Rocky Mountain High

July 26 – Aug 5
For the next two weeks we are staying (and relaxing) at Powderhorn Ski Resort at the base of the main lift. The scenery is breathtaking, the air fresh and the location perfect. Just five miles from Grand Mesa National Park and countless lakes for fishing and hiking, this week is devoted to just that. So far, we have successfully caught trout every day. Monday, we feasted on our catch for dinner. Tomorrow evening, we drive into Grand Junction for an evening visit with Jack Curtis (one of Gary's relations). Enjoy just a few of the picture perfect views we have experienced.

Vegas to Colorado

July 25
Today we traveled 545 miles from Las Vegas thru Arizona & Utah to Powderhorn Resort just outside of Mesa, Colorado. We stopped in Grand Junction for groceries before settling into our condo for the next 12 days. We were surprised at how scenic and beautiful the landscape was all through Utah. We knew it was going to be a fun stay based on the large amount of wildlife we saw after leaving I-70 and climbing to the ski resort.

July 23 - 25
The Golden Nugget (GN) offered us two free nights plus $50 in slot play, so off it was to Fremont Street. “Summer of 69” is the latest theme. From tie-dyed shirts, to 60’s piped music and the light show, everything made you feel like you were once again a hippie of the 60’s. The Friday night concert included “Three Dog Night” and “Earth, Wind & Fire”. Cars being given away were classic cars from the 60’s. It was a fun blast from the past. My favorite part of the GN stay was swimming with the sharks. You slide down a tube thru a tank filled with sharks and end up in the Golden Nugget swimming pool. It was great! Gambling continued to be kind to us. We played for hours on almost no money but the best part is earning loyalty points for future comp nights.

Golden Nuggett

This was the first time we had stayed off the strip, but we were VERY impressed with the Tuscany Suites and Casino. Our suite included a mini kitchen, living room, king bed and large bath with separate tub and shower. (Not bad for free) Their slots were also impressive. We played for hours on almost nothing. Above is a picture of one of two times I won the top prize of 2000 credits on a 10 cent bet. Earlier I won $50 on a single 10 cent bet on another machine. I had purchased discount tickets to "The Price is Right" on Travel Zoo's Top 20. Gary’s name was called, but he only received a participation prize of 1000 points on his Total Rewards card. ($10value) The showcase prize winner won a 4 day Carnival cruise but earlier, we had already won that plus a free stay in Jamaica and a $100 American Express card. We left knowing that we are luckier than the top prize winner on the show.

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
We trusted our GPS to guide us over the mountains and into Las Vegas. The path she took us was not one we had traveled before. It was efficient and entertaining. We passed by miles of mountain farmland (all irrigated). Crops we saw included; watermelon, potatoes, carrots, orange groves (including a Clementine farm) grape vines, nut trees, wheat, alfalfa and several we were not able to identify. There were of course, miles of desert as well, but we arrived in Vegas, checked into our hotel and spent the next several days playing , as hard as we had worked in Illinois.

Miles traveled 420
Gas $3.19 in the mountains (ouch- glad we didn't need any) In Vegas $2.52

Monday, July 20
The last day to enjoy Gary’s son and his family, we were treated to a day at Avila Beach. From boogie boarding with Chloe to sandcastle building with Niko, we enjoyed a perfect day and weather. As an added bonus, the aquatic wildlife was especially entertaining in the area where we were swimming. We saw a whale breach; dolphins, seal and a large flock of pelicans preformed a dive bombing display for their afternoon picnic of fish. Gary treated everyone to a delicious dinner where we sat on a glass patio overlooking the water. The entire visit with Barry, Marci and family was one we will forever cherish.

Time with the Grandkids

July 19
Our first of two days with Gary's son and his beautiful family. We had a wonderful lunch overlooking the water's of Morro Bay where we delighted in watching the seals play in the water and a student trying to learn to sail. We then drove to Montana de Oro (Mountain of Gold) on the coast looking for treasures washed up by the water. Back to Barry's house for a wonderful dinner and visit.

Longest Travel Day

July 18
After taking Jim and Bonnie to the airport, we headed down the road to Arroyo Grande, CA to visit Barry, Marci and the kids. The drive through Oregon and the California coast was breathtaking. We were enjoying the 14 hour trip so much that we decided to extend it by stopping in Nevada City, CA for a brief visit with our friends Steve and Toni, whom we had met on the South America cruise. As was every encounter with them, every minute was filled with laughs. We arrived into Arroyo Grande at 1am.
Miles traveled 938!!! Highest Gas price seen $3.17 (Makes Des Moines look very inviting!)

Wedding

July 16 & 17
We are in Portland, OR to attend Jesse and Bethany's wedding. It was a beautiful, God centered, weekend filled with love and family. We enjoyed the time to visit with the Newville/Schlender family. Weddings are a wonderful way to be with family. It's exciting to know that there are many more to come
* 20 days until Jared and Rebecca wed
* 3 months until Ryan & Rachel's big day
* less than 5 months until Jessica and Spencer tie the knot
* 8+ months until we finally wed!

Today was strictly a travel day getting from Bozeman, Montana thru Idaho and stopping in Kennewick, WA. I’ll share some more pics from our visit to Yellowstone. As we were leaving the park, another rain storm passed and offered a beautiful double rainbow.
Miles traveled 552 Worst Gas price $2.85 in Kennewick, WA

YELLOWSTONE

Tuesday, July 14
From Rapid City, we ventured across some lesser traveled roads to enter Yellowstone from the East Entrance. Even the journey to the park was filled with wildlife. We saw hundreds of wild antelope, moose and herds of buffalo. Our first impressions of Yellowstone were that of disappointment. The first 20 miles inside the park were completely burned out. But, by the time we had experienced Old Faithful and some of the other highlights of the park, we were glad we had taken time to visit. The wildlife was not as plentiful as we had hoped, but we did still see elk, a black bear, a flat beaver and an assortment of foul. While driving in the park, I thought I heard a cat, but dismissed it to just hearing things. We stopped for a late dinner only to learn that the cat noise I had heard was in fact a calico kitten that had ridden more than 100 miles lodged inside our engine. The locals that came in the restaurant to warn us of the sounds coming from our car were excited to adopt the “Lucky” cat.
Miles traveled 670

Corn to Custer

Monday, July 13 Today was Iowa to Rapid City, SD to see Mt. Rushmore. In route we stopped in Mitchell, SD at the “Corn Palace” just to stretch our legs, but found it to be a fascinating work of art. The building is covered inside and out with mosaics made from corn cobs and other locally grown crops. They have been creating new designs every year since the 1892.
We visited Mt. Rushmore both during the day and after dark for the night show. We also spent several hours touring through Custer State Park and especially enjoyed Needles Highway. After crossing paths with a couple from Houston several times, we visited with them while waiting for the rain storms to pass before the night show. We also visited with some Harley bikers that had been caught in the storms. Here is picture I captured of a tornado that went just north of us.
At breakfast Tuesday morning, we visited with a group of 50 bicyclists traveling from CA to NJ “Bicycling across America”. It will take them 50 days to completely cross the country cycling anywhere from 50 – 120 miles each day depending on the terrain. The oldest participant is 80 yrs. Young. One traveled all the way from the Island of Trinidad to participate.
Miles traveled 567

July 12 - Meals on Wheels
We departed O’Fallon, IL at 7:30 am arriving in Marengo, IA for a brief visit with Gary’s Mom. She recently fell and broke several ribs, and is in quite a bit of pain. Visits with Darlene tend to be tearful, as it is difficult for her to accept her physical decline. We then stopped by the farm to give Swisher some bones and other food scraps and were delightfully surprised to see his brother Jim out working in the garden. After a look around the farm and a nice visit with Jim, it was off to Des Moines where we got the big pieces of Haylee’s furniture moved to her fall address (Jewett Hall) We enjoyed a wonderful Thai dinner out with Haylee and her boyfriend Nick, then it was down the road for an overnight stop in Onawa, IA.
Miles traveled today 615 Best gas price $2.15 throughout Des Moines.

Work, Work, Work

July 6 - 11 A very busy week with long hot 12 hr work days. By the end of the week we has super insulated 15 of the 21 homes, refinished three decks, two porches and built two storage sheds in addition to finishing and showing the home needing to be rented. We were grateful the weather cooperated and we were able to get so much accomplished.

My girls and future son-in-law, meeting with a caterer.
Below is the falls at Crown Center and a small piece of the light show we watched from our room.

God Bless America

July 2 We departed Arlington at 4:30 am and were checked into the Baymont in Lawrence, KS by 1 pm. It’s the perfect time to travel because it was cool, there was no traffic and we managed to miss all rush hours in Oklahoma City. After a brief nap, it was out to the old homestead to finalize selling the house. We spent the evening with my parents and my daughter Shauna.
Miles traveled 514 Best gas price $2.28 in Lawrence (beat Oklahoma City $2.29)

July 3 – Off to Kansas City where we joined forces with Haylee to meet the bride and groom, Jessica & Spencer. The day was spent meeting wedding vendors. That evening we were invited to Dave and Karen Luebbert’s home (Spencer's Father and Stepmother) in Independence, MO where I quickly discovered that Spencer is a younger clone of his Dad. It was a wonderful evening that included great food, good conversation and a fun game of Apples to Apples. I have always loved Spencer, and I equally enjoyed his parents.

July 4 – Met with more wedding venues but also found time to get some shopping for brides maid dresses in at Oak Park Mall. We kept the sales clerks confused, because we were shopping for two weddings. Gary and Spencer were able to do some “guy” bonding. That evening we ventured back to Lawrence for a couple of holiday parties. (Yummy sorbet Amanda!!) We made it back to Weston Crown Center in time for some amazing fireworks displays we could see from our room.

July 5 – On the Road Again! Off to O’Fallon, IL for a week of work. First order of business was to inspect the home we need to flip find a renter.
Miles traveled 523 Highest gas price seen $2.57 in O’Fallon IL.

On the road again . . . . .

We've been home for a full month, finished some house maintenance and a round of dance lessons, and are ready to venture out for another 6 - 7 weeks. What we have planned so far includes;

July 2 Lawrence, KS to visit family & friends

July 3 - 4 Kansas City, MO to plan Jessica's wedding

July 5 - 11 O'Fallon, IL work, work, work

July 12 Travel to Des Moines, Iowa and visit Haylee
Help her start moving again

July 13 Visit Mt. Rushmore,
Cazy Horse and the Black Hills

July 14 Visit Yellowstone Park
(how much can we see in 1/2 a day?)

July 15 Travel day

July 16 Meet Jim and Bonnie in Portland OR

July 17 Attend Jesse and Bethany's wedding

July 18 Travel to Arroyo Grande, CA

July 19 -20 Visit Barry, Marci, Chloe & Niko

July 21-25 Vegas

Jul26 - Aug 5 Mesa, Colorado
(fishing, hiking and enjoying cool mountain air)

Aug 6 Bozeman, MT

Aug 7 Jared & Rebecca's wedding

Aug 8 Begin our journey home

Aug 9 Another visit in Des Moines

Aug 10 Visit family in Lawrence

Aug 11 Home - Sweet - Home