8-29-14 thru 8-31 at Custer State Park

We got to Custer State Park and tied in with our Sparta friends - John and Marianne Blaauw. They are park volunteers and managed to get us a site near them. The Park is 7,100 acres and the 7th largest State Park.  John and Marianne are a wealth of information and we are so lucky to have them as personal guides. Also, we have deer outside our site daily with a nice buck. 

We went to Rapid City Firehouse Brewing for supper. What a nice town, old fashioned, neat, clean, mining college area.  I'd highly recommend a visit if you're in the area. 

On Saturday Homer and I hiked the Cathedral Spires Trailhead. Homer did about 2.5 miles and I only did one as I thought my heart would jump out of my chest and my lungs would explode! Homer could have done more. We forgot our walking sticks and my bifocals don't help. I'm just out of shape and making excuses but never was good at breathing well with elevation. 

We went for a ride and thru some neat one lane tunnels at what they call "The Needles."

Yes, you hope there's no oncoming traffic when you go thru. 

In a little picnic area there was this big boy just laying around doing nothing.  You don't want to get too close as people have lost their life by being gored.  

Unfortunately, there is a female buffalo down the road that is old and skinny and just can't seem to get up anymore. They know she's very old and at the end of her life cycle and her calf was very small we were told - probably due to mom's poor health and/or milk. They took her calf recently to be cared for somewhere and then let nature take it's course.  (We drove by later about 8:15 pm and it looks like she has joined the big buffalo herd in the sky.)

Later we drove with John and Marianne as our guides to  Buffalo Gap, then Hot Springs (had a beer at the American Legion to cool off ha ha) and Wind Cave (gravel roads) which is a National Park. Saw lots of buffalo along the way and we were held up in a traffic jam. 

Prairie dogs are in abundance and a hoot to watch. 

You know the difference between a donkey and a Burro?  A Burro speaks Spanish!  :-)

They are the only animals you're allowed to feed and they don't seem to care for potatoes. 

On Saturday we went to Custer to see the Studebaker Car Show.  Very interesting if you like old cars, but I can always shop when I've seen enough.  I have to admit, I really enjoyed this show and Homer ALWAYS love the cars, boats, trains and planes stuff. 

Below is how someone had their travel trailer rigged up. Very interesting!

These guys were by the Lodge Store parking lot this afternoon. 

So we'll be out for pizza or a burger tonight and back on the road tomorrow, maybe to Yellowstone or wherever else the road takes us, hopefully to daughter Jean's by Tues. 

8-28-14 Headed West

Got up at 3:10 a.m. to head out early and beat Chicago rush hour.  We had grand kids for several days as my son Nick just married a sweetheart of a gal (Lisa) on Sat.  We ended up with his son (Corey) and Kate's kids ( Trinity and Jed) for several days. 

We dropped Corey off at 4 sharp and hit the road. The past week was hectic but we are headed to see friends at Custer St. Park in SD, then Homer's daughter Jean in Montana,  then brother and sister-in- law's 50th wedding anniversary at Granby, Co.  

After hours of driving and lots of rain, Homer suggested pulling off at a casino in Clear Lake, Iowa area so he could rest and I could get my exercise. :-).  Long story short, I turned a 20 into 398!  I think I had a defective machine, it just kept giving me bonus round after round. Then they called my name for a birthday drawing and I won 25 free play.  Needless to say, I bought supper!

We are now parked at Hotel Walmart in Sioux Falls, SD and it is still raining. Homer drove 830 miles, so it's time to rest.  Will try to update if we have coverage. 

Excuse any typos, this is off my cell. 

April 16 thru 18th - 2014 Getting Warmer

After leaving Bainbridge, Ga we had to go back thru the top part of Florida and stopped for Chinese in Jay.  Food was good but observant Homer noticed the menu had a typo-dyslexic error, as the name was supposed to be Jay Garden.  When he pointed it out to me, I didn't even "get" it.  :-(

So we headed north the back-road-way and stopped for 2 nights to one of Homer's favorite spots at the Corps Park in Pickensville, Al. You have to barely cross into Miss. to to wind down into the Park in Alabama. Just like the last stop, we camped in Bainbridge, Ga - but you could only get to it from Fl.  Often the Corps Parks tend to be on state borders as they are built along the rivers which tend to be dividing lines. 

There's been a lot of rain/flooding recently, so we felt the barge traffic was down, but every time we went somewhere, we seemed to perfectly miss a barge.  But here's a pic of one going by in the evening. It just seems so relaxing, but I'm sure they're working diligently on board and watching for every bend in the River or tree floating downstream. 

We stopped to the Tom Bevill Museum and Visitor's Center nearby. I highly recommend checking this place out. The architecture is amazing, old-plantation style. I love the door closure below. They said it was designed to keep animals out, not keep them in.  And I thought I was Homer's ball and chain. 

There's also the Montgomery Snagboat alongsidethe museum, totally refurbished. It was closed for some maintenance but we had been on it before. Here's some history on it - worth the read:  

http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/TennesseeTombigbeeWaterway/SnagboatMontgomery.aspx

Then on 4-18, headed back home on 57 northbound in Illinois, we saw a Corvette cut thru the median after being southbound. We thought what the heck does he think he's doing as he was "booking."  Then we saw the smoke! Turns out the Corvette was a nice young man, an off-duty cop. He saw the motor home smoking and was trying to get to him in case there were injuries and to stop traffic, etc.  

As we were pulled off to the left, Homer thought we had a flat, so we pulled off to the right to check the tires.  Thank God we didn't, as unpacking the Jeep to get to the jack/spare would have been horrendous - - as we're hauling a piano bench home for Libby and Jerry Teitsma and it would have looked like a moving sale along the highway shoulder. Also, the young man from the Corvette offered to help us, if it had been flat. The kindness of some people still amazes me. Seems we only read about the bad ones. 

Anyway, I have a video of the fire, as we were parked for about 40 minutes, but it won't load from my cell, or the blog doesn't allow for space reasons. We felt sorry for the horse trailer across from us, as the smoke, sirens, and heat of being parked so long in the trailer must have been confusing.  You could hear the horses were getting rambunctious in there. 

Anyway, attached is the aftermath of what was once a motor home. At one point we thought we heard an explosion of what we thought was the propane tank blowing. Praise the Lord, nobody was injured. 

So we spent a restful night in a Walmart parking lot in Mattoon, Illinois after we were on the road 11 & 1/2 hours.  It is a bright and beautiful day (57 degrees) and I'm amazed how my allergies are kicking in the further north we get. Must be things are blooming!  

As we crossed the MI line, I got Homer to  reluctantly make a short stop to Four Winds Casino so I could donate a little to Michigan's economy. :-).  Well, I was down about $40 and on the way out, I decided to try a new machine "Walking Dead."  I know nothing about the tv series, nor that game, not that I understand any of them. I went to try one machine and it wouldn't take the players club card so I moved over to my left, as a man had JUST left it. I did one spin and won $324!!!  Woo Hoo --  I unplugged, cashed out, and went back to the car.  Life is GOOD!  

Got home at 4:36 pm, 61 degrees. It's colder in the house than outside!  It will be great to sleep in our own bed. 

April 6th thru April 15th

So, our car ended up being at the dealership a total of 5 days. They never did totally figure it out but $3,000 later (ouch) we have full power! Anyway, we're lucky to have had the generosity of cousin Dave Teitsma, for what was to have been 2 days at his house turned into 5. He sold his house and bought a condo in the same time frame, so it was a pretty busy week. 

The good thing about the delay was that we then stayed for Aunt Marie's 95th birthday party. Bunches of out of town family came in and some surprised her too.  I hope to be as mently alert and physically active as her -  should I make it that long.  She is one fantastic lady and we all love her so!

When we left Marie's we parked at our friend's Strawberry-Blueberry Farm in Plant City for a couple of nights. We trekked over to daughter Kate's for a day to visit and for Homer and I to give our granddaughter - Trinity Swets - her belated sewing machine and a few lessons from Granny Kath, tho she is already taking lessons elsewhere. She's quick to learn and loves to create things, so it will be fun to watch her progress with it. 

We also had a good game of cards going:

Then last night, the morning if the 15th we got up at 3 a.m. to watch the total eclipse from the edge of our friend's blueberry/strawberry farm. Very cool, but the pictures don't do it justice so I won't load any.  I'm sure you saw it on tv and such. 

We headed out again this morn. and stopped by for a quick visit with brother Ken Teitsma at Zephyrhills. Always good to see family when en route.  

An hour or so later, I gave Homeboy a couple of sticks of gum while he was driving and it pulled out a crown near the front of his mouth.  I'll spare you the picture, but he looks like a true hillbilly when he smiles :-!  At least it doesn't hurt.

Of course lots of rain and wind went thru Florida and we had planned on camping at Newport, but they were without electric and the grounds were flooded so we booked on thru to a Corps of Engr. Park in Bainbridge, GA.  We've been here before and they have beautiful views with high ground, so not much flooding going on here. The sunset was great but it's stinking cold!  It's supposed to get down to 43 tonight. Guess we have to get used to it sooner or later as we heard it's still snowing back home. 

Being we take the road(s) less traveled, who knows where we'll be tomorrow. 

Headed Home April 4, 2014

I've not updated this blog due to the fact that it just takes time (and thought) and I haven't had much of either.  Being in the Keys is paradise but I figured I'd save the Blog for being on the move. 

We spent a good week packing, cleaning, and boat storage stuff and were exhausted by the time we left. The night before pulling out we had a great time with friends, and I've been deemed as the social director for a weekly girls night out next year.  Many had already left for home so we were down to a few girls and made the boys sit elsewhere. 

Our rental next year will be a couple of blocks away from this one.  The landlord decided that he wants to use the house for his family next year - can't blame him as the place is fantastic and we were blessed to have had it for a season.  I must admit a smaller place to clean is looking advantageous. 

God willing --  We're to go down next year in late Oct. or early Nov.  We have made many new friends and have old friends too (old is your perspective of it) and half of Michigan seems to be down there anyway.  

So, right now we're camped right next to the water at the Pt. St. Lucie Locks in Fl and will take our time going home.  Homer is out kayaking and looking for gators. I did see a good sized snake during my walk on the trails and he was more scared of me than I was of him. 

We've had some car trouble and are trying to get that remedied. The Jeep runs but has no "get up and go" and the dealership thinks it's an EGR valve, but didn't have one on hand.  We're headed to Aunt Marie's for her 95th birthday and will figure it out then. Luckily Florida has no hills or mountains. 

I'm working off my cell, so forgive any typos. :-). Will update on later adventures. 

Nov. 28 thru Dec. 7th, 2013

Geese, I apologize but my last post stayed in never-never land and didn't post.  The internet connection was waffling and it must have never gone out. 

So, we did go to Kate and Shawn's for Thanksgiving and got to meet their new addition "Ridley."  He's an Australian Shepard and will bring years of fun and enjoyment to their family, I'm sure.

As always it was great to see everyone again and we even got to bake an apple pie together.  Had a whole bunch of great food and lots to be THANKFUL for, as we weren't even sure if we would be able to go to Florida this year.

Funny thing, we left the next day and went to a nearby mall for some walking around and to have lunch at one of our favorite taco places "Moe's."  As we went thru the line and I went to pay the $14.82, the clerk said a gentleman left $10 to be applied to our bill.  I said "You sure about it going to us?"  She said, "Yup, the man said for the gentleman in the cap."  Homer had a plaid dapper Ivy-type cap on that is like none other that we've seen down here (see pic above).  We're ASSUMING it was a random act of kindness/pay it forward type of thing.  How neat, unless we looked old and destitute and he felt sorry for us.  She said the man that paid had a sweatshirt with a hood and there was nobody around dressed like that??? It's one of those things we'll always remember.

Then we headed to Aunt Marie's (and hit some terrible rain en route) and spent a glorious few days by her.  She feels like a mother to me and I'm always amazed at how well she does for 94.  Heck, she's like Homer -- keeps you on the move and she's mentally very sharp.  I hope to be that healthy and alert at that age.

Also, Homer's watch quit on the way down (just a battery thing).  Uncle Norm always used to tell him to take his watch off when he got to Fl, and to relax a little (Homer sleeps with his watch on).  Well, a few years back during Norm's funeral, Homer's watch quit.  Now it quit again. Hmmmmmm, coincidence?

On Dec. 4th, we finally got to our rental.  It's twice as big as last year and in pristine condition.   Weather has been fantastic since we got here, low 80's, and so far one quick rainstorm.  We're digging around the kitchen trying to find various utensils and get familiarized with things.  Trust me, I'm not complaining, we are BLESSED to be here.

Went garage sale-ing yesterday and today, along with the giant flea market to stock up on misc. junk that you just can't live without.  I saw something along the road yesterday at a distance and my girlfriend Glenna and I couldn't imagine what it was.  Ha, it was a pot bellied pig!  At the garage sale I mentioned to the young man that there was a wandering pig down the road.  He wasn't concerned, he knew who it belonged to and said the pig was a "traffic smart pig."  So there ya go, the pig is probably more traffic smart than a lot of the people down here.

It's pretty sad that I put more pic's of a pig on the blog than I do of family (you can see those on Shutterfly).  Also, Homer and I saw a Key Deer yesterday, again with one horn (or is it half rack?) but I didn't get close enough for a picture.

Here's a Dropbox link to pictures so far: 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ffamca0g3w53bav/IpCfl2-aPk

I probably won't update this blog again til closer to the holidays and seeing I'm not doing Christmas Cards any more -- HAVE a SAFE and HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!

Love, Kath & Homer

Nov. 21st thru the 27th, 2013

We left Homasassa to kill a few days of doing nothing. We ended up 8 miles east of LaBelle at the Ortona Corps of Emgr. Campground.  There were ample sites left ($12 a night with senior pass), so the price was right.  Unfortunately there was no boat ramp on our side so we never got to put the kayaks in. The boat ramp was on the other side of the river which was 26 miles one way by road!

Neat coincidence tho, was that the construction all around us on highway 80 was headed up by my favorite son-in-law (and only one too) Shawn Swets, Project Engr. for Aim Engineering. When he realized the general area we were in, he asked if we noticed his project.  Well, for once I couldn't complain about road work.  Very odd to be so far from home, yet so connected to his work. 

Anyway, were told they recenly had seen a panther, bobcats, armadillos and manatees at the park.  We caught a glimpse of a manatee going thru the lock and we saw armadillos twice at night.  They kinda resemble a possum, or is it opossum?

So, you know how Homer loves water and boats, and we saw plenty. He's amazed how many expensive boats go thru and they don't "get it" on how the locks work. The water level goes up 8 feet going one way, or down 8 eight feet the other way.  If you're going to drop 8 feet, it's not a great idea to lock-tie the mooring line to the cleat.  We watched a "hundred plus some thousands of dollars" boat almost get string up by his hind quarter because he couldn't undo the line.  Luckily he ran inside the cabin and grabbed a knife out of the galley and in one swoop cut a line that had lots of pressure on it.  We all watched from behind the railing -- and just shook our heads. 

Anyway, here's a few pictures:

I found a neat App. called "Near Me."  I keyed in in on my cell and found the Florida Ridge Air Sports Park between Clewiston and LaBelle.  It turns out Groupon was having a special for $69 that you could take a tandem hang glider ride. They tow you up, release the line and within ten minutes it's all over from start to finish.........but if you buy the pictures and video, it becomes $249 real quick. Needless to say, we just watched.  Notice there's one person on top of the other.  The bottom guy is in a zipped up bag.  The person on the side just makes sure the tow line is straight and I'm sure she manages the money/paperwork. :-)

Right now we're parked out in Plant City at a strawberry/blueberry farm of Pat and George Sprouse.  They have become good friends that are distant relatives thru marriage on Homer's side  They've been a godsend in our travels as we sometimes need a little plot of land and an extension cord for a couple of days of zig zagging between family and friends. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we'll be headed to my daughter Kate's (married to Shawn the engineer). We'll be spennding a night there so I can spoil the grandkids for a day and then we head out to Aunt Marie's in W. Palm Beach area. I won't have another internet connection until Dec. 4 so have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving -- Drive Safe!!!!