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.