpFJEkuh4-uGcpMILfFC9DIOvM2ungg39W-1JQGxlR8ABQjkZeeDnKvvaR1PRAsjrA2cCvXodNcse07W2Rcc0H2KrnDszRvSn6_27bBcvFiVr0hLrjlgKJOZUEkyHmyC3g/s320/IMG_1480%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a conservatory, a golf course, a working lighthouse (not open to the public), a Great Lakes Museum and an aquarium there as well. It's a beautiful park and picnicking area for families. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eGnu7nZtGRTOQFPnFPJrXJjbK4qf3_wdk5pMjaGkRMiFiCEKRGLu8l2s9yeFvyAmEtynX9MN3tmJYvFv5zpFdWPKHXIsrg2Jb08XEzv7jUbqRAoptvovbXeIqcj6tRKz0WBqOwan9Db3nhKuJK9BcHgNK0xrWVT6pgq3S_JYOwHgGaf_OcnR1eGGME8/s2997/IMG_1483%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="2997" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eGnu7nZtGRTOQFPnFPJrXJjbK4qf3_wdk5pMjaGkRMiFiCEKRGLu8l2s9yeFvyAmEtynX9MN3tmJYvFv5zpFdWPKHXIsrg2Jb08XEzv7jUbqRAoptvovbXeIqcj6tRKz0WBqOwan9Db3nhKuJK9BcHgNK0xrWVT6pgq3S_JYOwHgGaf_OcnR1eGGME8/s320/IMG_1483%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the lighthouse is way off in the distance!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After we toured the park by car, we stopped for Sparky's birthday dinner at a terrific Mexican restaurant, Los Galanes.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlKrcJlKodvDatlw86wJ8TyHBHF_Q3OV0G8hXGE236Xwka5u9cWpOb8jqFl3-ijKCLGj6U8wvJTy5H3yTijm4tUwXzuMSlwPjcNp44qqxrc1Kz7K0wM33YkzrGsvHF6v-4jXOEWUlULZmvPuqLoy0pc50Y0gSgDKId3lb3rP0g4RKC7EJrOEAxwjSj7A/s3714/IMG_1496.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="3714" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlKrcJlKodvDatlw86wJ8TyHBHF_Q3OV0G8hXGE236Xwka5u9cWpOb8jqFl3-ijKCLGj6U8wvJTy5H3yTijm4tUwXzuMSlwPjcNp44qqxrc1Kz7K0wM33YkzrGsvHF6v-4jXOEWUlULZmvPuqLoy0pc50Y0gSgDKId3lb3rP0g4RKC7EJrOEAxwjSj7A/s320/IMG_1496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We drove around downtown Detroit for a bit, marveling at the restoration efforts of some of the older mansions mixed in with new apartments. The area called Brush Park had some amazing homes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2Fpuhdgxy7d8vdZiZwAEgEXmZ_xun5WR5TzDmb6Qm9MlcFc9b_RhhMhzQYWBNPVijBlLb-NGemyz2nInmdJQZO_5GfkhUUAGkiBZoQtgAk0jOkStSc66MU6Fwuhl65_2D0wv2T9svgpdZrY5Soo-TVKT4utNGAABqlF8471vpYEPCzXVo-q7b1KnBc/s2700/IMG_1491%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2632" data-original-width="2700" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO2Fpuhdgxy7d8vdZiZwAEgEXmZ_xun5WR5TzDmb6Qm9MlcFc9b_RhhMhzQYWBNPVijBlLb-NGemyz2nInmdJQZO_5GfkhUUAGkiBZoQtgAk0jOkStSc66MU6Fwuhl65_2D0wv2T9svgpdZrY5Soo-TVKT4utNGAABqlF8471vpYEPCzXVo-q7b1KnBc/s320/IMG_1491%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>All too soon, it was time to return home to Camp Tompkins...Apartment moving date has been postponed by the apartments for another week. More time to go furniture hunting and possible refinishing projects! (Sigh.....says E.) Or not...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Bye for now......</span></div><div><p></p></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-76634542629063347962023-06-20T12:07:00.002-04:002023-06-21T16:20:21.112-04:00While We Wait.....And Some Big News<p><span style="font-size: large;">We are keeping ourselves busy while we wait for our August 14th date to bring in our damaged RV for repairs. We had a family graduation, Eldy got hired as assistant golf coach for the Concord High School girls' golf team and will be coaching during a short golf season under the direction of the head coach, his granddaughter (!). So we decided to get an apartment for the remainder of this year and into next summer. We will rent an apartment for a year, recover some of the financial costs of repairs, deductibles and other things and have decided we want to downsize our RV to a class C or small class A if we can sell the big fifth wheel. Campgrounds are getting much more expensive and even with our Thousand trails camping membership, we were starting to have to follow the same travel patterns repeatedly in order to afford to travel full time. We'd really like to branch out and see more of the country with less restrictions on where we can stay. We can do that if we come off the road for awhile, save some money get a smaller rig, and not travel full time. We don't know how long repairs will take and that could be months, so that's another reason we decided to stay put for awhile.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So with some sadness at coming off the road for awhile, but with much gladness at the benefits of having lots of Eldy's family close by and a chance for Sparky and Eldo to both work for a bit, we look forward to the next chapter in our lives of being stationary for awhile. Sparky will still post on the blog, but we certainly understand if readers stop following us since we are not going to be full timing for awhile, or possibly changing over to part timing as snowbirds when we downsize our RV. It seems to be the natural progression of aging with full time RVers to come to the point of traveling less and less due to lots of different reasons. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So here we are, in Elkhart, IN, our home for the next year...We have an apartment lined up, and we are back to shopping for furniture! Trying to be frugal about furnishing an apartment as we don't have any furniture of our own, we have been visiting thrift shops and garage sales and here is what we have so far.....an almost new couch for 85.00....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8mjsRCZenKpnciofh9XmF_PFRJHRz7_R6CUFLZTowd6bCjh-1kZatQGFlzjmaW8w4Cu-cCBtDhcYLYwmzarLvrhrudG1JB_W909DRyKUptwgYHkmoKG1LSifI9JJGIjbWDwUIIkjNmdvguFLD-yJnrB4zDh2EUkK-5NIA9Yfc3VG3VA7aF6xANOQ708/s4032/IMG_0800.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8mjsRCZenKpnciofh9XmF_PFRJHRz7_R6CUFLZTowd6bCjh-1kZatQGFlzjmaW8w4Cu-cCBtDhcYLYwmzarLvrhrudG1JB_W909DRyKUptwgYHkmoKG1LSifI9JJGIjbWDwUIIkjNmdvguFLD-yJnrB4zDh2EUkK-5NIA9Yfc3VG3VA7aF6xANOQ708/s320/IMG_0800.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">An old HEAVY entertainment center for 6.00.....Sparky landed that one at a thrift shop on a 50% off day!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzESeF_tZKb52s7_wfiqjqPLIaIVjQv1KtzJ03ow8QF-HNfn9yh49yLfbNcxsMPfqVfCJ8uHmBlDU9ZtZIWq0_CRmaQGAG3wk8ExKu4pcdIy5k6-E6Ttji3B6XJ_6Kq3PsUTsxFPRRRMQFuJQaONTqXVTJAMZ0HOn6Perl9yUa7Y1VJim6SyyEnvXA-A/s4032/IMG_0809.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzESeF_tZKb52s7_wfiqjqPLIaIVjQv1KtzJ03ow8QF-HNfn9yh49yLfbNcxsMPfqVfCJ8uHmBlDU9ZtZIWq0_CRmaQGAG3wk8ExKu4pcdIy5k6-E6Ttji3B6XJ_6Kq3PsUTsxFPRRRMQFuJQaONTqXVTJAMZ0HOn6Perl9yUa7Y1VJim6SyyEnvXA-A/s320/IMG_0809.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky has removed the really heavy slide out trays and heavy fan motor and is going to outfit the interior with shelves for craft supplies. (Of course! says Eldo,) She might lighten up the finish a bit, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A floor lamp for 10.00....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J7FZUXKTDlShJoChD6Qh74Oa2Y_isamQSZT-N7G27W8l3qV_FoboHP7CwNEscgOC-d_NDfIPdnmc5j4aLvcKbhBnGWforciMYEtlWJ9HvfrOyMh6fqEQ92rzarS0Z58RlP_YsJ8l-uqT2Jfk7bQTK-qsQkin7oncreRt7szMH20a-JD8LQkkBrbJD0o/s4032/IMG_0819.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J7FZUXKTDlShJoChD6Qh74Oa2Y_isamQSZT-N7G27W8l3qV_FoboHP7CwNEscgOC-d_NDfIPdnmc5j4aLvcKbhBnGWforciMYEtlWJ9HvfrOyMh6fqEQ92rzarS0Z58RlP_YsJ8l-uqT2Jfk7bQTK-qsQkin7oncreRt7szMH20a-JD8LQkkBrbJD0o/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A small roll top desk for 60.00...It has a hole in the roller part, but we think we can fix that enough so it won't be too visible....Why somebody would make holes at the top of the roller part of the cover is anybody's guess!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhDKD19CsSF2FWTVXNS8j4vigWWcxn-Lh04G8BRsmp9vXwf9UiN9IT6RqXzGE4Rj1r6N_gjYXHnLK9p9THhP3vUZEU08Qr74QgtWt5eDBxhbV38oGDPY00RY0d6T_Su5gst1oAK_cg1vujFlmXJRjvqnHyYy5Eo5HzknQaZsR7gn3SvQ-CLMcAstAIDI/s4032/IMG_0816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhDKD19CsSF2FWTVXNS8j4vigWWcxn-Lh04G8BRsmp9vXwf9UiN9IT6RqXzGE4Rj1r6N_gjYXHnLK9p9THhP3vUZEU08Qr74QgtWt5eDBxhbV38oGDPY00RY0d6T_Su5gst1oAK_cg1vujFlmXJRjvqnHyYy5Eo5HzknQaZsR7gn3SvQ-CLMcAstAIDI/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A craftsman style (?) end table. Sparky is going to refinish the top and paint the lower half of it a deep charcoal gray to go with the gray of the couch. Ten dollars....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyLIXmBInaVhnq92gqeOLq6xszLZ-CBZN4EFhwdkHgEawS0FZFE-YqVP8yCm4uGLi2wbGvZ8XQeYgfiHmvzCfRDCUKJQTMHUlqgzn9kUKSddtQQpIjpbAphb99jHz9hU33DMZmH0UB2WLeckqkyuvboAyQUEvuFwPlIqMur3bjoZZd0UxFsrtXWvha4I/s4032/IMG_0850.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyLIXmBInaVhnq92gqeOLq6xszLZ-CBZN4EFhwdkHgEawS0FZFE-YqVP8yCm4uGLi2wbGvZ8XQeYgfiHmvzCfRDCUKJQTMHUlqgzn9kUKSddtQQpIjpbAphb99jHz9hU33DMZmH0UB2WLeckqkyuvboAyQUEvuFwPlIqMur3bjoZZd0UxFsrtXWvha4I/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFWpU3g16W18p8BJU8SZdpsc3Eg3XEcshnsgtXv5aSJiOQQy1IvIIBhR6Orinuce1ownRsiGzxxZ-1qgx2j9GqfUJZ0O_hRO2TrFHKDFoj7E82XMnmSWQamlGNv8lsSjk24BqhNUa-z--3REh8ruWrTbhrLdreIDR1EvE09xB2WkpXPZz0q0FEEoK37A/s4032/IMG_0798.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFWpU3g16W18p8BJU8SZdpsc3Eg3XEcshnsgtXv5aSJiOQQy1IvIIBhR6Orinuce1ownRsiGzxxZ-1qgx2j9GqfUJZ0O_hRO2TrFHKDFoj7E82XMnmSWQamlGNv8lsSjk24BqhNUa-z--3REh8ruWrTbhrLdreIDR1EvE09xB2WkpXPZz0q0FEEoK37A/s320/IMG_0798.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />And how could you not buy lemonade from the cutest kids and the cutest lemonade stand at this garage sale? (Sparky is a sucker for kids' lemonade stands. She bought lemonade the very next day from Amish kids selling it on Father's Day weekend! explains E.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Sparky is on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail at least two to three times a week...trying to keep her sugar and weight down. The spring wildflowers have died down but there are a few colorful summer ones now...The beautiful bluish purple spiderwort....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLg96MaXakgndvzlw2MHTy-DSTWqlsKoT9NKeAjHKN03hDixydtAgqIuUTgHwLY57b2KuO7YqEPtUJEuojtTnDiAlLJLvee76pr-pqwXn2N95uFe9vI1A0s3wwQFRT0gSfbVn24hwFJIwOv4R97taiBsVJlyBAj5y5cb4ys5MgE1K068DTtK3g0tVUY3Y/s4032/IMG_0872.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLg96MaXakgndvzlw2MHTy-DSTWqlsKoT9NKeAjHKN03hDixydtAgqIuUTgHwLY57b2KuO7YqEPtUJEuojtTnDiAlLJLvee76pr-pqwXn2N95uFe9vI1A0s3wwQFRT0gSfbVn24hwFJIwOv4R97taiBsVJlyBAj5y5cb4ys5MgE1K068DTtK3g0tVUY3Y/s320/IMG_0872.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Sweet William perennials on the lane to Moody's Ice Cream Shop off the trail...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rLSE96v72pfdSSpSHZqRwqYkZ3m9WlD-1jbhM-kqsSlVfTp9AFoaeMPxHqcH2Ofe421tSn2_PvIU8iRBg9McEsRa01V1K66gDjY1bmvX7Z1pcyjHgaFJV2_xtHn2_Io2lXYtc9zhiv415uNRjlbK841d7tTRTyaMEQx8jIfHNfzjW76ADjVcQAL3CAw/s4032/IMG_0866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rLSE96v72pfdSSpSHZqRwqYkZ3m9WlD-1jbhM-kqsSlVfTp9AFoaeMPxHqcH2Ofe421tSn2_PvIU8iRBg9McEsRa01V1K66gDjY1bmvX7Z1pcyjHgaFJV2_xtHn2_Io2lXYtc9zhiv415uNRjlbK841d7tTRTyaMEQx8jIfHNfzjW76ADjVcQAL3CAw/s320/IMG_0866.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet pea blossoming outside of the Winnebago plant near Middlebury...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qejJ6gzaBvv-6OXIvTpaaBi5uqButdxypVZIOo-0sIOS-FwTd3GgEfgQIqb9jFdkwNSyFdsqo0DT-JTBCEjGGNfScGmsT0o5nMhEv3HAmm3YUfIRjJo7RQQ4g3W4uXl8d6H_Bj8WWMnvDnwu79cvCE5P7cd5rKOccd_nqmDfxwRWfS5gOWNz1yXQmlc/s3130/IMG_0859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3130" data-original-width="2819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qejJ6gzaBvv-6OXIvTpaaBi5uqButdxypVZIOo-0sIOS-FwTd3GgEfgQIqb9jFdkwNSyFdsqo0DT-JTBCEjGGNfScGmsT0o5nMhEv3HAmm3YUfIRjJo7RQQ4g3W4uXl8d6H_Bj8WWMnvDnwu79cvCE5P7cd5rKOccd_nqmDfxwRWfS5gOWNz1yXQmlc/s320/IMG_0859.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div>The scenery is ever changing on the trail....</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_N_2nXRsWbwzjbieRlh_YpN-OfJoldu1TfnF6nulCPEx3ALw0t9xA_NjwpBvuRX84gGaqTRRH62yABBf2VjYFEFVNuBKXTxn4LLem_INWmV8vUXx02joKNzzsJDJt9ARUNE2rG7NNAGuDzDYynce57a7wd5AU7C7JLzWpBtucCpwgBYFxgeUaYkwIf4/s2191/buggy%20and%20barn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="2191" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_N_2nXRsWbwzjbieRlh_YpN-OfJoldu1TfnF6nulCPEx3ALw0t9xA_NjwpBvuRX84gGaqTRRH62yABBf2VjYFEFVNuBKXTxn4LLem_INWmV8vUXx02joKNzzsJDJt9ARUNE2rG7NNAGuDzDYynce57a7wd5AU7C7JLzWpBtucCpwgBYFxgeUaYkwIf4/s320/buggy%20and%20barn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Amish are plowing their fields....</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlzO1jxheawxWagpZMqi8ls6knaBKeWbHOzi-xRSNNQUfsPlOF3zGK6fovmOddmO-i2YKxd6RBjFVsiRs_iHfwsgThDigCubNa2w1OH2IAy8B5gK4khrs0iqYyLA5tZenWCL19b04PsE9FaZ7_-H7Go77SaeJVCSuwh0-euSjncS0jXwuQ86CxPQG_-c/s2574/Amish%20plowing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2533" data-original-width="2574" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlzO1jxheawxWagpZMqi8ls6knaBKeWbHOzi-xRSNNQUfsPlOF3zGK6fovmOddmO-i2YKxd6RBjFVsiRs_iHfwsgThDigCubNa2w1OH2IAy8B5gK4khrs0iqYyLA5tZenWCL19b04PsE9FaZ7_-H7Go77SaeJVCSuwh0-euSjncS0jXwuQ86CxPQG_-c/s320/Amish%20plowing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">A buggy peeking through the trail's vines and trees...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qq93FZlniEK4pkLiT4QA0DeA5hMC3hvJhuV6qfTAxKI7SVjvdBdBwui0vO9dLSI9KLuOpFc3woKdfpLtOAyVFRIug181zkKge5hAn8v9sX586zwpiY8NBN2eUVzdcZHYRv0jpN8LhZut1n2Fsonazyb_GP6KtZJba6DAmQzEuvDbvlPv-A0-EOmyJlc/s2446/IMG_0837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="2238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qq93FZlniEK4pkLiT4QA0DeA5hMC3hvJhuV6qfTAxKI7SVjvdBdBwui0vO9dLSI9KLuOpFc3woKdfpLtOAyVFRIug181zkKge5hAn8v9sX586zwpiY8NBN2eUVzdcZHYRv0jpN8LhZut1n2Fsonazyb_GP6KtZJba6DAmQzEuvDbvlPv-A0-EOmyJlc/s320/IMG_0837.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">A bit of whimsy on the trail just outside of Abshire Park...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSifGP5UpTjGd_ebry8h74UxA607tlvHEjS58VyyMsZoGvPyaw8RYAuAZ2Vuw8AtJXEyMnUeX6bJ5G6a2cJ_JHMQN7JIIfzcnSp3sDPn-cALlrncGMz7jtYyKYwnQVKu5q2gTDcF7dwUh6L8pmTMmTEd4Bgzyv9pTd_AzV-oyBSObAPS6BUkrNGYZotWs/s4032/IMG_0867.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSifGP5UpTjGd_ebry8h74UxA607tlvHEjS58VyyMsZoGvPyaw8RYAuAZ2Vuw8AtJXEyMnUeX6bJ5G6a2cJ_JHMQN7JIIfzcnSp3sDPn-cALlrncGMz7jtYyKYwnQVKu5q2gTDcF7dwUh6L8pmTMmTEd4Bgzyv9pTd_AzV-oyBSObAPS6BUkrNGYZotWs/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Seen the day after Father's Day on the trail...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0XggFzGPkynBGYO05T2Lb6NmIpFeA37sY85UOhRb2ZNrg3fLUlmI5vVay-RWAYlaFbfJ1lntP_s-q2Sm2nRiMCZkbnGXKiEaMxK1-Hs5ewdF8Do10W7Yg6mzjHfoh-GcCCooygvTYruKlT1tx88LhqAda_xdDxSUnGyJtLxn0f-TnyMuzCd6FfiXSmQ/s4032/IMG_0873.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0XggFzGPkynBGYO05T2Lb6NmIpFeA37sY85UOhRb2ZNrg3fLUlmI5vVay-RWAYlaFbfJ1lntP_s-q2Sm2nRiMCZkbnGXKiEaMxK1-Hs5ewdF8Do10W7Yg6mzjHfoh-GcCCooygvTYruKlT1tx88LhqAda_xdDxSUnGyJtLxn0f-TnyMuzCd6FfiXSmQ/s320/IMG_0873.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div>You can see two of the Heritage Trail quilt gardens as you ride from Goshen to Middlebury. Kryder Gardens is a beautiful rest stop in Middlebury with picnic areas, gazebos, a little waterfall and even a windmill. There is a quilt garden there.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdZXpJSBbZqPXGPMpmz3GyYr2OKouFkrb7vvlgxolNI7TQn1phYtUviNQOq_TUIjk9_qZRUEvCeZLUWHRc9ECFr9q8zqeN__14xcyeKtx9unlR8E6jZVXXb4Y4a-p7bk6eOlTZ9u9QHaTzGbs7JJEAycdykOxocj8dBYW04VhVl8gu6dbdMqtKbBdKzM/s4032/IMG_0838.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdZXpJSBbZqPXGPMpmz3GyYr2OKouFkrb7vvlgxolNI7TQn1phYtUviNQOq_TUIjk9_qZRUEvCeZLUWHRc9ECFr9q8zqeN__14xcyeKtx9unlR8E6jZVXXb4Y4a-p7bk6eOlTZ9u9QHaTzGbs7JJEAycdykOxocj8dBYW04VhVl8gu6dbdMqtKbBdKzM/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tree of Life" quilt garden at Kryder Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Another quilt garden is right at Abshire Park in Goshen, at the beginning of the Pumpkinvine Trail. It's called the "Crosshatch" pattern. In another month, the flowers will have filled in and the pattern even more beautiful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZNgznjwtIydnktYzB5L9uFBfW4Hpg346_30MxZFnSqZo2UF7Il3nyEZI_JrLDbCc0-YrQtdGEha_6_0ktS-mYPqU1A5dqjsXk1-IMfGot_mBVatXGhqn1t9IA67ynKM39NZyfkR4paBNGrB1B1q_4vXsUPmUiXkudjRGwFxcnn-TJgN36KZWtlOyLnU/s4032/IMG_0879.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZNgznjwtIydnktYzB5L9uFBfW4Hpg346_30MxZFnSqZo2UF7Il3nyEZI_JrLDbCc0-YrQtdGEha_6_0ktS-mYPqU1A5dqjsXk1-IMfGot_mBVatXGhqn1t9IA67ynKM39NZyfkR4paBNGrB1B1q_4vXsUPmUiXkudjRGwFxcnn-TJgN36KZWtlOyLnU/s320/IMG_0879.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bkHdwWESc6sc3_cH3Ld19GfbqoKIsKzjXWaV9mRneDH6wRqJfCxLGbuf9c8Ktbl0VgW-_va57OU2plThAELh2oHBvNKmzzz7f4FIfgmnL4Btf-SYrSf3l--_HR8UbkpByYknIKKAWpaz4hpI6QEIviRV_x6BysI4AX08I4s8dFmrJJy2-C5gcHSkx1U/s4032/IMG_0636.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bkHdwWESc6sc3_cH3Ld19GfbqoKIsKzjXWaV9mRneDH6wRqJfCxLGbuf9c8Ktbl0VgW-_va57OU2plThAELh2oHBvNKmzzz7f4FIfgmnL4Btf-SYrSf3l--_HR8UbkpByYknIKKAWpaz4hpI6QEIviRV_x6BysI4AX08I4s8dFmrJJy2-C5gcHSkx1U/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Every Tuesday and Wednesday is the Shipshewanna Flea Market. We have been going to it for years and years. It's really changed. There used to be a TON of individuals who crafted beautiful things...lots of handpainted woodwork, doll clothes, etc, but now, most of it is from China or other places. Lots of yard art and home decor can be found. It seems though, that handmade has gone by the wayside, except for a couple of booths. But you can find lots of home decor, faux leather goods, clothing....and bargains if you look hard.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGf5DkhvrXx_riV8YpDvuK0fObT4wfGjxeKPZy7vQEhFd7l2RpfWZzw70PCrnRMx2dasBcd5jhXpYgAho3zQG9a8tRcFJsDPczLpZvaWHd1__4rL5piZd7swwJ3D1EwLiZAIIZYkkzlGpDVonHBvlvuZoUrMpaI5xFkpld4AAsRnheSgqe-W2AAgZS-Q/s4032/IMG_0641.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGf5DkhvrXx_riV8YpDvuK0fObT4wfGjxeKPZy7vQEhFd7l2RpfWZzw70PCrnRMx2dasBcd5jhXpYgAho3zQG9a8tRcFJsDPczLpZvaWHd1__4rL5piZd7swwJ3D1EwLiZAIIZYkkzlGpDVonHBvlvuZoUrMpaI5xFkpld4AAsRnheSgqe-W2AAgZS-Q/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRtMgj2TrOwSpcS3kJ44Eb0O-iEGNl4DGoE8xDhViwlz54CuoY45zN2ZvjtlWFmsbRYQYzAik8qArZZ6EV8WIywKOSqvm_kFG8r90f8A922S3FHKVVdFtXgqqjGAuiMZgbfr8faqu9_u-Y1EuixwhZVuSrsmOHVqpYyRNdl0IkzMkcOYqEQpJ6KyAkEU/s4032/IMG_0658.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRtMgj2TrOwSpcS3kJ44Eb0O-iEGNl4DGoE8xDhViwlz54CuoY45zN2ZvjtlWFmsbRYQYzAik8qArZZ6EV8WIywKOSqvm_kFG8r90f8A922S3FHKVVdFtXgqqjGAuiMZgbfr8faqu9_u-Y1EuixwhZVuSrsmOHVqpYyRNdl0IkzMkcOYqEQpJ6KyAkEU/w208-h277/IMG_0658.JPG" width="208" /></a></div>There are multiple auctions going on in a building next to the flea market. That has changed as well. There doesn't seem to be as many furniture finds and vintage stuff as there used to be, at least that was our impression when we visited last week. But it's fun to watch the action and the bidding. Who knows what you might be looking for, it's possible it's here! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkJn1D9PDp0u0MIFtKZRjhRXPf-5_PfAp3adIoDXpbSgXl0SJWdMJIwWLXR2NgWOOBnDCmF64afs-9Nz2HrtmbxX6ecKOjJ1rNgdJ_mpclVbaE13zQCw6jOPMly3Ds_OGW87HvQiQ3ZJYAugoBN0smt8_tuCC5hsjuO-PIGQdqJ6UNBtmWCxsncECNzM/s4032/IMG_0660.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkJn1D9PDp0u0MIFtKZRjhRXPf-5_PfAp3adIoDXpbSgXl0SJWdMJIwWLXR2NgWOOBnDCmF64afs-9Nz2HrtmbxX6ecKOjJ1rNgdJ_mpclVbaE13zQCw6jOPMly3Ds_OGW87HvQiQ3ZJYAugoBN0smt8_tuCC5hsjuO-PIGQdqJ6UNBtmWCxsncECNzM/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky liked this shot of people watching the bidding and the statue pose.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_abuOZ7xwidng4mJcYaN7o5oU26CyJjrfEcfyXVQ5Hj7LTHNU-Tu7QHOp3XAkgOb-J37_thSbHpC5EgsVZUmL5XI3b03xWjyieMpDSVXAQWwXRn9-MSrn8EY9K9NEuklh9PyT3GyMtdN0VXBPUO1L9GpF6rkNKE4WhgfJV7ZBLRvc8Uzbk_74lK3dAYI/s4032/IMG_0656.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_abuOZ7xwidng4mJcYaN7o5oU26CyJjrfEcfyXVQ5Hj7LTHNU-Tu7QHOp3XAkgOb-J37_thSbHpC5EgsVZUmL5XI3b03xWjyieMpDSVXAQWwXRn9-MSrn8EY9K9NEuklh9PyT3GyMtdN0VXBPUO1L9GpF6rkNKE4WhgfJV7ZBLRvc8Uzbk_74lK3dAYI/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Some might say the flea market is for the birds, haha, but we don't think so!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWfct4npT7rZRa_2p1_tZqxlz-4svc-_yQi9jfYcov7JH_UtRi72PzXLNqZVRDgOxJhvUbtx0A2XB16YEBG9Rgv1cEvmd32-O0lF-tlFM2Erg8tjo41FcTs6lG0H59JXz5Kc6PL82pAfLDx8bC1HlJ4R8BG1F668qtIsgT_xxx-tw-cTucaXHA58iMBk/s4032/IMG_0647.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWfct4npT7rZRa_2p1_tZqxlz-4svc-_yQi9jfYcov7JH_UtRi72PzXLNqZVRDgOxJhvUbtx0A2XB16YEBG9Rgv1cEvmd32-O0lF-tlFM2Erg8tjo41FcTs6lG0H59JXz5Kc6PL82pAfLDx8bC1HlJ4R8BG1F668qtIsgT_xxx-tw-cTucaXHA58iMBk/s320/IMG_0647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sparky liked this metal sign....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bM-pOHIU_vl82ZjJMg1MhJ7lWYtTHKVV393cY2lL5r6mdcEtmlS7XcmwvOocFV_dsNWEn2iedoflIsHIwgIpYNOQ1_J8FAztQAxwOs3qZumBSvVKnvo7DAQJc9LDlRGhuOKLYLutWy-pOErORbVzWlFfrMd-M3EPEzz_qB9nqeSYwCaGPQtA4PEmLfc/s4032/IMG_0651.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bM-pOHIU_vl82ZjJMg1MhJ7lWYtTHKVV393cY2lL5r6mdcEtmlS7XcmwvOocFV_dsNWEn2iedoflIsHIwgIpYNOQ1_J8FAztQAxwOs3qZumBSvVKnvo7DAQJc9LDlRGhuOKLYLutWy-pOErORbVzWlFfrMd-M3EPEzz_qB9nqeSYwCaGPQtA4PEmLfc/s320/IMG_0651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Lots of pet lover merch....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgHQezLkCv6c7S-bGmTYMw3YrAx-ku1cBQqMUQMytaCFRnzLmwXYqbdixBofdNOwl-fjpd_wehrOARfsFj4qdttK2TSNaOey-jlra-S2X5xovlPchaBL1B9-gSxOY-4NLH2iQYDQse4NjsUcF8b2_XeapdIYblWCQM-OoMwDfiit2cp6vuE3TPjKRPpg/s4032/IMG_0649.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgHQezLkCv6c7S-bGmTYMw3YrAx-ku1cBQqMUQMytaCFRnzLmwXYqbdixBofdNOwl-fjpd_wehrOARfsFj4qdttK2TSNaOey-jlra-S2X5xovlPchaBL1B9-gSxOY-4NLH2iQYDQse4NjsUcF8b2_XeapdIYblWCQM-OoMwDfiit2cp6vuE3TPjKRPpg/s320/IMG_0649.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dog breed wooden spoons</td></tr></tbody></table>We finally visited Biebs & Ash in downtown Goshen, IN for some terrific smash burgers and fries...WOW! Highly recommend...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPMqVWd3_Z5h9uXqgu--kLvGhEbPnmT4Fp-EQ2UnQ5mhPGXV1sLA-SfvmNBu8tW5CGtPzcaU4ua5wpJ10eI7dS06VmS1ULBkj6gCvnF2B2fT8JN6YE6RMZLIn6gmNcdM_nhBwKiU3EXFtM9laM-nA2c1ajd84bk-XONExxR_jnK8K7dq1teoQ--8waP4/s4032/IMG_0839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPMqVWd3_Z5h9uXqgu--kLvGhEbPnmT4Fp-EQ2UnQ5mhPGXV1sLA-SfvmNBu8tW5CGtPzcaU4ua5wpJ10eI7dS06VmS1ULBkj6gCvnF2B2fT8JN6YE6RMZLIn6gmNcdM_nhBwKiU3EXFtM9laM-nA2c1ajd84bk-XONExxR_jnK8K7dq1teoQ--8waP4/s320/IMG_0839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kpfAwX9uMPrdHc4ECKVmFReQTYr9R9Ns0ZBR826LwvUoH4wW3vjby_a-qIaWTT8SLf94ntPf6-fsDxQ4TqOlODA_IfA7iy4cwwAwDSRF2Wm4HzvmBOnT-H0NiziAC3y7Edf06Q3f8Tw8itjHzusH960Q2dTq25jz9OatZ_F4vcoX1vNV2CpinwN6Gi8/s4032/IMG_0670.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kpfAwX9uMPrdHc4ECKVmFReQTYr9R9Ns0ZBR826LwvUoH4wW3vjby_a-qIaWTT8SLf94ntPf6-fsDxQ4TqOlODA_IfA7iy4cwwAwDSRF2Wm4HzvmBOnT-H0NiziAC3y7Edf06Q3f8Tw8itjHzusH960Q2dTq25jz9OatZ_F4vcoX1vNV2CpinwN6Gi8/s320/IMG_0670.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful fabrics at Lolly's</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>You know what else is in Shipshewanna? Besides lots of cool little vintage furniture, ice cream, and home decor shops? Handmade pretzels at Jojo's in the Mercantile building, and Lolly's fabric store, filled with LOTS of quilt ideas and the most extensive quality cotton fabric selection you could hope for a small town shop. Sparky hopes to make some home decor small quilts this year. (Uh-oh, worries E, there goes the budget!) Naw...Sparky plans to exercise restraint and not go there very often this summer....(HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's Eldo rolling on the floor laughing his butt off.) Hey, they do have rockers for you guys to wait on your woman shopping at Lolly's but you might be there awhile.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSLaVAby86npicazTcGM3rbEO4b8ugklVGvEPDGCgMKES5eleHy5Lw9RRtNLTT19Sa4yGaOOTiRy4NxSj1CL7eHXS4be8YoJ_sJObLgGNB18tdXZJP3ygehqTN5NavdQ0jz4NaKO2mGlrDRNya1SJFyWLTn6LaPhnA0weYZrbpVkLrL10SPKpRh50z6E/s4032/IMG_0677.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSLaVAby86npicazTcGM3rbEO4b8ugklVGvEPDGCgMKES5eleHy5Lw9RRtNLTT19Sa4yGaOOTiRy4NxSj1CL7eHXS4be8YoJ_sJObLgGNB18tdXZJP3ygehqTN5NavdQ0jz4NaKO2mGlrDRNya1SJFyWLTn6LaPhnA0weYZrbpVkLrL10SPKpRh50z6E/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">With that we will say bye for now.....You may not hear from us for awhile, but if we do something special in the area, we will let you know! It's been a great ride, a total of SIX YEARS full timing, but it's not our last foray out into the great USA...Don't be surprised if we say, HEY, we are going out on the road again, we do love to travel! We will keep you posted as our plans evolve and our lifestyle keeps changing. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for following along and hope you still will.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Sparky and Eldo</span></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-40573308212149698652023-06-06T09:37:00.010-04:002023-06-08T09:12:19.747-04:00Love Those Indiana Small Towns!<p><span style="font-size: large;">We had some errands to run in Goshen, IN today so off we went. Goshen is about 15 minutes from where we are currently staying. Goshen is a very pretty small town of about 34,000. The downtown is lovely. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbyCsfTEznL8DWdw2YkE98YhnioeEvpM7j9gXZBht2z71iF1ZZs_snrLadxaC9nUWSXWEXHTcJ6tkrvB2KsYPOooMRTV00Mo-ueclBOJaS-sE8YkzSvoBVfWENV57so0sJRwOhImmejsD_TvZcHMX7kln4e2Y0IEm5b8CkhMrDqulIbxq7gv3fAOH/s4032/IMG_0612.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbyCsfTEznL8DWdw2YkE98YhnioeEvpM7j9gXZBht2z71iF1ZZs_snrLadxaC9nUWSXWEXHTcJ6tkrvB2KsYPOooMRTV00Mo-ueclBOJaS-sE8YkzSvoBVfWENV57so0sJRwOhImmejsD_TvZcHMX7kln4e2Y0IEm5b8CkhMrDqulIbxq7gv3fAOH/w174-h232/IMG_0612.JPG" width="174" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at a wonderful shoe store, called Woldruff's for Eldy to get some new slip ons. They had an amazing selection of some of the finest shoe brands. If you wanted to shop local and get a good shoe, this is the place to go. Eldy got a nice pair of Skechers slip ons. He absolutely loves them! Super cushy.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnkI9Hpgg0iqAa-D7NuNFW8zqyLO1OjYdfaEKjpd5ilw7esTxSzBu5Pd2zpC7CXG23ZehBY9fABoY9hZowWAc4r0kxBM8MdMLCDjED8EKIyrbYBazvIcNIRm0RBYj1hfFeLkC96cONUwd4Z_tNXlV1sFGpzjMpX6Uoalok2hQrYi9io9o6asztf9X/s4032/IMG_0578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnkI9Hpgg0iqAa-D7NuNFW8zqyLO1OjYdfaEKjpd5ilw7esTxSzBu5Pd2zpC7CXG23ZehBY9fABoY9hZowWAc4r0kxBM8MdMLCDjED8EKIyrbYBazvIcNIRm0RBYj1hfFeLkC96cONUwd4Z_tNXlV1sFGpzjMpX6Uoalok2hQrYi9io9o6asztf9X/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Right across the street is Jojo's Pretzels, one of the best known places that locals love, for freshly made pretzels. The whole store is Coke themed, so of course, Sparky LOVES that shop! (She drinks a Coke for breakfast every single morning, explains Eldo.) There are LOTS of wonderful small stores to shop local for clothing, shoes, a True Value hardware store right there, and several wonderful restaurants we hope to try. One is called <a href="https://www.biebsandash.com">Biebs & Ash</a>, which gets great reviews and supposedly has a terrific burger.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />We had sour cream and onion dusted pretzels with great lemonade. We sat outside at little tables provided by the shop and it was a gorgeous spring day, sunny with a little breeze. Goshen is a college town too, so it's great to see that students shop downtown here as well. There are several remarkable independent stores to shop at, such as Found, an antique store in historic Goshen. And of course, there are also several big, beautiful churches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG24z31x-qfwOYiD8oopGZyfK_oDKo535ZoEgLQTnffDPPaogB0bWS72j05UrN7idS6xUhnaG8EM7r6p0-lNGtRc8yVW-16d52CET1o10StzHDvdzNAKeAJe8yPJ43eTzklbllkfczdLWBHhCAceT1mEvkGRS8-F1jzaDYa438O6UNVAh9kRKnl-HB/s4032/IMG_0606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG24z31x-qfwOYiD8oopGZyfK_oDKo535ZoEgLQTnffDPPaogB0bWS72j05UrN7idS6xUhnaG8EM7r6p0-lNGtRc8yVW-16d52CET1o10StzHDvdzNAKeAJe8yPJ43eTzklbllkfczdLWBHhCAceT1mEvkGRS8-F1jzaDYa438O6UNVAh9kRKnl-HB/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiFusZLLTVRTyxJto3o8NtnN0-3jrsUQJkpd1_71nO8-bWicil2NG_dZFBc7roKhX18jO6VNqCymlZyFPohi8akd_qkfYQ8z9fn1MqxJbMAUQpAyApkUezuRlX12ugFelwPjU70LzOnqCPtJOUyUTm52IP5a0aemJ0D0DFhMruqT6xefunv_uadyQ/s4032/IMG_0584.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiFusZLLTVRTyxJto3o8NtnN0-3jrsUQJkpd1_71nO8-bWicil2NG_dZFBc7roKhX18jO6VNqCymlZyFPohi8akd_qkfYQ8z9fn1MqxJbMAUQpAyApkUezuRlX12ugFelwPjU70LzOnqCPtJOUyUTm52IP5a0aemJ0D0DFhMruqT6xefunv_uadyQ/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Downtown Goshen has some beautiful architecture in their building facades. Several of the buildings are dated in the 1800's. The brick building to the right is dated 1878.</span></div></span></div></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc-OOjmbw0pA-Eyn_pSHkaxh16sf5_drtniBbO6Bqo3rASoUOQiogT41YWsr4lWUrAZv9KjaZ7eAMyVzNc905JFFCPiFTmH82k-Tll-TDyDaVotm6MdNgqRoTsqtU4TiCNQ4Ik709VktFXiotd9MKj685m5N1uPIHQIn_CDkznusSzpa8Nvfo7VA2/s4032/IMG_0585.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc-OOjmbw0pA-Eyn_pSHkaxh16sf5_drtniBbO6Bqo3rASoUOQiogT41YWsr4lWUrAZv9KjaZ7eAMyVzNc905JFFCPiFTmH82k-Tll-TDyDaVotm6MdNgqRoTsqtU4TiCNQ4Ik709VktFXiotd9MKj685m5N1uPIHQIn_CDkznusSzpa8Nvfo7VA2/s320/IMG_0585.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this facade!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They have multiple art installations all over the downtown area. Sparky loved this one, called "Raindance" by Sunday Mahaja. Here is a closeup of the head....So cool!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJNvECL7Dk_Lu96vnwDwax6_vdwcGSAfe5q_IxigILfOX1bmSdiMmd4FYE3qzgO-axzRyhjjphWh532lmx5xH6GyKkNinTllFXvC7n8xabfciDFzrJM2nzXS4XJ8C8IUt1_ORNhglkQrLjOtQj3RKVHYJjSM2Ay3lWTuv2bH7Awo0hfl_0HwfGU5/s4032/IMG_0609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJNvECL7Dk_Lu96vnwDwax6_vdwcGSAfe5q_IxigILfOX1bmSdiMmd4FYE3qzgO-axzRyhjjphWh532lmx5xH6GyKkNinTllFXvC7n8xabfciDFzrJM2nzXS4XJ8C8IUt1_ORNhglkQrLjOtQj3RKVHYJjSM2Ay3lWTuv2bH7Awo0hfl_0HwfGU5/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">And a view from farther away.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuPNay4GCbAfNBFfP-eKJRnQuUrsF2vcsukCwxCN-JoJNgiSol6X1l3bV3jcdfgLtFxxy2FAmYmdvm5nkz92HXoN2ow-yqMGeyJz1dUSXnLaszOpqMwpoPrMY-mr_gE0pnRJXAf5CVEpT18kRnj_vAijZhrRKOg5IUvc6EwQCZL1h8LDgs7WXyGcm/s3774/IMG_0608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3774" data-original-width="2264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuPNay4GCbAfNBFfP-eKJRnQuUrsF2vcsukCwxCN-JoJNgiSol6X1l3bV3jcdfgLtFxxy2FAmYmdvm5nkz92HXoN2ow-yqMGeyJz1dUSXnLaszOpqMwpoPrMY-mr_gE0pnRJXAf5CVEpT18kRnj_vAijZhrRKOg5IUvc6EwQCZL1h8LDgs7WXyGcm/s320/IMG_0608.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>There was an alleyway full of art works--appropriately titled "Art Alley".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT_mYvTQo4AYtFJh9zWsxqZ-444McCiDbze3sH0ehj3OSPihJdx6y9Y6o1a-xgr5AigrV3SLSICCnhRzKspodYa0-xUxL_nKG3p1CG3IeMBM_fhQzwAtPl0kWUOGGtrpoEGOj_WniV8v_ekapAJ2CxmqJ8-QTlfvBHnurxN1-HW_FwM6yXQ0KcQnP/s4032/IMG_0600.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT_mYvTQo4AYtFJh9zWsxqZ-444McCiDbze3sH0ehj3OSPihJdx6y9Y6o1a-xgr5AigrV3SLSICCnhRzKspodYa0-xUxL_nKG3p1CG3IeMBM_fhQzwAtPl0kWUOGGtrpoEGOj_WniV8v_ekapAJ2CxmqJ8-QTlfvBHnurxN1-HW_FwM6yXQ0KcQnP/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It had chalk art and panels displayed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoN0xljyV0GVd2pvr3uJJ7XWyFaTq78Np_j3XYYGGRPz40b2dQ3cL4iBIQJuhvruitc_1zbgPbHZIYXqq36EZ4Io7uFY6lRKf-a2mtjf5Jvz2_a-6k3P_h98y__NKjKHg0QFbW71xJ79JsEdi33EXbos0wY9uVJk5A74UgFQENA30tYYjwbmOauQc/s4032/IMG_0595.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoN0xljyV0GVd2pvr3uJJ7XWyFaTq78Np_j3XYYGGRPz40b2dQ3cL4iBIQJuhvruitc_1zbgPbHZIYXqq36EZ4Io7uFY6lRKf-a2mtjf5Jvz2_a-6k3P_h98y__NKjKHg0QFbW71xJ79JsEdi33EXbos0wY9uVJk5A74UgFQENA30tYYjwbmOauQc/s320/IMG_0595.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Just a wonderful small town vibe, clean and beautiful, and not to be missed if you are in the area....There are also several parks, two of the more notable ones are Fiddler Pond Park and Oxbow County Park, with some great walking trails. Don't forget to visit the <a href="https://olympiacandykitchen.com">Olympia Candy Kitchen</a> store, too! An original candy counter dating back to 1912, a soda fountain and lots of sweet confections to choose from, make this a must top if you have a sweet tooth!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6tLFm9K05zWjQnK7SX99MT3qEYGgjnzdFDoQgVUHVHDGx0znWPQ8O23jWm5DTG20YgKZ-xTpHRwJ83ETLJngRH2AoJS-nAmgqPaCTEq8N7ohvIQtwr2B3T17RyP_SgaNOYajD1zFAX3bcBxOq1EbGvwaXPYTQcpJiDv1SNvIlj3VWCVOjPSLuKZ5/s4032/downtown%20Goshen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6tLFm9K05zWjQnK7SX99MT3qEYGgjnzdFDoQgVUHVHDGx0znWPQ8O23jWm5DTG20YgKZ-xTpHRwJ83ETLJngRH2AoJS-nAmgqPaCTEq8N7ohvIQtwr2B3T17RyP_SgaNOYajD1zFAX3bcBxOq1EbGvwaXPYTQcpJiDv1SNvIlj3VWCVOjPSLuKZ5/s320/downtown%20Goshen.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sculptures around town</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">We love visiting Goshen! Don't miss it!</span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-8190508495635982092023-05-29T19:23:00.002-04:002023-08-09T14:56:28.083-04:00Riding the Vine<p> <span style="font-size: large;">The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail, that is.....In the meantime, while staying in Elkhart to await the rig repairs come August 14th, we are taking advantage of the beautiful early summer weather to do different things in the area...Eldy has been learning more about lacrosse, as his grandson is heading for the state lacrosse finals. He has really enjoyed the games, and Trevor's team is doing so well! Trevor is the tall one in the middle. The rest of Eldy's son's family is with him as well. A fine looking family!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc62xNcvgUPz-dCIC1qdSKskPXasVoh2UXaBGO9JBN1zTwgYxOePBAF4PSir89g70pqvLajOXhiRv6yWKNuUEF9zCmN3hdqQSa47ghIj18KJdSxfgH6KhMn7-tnFC4W-7fM3czjKcL9sn3n9qywxSqPGTO1H7YuxxfUFYaHRymtc1bRE_C7SjG1NVK/s1203/IMG_3092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc62xNcvgUPz-dCIC1qdSKskPXasVoh2UXaBGO9JBN1zTwgYxOePBAF4PSir89g70pqvLajOXhiRv6yWKNuUEF9zCmN3hdqQSa47ghIj18KJdSxfgH6KhMn7-tnFC4W-7fM3czjKcL9sn3n9qywxSqPGTO1H7YuxxfUFYaHRymtc1bRE_C7SjG1NVK/s320/IMG_3092.jpg" width="311" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky has been riding the Pumpkinvine from Abshire Park in Goshen, all the way to Shipshewanna sometimes, but mostly to Middlebury and back, a distance of about 13 miles total. That section of the trail is about 50% wooded and it has been a real treat watching the emerging wildflowers changing as the weeks go by. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not only is it nicely wooded in parts, but there are a couple of challenging hills to climb and then zoom down. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">AND---there's an ice cream shop called Moody's which is about 2/3 of the way to Middlebury and it's right off the trail. They have good cheeseburgers and lots of flavors of ice cream, both soft serve and hard. It's a favorite of the Amish. Once Sparky gets her ice cream fix, she feels like turning around and heading back. Mainly because at the ice cream junction, you have to go out on the county roads for about a mile to get back to trail to pick it up again, heading on into Middlebury. Those county roads are ok, as there are probably more horse and buggies on the county road than trucks, but occasional speedsters and heavy duty construction trucks occasionally, make that portion a little more nerve wracking when they pass by. The spur to get you off the county roads and to stay on the trail is supposed to be completed by the end of this summer.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDajPt65rC6MDKjmNz7Ks3Hwtq_FakiVIfnj3rDL2DpxJi8-3xk5JFwou7HoSoSNBFzn27RFkjLMgiJ261gmh85LQTYAYkOlpii45L771HIYKuxtyVjL8SSDBzQ4fkfgnqNuz-umwVwSV4zusaX0XqP4239yWD0dH3Qv5P1ribJ6aSZ0JO5B-SA_2I/s4032/IMG_0395.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDajPt65rC6MDKjmNz7Ks3Hwtq_FakiVIfnj3rDL2DpxJi8-3xk5JFwou7HoSoSNBFzn27RFkjLMgiJ261gmh85LQTYAYkOlpii45L771HIYKuxtyVjL8SSDBzQ4fkfgnqNuz-umwVwSV4zusaX0XqP4239yWD0dH3Qv5P1ribJ6aSZ0JO5B-SA_2I/s320/IMG_0395.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dames Rocket</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">When Sparky first started riding in April, there were few wildflowers. The first to come were the spring trilliums, then the wild geraniums, the purple phlox, then the Dames Rocket flowers. Dames Rocket is confused with phlox sometimes, but phlox has five petals, and Dames Rocket has four. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dames Rocket is also considered a noxious weed in some states and is definitely an invasive plant. But it is really pretty!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKYcAuplwZ-BRVChWrS4xChZKV-DYf5fHRXgntcL3I81Pp5thuzR5nOgyGScNeIIIgrxLnZrUCtC2Lae6tLrMaHUJyfBWe4FVcxWqgzsA1Bqpc7VeWIY5aN4Olp9lnuEC1vnHbWN8SUfjcTuNDWrX-qiCfDJP673VOphzmD7R8OB1u1VS-JpElB6q/s4032/IMG_0414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKYcAuplwZ-BRVChWrS4xChZKV-DYf5fHRXgntcL3I81Pp5thuzR5nOgyGScNeIIIgrxLnZrUCtC2Lae6tLrMaHUJyfBWe4FVcxWqgzsA1Bqpc7VeWIY5aN4Olp9lnuEC1vnHbWN8SUfjcTuNDWrX-qiCfDJP673VOphzmD7R8OB1u1VS-JpElB6q/s320/IMG_0414.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Dames Rocket</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">No wonder it is blooming prolifically for several miles along the trail!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D3r5GbYRTHeK4iS8dVP24w12wkP0MppzTliVYK4fByG4KANS6KOVv82i-VCNwQ_8NUvZdWtvPCskMVsU4RMJfz1d3h18zGilyeh9ZQvQRdD9MgMnxWyG6BxageE3mrWbeSyrR9_LS5BkRXD4ZzaubUG7lJcTkJLXX6HGC4JUNPhAWh6N1g8BhDuG/s4032/IMG_0400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D3r5GbYRTHeK4iS8dVP24w12wkP0MppzTliVYK4fByG4KANS6KOVv82i-VCNwQ_8NUvZdWtvPCskMVsU4RMJfz1d3h18zGilyeh9ZQvQRdD9MgMnxWyG6BxageE3mrWbeSyrR9_LS5BkRXD4ZzaubUG7lJcTkJLXX6HGC4JUNPhAWh6N1g8BhDuG/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky loves the Pumpkinvine Trail because it's such a good workout, and the different habitats along the trail make it an interesting ride. You pass Amish farms and wide open spaces on the trail for a bit....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXOLHJZwDf0mMa-SxLcFlFEeL7Crl2WzO_-gDs8ZUsT4z7-nH2o8PMLW75KAW_rJN__sFJis0QubsHD6iHUJXuoPlO3oTgK6tAgv3XvgqPdDd8f3gbZvUZx_k3Gc3NqVMcn2WEqaEk6IwixhW6nJ-azMZJVcNEU68qcVSSnr48SnEybiNDdHszqq0/s4032/IMG_0452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXOLHJZwDf0mMa-SxLcFlFEeL7Crl2WzO_-gDs8ZUsT4z7-nH2o8PMLW75KAW_rJN__sFJis0QubsHD6iHUJXuoPlO3oTgK6tAgv3XvgqPdDd8f3gbZvUZx_k3Gc3NqVMcn2WEqaEk6IwixhW6nJ-azMZJVcNEU68qcVSSnr48SnEybiNDdHszqq0/s320/IMG_0452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">pass through shady forests....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eXDVPo-Xnx8l8rmWQOIZkh8OIWHI0A7_XMkwik9Z-vpEXsrPzLC7XvzvB9eICJbU6doN5Rm-sieahjgGgQHAiRTmxXbn8loHjtu_mxXTIQHrxlxE7pYJAIqc0tGdAf-9rUDdqXhbfi0mNEG637Aqwf1Gvalhg9YBtzNZ-JJokmasNoW6sHYxmBdM/s4032/IMG_0400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eXDVPo-Xnx8l8rmWQOIZkh8OIWHI0A7_XMkwik9Z-vpEXsrPzLC7XvzvB9eICJbU6doN5Rm-sieahjgGgQHAiRTmxXbn8loHjtu_mxXTIQHrxlxE7pYJAIqc0tGdAf-9rUDdqXhbfi0mNEG637Aqwf1Gvalhg9YBtzNZ-JJokmasNoW6sHYxmBdM/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3J9T2CqT3ky-CvVHdmzr1y5znYQ6vRxYaxorcDCfWuNcp5gWuRFIQgcuTjBR7Gst3-rQKMFW4LAee4jhvFgMhB0Xxg7rQ4d7T0jxjg2nXA9MtDe62c6aFAjug9KOa7M8tj68SqaOTvJzGEBDhLgBijAkPGZSLpLtWVU4spgfLnmhgJPhdEg8oSRK/s3088/IMG_0438.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3J9T2CqT3ky-CvVHdmzr1y5znYQ6vRxYaxorcDCfWuNcp5gWuRFIQgcuTjBR7Gst3-rQKMFW4LAee4jhvFgMhB0Xxg7rQ4d7T0jxjg2nXA9MtDe62c6aFAjug9KOa7M8tj68SqaOTvJzGEBDhLgBijAkPGZSLpLtWVU4spgfLnmhgJPhdEg8oSRK/w141-h189/IMG_0438.JPG" width="141" /></a></div>and bike through a little bit of small town offerings along the way (Middlebury's Mooey's Ice Cream, for one), where you can stop and grab a bite to eat or get an ice cream cone.</span><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you even see chickens who are tired of being cooped up, haha, and need to get out of the house for the day, haha..</span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">..</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityMFrQmsBx_Zmcl2tcAyUWJcMCUPE3PZs6fk8eqxAp90YTiRMxNmPZUCU9O9HGE3BB9KbwBqR8bmByX0IyISWVBmuhE6zLm2aAFDevBwSWJL4Wny4FIP0oevhksIoscPD8DO64VUhFC70nKNhTdx-kgcvvvmLXnIqWOcaaDK3f5PZdRRATnsh84b5/s4032/IMG_0398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityMFrQmsBx_Zmcl2tcAyUWJcMCUPE3PZs6fk8eqxAp90YTiRMxNmPZUCU9O9HGE3BB9KbwBqR8bmByX0IyISWVBmuhE6zLm2aAFDevBwSWJL4Wny4FIP0oevhksIoscPD8DO64VUhFC70nKNhTdx-kgcvvvmLXnIqWOcaaDK3f5PZdRRATnsh84b5/s320/IMG_0398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">They definitely like to cross the road, haha...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOwY1N0c7RqJgv4BRo-UIMBj7wItPGmpuLk51WbZezFNIsNOR4h3DdmTHhNKnxSI6meUZ_gIKSq-bmTAeqyu0D6QhU6OahQNrU6byqgjepJo6XR_bDe3HrGSsTeeRS7V5UwYvYLQcLpMKsfXhcp5lxfuEsqAQekNL3utabTWnI8ptFSYovHVa4NAAGvg/s4032/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOwY1N0c7RqJgv4BRo-UIMBj7wItPGmpuLk51WbZezFNIsNOR4h3DdmTHhNKnxSI6meUZ_gIKSq-bmTAeqyu0D6QhU6OahQNrU6byqgjepJo6XR_bDe3HrGSsTeeRS7V5UwYvYLQcLpMKsfXhcp5lxfuEsqAQekNL3utabTWnI8ptFSYovHVa4NAAGvg/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sparky likes to inspect the different flowers up close and personal. This wildflower is called Great Waterleaf, also called woolen breeches, and it had a bee zeroing in on it.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepZ8ZtARmiwDFGRwT11nyySMvhRHJO0KLiXvxKv95X4vWr2kUpY2_wvCEDi1hFqqaKhTELkq9BrniFvqSQv-YdrwVwQaCiW8R0qMXt4NP23v0Dd7_YuQUL3xM3rgLjE-7V-u0NzS8bTvj4hwsUhAuaeI3hxFhcU51VCK6b17tv38ucV7rJPAHF_PZ/s4032/IMG_0442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepZ8ZtARmiwDFGRwT11nyySMvhRHJO0KLiXvxKv95X4vWr2kUpY2_wvCEDi1hFqqaKhTELkq9BrniFvqSQv-YdrwVwQaCiW8R0qMXt4NP23v0Dd7_YuQUL3xM3rgLjE-7V-u0NzS8bTvj4hwsUhAuaeI3hxFhcU51VCK6b17tv38ucV7rJPAHF_PZ/s320/IMG_0442.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>As you come back to Abshire Park (Goshen) from your starting point, you will see one of the flower quilt gardens at the park. They have just planted another series of flower gardens this year all over in the towns of Elkhart, Bristol, Middlebury, Wakarusa, Nappanee, and Goshen, that by midsummer will fill in and make beautiful quilt patterns. It's part of a tour you can take--the <a href="https://www.visitelkhartcounty.com/things-to-do/attractions/quilt-gardens/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmtGjBhDhARIsAEqfDEcUqRMnWyP8tOLfBjB3YGYSgX2aJCKEf9TPPvptR-CMetw9mA-pgGsaAnIvEALw_wcB">Elkhart Quilt Gardens</a> (along the <a href="https://www.visitelkhartcounty.com/things-to-do/heritage-trail/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmtGjBhDhARIsAEqfDEfGi862JynuL5DdAEETY4I30aklNBjfgryg4iOyf1Yz6kpLMcjHKBMaArSiEALw_wcB">Heritage Trail</a>) and we will probably go visit most of them next month or early July when they will be at their prime. The Heritage Trail is an audio driving tour to see the area's attractions and the Amish lifestyle. You learn a LOT about this beautiful area on the tour. We did it years ago but will revisit it again in the near future to see what's new.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-Pr2VeR5N9EggVw_7WbyBUw6l7vFYrKW2m7s0RYM5S1zMMmWZ2-4QIzIsPHjJVZbqDI_z9m9OmE8x-gzlmevX0SwGyD23R9-g9LcixsvSiIFn8RMm8vVY-lAqWqDvnWHfEdNYL-Qvna5_RVP23lw-vI6ZjNESGu6wqQq93UZb-CYevjbigdOT82X/s4032/IMG_0426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-Pr2VeR5N9EggVw_7WbyBUw6l7vFYrKW2m7s0RYM5S1zMMmWZ2-4QIzIsPHjJVZbqDI_z9m9OmE8x-gzlmevX0SwGyD23R9-g9LcixsvSiIFn8RMm8vVY-lAqWqDvnWHfEdNYL-Qvna5_RVP23lw-vI6ZjNESGu6wqQq93UZb-CYevjbigdOT82X/s320/IMG_0426.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quilt garden at Abshire Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">No other news about the rig, other than the earliest we can get it in to be fixed is Aug. 14th, as we have said, so the wait continues.....Thank you for following along and keeping us company!</span></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-43117960691434702052023-05-19T20:28:00.005-04:002023-05-19T20:29:36.151-04:00The Beast is Ba-a-a-a-ck!<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb468lXxvb8TGw4kbEKq0nDZtO_8tB9VbABHzeBkq5SaYrb1AUtYPP8aMMk0jXp-PzUKgMxbeJAnV2jLdzxqExItwjnwjWne5rAFH2LTyi0OzrYXMysOqkM1kgvgkTJzJFlw77GXkNgO4CifmXcajvYNf-iLVpGLQXd3x25CcRUyP2KhacQmiIHIV/s4032/IMG_0324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb468lXxvb8TGw4kbEKq0nDZtO_8tB9VbABHzeBkq5SaYrb1AUtYPP8aMMk0jXp-PzUKgMxbeJAnV2jLdzxqExItwjnwjWne5rAFH2LTyi0OzrYXMysOqkM1kgvgkTJzJFlw77GXkNgO4CifmXcajvYNf-iLVpGLQXd3x25CcRUyP2KhacQmiIHIV/w366-h275/IMG_0324.JPG" width="366" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />After 31 days in the shop, we got our "Beast" back...our Dodge Ram 3500 dually. <b><a href="https://www.caliber.com/find-a-location/elkhart">Caliber Collision</a></b> in Elkhart did a fantastic job. The truck looks brand new. They kept us informed by text messages all along the way where they were in the completion of repairs. They even informed us of a recall for something called a <i>drag link</i>, something to do with the steering alignment. We had never received any notification from Chrysler/Dodge about that. Josh, the technician at Caliber, researched more about that as it is a two stage repair that should be covered under warranty, yet Chrysler is not making this recall widely known. We will tackle that hurdle in the near future. We highly recommend Caliber if you ever need body work done on your car or truck. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The latest on our Pinnacle fifth wheel is that Progressive was not happy with the 51,000.00 estimate from one repair company in the area and went "shopping" for two other possibilities for us. That 51,000.00 estimate was for replacing the entire side wall of the driver side of the RV along with a 12,000.00 cost for replacement decals (included in that cost). Everyone who has looked at the damage directly seems to think that big expense is not necessary, that the damaged fiberglass and frame can be repaired and the wall will still be structurally sound. After reviewing quotes, we have a repair date of August 14th with Allegiant RV Service and Sales. That's the soonest we can get in. We will discuss thoroughly our concerns about the difference in repair costs with both our insurance rep and the repair company about the repairs that are to be done. We want to be sure the rig will be structurally sound and not have cracking issues or other frame issues down the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, we CANNOT travel. We cannot risk the cracks and broken fiberglass/bent support frames getting worse if we travel somewhere, limping along with our rig. We are so lucky we were able to drive it back to Elkhart to get it fixed, so here we stay. We will be in Elkhart, IN all summer and well into the fall while we wait for the repairs to get done. Even if the rig should be completed sooner, Sparky is enjoying subbing so much that we have decided to stay till November so she can teach and earn some extra money. One can ALWAYS use some extra money, right? Like for craft supplies, haha. (Just kidding, Eldy!) </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is subbing a LOT--they really need subs. Sparky only subs K-3, for many reasons. Stay tuned for more on that later. The other day, a kid asked her, "How old are you?" And when she said, "Seventy-two", the kids all gasped and that same kid said, "DANG! That's OLD! How are you still alive?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkm_geicxdw8bVgpfYm7xvqQXZaPZZkG8dwAoVlttdiOQLyzLOhF7Ma3xDcnISSuBLOTz04oR8GvDgsGs_J8JLu8ZXK6bsJd_v1o22jln68YfTjWFjTxXtAXFJ9DfITMYosADSDl5kL6g9pMFs3cjDUR_cSwHke5rUKCRPN7ZqAfuRFivQ_CX2fUi/s4032/IMG_0302.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkm_geicxdw8bVgpfYm7xvqQXZaPZZkG8dwAoVlttdiOQLyzLOhF7Ma3xDcnISSuBLOTz04oR8GvDgsGs_J8JLu8ZXK6bsJd_v1o22jln68YfTjWFjTxXtAXFJ9DfITMYosADSDl5kL6g9pMFs3cjDUR_cSwHke5rUKCRPN7ZqAfuRFivQ_CX2fUi/s320/IMG_0302.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early May for trilliums</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Sparky has been riding the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail and watching the sequence of wildflowers blooming as the weeks move along and the temperatures warm. This is a wonderful bike trail, and Sparky has written about it many times. It's May and the trillium are waning....This deep rose one was a beauty and even as it fades, it's still gorgeous, a rare color on the trail.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuB94g9y9M_WJFSEMzijT4050ZKiSn3H0poonCF7dVeT_gELz28WJxdNRxnMv4hgpymKkAf_vXJ90NjOdLZBfjFl8zrCV6JeReoe4rF7DvehmZ7knekz7T0VuiDa4KKPPkzxsc75vltoL3w29N45D3Asj8sWO-x4t_LhPOj0TwGVauazO7iy59y8Z/s4032/IMG_0277.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuB94g9y9M_WJFSEMzijT4050ZKiSn3H0poonCF7dVeT_gELz28WJxdNRxnMv4hgpymKkAf_vXJ90NjOdLZBfjFl8zrCV6JeReoe4rF7DvehmZ7knekz7T0VuiDa4KKPPkzxsc75vltoL3w29N45D3Asj8sWO-x4t_LhPOj0TwGVauazO7iy59y8Z/s320/IMG_0277.heic" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The wild geranium are coming on strong.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzlpysUpseC6qxAoDZORCZX2CicnVvXCFrnvlv0ILnC6Jepdc4y2GRGtHRcjr-hIU14JRezRsa2DLo9xjCkcyhbdj4uaN4cDEYvdfs1nmdqluMNGmRq9h8uXp1Z4tlkuZocrfiYLVDexo8pKPPnjmE2IPqwPUXq1ywmNSxArDzm7t1zA6R3hiSf4Z/s4032/wild%20geranium.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzlpysUpseC6qxAoDZORCZX2CicnVvXCFrnvlv0ILnC6Jepdc4y2GRGtHRcjr-hIU14JRezRsa2DLo9xjCkcyhbdj4uaN4cDEYvdfs1nmdqluMNGmRq9h8uXp1Z4tlkuZocrfiYLVDexo8pKPPnjmE2IPqwPUXq1ywmNSxArDzm7t1zA6R3hiSf4Z/s320/wild%20geranium.heic" width="240" /></a></div>Greater celandine are adding a beautiful yellow POP to the scenery....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc1b5X1Mpm_KzFxs8jfIs63a3KHeNpROIZFQECr-qFN15qyy2Lf0xYc7ymCWrXln567PJJo1wi2r8KQL_sgCVNY-5r5nhERlK6FDAkTocBrJ2sDXz1uA56ekfh4jUwx27DoRcAdt92OdNnqDSaAEc_gW0UL9jOiWhibdy0vpUuoZkOrzA_hwo84Kw/s4032/greater%20celadine.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc1b5X1Mpm_KzFxs8jfIs63a3KHeNpROIZFQECr-qFN15qyy2Lf0xYc7ymCWrXln567PJJo1wi2r8KQL_sgCVNY-5r5nhERlK6FDAkTocBrJ2sDXz1uA56ekfh4jUwx27DoRcAdt92OdNnqDSaAEc_gW0UL9jOiWhibdy0vpUuoZkOrzA_hwo84Kw/s320/greater%20celadine.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you get on the Pumpkinvine Trail between Abshire Park in Goshen and head towards Middlebury, you pass an Amish ice cream shop called "Mooey's". They have good burgers and great ice cream, and a small farm pen out back where you can see newborn piglets in spring and this awesome turkey strutting his stuff. One of Sparky's dubious skills is she can really gobble like a turkey, so when nobody was around at the moment, she let loose with some gobbledygook, but this one wasn't having any of it and strutted off. (Sparky also clucks and communes regularly with the chickens in the chicken coop right outside our door, explains E.) We get to have fresh eggs, still warm from laying for breakfast! (FOCUS, Sparky! reminds Eldo).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5RAH2HThEi0womXXbqJNt9_i49gZQZdX6GHYxryBvWY2J2ASgPDPWhsW5vRE0pmJIaYXcT090HVXK7EMVy5LXPf2Y899R5uxgG2Gw5Y8EyU5DM04hJAYBkQf_klUt9YJEPY9pClU_Lz01nH6wGsUZPFf4fag8hLrSXaXKKTfWlAvXyU4S0pWoyVB/s4032/IMG_0297.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5RAH2HThEi0womXXbqJNt9_i49gZQZdX6GHYxryBvWY2J2ASgPDPWhsW5vRE0pmJIaYXcT090HVXK7EMVy5LXPf2Y899R5uxgG2Gw5Y8EyU5DM04hJAYBkQf_klUt9YJEPY9pClU_Lz01nH6wGsUZPFf4fag8hLrSXaXKKTfWlAvXyU4S0pWoyVB/s320/IMG_0297.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>Oh, right. Many local Amish frequent this ice cream shop that opens in late April. In they come on horseback down the country lane, in their buggies or on their bikes, so you can hobnob with the Amish, although very briefly. They are reticent, usually, and photos are a big no-no, but it's great to see the old order Amish and their families enjoying ice cream as much as the next person. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Eldy is going to take up golf again while we are here. He's got more family in this area, and they are all excited to have him here for awhile to play golf and visit. So he's enjoying picking up the sport again!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, with that update, we will leave you right there....If we do anything noteworthy or new developments crop up, we will keep you posted! Thanks for reading and following along with us....</div><div> </div><div> Sparky and Eldo</div></span><p></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-35246789949355238962023-04-26T11:40:00.005-04:002023-04-26T11:41:49.104-04:00We Wait.....<p><span style="font-size: large;">We've been throwing a LOT of scenarios around in our heads, while waiting to hear the fate of our Pinnacle 5th wheel. (The truck is now in the shop undergoing repairs). After we got over the shock of the cost of parts and labor to fix the RV, which is just under what we initially paid for it, we started planning alternatives should they total our RV. We might rent an apartment and recoup some costs while Sparky teaches, we might sell our truck and get a smaller, towable car in the event we go from a fifth wheel to a class A motorhome (the drivable "box on wheels"). We might come off the road altogether, but that is at the bottom of both our lists of "what ifs...."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZFPcoKM3uZyHd5cyWfrS9kLm3zjLO5o4NsbIO8PKxG6Tmnvs6nSCnloXQG-hzD8txXL4bevGtSS73qqwM_Inn7ag4OWvQ4oCI3jrdLVeorAfaLRK64Uk9IPFVE6lFWsvNOL4bwQfigq4GxlCF5alcCaRnVVQEQmx3Z9ZXjwsP8UeIo-HJLdkOsEH/s4032/IMG_0113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZFPcoKM3uZyHd5cyWfrS9kLm3zjLO5o4NsbIO8PKxG6Tmnvs6nSCnloXQG-hzD8txXL4bevGtSS73qqwM_Inn7ag4OWvQ4oCI3jrdLVeorAfaLRK64Uk9IPFVE6lFWsvNOL4bwQfigq4GxlCF5alcCaRnVVQEQmx3Z9ZXjwsP8UeIo-HJLdkOsEH/s320/IMG_0113.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">massive burrito at El Maguey</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, we are enjoying driving a smaller vehicle, the Nissan Rogue, eating at some great Elkhart restaurants (Michael's Italian Village-terrific Italian), Heinnie's Back Barn (great steaks), El Maguey Mexican Restaurant (great street tacos and burritos) and Sparky's subbing adventures.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This past week there was an active shooter drill at one of Sparky's subbing assignments. In the old days, it was just called a drill. It might have been called a Code Red, or a Code Blue drill or an acronym, and we used to just have weather drills (!), but now, in many schools, there are ALICE drills. ALICE stands for: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter (countermeasures), and Evacuate (when necessary). If you google this alert, it tells you all about the different steps when an intruder or active shooter is in the building and the pros and cons of such a program being used in the schools.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Because of the current events and school shootings, ALICE drills are conducted by announcing over the intercom using very specific scenarios, at least they are IN THIS AREA--like "There is an active shooter in the northwest corner of the building. He is wearing a blue hoodie. Take cover." Sparky was in a first grade classroom, helping the teacher. No matter how many times we tell the kids it was just a drill, there will always a couple of kids who constantly ask, "Is it real? Is this the real thing? I'm scared. I want my mommy." They cry or they shake like a leaf, with tears rolling down their face. It was so real. That's the idea, make it so real to expose the kids and staff so often in these drills, that it will become a habit to take cover silently or to exit the building as fast as you can and not cry or make noise the next time. Sparky witnessed a little girl comforting her classmate by stroking her arm, trying to soothe her as tears ran down her face. Geez, that's a lot for small children and their teachers to have to endure. A friend said to Sparky that whenever she goes anywhere any more, she always looks for hiding places and exit strategies thanks to her active shooter training when she was a teacher. Isn't that a sad commentary on the state of affairs these days?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On a more positive note--There are some interesting sights to see in the Elkhart area and Elkhart County. Most people know about the RV Museum, the quilt garden trail in the spring and summer, the Riverwalk, but there are also cool art installations all around town. The famous themed elk statues grace many corners of businesses and RV factories in town. They've been around for awhile but still are cool to see. This one is in front of a library.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXc2P4dj8zeyO3MSwrwWxK13yPXJMiSkQ53oUy4jm1ZtdmhL4GxjMzxj3oPdgR-I5YESwGYeKym45YlwwKVg6M2hBdO9NWdtWDC7sSLXqLeqfcB0xqIGUk2FDvK6HycIM_oR0C8uOfnZwncW8eioUlW5nfj_W8OztaefzZ43tUeJ--4WSLbwz1CIi/s4032/IMG_6075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXc2P4dj8zeyO3MSwrwWxK13yPXJMiSkQ53oUy4jm1ZtdmhL4GxjMzxj3oPdgR-I5YESwGYeKym45YlwwKVg6M2hBdO9NWdtWDC7sSLXqLeqfcB0xqIGUk2FDvK6HycIM_oR0C8uOfnZwncW8eioUlW5nfj_W8OztaefzZ43tUeJ--4WSLbwz1CIi/s320/IMG_6075.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWV4zXlpXRp0bxDMVocRPfYIClvUwa7FpeWxHONjtB4ZOauX-U5-kSWX-Hw0kbbEc0X60fzH815L8oPTRLCxpVFMexbmHEToEMPUpwRK_LAX7DQvFwC66AYNZLdEaURfFGr-UOdQM7EzjjmPLPbaTSIE2zzYP9OQsjtWRwLFvmc_DsJllCmUBhLPU/s4032/IMG_0120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWV4zXlpXRp0bxDMVocRPfYIClvUwa7FpeWxHONjtB4ZOauX-U5-kSWX-Hw0kbbEc0X60fzH815L8oPTRLCxpVFMexbmHEToEMPUpwRK_LAX7DQvFwC66AYNZLdEaURfFGr-UOdQM7EzjjmPLPbaTSIE2zzYP9OQsjtWRwLFvmc_DsJllCmUBhLPU/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JVKwP9d4wtqTrflOdaLwWtZTGnhbPnmTVPtVNIofYOCNdC9GIaPQI6kxTlVutgOdqH68a47pzr-AXdUJ5CqX_A7l60KmQ394o-48fX_5fPl2ShQcL-__eeveiakfobieFZJZHQdegOyXlPP177utQeCXoQvIjhC0Rz5IiQinkGi4FNPdH-bnqIS4/s4032/IMG_0123.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JVKwP9d4wtqTrflOdaLwWtZTGnhbPnmTVPtVNIofYOCNdC9GIaPQI6kxTlVutgOdqH68a47pzr-AXdUJ5CqX_A7l60KmQ394o-48fX_5fPl2ShQcL-__eeveiakfobieFZJZHQdegOyXlPP177utQeCXoQvIjhC0Rz5IiQinkGi4FNPdH-bnqIS4/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />We were driving around Nappanee, IN, and saw a short bike trail with art installations on it. This was called the Apple Orchard, and had "It's a-peeling" artwork to see. (Groan....) You can see the Amish and dairy culture is important here. Sparky will have to check out the bike trail on a nicer day.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky liked this one...It's called "Work Until Dusk" by Karol Keller.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFSCk6pOE59B3kND89r83CH9rnqAlQGmtC1Uin_xshBkY1U1OxwLxN0wwHLs7cnd1pDACUxaqlOCbbLszmQkQdm9t5wZvwUzoB7j4-KlCB9HjUX4Op61QJgpZcb-Vxs8yOYKH3VerZSzltaePTFXPQubCCvXptWAMNmhfPFvyKJikF_G3YcO2JawA/s4032/IMG_0128.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFSCk6pOE59B3kND89r83CH9rnqAlQGmtC1Uin_xshBkY1U1OxwLxN0wwHLs7cnd1pDACUxaqlOCbbLszmQkQdm9t5wZvwUzoB7j4-KlCB9HjUX4Op61QJgpZcb-Vxs8yOYKH3VerZSzltaePTFXPQubCCvXptWAMNmhfPFvyKJikF_G3YcO2JawA/s320/IMG_0128.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's been very cold and rainy here, and occasionally sleeting. Temps are near freezing at night. We have seen little bits of snow here and there, too, so too cold to go ride the Pumpkinvine Trail. So when you can't ride, it's time to go get Amish "crack" donuts! We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Rise and Roll Bakery. THE best donuts in the area, if you like yeast donuts. These are maple glazed....YUMMY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuBmicSGrmJB8skZBJGuDhrGMg2bUyHoFgU7cxl5f_JhQbVanUg6W-0sIHP-1UMVsvdh6s6zaAyeBMqOWChgn1zimY5GooajzfrqBPR0pg4dzFJYyd3f9ofDrdCZpkz9tftq02S2tOxRaLz4tD9PntsBPM3x36-rrrSUP7RbhMfGuIGbgS4CioYbW/s3543/IMG_0130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="3543" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuBmicSGrmJB8skZBJGuDhrGMg2bUyHoFgU7cxl5f_JhQbVanUg6W-0sIHP-1UMVsvdh6s6zaAyeBMqOWChgn1zimY5GooajzfrqBPR0pg4dzFJYyd3f9ofDrdCZpkz9tftq02S2tOxRaLz4tD9PntsBPM3x36-rrrSUP7RbhMfGuIGbgS4CioYbW/s320/IMG_0130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFmYDOcMvY9jJo6xZdA5VJ1nEn4745wPiFxeStIn5yak_kxyNBeTIO9viQwWv6oFqWbuXDkGD4iJlNTZ8iX4laLpE9s3Cfs_6Oq0OnKjXlMPVa6ddi0UTc45d_bk1hNRLHRS66pzfmZ_hDNgJW4hCflX9E_VGVM4ueKsbWyZFSMv9ZTTFK69XnR_o/s4032/IMG_0134.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFmYDOcMvY9jJo6xZdA5VJ1nEn4745wPiFxeStIn5yak_kxyNBeTIO9viQwWv6oFqWbuXDkGD4iJlNTZ8iX4laLpE9s3Cfs_6Oq0OnKjXlMPVa6ddi0UTc45d_bk1hNRLHRS66pzfmZ_hDNgJW4hCflX9E_VGVM4ueKsbWyZFSMv9ZTTFK69XnR_o/s320/IMG_0134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The classic best seller is the cinnamon powdered sugar donuts. And, there are now more locations of Rise and Roll in the area for your donut eating pleasure--Rise and Roll Bakery in Middlebury, Rise and Roll on Cassopolis St in Elkhart, Rise and Roll on State Road 19, and Rise and Roll in Mishawaka. (Hmmmm...somebody has been attacking the cinnamon sugar ones, laughs Eldo.) Sigh....They are SO-O-O-O good.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWmDwxTogImn8xHAII5WDVHDenJvU9t2pyohqL1G2RumNTWavsJCFKijX5mM0IM8qwtouXcxar4BHBDBBbMykWmxr9mxXOTGboafcUSWD5rWBTLKKdazKYOsjCb17FXEdvYZ6ENlO0dX6LQvNatNSc1yrl8sVOpGjXmYX1wxgzIOzJX7lb-CzF0KI/s4032/IMG_0135.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWmDwxTogImn8xHAII5WDVHDenJvU9t2pyohqL1G2RumNTWavsJCFKijX5mM0IM8qwtouXcxar4BHBDBBbMykWmxr9mxXOTGboafcUSWD5rWBTLKKdazKYOsjCb17FXEdvYZ6ENlO0dX6LQvNatNSc1yrl8sVOpGjXmYX1wxgzIOzJX7lb-CzF0KI/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Sparky is crafting......she is working on peyote stitch beaded pen wraps....This one is for the horoscope sign in July--Cancer the crab. It's almost finished...It will be wrapped around a G-2 Pilot ball point pen and is reusable over and over again. All you have to do is replace the ink cartridge without taking off the wrap. But you could slide it off and put it on another G-2 pen barrel very easily. Here is a camo one she did awhile back. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtJDeabY1ltU8p0ABD2Mw0EFbTIBi1xszFLL7MCSaZIdZ3TpFvb-EuIW07VUx2mQcKM-KTWo05LD4Mp1nJQb2GVRIK_-5HGLzeUmFrBBZ3jDglw5-VHYyahjjk4or0C_WQJ_ZignPPmsUI5LucdXg9rOmRyKgoQjC3YCcYntfH63KR-8Tab3KO2Y7/s4032/IMG_9734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtJDeabY1ltU8p0ABD2Mw0EFbTIBi1xszFLL7MCSaZIdZ3TpFvb-EuIW07VUx2mQcKM-KTWo05LD4Mp1nJQb2GVRIK_-5HGLzeUmFrBBZ3jDglw5-VHYyahjjk4or0C_WQJ_ZignPPmsUI5LucdXg9rOmRyKgoQjC3YCcYntfH63KR-8Tab3KO2Y7/s320/IMG_9734.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>These are going in Sparky's Etsy shop, </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanBeanGifts?ref=shop_sugg_market"><span>JeanBeanGifts</span></a><span>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And so...We wait some more.....Couldn't think of a better place to wait than surrounded by family, Eldy's family has welcomed us with open arms. We're so glad to have a comfortable place to stay while we work out these issues with our rig and truck. Thank you, Brian and Lori and family.....See you around Elkhart.....</span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span>Sparky and Eldo</span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></p></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-31131325480949063642023-04-18T18:50:00.000-04:002023-04-18T18:50:03.114-04:00The Beast Goes in for Repairs...<p><span style="font-size: large;">The beast is our Dodge Laramie Ram 350 dually diesel. It went in for repairs this week to <b>Caliber Collision</b> in Elkhart and parts are present and accounted for at the shop. Woo-hoo! Three weeks is the estimate...So our insurance company has a rental agreement with Enterprise. We're glad of that, we've had good experiences with Enterprise in the past and this time was no exception. Somehow, the appointment time was mixed up and we had to sit and wait about an hour past our time for them to come and get us to take care of the rental paperwork. When the agent got there, she was SUPER nice, and said that since we had to wait past our appointment time, she upgraded us to a nicer car for no additional charge! Thank you, Danielle! Here is our ride for the next 3 weeks or so....A Nissan Rogue SV. It's almost new, with only 4,000 miles on it. It's really pretty on the inside and gets really great gas mileage. We're really going to enjoy not paying diesel prices (3.99 and up locally) for awhile.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0362V2ACgbUrvxTTJ5atgYFrTqVChSyDyPJn8r3HL9g4mdwe3Jr5tddL9-UcxtlxqAEy8Ewpw9B_yDoYdoXkrsXXL5d6_uN3-nSkXDShn-zwpW5e1R45N6NKjBtpje0kQQ6NpSKA-_TkGR3ZNwdyIiwHGt6OYHL6l2wKyZfo0rka3hCeviElGffUz/s4032/IMG_0109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0362V2ACgbUrvxTTJ5atgYFrTqVChSyDyPJn8r3HL9g4mdwe3Jr5tddL9-UcxtlxqAEy8Ewpw9B_yDoYdoXkrsXXL5d6_uN3-nSkXDShn-zwpW5e1R45N6NKjBtpje0kQQ6NpSKA-_TkGR3ZNwdyIiwHGt6OYHL6l2wKyZfo0rka3hCeviElGffUz/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLdmKWDHaG1LFkUAhQcVrRNxNc3j95txkQicRiWS-IN-2jmbopWb0mKMTDAjQH9a9r_2h7WFCnSR1E2lqAGxIJpqFxJ27Tg3DCecPTU1FQH3cJzVSzcUoIB1Hn4v9KN1bRkxBwmNoUpSk-O82-4P8XuMNfttU_ejB1-jNCw184kn5CqVtRLD4P9zt/s4032/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLdmKWDHaG1LFkUAhQcVrRNxNc3j95txkQicRiWS-IN-2jmbopWb0mKMTDAjQH9a9r_2h7WFCnSR1E2lqAGxIJpqFxJ27Tg3DCecPTU1FQH3cJzVSzcUoIB1Hn4v9KN1bRkxBwmNoUpSk-O82-4P8XuMNfttU_ejB1-jNCw184kn5CqVtRLD4P9zt/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fabric panels on the side doors</td></tr></tbody></table>And, it's wonderful to be driving a vehicle that is so easy to park! And it gets over 30 mpg. in town and over 36 on the highway! It has blind spot monitoring! And it's super comfortable to ride in and fun to drive, too! (Hmmmm....Sparky REALLY likes this car, doesn't she?) Yup.</span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky has been subbing a LOT lately. The kids have been amazingly awesome so far, and really, not any horrendous classes--YET. Guaranteed there will be a few of those. Sparky would like to share one story that she shared on FB, so it will be a keeper in the memory bank. Apologies for repeating the story if you saw it on FB. So-o-o-o-o....One teacher left a conglomerate set of complicated lesson plans that were almost 80% technology reliant, on a Windows computer. Problem #1. Sparky hasn't worked in Windows for over 15 years. Problem #2. Sparky is not familiar with all the cute little icons that represent specific school programs--the ones that tell you which one is attendance, which one is the document camera, how to access power point slides, and how to move back and forth all morning long with the different little tabs, opening and closing without permanently closing something needed, etc. etc. Problem #3--it takes TIME to figure out the bazillion tabs open across the top of the computer, but there were also TWO computers at the teacher desk. Which one was the right one that connected to the overhead projector or the white board? Hmmmmm...the kids were getting antsy, Sparky was opening one tab after another trying to find the morning work slides, trying to figure out how navigate between different programs on the Windows computer without accidentally closing a window she might need later, etc. Not only were the computer screens in back of her, but she had to turn her back on the class to fuss with them--never a good idea. As her frustrations were mounting, the kids could tell she was getting a little upset. All of a sudden, it got deathly quiet in the room. That's usually NOT a good sign. Sparky turned around, and every single kid, all 20 of them, second graders, had laid their heads down on their desks and were waiting patiently and silently for her to resume teaching. NOBODY told them to do that, they just did it. Sparky almost cried, she was so moved and grateful for their understanding. THAT was a magical moment. They got a special treat later in the day. Teddy Graham treats. Sparky ALWAYS carries some kind of treat in her "bag of tricks". Welch's Fruity Snacks are another kid fave. These days the snacks should be gluten free, free of red dye #3 if possible, and other cautions have to be researched before passing out. Any peanut allergies? Could somebody possibly choke on a Jolly Rancher? These are serious considerations! Stickers are not as popular as they used to be. Food is ALWAYS popular. There are ALWAYS hungry kids who haven't gotten enough to eat during the day....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Next up, an on site inspection and estimate for our Pinnacle RV. That happens next week. We'll keep you posted!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-76389487072863999602023-04-15T10:49:00.011-04:002023-04-15T10:53:31.875-04:00The Process Begins.....<p><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Elkhart on Tuesday, ahead of a big midwest storm.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We were supposed to get large hail and bad wind, but it went to the north of us. Whew!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxRVpQXKjkbOdAU_vQ4mtFHZ63eezbeN2yWybkt6b9SZnHVqms_dcHsQLGOlpdQ2OjY8ZXGhxaFaGrxQaUljts016fAD1m1dpMCsieeT-SQV7l94-2LrIF4OMs2kR5nshI_0Qj-iU3e-DeG2nYw56YxQqQUd3SBv0piObR7JIkbIEckbuq8EKghxc/s4032/cool%20firepit.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxRVpQXKjkbOdAU_vQ4mtFHZ63eezbeN2yWybkt6b9SZnHVqms_dcHsQLGOlpdQ2OjY8ZXGhxaFaGrxQaUljts016fAD1m1dpMCsieeT-SQV7l94-2LrIF4OMs2kR5nshI_0Qj-iU3e-DeG2nYw56YxQqQUd3SBv0piObR7JIkbIEckbuq8EKghxc/s320/cool%20firepit.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We are all settled in at Camp Tompkins, (Eldy's son's house). We have a HUGE site (haha--Brian's side yard), access to a fitness room (an exercise bike), a fire pit outdoors with beautiful Amish made Adirondack rockers, and a gorgeous flowing pond.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y2Sa-_jMP-v4tl_zydBEDTy_hSOVeZnLDCaRz0I9W9yxCbBDVhcYaCMl_bQCPTB1_j7QQexP3ir4IUtR1E1dtK52crcatHGzMz0zVHS0XwU3ngDyGf5m-1hXstpILJufo77K0RWbHt5RXbsjHGlCb87HB53-hphMfr_ogWezZouC2W1lk7u70TH9/s4032/pond.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y2Sa-_jMP-v4tl_zydBEDTy_hSOVeZnLDCaRz0I9W9yxCbBDVhcYaCMl_bQCPTB1_j7QQexP3ir4IUtR1E1dtK52crcatHGzMz0zVHS0XwU3ngDyGf5m-1hXstpILJufo77K0RWbHt5RXbsjHGlCb87HB53-hphMfr_ogWezZouC2W1lk7u70TH9/s320/pond.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Also a shower house comes with the site (bathroom basement shower) should we happen to fill our grey tanks too quickly, haha. We don't have a sewer connection, but we found a local company, <b>Cripes Sewer</b>, that will pump out our black tanks for 80.00 each time if we are here for longer than two weeks at a time. Wastewater management is a must when you are <b style="font-style: italic;">mootchdocking-(</b>staying with relatives) and you only have water and electric hookup. We have onboard storage tanks for when we are not hooked up to sewer. We have two black tanks-one for the main bathroom in the RV and one for the half bath. We have two gray tanks--one for the shower and sinks, and one for the kitchen sink. Gray water (the soapy dishwater and running water from sinks) can be dumped into a drain or at the edge of the woods on the property, but the black tanks have to be pumped or cleared out by dumping into a portable potty type canister, which we don't have, or by a septic service. The black tanks will fill in about two weeks, the gray tanks fill much sooner. So we watch and make sure to be ready when we need to dump. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">How do you know when you need to dump? Most RV's have gauges that are supposed to show you how full your tanks are. But many RV black and gray tank gauges quit working after awhile because "stuff" gets stuck on the sides of the tanks and gunks up the gauges, rendering them pretty useless. There are all kinds of methods out there to supposedly clear your gauges and get them working again. Dawn dish detergent, fabric softener, ice cubes--(dump them down the toilet and then while you drive they are supposed to knock the stuff off the sides of the tank as they melt.) But despite our best efforts to keep the tanks clean and using different methods to clean them, our gauges quit working accurately not long after we got our rig. So how do you know when to dump if the gauges are not accurate? </span><span style="font-size: large;">When you can see the water in the tank in the toilet start to come up to the opening in the toilet bowl, it's time to dump the black. When the shower stall drains super slow, it's time to dump the gray. (Or else your drain might be clogged with hair and gooey soap.) We are very informal about keeping track. That's just what we do.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">After you've been RVing for awhile, you learn when it's time. The size of your tanks also determine how long you can go before dumping. (SPARKY! That's more than anybody wanted to know!....exclaims Eldo.) Well sure, but some people have no idea what living in an RV is like and how essential things are handled, so Sparky just threw that in today....She didn't intend to get anal about it.....HAHAHAHAHA! (GROAN.......)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail as Abshire Park in Goshen, is about seven miles away, so Sparky is going to get back on that while we wait each day to hear about estimates for repairs. The truck goes in Tuesday for repairs and will be tied up for about three weeks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwitQpaCUobyssKbDZLDDycCT0ivu5G0IMuPn14VHsN654_qDO03poTTgBq5TE2zaxNR2wgAGoX6g13WD811DnuOEYQQNoaHbmnvM6GOk5Rei0LepuTLM3AzsXfZW3ZLrMxsRjXlhOolq0_-5uHK_tQmlAd6Gj2oz8m4eOy1-fgSuxQ_dD2WUnNCf/s4032/IMG_0027.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwitQpaCUobyssKbDZLDDycCT0ivu5G0IMuPn14VHsN654_qDO03poTTgBq5TE2zaxNR2wgAGoX6g13WD811DnuOEYQQNoaHbmnvM6GOk5Rei0LepuTLM3AzsXfZW3ZLrMxsRjXlhOolq0_-5uHK_tQmlAd6Gj2oz8m4eOy1-fgSuxQ_dD2WUnNCf/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky is glad to have the Pumpkinvine bike trail to take her mind off things like insurance claims. That is such a great trail! Paved most of the way, solid level gravel in parts, it's always a great way to see the Amish lifestyle and Amish folks out and about. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMD9e_btXKyR6s4E9rJ6HV3ZYPKMv8x0YLTwUFxZFqwJdrDEdfWOnCDXgBpJhbz7QODpO0tqSg3LMdI7hohtR7LbWEZ2vRo9cs2ya6H7R2pUGJ9_IrGSqdTRtN-KlJQzuCX293EDdkrxSkr7Fn2xGEvGv67Qnhp7r3T56UAhZHDzfe6ByVe1CZ67/s4032/IMG_0014.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMD9e_btXKyR6s4E9rJ6HV3ZYPKMv8x0YLTwUFxZFqwJdrDEdfWOnCDXgBpJhbz7QODpO0tqSg3LMdI7hohtR7LbWEZ2vRo9cs2ya6H7R2pUGJ9_IrGSqdTRtN-KlJQzuCX293EDdkrxSkr7Fn2xGEvGv67Qnhp7r3T56UAhZHDzfe6ByVe1CZ67/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Today, Sparky rode on the trail for 14 miles. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday and the Amish were dressed in their finery, returning from church and walking home. The women had on starched white bibs over long black dresses and wore black bonnets. The men wore white shirts, black coats, black pants and black hats. The kids were dressed in black and white as well. Sparky saw a little boy go running down a county road towards his farmhouse, all dressed up for Sunday church but no shoes on, running barefoot and carefree down the lane. It seems like the Amish are ahead of the theory of "grounding", letting your bare feet connect with nature, the woods, the grass, the earth, which is becoming a trendy term these days, as they go barefoot a LOT, even in cold weather! They go barefoot, it is said, to feel closer to God and the earth. The connection with nature, as part of God's creation, is an important part of the Amish culture.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's early April and the only wildflowers spotted today were <i>hepatica, </i>the first among the many wildflowers that will eventually bloom along the trail.....The flowers are most commonly blue or lavender and they are really starting to pop along the trail.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1fJT_Ky6XtQQhPYUVEsv4DKR6Laz-nGtymQrCyoCNZHF-XfNUpiUwSrcdcEB7YHCFDtpCibqdc4nUlzXdL8uhVr_GOEGglxUrag2fxLmvwow7XEjDtLNTqOKsJbtrMe9525bBfQ2Li91d0ekmhQ_2nvCNVgTi9ruzKjobB7e4HqtxDrSJ9go2pgD/s4032/IMG_0020.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1fJT_Ky6XtQQhPYUVEsv4DKR6Laz-nGtymQrCyoCNZHF-XfNUpiUwSrcdcEB7YHCFDtpCibqdc4nUlzXdL8uhVr_GOEGglxUrag2fxLmvwow7XEjDtLNTqOKsJbtrMe9525bBfQ2Li91d0ekmhQ_2nvCNVgTi9ruzKjobB7e4HqtxDrSJ9go2pgD/w388-h291/IMG_0020.HEIC" width="388" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky went riding a few days later, and more is blooming. How about the beautiful Star Magnolia? Incredible blossoms.....</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0eFE09FjpmJV5BfZQ5_btHTx8fSpwsO55HQz6UlOq5_nYjMzsfuisRrdB1cxCsE_Z4nB3ESfrljAEmCnxOh8smtzMgEvTOAp7bUGgDuXILERNqG5eCFhLH1yF3zNFdG5cnTXJNN8B6skg9bqAzV42SuT_087Ev7cpBB0N04YtB5slGWyjaCYmpBY/s4032/IMG_0059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0eFE09FjpmJV5BfZQ5_btHTx8fSpwsO55HQz6UlOq5_nYjMzsfuisRrdB1cxCsE_Z4nB3ESfrljAEmCnxOh8smtzMgEvTOAp7bUGgDuXILERNqG5eCFhLH1yF3zNFdG5cnTXJNN8B6skg9bqAzV42SuT_087Ev7cpBB0N04YtB5slGWyjaCYmpBY/s320/IMG_0059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div>Sometimes you can see a small bison herd right outside the Jayco factory plants along the trail...the calves are out and about with their mamas. It just seems a little weird to see bison grazing right outside of RV factories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiougQqhma-SS-3DUyuphCUjst1zSIqI9MGRC-Nf9OpVHSejAxyzjSqAlOv9IRMDIZ9qJfWEvfF9wuUPJtlQQTYwbrQheAJt6IFEQ0rqplDT1_wJTnX5PdGONdRTrFbQ-z74PvEf0PwDK42ODony5fORlw0qO56BbzszhmMrMZgKaiQvQj2-0N6xbB6/s4032/IMG_0055.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiougQqhma-SS-3DUyuphCUjst1zSIqI9MGRC-Nf9OpVHSejAxyzjSqAlOv9IRMDIZ9qJfWEvfF9wuUPJtlQQTYwbrQheAJt6IFEQ0rqplDT1_wJTnX5PdGONdRTrFbQ-z74PvEf0PwDK42ODony5fORlw0qO56BbzszhmMrMZgKaiQvQj2-0N6xbB6/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Sparky started subbing in the local schools. Whoooo-eeee! The kids are a handful! Doesn't matter whether you are in kindergarten (average class size of 20 little rascals, you can count on somebody always pitching a royal hissy fit over some perceived wrong, somebody kicking and hollering on the floor, and somebody who is already VERY ADD or somebody just not ready for kindergarten), or managing a tough 4th grade class--(the highest Sparky will go, since girl drama has now gone from middle school down to 4th grade). BUT--she still loves it. Kindergarten especially, even if they are a handful. Who doesn't love a young child who, within minutes of meeting you, comes up to you, gives you a great big hug and says, "I love you!" and that's multiple times a day! Sparky has brushed up on lots of useful classroom management tips gathered over the years and some fresh new ones. And here's how you know you are teaching kindergarten for the day...</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGx-y7NeiDIRCVGExfzXR6Uvkw-loQFVVKVNrlPjzGdASlsodrFvDXQLAcVGzE2aqbgwLfHKG-iOmhPlJayynpMZVM1fwYeTqxTfUVFKXdMTdlj2XZstXiXC5wQUC6BHtc-ro85Ehp63YEdKJpOo7L4Qk1E08n5ZcDJEbElnwdvMx4zmfrwMaU79j/s4032/IMG_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGx-y7NeiDIRCVGExfzXR6Uvkw-loQFVVKVNrlPjzGdASlsodrFvDXQLAcVGzE2aqbgwLfHKG-iOmhPlJayynpMZVM1fwYeTqxTfUVFKXdMTdlj2XZstXiXC5wQUC6BHtc-ro85Ehp63YEdKJpOo7L4Qk1E08n5ZcDJEbElnwdvMx4zmfrwMaU79j/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Teachers of elementary kids like to use "call backs" to get kids to simmer down and focus, even if it's for short periods of time. It works pretty well. You say, "Macaroni and cheese!" And the kids respond with, "Everybody freeze!" And they stop what they are doing...Hopefully. Times have changed. Now we use...Teacher: "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" Kids: "SpongeBob Square Pants!" Or this from DoJa Cat on Tik Tok.....Teacher: "Why don't you......Kids: "Say so!" Sparky doesn't do Tik Tok, so that one probably is not going to be used. She likes to use, "Waterfall, waterfall...." and the kids make movements with their hands like a waterfall running down and say, "SH-H-H-H-H-H...."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After the first day Sparky was EXHAUSTED. Her feet hurt, her back hurt, and it was challenging. But--she is meeting some great young minds, teachers' and kids', and loving to see what teachers are now doing and using in the classroom. It's been three years since she last subbed. Stay tuned for a few school stories now and then. After all, this is still a travel blog but we aren't moving for awhile while we wait to get stuff fixed. But, we might take some day trips, you never know! So Sparky is going to mix it up a bit as far as topics.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This week Eldy (a.k.a. Eldo) celebrated his quarter century birthday! We had a great family dinner at Michael's Restaurant in Elkhart, which gets 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's a terrific Italian restaurant! Great Italian subs, mostaccioli, lasagna, pizza and more. Here is the birthday boy and his new toy from his family.... A remote control car....Vroom, vroom!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXsYqS4-AkVXkaqqMkrtKXEpfwpitxCLQ-vnJ7_Pd0Oyjv52oGyccSbVb_z2QyB07E0WNO6IhlvVPh_SF_ZpIeewTYXtKbvk2X67m8q4JUXhYRZVM0UF1jh5I4n38mDc4rmcjPTN0lpXBDnyGX7wk5x8wss6HJLBAarmyX7r21z5x-s3dBcbQDJLr/s4032/eldy%2075th.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXsYqS4-AkVXkaqqMkrtKXEpfwpitxCLQ-vnJ7_Pd0Oyjv52oGyccSbVb_z2QyB07E0WNO6IhlvVPh_SF_ZpIeewTYXtKbvk2X67m8q4JUXhYRZVM0UF1jh5I4n38mDc4rmcjPTN0lpXBDnyGX7wk5x8wss6HJLBAarmyX7r21z5x-s3dBcbQDJLr/w396-h297/eldy%2075th.JPG" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eldy's 75th birthday</td></tr></tbody></table><span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Happy birthday to my sweet guy! <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span style="font-size: large;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Bye for now.....</span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-37523336747295905612023-04-03T17:41:00.000-04:002023-04-03T17:41:22.517-04:00A Stopover to See Family<p><span style="font-size: large;">Cornersville, TN. High: </span> <span style="font-size: large;">70's Lows: 40's Stoney Creek Travel RV Park (formerly Texas T)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When you are a full time RVer, and your home is where you park it, you have to REALLY pay attention to the weather a lot more. We use two to three apps to keep track.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were going to just stay one night at Stoney Creek, but a severe weather system was going to be passing through the area and would follow us all the way to Kentucky if we chose to leave. So, we checked the park, found another night available and stayed to weather through the storm. The weather reports listed possible tornadoes (risk assessment 3), big wind and nasty rain. Yikes! We wanted to stay right in the site we were in, but the park said it was completely booked and we'd have to move out of our 30 amp site and move to another 50 amp site so the smaller rig coming in would have appropriate power. It involved moving just two rows over inside the park. You can't just drive a short distance without a complete pack up, shut down, stow stuff and bring in the slides. It's the full Monty, haha. We waited till the last minute to move, hoping someone would cancel and we could just sit tight but as checkout time approached, we had to hitch up just as a cloudburst occurred. Phooey! Thankfully, it was over quickly. BUT--as we were driving out of our site and over to the next site, our phones rang, and wouldn't you know--someone cancelled and we could have stayed put! Oh, well...... We were now in the backside of the park and right behind us is the Quonset hut where the emergency shelter is if we need it for tonight's storm.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Even though there was a storm coming, we got to see Eldy's daughter, Kristi, who lives in the area. Can't believe we didn't get a photo! We were so busy talking and catching up, we forgot. Here is a photo from a few years ago of the two of them, Eldy, pre-beard. We had a great dinner at Whiskey Creek Grill in Fayetteville. They have good steaks and a great chop salad. It's definitely a Tennessee country bar with live music at times and waitresses wearing tight, ripped jeans. Sparky doesn't get the whole ripped jeans thing, but she's old.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1vlm4UBYp4V2d88WAn9DulJq5dVGBv0ksivva85KWqkall9q9IRVIK-hiPUpqmLHuXvJhcoTt3p_m05t2J6-_IALpWAs6PWaIievPwIAsL8aRR506ZkZbjMShpnFznSnmfeISJAJZEpVKXxuOZ5003x9qmC9aEdK262SAuRvgTFDS1W2kQuNItUN/s3264/IMG_5765.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1vlm4UBYp4V2d88WAn9DulJq5dVGBv0ksivva85KWqkall9q9IRVIK-hiPUpqmLHuXvJhcoTt3p_m05t2J6-_IALpWAs6PWaIievPwIAsL8aRR506ZkZbjMShpnFznSnmfeISJAJZEpVKXxuOZ5003x9qmC9aEdK262SAuRvgTFDS1W2kQuNItUN/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQO6QtPoPI3BDpSzcwBEjh_tgmPAmuyIH6zar2KJVkdRbnZQ2Od-exVSOT2jh5wCXGpDykxhDbprrepTdGhGPvy-CA-vnCUgpQ87b0O-BsqdUAZXn37ilFS2MmHVv7E51ZvmVP8-YTnJMms1AvJGYB3ft6GGMAdSS2UIzWr0h2t-E_ug-rcolJHRy/s4032/IMG_9913.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQO6QtPoPI3BDpSzcwBEjh_tgmPAmuyIH6zar2KJVkdRbnZQ2Od-exVSOT2jh5wCXGpDykxhDbprrepTdGhGPvy-CA-vnCUgpQ87b0O-BsqdUAZXn37ilFS2MmHVv7E51ZvmVP8-YTnJMms1AvJGYB3ft6GGMAdSS2UIzWr0h2t-E_ug-rcolJHRy/s320/IMG_9913.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Stoney Creek Travel Park is a great overnight stop and is super popular this time of year as it is right off I-65 at Cornersville, TN so a lot of snowbirds hit it on their way north. It is a park of about 42 sites, gravel and nicely level, all pull throughs, 30-50 amp service. Some of the sites are 30 amp only, it's about half and half, it seems.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They have a really big dog park for the size of the campground! It takes up the entire front yard of the entrance to the park and there's a sweet swing to sit on while your furry friend runs all around.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHp3Bo7D1C_X9N0z401Ic1Y7ki6rKvbkT6p0RHPJj2CxWQl-BSbf3OWspyJS_Cw6fsHVeK4AoOXOeQSOQRk1JrQNRbT029_px4S30Nqr-lUusHxGEcqw0-Q9YJkuQcPkatPKRdXPewuCl4H3HWEKFvJLk2XFHSrbACCz1GciOcQYEhcBwoCWFqSny/s4032/IMG_9915.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHp3Bo7D1C_X9N0z401Ic1Y7ki6rKvbkT6p0RHPJj2CxWQl-BSbf3OWspyJS_Cw6fsHVeK4AoOXOeQSOQRk1JrQNRbT029_px4S30Nqr-lUusHxGEcqw0-Q9YJkuQcPkatPKRdXPewuCl4H3HWEKFvJLk2XFHSrbACCz1GciOcQYEhcBwoCWFqSny/s320/IMG_9915.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">They have a nice front porch to the office with a couple of rockers where you can sit and watch the traffic go by on I-65 lol, or maybe rock and read a book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdY5VC5qVglMmZeCfWtINMZyK5gj0sep2Z4oMUl7EueoH8c0hW9l6AWcDFPvLNpj98haeSTV4Zw6JqPs_cO3RoUlG0o14k4ApxKc2m8D6FrOB4mwMtulVPLZlG27xbl43X3FJ7CV4yW17DspXMl6pu7blmBTkiFauyoJGZaCl_garGya6I1sH9rFC/s4032/IMG_9916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdY5VC5qVglMmZeCfWtINMZyK5gj0sep2Z4oMUl7EueoH8c0hW9l6AWcDFPvLNpj98haeSTV4Zw6JqPs_cO3RoUlG0o14k4ApxKc2m8D6FrOB4mwMtulVPLZlG27xbl43X3FJ7CV4yW17DspXMl6pu7blmBTkiFauyoJGZaCl_garGya6I1sH9rFC/s320/IMG_9916.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is very close to the highway, so there is road noise, but that never bothers Sparky, as she sleeps with ear plugs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62uFepUvWzlLZY7fJgVw7dWtwsUh-pZTTcNQcndo5TSHdOXVjZFL9OHfxYMyjtc0pQ2J26IKmjZSngoBS9OcKUCcGdRUvgfC7Txgc7hGu55B1JLQwdtX6WJjh6yenFT7xOnicuRUOKvrDaO3uH5CwZ644r53wH4y0aKrqQt2_rtHR6zIPs1N4MR1V/s4032/IMG_9919.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62uFepUvWzlLZY7fJgVw7dWtwsUh-pZTTcNQcndo5TSHdOXVjZFL9OHfxYMyjtc0pQ2J26IKmjZSngoBS9OcKUCcGdRUvgfC7Txgc7hGu55B1JLQwdtX6WJjh6yenFT7xOnicuRUOKvrDaO3uH5CwZ644r53wH4y0aKrqQt2_rtHR6zIPs1N4MR1V/s320/IMG_9919.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, if you need good sleeping ear plugs, Mack's is the way to go. They are the waxy moldable silicone putty kind and really block noise, but only up to 22 decibels...Snoring is like 50-60 decibels. (HEY, NOW....cautions Eldo.) If you are a really loud snorer, and Eldo is not, he's softened up these days, these might not work for you because really loud snoring registers at about 80-90 decibels, equal to that of a vacuum cleaner! WHOA!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the threat of severe weather...(Sparky is a little ADHD, you probably know by now, explains Eldo. She's all over the place.) But she can really focus on a craft for HOURS, we will say that! (The WEATHER, Sparky, the WEATHER! FOCUS!) Ahhhhh, yes. What was the storm like?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Extremely heavy rain, and because we were in a low lying area in hilly Tennessee, we did not experience the heavy gusty winds we were expecting. However, there was a tornado touch down in Hazel Green, AL, 47 miles from the RV park, but not far from Eldy's daughter's area. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We woke up this morning to sunshine and just a little breeze. The weather is expected to be very windy on our way to KY, so we got moving early this morning to head to Cave City, KY. to the Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV and Golf park. It's right outside Mammoth Cave National Park. We've been there several times, it's a park that's FREE with our membership. We can stay for three weeks for free if we wanted to, but we've got to get back to Indiana, as soon as we can to get our rig and truck repaired. At any rate, we are going to SLOW DOWN and take the next three or four days to breathe and relax a little more. I-65 was NUTS today with traffic, snowbirds heading north, Canadians ]returning home and construction slowdowns for many miles.....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Next stop: Park City, KY. Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns Site: A-8 </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Weather: Highs--59-80. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Lows--36-68</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FZG098iWyRHhDHi-tkZG1ssPIzzGyPGuZcYCz_pnELjvy9cF24VROSS14kswnnXfWG6zv2xfB9FtCiLkhnz_Nc_-S-YIt-r3i8ZWc5dK8FnSTPjHZ1CAXmvkr-ERdw5OqDW1d1Nl-6GriuM73xJPn3aEvi3s7I_wLt3mfg81slRxKoz1YOGDIc14/s4032/IMG_9929.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FZG098iWyRHhDHi-tkZG1ssPIzzGyPGuZcYCz_pnELjvy9cF24VROSS14kswnnXfWG6zv2xfB9FtCiLkhnz_Nc_-S-YIt-r3i8ZWc5dK8FnSTPjHZ1CAXmvkr-ERdw5OqDW1d1Nl-6GriuM73xJPn3aEvi3s7I_wLt3mfg81slRxKoz1YOGDIc14/s320/IMG_9929.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Thousand Trails Diamond Caverns RV and Golf is in the heart of Mammoth Cave country where it's VERY hilly, so the sites are often unlevel but doable. If you review the reviews, people talk about "creative leveling" for this park which means they have to use a variety of leveling blocks under their RV and situating the rig just so. The RV park has about 7 pull through sites, about 15 in the center of the RV park that are buddy sites (narrow and living space facing each other), 11 decent sized back ins and other sized sites spread around at angles. We think the back ins are the nicest and roomiest. Here's site A-8:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg4jwGjMRBBLIrhyshDbhuDebswL5bcY7S8bzE65TCq_swbPRLyBtT-so1ZktpcO1kBTdqWp8hzcUzXqbmW4LWl1cf9aZ2VYjPpYAFTJO3Gbmxb1CVFlux7NBhGz365U06ZbIVxg99Lfe9DjDVyV8Yey5bTjE9JFwpt3SO_Ih4aqCg-7KceTFxbab/s4032/IMG_9928.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg4jwGjMRBBLIrhyshDbhuDebswL5bcY7S8bzE65TCq_swbPRLyBtT-so1ZktpcO1kBTdqWp8hzcUzXqbmW4LWl1cf9aZ2VYjPpYAFTJO3Gbmxb1CVFlux7NBhGz365U06ZbIVxg99Lfe9DjDVyV8Yey5bTjE9JFwpt3SO_Ih4aqCg-7KceTFxbab/s320/IMG_9928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZKSEBwn0NqA7IgFNmhdlh8xkk5g61PrSKu4kcJaZ8YmwAIlJf6gSW3F0Wxw10WtQ9_MwiB3TupQHSvgl4Gt1ePtF2M007DIRefkSyR5whWHzxCTLAtghZteymLSNWpwqrAayTe6VaJ76mhPIk3PAXQSyzOJjLNxQQua3nDQxpdXhkQCWm5TMw3i2/s4032/IMG_9926.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZKSEBwn0NqA7IgFNmhdlh8xkk5g61PrSKu4kcJaZ8YmwAIlJf6gSW3F0Wxw10WtQ9_MwiB3TupQHSvgl4Gt1ePtF2M007DIRefkSyR5whWHzxCTLAtghZteymLSNWpwqrAayTe6VaJ76mhPIk3PAXQSyzOJjLNxQQua3nDQxpdXhkQCWm5TMw3i2/s320/IMG_9926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of our site A-8</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">There are a total of about 68 sites. They also have tent camping, a small laundry, a nice playground for the kids, a pool, restrooms and showers. It's an older campground, but we really enjoy it. The back in sites are up against a woods and each site is offset from the next one so you aren't looking straight into your neighbor's RV. This is an older park, so it is a little run down. Facilities are very old, but clean. In the center of the park and on the sides, are beautiful green areas with rolling hills. The golf portion of the park is separate and down the road a bit. We did not explore that part of the park at all, but there are nice cabins and motel style or condo rentals there as well. And of course, you are VERY close to Mammoth Cave National Park. It's showing its age as well, but recent upgrades to the visitor's areas like the hotel and restaurant on site, are nice to see. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKyrfW3m_El8yltU-oJGfWw4SJbC2VAgoe8Yae_OH4cHp-iAYtoWMdKEeC6AkrwWgiF-9wz2Vy3nyArTthX0QLDP6f5HEvcyjWtzCnLQ_yYTSv7u-5WRM1GbOfNM54touC7sWIj6yBQPxy3a4QJVhavTzS0Bx_OLSGIdh7uZjOLe3KZZ6zA8WHwic/s4032/IMG_9933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKyrfW3m_El8yltU-oJGfWw4SJbC2VAgoe8Yae_OH4cHp-iAYtoWMdKEeC6AkrwWgiF-9wz2Vy3nyArTthX0QLDP6f5HEvcyjWtzCnLQ_yYTSv7u-5WRM1GbOfNM54touC7sWIj6yBQPxy3a4QJVhavTzS0Bx_OLSGIdh7uZjOLe3KZZ6zA8WHwic/s320/IMG_9933.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a hiking/bike trail fittingly called the Hike and Bike Trail. It's very rocky and uneven and a challenge on a regular bike with very chunky rock portions on it, but it takes you right from the campground all the way down to Mammoth Cave National Park, if you're up for the cardio challenge. From the campground to the NP and back, it's 14.5 miles. Of course, an e-bike would be a lot easier...About 50% of the trail is like the photo at left and it's very hilly up and down all the way. Sparky is glad she has puncture resistant, tubeless tires on her Trek Verve 2! The redbuds are blooming all over the place in KY, so it was nice to see those along the bike ride. There are benches along the trail once in awhile to stop and catch your breath and enjoy the breeze in the trees.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnmBWfj-UjIVKdcaugzZbXT9KHxv6FQJagUuSD7XdJPeZS9J4zccJweocTfeJMCOpjwUI2SeDFhzOlUD7BA2oSGIrnAZlZSsP1odgH5Ylu8iCZTKYERvz9CrdLpQeppSKaaQaqTy8sxqtqq8S9UcsTCxpFLv-chi1ldRDPYUkSK1tcpdGbx3Ao557/s4032/IMG_9934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnmBWfj-UjIVKdcaugzZbXT9KHxv6FQJagUuSD7XdJPeZS9J4zccJweocTfeJMCOpjwUI2SeDFhzOlUD7BA2oSGIrnAZlZSsP1odgH5Ylu8iCZTKYERvz9CrdLpQeppSKaaQaqTy8sxqtqq8S9UcsTCxpFLv-chi1ldRDPYUkSK1tcpdGbx3Ao557/s320/IMG_9934.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Also, LOTS of butterflies were out and about. Sparky saw a mint and black colored butterfly, but couldn't get a photo of it and couldn't find out what kind it was. It was so pretty! It looked like a Monarch only mint green in its patterning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We didn't stay long enough to do any cave tours, and since we've done the main Mammoth Cave tour a couple of times, we'll wait till next visit to do some of the caves we haven't seen before. Not only that, but it was spring break in Kentucky, and the park was FULL of visitors. Tomorrow, we head out on our last leg to Indiana. Bad storms are coming in around Wednesday and we didn't want to delay our return to Indiana any further to later in the week, so we will complete our journey to Elkhart, IN on one day tomorrow, hopefully, a distance of about 387 miles, so we can settle in before the storms and wind come once again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So-o-o-o--o...here we go again. Next time, we will be in Indiana, getting repair estimates and settling in one area for a long, hot Indiana summer. Bye for now.....</span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-79549049038894316912023-03-29T21:06:00.001-04:002023-03-30T09:19:16.497-04:00We Are Managing! <p> <span style="font-size: large;">March 29th, 2023<span> <span> Hope Hull, AL. overnight stay, Montgomery South RV Park off I-65</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We spent two days instead of one at Cajun Palms RV Park (Camp Margaritaville) in Henderson, LA, in order to catch our breath and try to chillax after having our accident on Monday. Anybody who has ever had a fender bender or a major accident knows that you are reluctant to drive again, or encounter construction delays or goofy drivers trying to cut you off, because you are a NERVOUS WRECK about getting back out on the road again. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But Eldy, bless his heart, said he was ready to roll again. The sooner we get back to Indiana, the sooner we can get quotes and estimates and things repaired--maybe. Maybe it will take a really long time, maybe it won't, we shall see. In the meantime, Sparky is applying to sub in the Elkhart Community Schools and Goshen IN schools thinking that we may be have to be in the area through the fall. We have a place to stay at Eldy's son's house, we have a cabin pass we can use to stay for a week for free in an RV park in the area, and we will be in Elkhart where all the parts and repair places are, so those are all good things. You might be hearing some school stories here, you never know!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeVHVV57iDsH1l8hkkETglXUGWHCAOxoHWdZYTg3CQF-AfANESBE6i5I6LRdK9E_1hzX4D8RjtxeTOAoNVDVHO81gbMalSQGAp-5WknP6Tz8i3T_f7OcBkwj0q0JlSm166DCJY-KN7DyBSFJHRcoRSaUt9BvKMjkQC2bhR_o5FPpnPgT1heTdTivs/s4032/IMG_9910.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeVHVV57iDsH1l8hkkETglXUGWHCAOxoHWdZYTg3CQF-AfANESBE6i5I6LRdK9E_1hzX4D8RjtxeTOAoNVDVHO81gbMalSQGAp-5WknP6Tz8i3T_f7OcBkwj0q0JlSm166DCJY-KN7DyBSFJHRcoRSaUt9BvKMjkQC2bhR_o5FPpnPgT1heTdTivs/s320/IMG_9910.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">It was tough getting back out on the road again. Every time we had to change lanes to the left, (where we were hit on Monday) Sparky's heart rate went up 1,000% along with Eldy's. We don't have the bottom half of our big truck side mirrors on the driver's side, so it's going to be harder to see the blind spot area of drivers coming alongside as we encounter traffic, but Eldy is being extra careful and taking more time before changing lanes. I-10 is not a great drive for semis and RV's, with some people thinking you can stop on a dime, or you are too big and too slow for them, so they barrel along next to you and then cut in too soon and too close for comfort! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We drove from Cajun Palms in Henderson, LA to Montgomery South RV Park, in Hope Hull, AL, a distance of about 397 miles. We weren't planning to drive that far, but Eldy was feeling much better about driving and once we got past the nerve wracking city traffic of Mobile, AL, then I-65 was a terrific drive so we kept going.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU5WOrzY7T4T5iIszLsLxoT_jJ-_vDB7Le3TUx7SlHZQaUMJhkGIkixa42I8pgHGHYNvOaaLoTIHLEdVE7TN5U7Jn-HCg_7s-DxYkgobbMhA8q0wIFqmL8aasN3m-2EzgMM-i0CgaiZl0-_CQHJHCIkResNOKmPpakTnkMiwzM0-OBxsd0qVZmVyN/s4032/IMG_9909.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU5WOrzY7T4T5iIszLsLxoT_jJ-_vDB7Le3TUx7SlHZQaUMJhkGIkixa42I8pgHGHYNvOaaLoTIHLEdVE7TN5U7Jn-HCg_7s-DxYkgobbMhA8q0wIFqmL8aasN3m-2EzgMM-i0CgaiZl0-_CQHJHCIkResNOKmPpakTnkMiwzM0-OBxsd0qVZmVyN/s320/IMG_9909.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery South is a great little park (about 37 sites) for an overnight destination. Level gravel sites, decently spaced, no trees, a little bit of highway noise but THE most friendliest people ever. As soon as we pulled in, people came out of the woodwork to express their concerns about our Pinnacle and us. We were a little take aback at first, embarrassed about how our truck and RV look, bandaged with duct tape and dents everywhere. "Are you ok? Do you need anything?" A neighbor offered us tools. Another set of neighbors came over with two mini bottles of wine and mini Hershey bars and said, "Do you need to drown your troubles?" <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hY5LsC0FZ3MeMrO01XO1V-Kqphd4y2vgmrH5Lh33dUqdiVLFwTnk0DWBzEoYW5gGugACr9seh54TL_6mZVLtXtD6rbWKWzQbLbr1m3l6vCnO6lhEYoFglcvKzLGd5vBVU3_kJBpTGdHJuxWXFgu0d3A-hMrCyH2dXTTxmeoTaIOeBQgCTjwnAHY9/s4032/IMG_1155.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hY5LsC0FZ3MeMrO01XO1V-Kqphd4y2vgmrH5Lh33dUqdiVLFwTnk0DWBzEoYW5gGugACr9seh54TL_6mZVLtXtD6rbWKWzQbLbr1m3l6vCnO6lhEYoFglcvKzLGd5vBVU3_kJBpTGdHJuxWXFgu0d3A-hMrCyH2dXTTxmeoTaIOeBQgCTjwnAHY9/s320/IMG_1155.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lovely neighbors who came over with wine and chocolate</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky thought, well, it will probably take a LOT more than a mini bottle to settle down! But bless their hearts and their kindness. We chatted for a bit, then got back to work setting up. Slides are still coming in and out ok, things are all working inside all right as they should.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our plans are to drive to Tennessee or maybe to Kentucky, Mammoth Cave area. We have to get through two major towns, Birmingham and Nashville. Those will test our nerves again. If it's too much we will stop in Tennessee and take it a little slower into Kentucky. No sense in rushing or or making things harder on the driver! Which is Eldo....of course! Sparky is not sure she will ever feel comfortable behind the wheel and towing. Some day we hope to downsize a little, back to a motorhome which is MUCH easier to set up and back into sites than a fifth wheel. THEN Sparky will drive....(maybe---SIGH.....guess who?)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Bye for now....Sparky and Eldo</span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-11536856335405643872023-03-27T21:04:00.059-04:002023-03-30T09:16:06.821-04:00Life Changes in a Heartbeat<p><span style="font-size: large;">We left Lake Conroe, TX today, Monday, March 23. We had a great hookup and no problems as we headed down the road. We were about two hours from our destination in Louisiana when we came upon a construction zone on I-10. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We saw the construction zone, and got ready to move over a lane to stay on I-10 and BAM! We were sideswiped by a truck. Eldy had to swerve to the right to avoid hitting any cars in the main lanes of traffic and we hit a few upright poles separating the concrete barrier zone from the main highway. We never saw the truck that hit us, and so we pulled off the road to assess the damage. It was quite a lot. Frame damage to the RV, the propane door ripped off and disappeared, a stabilizer jack destroyed, the truck's bumper destroyed, severe dents and scrapes to both truck and RV, sidewall busted on the RV, and more.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-7XFpJ7RD6BnxRW82CPypJbeqbNcaHCxBivuTEuwdeF9BW6kBZFAk423iGz78AQKgrMX26gFB2ValouUxF_jzU0xzan4BS9RRtoor-n0dcKdoJADoYKD4jIEIJpH75ZR-jSedAKK5h202-ZQ1sgXn-wmY4ASlY0Qaw7feQtY8gSmW70AwY9aXNak/s4032/IMG_9814.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-7XFpJ7RD6BnxRW82CPypJbeqbNcaHCxBivuTEuwdeF9BW6kBZFAk423iGz78AQKgrMX26gFB2ValouUxF_jzU0xzan4BS9RRtoor-n0dcKdoJADoYKD4jIEIJpH75ZR-jSedAKK5h202-ZQ1sgXn-wmY4ASlY0Qaw7feQtY8gSmW70AwY9aXNak/s320/IMG_9814.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFsggMb21TqU0CC_ZPViuAS1hHTqORwexV9HSWJM1XMJgXhEiH_10mM0YluFND7p4Rw20uZVhaZskIW_9Vql0HoBKbYzDdOxnPhhwtUjoo9vSaTKH7f_136JtCnbhUJG6wraqMGfzcWW7qfVHTaittzGbGvHUPQpqSBKwVFpsqh36b3LqHqD0BoEM/s4032/IMG_9818.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFsggMb21TqU0CC_ZPViuAS1hHTqORwexV9HSWJM1XMJgXhEiH_10mM0YluFND7p4Rw20uZVhaZskIW_9Vql0HoBKbYzDdOxnPhhwtUjoo9vSaTKH7f_136JtCnbhUJG6wraqMGfzcWW7qfVHTaittzGbGvHUPQpqSBKwVFpsqh36b3LqHqD0BoEM/s320/IMG_9818.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7GWhMml4nYPXGf_5zqBmwURDo--rwlq2G8fYJ54n2kzvSe_h6JWkOlLlXwfXT20wzBUbJg1CS4f1-7_xNYMnyoyeRvA2C2oBY6cyKauSdV6dOmMZhStBjfR2sG0sXLuUzpC1W5cGD0PHZhoX8M8noYrfTVtlaNOghMCda7LvSG5ZJDL7z4JvUl8f/s4032/IMG_9830.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7GWhMml4nYPXGf_5zqBmwURDo--rwlq2G8fYJ54n2kzvSe_h6JWkOlLlXwfXT20wzBUbJg1CS4f1-7_xNYMnyoyeRvA2C2oBY6cyKauSdV6dOmMZhStBjfR2sG0sXLuUzpC1W5cGD0PHZhoX8M8noYrfTVtlaNOghMCda7LvSG5ZJDL7z4JvUl8f/s320/IMG_9830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The good news is we are ok, and the other driver is ok. No air bags deployed and nobody hurt. Unfortunately, our truck and RV are not ok....And now begins the insurance go around. We will have to cancel our summer plans but there were a number of great blessings despite today's bad accident. Nobody was hurt....we were able to steer off the road to avoid any other collisions. We are ok, just upset. The truck is drivable. The RV can still be towed. The propane tanks got dented but they didn't catch on fire. We got to our campground and the rig towed just fine and the side that was damaged that holds our biggest slide, still opened. Everything inside was shaken around but no damage on the inside. We couldn't get the bay door open to access water for the night, it was jammed, but together Sparky and Eldo managed to work it open. We have water, we have electric and hopefully good insurance--Progessive and Travelers. A huge thunderstorm came in AFTER we had unhooked and got settled in LA. We were blessed that we didn't have to drive in the deluge, or unhook with major lightning and heavy rain all around. Whew!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2eNRfdqYPX6MesE9IrjSsw4-Q3PNDBxSHWEMzL95sR9QxsTSN9-TpajuagZfMJuhLpRK77PmImnSdsOWeKS4W4Khfm4kwa6E9vOro_41FtwLSwCLZ6JCz-JdwSayiqdZJ4SVyXP34SX0NslpwtmD_uZx-SsX3lhD0KSjOEKBk5qV9dOwvz1UY_cZ/s4032/IMG_9811.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2eNRfdqYPX6MesE9IrjSsw4-Q3PNDBxSHWEMzL95sR9QxsTSN9-TpajuagZfMJuhLpRK77PmImnSdsOWeKS4W4Khfm4kwa6E9vOro_41FtwLSwCLZ6JCz-JdwSayiqdZJ4SVyXP34SX0NslpwtmD_uZx-SsX3lhD0KSjOEKBk5qV9dOwvz1UY_cZ/s320/IMG_9811.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B1Hrv0Ub-nR6h_Gn7VxS2N-4tIJGltjYiYGKyZqn3QZujgIvE17nbPxdtEQz8fihmB_SURtbg257lnsbmYW9K6-qId4p0bFZ39vvUIfPU0p2jK5irqNsYbQVg58S4CWFXnip29Btk0X96tHRLNAd8JTbZkkZtLMLSoeWRpfCfuYqw6d4JO3X9Hrd/s4032/IMG_9880.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B1Hrv0Ub-nR6h_Gn7VxS2N-4tIJGltjYiYGKyZqn3QZujgIvE17nbPxdtEQz8fihmB_SURtbg257lnsbmYW9K6-qId4p0bFZ39vvUIfPU0p2jK5irqNsYbQVg58S4CWFXnip29Btk0X96tHRLNAd8JTbZkkZtLMLSoeWRpfCfuYqw6d4JO3X9Hrd/s320/IMG_9880.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We are at a REALLY nice park for one night, Cajun Palms RV resort, in Henderson, LA, which is soon to become <i>Camp Margaritaville</i>, taken over by new owners. Big long site, cement pad, tons of activities planned for the future, lots of music and more. They have beautiful cabins for rental, brand new seasonal park models for sale, as well as over 400 hundred cement pad RV sites. The pool area is amazing! It's under renovation as well. There's a bar and restaurant on site, too.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcfAjQj3dnDTDMMF-COdOSQqnN1tBD6rBnJGvnEyqHrgjPVIv9UZv4IzwR26YtmLofUmd3pM3Ekr6-vloAovMumEK1FUQDnPMoWLl9dZb2-Lwk_cZryJM-CkmZ_AyU-m-EAow-YxEfdPs4RuRD__h2a65Osw5h8g5uDfq5ntP672umufxqW-EjEbv/s4032/IMG_9882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcfAjQj3dnDTDMMF-COdOSQqnN1tBD6rBnJGvnEyqHrgjPVIv9UZv4IzwR26YtmLofUmd3pM3Ekr6-vloAovMumEK1FUQDnPMoWLl9dZb2-Lwk_cZryJM-CkmZ_AyU-m-EAow-YxEfdPs4RuRD__h2a65Osw5h8g5uDfq5ntP672umufxqW-EjEbv/s320/IMG_9882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">They are putting in a fun water park on site. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpRIIPlatScugdIuUu_x9PLNmNHGtY_1Pzz8Ebsy9d3rdex0bgMNqRJZO5iM_QLTRDSP3b2ZfwmuLmkbVAl9HDjfxBTl2SXXB6sl-RlMZm3KXlP5Y8CMaf6Eabi3fdJvjNT18A2JSiNwxTBAXKkfZyvWm4Q2Cey549Lpj5rUbi4vuWDeVpn3gxwmA/s4032/IMG_9879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpRIIPlatScugdIuUu_x9PLNmNHGtY_1Pzz8Ebsy9d3rdex0bgMNqRJZO5iM_QLTRDSP3b2ZfwmuLmkbVAl9HDjfxBTl2SXXB6sl-RlMZm3KXlP5Y8CMaf6Eabi3fdJvjNT18A2JSiNwxTBAXKkfZyvWm4Q2Cey549Lpj5rUbi4vuWDeVpn3gxwmA/s320/IMG_9879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">It's a VERY nice place to stay for more than just an overnight. There are lots of green spaces, ponds and lovely areas to walk. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfGScaoUZ1S1us3bgVULzbeRYYpo1047UxP7DuILo1nR_wwsOTVDwJk9gEg0PNDm4V7APEYsiz5vCymqKknuo07l-f7EDwRY7bqlPyn0XMioUyu-OK62moHnxwnkpmsd-i8da8XW79jVMspq3DSxLEKX4KZl0N-ox-3qasf_xTmpndVZWDvGFMtMr/s4032/IMG_9874.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfGScaoUZ1S1us3bgVULzbeRYYpo1047UxP7DuILo1nR_wwsOTVDwJk9gEg0PNDm4V7APEYsiz5vCymqKknuo07l-f7EDwRY7bqlPyn0XMioUyu-OK62moHnxwnkpmsd-i8da8XW79jVMspq3DSxLEKX4KZl0N-ox-3qasf_xTmpndVZWDvGFMtMr/s320/IMG_9874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUgq2pcbY8Z1wfVjf_ph4Ic8YooIy1sFZJxJ1lfmmFls8ASgTIjLAb8nFSI2jvRaTiVZaGm02UpAkPlRPPCD6xAf6CtL_lYqxQYryvdw0nY7l3CygmhqUBJMvSkoRGj3aFFi_SeeNi1yfnGl2xaCdipFyYnC6mRqVKfHs2pUZdu3uj2AGZ3gtmtj/s4032/IMG_9872.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCUgq2pcbY8Z1wfVjf_ph4Ic8YooIy1sFZJxJ1lfmmFls8ASgTIjLAb8nFSI2jvRaTiVZaGm02UpAkPlRPPCD6xAf6CtL_lYqxQYryvdw0nY7l3CygmhqUBJMvSkoRGj3aFFi_SeeNi1yfnGl2xaCdipFyYnC6mRqVKfHs2pUZdu3uj2AGZ3gtmtj/s320/IMG_9872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhrfOANPc776jvV--nwBKoizFS7gA9zp8zV3vcHun5CBBQW9DByF4ljhFHJWoD8wZ0Yg3WUVWpO_4mDl73Lu8cvnUpOZIbfCvwVA50Bw83lnXKL7WwZqKPxHIvpEsBf9wiiEMiglL2GJ83QBexIMuo_fR0XMFXkvTFJqGFyZYjab6Uf2cGHZOkJj/s4032/IMG_9873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhrfOANPc776jvV--nwBKoizFS7gA9zp8zV3vcHun5CBBQW9DByF4ljhFHJWoD8wZ0Yg3WUVWpO_4mDl73Lu8cvnUpOZIbfCvwVA50Bw83lnXKL7WwZqKPxHIvpEsBf9wiiEMiglL2GJ83QBexIMuo_fR0XMFXkvTFJqGFyZYjab6Uf2cGHZOkJj/s320/IMG_9873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the man who guided us to our site even tried to help us find a way to get the bumper pulled back closer to the truck, but he wasn't able to.</span></span></div></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo96R-NNG2Easdr_PtKKOkkop_izwUZ7q75iI8FD8vjHmRb1o3FCyu02stTC4NIBpO6bgWTU7pWt1iClFkBjH6kw6krcbVRLtVqg3sdAFuTa6epcNCS_WkIvOjk1lKh32RpHjU44SbqCk-4QcP1fEty6Wq5pXz9AuNvdQKHAMYfTvJEbCM5Ue7EX-/s4032/IMG_9801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo96R-NNG2Easdr_PtKKOkkop_izwUZ7q75iI8FD8vjHmRb1o3FCyu02stTC4NIBpO6bgWTU7pWt1iClFkBjH6kw6krcbVRLtVqg3sdAFuTa6epcNCS_WkIvOjk1lKh32RpHjU44SbqCk-4QcP1fEty6Wq5pXz9AuNvdQKHAMYfTvJEbCM5Ue7EX-/s320/IMG_9801.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While we were here for two days at Cajun Palms, we had an RV mobile tech come out and check our damaged rig for propane leaks. Our biggest concern was the lines may have been damaged. <b><i>Fun in the Sun RV Repair</i></b> came out, Dane was our technician and he did a terrific job of testing the gas lines, the connections and all things gas related to make sure we were good to continue to travel and even use our propane. He even dropped off some visqueen to cover our open propane tank doorway (the door ripped off in the accident) and didn't charge us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It looks like we will slowly limp towards Indiana but faster than we had planned. We have a place to stay while the RV gets repaired, Eldy's son has told us we can stay with them, as long as it takes, bless his heart. It will probably take all summer to get the RV and the truck fixed, unless they total the RV. If you don't hear from us for awhile, just know that we are trying to get back to Indiana and get things fixed. We'll keep you posted!</span></p></div></div></div></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-85009877652377451942023-03-26T18:43:00.005-04:002023-03-26T18:45:24.771-04:00Lake Conroe, TX and Family<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Weekend stop: Colorado River Thousand Trails, Columbus, TX. Site: E-83, corner lot</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We decided to press on from Davis Mountain State Park due to Sparky's worsening tooth troubles and seeing Sparky's daughter and grandson sooner, by skipping Lake Medina in Lakehills, TX and going straight to Colorado River in Columbus, TX for the weekend. Spring break is the same for everybody this year in the Houston area, so we wanted to be sure to be able to get a full hookup site over the weekend when break started. Sparky will try to find a dentist in the Spring, TX area when we arrive on Monday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The drive to Colorado River was filled with bursting wildflower blooms of Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush flowers. We started seeing them as soon as we turned on I-10 northeast outside of San Antonio. It was AMAZING....bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush (orange clusters) for miles and miles. Sometimes they were just alongside the road edges, then you would see entire fields of them. In all the times we have traveled this route between our membership parks, we have NEVER seen this wildflower profusion. We must have missed the blooming season every time. From farther away, they look much more orange in color. Here is what the beautiful little paintbrush looks like up close:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO7flSIjN-O4HVzwfpCVhB1Jm2FleIgaL9qqYWiYDuDeg-Opcv62_crSyvRGQT4eaA-v9X5jQ73gOWBrwE6uPTBBnW1Bq9I4qGuZJxj9Lc-0DkOFzUSTq__esYdR_duEop22yu3CmNvMx4PfLgHBPW7FXt2X5S1vLYoh1HXq3qTDAijA-pKnWN7sh/s4032/IMG_9630.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO7flSIjN-O4HVzwfpCVhB1Jm2FleIgaL9qqYWiYDuDeg-Opcv62_crSyvRGQT4eaA-v9X5jQ73gOWBrwE6uPTBBnW1Bq9I4qGuZJxj9Lc-0DkOFzUSTq__esYdR_duEop22yu3CmNvMx4PfLgHBPW7FXt2X5S1vLYoh1HXq3qTDAijA-pKnWN7sh/s320/IMG_9630.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH6FKcJRe2Q4lZmrVBeX7cI6rXrCGgPLUI1DwmiHigEMvLPnXFFfwzks1eMKw_ia-S4Zf3dURY9KSfCNlw6Y88XsxMrQus7VHjgnisMyAk-JSURmBAu_iLoq8HNtcCJFPzQ9ekb463Rrsoly_0n5HHBluKok57aarKauO_kFZOHel9L-vr33lqPkT/s4032/Indian%20paintbrush%20and%20bluebonnets2.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH6FKcJRe2Q4lZmrVBeX7cI6rXrCGgPLUI1DwmiHigEMvLPnXFFfwzks1eMKw_ia-S4Zf3dURY9KSfCNlw6Y88XsxMrQus7VHjgnisMyAk-JSURmBAu_iLoq8HNtcCJFPzQ9ekb463Rrsoly_0n5HHBluKok57aarKauO_kFZOHel9L-vr33lqPkT/s320/Indian%20paintbrush%20and%20bluebonnets2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paintbrush and bluebonnets</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When we got closer to Columbus, TX, the wildflowers increased. There is a field just a couple of miles from our RV park, right along TX 71. This field had mostly bluebonnets and phlox (the red flowers).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And inside the park, in the center of the great big field between the two levels of the RV park is their very own field of Texas Bluebonnets! Here we were thinking we'd have to travel to Big Bend National Park, or Ennis, TX to see the Bluebonnet Trail and they were already here, ready and waiting for us. The white flower is a prickly poppy popping up here and there in the bluebonnet field at the RV park.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYJYE9sszN5GONsghvlrsuBgbRjGdmr4Pkrr8kfQak_5D7I3A_S_d82fArPHJIljdQ9etxrD4hxa_F2UvGh2AlsRR2v9ms6fbUqGhoNQI2t5rYmFcrPAm430QPi_i9Hduq2ZV2FUT7WCOvQyGBdJLvp7uuyAWzFHOzppaNyiNfy0xGcIDyxzeB-De/s4032/IMG_9642.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYJYE9sszN5GONsghvlrsuBgbRjGdmr4Pkrr8kfQak_5D7I3A_S_d82fArPHJIljdQ9etxrD4hxa_F2UvGh2AlsRR2v9ms6fbUqGhoNQI2t5rYmFcrPAm430QPi_i9Hduq2ZV2FUT7WCOvQyGBdJLvp7uuyAWzFHOzppaNyiNfy0xGcIDyxzeB-De/s320/IMG_9642.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We spent the weekend catching up on our rest, especially the driver, (that's me, says E.) and doing chores like laundry and cleaning. (That's Sparky). She rode her bike all around the park for exercise and on the trails that wind around the park as well. There are bluebonnets blooming all around the trails, too. Quite the season for them and we are so happy we got to see it!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF3QzQSW_Xmfc07Wu_VcO-73V--hQAyoGox6KxHetlyP88ASkdMahXxTx1eRgIc0bWldD45i-h2BzKYQqVwsmOWkBkNRsuLYzqvkgHCXhKPpNb1a5JjJZdu1NxiVDCdONh-rdFm1gAn6-mzEnMALPatfg_MX55d1i0yNeGGhCjiUdrGosb9GtAk0w/s4032/IMG_9641.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF3QzQSW_Xmfc07Wu_VcO-73V--hQAyoGox6KxHetlyP88ASkdMahXxTx1eRgIc0bWldD45i-h2BzKYQqVwsmOWkBkNRsuLYzqvkgHCXhKPpNb1a5JjJZdu1NxiVDCdONh-rdFm1gAn6-mzEnMALPatfg_MX55d1i0yNeGGhCjiUdrGosb9GtAk0w/s320/IMG_9641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Colorado River Thousand Trails RV Park</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">On to Lake Conroe, TX....where some of our family is....Sparky's daughter and grandson, to be precise. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Lake Conroe, TX Highs: all over the place--86, 70, 63, 76, 79, 52 (!) Lows: 30's-60's Site: G-83, back in</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Conroe could be THE gem in the Thousand Trails system, but there are negatives along with the positives, just like most Thousand Trails parks. But it's a great park for visiting Sparky's family. The park has added new sections, but about half of them are set aside for annuals or seasonals. If you are a transient like we are (moving from park to park about every two to three weeks) then your choice of a nice concrete level site in the new sections is very slim. Why don't we get an annual site? They are quite expensive, for one, especially in this area, and we are not ready to pick a park to stay put for about 6 months at a time just yet. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This park has beautiful amenities which have been posted on this blog before--fantastic pool, (although unheated), great tennis, basketball and pickle ball courts, family oriented activities, and a terrific location to all points shopping and points of interest in Houston. They also have two new sections towards the lake--I and J. One of those is for the seasonal people, and the other one, about 15 sites will be for people needing short term stays. There is also a relatively new "B" section but surprisingly, even though the sites are concrete, they didn't do a very good job of making those sites level. Some have too steep an incline ramp up to the site, and others just plain aren't level. Here's a nice rig in the "B" section and he had to get his front end W-A-A-A-Y up with jack pads to get level. If you have a residential fridge like we do, if you are not level, you can damage the fridge. A lot of RVs will have a propane/electric switchable fridge so they don't have to worry so much about being perfectly level.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-is1Hb_CDNNrg6ux30DhONBGDaefG9nQEWfkky4NGodqCdQARlARdgVOpIsfWXetX9FgW6AXRJ4NO4r8YD2MKLf1eZ9a-_i2tZnE_dvLH-X__hf5fkwNyDXY2ZGzSQADNkxhBeQ4JWsjVbTdbAp1LdIzkUPhXgN6CDdnXw5trVBlFNbV6oAbCGmje/s4032/IMG_9743.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-is1Hb_CDNNrg6ux30DhONBGDaefG9nQEWfkky4NGodqCdQARlARdgVOpIsfWXetX9FgW6AXRJ4NO4r8YD2MKLf1eZ9a-_i2tZnE_dvLH-X__hf5fkwNyDXY2ZGzSQADNkxhBeQ4JWsjVbTdbAp1LdIzkUPhXgN6CDdnXw5trVBlFNbV6oAbCGmje/s320/IMG_9743.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We got a site in G-section which is a back in, but it's very nice, with plenty of room around us. And we have a fire pit. We have not had a campfire due to dry conditions and county regulations in MANY places we have been this winter, so Sparky is excited that we can finally have one! Except we never did, haha. Every time we got ready to have one, it was either too hot or too rainy. Boy, it rains a LOT in the Spring/Tomball area in TX!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM1676loej3p84inuEWck_TvEhlPLrZff273kidHPuCTV3Hl1nQoN1Lg8cCs7lSGPRFV3nsgkDlJ8SeSCcDq7XiWIN8K32-QNBB4kpP1eRHBTrugWFZRtnAwTUc04Cnn2cqzK3LQHe3GbeE6DkPVXyMb5ZMb8qUNk0QkHj_T8gt9X18PlXv6DXc-J/s4032/IMG_9710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM1676loej3p84inuEWck_TvEhlPLrZff273kidHPuCTV3Hl1nQoN1Lg8cCs7lSGPRFV3nsgkDlJ8SeSCcDq7XiWIN8K32-QNBB4kpP1eRHBTrugWFZRtnAwTUc04Cnn2cqzK3LQHe3GbeE6DkPVXyMb5ZMb8qUNk0QkHj_T8gt9X18PlXv6DXc-J/w371-h278/IMG_9710.JPG" width="371" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The only other sites that were available were in the buddy sites, where you share the living space outside, your door faces the door of your neighbor and your outdoor living space is very narrow.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It seems that Thousand Trails is gearing their parks towards people who pay for an annual site. Roads to the annual/seasonal sites are usually paved and newer. Here at Lake Conroe, the roads to the transient sites for the weekend campers or vacation campers are still very bad.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFuZzDwmyX0XYw9aI315SxJR4F0p3mzKSvwoboWaJBdceGV1rUOTGoC5-DeJh4Rc2NyG-P94g14qv0YKjMuc323wOIl8bfRqRc_dz7j3t-ScHRRNoC1wcHESKQzqqccd4FnJdZJM6tWo2AwBMfUPyK8uCg-IJiJQOQ68JRkTtzS3ge1RxOmQNRrIS/s4032/IMG_9712.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFuZzDwmyX0XYw9aI315SxJR4F0p3mzKSvwoboWaJBdceGV1rUOTGoC5-DeJh4Rc2NyG-P94g14qv0YKjMuc323wOIl8bfRqRc_dz7j3t-ScHRRNoC1wcHESKQzqqccd4FnJdZJM6tWo2AwBMfUPyK8uCg-IJiJQOQ68JRkTtzS3ge1RxOmQNRrIS/s320/IMG_9712.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfW2e23S2Yc7Xy3_oR1cQsHF8lICEVl9t1K6uK0F_MmUrne-QMVBK3FA56RaypV2GIaWiKMJQCK7yt6X91tuuAIZPX1_ETd7Cj-gW3ANJT0MQyFPSZi7crz2AMvhN1shx9bL3lHt8O0ogmZBbzHFngs9JtCJpKuLYo0RuhiPwy7_he_B5Ulxjfig5/s4032/best%20Barron%20and%20me%202023.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfW2e23S2Yc7Xy3_oR1cQsHF8lICEVl9t1K6uK0F_MmUrne-QMVBK3FA56RaypV2GIaWiKMJQCK7yt6X91tuuAIZPX1_ETd7Cj-gW3ANJT0MQyFPSZi7crz2AMvhN1shx9bL3lHt8O0ogmZBbzHFngs9JtCJpKuLYo0RuhiPwy7_he_B5Ulxjfig5/s320/best%20Barron%20and%20me%202023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We are here for two weeks, so Sparky can see her daughter and grandson, who is growing like a weed. For the last couple of days, we've played baseball and family games. We went to a beautiful park called Burroughs Park, one of the nicest and biggest city parks in the area at 320 acres with a stocked 7 acre fishing lake, sports fields, 8 miles plus of hiking trails and more. It's off of Huffsmith Rd. in Tomball and it has the BIGGEST dog park ever! The playground facilities were fantastic, there are ponds there, too. It was really beautiful. The trails meander away from the active public areas, so it's a great place to walk through the woods. The Woodlands area of Houston is very pretty with lots of forests and trails, excellent shopping and of course, expensive homes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOV04I84z0JkmTxD397_myRmbf8AWfvZ5WZIN4_4K8ewWp0GaSxUzcSE-ft8J6BmPXWlynazVyV-fJFK23y1XC1FY8zG3RF-wE99oMm3gATiXLB63hxr-YayKQhlQJd6EbI3f-bKPq1iZBrahY45KndOr1FTY77lAQI3_eSWo1u3Lt7I3k4a36rwJ/s4032/FullSizeRender.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOV04I84z0JkmTxD397_myRmbf8AWfvZ5WZIN4_4K8ewWp0GaSxUzcSE-ft8J6BmPXWlynazVyV-fJFK23y1XC1FY8zG3RF-wE99oMm3gATiXLB63hxr-YayKQhlQJd6EbI3f-bKPq1iZBrahY45KndOr1FTY77lAQI3_eSWo1u3Lt7I3k4a36rwJ/s320/FullSizeRender.HEIC" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Grandson is growing up so fast....He's a wonderful, smart young man and so polite. He says he'd like to go traveling with Grandma some day. Yay! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaB2jciQThpqbLh2w8Bwb8pSQI6xCesEuss26FkfwPweE-qc94eyd9y-FlQegezmZh0NXyLI7q-rxjg8b9Sfn0Z1Ed_NyCZahngPl7_zNx5frjzSHVMa48j9ztaYp3arKDaReZh_wQow2rExbCr4BtGHEi6BQXkIS2SdkFxrKbugwLExwUEkg9Orvs/s4032/IMG_9708.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaB2jciQThpqbLh2w8Bwb8pSQI6xCesEuss26FkfwPweE-qc94eyd9y-FlQegezmZh0NXyLI7q-rxjg8b9Sfn0Z1Ed_NyCZahngPl7_zNx5frjzSHVMa48j9ztaYp3arKDaReZh_wQow2rExbCr4BtGHEi6BQXkIS2SdkFxrKbugwLExwUEkg9Orvs/s320/IMG_9708.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Sparky found a good dentist at <b style="font-style: italic;">Spring Park Dentistry </b>in Spring, TX. So far, it seems that her tooth problems are related to the crown being "high" and her bite being "off" so the crown was filed and polished a bit. The dentist, Dr. Ho, was very thorough in testing the bite pattern, as the previous dentist who did the crown, was not. The discomfort is still there, but because Sparky has been solely favoriting the opposite side for more than three weeks when chewing, the dentist said the crown nerves could be inflamed and irritated. Sparky wouldn't hesitate in a second going back there if the problems continue, which at this point, they are. She's going to give it a few more days, then back she will go. Beautiful office, modern equipment, super nice staff and two very good dentists. Very high reviews as well. Sparky went back a second and third time for bite adjustments and it's a little better. Always reluctant to have a bite adjusted so much it's not your original mouth any more! But with NO abcess, NO sign of infection, the roots all looking healthy, that was the only option for now.</span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">What's on tap for the rest of the stay? Sparky's daughter and grandson are off on a short side trip during spring break, so we will take care of some necessary chores with the truck and rig, like treating the rubber seals around the slides, getting an oil change for the truck, cleaning the jack stems on the RV, laundry, the dentist, and anything else we can think of, maybe breakfast at First Watch on Sunday! Then when they get back--more visits! Sparky was going to kayak Lake Conroe, it's a really big lake, but again--too much wind, too much rain and not great kayaking conditions, so we will shoot for next time.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yue96X4JO85DexuiBSBLHODliEBDEYcJlL5zJZEOP5oLXnLIEjJ5L_D9YNXD7cYoW7a17QRHH_XZyVeoSxTWXyO8QSEavsWih9Mv3uFf8PI1cxGzW9lsdl_bHyPrq8Kt_mCchUCC7_8MSi8sAKED43B-3yDrzkJ_nWCxAm1uuUZXv4G0avAhW-cy/s2621/IMG_9791.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="2621" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yue96X4JO85DexuiBSBLHODliEBDEYcJlL5zJZEOP5oLXnLIEjJ5L_D9YNXD7cYoW7a17QRHH_XZyVeoSxTWXyO8QSEavsWih9Mv3uFf8PI1cxGzW9lsdl_bHyPrq8Kt_mCchUCC7_8MSi8sAKED43B-3yDrzkJ_nWCxAm1uuUZXv4G0avAhW-cy/s320/IMG_9791.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo taken by grandson</td></tr></tbody></table>One more week passed quickly in the Houston area, and now it's time to head out for Louisiana, Alabama, then Kentucky. Our plans are to end up this summer in the U.P. in Michigan. It was a great visit with family, and now we are off once again heading towards the midwest. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0ANQjzcshAjjI4wQeMxofIsFdCB0JRsPIzauzKFaOUUqjkQA9LnazKQIoH6N5A2Dq4TlqmYY8rt3qpG6UJNjIR7twIxLBTLRGsaPiA7gY7CXa5a50gVYzWdQBEd1wvL-w1LZqCukRKpZlDinAUjExf1H-2ZCg5H7t1wlO1FBBXp1vFe2TLV0W3gi/s4032/IMG_9785.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0ANQjzcshAjjI4wQeMxofIsFdCB0JRsPIzauzKFaOUUqjkQA9LnazKQIoH6N5A2Dq4TlqmYY8rt3qpG6UJNjIR7twIxLBTLRGsaPiA7gY7CXa5a50gVYzWdQBEd1wvL-w1LZqCukRKpZlDinAUjExf1H-2ZCg5H7t1wlO1FBBXp1vFe2TLV0W3gi/s320/IMG_9785.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma got beat at Connect 4 too many times!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We are watching our travel weather closely as it seems bad storms are occurring more frequently than we've experienced in the past, at least they are on our route through the U.S.! We'll see you down the road...Until next time....</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Sparky and Eldo</span></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-90362501567004246272023-03-09T20:39:00.005-05:002023-03-17T19:49:02.649-04:00Time to Unplug at Davis Mountain State Park<p><span style="font-size: large;">After 50 plus miles of a harrowing drive along TX 118 to get to Davis Mountains State Park, we missed the entrance to the park, which was along a two lane highway with nowhere to turn around, at least at first. We drove right by it. The signage was facing in a forward direction away from the way we were going, and the GPS said it was the equestrian part of the park. The name threw us a bit. It turns out it was the right place to turn in and we missed it. It may be Texas, but it sure didn't have a big sign! Once we realized our mistake, Sparky said, oh--I'll call the park and see where we were supposed to turn. Uh, NOPE! No cell signal. Now what do we do? We decided to proceed ahead to the small town of Fort Davis, hoping we would get a signal there. We did. Sparky called, got the confirmation of the exit. We turned around in the little town of Fort Davis, right down the road a few miles and headed back and once again, we lost our cell service. Dang! We were now thinking we were not going to have any phone or Internet while we were there, and we were right.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We pulled into the state park and were given a nice long site, #24. Directions were given but even so, we went down the wrong side of the pull through loop circle, due to confusing signage, so back we went around in a circle and back to our site. We had some difficulty getting level, the ground was severely sloped but we are getting pretty good at deciding board placement under the jacks to compensate for uneven ground, and we finally got to where we felt comfortable putting our slides out and settling in. We were going to stay three nights. We ended up only staying two nights, not because we were unplugged and having Internet withdrawal symptoms (well, maybe a little, says E.) but because we had misfigured our mileage to the next park and needed to leave a day early.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: x-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSpK4bdRequEkF4DQa15D4OLLgEse76QPosWRHHsZNm6THWR4sCb57Ea93MldhiKAV-bmYUhQLzWtSLCjxvQfqqeAfUzet4kNN9fp8iZgdkeQQZEGcNK2gnpnPiVRgt6MciG9toj78kLBzTtVo86yWVY4InSnZNGmCWN2NRALg8lNqUYCF7N4EDZb/s1058/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.11.53%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="974" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSpK4bdRequEkF4DQa15D4OLLgEse76QPosWRHHsZNm6THWR4sCb57Ea93MldhiKAV-bmYUhQLzWtSLCjxvQfqqeAfUzet4kNN9fp8iZgdkeQQZEGcNK2gnpnPiVRgt6MciG9toj78kLBzTtVo86yWVY4InSnZNGmCWN2NRALg8lNqUYCF7N4EDZb/s320/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.11.53%20PM.png" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">courtesy of the internet-Montezuma quail</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky went right to exploring the grounds and saw a bunch of deer the first night. Signs and photos at the ranger station said you might see bobcats, Montezuma quail, or even <i>aoudad</i> sheep, also called <i>Barbary sheep</i>. Sparky was excited to hear that! They also have TWO wildlife/bird viewing stations and the ranger told us that Barbary sheep had been seen at one of them a few days before. We never saw the sheep nor the Montezuma quail (extremely shy) while we were there, but Barbary sheep look a lot like bighorn sheep. They have brownish horns that curve up and back but they don't curl around like bighorns. They were brought to Texas in the 1950's from Africa for exotic game hunting. They flourish in the West Texas desert and share habitat with the endangered bighorn sheep. Desert bighorns died out during the 1960's due to overhunting and disease spread from domestic sheep. Texas is trying to bring them back. Both kinds of sheep compete for the same resources. The aoudads are considered an invasive species, but they bring in so much money through hunting, that it's nearly impossible to reestablish the bighorn because the ranchers don't want the Barbary (aoudad) sheep herd culled.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacPapy_-sbWiMmayPyUtYkbvctbIw4j0WC7dmU3KvwHs-gvjoM1xW-f_yHO_YVfsAGz8kBwTZWw7MWbiXj-bFCAtNYFx3dKL1-9j3MdCSlX3kwLIVoLNvMh0WxqBF_jX1W4Cil9WaiyL-PIdS6e5FVcmu3wdk4RbuTqSSnlV7W8XT5mCjtkjGc_xd/s1208/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.08.44%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1208" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacPapy_-sbWiMmayPyUtYkbvctbIw4j0WC7dmU3KvwHs-gvjoM1xW-f_yHO_YVfsAGz8kBwTZWw7MWbiXj-bFCAtNYFx3dKL1-9j3MdCSlX3kwLIVoLNvMh0WxqBF_jX1W4Cil9WaiyL-PIdS6e5FVcmu3wdk4RbuTqSSnlV7W8XT5mCjtkjGc_xd/w279-h279/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.08.44%20PM.png" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">courtesy of the internet-Barbary sheep</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoOCUSskTsmKTmJqKjYQbyRSO8F9OkTHhZAa8jGVz6QduW42XY0vUrKtUIuhzLTGfe__vk2bPeSJq6ODrztop_rn0LfyqzZUTLw3wDCIHqrF2-rmqjdKbug8B3qC8VpFX0vTW_IhMkNPZAex9Dh49EvCGmkOYlWzTw3qAjW6Ldt6BgV9HNpqlDWfQ/s3251/acorn%20woodpecker.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3251" data-original-width="2979" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoOCUSskTsmKTmJqKjYQbyRSO8F9OkTHhZAa8jGVz6QduW42XY0vUrKtUIuhzLTGfe__vk2bPeSJq6ODrztop_rn0LfyqzZUTLw3wDCIHqrF2-rmqjdKbug8B3qC8VpFX0vTW_IhMkNPZAex9Dh49EvCGmkOYlWzTw3qAjW6Ldt6BgV9HNpqlDWfQ/s320/acorn%20woodpecker.JPG" width="293" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Acorn woodpecker</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: x-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp6vSQK5BvBwBI8C07lHeLWn9fG9gQ-cCQhk1J-JItR8Sf70dW1RCFCDZnbVVCvPjYPkn4NiUjbhhQ3TzFP75iCsNm_zIzv-OoCi0Avfi4nJKh8Eu97aFVljZhswmQmGAp9OrBh3LvtQAqHON7y4kiLyRNnn6mgkX3S0f8LxP-SSWegAjF08qwL9K/s4608/western%20scrub%20jay.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp6vSQK5BvBwBI8C07lHeLWn9fG9gQ-cCQhk1J-JItR8Sf70dW1RCFCDZnbVVCvPjYPkn4NiUjbhhQ3TzFP75iCsNm_zIzv-OoCi0Avfi4nJKh8Eu97aFVljZhswmQmGAp9OrBh3LvtQAqHON7y4kiLyRNnn6mgkX3S0f8LxP-SSWegAjF08qwL9K/s320/western%20scrub%20jay.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">western scrub jay</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky spent some time at the birding stations. Without the internet or cell phone service, time to enjoy nature. There were a wide variety of birds at the feeders. Western scrub jays, several different kinds of woodpeckers--ladderback and acorn woodpeckers, sparrows and finches were flocking at the feeders.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR0Q77gdOk4FqgsXLi_KD0DUPyqMXNzE9bGr5Kew0qIn3-Skd-zIkj_rntVDrJ93eUurJJqRI3qLC3tt2VstKrQZsne79ceGdcsjlWjy7iex6BJ9q01IlnDIcVz8JfNpSAdfPbq68TMhnJJag1gCYf8xt-a3VQVjsOr9orx00VgemvgqD34a6xvJz/s2916/chipping%20sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="2916" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR0Q77gdOk4FqgsXLi_KD0DUPyqMXNzE9bGr5Kew0qIn3-Skd-zIkj_rntVDrJ93eUurJJqRI3qLC3tt2VstKrQZsne79ceGdcsjlWjy7iex6BJ9q01IlnDIcVz8JfNpSAdfPbq68TMhnJJag1gCYf8xt-a3VQVjsOr9orx00VgemvgqD34a6xvJz/s320/chipping%20sparrow.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">chipping sparrow</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: x-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3CFm4N0J3vvZ-uG_nxrJgKEXTnN-K8OsHNIDxIg2uZ6yIZ9kgf9SCHFQvEMgAEKAHtfsY17_5q1LXxtgbCqnI3-TcdasowQ1vLCEhQrJuvXoh4xFIKsD7vSWZ8zSUDEg_ZiA6dugKV1mxACUKapfPE7DqmVn1GNHxb6jjSPsZeWs1XPI_W0t7QwJ/s3038/warbler.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3038" data-original-width="3008" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3CFm4N0J3vvZ-uG_nxrJgKEXTnN-K8OsHNIDxIg2uZ6yIZ9kgf9SCHFQvEMgAEKAHtfsY17_5q1LXxtgbCqnI3-TcdasowQ1vLCEhQrJuvXoh4xFIKsD7vSWZ8zSUDEg_ZiA6dugKV1mxACUKapfPE7DqmVn1GNHxb6jjSPsZeWs1XPI_W0t7QwJ/s320/warbler.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">some kind of warbler?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky really wanted to see a <i><b>pyrrhuloxia</b></i>--a desert cardinal, but he didn't show up at the feeders. The ranger said that the best chance of seeing one was to go out on a certain trail. This is what they look like, courtesy of the internet.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWnPfKFtoQOZC4f8yN8NBWiOZj5ruWVr9XqIdCE6ASPaVJ4Kmv6d5yPI5c5x92QIRw7G0_dJ7lUYz_ONw1wKhUYdT6amiBTlMQiViJVZqZBoHw_HJhLdjXQp1_HBk8xFZYNh3cnFE3oofwMpHzq_b_ptAAHgM9yq2B6Jal-QVG9AIafKNDU1FLbR3/s1232/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.20.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1232" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWnPfKFtoQOZC4f8yN8NBWiOZj5ruWVr9XqIdCE6ASPaVJ4Kmv6d5yPI5c5x92QIRw7G0_dJ7lUYz_ONw1wKhUYdT6amiBTlMQiViJVZqZBoHw_HJhLdjXQp1_HBk8xFZYNh3cnFE3oofwMpHzq_b_ptAAHgM9yq2B6Jal-QVG9AIafKNDU1FLbR3/w248-h208/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%203.20.36%20PM.png" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">pyrruloxia-desert cardinal</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGlkpFn-hEx8bm2vWbwEZbcUj8sWvddq9FJehDOdjgrsBm0KHx3IGcSj-tZBuhjjJVo4kYHpIYU6evlpTDj77jayVH7bz8-tFX1w_IJFttPLIqY_-GwNlN35GbL24117c0-FNwiAhYT9z_RkGBfrQwBuDgSjroCrw4TG0pYD0OM-uOAFkCd8JeIdj/s4032/agarita.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGlkpFn-hEx8bm2vWbwEZbcUj8sWvddq9FJehDOdjgrsBm0KHx3IGcSj-tZBuhjjJVo4kYHpIYU6evlpTDj77jayVH7bz8-tFX1w_IJFttPLIqY_-GwNlN35GbL24117c0-FNwiAhYT9z_RkGBfrQwBuDgSjroCrw4TG0pYD0OM-uOAFkCd8JeIdj/s320/agarita.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Agarita on the trail</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Having visited the feeders several times, Sparky got out on one of the more challenging trails in the park--the Skyline Trail. It's 2.5 miles one way and quite steep, lots of loose rocks and very narrow. She did not go to the top, which has an outstanding 360 degree view of the valley below which would be a total of over 5 miles up and back, too much for a problematic bad sciatic nerve that kicks into high gear after hikes. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: x-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4YVKz-GslKWFMSGNALNeluCnTIvRYbzkNc-zEEcVFQQZQd112EPPSJKhd9Ypk8xY6TusiqcqlV_qrim1EyteOcB0glJXYGkyvy26hUBdUo0vx0VVGPYYsz5s85qv3nK548lJTYNNPz9G_3Nq1sL5LJfylHf3LrjNT8YsivxTZgB9b9WuCnTO1ASP/s4032/lookout.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4YVKz-GslKWFMSGNALNeluCnTIvRYbzkNc-zEEcVFQQZQd112EPPSJKhd9Ypk8xY6TusiqcqlV_qrim1EyteOcB0glJXYGkyvy26hUBdUo0vx0VVGPYYsz5s85qv3nK548lJTYNNPz9G_3Nq1sL5LJfylHf3LrjNT8YsivxTZgB9b9WuCnTO1ASP/s320/lookout.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">CCC Lookout shelter</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you don't care to hike it, you can drive the road version of the Skyline. It's extremely narrow, twisty but WOW! Fantastic views along the way, historic stone structures, a built CCC rest/lookout area (built by the <b>c</b>ivilian <b>c</b>onservation <b>c</b>orps established in the '30's).</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u6-EUTcRZxEHIK-JxYhL9ICUkMqwnGEw5lfkHt977AWCcQFWKYVRn0NXM4LYAs2-kqi49_dcYqf_51oEX91m5UzroFJBfQ85i_6Zjwy2qkVHhuFvWjtjpny87BMzSB1WXjdqvDrFPsMJndPGFdvocIp5ByjfADTYSli3BNqwl56azSD_g0GfwQMP/s4032/eldy%20at%20lookout.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u6-EUTcRZxEHIK-JxYhL9ICUkMqwnGEw5lfkHt977AWCcQFWKYVRn0NXM4LYAs2-kqi49_dcYqf_51oEX91m5UzroFJBfQ85i_6Zjwy2qkVHhuFvWjtjpny87BMzSB1WXjdqvDrFPsMJndPGFdvocIp5ByjfADTYSli3BNqwl56azSD_g0GfwQMP/s320/eldy%20at%20lookout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eldy at the lookout CCC dwelling</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Skyline HIKING trail culminates in this view at the top also. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd8T43JIzFpOyc11aj5ga64b3bCJRRkQxtsyumd1hqtQEbVugzMVmGlZjFd2pieLvAD_9T_lfGAuO6J0bDntTj2pjJbLkHmhyGmWwekWtnDUFYOb6yfbeck0Mq0BHiFDEp6RrYBnTVzOGBsIF3pNGzij_JvLRdB0_ogbYFxhnTvdfaUO1AZg7jyyx/s4032/skyline%20drive.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd8T43JIzFpOyc11aj5ga64b3bCJRRkQxtsyumd1hqtQEbVugzMVmGlZjFd2pieLvAD_9T_lfGAuO6J0bDntTj2pjJbLkHmhyGmWwekWtnDUFYOb6yfbeck0Mq0BHiFDEp6RrYBnTVzOGBsIF3pNGzij_JvLRdB0_ogbYFxhnTvdfaUO1AZg7jyyx/s320/skyline%20drive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ur6LgcgV7Qr8uYzS5Wvr6hpY6u-6MDYtOQPwa1YIy7LNvvio6uqLW5T3htK4sclju9i2uU9FvSelzj8AldjLnPvof8kmZ1B6EHKOYzZoep--kvAbi7G6qhOKSie2uYC0zqnf3qYT8E5eThnUo-_JrcaKz07v147Pw_c7fSsbkvkGVnLposbvatwK/s4032/Texas%20view.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ur6LgcgV7Qr8uYzS5Wvr6hpY6u-6MDYtOQPwa1YIy7LNvvio6uqLW5T3htK4sclju9i2uU9FvSelzj8AldjLnPvof8kmZ1B6EHKOYzZoep--kvAbi7G6qhOKSie2uYC0zqnf3qYT8E5eThnUo-_JrcaKz07v147Pw_c7fSsbkvkGVnLposbvatwK/s320/Texas%20view.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky was glad we decided to drive to the top rather than hike it. (Not that she couldn't, but she just wasn't up for a long hike today, explains Eldo.) He's so kind, isn't he? When you have to watch your feet CONSTANTLY and worry about slipping and sliding loose rock, that kind of hiking is just not as enjoyable sometimes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLybcepYoyS2iKOSpBmmLU5InosoeAppSb97g7_gVMXfqyxb-BRMrurcPlGNubSuywUPGapJ_eDTXt5rH28OWBLBYcxTUMz9RVTS17560ZsMK-tbcKcUXqU5ZctAT80QlXKUYhPUcLUiU_yPqV5Qarex3ZfN8d74LO7b4I1DqSTy3le9klhFeDR5M/s4032/mojave%20yucca.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLybcepYoyS2iKOSpBmmLU5InosoeAppSb97g7_gVMXfqyxb-BRMrurcPlGNubSuywUPGapJ_eDTXt5rH28OWBLBYcxTUMz9RVTS17560ZsMK-tbcKcUXqU5ZctAT80QlXKUYhPUcLUiU_yPqV5Qarex3ZfN8d74LO7b4I1DqSTy3le9klhFeDR5M/s320/mojave%20yucca.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />While we were at the top of the scenic Skyline Drive, we saw this yucca plant with the biggest bloom coming out. Wish we could see it at the height of its glory....The biggest blooming time in the desert comes in about two to three weeks during late March through April and we miss it every time! (Sparky does not want to be where it's getting HOT, says E.) This yucca to the right is called a <b><i>mojave yucca</i></b>. Although peak blooming desert cactus time is a ways off yet, we were able to see some of the blooms and what they looked like at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, a few miles outside of Fort Davis. The main building was very beautiful inside with lots of information and a little store inside. Admission was 6.50.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv2EZ9EKblrbs1EHebwoyg6vfmHEzbGaPvJsnTl0HfJp-JspXPdBGk4ebfoiEe-UWLhIlMAKRbWPB0wkmIBSzzRPIOS5mTaIPddAj2jqQj6BfTcXy4-c67H3aYwaA32p_LNLt2BhMdNa87lqKDVL5U1W6GBROCv5GgN6xtaQvsHjI2Wa9chgRSHfH/s4032/IMG_9484.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv2EZ9EKblrbs1EHebwoyg6vfmHEzbGaPvJsnTl0HfJp-JspXPdBGk4ebfoiEe-UWLhIlMAKRbWPB0wkmIBSzzRPIOS5mTaIPddAj2jqQj6BfTcXy4-c67H3aYwaA32p_LNLt2BhMdNa87lqKDVL5U1W6GBROCv5GgN6xtaQvsHjI2Wa9chgRSHfH/s320/IMG_9484.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12G3JxQfWNphx3JqciEfYw1auxBcnshBmOl2cqTkZsuPRF8w303RkG9V8QWighx2EO5TVMnu1eialt3whlzsvitOyyVKuUoraQGm0hWBe_LX_XKfLe1akw_HxECcOff-lra-nUTdS2v1ArhVMbS-89zG81Ocy_Enbx0t51vbOvAqNU8anHNOoASq0/s4032/IMG_9485.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12G3JxQfWNphx3JqciEfYw1auxBcnshBmOl2cqTkZsuPRF8w303RkG9V8QWighx2EO5TVMnu1eialt3whlzsvitOyyVKuUoraQGm0hWBe_LX_XKfLe1akw_HxECcOff-lra-nUTdS2v1ArhVMbS-89zG81Ocy_Enbx0t51vbOvAqNU8anHNOoASq0/s320/IMG_9485.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This non-profit organization has a botanical garden on site, a mining exhibit, and a cactus greenhouse at the back of the trails that meander through a tremendous variety of cactus, desert shrubs and trees, all labeled so you can learn about the terrific variety of desert plant life. Sparky never knew there were so many different kinds of oak trees in the southwest! The cactus greenhouse had all very small specimens or "starts" of every kind of cactus you could imagine. And LOTS of the little teeny, tiny ones were blooming prolifically. There weren't any cacti taller than about 8", most were smaller. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE90WJ8ehrgGc97SBupNql9C_IpUBpScnzlsqmGrv65va-7qyRnLNtZkISWNtXsPBbfyEJrO0QVUoDcMpomMFVYnPrNHFXj8OqwFvrXN4WZfV-8TXFDqxk9tJ0rCttnfum1C_9hekIQI3j7jRpSUBgNomClcEY-HI_23Hbwx4L8HeyoNtzfKKl2XyN/s4032/IMG_9486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE90WJ8ehrgGc97SBupNql9C_IpUBpScnzlsqmGrv65va-7qyRnLNtZkISWNtXsPBbfyEJrO0QVUoDcMpomMFVYnPrNHFXj8OqwFvrXN4WZfV-8TXFDqxk9tJ0rCttnfum1C_9hekIQI3j7jRpSUBgNomClcEY-HI_23Hbwx4L8HeyoNtzfKKl2XyN/s320/IMG_9486.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you can imagine gigantic or ordinary sized cactus with these blooms on them, it must be a fantastic spring display all over the southwest. It's hard to even imagine all the beauty of the blooms at approximately the same time. WOWZA!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7rgIE1GZqoRQwSZ-U0PLfQpDkPmgbVykCteq9URbiiw_6Z8p3Gy1BpRLrxiOQYTj7oi_BZY2GhXmARZZY4AZz6Tm-a5Up4rGzjcee-tVocNcn-pJe770cKMPNaAb7RAtdO2Y28Wib47bH9ZCVyVkdoqzrrDXgPgCBu1gx2LnDTBx7a05QJzLibkg/s4032/IMG_9491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7rgIE1GZqoRQwSZ-U0PLfQpDkPmgbVykCteq9URbiiw_6Z8p3Gy1BpRLrxiOQYTj7oi_BZY2GhXmARZZY4AZz6Tm-a5Up4rGzjcee-tVocNcn-pJe770cKMPNaAb7RAtdO2Y28Wib47bH9ZCVyVkdoqzrrDXgPgCBu1gx2LnDTBx7a05QJzLibkg/s320/IMG_9491.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We had a short two day stay in Davis Mountains State Park, but we highly recommend it for a great break from technology and an immersion into nature. There were several really great trails at the state park, deer walking around, and the possibilities of seeing many different kinds of birds and animals if you were to stay more than just a day or two. There were a couple of restaurants recommended by the desert institute, but we didn't get a chance to visit any of them. Just ask the locals, they know where the best eats are!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next we are headed to Lake Medina Thousand Trails in Lakehills, TX tomorrow for two days. We will see some friends that we met two years ago, Ken and Donna Grenier. We manage to hook up with lovely friends we have met since going out on the road with a little finagling of our schedules. It's so great to see nice friends again while on the road! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A quick aside....we pulled into our overnight RV park this afternoon and got settled at the Stadium RV Park in Sonora, TX, a great overnight stop if you need one. We were welcomed by a true Texan, cowboy hat and all by the name of Mike. He met us at the front of the park, guided us in and we were settled in a VERY level gravel site. Water hoses and sewer connections provided at no extra charge. Great internet and cell service (yay!) and a super nice, friendly, funny host. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We had no neighbors for awhile, then a fifth wheel pulled in and parked behind us. While Sparky was doing some stuff around outside, the neighbor came over and said, "You won't believe this, but you were our neighbors at Fort Davis State Park." !!! What a coincidence! We talked to them for quite awhile and talked all things RV and travel schedules. Nice to meet you Ernie and Julie! Two E's and two J's....(Ernie and Julie, Eldon and Jeannie). We both leave tomorrow for other locations, but it just goes to show, it really is a small world and you can make new friends anywhere you go...RVing people are really friendly and outgoing, we have found. we enjoyed chatting with them very much and hope our paths cross down the road....You never know!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Bye for now.....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-17994197575662059752023-03-09T15:39:00.002-05:002023-03-09T15:40:06.689-05:00Traveling to Texas<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Traveling Day.... Tucson to Las Cruces NM via I-10, overnight stop at Sunny Acres RV Park, </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">site 48 Highs: 70's to low 80's, lows: 40's</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We had a good hitch up Monday morning. A good hitch up is when all the slides come in ok, the jacks come up as they are supposed to, and Sparky gets the hitch on the RV to the right height to match the connector in the truck, and the truck backs right into the hitch with a resounding "CLANK" which means it connected soundly. Our goal was about 265 miles of driving which sent us along I-10 to Las Cruces. I-10 was TERRIBLE as far as quality of pavement. We really shook, rattled and rolled as we went along until we got out of Arizona.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily, we called a couple of parks ahead of time before finding one that could take us. Normally, there are a lot of parks to choose from on our way, but because of bad weather conditions in California and in the northern areas of Arizona, RV traffic has dropped further south, and people are on the move in early March anyway to get towards their summer destinations. Snowbirds are thinking about heading north back home wherever that may be. So a couple of parks said, "Sorry--we're totally booked and we are busier than normal." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wun9HDb1C2-0kY2UJhQdBEM67ZjKiQFDe6jzWMjj7qYNGeT_T1W7f5bFnZ7QjgN-pLOFD6sPqpKMoanCFWnbVlErvdz9Kk3qJOb5zjIdKdh1ykqomguziNVQ4qQUcZXZk0bCVP0OAC1JqofbLNBbDqY8hTW4OOOVcF41_4_73dK_aZojs0qyAog8/s4032/IMG_9391.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Wun9HDb1C2-0kY2UJhQdBEM67ZjKiQFDe6jzWMjj7qYNGeT_T1W7f5bFnZ7QjgN-pLOFD6sPqpKMoanCFWnbVlErvdz9Kk3qJOb5zjIdKdh1ykqomguziNVQ4qQUcZXZk0bCVP0OAC1JqofbLNBbDqY8hTW4OOOVcF41_4_73dK_aZojs0qyAog8/s320/IMG_9391.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We found Sunny Acres RV Park in Las Cruces could take us and our big rig, no problem. A back in site, which CAN be a problem in many snowbird RV parks--usually meaning tight quarters and tight maneuverability, was the only slot they had. After a very difficult last back in spot a couple of camgrounds ago, Sparky was nervous about directing Eldo in again. NO WORRIES!</span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjbA146XUQEWB_fS_XYO3n5oHtCg2j2kqY2QwgeeVqkVVQFJEciEMeFGVABiwfpoY3rtBuXLs6I8MJIbi9bVoO8erAt8hFq7SJNTtGMc2LcMdIJOr7xk90ZzQ-CdezRXLdN8vOJbEQ_6MCk2F8J-VpYgZsyttkN7oJydBUEb7XI3QyFDgEJ3PSiaJ/s4032/IMG_9392.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjbA146XUQEWB_fS_XYO3n5oHtCg2j2kqY2QwgeeVqkVVQFJEciEMeFGVABiwfpoY3rtBuXLs6I8MJIbi9bVoO8erAt8hFq7SJNTtGMc2LcMdIJOr7xk90ZzQ-CdezRXLdN8vOJbEQ_6MCk2F8J-VpYgZsyttkN7oJydBUEb7XI3QyFDgEJ3PSiaJ/s320/IMG_9392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sunny Acres had PLENTY of room to maneuver, and plenty of room between their back in sites towards the back of the park. It's a small park, about 78 sites but very lovely. There are pull thrus, but not very many. There were a lot of seasonal people staying there. There are TREES, which means there is SHADE, and birds--LOTS of mourning doves or white winged doves and other nice things--a porch with rockers at the laundry/shower house, for one. You also get a picnic table that might be covered in bird poop, haha. Don't say you weren't warned about all the doves!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTpVY5I1LnfjVj30SKyk2IgbbL95kdDB9bAw9MIttXZspdRFQ94fZp0RtfOywSlrT6E5rJ9j2lOFOe6bnOwEFccMH62PPvv1jXI_0VFcTIAxyxgzt1CW462roghvF_yAJ0h8wBoJmc1oJWMviAacHUZjzxjhBqbGgDayaVLHwZsTOhVP-kM7vE5-/s4032/IMG_9395.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cTpVY5I1LnfjVj30SKyk2IgbbL95kdDB9bAw9MIttXZspdRFQ94fZp0RtfOywSlrT6E5rJ9j2lOFOe6bnOwEFccMH62PPvv1jXI_0VFcTIAxyxgzt1CW462roghvF_yAJ0h8wBoJmc1oJWMviAacHUZjzxjhBqbGgDayaVLHwZsTOhVP-kM7vE5-/s320/IMG_9395.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They even had a nice pickle ball court! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX98gWzah8nSGIQUTw3RYVmOwF2ZTHCrGqcdqYJ8OiFKOiJopgALC7pUpJwEWemgyzjDJIMDHDE93gRKq96kzFHF5BcfEV8H1HnyR7hDxD09kU-XGu79td3ClGKED0S6MN6DFqua4w_7brZDKGZlmroPKEeKCBowjKjiwIbl99iGRakYob-2caGuCY/s4032/IMG_9396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX98gWzah8nSGIQUTw3RYVmOwF2ZTHCrGqcdqYJ8OiFKOiJopgALC7pUpJwEWemgyzjDJIMDHDE93gRKq96kzFHF5BcfEV8H1HnyR7hDxD09kU-XGu79td3ClGKED0S6MN6DFqua4w_7brZDKGZlmroPKEeKCBowjKjiwIbl99iGRakYob-2caGuCY/s320/IMG_9396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: x-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwQ4nnAWjOqe8zKVBRQZpjpazirKpWgPrWuPI-q-nq5qHc-Wxz4yBvtEIJNINyoAWqBoIo8DQz_2wAC5nlIyhGSpSFrAdwlRdRX0epXUGozhImq6ZSGLuTNUW5TMUvWBmQ1UMzxDBSamyXTLLaGbN_ySMwk4voNv2HBr1SuXIaoBy4d_LhkIT2NI9/s4032/IMG_9393.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwQ4nnAWjOqe8zKVBRQZpjpazirKpWgPrWuPI-q-nq5qHc-Wxz4yBvtEIJNINyoAWqBoIo8DQz_2wAC5nlIyhGSpSFrAdwlRdRX0epXUGozhImq6ZSGLuTNUW5TMUvWBmQ1UMzxDBSamyXTLLaGbN_ySMwk4voNv2HBr1SuXIaoBy4d_LhkIT2NI9/s320/IMG_9393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">site 48</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We were only here for one night, but we would have loved to have stayed longer, it was more like staying in a real campground instead of the usual stone/gravel, concrete pad snowbird parking lot. Even though there were beautiful amenities galore at the last park, the Voyager in Tucson, the standard sites were very narrow, and we never enjoyed staying outside our rig at our site much while we were there. No view except for your neighbor's rig or truck.This place is different. It's also great to be near a large city, Las Cruces has a population of over 112,000, so plenty of things to see and do there. BUT--we will have to wait for a longer stay to explore Las Cruces on our next trip back out west for the winter.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHPXRW5wcWGG1m7ItAVWlamc40tQJnGgyNfKCnBZo4dav7RtrXjpMcjhZ5GdTs2gE_ycXZlE14XJjtKR3TCfiPOeJ0vh31-vG_Ry1qJ0cNSRmUdkvoY-Oi-G5j1WPXX-yB5XEeW_ITxZ154DfQtMEm5xzSQBu2Phudw09JR85HHspNVwqVyGmkJSN/s3021/after%20Las%20Cruces.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="3021" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHPXRW5wcWGG1m7ItAVWlamc40tQJnGgyNfKCnBZo4dav7RtrXjpMcjhZ5GdTs2gE_ycXZlE14XJjtKR3TCfiPOeJ0vh31-vG_Ry1qJ0cNSRmUdkvoY-Oi-G5j1WPXX-yB5XEeW_ITxZ154DfQtMEm5xzSQBu2Phudw09JR85HHspNVwqVyGmkJSN/s320/after%20Las%20Cruces.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The drive on I-10 was rough in the beginning, rough bumpy pavement. Once we got closer to El Paso, it smoothed out. The infrastructure in El Paso is really beautiful and helps make the drive a little more enjoyable. The bridges and overpasses are really something!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyixET0cIC18hulQm7xMwOd7Tu3kmsFix5XWX3XyJl9uoumCH37B7xLykhl-lRjBBmvJGp4PnLIJF4k4ToonmTHaPmf1rLYVexje7wohLtXO29ZRQxYsYvenpjCHdNQ988NQfHNuCXr1xqrOkMT_45TgdOm-C09GjJNB8ZZYPsQBSBilj4JOvqqtP/s3007/after%20Las%20Cruces%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="3007" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyixET0cIC18hulQm7xMwOd7Tu3kmsFix5XWX3XyJl9uoumCH37B7xLykhl-lRjBBmvJGp4PnLIJF4k4ToonmTHaPmf1rLYVexje7wohLtXO29ZRQxYsYvenpjCHdNQ988NQfHNuCXr1xqrOkMT_45TgdOm-C09GjJNB8ZZYPsQBSBilj4JOvqqtP/s320/after%20Las%20Cruces%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were off the next morning for Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, TX. The GPS route out of Las Cruces, NM had us take I-10 to TX 90 South. Shortly after getting on TX 90, our GPS warned us that 4.5 hours had been added to our trip! We had no idea how such a delay could occur...train derailment? Road blocked due to rock slide? Fatal accident? We turned around and headed back to I-10 East. The GPS had us take route 118 into the Davis Mountains and into the state park. Big mistake! That was 50+ miles of curvy, winding, steep, two lane highway and a white knuckle drive for Eldy. Davis Mountain State Park is up in elevation at about 5,200 feet, so we were climbing most of the way. Eldo was watching his engine temps all the way besides watching for oncoming cars. You can see the many switchbacks on the map below. We didn't know. We were just following the GPS! The better route--(the MUCH better route to coming into the state park from the north would have been to exit at Balmorhea and head south down highway 17). </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mBUBK1qn0Cr0FiDhjnzPOHGHUnlcNYUe8YK3xpiAza1lI7XXHgWyjlWfXHVmkCXFlKjX4pGLOSentlG_EN0YdmfNt6nRBY537Kf9tYAtOMhGOxHmB5afGCEKVRvwpwcL_VhDYxtQ4M7lWImhdV9-dnLCbllXIg1lsuM-q1fg6NHMJUM9NcVouYJp/s4032/IMG_9576%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mBUBK1qn0Cr0FiDhjnzPOHGHUnlcNYUe8YK3xpiAza1lI7XXHgWyjlWfXHVmkCXFlKjX4pGLOSentlG_EN0YdmfNt6nRBY537Kf9tYAtOMhGOxHmB5afGCEKVRvwpwcL_VhDYxtQ4M7lWImhdV9-dnLCbllXIg1lsuM-q1fg6NHMJUM9NcVouYJp/s320/IMG_9576%202.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This will be our first state park in Texas. State parks can be problematic for RVs over 40 feet. Some states really know how to be ready for today's larger RVs and with Texas, everything is bigger, right? Davis Mountains State Park is big rig friendly. They have FULL hookups, 50 amp electric and sites can be up to 60 feet long, but they do have a curve to them. The sites are also not level. You are in a mountainous valley, after all. Some people had a dickens of a time trying to get their rigs level. this is a big NO-NO, to have any of your tires off the ground and no support under them. Yikes!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0vSP7rXbd4zAVu2YTRnO1zggiv3BKpH9MImO_AiRFxY_Z1xoSYMCuVOObJXv5qAzdUPsfHB54IHbF9SUDWZW6Ka6L-NSpe2-aZ4auWxNk4MXzLz51B7AEt3Vmj_mREJRkmjaRu0mF_PSPNjiyW_QaUQr5agrnyyFxqyUZyd9YNlaIbM-DrbeRC3A/s4032/IMG_9428.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0vSP7rXbd4zAVu2YTRnO1zggiv3BKpH9MImO_AiRFxY_Z1xoSYMCuVOObJXv5qAzdUPsfHB54IHbF9SUDWZW6Ka6L-NSpe2-aZ4auWxNk4MXzLz51B7AEt3Vmj_mREJRkmjaRu0mF_PSPNjiyW_QaUQr5agrnyyFxqyUZyd9YNlaIbM-DrbeRC3A/s320/IMG_9428.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Being in a mountainous area, there was NO cell service and NO internet, unless you drove down the hill to the little town of Fort Davis where you could get a decent signal. To be fair to the park, they did have a little bit of internet on their wifi network, but it didn't last long and it would fade in and out. There was NO CELL SERVICE at all with our AT & T. If you rode around the park, the office said you might be able to pick up a little signal here or there, but we didn't try it, we thought we'd unplug for two days. It was harder than we thought it would be, but a great challenge.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU8mco7vC-UqRcGNwN4n6satLiKxzIjEuZ6jk1GTr9QPiodjtDzleIW1uJXtxPy26srzGTGy4nV7K2kACl_vx31HGX9yUexYlX_Td_GhSv83rLCefPozVUXv2xLYFDgffQo4f6dyZCcO1N4DQHEaK03tt5JJKA1HhQajmp2Yc4gtnsT9ptYEFCqD5/s4032/IMG_9426.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU8mco7vC-UqRcGNwN4n6satLiKxzIjEuZ6jk1GTr9QPiodjtDzleIW1uJXtxPy26srzGTGy4nV7K2kACl_vx31HGX9yUexYlX_Td_GhSv83rLCefPozVUXv2xLYFDgffQo4f6dyZCcO1N4DQHEaK03tt5JJKA1HhQajmp2Yc4gtnsT9ptYEFCqD5/s320/IMG_9426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">site 24 </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />We got fairly lucky with leveling our rig, and Eldo was able to get our rig on somewhat of an even keel. It took us awhile to do it, however. At each pull thru site, there is a covered ramada for shade and a nice metal picnic table. There's lots to tell about Davis Mountain State Park and the nearby area, so Sparky will save that for her next post. See you in the park and on the trails!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-42226204379670207142023-03-02T12:59:00.066-05:002023-03-04T18:32:17.500-05:00Tucson Revisited<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tucson, AZ Feb. 28th Voyager RV Park and Golf Site 5-160 Standard site Highs: 60's -low 70's </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Lows: high 20's to 40's</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We left our tight site in Yuma at Foothill Village on Tuesday with the help of our RVing friend, George, who came over to give us an extra set of eyes at the back of the rig to pull out of our tight spot between a VERY close palm tree and the electrical box. Eldy did a masterful job of pulling out without having to back up and jockey the rig back and forth to get out. There was a big oleander hedge right in front of him but he didn't even graze it! Sometimes an extra set of eyes is all you need. Thank you, George!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We had a nice but windy four hour drive from Yuma to Tucson and once we got here, we saw that an even bigger wind/snow event was headed our way. No problem! We are a well insulated RV and we got our three propane tanks filled so no worries.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiFoFQyCiJM8JyBtQqH8VEzTGTeIMTZu6i_uY5Tv8QlyfdpVR_enL4S08pxUYGXfBUbzi01i2Jmi9kF2z-Pz0xRDiIQbX65uAgdnnH3dltrE_1V6Tq4ZyGy4S82M4P-umKqZQbTfJUARJkMGLmRseIsNhbfO8ezGpJjzm0Ov3h_70Rh6NlTSMSGLe/s4032/IMG_9233.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiFoFQyCiJM8JyBtQqH8VEzTGTeIMTZu6i_uY5Tv8QlyfdpVR_enL4S08pxUYGXfBUbzi01i2Jmi9kF2z-Pz0xRDiIQbX65uAgdnnH3dltrE_1V6Tq4ZyGy4S82M4P-umKqZQbTfJUARJkMGLmRseIsNhbfO8ezGpJjzm0Ov3h_70Rh6NlTSMSGLe/s320/IMG_9233.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we wanted to go see the prolific wildflower bloom at Picacho Peak State Park that we saw from the roadside on our way here. Guess it's kind of a rare thing as Arizona doesn't usually get much rain or enough to trigger the expansive wildflower bloom but every few years. During a rainier than normal year such as this year, the wildflowers burst into bloom and WOW! Carpets of yellow and orange poppies everywhere! It was a little less than an hour's drive from our RV park in Tucson and was well worth the drive.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIPRcG7Td1F6OVXyLK7Jz3L_mtaFgWU4DY1k6j0oxetoWsr1sknsd0pcqTiGOFvorzVKnR96NWmGoesVNU9N9Pt0a9xgc_1haRTqfOc8lpJCLtjLzZyvh8kHfmdJIfusi6fablYlRh5J_2hdN7LzqPtiNNUsPT0ohZAT6o73ZNlRAbshTiMznREQ0/s4032/IMG_9251.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIPRcG7Td1F6OVXyLK7Jz3L_mtaFgWU4DY1k6j0oxetoWsr1sknsd0pcqTiGOFvorzVKnR96NWmGoesVNU9N9Pt0a9xgc_1haRTqfOc8lpJCLtjLzZyvh8kHfmdJIfusi6fablYlRh5J_2hdN7LzqPtiNNUsPT0ohZAT6o73ZNlRAbshTiMznREQ0/w380-h285/IMG_9251.JPG" width="380" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picacho Peak State Park</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We walked all around the park and took note of future hikes. Sparky went up a short hike called the Children's Cave and passed a grandma and her grandson on the way down. She heard someone suggest that the grandson help his grandma down the trail at a rocky part. She circled around the short walk to a little fenced off cave and on the way back down, she encountered the same grandma who had slid on the loose rock, fallen, and badly injured herself. She was bleeding from her head and arm, injured her ankle and possibly broke her ring finger which was swelling so fast it was turning blue. She was lucid and had called 911, but Sparky called the state park office to try and get a ranger out sooner for faster attention. Sparky felt bad for the young grandson, as he was so scared and upset he cried that his grandma got hurt. Another mom with her daughter and Sparky stayed with the lady till help came. Hope she is ok.....It just made Sparky realize that even if you think you can manage a hike with the bare minimum, you need to be ALWAYS prepared for yourself and others--hiking poles, first aid in a backpack, and enough water. Once help arrived, we left and decided that since a winter storm was coming that night, we would take the scenic drive up Mount Lemmon that we love so much so off we went to revisit that. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBDFShFCvvtiV2G9-Grsa-QV0rE6rYh1bKrDI7Z-EndMm66ls4guw1af6TiIeQaw43mOthCnIedOP157J6KJ_XoRhnNB9xbTqiIA4sqDkjHnc1pxGfQW-xHQwSxAEWs3HXCpR67NNz-cesTrKw6T6X7AIrbNo8j7S-X77HA3UePNrvDgmJJY4uMzl/s4032/IMG_1136.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBDFShFCvvtiV2G9-Grsa-QV0rE6rYh1bKrDI7Z-EndMm66ls4guw1af6TiIeQaw43mOthCnIedOP157J6KJ_XoRhnNB9xbTqiIA4sqDkjHnc1pxGfQW-xHQwSxAEWs3HXCpR67NNz-cesTrKw6T6X7AIrbNo8j7S-X77HA3UePNrvDgmJJY4uMzl/s320/IMG_1136.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparky tries to make a little snowman</td></tr></tbody></table><br />They had had several snowfalls but the scenic drive was open. We started at the bottom of the valley at 63 degrees, and by the time we got to the top at over 9,000 feet, the temperature had dropped to 33 degrees. Beautiful vistas along the way, always spectacular whether it's a cloudy day or a sunny one.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplWSk9SaBpoeGK10phRHw5ddN94njzjy-B2oRNiZomtiZiLMiLy0Bv4T4qwrB2M7F7BWEDBr61kSBujXI0ykfYWDJQRzAcx0uw0YMeI0057NAhhGbrWFDmG1iXye7I0_PKvrWcubJj8GxGTU3S9_U5n6IBoqnK-jlR0cuXJhMHpYp55GUiGct2zYK/s4032/IMG_9277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplWSk9SaBpoeGK10phRHw5ddN94njzjy-B2oRNiZomtiZiLMiLy0Bv4T4qwrB2M7F7BWEDBr61kSBujXI0ykfYWDJQRzAcx0uw0YMeI0057NAhhGbrWFDmG1iXye7I0_PKvrWcubJj8GxGTU3S9_U5n6IBoqnK-jlR0cuXJhMHpYp55GUiGct2zYK/w281-h375/IMG_9277.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The flowing water from the melting snow at the top had iced into mini frozen waterfalls on the rocks at lower elevations.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp1ka69fYkNElaPVyMalF-R_CvHMrW0HlNYpyDWQgW3C3al_1c76ke5F9rWppUtNmfHzCwkf60WecsHvF4KfWbv6YA8qQRwB19CT8uyq1OhKrJKGkCb3gcV2gTyjeQw1RFJ5O-YY3PiYmH-6k8uZ2X8CzKHkFd5Mxx5xelHlatt3gkJ3O61vy7xE9/s4032/IMG_9287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp1ka69fYkNElaPVyMalF-R_CvHMrW0HlNYpyDWQgW3C3al_1c76ke5F9rWppUtNmfHzCwkf60WecsHvF4KfWbv6YA8qQRwB19CT8uyq1OhKrJKGkCb3gcV2gTyjeQw1RFJ5O-YY3PiYmH-6k8uZ2X8CzKHkFd5Mxx5xelHlatt3gkJ3O61vy7xE9/s320/IMG_9287.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There are many pullouts and vistas along the way. One is called the Seven Cataracts. When the water is flowing you can see SEVEN waterfalls although they are quite far away. When you try to take a photo of all seven, the best you can do is about three of them. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ2staIWVpS_TXThTIFEJ4ZMF9Pt226nCTsE8ibBbk9TtIh6O8Jvg1Ni3DH9l_bHkDgX-YDzKb4kClmWzcMP7yV9hhWPFzSP4p4K85y7SMTD7G7OCg1vfO3NC-yoGj78KWvu5AKsEe_pyY9HvV7hNjVLJ-QKl_hxguZ6Ik25dZ74H9tBhXBJH7uWt/s4032/IMG_9266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ2staIWVpS_TXThTIFEJ4ZMF9Pt226nCTsE8ibBbk9TtIh6O8Jvg1Ni3DH9l_bHkDgX-YDzKb4kClmWzcMP7yV9hhWPFzSP4p4K85y7SMTD7G7OCg1vfO3NC-yoGj78KWvu5AKsEe_pyY9HvV7hNjVLJ-QKl_hxguZ6Ik25dZ74H9tBhXBJH7uWt/s320/IMG_9266.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sparky thought the Seven Cataracts was a weird choice of labeling (cataracts are related only to the eyes?) until she looked up the meaning of cataracts in nature: AHA!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">cataract--</i><i>a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice</i></span></p><p>We love learning new things! We did not know that!</p><p>Years ago we came to Arizona, and we just remembered it as being brown, tan and dry to the bone. No greenery except for aging saguaros (those tall cactus with "arms") all over the place. We really aren't desert people, but you can't beat the warm temperatures during the winter....haha....see below.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrFO82Agzu5V-A0UwUhP6TIuvC2vf55DuHhYhPRAbDyeOz8u5ObIEku_XI4l7XldhNNll5HUKdpEqSNQTrx8Ke1cwdrGVQH78Tt9_6ui7GOAqyiRK6Z-clazKvOnmJOElw3wBO6c-BMwwBVJKkXvhe1c_WqWAs0T7Op2KB8bOwl3JIm9qctvVo6e3/s4032/IMG_9253.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrFO82Agzu5V-A0UwUhP6TIuvC2vf55DuHhYhPRAbDyeOz8u5ObIEku_XI4l7XldhNNll5HUKdpEqSNQTrx8Ke1cwdrGVQH78Tt9_6ui7GOAqyiRK6Z-clazKvOnmJOElw3wBO6c-BMwwBVJKkXvhe1c_WqWAs0T7Op2KB8bOwl3JIm9qctvVo6e3/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We actually didn't like the area years ago, except for the upscale Voyager RV resort that we stayed at back then. This year is totally different. We are seeing Arizona through different eyes, we love the mountains, we love the cacti, we love the difference in the vegetation, rain or not. But with the rain and the wildflower bloom this year, it has really brightened the landscape everywhere. There is even stubby grass growing in the desert! The weather has been all over the place. We've had two dust storms and more rain and several big wind days with gusts over 45 mph. and the locals say that is very unusual. Here in Tucson, it was 86 degrees last year on March 2! This year it was 31 degrees this morning when we woke up to this:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXGf2Bo0MJzhjhiHHeDnsmi6PqI-e0cXQVepZJej1lfuy4xI0DdfiW9ikdWewT0m3__bky7bY7d4x3cpRlnCrYLYB_9G04rqVtaCqHAzWvCx2TRAKb9Cb3KZO7RF1PKvM1d24Di_X68Muhy8-9CszrCiAB8Z-4oGHts4mQrAhr9ch--RRVsBxZF-R/s4032/IMG_9320.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXGf2Bo0MJzhjhiHHeDnsmi6PqI-e0cXQVepZJej1lfuy4xI0DdfiW9ikdWewT0m3__bky7bY7d4x3cpRlnCrYLYB_9G04rqVtaCqHAzWvCx2TRAKb9Cb3KZO7RF1PKvM1d24Di_X68Muhy8-9CszrCiAB8Z-4oGHts4mQrAhr9ch--RRVsBxZF-R/w369-h277/IMG_9320.JPG" width="369" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It was so weird seeing the heavy snow covering the palm trees! It didn't stick on the ground and rapidly melted as the day warmed up. Sparky still loves seeing snow. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PWj_uxZRVNPR4JLHH2A45dJV5djKgv0_PbK7eu_h_aYe7RV4zAxSrnGXjLdK6teBrSTMYvGs249uzXlWHyjygeohp4vbNdLP4MiVQizf81-LuKlnC6SHmZc4RQCaFXemfjaok4fhohlxmIgXwfp8mpfy0LyIa7g_835FGUm3HJmUZRzJSjecioh8/s4032/IMG_9318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PWj_uxZRVNPR4JLHH2A45dJV5djKgv0_PbK7eu_h_aYe7RV4zAxSrnGXjLdK6teBrSTMYvGs249uzXlWHyjygeohp4vbNdLP4MiVQizf81-LuKlnC6SHmZc4RQCaFXemfjaok4fhohlxmIgXwfp8mpfy0LyIa7g_835FGUm3HJmUZRzJSjecioh8/s320/IMG_9318.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It felt like Christmas morning when you wake up as a little kid, hoping it snowed the night before so Santa could make it down the chimney.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmnZuRqentMiIz-10P201eTowo8K4cPQoVRrZRk6Qgb5JNLuaPKWaeLRvMqm1gdZOuqPWD9DLq7ut32SPu_RzBKYbzpROC-Jc5-ht_vMoInZ2uP4BbEZI73LbjyJB3YItwavlBLMi8xhJzT-6P57opIoitwUj8ZJF3ARYnLlnqEqTVZRqdXAieP_Z/s3672/IMG_9305.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2754" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmnZuRqentMiIz-10P201eTowo8K4cPQoVRrZRk6Qgb5JNLuaPKWaeLRvMqm1gdZOuqPWD9DLq7ut32SPu_RzBKYbzpROC-Jc5-ht_vMoInZ2uP4BbEZI73LbjyJB3YItwavlBLMi8xhJzT-6P57opIoitwUj8ZJF3ARYnLlnqEqTVZRqdXAieP_Z/s320/IMG_9305.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view outside our bedroom window</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckuu4Qi1okCRRBGoijAshf54KkQTUiCpsalP29VvseMToy4LGgGN8m6Q2itFJ6sbwQxkeZiphpi0x_B9AleNNrIYmGxUv7rcNueKpktoXR7Ovrh7d_F3J5S1VexNwylm_Obj8zU9LymwZP07szYq_bqUiYSUGPyyKQyBRTU4mth-VEmfKlUKRM26I/s4032/IMG_9335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckuu4Qi1okCRRBGoijAshf54KkQTUiCpsalP29VvseMToy4LGgGN8m6Q2itFJ6sbwQxkeZiphpi0x_B9AleNNrIYmGxUv7rcNueKpktoXR7Ovrh7d_F3J5S1VexNwylm_Obj8zU9LymwZP07szYq_bqUiYSUGPyyKQyBRTU4mth-VEmfKlUKRM26I/s320/IMG_9335.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ3C7H01HNtLIUSnIivYjE5acyZ3EtcNPCpQf2dH9hMPKZHG3zrSy6zAexCxvgd7740c-SQP4F47lGkqgQBhfN_cK1OrP_V9GuLyYcRvh6dZN5GYLrpyHwlF5QwrMaNSe2_uwy4v73puvhu-Woyr8M9pLEYhy4CUyxDt5Scid3OD_p1O-E7R0lqHO/s4032/IMG_9339.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ3C7H01HNtLIUSnIivYjE5acyZ3EtcNPCpQf2dH9hMPKZHG3zrSy6zAexCxvgd7740c-SQP4F47lGkqgQBhfN_cK1OrP_V9GuLyYcRvh6dZN5GYLrpyHwlF5QwrMaNSe2_uwy4v73puvhu-Woyr8M9pLEYhy4CUyxDt5Scid3OD_p1O-E7R0lqHO/s320/IMG_9339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">endangered Gila topminnow</td></tr></tbody></table>This weekend it's going to be 72 and totally sunny....Sparky will ride the Loop bike trail a time or two. This time she rode a section of The Loop bike trail over by Sweetwater Wetlands, a very small park with birding and wildlife viewing. She saw these stenciled fish along the trail and wondered what that was all about? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g5Be5v33cdoHU-ZkDAaY4_NcUiIbMUt2IwGBP8lYe5G8ZqlESBFkNTaDg02uyDYbwRgTxfSdlVAhowYAt_Z6Xj3qT0pOxtFD1TlSXLhvbUaGtTinrdlkn1XCy4rOmsS3hmhKi9wKeE2FlF7GJl4b-0CvQGhaZlvlu5UYTG--s96-XplAeV3uOD_n/s4032/IMG_9340.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g5Be5v33cdoHU-ZkDAaY4_NcUiIbMUt2IwGBP8lYe5G8ZqlESBFkNTaDg02uyDYbwRgTxfSdlVAhowYAt_Z6Xj3qT0pOxtFD1TlSXLhvbUaGtTinrdlkn1XCy4rOmsS3hmhKi9wKeE2FlF7GJl4b-0CvQGhaZlvlu5UYTG--s96-XplAeV3uOD_n/s320/IMG_9340.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">It turns out that the endangered Gila topminnow, a native Sonoran desert fish was discovered in the Santa Cruz River in Tucson. A conservation artist, Kimi Eisele, was chosen to depict the fish along the Santa Cruz River to connect the public with the fish and the flowing river. The fish came back to the ecosystem because of the treated wastewater. Since the 1970's, the highly treated wastewater, the effluent, has created a green riparian corridor for over 20 miles and the Gila topminnow are back!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The photo at the upper right guides the cyclist or walker or casual pedestrian to a platform overlooking a very low flowing stream, but apparently, the minnow must be in there. The beautiful fish stencils most definitely engage your interest! AND, if you are lucky, you might see a roadrunner or two along the dry, desert washes. Sparky saw TWO on her last ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdAPV9aNrweaHFeJNDhyjnU9OpEZhpdt6Gd7WCGI-pRYuJW3Z5CIvd-IoEr3YOqtnPtHnHw5gzvASbCeKAzumT-E6eWuZlHX_pDuYoA70tDNtQoKmA_G2E9Wn9S1BHtUDTajmf7QAgAGOkJViLojqFY3spjgi0zTFdpFHCg0U311lWzFblsqES79l/s4032/IMG_9349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdAPV9aNrweaHFeJNDhyjnU9OpEZhpdt6Gd7WCGI-pRYuJW3Z5CIvd-IoEr3YOqtnPtHnHw5gzvASbCeKAzumT-E6eWuZlHX_pDuYoA70tDNtQoKmA_G2E9Wn9S1BHtUDTajmf7QAgAGOkJViLojqFY3spjgi0zTFdpFHCg0U311lWzFblsqES79l/s320/IMG_9349.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNKcTokAM_jyhQPa1VN0B9UITppUgZP4w43dvATr0Aoelx2z7CMTmOtkxpHLLTcvrcYg_8WF9TTmSSyz5UZm14y9iLShVYiKIeSsWAkqCdPO1KzOaydM0f-Dp--lf7j-CiM5XZ5rIQW-cKKwV8bFtwZoj27Qrq_2GVRb_pvdek9xn1YPkI_CVde_g/s4032/IMG_9347.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNKcTokAM_jyhQPa1VN0B9UITppUgZP4w43dvATr0Aoelx2z7CMTmOtkxpHLLTcvrcYg_8WF9TTmSSyz5UZm14y9iLShVYiKIeSsWAkqCdPO1KzOaydM0f-Dp--lf7j-CiM5XZ5rIQW-cKKwV8bFtwZoj27Qrq_2GVRb_pvdek9xn1YPkI_CVde_g/s320/IMG_9347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>However, the trash all along and inside the washes (the dry riverbeds for the heavy monsoon season in the summers) is NOT very attractive. It was sad to see all the debris left behind by people and how it all ends up in the washes is another story and probably a big problem for Tucson. It's got to end up in storm drains or clogging the system somewhere. Signs even warn you not to traverse portions of the trail if flooded due to the debris that will be deposited.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Monday we leave for Fort Davis State Park in Arizona for a few days, which is very close to the McDonald Observatory. That place has very cool star gazing programs. Unfortunately, there are no openings available for the short sty we are there, but it is HIGHLY recommended by many.....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Always an adventure, this travel lifestyle! This will be a new stop for us at Fort Davis State Park. You never know what's going to be around the corner...Stay tuned and thanks for reading!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-84695034030253266062023-02-24T11:43:00.006-05:002023-02-27T18:46:06.729-05:00A Visit to the Center of the World!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Still in Yuma...Site:134 Highs: Low 60's Lows: high 30's to low 40's</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When we heard a winter storm was going to sock most of the northern US this week, we consulted all our 3-4 of our weather apps (they differ wildly in AZ, we're not sure why), as we were scheduled to leave this week. We saw that our last Cottonwood, AZ visit-- near Sedona was going to get 6" of snow, and the temps at night were going to be in the low twenties. That's even too cold for Sparky and too risky to travel through the high winds and bad weather in the mountains to get there. Besides that, in the next couple of days, a wild windy weather pattern was calling for 50-60 mph in Cottonwood, and being situated near the top of the park was a concern, because the the winds sweeping across the mountains and the mesa table top at the park where we were supposed to be, meant significant swaying and movement of the RV. </span> <span style="font-size: large;">So-o-o-o, we decided to add another week to our Yuma stay, and skip Cottonwood as hiking would be out of the question as well with the snow in Sedona and higher elevations. Phooey! But---there's always next year. Sparky wants to hike the Boynton Canyon Trail....it's on her bucket list. But at 6.1 miles, this is a significantly difficult hike for someone her age, so we'll see. </span><span style="font-size: large;">(SPARKY said that? asks an incredulous Eldo.) Yep, she does have her limitations and is starting to accept that. (THUMP!) That's Eldo falling on the floor in shock. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This part of the Boynton Canyon hike is called Subway Cave and is the most difficult part of the hike to get there. There are many other beautiful hikes in Sedona, so if this one is out of reach, she will try for another. BUT--maybe her adventurous brother, Charlie, would be up for this hike--he did the Ironman at age 65 this year!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBND5lmv_RSB4D2hCGA5nMm4UXp-g4maOBRdawk_ormv3beOyUhKD67HCz1Z3A9PiWP8g6hDpFKuCO58eBMQnLYpixTpIhNS3lQ-VjALKfdv-8Xv774ocZcR-7W7eKLFReI10XzePylAHB4Q9xl3vKUwvKtXZZNXiS03hQIKbFQZWTZ9ivjcEi95t/s1544/Screenshot%202023-02-23%20at%205.39.27%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1544" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBND5lmv_RSB4D2hCGA5nMm4UXp-g4maOBRdawk_ormv3beOyUhKD67HCz1Z3A9PiWP8g6hDpFKuCO58eBMQnLYpixTpIhNS3lQ-VjALKfdv-8Xv774ocZcR-7W7eKLFReI10XzePylAHB4Q9xl3vKUwvKtXZZNXiS03hQIKbFQZWTZ9ivjcEi95t/w398-h265/Screenshot%202023-02-23%20at%205.39.27%20PM.png" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subway Cave</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">So our remaining time in AZ was spent visiting friends the first day we got here, Denise and Shane Selby, who were leaving the next day. We checked out an interesting outdoor museum called the Museum of History in Granite at the Center of the World, checked out some of the beautiful art installations all over Yuma, and met with more RVing friends at the end of our stay in Yuma. We met them in Maine two summers ago. George and Lynn Venezia spend a long period of time here in Yuma for the winter so it was great to see them again!</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The Museum of History in Granite is an outdoor museum of granite panels made from Missouri red granite located just over the California border in the very small town of Felicity, CA, exit 164 off of I-8. Not only is the cool granite installation of the world's history here, but also the "official center of the world" as proclaimed by Imperial County, CA, and Jacques-Andre Istel-the founder-and his former native country of France. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLWpUTCOvlmmUsDh4OgNkgi8lM0sRdqHrPTF98LRYOa-1H1bPJ-BtJ4ffe5_ANGIyen6AYhVIyalLs8u-hDWii0cOVOijFdI_VrYPKkFXItgxcmKQ-QbQCx5UxOQJqnOSeaITwgA0Un1J3abh7b7S5Tx4b_SnlyQPcB8WJFw_DLM90hyXr936A_dF/s4032/IMG_9127.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLWpUTCOvlmmUsDh4OgNkgi8lM0sRdqHrPTF98LRYOa-1H1bPJ-BtJ4ffe5_ANGIyen6AYhVIyalLs8u-hDWii0cOVOijFdI_VrYPKkFXItgxcmKQ-QbQCx5UxOQJqnOSeaITwgA0Un1J3abh7b7S5Tx4b_SnlyQPcB8WJFw_DLM90hyXr936A_dF/s320/IMG_9127.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">standing on the center of the world!</td></tr></tbody></table>The center of the world can be anywhere since our world is spherical, but it was fun to stand on the "official" spot, get your photo taken and receive a certificate that says you visited the pyramid and stood at the "official center of the world". Then you head out to the courtyard of monuments. A great guide, Ms. Baptiste, was very informative and enthusiastic, and filled Sparky in on some interesting facts about the founder and his compound. </span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezef3gSdjKgbgebByrYIIj1F-OVR1PzokcMWgxKpS__c8QzMAikFUD7pdk7FiYJsc3D3YK9-ddDPCtDHexR-0KX10_m7iX9qFLFe8_hpiDEzuFEdGXX4OD7LWkMZ2PHhI_9yVWprcWubtj8XcFzVIhBp96Z6j-YRAuPrzQx57BpLEYfjDmJdXXJvi/s4032/IMG_9122.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezef3gSdjKgbgebByrYIIj1F-OVR1PzokcMWgxKpS__c8QzMAikFUD7pdk7FiYJsc3D3YK9-ddDPCtDHexR-0KX10_m7iX9qFLFe8_hpiDEzuFEdGXX4OD7LWkMZ2PHhI_9yVWprcWubtj8XcFzVIhBp96Z6j-YRAuPrzQx57BpLEYfjDmJdXXJvi/s320/IMG_9122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pyramid with the sweet center spot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Jacques has a great background story. He and his family escaped the Nazis and landed in New York. From there, Jacques grew up and traveled the country, becoming a young successful entrepreneur and avid parachutist. He is renowned as the "father of American skydiving". He invented safer ways to jump and safety mechanisms for the chute and started his own parachuting company. He served in the US Marines during the Korean War. At some point, he chose the Sonoran Desert location between Yuma and San Diego to start a little town called Felicity, population 2, himself and his wife. He had a vision. He was going to perpetuate history with a series of triangular granite monuments and attract attention to his vision by proclaiming his place "The Center of the World". With his successful background and perseverance, he almost singlehandedly built this compound into the weird and unusual tourist attraction it is today. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsdOZbYEMMnE8dICzGXhnqS0rgZZLU4ITD4j_SRtCSDNufduosCMTyCDTUuYetdKQfg0Q4EBaoSfr1NAXoMClL-QcIcJfmBf0SBPapw4FhxUp_lpycS7QBsVMuPscpYfF-jZeHy1vmtZqGJ9gMPmsrwEZLeEaOwQLHF9MuxVY39vzmO7x4jvBAvUg/s4032/IMG_9139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsdOZbYEMMnE8dICzGXhnqS0rgZZLU4ITD4j_SRtCSDNufduosCMTyCDTUuYetdKQfg0Q4EBaoSfr1NAXoMClL-QcIcJfmBf0SBPapw4FhxUp_lpycS7QBsVMuPscpYfF-jZeHy1vmtZqGJ9gMPmsrwEZLeEaOwQLHF9MuxVY39vzmO7x4jvBAvUg/s320/IMG_9139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iVFor7hi4W1MkImCPwXTFaZgZzq96me4lfDIrP6w0wsz7y709zJ-sDdKs0M0W6jvfAP--Q-wjJEgddDB4U4dKozwabuOWIVUZultoPPWzbiwW6s7FXAzUUN0CHHYnLTOrCDcSFgV-KNW3zCtwekC0LFV1haHFYGrrEWhtj8jC6R5pMTOBMwyE_zi/s4032/IMG_9150.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iVFor7hi4W1MkImCPwXTFaZgZzq96me4lfDIrP6w0wsz7y709zJ-sDdKs0M0W6jvfAP--Q-wjJEgddDB4U4dKozwabuOWIVUZultoPPWzbiwW6s7FXAzUUN0CHHYnLTOrCDcSFgV-KNW3zCtwekC0LFV1haHFYGrrEWhtj8jC6R5pMTOBMwyE_zi/s320/IMG_9150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>There are 20 triangular slabs of granite, with 700+ professionally engraved panels, with over 1,000 illustrations that are hand etched and each monument is over 100 feet long. They are arranged in a compass rose with a multilingual Rosetta Stone in the center. A great guide at the museum said that the etchings are done by a single artist who has been with Istel for over 30 years, and the lettering is done by hand by another single artist. After etchings, the stone is painted or sort of white washed, to make the lettering and illustrations "pop". The painting has to be redone after so many years due to the relentless desert sun.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8l0NVt58mRHHC24bOCsvEoQOv0gea8-b5MZhdaOjCtSfyJ7safh30S_w2BW-fhLb7B3ouk_Z1ytA_MW5gV9cASPMPI5DhW70Odje5wxqExs4tA7jxtsqe2s_rmQB_dgFJaAjxJm-0EV9Xwlw7rBNRz8i53AW3JWimsGy0u2URjf2IM9MCCtJCbmA/s4032/IMG_9133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8l0NVt58mRHHC24bOCsvEoQOv0gea8-b5MZhdaOjCtSfyJ7safh30S_w2BW-fhLb7B3ouk_Z1ytA_MW5gV9cASPMPI5DhW70Odje5wxqExs4tA7jxtsqe2s_rmQB_dgFJaAjxJm-0EV9Xwlw7rBNRz8i53AW3JWimsGy0u2URjf2IM9MCCtJCbmA/s320/IMG_9133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RwIeqn8rbG_6stxqgwHZsNkAKtAj3B2D_uCUI3BJ2_yZVhxLmP5tT9MY9QcecrnHFty6RGN4J4eJJ4LRcVPVb6mzQ5C7Psk2dPtE-pga9uRR2B-P0RpMXwCSPKsCS_4amymlwwe0vgfu0FDB-bNiv7pHHX1klBy5JPIJi94v2E2v6St2t0R6KgaA/s4032/IMG_9134.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RwIeqn8rbG_6stxqgwHZsNkAKtAj3B2D_uCUI3BJ2_yZVhxLmP5tT9MY9QcecrnHFty6RGN4J4eJJ4LRcVPVb6mzQ5C7Psk2dPtE-pga9uRR2B-P0RpMXwCSPKsCS_4amymlwwe0vgfu0FDB-bNiv7pHHX1klBy5JPIJi94v2E2v6St2t0R6KgaA/s320/IMG_9134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The choices of what is engraved on them, the bits of history were all chosen by Monsieur Istel. He researched extensively and chose some odd ones along with the basics, starting with the "Big Bang" and went from there, combining human accomplishments and traditional history with a bit of silliness and oddball facts. He also included some French history--the Foreign Legion and the history of French aviation. He's got Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night", Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman on the Supreme Court, the first game of polo, the origin of the hamburger, and on the American History monument, he has the safety pin listed FIRST--before the airplane and the computer. George Washington is remembered for his taste in beer! Culture is almost as important as factual dates and historical events.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWH2AtCNW7rjlWBeCZdHz8_e-KCuQ7KyEn0bMRVkC3r85zNenIDpVGrOw610NTUOH8FL3KtqGuZlNmyTFIX3DXVczDpQ_ztHCSnqtYYdq4AUoKplqp87uwpLguKf45kry5SshLQPtgCXB3PN3hW0CVX80091-DEPnQHYgvlXw4kdYvRNb4pRcRBMV/s4032/IMG_9150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWH2AtCNW7rjlWBeCZdHz8_e-KCuQ7KyEn0bMRVkC3r85zNenIDpVGrOw610NTUOH8FL3KtqGuZlNmyTFIX3DXVczDpQ_ztHCSnqtYYdq4AUoKplqp87uwpLguKf45kry5SshLQPtgCXB3PN3hW0CVX80091-DEPnQHYgvlXw4kdYvRNb4pRcRBMV/s320/IMG_9150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a quote from Julia Childs, famous chef--"If you are afraid of butter, use cream." Lest you think this is all just silly historical nonsense, it is not. There is an amazing progression of important information, facts, and valuable history, truly a treasure trove for future millennium.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcQhQbiwq0jBt6iYlPdiveQLHcce7JfosVOGWRjesYTin8q_hz41pcV05s2nYe8tIP2v0kKssmFrUEUmvd8qYLeC3VJ-sXZI59ISioxFQtHBuSC4cLry2V9P-D7veoimiqsId2rnr5VF2QUOFJiNL5WQk1Tdr5HZ5dKdEywGRwM6ZMK1yEMVmpUPb/s4032/IMG_9147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcQhQbiwq0jBt6iYlPdiveQLHcce7JfosVOGWRjesYTin8q_hz41pcV05s2nYe8tIP2v0kKssmFrUEUmvd8qYLeC3VJ-sXZI59ISioxFQtHBuSC4cLry2V9P-D7veoimiqsId2rnr5VF2QUOFJiNL5WQk1Tdr5HZ5dKdEywGRwM6ZMK1yEMVmpUPb/s320/IMG_9147.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the church doorway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wrsmWkFF46faVOZ27Km0-7M9PCztIb4c3dEOsn442_srXlQaATzPakOW-BjPsCDBj1sEfUFhg7KIta7oMTO0t_1IbL0mJlOb86USt1-x5hMhyRmSzJwp2S-clSCWQkleSTQo5BvVKanqWni-ruRBwXpZ-1z_ctzPB-6HijhR_aheqkFEst7pOC28/s4032/IMG_9149.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wrsmWkFF46faVOZ27Km0-7M9PCztIb4c3dEOsn442_srXlQaATzPakOW-BjPsCDBj1sEfUFhg7KIta7oMTO0t_1IbL0mJlOb86USt1-x5hMhyRmSzJwp2S-clSCWQkleSTQo5BvVKanqWni-ruRBwXpZ-1z_ctzPB-6HijhR_aheqkFEst7pOC28/s320/IMG_9149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the site is also a church high up on a manmade trapezoidal hill that is 35 feet high. It's a beautiful little church. Remarkable, because Jacques was not religious, and his mother was Jewish. He doesn't really know why he built the church, he just thought it was needed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBTiaDxgWfpS6pBcolDp5zc0nq5LGOW8O0YbB5qwncmFZAAH_IVEjE7JcUk7MHmdscDn4qQMskZ7fhV91gd8JpYLHYq3VXhwpe605XTRShCK9mBUvh_cPV-Uar8WMCs60syc9WNF9Oi9hHZsP83CAFZxii_-shVn59KCgBRz0gMgP4ZF3CwOeu9Ap/s3926/IMG_9146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3926" data-original-width="2944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBTiaDxgWfpS6pBcolDp5zc0nq5LGOW8O0YbB5qwncmFZAAH_IVEjE7JcUk7MHmdscDn4qQMskZ7fhV91gd8JpYLHYq3VXhwpe605XTRShCK9mBUvh_cPV-Uar8WMCs60syc9WNF9Oi9hHZsP83CAFZxii_-shVn59KCgBRz0gMgP4ZF3CwOeu9Ap/s320/IMG_9146.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the chapel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the church hill, you can see the layout of the compound below.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Q_1EoP1cFi_v2DbD3G2Y-ZxOp6GNZFP6nRtn9JithPQEdlRf-2YkLhv6R9Q6JNZANyDSR3VreblixuSDky02DVGSRRjFU4bGjPClUn04dqh7YwWIjMp33simtt8uEdo4PWezDzeRlcJZUGhBMgbnAMC60EGGgb3ElHWhc5KKWLia7YQc1DCyTLO/s4032/IMG_9145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Q_1EoP1cFi_v2DbD3G2Y-ZxOp6GNZFP6nRtn9JithPQEdlRf-2YkLhv6R9Q6JNZANyDSR3VreblixuSDky02DVGSRRjFU4bGjPClUn04dqh7YwWIjMp33simtt8uEdo4PWezDzeRlcJZUGhBMgbnAMC60EGGgb3ElHWhc5KKWLia7YQc1DCyTLO/s320/IMG_9145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQTwozFaO5SZpSVT2HruDy7uqfayjr7PM2zHV2f5CkM4mqJQ3LZkjsRUkkAhSbF0bIE2lWHXYx-XQGRJFFiFiyoYwoIghGvYSoJX4so1BiNE3SnJc3cKwwEMMNzhuuwl5og11Ci9G-6TBFl81-kV6rJZPWc2g4HFU8bgN_36-s-DkFyxcRVnBlHBD/s4032/IMG_9156.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQTwozFaO5SZpSVT2HruDy7uqfayjr7PM2zHV2f5CkM4mqJQ3LZkjsRUkkAhSbF0bIE2lWHXYx-XQGRJFFiFiyoYwoIghGvYSoJX4so1BiNE3SnJc3cKwwEMMNzhuuwl5og11Ci9G-6TBFl81-kV6rJZPWc2g4HFU8bgN_36-s-DkFyxcRVnBlHBD/s320/IMG_9156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>There is a piece of French culture sculpture there, too. A staircase that leads to nowhere. It's from the Eiffel Tower, a set of original iron steps! Over time the heavy iron steps caused the tower to sway, so they were replaced. The original steps were cut into 20 portions, auctioned off and Mr. Istel purchased a portion and placed it at Felicity. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a Maze of Honor separate from the monuments. It's a granite walkable labyrinth that you can put your own historical remembrance with an illustration and backstory on a 12" X 12" piece of black granite for the cost of 1,000 dollars, but it will be there for eternity or somewhere close to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You have to remember that Jacques Istel is an amateur historian, but the immensity of this project leaves you with an admiration of his achievement and his vision. Some people might call that a bit of eccentricity, but who knows? Several thousand years from now, this place will still be standing and a glimpse into what passed before in a condensed version, will be there for someone to ponder and wonder--a"modern" day time capsule.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGnytsdwZw8BoNsKFpPNavWv2HP7bPEDfHfTyPMc9OQmgwdNPt6feBaE714FzXp7r1kgNOCYbS6O1joirvfCtnxuL9sTKbzqY7EMt_-TzMNdD69tgCkJnLad37El8B33hpHB1cMp9GHhE8423k3TTlYycqtNkn4kq1dA4AjVYQ3OebOKq1EuARBV/s4032/IMG_9137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGnytsdwZw8BoNsKFpPNavWv2HP7bPEDfHfTyPMc9OQmgwdNPt6feBaE714FzXp7r1kgNOCYbS6O1joirvfCtnxuL9sTKbzqY7EMt_-TzMNdD69tgCkJnLad37El8B33hpHB1cMp9GHhE8423k3TTlYycqtNkn4kq1dA4AjVYQ3OebOKq1EuARBV/s320/IMG_9137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We highly recommend visiting this cool place. It's a little bit weird, a little bit touristy, but a whole lot of interesting to view one man's vision. It makes you wonder....What would you have included? What was left out and why? Why did he pick this event and not that? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See you down the road....one last stop in Yuma to see some terrific art and a trip to the Prison Brewery and the famous Lutes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625049441358125186.post-38552132031429071962023-02-11T20:09:00.336-05:002023-02-18T11:10:20.407-05:00Yuma Arizona<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Foothills Village RV Park. Site: 131 back in Highs: 60's, lows: low 40's Site: 131 AT&T very good (LTE), T-Mobile excellent--133 download, upload 79.5</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Friday morning dawned cold and sunny. It was 25 degrees and after pulling in all slides and disconnecting from power, we were to have our truck hitched up to the fifth wheel ready to pull out at 8:00 AM when the mobile repair tech (Currier Masters) would arrive to replace the front jacks. We were asked to hitch up to take the weight off the rig so he could take each jack and motor out and put the new ones in.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just one problem. One of the jack motor's was on its last legs and it takes both front jack motors to raise the hitch up to go onto the truck. The left jack motor actually breathed its last breath and quit right then--nada, zip, zilch. The hitch was about three inches too low. No way to get the hitch up onto the truck without damaging it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even though our rig is called a 5th wheel or a 5er, the part inside the bed of the truck is also called a fifth wheel, and that is what the hitch on the RV slides into when we are getting ready to pull out of a campground. It works to connect the truck to the RV. The contraption on the bottom photo is the "fifth wheel". When you are lined up correctly, (Eldo uses a variety of "sightings" to line himself up along with Sparky's recommendations of "a little more to the left", or "a little more to the right", a very precise measurement). (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)....Eldy is rolling on the floor laughing. That narrow slot in the contraption in the bottom photo is where the round hitch pin slides up, onto and into the slot till it "clanks". Then you know you are hitched up along with a visual confirmation that it's locked in place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C40-rbok9iWfyWIuJNPs1-z98ha5UNI9vlLpXZsQr4xElqWbltYyeED8Z_IxQhR64DEAtwtv5Ml-jB8yF64MaMYq4oYLYvbYwp6iby3mwXwbOwAUOYjH_2JfvIgtaaSZOf9Dt2PzZ3LYYv4ttrglBjyRsAScXlsx40TsUSqXEOFjjSTiXGvFhHLa/s4032/IMG_8895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C40-rbok9iWfyWIuJNPs1-z98ha5UNI9vlLpXZsQr4xElqWbltYyeED8Z_IxQhR64DEAtwtv5Ml-jB8yF64MaMYq4oYLYvbYwp6iby3mwXwbOwAUOYjH_2JfvIgtaaSZOf9Dt2PzZ3LYYv4ttrglBjyRsAScXlsx40TsUSqXEOFjjSTiXGvFhHLa/s320/IMG_8895.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hitch pin that slides into the truck</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjXAWn3V5GmevyblesOLnWPY72fDb8iwQWVs912uonOz_W_2nyTvKM0kw1qYs3m_OsuQx15Z_Bj6popJav0shtFX9lDW6ufovlAfxm_wDtwWUtiXo7Bxkrm2WTt79z8VtkJF-Y9vm1X2sHkxP9Bhpxg5qSDShIMY-a8tRQZMgTouNLoBkQSmtILOc/s4032/IMG_8896.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjXAWn3V5GmevyblesOLnWPY72fDb8iwQWVs912uonOz_W_2nyTvKM0kw1qYs3m_OsuQx15Z_Bj6popJav0shtFX9lDW6ufovlAfxm_wDtwWUtiXo7Bxkrm2WTt79z8VtkJF-Y9vm1X2sHkxP9Bhpxg5qSDShIMY-a8tRQZMgTouNLoBkQSmtILOc/s320/IMG_8896.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fifth wheel slot that accepts the hitch pin</td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div><p></p><p><span><span style="font-size: large;">Currier Masters, John Currier, to the rescue. He used a 3/8 socket wrench to crank up the hitch high</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">enough to slide on and we backed up and locked in. He went to work and about two and half hours later, new jacks were on our rig! Bright, shiny and no road dirt and oil. At this point, we still can't use our automatic leveling system. When you replace the jacks, you have to recalibrate the whole leveling system. Because the drive was delayed this morning getting to Yuma, we needed to get rolling. We will wait a little bit till we have more time to set up and follow the recalibration directions using the control panel. Until then, Eldy has gotten quite good at leveling the coach manually. He uses the Lippert app called One Control. He stands outside and the app controls each jack, the lighting system, the awnings and more. It's pretty cool! He also uses a regular level to check for tilt and horizontal leveling, AND--the most tech advanced tip of all--the half bath bathroom door which is in the center of the coach. He opens it and if it stays open halfway and doesn't swing in or out, we're good!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xQLLdPXZXvXZqI2AnY1uz9qfFC6ihQ5FORy9uwRTIXP5wg1lWsk64Osyr5bIF5ZRqY5KxKpsYK3RqJJoWNxhd_hYsVBt4MF8D4W6AyaQ6wL1Op0eKB9uhUe8lkNSELK2etlAagzAPk28_k8Pn7ymyqhfgADyQDifo981ZKRhXhoWGyTJIquSNScj/s4032/Yuma%20site.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xQLLdPXZXvXZqI2AnY1uz9qfFC6ihQ5FORy9uwRTIXP5wg1lWsk64Osyr5bIF5ZRqY5KxKpsYK3RqJJoWNxhd_hYsVBt4MF8D4W6AyaQ6wL1Op0eKB9uhUe8lkNSELK2etlAagzAPk28_k8Pn7ymyqhfgADyQDifo981ZKRhXhoWGyTJIquSNScj/s320/Yuma%20site.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeWXai-QcdU_evNpzExsqCo_dL_XPqOZygHIUgKcSk9nSrWawCdEN08xEtnU-AknZ5D0FGIMFDeuqNFZnnjy3No5JnOrtTxiGtRmXaDI_PfAyM6E8CdC4z00VyyrpCUrz1MFKj-omzxuBjGYM_4vVYHvPkV845hJGQZAURjzS0QO_tXrXF84jAZIP/s4032/Foothill%20Village%20Yuma.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeWXai-QcdU_evNpzExsqCo_dL_XPqOZygHIUgKcSk9nSrWawCdEN08xEtnU-AknZ5D0FGIMFDeuqNFZnnjy3No5JnOrtTxiGtRmXaDI_PfAyM6E8CdC4z00VyyrpCUrz1MFKj-omzxuBjGYM_4vVYHvPkV845hJGQZAURjzS0QO_tXrXF84jAZIP/s320/Foothill%20Village%20Yuma.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We made it to Yuma to Foothills Village RV park. This is a nice little park and more for RVs than park models like many Encore parks are. All the sites are back ins. We would say that the majority of Encore parks cater to long term residents and require 55 and older, so usually there are a ton of annual residents and many many park models. (Park models are like tiny homes, single wide house trailers.) Also, the sites are usually extremely tight as they are older parks and were designed for smaller trailers. The sites are narrow, but not as close to your neighbors as they sometimes can be. Although the sites are narrow, they are long enough to put a 42 footer and your tow vehicle in the same site. The gentleman that guided us in got us SUPER close to the electrical post, but we had to fit between the concrete cement pad and the electrical post so that's the way it is. It's about 4 inches or less to touch the post.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK9t7lmw0tNSDuqqGEw8DJ__IE8xvDifw7ei5bWxgpncls7syfZGPZqxg9rN5KfpafzzmhnAk6m0_ZJPEyEkn46hAZIHyyF-dwTvbgAGxJXNX000mI1J5PBJsfw2kttwhrzJouVkggr2z2qi4YTLkJsDP8OVdTHqzGa-F_nu-TTzyXbSkxDXw175Y/s4032/IMG_8894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK9t7lmw0tNSDuqqGEw8DJ__IE8xvDifw7ei5bWxgpncls7syfZGPZqxg9rN5KfpafzzmhnAk6m0_ZJPEyEkn46hAZIHyyF-dwTvbgAGxJXNX000mI1J5PBJsfw2kttwhrzJouVkggr2z2qi4YTLkJsDP8OVdTHqzGa-F_nu-TTzyXbSkxDXw175Y/s320/IMG_8894.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After a week here, and checking the weather heading back into Cottonwood, the temperatures are so much colder in Cottonwood, we decided to extend our stay another week here in Yuma. Unfortunately, somebody was coming in to take our spot the day we were supposed to leave, so we had to switch to a 30 amp spot. The angles for the back in's are a little more challenging with a big shrub hedge in front of you, a palm tree immediately to the side of the site, and you have to back in right next to the concrete pad in order not to infringe on the neighboring site. It took a lot of backing up and forth, which wasn't working, and finally, just a drive "around the block" and pull thru from an empty site to get ourselves situated. Close.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TLxJH6rKE39SAzQ5yUvTBH-B-kf1EsSTSiygUvrgoSN125d442SDQ5Puz2WrN7-MMd1sFiYfvFM8TJliSwPCWl-5rjNBMiIC0eGjQVoCE1vh5IHKjbNN0g3sZwuBF1u9Icl9_s_EaWVCjlFEbjfuOMbQSZ2xKtOV2p5CJGtW7f82DEtN1HX0GIKB/s4032/IMG_9030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TLxJH6rKE39SAzQ5yUvTBH-B-kf1EsSTSiygUvrgoSN125d442SDQ5Puz2WrN7-MMd1sFiYfvFM8TJliSwPCWl-5rjNBMiIC0eGjQVoCE1vh5IHKjbNN0g3sZwuBF1u9Icl9_s_EaWVCjlFEbjfuOMbQSZ2xKtOV2p5CJGtW7f82DEtN1HX0GIKB/s320/IMG_9030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Families are welcome here and Sparky enjoys seeing the kids play and sometimes even chatting with them. This week she met Winnie, Winston, and Willow and has been having nice conversations with them. Super well behaved and polite little youngsters. We are here for a week, and our type of membership means no out of pocket cost, it's free for this particular park. They have a very small swimming pool, a hot tub, laundry facilities, and shopping is close by. <br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJtKJ6bbvT21zfAstMKm5WJFJJDjG-b2FGa5ofqd4ldZaS77GOSMOy3IlzRdM018dicJIKzQEQX8FMktr6pik8rRIIrnNX0tEJskRHR4Wl5Evdxgb1sbW59_l549CXYNlOsgRyxDFB1lGINE-Wgo3G78xcFt8O6YzhTOZqViHTtow0l8urKOHEQjZ/s4032/IMG_8889.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJtKJ6bbvT21zfAstMKm5WJFJJDjG-b2FGa5ofqd4ldZaS77GOSMOy3IlzRdM018dicJIKzQEQX8FMktr6pik8rRIIrnNX0tEJskRHR4Wl5Evdxgb1sbW59_l549CXYNlOsgRyxDFB1lGINE-Wgo3G78xcFt8O6YzhTOZqViHTtow0l8urKOHEQjZ/s320/IMG_8889.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>There are cute little cabanas at the end of each row that are available for anybody to sit in the shade, read a book, or drink a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, the next person's site is immediately behind the cabana, so it's not very private as their window looks right out on the little covered patio site.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqcDIJQfcXAA3v3NOsWjNNQKrAytMrRIn-9mAqEjhxpID8CjQSEe3m9XFAy50edeR5YltwjllhDFVs4-JgqXqb2rLSK_yuoLfRATUdWP-WQ5FGS1TED6wAWrOZiLnfnWh0jZeJ9XR3BV8nnAbSEGlRjV32u6DoF2O3UUJqV_oZabfrJUGomCzsoEc/s4032/IMG_8891.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqcDIJQfcXAA3v3NOsWjNNQKrAytMrRIn-9mAqEjhxpID8CjQSEe3m9XFAy50edeR5YltwjllhDFVs4-JgqXqb2rLSK_yuoLfRATUdWP-WQ5FGS1TED6wAWrOZiLnfnWh0jZeJ9XR3BV8nnAbSEGlRjV32u6DoF2O3UUJqV_oZabfrJUGomCzsoEc/s320/IMG_8891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wou6DPf5-gh04shL_CWdmckl6dmV4HVJTn4v2yyFYX5GitN13QZ5_d7JX0TZARXQh3rLzrTWvIR7TylprDmfCKl_0ub4v71aNsS1CJ05OzwCs7Z_Zn3dHb9HoG_5hNRsOg5HmuAMRGPZI07cithsYfa0bk7i62_uw0ejtdZDOSN8zlOKWn2EbjvH/s4032/IMG_8893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wou6DPf5-gh04shL_CWdmckl6dmV4HVJTn4v2yyFYX5GitN13QZ5_d7JX0TZARXQh3rLzrTWvIR7TylprDmfCKl_0ub4v71aNsS1CJ05OzwCs7Z_Zn3dHb9HoG_5hNRsOg5HmuAMRGPZI07cithsYfa0bk7i62_uw0ejtdZDOSN8zlOKWn2EbjvH/s320/IMG_8893.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">site #131</td></tr></tbody></table><div>There is a LOT of road noise, from interstate 8 and the frontage road. But Sparky doesn't mind as she wears ear plugs at night. Guess why? (Hey, now....cautions Eldo.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>What will we do while we are here? Well, last year, Sparky climbed a mountain with the most arduous, steep elevation change, over 1200 feet. Because her sciatica has gotten worse, that might not happen this week. Phooey! It's a great cardio buster for sure! She really wanted to do it again, maybe with the help of a lot of Aleve or Tylenol. NOTE: After going back and reading last year's blog about Telegraph Pass, Sparky decided not this time. It took over 5 hours last year, was over 5 miles, and it was grueling. You can read more about that hike and Yuma here: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://whereseldo.blogspot.com/search?q=Yuma">A Grueling Hike</a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a bike trail down near the Yuma Territorial Prison. The prison is a great tourist stop when you are in town. We visited last year and you can read about that here: <a href="https://whereseldo.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-week-goes-by-fast-in-yuma.html">Yuma Territorial Prison</a> The historical Yuma Prison has been rated the "best haunted destination in the US" by USA Today.<br /></span><div><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbjSMqp_Rhjx7RY8nIHIps4ridaQrD85MYeVXRnLUfZRElAv0TlYX1j9Db8PMI0d9pZxFYe71My9yLXJi0hpdrWg3Tjazxz2Ji7odw9Ro1kjaqYkHvAV3Tg8y9OV45PP3oVdW61LNXm1ygpK2h-1bV4V4dz4QBPBRnjWiWJrRqjb_IOGN0UOuyy9g/s4032/IMG_8923.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbjSMqp_Rhjx7RY8nIHIps4ridaQrD85MYeVXRnLUfZRElAv0TlYX1j9Db8PMI0d9pZxFYe71My9yLXJi0hpdrWg3Tjazxz2Ji7odw9Ro1kjaqYkHvAV3Tg8y9OV45PP3oVdW61LNXm1ygpK2h-1bV4V4dz4QBPBRnjWiWJrRqjb_IOGN0UOuyy9g/s320/IMG_8923.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">You can pick up the paved bike trail at West Wetlands Park, in northwest Yuma, about 12 miles from the RV park. It is located along the Colorado River within the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and you can ride to the East Wetlands and back, about 4 miles each way, from the West Wetlands Park to the East Wetlands Park, which is developing a nice park at the end of that section. It's a nice short ride with a pretty starting point at the family park. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN5ry2u3ma9nIvqr8V4U2k6RQcGWkmeH5TqvORrZa5Zi-atPgmhOv8Qb_q0nCUlUVA7jnT73Z-bQQ9ZIedMBV5-ZMViHzjWJ4plYaHL7IgaXm0LJAixwYOXozDcQ-E0CY8TTkIHd-geoV_QFjsuAs2hOqJ0FM-jevT4hrXonhTLnpPzuQyIzwnOIG/s4032/IMG_8921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN5ry2u3ma9nIvqr8V4U2k6RQcGWkmeH5TqvORrZa5Zi-atPgmhOv8Qb_q0nCUlUVA7jnT73Z-bQQ9ZIedMBV5-ZMViHzjWJ4plYaHL7IgaXm0LJAixwYOXozDcQ-E0CY8TTkIHd-geoV_QFjsuAs2hOqJ0FM-jevT4hrXonhTLnpPzuQyIzwnOIG/s320/IMG_8921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Wetlands Park</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Shortly after leaving the family park, you see this bike sculpture. Sparky always likes to see it, because she has a brother named Charlie.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWbm4fASKuGKl2kmb5MzxC9p6OJVgxoaYeJ2R3ninDA3JUDSngYRSiu6rybifzT3kk9kqzHDjy_hvAQAOOoayq_yQX2p2HuyvMMNaIEqD24nqH1Qj15Tff1NfyCVhBmof2almQcuvCfmnTU72vcbvy7noj5fvefsYzaiACtdio7Jsv4eF7oULSI7F/s4032/IMG_8929.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWbm4fASKuGKl2kmb5MzxC9p6OJVgxoaYeJ2R3ninDA3JUDSngYRSiu6rybifzT3kk9kqzHDjy_hvAQAOOoayq_yQX2p2HuyvMMNaIEqD24nqH1Qj15Tff1NfyCVhBmof2almQcuvCfmnTU72vcbvy7noj5fvefsYzaiACtdio7Jsv4eF7oULSI7F/s320/IMG_8929.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's not much to see after that except the pretty park in the center of town, very close to the prison. Once you get out of the city park, it's riding along a canal on one side and the wetlands on the other, with the Gila Mountains in the distance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr1PdB1MjOfPSiKUITkVJpNq2lwVuGUl5erJktr8tOshnt1RQtOrlqGlOLEdkXxkd4GBaUzciLZUVc5aVdE2cDIXJe53qSAfZXTA-idzCzjo0HTt_Pmg68I_DK-8UgpVqXNlXYpewlU7MpT8D0hM1acuMWM1j0ZRg7kLzIyBQtxtUUvPDlfjJP88K/s4032/IMG_8930.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr1PdB1MjOfPSiKUITkVJpNq2lwVuGUl5erJktr8tOshnt1RQtOrlqGlOLEdkXxkd4GBaUzciLZUVc5aVdE2cDIXJe53qSAfZXTA-idzCzjo0HTt_Pmg68I_DK-8UgpVqXNlXYpewlU7MpT8D0hM1acuMWM1j0ZRg7kLzIyBQtxtUUvPDlfjJP88K/s320/IMG_8930.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT68NKD_H4JR_q5E1efkgaYQe2VubADYUKFs72lidMnlu5zCsW6BHf80TRwEswIrC3LjLgG3R2_pAzpp5eVEB_Q7o1bmtrV_pfdFq2EkLn5Mz_hsn5bipiA_yjOKtebVN8kyoNZ8iV8_hGXIacPHGDmyp0BZwnXqGZFQYvjl5ERIMe0x04KiMbb2bS/s4032/IMG_8935.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT68NKD_H4JR_q5E1efkgaYQe2VubADYUKFs72lidMnlu5zCsW6BHf80TRwEswIrC3LjLgG3R2_pAzpp5eVEB_Q7o1bmtrV_pfdFq2EkLn5Mz_hsn5bipiA_yjOKtebVN8kyoNZ8iV8_hGXIacPHGDmyp0BZwnXqGZFQYvjl5ERIMe0x04KiMbb2bS/s320/IMG_8935.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There is a cool little ramada on the way out of the East Wetlands Park. A ramada is a shady place, a temporary shelter with a roof but no walls, traditionally built with native local materials for shade on a hot day. It had some branches across it like you weren't supposed to go inside it, but it was still possible to see what a pretty view was out in the distance, of the marshes and mountains.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY0yyiLlXQeYhDxkVA2O7eO_tysVBAp6Zaos3xd1XznXkCBkzT8dWxXq0G_qd0UWOulJGdTs_vdyYlfZH34Pc5j3R3kW6QHbalXf6_D2Yo1_hmjkwGhjYgj2U4n6GUXH7POsnYnjx7xqt-zL5OvTkrnWtkcpTf37oAmWnitmF1_UMHzxtm5IF6l9s/s4032/IMG_8937.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY0yyiLlXQeYhDxkVA2O7eO_tysVBAp6Zaos3xd1XznXkCBkzT8dWxXq0G_qd0UWOulJGdTs_vdyYlfZH34Pc5j3R3kW6QHbalXf6_D2Yo1_hmjkwGhjYgj2U4n6GUXH7POsnYnjx7xqt-zL5OvTkrnWtkcpTf37oAmWnitmF1_UMHzxtm5IF6l9s/s320/IMG_8937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sparky took a little side route along the main bike trail and saw beautiful broccoli fields growing. Temperatures are much cooler here in the southwest, about ten degrees below normal right now, so there is more green and less brown in the areas in Arizona we've visited lately. Did you know that 90% of the nation's leafy greens comes from Arizona, specifically Yuma County. Wow! Amazing considering everywhere you look is desert, but then there are irrigation fields of green, green, and more green. It's really beautiful against the mountains backdrop and the beautiful blue skies. It's sunny most of the time here, 91% of the year! This would be a great place for someone with seasonal affective disorder! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwY3we-ZtBkXls956pWKeMMYqybiqHX4tdaHLh4xtLLFnOxhIPxIifPp-Wi2JBdaMqHY4ErzUKYczsjM810AU6k1yRYFkzUQJh-MFzU7edWKxoeDOn32cGqQkt6rU8VwLLGJIkzm3pj3BOsr3vSGomhvpRAEOGKhxpW76TBnG0jKmrCnCkMsafxnk/s4032/IMG_8926.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwY3we-ZtBkXls956pWKeMMYqybiqHX4tdaHLh4xtLLFnOxhIPxIifPp-Wi2JBdaMqHY4ErzUKYczsjM810AU6k1yRYFkzUQJh-MFzU7edWKxoeDOn32cGqQkt6rU8VwLLGJIkzm3pj3BOsr3vSGomhvpRAEOGKhxpW76TBnG0jKmrCnCkMsafxnk/s320/IMG_8926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are other bike rides and mapped out routes, but they are on city streets and side streets. You can always ride around the RV park, too, for the safest ride! Sparky was warned by two different people just outside a couple of old RV parks to be careful where she rode, probably because they were not in the best areas of town. All righty, then. She will.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P_DUq1wEuvBm2qoVpOoyETUL7HVya6-cEdUP8Y2bYStN4GG2H6BvWxI5DnG5e7ahmsVMf2FWbDy4hiN9yKuSE3YOAu_yTpdk8fW8zmHXxxV9ptzqjU5zyuBUOGDZ5NhvHYgkv0EbmWCEe9uAlEhJxvdgyFKHWh8kaAHYZjYjDA1UkbrDnZ2Zjwq5/s4032/IMG_8963.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P_DUq1wEuvBm2qoVpOoyETUL7HVya6-cEdUP8Y2bYStN4GG2H6BvWxI5DnG5e7ahmsVMf2FWbDy4hiN9yKuSE3YOAu_yTpdk8fW8zmHXxxV9ptzqjU5zyuBUOGDZ5NhvHYgkv0EbmWCEe9uAlEhJxvdgyFKHWh8kaAHYZjYjDA1UkbrDnZ2Zjwq5/s320/IMG_8963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha's Date Farm</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">You can visit Martha's Garden and date farm. We did. It's a very low key operation as far as entertaining visitors. They have more important work to do! The visitor's center is a lean machine. It's large but open areas with a small snack area and some shelves filled with lots of different Medjool date packages--be sure to try a date shake! Medjool dates were imported to this country from Morocco in the 1940's. You can buy boxes of dates and other goodies or have them shipped, and you can take a tour if you sign up on the internet. Trying to connect with them directly by phone can be a problem due to service in the area. Tours are offered twice a day and the price is 10.00. OR--you can watch a video at the visitor center/store and learn a LOT about the date growing and harvesting process. It's pretty interesting! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dates have the highest polyphenols among dried fruits and have a low glycemic index for fruit lovers who struggle with blood sugar. Martha's Date Farm grows their dates organically, use no preservatives of course, and the dates are not processed. Dates grow on palms, Sparky did not know that! (Eldo will refrain from saying there are a LOT of things she doesn't know, but she will be the first to admit that, haha.) </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v4BSWS304_5_eVMY2LA88FDymXR0PGlvBHHAim_ssHWG3rVhPLyaWj_THaHHSQJUkpaA1DC8MnT-77p98a6WwmH2DlVLbF16QyOgVYIEvThh0myZRYplsXdCOP4yuMOWw6QnaBCk1O82BcQ0ONM0bRv3kMNLlp-q7hSX6U0OPNddpl7oidrF47z5/s4032/IMG_8967.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v4BSWS304_5_eVMY2LA88FDymXR0PGlvBHHAim_ssHWG3rVhPLyaWj_THaHHSQJUkpaA1DC8MnT-77p98a6WwmH2DlVLbF16QyOgVYIEvThh0myZRYplsXdCOP4yuMOWw6QnaBCk1O82BcQ0ONM0bRv3kMNLlp-q7hSX6U0OPNddpl7oidrF47z5/s320/IMG_8967.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medjool date palms</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">The process of growing and harvesting dates is a very labor intensive one, and it's all done by hand here in Yuma. The growing season is six months spring through summer. It takes about 7-10 years for a date palm to fully mature and they can produce up to 300 pounds of dates. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_dKYzBpZyhYg2ExmNSXkqr2h1yiLWOaOIeZS9lDM-G1GOsuoJSc0u5nBxufnoYCRL8GCMpux7TI3j1wjsnBvqTN0vA0Wj0oTHaiW-Kbp64P1ME1paeFdnmenecd4rfrBRpI8a0F2PyTYDkN7wGLxP07mAGTBvdGXvgOTJNmyQNswx-C2exjdIbmP/s4032/IMG_8962.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_dKYzBpZyhYg2ExmNSXkqr2h1yiLWOaOIeZS9lDM-G1GOsuoJSc0u5nBxufnoYCRL8GCMpux7TI3j1wjsnBvqTN0vA0Wj0oTHaiW-Kbp64P1ME1paeFdnmenecd4rfrBRpI8a0F2PyTYDkN7wGLxP07mAGTBvdGXvgOTJNmyQNswx-C2exjdIbmP/s320/IMG_8962.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There are male and female palms. The males don't produce fruit. One male date palm can pollinate 50 female palms. Hmmmmm.....Letting nature do the pollinating is too unreliable with the wind, so it's done by hand. The harvesting is August thru October and several yields result in big, beautiful dates. Dates can be frozen and thawed repeatedly with no harm done to the fruit, just in case you want the best dates in the world shipped to you from Yuma, AZ and you want to save them for the holidays.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0Ay7EnbKAAqc7L6onTalxPXqNXkPphGx_DI8w3fmq5CC7OBrqeQZI9dY4-ux_Fnw1KircNhJh36DxbpPXdiJURJH_f7uBGE_sHbSufF4jcGfSLl1XCXriHYR_JDDMpsD75BieiGfKTc_LKWsC7Nzr3cX_HyxCKoQsOyeDdSHUHeVjcZrc7Y-rOe0/s1304/me%20and%20Charlie%20edited.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0Ay7EnbKAAqc7L6onTalxPXqNXkPphGx_DI8w3fmq5CC7OBrqeQZI9dY4-ux_Fnw1KircNhJh36DxbpPXdiJURJH_f7uBGE_sHbSufF4jcGfSLl1XCXriHYR_JDDMpsD75BieiGfKTc_LKWsC7Nzr3cX_HyxCKoQsOyeDdSHUHeVjcZrc7Y-rOe0/s320/me%20and%20Charlie%20edited.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Sparky and Charlie</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Besides a visit to the date farm, Sparky visited her brother in the beautiful city of La Quinta, CA. It was a long drive each way, but well worth it and the closes she will be to her youngest brother for a long time. We had a great visit and a great lunch, and Charlie took us for a tour around the area, visiting a nice RV park, and some areas where Charlie sells homes. We also saw the area where the Kardashians have a home, along with Tim Cook, the Apple CEO. The city of La Quinta has an amazing backdrop of mountains and so much beautiful greenery with amazing landscaping, along with cool shops and eateries. And of course, all kinds of amazing, nationally known golf courses. (Sigh)...That's Eldo missing his golf a bit.)</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktCqs-D5Ln7Mnl9ccMnAie1z5cUq0kWotvVWu1uaJ-L_-xue5mdWTXW6Yu8ATWJdIOpvSw2_n9ytR0D4o0bGE9GINqEsVSlq1giu6WGA1_J7Ix0Si9_KRYmbSXFDdyrQWz6BsmrwijPovyFzKnjJf823vaTeiqRvhFqIBmLiiafxmOHVm36NOyhDV/s4032/IMG_9004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktCqs-D5Ln7Mnl9ccMnAie1z5cUq0kWotvVWu1uaJ-L_-xue5mdWTXW6Yu8ATWJdIOpvSw2_n9ytR0D4o0bGE9GINqEsVSlq1giu6WGA1_J7Ix0Si9_KRYmbSXFDdyrQWz6BsmrwijPovyFzKnjJf823vaTeiqRvhFqIBmLiiafxmOHVm36NOyhDV/s320/IMG_9004.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeENTGm4gCzKrUvfFpkGRIMrSnNDHS0FxiU4FVKpzQmTLLzPznvljl-RV0tXHE5vY_hFNUXZyQSiGZntPbnzND6bAwhGtVMy45qRv4IPRWxYpwqiMEId5cP_kqq_rSr86pTUKFr_-EUZjc6SrEjV1c1upzdGnqDj-4IDzPaHeqFQM4Af6mQ_kdHUR1/s4032/IMG_9013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeENTGm4gCzKrUvfFpkGRIMrSnNDHS0FxiU4FVKpzQmTLLzPznvljl-RV0tXHE5vY_hFNUXZyQSiGZntPbnzND6bAwhGtVMy45qRv4IPRWxYpwqiMEId5cP_kqq_rSr86pTUKFr_-EUZjc6SrEjV1c1upzdGnqDj-4IDzPaHeqFQM4Af6mQ_kdHUR1/s320/IMG_9013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie and Eldy</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">As far as things to do in Yuma, if nature is your thing, there are two national wildlife refuges in the area, the Kofa and the Imperial. The Imperial refuge has 40 miles of sand dunes where they filmed "Star Wars Episode V: Return of the Jedi", "Spaceballs", and more movies. The Colorado River offers plenty of boating and rafting/floating opportunities.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNxhK-h4F4EY4zi7aI5Qbm4zuhQ9d-wBbwg3Gwy3AjZlluwl4ZwQQgYLZVJcufU9LLgsbWnoe47yXs5VLmonT78AJhh15F3eGknWqq0XdKuGljMRKBLZUEmI0MaOxdO4BLjFiSQk5inU2tVNKmHbJY2KL9o-3KBOqyhPP_mduFxO3yfB8YDbqP2GJ/s3509/IMG_1110.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="3509" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNxhK-h4F4EY4zi7aI5Qbm4zuhQ9d-wBbwg3Gwy3AjZlluwl4ZwQQgYLZVJcufU9LLgsbWnoe47yXs5VLmonT78AJhh15F3eGknWqq0XdKuGljMRKBLZUEmI0MaOxdO4BLjFiSQk5inU2tVNKmHbJY2KL9o-3KBOqyhPP_mduFxO3yfB8YDbqP2GJ/w395-h297/IMG_1110.HEIC" width="395" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Sand Dunes</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If off roading is your thing, there is the Arizona Peace Trail, over 750 miles of thrills. If history is your thing, visit the territorial prison, the Colorado River State Historical Park, the Castle Dome Mine Museum, or the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World, a quirky tourist attraction outside of Yuma. The granite museum is an outdoor exhibit with massive monuments crafted from Missouri red granite. And of course, there is a lot of Native American history here as well, with the Cocopah--Keepers of the River and the Quechuan--Those Who Descended- having settled the area since ancient times. If art and culture are your thing, there are colorful murals and sculptures all over Yuma's historical downtown district and public art galleries at Arizona Western College.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBSZA7ofpM9Irym8VJssquV1v6Yxzst2Kda-ibvI4jD5QoKuZYBswIS8WRlCwrVEqUzvIcNpg0CtIXsyrUE4gOvjrgLlRas-K0MLhbIguy7DDZHZkDwzZ6gbTzwtHEVeiDXheW0elbM2LhIE7EwVBLnZ-IEaqN3ygK0X0q5o6XYMKtY9TiX0s0HdH/s4032/Mr.%20Fish%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBSZA7ofpM9Irym8VJssquV1v6Yxzst2Kda-ibvI4jD5QoKuZYBswIS8WRlCwrVEqUzvIcNpg0CtIXsyrUE4gOvjrgLlRas-K0MLhbIguy7DDZHZkDwzZ6gbTzwtHEVeiDXheW0elbM2LhIE7EwVBLnZ-IEaqN3ygK0X0q5o6XYMKtY9TiX0s0HdH/s320/Mr.%20Fish%202.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of great eating spots, too! Sparky is always looking for those, haha, because she really hates to cook. We found Mr. Fish & Chips right at the corner lot at the edge of our RV park. It's a tiny place with terrific seafood and jammed every afternoon from about 4:00 on. <p></p><p>Of course, you've got great Mexican restaurants all over the place. And speaking of Mexico, you can cross over to Mexico just ten miles away, at Los Algodones, to get REAL Mexican food, or great dental care and medications at a fraction of the cost in the US. It's a non-complicated process to go over and back and thousands of people do that every year to save money on prescriptions and dental work. We went to Mexico a couple of years ago, crossing the border at Nuevo Progreso. It was a little depressing at how touristy and economically depressed the area was at that location, truly not a good indicator of the true beauty and culture of Mexico. </p><p>That being said, we have a few more days to enjoy Yuma, then we will head back to Cottonwood, cold or not, for two more weeks, because Sparky's tooth is still not ok, then we leave Arizona and start heading across the southeast through Texas and onwards. We're already planning our summer itinerary, and it looks like we will be weathering the heat in the midwest, PA and NY, then the upper peninsula of Michigan! See you down the road.... Eldy and Jeannie</p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Jeannie and Eldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04664198861231288915noreply@blogger.com5