"Rolling down the highway, looking for adventure"

Breadcrumbs! The United States History Tour, June 2011

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Homeward bound from here!

Shenandoah National Park, Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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Shenandoah National Park, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this weekend, has over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. It is just 75 miles from our Nation's Capital.

For our Geology loving friends: "The oldest rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains were created over a billion years ago as magma deep within the earth's crust moved upward. Over eons it cooled, fractured, and was joined by younger metamorphic rocks formed from sedimentary deposits. All were altered and eroded to shape today's granite peaks and sylvan hollows."

For our Biology loving friends: Shenandoah National Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. Two peaks, Stony Man and Hawksbill, exceed 4,000 feet. The range of elevation, slopes and aspects, rocks and soils, precipitation, and latitude create a mix of habitats.

Tens of thousands of living creatures make their homes in the park, from black bear resting beneath rock overhangs, to tiny aquatic insects darting through cool mountain streams. The park’s many worlds are fascinating to explore.

Most of Shenandoah’s landscape is forested. In the process of photosynthesis, converting light, water, and minerals into foods, green plants give off water. From a distance this air-born water creates a faint haze giving the Blue Ridge its name. In recent years, the haze has taken on other ingredients, introduced by humans. Air is among the resources the staff at Shenandoah National Park is duty bound to protect.

Hardwood forests dominate the park. The forests are the result of many disturbances, some measured in geologic time, others in minutes. Remnants of boreal forests remind us that continental glaciers came near. Strands of barbed wire embedded in trunks mark the edges of former pastures. Uprooted trees show the path Tropical Storm Fran made in 1996.

Reference: http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/index.htm

Be sure to tour Skyline Drive which has over 75 scenic overlooks.

Nature Creates a Spiritual Awareness! Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

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The journey through

Virginia to Shenandoah National Park, Va.

Probably a

Black Rat Snake

Orange Daylilies

can be seen growing all along the roadways in Virginia near

and in Shenandoah National Park

Tunnels in Mountains are always fun!

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

More Orange Daylilies

Gettysburg

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The Cyclorama really brings to life the war. The painting spans 360 degrees and

they have props coming out and off of the painting. Different parts of it are lit up

as they talk about different things. You can even see what it was like when the sun rose

the morning of the big battle and the carnage when it set.

Paul Philippoteaux's painting of

Pickett's Charge

Aaron and Caylin with one

of America's great Presidents- Abraham Lincoln

"Four score and seven years ago...." Gettysburg, Pa, Monday, June 20th, 2011

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"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." The Gettysburg address- 272 words and less than 2 minutes for Lincoln to deliver it.

George Washington warned of the division that political parties could play in tearing our country apart and the Civil War is an example of just this.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union Army Major General Joseph Hooker met by chance in Pennsylvania farmland fields. Three days of fighting ensued beginning July 1st, 1863. More men died here than in any other battle in North America before or since. Fifty one thousand soldiers were killed, wounded or captured in this battle.

Many of the union soldiers who died in Gettysburg are buried in Soilders' National Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address., a masterpiece of English language. He transformed Gettysburg from a brutal scene of death into a symbol, giving meaning to the sacrifice of the dead and a meaning to the living in preserving the union.

Contrary to popular belief Lincoln did not write the speech on the back of an envelope in route to Gettysburg. He began his composition in Washington and continued to revise it, even as last as the night before the speech.

Lincoln was asked to make "a few appropriate remarks". His speech followed the main speakers', Edward Everett, who delivered a well received two hour talk full of historical detail and classical allusion. Everett told Lincoln, "I should be glad, if I...came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."

Short, sweet, and to the point often does the trick!!!!

At the Gettysburg National Military Park there is a Visitor's Center and a Museum. You can view the film "We are Met on a Great Battlefield," and observe the "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama painted and created by Paul Philippoteaux in 11 short months after he carefully researched the battle and talked with survivors. It takes a 50 foot wooden spool to wrap up and transport the painting. The painting is 360 degrees, 377 feet and was completed in 1884.

"The "Cyclorama" was a very popular form of entertainment in the late 1800's, both in America and Europe. These massive oil-on-canvas paintings were displayed in special auditoriums and enhanced with landscaped foregrounds sometimes featuring trees, grasses, fences and even life-sized figures. The result was a three-dimensional effect that surrounded the viewers who stood on a central platform, literally placing them in the center of the great historic scene. Most cycloramas depicted dramatic events such as great battles, religious epics, or scenes from great works of literature. Hundreds were painted and exhibited in Europe and America during the 1800's, yet most were lost or destroyed as their popularity died out with the introduction of a more entertaining art form, motion pictures." http://www.nps.gov/gett/historyculture/gettysburg-cyclorama.htm

Information also based on: "The Official Guide to America's National Parks, 13th edition and the National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior brochure created for Gettysburg National Military Park.

It's in the Air! Monday, June 20th, 2011

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Pennsylvania

We Americans have something to be proud of- our great nation! From the creation of a living Constitution to the majestic views from coast to coast. As we've traveled across our country over the last several years we have not encountered an ugly state. Our nation is amazingly beautiful as is the diverse population that makes it up! This beauty and diversity is easy to observe as you travel the major interstates. However, to get a deeper appreciation of what each state has to offer, take the smaller, back roads!

Americans love to grow corn! It is easy to spot fields of corn from coast to coast!
PA is no exception.

Holly- we said "Hi" to the Amish for you, just as you requested.
The sign says "Horse and Buggy Parking"

For Holly!

Beautiful fields of green! PA

Forested area of PA

Randy remembered a place we had to stop! Hershey, PA- not exactly known for their
part in the birth of our country...but fun none the less!

You can literally smell the chocolate in the air the minute you get out of your car!

Caylin's excitement level was as high as a child in
Disneyland!

Want to learn about how chocolate candy such as KitKats, Hershey Bars, etc. are made?
Take the seat in their automated tour.
This reminded me of a scene in Jurassic Park where the scientists were being shown
how the dinosaurs were created.
I was hoping that the end of this tour wouldn't have as ominous ending!!

Three of our tour guides!

Can you smell it too?

Candy Kisses- called that because the machine makes

a kissing sound as each piece is dropped on the belt.

Hershey, Pa did not disappoint! But, beware, the end of the tour drops you strategically off in the gift shop!

"Proclaim Liberty throughout ALL of the land unto ALL of the Inhabitants..." The Pennsylvania State House Bell!

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The Pennsylvania State House Bell, more famously known as the Liberty Bell was first heard in 1753. How appropriate that this bell , with its famous inscription, was designed for the state house in the city that colonial representatives took the earliest steps toward independence from Great Britain ?!?

The Liberty Bell has always been a symbol of freedom. In the 1830s anti-slavery groups named it the Liberty Bell. The bell cracked around 1846! The crack serves as a reminder that liberty is imperfect.

The First Continental Congress met in 1774 in Carpenters' Hall near Independence Hall as a response to Parliament's Intolerable Acts. There it drew up a Declaration of Rights and Grievances and an appeal to King George III.

King George III and Parliament did not respond.

The Second Continental Congress met in the State House in May 1775 (Independence Hall). Shots had been fired at Lexington and Concord. Now, it appeared that war was inevitable. Independence was not yet the goal. Many colonists were still loyal to Britain. George III declared the colonies in a state of rebellion even though Congress affirmed the colonies' loyalty with the Olive Branch Petition.

June 1776- Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee moved that the colonies be "Free and Independent States." Thomas Jefferson wrote a formal declaration. The delegates adopted the Declaration in Independence hall on July 4th. Although, it would not be signed by the delegates until August 2nd.

November 1777- the Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation which as James Madison stated was "a treaty of alliance between independent and Sovereign States." The articles worked well for the new nation during war, but they were inadequate!

1787- Fifty-five delegates met once again in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. The delegates agreed to create an entirely new constitutional government.

The Great Compromise, called fora House of Representatives with proportional representation and a Senate with each state represented equally would ensure that small states would also have a voice. The states kept some of their sovereignty, but the central government had stronger powers with executive and judicial branches. The Constitution provided a firm but flexible structure around which to build a Nation- "A more perfect Union."

Reference- National Park Service brochure "Independence National Historical Park" Pennsylvania.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident...." Sunday, June 19, 2011

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What better way to spend Father's Day than to visit the place where our nation was born, Phliadelphia!

At Independence National Historic Park you can visit the exact location the United States was born. Both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were approved and signed in Independence Hall. A few short steps away from Independence Hall you can visit the Liberty Bell.

The President's House-
George Washington and John Adams lived here when
the capital was in Philadelphia

Information about the President's House

The room where both the Declaration of Independence and the

Constitution were approved

Benjamin Franklin often wondered if the

sun was rising or if it was setting on the President's Chair. He decided it was rising.

Benjamin Franklin's resting place

"I cannot live without books" Thomas Jefferson, June 10, 1815

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The Library of Congress was established in 1800 when President John Adams signed a bill moving the capitol from Philadelphia to Washington. The legistlation provided a reference library for Congress only.

The library, which was started with $5,000.00 was housed in the new Capitol. August, 1814 invading British troops burned the Capitol and destroyed the small library.

Within a month, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library, which he had spent 50 years collecting, as a replacement. Congress purchased his library for $23,950.00 in 1815. Another fire on Christmas Eve of 1851 destroyed nearly two thirds of the 6,487 books Congress purchased from Jefferson.

You can see his library on display in the Library of Congress.

You can also view the Gutenberg Bible and the Giant Bible of Mainz at the Library of Congress.

Do You Know How to Travel?? Saturday, June 18, 2011

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Watch out for Toll Roads and Toll

Bridges. Be sure to set your navigation system to avoid tollways if you are in an RV

pulling a tow vehicle. What would cost a car $4.00 will easily cost and RV pulling a tow vehicle $16.00 (yes, even though if you unhooked and drove each across independently it would be $8.00)!

At one tow bridge, we paid $24.00!!

Moving on down the highway toward Philadelphia gave me time to reflect on using a subway in DC.

First and foremost, you should know that the subway doors open and close rather quickly. If you are in the doorway, they will shut on you. If you happen to have a backpack on when the doorway closes on you - you will be stuck! The only way to get the doors to open up is to pound on them. Trying to slide them open will not work!

Second, be sure to catch the subway before 8:00 pm on a Friday night. There is a definite difference in clientele!!

Friday,June 17th photos

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There are tourists all around DC. Aaron helped these two out by taking their picture in front of the White House

Walking down the National Mall to the Capitol

An unexpected oasis can be discovered in the Capitol Lawn

Gorgeous trees on the Capitol Lawn

The Visitor Entrance Side of the Capitol

Inside the Capitol

Inside the Capitol. A painting of Washington surrending his title and role as General and giving the power to the people

The Library of Congress

World War II Memorial

The Reflection Pool

The Reflection Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial

The Vietnam War Memorial

Jimmy D. Barnett- Randy's cousin

Rainbow over the Washington Memorial

Ford's Theater

Out of many, one!! Friday, June 17,2011

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E pluribus unum, Latin for "out of many, one"! That describes our country today just as it did when the seal of the United States was created and first used publically in 1782. It is important to remember that we are a diverse people with many thoughts, ideas and beliefs. We must always work together to find a common ground on issues that divide us! George Washington was one of the first to worn us of the dangers of political parties. He remained an Independent throughout his political career although his policies were more sympathetic to those of the Federalists. George Washington felt that political parties were too divisive and could easily split our country.

Exiting the subway at the Navy Memorial we headed to the National Mall once again. Our first destination, the Capitol. Kevin Brady arranged for us to tour the capitol at 11:30. Excited, we arrived at 9:00 and were allowed to take a 9:10 tour.

Taking the underground tunnel to the Library of Congress proved to be a pleasant surprise. The building is amazing. Viewing the Thomas Edison library collection is breath taking.

From there we moved on to the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence that our Founding Fathers signed on August 2nd (that's right, not July 4th. The original document created by Thomas Jefferson and approved on July 4th sits unsigned in Philadelphia at Independence Hall). The document is incredible, although it is very faded. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights also sit near the Declaration of Independence.

Randy decided that he would like to do some research at the National Archives and gather more information regarding his family. Children under 14 are not allowed in so Caylin and I remained outside while Randy and Aaron went in. They were given official researchers identification and parking permits. Randy was able to find out and print out quite a bit of information about his family.

Walking to the Reflection Pool, we decided to sit at the foot of the Washington Monument under one of the many trees on the grassy hill and enjoy some ice cold water. The afternoon was pleasant with a gentle breeze and temperatures in the uppers 70s.

The Reflection Pool is undergoing a very rare event. It is sinking and needed to be renovated. We took pictures of the drained pool and read about the repairs. Nearby is the World War II monument and The Vietnam Memorial. Randy found the name of one of his cousins that was killed in the war on the wall.

Leaving the Vietnam War Memorial we were caught in a thunderstorm which lasted approximately 15 minutes. When the storm was over we were greeted with a nice surprise. A rainbow from which we were able to see its beginning and its end went over the Washington Monument. Aaron tried to capture the event in film.

Before catching the subway back to Cherry Hill we stopped by Ford's Theater. Here, John Wilkes Booth fatally shot a great American President, Abraham Lincoln.

The Smithsonians and a monument - Thursday, June 16th, 2011

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The best way to visit DC from Cherry Hill RV Park in Maryland is public transportation. It isn't as bad as it sounds! The city bus stops at the RV park office approximately every 20 minutes and stops at the College Park Metro Rail station (the Green Line Subway). Ride the subway to the Navy Memorial and National Archives station.

All of the Smithsonians are free! Our favorites were the Natural History and Natural Science Museums. We spent the day walking the approximately 2.5 mile National Mall from one end to the other and back.

We also strolled over to the White House Viewing Area and were greeted with a treat. The President and First-Lady were on the balcony with a group of women having dinner. Secret Service had officers stationed on the roof and at the viewing area.

The Hope Diamond

The hat President Lincoln was

wearing at Ford's Theater the night he was shot.

The Washington Monument

One of the largest McDonald's in the US

Carousel on the National Mall

Smithsonian Information Center

Map of the National Mall

Pennsylvania Avenue

RV Parks, Close Encounters and Transformers?!? Cherry Hill RV Park and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles- June 15, 2011

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Finally! We made it to Cherry Hill RV Park. Whose slogan is "A Monumental Experience"! This is probably the best RV park we've stayed at in all of our travels. It is rated 9.5/9.5/9.5 in Trailer Life Directory, but should have been rated 10/10/10. You can purchase bus tickets, subway tickets, tour tickets, etc. at the RV office. They have two swimming pools with life guards and at least two playground! Movies are shown nightly, weather permitting. They recycle! The staff is friendly and the grounds are well groomed. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend staying here!!!

After relaxing at Cherry Hill for a bit, we traveled to the Udvar- Hazy Smithsonian Air and Space Museum near Dulles. Yes, it is the site of one of the scenes from Transformers II. This museum houses one of the only Blackbirds on exhibit as well as the famous Enola-Gay, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, and the model used in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. A neat tidbit is that Lucas hide a miniture of R2D2, a cemetary, a Volkswagon Beetle, and several Star War's jet fighters in the model!

King George Washington, Cherry Trees and Wooden Teeth???? June 14th, 2011

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Driving tree-lined Virginia State Highway 1 to Mount Vernon it is easy to imagine George Washington and his many guests traveling the same route over 200 years ago.

Mount Vernon is a magical place. It has been open to the public for more than 140 years and over 75 million people have visited the estate. The house and gardens still look like they did when George Washington lived there .

As much as you may have learned about George Washington in school, there is still more to discover about this great man. The visitor's center and museum are vast resources of information about the father of our country. The stories many of us may have heard during childhood are just that- stories.

There aren't many details about George Washington's childhood. His father died when he was relatively young. He wasn't able to go abroad for an education as his half-brothers did. The story of the Cherry Tree was fictional. The 6'2", 175 pound, athletic Washington worried about his teeth incessantly spending a small fortune on toothbrushes and visiting the best dentists of his day. Despite all of this he started loosing his teeth in his 20's! His false teeth were not made out of wood- they were made out of wire, hippopotamus ivory and human teeth. Washington felt as though he deserved an appointment within the British Military, but was never given this opportunity. He married, Martha Custis, a wealthy widow who had two children from a previous marriage. George and Martha never had any children of their own.

George Washington was a man ahead of his times in many ways. For example, he developed a 7 year crop rotation for his farm and he had his soilders vaccinated against Small Pox. He also understood the importance of human waste removal and sanitation.

It is interesting to note that George Washington could have easily made himself king or dictator. Think about how different our country would be today if he did not peacefully resign from power after the revoultion or his presidency!

George Washington did not die of a cold, he died from epiglottitis. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes of the trachea and prevents food from going into the lungs when swallowing. It is a life threatening condition that may be treated with antibiotics.

"Thus Always To Tyrants" and ducks! June 13th, 2011

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"Sic Semper Tyrrans," the official motto of the state of Virginia and as legend has it, a phrase that John Wilkes Booth shouted when he shot President Lincoln.

The State Seal of Virginia bears this phrase along with a female figure personifying the Roman virtue of Virtus. Virginia's Virtus is a figure of peace, standing in a pose which declares a battle already won. She places her long spear, with its point downward to the ground.
Tyranny lies beneath the foot of Virtus, symbolizing Great Britain's defeat by Virginia. The royal crown which has fallen to the ground beside him symbolizes the new republic's release from the control of Great Britain. The broken chain in Tyranny's left hand represents Virginia's freedom from Britain's restriction of colonial trade and westward expansion. His robe is purple, a reference to royalty.

Our first night in Virginia was spent in a picturesque town called Edinburg. The locals were friendly and the weather was a welcome relief from the Texas heat. We camped near a small river which had fireflies flying nearby. There were friendly Mallard ducks on the river. One mating pair came up to us and practically ate bread out of our hands. Aaron reminded us that feeding wildlife can lead to their ultimate demise. These ducks were insistent. It was obvious that they had been hand feed for many years.

Technology is picking our destination!!!

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So far, so good. We've had blue skies and just a few sprinkles on the windshield!

Technology is amazing. I am able to update this blog and check various weather radars while we are going down the road. We can predict where we will be at a certain time and I can search for RV parks at that location. I can even make online reservations.

We've had one minor snafu so far during this trip. When we stopped at a rest stop in Alabama yesterday to have lunch we noticed that the refrigerator and several lights weren't working. Randy quickly determined what the problem was. However, we needed more fuses than we had. With technology, we were quickly able to locate the closest Wal-mart to our final destination for the night, Athens, TN. New fuses in hand we were quickly out of the store and plugging them in to the RV.

With any luck that will be the last repair we have to make on this trip. Anyone who travels with a RV or trailer knows all to well that there are usually repairs to be made while on the road. Those who read our blog last year will recall the evenings we camped at a Montana Chevrolet dealership while waiting for parts to be flown in.

Tonight's destination? Our technology has told us that Edinburg, VA is the best spot for stopping tonight!

Birmingham, AL

Beautiful AL

Trees as far as the eye can see

Home of several of our good friends

Athens, TN

A great overnight RV park. Very peaceful and full of trees The Trailer Life directory

didn't rate it very high. We thought Over Niter RV park with its friendly owner deserved a better rating.

Getting Lil' H all hooked up

and ready to head to Virginia.

The weather was perfect here. Felt like

the temperature was in the low 70s.

On to Edinburg!!!

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Alabama via I59/I20. Chattanooga, TN via I59. In this age of Global Climate Change (yes, it is real) we are watching the weather maps and trying to stay out of the severe storms which seem to be all around the areas we need to go.

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Chinook Helicopter

Magnolia trees growing in the

median along Interstate 20.

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One of my ancestors, Private John Henry Chandler of Waul's Texas Legion, was taken prisoner at Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, paroled about a month later after signing a document that he would not take up arms against the United States again. He later returned to his regiment and at he end of the war was discharged at Galveston and then returned to his family in Leon County.

Aaron and Caylin looking down

at the swollen Mississippi river. It looks more lake a large lake than a river.

To the Birthplace of America

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As you may well know by now, we decided to head in the direction of the birthplace of America. Out east!

The longing to go west is still stirring in our souls, but it can wait until next summer. We've been out west 6+ times now and out east only once. Time to visit some of the places that shaped America's early history!

We discussed this trip long before any celebriticians decided to take their own jaunt east in a token RV meant to superficially emulate the "All American Family" summer road trip. We have our US Capital Building Tour Tickets in hand and are eager to spend more time in D.C. Then, on to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Travel with us as we blog about our adventures.

Can you figure it out?

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Third, Fourth and Fifth Clues.

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Second Clue

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First Clue

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Decisions 2011

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Go west! No, go east! No, west!! This is the toughest decision made in our household every Spring....er, the morning of our big summer trip. Randy, Aaron, Caylin and I were still trying to decide as we left the neighborhood . "Which lane?!? Which lane?!?" The right lane would take us to I 10 and Pacific Highway 101, the left lane to US 59 and I 20.

We would have it no other way! The freedom to choose our path. Deciding what to see as we travel. No strings attached! We can easily cancel our scheduled United States Capital tour and go west. Our hearts belong to the west. The west is embedded in our souls, just as it was in the souls of the pioneers many, many years ago.

Check out our next "blogisode" to find out which direction we decided to go.

The Frio River

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Located an hour west of San Antonio- north of Concan and South of Leaky is Garner State Park and numerous RV and tent Campgrounds on the Frio Rivers. If you prefer to camp in a cabin you are not out of luck!

The river is so clear that you can see all the way down to the bottom. In fact, it is a bit deceiving...

what looks like two or three feet down to the bottom may actually be 10 feet!

The Frio river definitely lives up to its name. Perfect for those 100 degree days in Texas.

A great place to eat: Neal's on the Frio. In the big and booming town of Concan. Don't blink!

Howard's place on the Frio- off the beaten path.
If you know him or are a friend of a friend you can get his contact information and
rent one of his secluded cabins on the river.

Traveling up the rock road to Howard's place 19 baby turkeys passed in front of us.
Two hens were waiting patiently in the woods!

Fairfield, Texas

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South of Dallas, north of Buffalo...Texas that is! Is a little town called Fairfield. If you are in the mood for great Mexican food with reasonable prices and a nice dining atmosphere....try Gilbertos! Our party of 9 rated it A+++ superior!

God's Sandbox

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Heading home via Idaho, Utah and Arches National Park, Colorado, New Mexico (Chama, Santa Fe),
Amarillo, Fort Worth, and Fairfield!

Large windmills such as these are becoming more and more common throughout our country. Obviously we are getting better at using renewable resources slowly but surely.

Utah, near Moab

Debra, Aaron, Jennifer and Caylin posing near the Arches sign at the visitor's center. You would have thought I asked them to let me pull their teeth.

Moab has more hummers per square acre than any other city! LOL

At least it is not more "furry cows"!

Inside Arches National Park
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Jennifer and Debra explore

It's alive!!! Cryptobiotic soil is a mix of bacteria, fungi, and algae (a protist)...it is important for plant growth in the desert. One footstep could wipe out many, many years of important growth.

Previous...the formation called the three gossips. The one directly above- The Hailes

absorb information about this incredible place.

Believe it our not, this area used to be covered by a giant sea!

Balanced Rock...another famous formation in Arches

Here come the Eaves and the Hailes

Randy and Art venture off down a trail

Three above- Double Arch

My name is Earl......(Aaron)

The old fashion windmills are becoming harder and harder to find as you travel the country.

Glacier, Canada and RV troubles

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Glacier National Park has numerous waterfalls...this is an example of one along Weeping Wall on the Going to the Sun Road

Just like Yellowstone, Glacier is bear country.

Bears are smart animals. They can open unlocked car doors and house doors when tempted by food left out. Mainly herbivores, bears will occasionally take advantage of a situation and become carnivorous.

Apgar Visitor Center - West Glacier entrance off of the Going to the Sun Road.

They have a live webcamera at the corner of this building...you can stand in front of it and have your friends upload the website and view you standing there. Randy, Caylin and Aaron did that. Thank you Becky!

Polebridge! No need to say more really, It is a beautiful small town up North Fork Road in Glacier National Park. This is the original mercantile built in the early 1900s. Inside you will find a nice bakery, souvenirs and antiques.

The town also includes the Northern Lights Saloon.

Glacier National Park is an International Peace Park...the most northern portion of Glacier is in Canada. This flag display celebrates our friendship with Canada (although when you cross the border into Canada their customs agents are very unfriendly).

One of the many gorgeous views from the Going to the Sun road heading up towards Logan's Pass.

The Going to the Sun road is aptly named. The road travels high into the mountains. There are numerous sheer drop offs and switch backs on this road. They even sell t-shirts that say "I survived the Going to the Sun Road".

Glacier has a rain forest and 25 active glaciers. A combination not found in any other national park. Just a short time ago there were 50 active glaciers and in the early 1900s as many as 150.

I must give credit where credit is due...Aaron took the majority of the photos you are viewing in the blog. He might have a lucrative hobby in his future!

Rooseville Port of Entry into Canada, eh!

The drive from Hungry Horse through Whitefish and on to Rooseville is gorgeous. Watch out for the deer and elk though. We had an elk jump out in front of us and a short time later the Hailes had one jump out in front of them.

The Hailes pulling up to the customs gate.

Can you read French?

The friendly country to our North. Their customs agents could you some interpersonal skills. It is as though they are saying "Welcome to Canada, and fudge you" The rest of the population is very nice though.

Canadian Maple Leaf

Wow 100 mph...no wait...it is metrics...so about 62 mph

A great little town in British Columbia to eat lunch.

Canadian scenery

Oh my goodness...those big yellow things are X-ray machines...and sure enough when you pull up there they are looking at images of your car! At least our custom's agents are a little more friendly.

Scenery as you leave Hungry Horse, Montana (which is very close to West Glacier)

A random ball and chain! I didn't know they had Randy's picture here! LOL. Nope, it is an omen that we are going to be stuck near Hungry Horse, Montana for three days! LOL

Really, it was used to clear trees in the construction of Hungry Horse Dam.

Hungry Horse is a strange name for a town. Leaving most people wondering why it is named Hungry Horse.

In the winter of 1900-1902 two horses, Tex and Jerry wondered away from their sleigh. They survived waste deep snow for a month before being found. They were almost dead from starvation, but made a full recovery. You have to love a happy ending! :)

So here we sit, stuck first about a mile outside of Hungry Horse with a broken belt on the RV. Randy and Aaron take the Little H back into Hungry Horse to look for an auto parts store. None found there! Then they drive to Columbia Falls which is about 5 miles up the road. We are in luck! They are back with a belt.

Art and Randy put the belt on and we are off...heading toward Moab and Arches National Park. Then, in Columbia Falls...the belt breaks again! What?!?! Randy goes to get another new belt!

De-ja-vu...Randy and Art put the second belt on the RV....ahhh, they see the problem...quickly...kill the engine. It is the harmonic balancer which is broke and it is shredding the belt. So.....you might be a redneck if....you spend the night in the nearest truck stop parking lot!

Even better, how about putting a lawn chair next to your 18 wheeler in the truck stop parking lot?!

YOU PROBABLY ARE A REDNECK IF..................

Monday, July 19TH, we slowly, prayerfully, and carefully drove the RV to a Chevy dealership in Kalispell, Montanal...Eisinger Chevy. We are the first in line as they open their doors. But wait, they don't have the part in stock...it will have to be shipped overnight. Oh well, what better place to spend a couple of extra days than near Glacier. So, off we go...back to Glacier. Our friends, the Hailes, are the best kinds of friends you can have. They refuse to leave us until we know the part is on its way!!!

Now we can play in Avalanch creek in Glacier National Park. When you see water with a bluish green tint, chances are it is coming from a glacier!

Isn't it funny how people are drawn to water?! It is so much fun just to play in the water that kids and adults alike are doing it!

Debra Hailes having a relaxing moment

Tuesday, July20th...we are back on the road...leaving the beautiful town of Kalispell around 5:30 pm.

Flathead Lake, Montana....one of the largest lakes in the country and absolutely gorgeous. Just south of Kalispell.

Leaving gorgeous Montana........heading toward Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and then the big town of Magnolia, TX.

Not your father's RVing!!

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The face of RVing has changed! During the last five years we've noticed that the face of RVing has changed. More and more families are getting into the hobby. Campgrounds are offering ammenities that are more attractive to families with young children. Swimming pool, playgrounds, fire rings (for making smores the old fashion way) come standard at most campgrounds. RVing is no longer the hobby of retirees.

Rental RVs are a common sight in our National Parks. Try it! RVing is a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. Go out and make some memories.

Glacier Natives- Logan's Pass

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Have you ever seen a mountain goat in the wild? They are a lot of fun to watch...especially if they have their kids with them

I don't know if it is just us............

but there is something exciting about seeing wildlife in the wild!

Did you know that mountain goats have a suction cup like structure where the hooves split into two on each leg? This is what allows them to climb the sides of mountains and slippery surfaces.

Big Horn sheep at the Visitor's Center in Logan's Pass greeting people as they arrive! LOL

Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats hang out near the visitor's center because they like to drink the antifreeze from cars. Luckily, they don't appear to suffer any harm from the antifreeze (according to our Red Bus Guide- Norm, from Ohio)

More ribbons and bows on the present

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Aaron, Caylin, Jennifer and Debra on our narrated, red bus tour at Logan's Pass in Glacier National Park

Jennifer getting her snowball ready at Logan's pass- Glacier National Park

Debra and Caylin....Caylin midtoss

Ewwww it is cold out here!

Cheryl

Friends are the bows and ribbons that today, the present, enjoyable!

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Donald and Caylin on Big Tex's boot

Aaron and Donald enjoying one of the many rivers in Yellowstone

Caylin and Kim strike a pose in Yellowstone

Aaron and Randy at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Randy and Caylin enjoying the mud pits

Randy and Art checking out the information about the petrified tree in Yellowstone

Jennifer and Shelba stretch their legs on the way to Glacier National Park in Montana

Debra and Shelby stretch their legs in Montana

Animal "bucket list"

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Are any of these animals on your "most wanted" list?

Yellow-headed black bird
Canada Geese
Stork
Swan
Gray Jay
Magpie
Clark's Nutcracker
Osprey
Eagle
Raven
Bison
Elk
Coyote
Chipmunks (and yes, they do sing...look it up!)\
Bison (Buffalo)
Yellow Bellied Marmot
Canyon mouse
Canyon Ground Squirrel
Uinta Squirrel (hibernates 9 months of the year and resembles priarie dogs in appearance and habitat)
Bull-snake
Mountain Blue Birds
Black Bear

All of these are animals we spotted while visiting Yellowstone over a three day period.

Fuzzy cow...one of a bazillion (yes, it is a word....look it up!)

Elk (aka a big deer)

Black Bear (yes, it is...they come in shades of brown, blonde, golden and black). There are two types of bear in this area: Black Bear and Grizzly Bear (which can also be blonde, brown or black). Grizzlies sometimes are called brown bears. Grizzlies can be identified by their shoulder hump and longer snout. Black bears have more of a Roman profile to their noses..it gradually slopes from the forehead to the tip of the nose.

2nd black bear of the day

Female Elk

My wish for you!

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Go out, travel, see our beautiful country and make memories

Reproduction and fire

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Did you know that many trees in Yellowstone need fire to successfully reproduce? The cones won't open and release the seed until they have been burned! "Life always finds a way"!

Sunday, July 11,2010-All about Yellowstone

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Yellowstone National Park in Northeastern Wyoming is the oldest natural park!!! It was established in 1872 .Yellowstone was designated a biosphere reserve in 1976 and a world heritage site in 1978.

It consists of true wilderness with a large natural area of 2.2 million acres and 10,000 hydrothermal vents including Old Faithful. Yellowstone has the biggest concentration of active geysers on the planet!

It is also a geologically diverse park. Venturing south from Mammoth Springs one enters what the park rangers lovingly call the "Purple Ring of DOOM"...translated as the caldera of the Super Volcano.

One can view an abundant amount of wildlife in the park (big horn sheep, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, pronghorn, trumpter swans and bison). With 400+ miles of roads and 1000 miles of trails you will need to plan to stay in the park more than one day to get a feel for the diversity.

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Sunday, July 11, 2010 Driving me batty!

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We are driving down the road, exhausted, at night trying to get to our RV park after traveling for 12 hours when suddenly our friends the Burdens come on the radio! They are very frantic...they've just hit a bat and think it is dead...it is falling into the crack between their hood and windshield. Is it dead? Is it stunned? Oh, how sad. Suddenly, the little bat crawls up and perches on the passenger side view mirror...upside down! They slow down and find a pull off in the pitch black. Now what? How will they get the bat off?! Randy puts on a pair of gloves and pulls our little bat off the mirror. After posing for some pitures...our little bat is on his way. Good deed for the day done!

Sunday, July 11th

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The sign doesn't lie! There are tons of fuzzy cows in Yellowstone (aka Buffalo). After a while you see so many, that it is no longer exciting and it is funny to watch all of the people taking pictures! LOL

Sunday, July 11th

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Two of the most beautiful parks in the country! Well worth a visit (or two or three)! :)

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Sunday, July 11, 2010

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Yellow-headed blackbirds....are abundant in the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone

Grand Tetons and yes, they are big and beautiful

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Sunday, July 11, 2010

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In Colorado...we passed corn field after corn field after corn field. Did you know that the US is the number 1 corn producer in the world???

Did you know that RVs are a great place to eat lunch? We ate lunch in a gas station in Rawlins, Wyoming!

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Wyoming.....look out here we come!!!!

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Colorado's Kum and Go gas station- they advertise that it is easy in and easy out! Okay!

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The guys really wanted to stop and play.

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Looking for adventure - north of Denver, Colorado!!

Colorado Sunsets

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Colorado Sunsets- Saturday, July 10th...looking for a place to spend the night....oh wait..is that a Wal-mart?!? You might be a redneck if...........................

"You might be a redneck if.........."

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You spend the night in a Wal-mart parking lot in your RV!

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Willie- not interested in the damage...her prefers to check out the bugs in the grass! :)

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Looking back at the Raton Pass

storm.

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Checking for damage

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Cheryl and Caylin checking all the vehicles for hail damage.

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Randy climbing up to

check the Super C for damage

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Ah Oh, the Hailes have damage to the vent covers...and it rained on the bed! :(

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15 minutes later- stopped at El Morra rest stop to access the damage. Little H has a few new dimples :(

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Yikes...looks ominous!
Rain maybe?!?

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Heading up Rotan Pass, Colorado...is that a storm looming in the foreground???

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Wildarado Wind Ranch- Northwest of Vega, Texas....home of many giant windmills

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Caylin and the gang- Amarillo, Texas

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Big Tex himself! :)

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Donald and Caylin goofing off as usual :)

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Aaron and Caylin- Big Tex's Boot In Amarillo, TX.

If the shoe fits.............................

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Rolling into Amarillo, TX

July 10, 2010 around noon

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Donald and Caylin on

Big Tex's boot- Amarillo, Texas

Back on the highway! July 2010

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Off to see the "wizard" with our friends the Hailes and the Burdens. Heading toward Little Yellowstone, Montana. We will spend the next five days together and then go on separate adventures.

Tune in for updates and pictures.

Volcano rocks!

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Bandera, New Mexico!

Your pictures tell where you've been!!!!
Where have you been lately?

Lava, Lava and more lava!

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Randy and Aaron examining lava along the trail to the volcano!

Gotta' get to the volcano!

Lava covers the ground all around the volcano

Up, up, up...to the top of the volcano...but watch out for the lightening!!!

What did you see today?

Bandera, New Mexico....Volcano and Ice Caves?!?

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Fire and Ice....New Mexico!!! The Bandera Volcano accompanied by the Ice Caves! Doesn't heat melt ice?!? What the heck?!

Sign from the road leading to the volcano and the ice caves

Don't miss the turn!

The road leading to the ice caves and volcano

Bandera, New Mexico

A Big Hole!!!!!!!!

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Impact Crater! Hit by a meteor 50,000 years ago!

A theft, a basket, and evidence of impact! Apollo on site!!!!

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The meteor did what, where?!? What happens if one like it comes again during our lifetimes? Stay connected to find out in upcoming blogditions!

Touching a tiny portion of the actual meteor that his over 50,000 years ago!

Basket Meteorite is another portion of the metor that hit. It was stolen in the 1960s and wasn't seen until 2006.

Basket meteor!

A tribute to Apollo!

Lunar surfaces, blazing, "Gone with the Wind" style sunsets, and strange igloos in the desert! Williams, Arizona

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Sunsetting over mountains near Williams, Arizona

Venturing home we decided to stop and check-out a place called meteor crater which is a relatively unknown place in Arizona. A meteor impacted this location in Arizona approximately 50,000 years ago....and yes, some scientists do believe that people inhabitated this region at that time (others disagree).

The enomority of the crater surprised us! Along with the knowledge that this is one of the few craters that have been positively identified as being caused from a meteor. Nasa used this area to train Apollo Astronauts to visit the moon. The interior of the crater and the

Long forgotten house-near Williams, Arizona surface at the bottom of the crater are very similar

to the moon!

Meteor Crater RV Park-main office

Flora of the Northern rim and fauna too-Bison can be seen all around

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Bison (aka buffalo) at the Northern Rim

What do you see outside of your windshield? On the way to the Northern Rim

Twisted and tangled tree....kind of like life sometimes!

Flowers of the Northern Rim

Aren't they beautiful

What have you seen today?

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Grand Canyon- North Rim

The amazing power of water!!!!!

A window formed by erosion

What's around the bend?

Standing on top of the window (seen above)

Grand Canyon- The Northern Rim! Will you be the one out of 10 to experience it?!?

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The Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon! Truly an amazing sight. Only one out of 10 visitors to the Southern Rim ever see the Northern Rim. The Northern Rim is 1000 feet higher in elevation, less crowded and more spectacular! The day this photo was taken the view was a little hazy due to a nearby controlled burn.

Randy enjoying the view!

Aaron and Caylin enjoying the canyon

Photo op! Just watch out for bears!

The road to the canyon. Nothing can be better than seeing this except seeing it with friends!!!!

Old Tunnels, Big Horned Sheep and the Entrance to Zion!

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Welcome to Zion National Park! It is well worth the scary road into this National Park

After the 1 mile tunnel through the mountain (finished in 1930) you encounter another scary road. Check out the guardrail....I'm not sure it will keep you from falling into the canyon.

If you have a tall or wide vehicle, you have to pay extra so the tunnel can be shut down and you can drive down the middle of the tunnel. The tunnel was finished in 1930 and was designed for smaller cars.

Big Horned sheep in Zion

What beauty have you seen today?

Bryce Canyon...squirrels and fossils and chipmunks; oh my!

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Ruby's near Bryce Canyon...check out that petrified tree stump...it can be yours for a mere $8500.00 :)

Is it a chipmunk or a squirrel?

What is your guess?

Check out those roots! They've evolved to survive erosion!

Looks like a backdrop doesn't it?! Nope, its the real thing...Bryce Canyon

***The answer....a squirrel...it doesn't have the white stripes across its face too.

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Bryce Canyon...tons of Hoodoos watching you!

Caylin taking a break after a long day hiking at Bryce Canyon

The OMG don't breath hiking trail above Bryce Canyon....the trail gets narrower and the rails smaller :}

More of the OMG-hold your breath trail as the trail narrows

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Bryce Canyon-Hoodoos and twisted tree

Looks like a chipmunk....but, it is a squirrel. Chipmunks have the white stripes on their bodies and heads.

Caylin and Aaron resting after the Moss cave and waterfall hike.

Aaron's picture of hoodoos from Bryce Canyon on the Mossey trail.

Where did you go today?

HooDoos

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Coming down Mossey trail

Mossey Waterfall in sandstone. Bryce Canyon, Utah.

The view from Mossey Trail of sandstone formations (hoodoos) in Bryce Canyon

Dejavu

What have you seen today?

close-ups

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The trail leading to Mossey cave and waterfall is very scenic and well worth the hike

Randy admiring the cave

Aaron looking down into the cave

The hand dug river created by pioneers over 100 years ago.

Aaron, Caylin and Randy wondering down the Mossey Cave trail....caution...snake ahead

Where have you been today?

Watch out for that snake!!!!!!!! Mammoth Lizards

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This trail is lableled as a moderately strenuous, ocassionaly strenuous 1 mile trail that leads to a waterfall and a cave in Bryce Canyon National Park. The hike was fun, but watch out for snakes crossing the path. Rattlesnakes are common in this area, thankfully the snake that crossed within inches of our feet was a nonvenomous garter!

Caylin posing with a sculpture of a horned lizard (commonly called a horney toad in Texas). Different varities horned lizards can be seen throughout the four corner states. We saw so many, we lost count.

Fauna again! Another common reptile in the four corner states is the Great Basin Collard Lizard.

Aaron and Caylin posing in front of a giant Great Basin Collard Lizard at a BLM office near Escalante, Utah! I don't think Aaron is an impressed as Caylin.

OMG!!!!!!

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Scenic Highway 12. Very beautiful road and recipient of a prestigious award n1 (stay tuned to future blogditions to find out which)

Beauty becomes lethal. This is where the one lane road becomes two lanes. The drop-off is about 300 feet down and there are no guard rails on either side of the road! They wouldn't even be able to tell that there was a vehicle of any type down there if you rolled off...it would just look like a hunk of metal. I don't even think they could recover you or your vehicle from the bottom!!! This is where I start to feel nauseated and ?Randy's palms start to sweat.

It is all that I can do to roll down the window, hold my hand out with the camera strapped to my wrist and start snapping pictures without looking.

OMG! Aaron starts making comments about falling off the road and hitting bottom. My checks are flushed and I think I am going to have to lean out of the window...I am that nauseated.

Previously in the trip Aaron asked what was the maximum slope our RV pulling little H could handle....Randy says 10%.

OMG this is 14% and there is no where to turn our rig around! Remember a grade of 8% heated up our breaks enough to where we could smell them and ended up pulling over for a bit to let them cool.

Mooove

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Love the flora! The Aspens are beautiful!

Watch out for slow moving cattle on the top of the mountain! We tried to get them to "moooove" :) a little faster but they were on their on schedule!

Peek-a-boo

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Scenic Highway 12....the road to remember. Notice the elevation. The temperature changed about 20 degrees when we reached the top. But, the best was yet to come....if we only knew!

At this elevation you can see many aspens and pines.

The aspens are also called flicker trees. They have white bark and their coin sized and shaped leaves flicker and flutter with the wind.

You have to love the sharp, inclines, and high elevations with no guard rails anywhere!
It makes you wonder how many people have flown off the road and down into the canyons.

Finally, after reaching an elevation around 7500 feet it is time to descend. This is nothing compared to what lies on the other side of Boulder, Utah on this road. The sharpest grade was an 8%. Aaron asks Randy what grade we would have to turn back and go the other way for in our RV pulling little H....his response, 10%

We get to the bottom and can smell the brakes! What a warm fuzzy feeling that gives us all! Although the scenery quickly makes up for what the road dished out at this point!

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