Arches National Park

Cellphone reception is best at the top of the rock.







After leaving Rocky Mountain National Park, we headed south past Denver, then west to Eagle, Colorado, where we had dinner with Jim and Elizabeth Himmes, Sue's cousin and his wife. They live in a pretty spot with gorgeous views of snow capped mountains, cottonwood trees and lots of birds. Riley endured the visit despite an upset stomach. He blames it on nasty Mexican food he ate the night before that made him throw up!!!!!!!!!! (comments by Riley!!!!!!!!!!!!)

We arrived at Moab, Utah, Friday afternoon, with plenty of time to take a drive through Arches National Park with its spectacular scenery. We are camped along the Colorado River at an RV park. Tomorrow we drive to Chinle, AZ, and will take a jeep tour into Canyon de Chelly to see the indian ruins.

Riley is happy tonight. We have WiFi!!!!!! (Comments by Grandma!!!!!!) n riley
!!!!!!)

Rocky Mountain National Park

Cute kids at Bear Lake . . . too cute not to photograph.






Riley and Grandma at the top of the Rockies.

Even though it rained every afternoon (plus during the nights), we enjoyed every minute of our stay at Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove the Ridge Road to an elevation over 12,000 feet, saw a herd of 13 elk, all bucks, and survived a two hour morning trail ride.

Life with Riley!

Finally, some fish!


Panning for gold.


Climbing rocks in the Badlands.


Our first prairie dog sighting.


Fishing along the Missouri.

Life with Riley is quite a fish story. It started in the Ozarks. Grandpa Gene and his stepdad, David, both caught fish. Riley didn't. Since they lost the lucky lure, Grandpa and Riley went to Walmart in Norfolk, NE and bought another one, then up to Skyview Lake to try their luck. After two hours and many casts . . . still nothing.

Next try was along the Missour River at our camp site along Snake Creek. They had a kids' fishing pond that was sure to be loaded with fish. All Riley got were snags and clumps of seaweed. Not one fish.

Custer State Park was sure to bring some luck. They have lots of lakes and many steams stocked with trout. We bought a license and headed to Sylvan Lake, one of the prettiest lakes I've ever seen. Pretty to look at . . . but all fished out! Riley didn't get a bite.

We were camped near Blue Bell lodge, so I asked the front desk where in the heck you catch fish around here. The clerk said her boss pulled trout out of the creek right behind the lodge. I convinced Riley to try one more time . . . but didn't buy a fishing license. He reluctantly got his pole, put on his lucky fishing slippers and headed down to the creek. First cast . . . a bite! He started pulling them in left and right, keeping three and throwing the rest of them back. He caught 13 in all, and I headed back to the general store to get a license to make us legal!

Sticky Buns!

We were at a farmer's market in Lincoln, Nebraska, when I spotted these caramel rolls. Remember the sticky buns Mom used to make? She'd put brown sugar, nuts and butter in the bottom of a round pan, roll out yeasty dough, drizzle it with butter, then top off with nuts and cinnamon. The dough would be rolled up, then sliced and each roll placed in the pan. The aroma of them baking was almost as delicious as the bun itself. Does anybody in our family have this recipe? I'd love to have it and try to make some of my own.

A Bride Named Amy

Amy, Crystal and Lori at the shower.


New skillets!

Gene's daughter, Lori, lives in Nebraska and we were lucky to be passing through the day a bridal shower was hosted for daughter-in-law to be Amy. Ben Taylor and Amy will be married on August 15 in Lincoln, Nebraska in Amy's parents backyard. We'll fly in from San Diego for the wedding. This is the third wedding in the past four years, and it's fun gathering the family together for these joyous events.

Family Fun at Lake of the Ozarks

The swinging bridge had a jew "gaps" between the boards. Driving across was not as scary as walking across and dodging the gaps.


Paula getting instructions on jet ski do's and don'ts.


Riley testing his driving skills at the race track.


Gene and Sue, David and Paula at the Lake of the Ozarks cabin.


In Riley's opinion, riding the jet ski was the most fun of our Ozark stay.

The plan was to meet at the military fam camp at Lake of the Ozarks, have a few days of R&R with Paula, David and grandson Riley, then escape with Riley for a few weeks in the RV. We had rented a three-bedroom cabin right on the lake.

We rented a bass boat one day and went fishing (David and Gene both caught fish---Riley didn't). We toured the lake in the boat, and filled our days with jet skiing, race car driving and Mexican Train.

The Apostle Islands

The "Madeline", a ferry that leaves every 30 min. for Madeline Island.


Holly Marie Tourdot and one of her island inspired paintings. To view her artwork go to www.imaginegalleryandstudio.com.


The oredock in Ashland is no longer in use.


Murals depicting the history of Ashland are scattered throughout the downtown area.

Mary Ann Himmes mentioned the Aspostle Islands first. Then we heard about them from her brother George. So we decided to check them out. We were camped at Copper Falls State Park north and west of Mercer, and the Lake Superior shore was only about 25 miles to the north.

Our first stop was Ashland where we viewed about 9 or 10 murals painted on the sides of buildings in the downtown area. The artists that created these bigger-than-life historic paintings were busy at work on their newest assignment: a painting of the oredock that served the mining industry for many years but is no longer in service.

Next it was north to Bayfield where we caught a ferry to Madeline Island. The most interesting feature about this island, besides its natural beauty, is its icy location. During the winter, when the bay freezes over, cars drive over the 2-1/2 mile distance from the island to the mainland. Our waitress where we had lunch attended school on the mainland, and her school bus made the journey on the ice road each day during January and February until the Spring thaw.

I bought a few note cards from a local artist, Holly Marie Tourdot. One of her cards is called "Tom's Burned Down (Again)" and is a painting of a local tavern that, yes indeed, has burned down twice. I wrote a note on one of these cards and sent it to my cousin George to let him known we'd made the treck to Madeline Island.

My Uncle George and Aunt Marylou's Cabin

George and Nancy Himmes, along with George's sister Margaret and husband Don, bought the cabin from their dad's estate and have been fixing it up.


The new dock.


One of Unlce George's signs.


A shadow box on the livingroom wall is filled with fishing lures and certificates as a tribute to Uncle George.


One of Uncle George's prized catches mounted above the fireplace.


This sketch of Uncle George and Aunt Marylou captures them perfectly.


A sign above the stove . . . one of many Uncle George posted in the cabin.

I've heard about the cabin in Mercer, Wisconsin, all my life. The place where Uncle George and Aunt Marylou spent their summers and where my nine cousins and their children fishedwith grandpa and enjoyed the out of doors.

We caught George and Nancy at the end of their 4th of July stay just before heading back to their home in Villa Park, IL, and they showed us around. They've added improvements: a new well that hit water at just 29 feet; new dock to tie up the boat; solar lights along the path to the lake, and other fix ups. Don has organized and cleaned the garage and they've brought up a new hide-a-bed. Boats and a kayak are ready for guests to enjoy, and firewood is stacked near the outdoor firepit for evening gatherings.

I can just picture Uncle George walking back to the cabin from the lake with his stringer filled with fish. I'm sure his family will enjoy the cabin at 1033 Fisher Lake Road for many generations to come.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

One of the "Pictured Rocks" outcroppings along Lake Superior.


Several waterfalls tumble over the sandstone bluffs in the area.


Signs for "Pasties" were everywhere in northern Michigan.


A meat Pasty (rhymes with "nasty"). It had a flaky crust and meat and vegetable filling. Pretty tasty (rhymes with hasty.)

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches for miles along the shore of Lake Superior beginning in Munising and heading east. Wide, sandy beaches, ample pullouts and picnic areas and lush, pine and maple forests make this a great playground. Bird watching is made easy with wooden walkways and trails around ponds. At one of the lakes, we found a two-story platform to observe wildlife from above. Black, white and red American redstarts are one of the most common birds here. I also spotted sandhill cranes, rose-breasted grosbeaks, an indigo bunting, lots of red-winged blackbirds and a bear scurrying across the highway when we finally headed toward Wisconsin.

For those wanting to get out on the water, you can buy a ticket for a tour of the Pictured Rocks. Though at over $60 each for a few hour boat ride, it's a bit pricey. Especially if you are from the Grand Canyon State. In our opinion, the rock formations rated a 2 out of 10. The shoreline was the real draw, so we opted for a drive to some of the overlooks.

4th of July in Smalltown USA

Patriotic Pooch


The Red Hat Ladies

The sun finally came out to help celebrate the 4th of July. The parade in Munising, Michigan was of typical small town variety. Parade entrants were made up of one of the following: a) Flat bed trucks carrying members of the "Class of 19___"; b) Fire engines and other city vehicles with lights flashing from Munising and surrounding towns; or c) Local business delivery trucks with employees handing out candy to the kids. There were a few exceptions, like the red hat ladies with their purple shirts and boas, and the patriotic pooch stenciled with stars and stripes. The parade was hokey and fun . . . but the people watching was even more entertaining!

Because the sun doesn't set until 9:43 pm this time of year, the fireworks were scheduled to begin at 10:30 pm. We prepared adequately, took a nap so we could stay up late, and headed to downtown Munising about 10:20. Got a great "watching spot" and waited. And waited. 10:45 pm . . . no fireworks. 11:00 pm . . . no fireworks. 11:10pm . . . one firework burst, then nothing. 11:15 . . . we figured the rain had gotten all the fireworks wet the previous few days. So we drove back to the RV camp site. About the time we arrived we heard the explosions begin. Not to be dissuade, we went to bed.

Michigan . . . In the Rain:(

Sleeping Bear Dunes


Gene in front of the Leland house.


Sitting on the big deck out back.


The azaleas are in bloom.

Be careful for what you want. We headed north to escape hot and humid Ohio and ended up in misty and muddy Michigan. After parking the RV at Camp Grayling, we rested a day in the rain then drove west to Wendy country . . . the shore of Lake Michigan and Leland. We found the Leland house tucked in a secluded forest overlooking the lake. The house is gorgeous, with a big deck and steps leading down to the shore. And, the azaleas were in bloom! I can see why Jack and Wendy love this peaceful retreat and come here each summer.

After a lunch in Leland at the Bluebird restaurant overlooking a little river, we drove south to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Recreation Area. It features a scenic drive through the dunes and sugar maple forest with pullouts overlooking Lake Michigan. It was gorgeous! Though it wasn't raining, it was a very grey day.

After hitching the car to the RV, we drove north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or the UP as the locals call it. The closer we got to our destination on Lake Superior, the wetter it got . . . first just mist, then real rain. After three days, our eyes are strained from reading for hours and hours, and I've got a sore thumb from shuffling cards. Also a bit of cabin fever.

The weather forecast is for sun this afternoon and tomorrow for the 4th of July. We hope so. The town of Munising has plans for a parade, watermelon eating contest, pet parade, firemen's water fight, greased pole and 10:30 pm fireworks. The sun doesn't set here until 9:43 p.m.!

A Visit with the Negris

After dinner with Shawnda and Janet, we drove north into Michigan to the Negri Home in Lake Whitmore. What a beautiful spot they found. Their two-story house sits on a huge cul-de-sac lot surrounded by mature trees, grass, flowers and the perfect hill for snow sledding. We were greeted by the entire family: Mandy (my niece) and Jason, Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth and Genna. Aunt Jennifer was out watering the flowers when we pulled up.

It was Elizabeth's 11th birthday and we found a Rummy-O game (at Jack and Wendy's suggestion). I think Mandy and Jennifer were as excited as Elizabeth. They remembered playing the game at Grandma Browner's in Heber and knew the family would enjoy it when they meet Jack and Wendy in Michiana in a few weeks.

They showed us their garden, built up boxes where they are growing strawberries, flowers and vegetables. All the kids had their own plots. Elizabeth got out her Scotty dog tea set to serve with the muffins they made. We were so busy chatting and catching up that we forgot to take photos!

Here's Jack!

Jack is a happy little guy.


Shawnda, Janet and Jack . . . happy to be in Ohio!


Janet's Mom and Stepdad, Joy and Steve, and one of the twins with Janet, Shawnda and Jack.

Jack, Shawnda and Janet arrived in Ohio on Saturday. Janet's folks, Joy and Steve, welcomed them to their country home in Bluffton. Steve's grandfather settled in this farming community years ago, and their home is just a mile or so from the old farm. Gene and I left Indian Lake State Park and joined them for dinner on Sunday. Janet's sister and twin brothers, all college students, were also home. It was a great reunion.

Joy found an almost new crib, matching rocker and portable play pen at a garage sale. Jack giggled for the very first time when Shawnda placed him in the crib. He's a happy, smiley, healthy little guy who will have great fun running around his Ohio grandparents yard as he grows up.

On Tuesday, Janet and Shawnda headed up to Ann Arbor to start house hunting. Their new jobs begin the middle of July, so they have a few weeks to get settled. We wish them love and good luck in their big move!