Friday, July 11, 2014

Day 1 - On the Road Again

We left this morning at 6:15.  I usually start our trips with a beautiful sunrise picture but I will have to settle with a picture of the camper and truck waiting patiently to pull out of the driveway.    We drove west across Illinois and across the top of Missouri on 36.  It is a nice drive through fields of corn and soy beans.  We find beauty in this type of scenery.  We took our time because we had reservations at a KOA west of Omaha and didn't have to rush.

The day began with sunshine but about 10:00 it began to get cloudy and we had no more sunshine.  We didn't plan our arrival in Omaha very well because we hit the city around 3:30...rush hour and on a Friday!  We didn't recognize anything from when we had lived here 45 years ago but plan to get a closer look at Omaha and Bellevue tomorrow.  We are camped at a KOA just west of Omaha.  It is almost full with families from Omaha spending the weekend.  The spots are VERY close together and we are glad we won't be around much tomorrow.  We will definite remember this KOA as a place to never camp in again.  Only a few pictures to post.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

The final picture shows our spot on the front row of the campground.  When we camp, we like a little more space between campers!  If we had children, this would be more tolerable because the camp has a playground, swimming pool, volleyball/batmitton area, miniature golf, and a small zip line.  They also rent these low-to-the-ground, three-wheel bikes that we have seen all over the camp.  They are like "big wheels."  It is an old KOA because all the trees are big which is one nice thing.
Not only is the truck and camper waiting, so is Sandy.  She is smart enough to know we are leaving so she stays close.  She is a good traveler.  She slept most of the day on the back seat or on the floor on her pillow bed.


This railroad bridge across the Mississippi is nearly covered by the water.  We had a lot of snow and rain this winter and spring.
I love the stone bluffs.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Hiking in Turkey Run - Part I

We wanted to take a hike today before Kara and Jason went to Indianapolis and the Children's museum?  It was a beautiful morning to hike.  Temperature was in the low 70's.  Hunter has made a friend in the campground.  His name is David and his family is from Mt. Pulaski.  Small world, isn't it?  David went with us and he and Hunter had a great time climbing rocks, wading water, and climbing ladders.  This trip was very different because of the season but we enjoyed the scenery.
Sandy loves to wade water when she can.

These are the faces of two happy hikers.
I love their smiles.

Trail end.  The final steps.
Two tired hikers.

Hiking in Turkey Run - Part II

Hunter and David.

Jason being the good husband and carrying Kara so she wouldn't get her feet wet.
What a cute family group.

Kara, Keegan, Hunter,and friend David.

The entire hiking group minus the photographer.
Kara, Jason, Carol
 Hunter, Keegan, David
Sandy

Hiking in Turkey Run - Part III

We enjoyed the lush, green canyons.



Hunter and his friend, David

Kara and Keegan on the suspension bridge that crosses Sugar Creek.
To hike most of the trails, you have to cross this bridge.
Keegan was happy and to our surprise he walked the two-mile trail on his own two feet.

Mini Trip to Turkey Run

June 29 we headed for Turkey Run.  Hunter has been wanting to camp at Turkey Run in the summer so he can swim in the pool at the park.  We were able to get reservations for June 29-July 3.  We will then be at home until July 11 when we head west to Fort Collins.  We are on site 206.  We like it better than the one we are usually in.  Kara, Jason and the boys got here at noon on Monday, June 30.  It was hot and humid the first two days but if you sit under the trees and do nothing, you can be comfortable.  Thank heaven for air conditioning so we are comfortable sleeping.  We had rain Monday morning and again Monday and Tuesday night during sleeping hours.  Kara and Jason had a tent and the first night they ended up in their vehicle during the storm.  Wednesday it cooled down and was very pleasant.  We are in Indianapolis so I am able to get Internet so I am posting three days of pictures in two or three postings.
We left these huge tomato plants behind.
They are taller than Hunter and Keegan.
Should be some good eating!

This is the  first year we planted rhubarb and this plant is also huge.

This is where Sandy stays during thunderstorms.

Hunter managed to get a nap on on the way to Turkey Run.

Site #206.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Tennessee Reunion

Betty and I decided to go to Tennessee to visit with our brother Larry.  He and his wife Marilyn have lived in Oklahoma for the past few years but due to poor health, they have moved to Tennessee to live with one of their daughters, Sheri and her husband, Rick.  We got up early and a beautiful sunrise greeted us.  I couldn't resist a picture.  It  took us about five hours to their home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee which is the land of Davy Crockett.  The community has a celebration in September centered around Davy Crockett.

Sheri and Rick live in a beautiful house on four acres of wooded land outside the city.  They have a chicken coop of chickens and tell us that deer, raccoons, and foxes visit frequently.  Our cousin Ronnie and his wife spent the afternoon with us all.  It was a day of eating good food (Sheri can lay out quite a spread), laughing at stories of days long ago, catching up on our families, loving on India Rose (Larry's great granddaughter), and relaxing in wooded hills of Tennessee.  It was a great day.
Sunrise over Salem
Their home in the country.
Rick drives for Ozark and has a perfect parking spot when he is home.




Sheri and India Rose greets one of the many chickens they have.

The siblings:  Betty, Larry, and me.
Marilyn and Larry.  Betty and I




Thursday, June 12, 2014

Mini Trip: Midwest Meets Middle East

We took a mini trip to Vandalia to meet family from Salem and Kuwait for supper.  Nathan and Heather and their sons, Caleb and Ben are spending some time stateside with Betty.  We met them all at a McDonalds with a play area (this is VERY important with four boys age 2-8).  Nathan and Heather shared with us about Kuwait and its culture.  They are enjoying their time in Kuwait and after talking to them I knew why it was so enjoyable.  During the adult talk time, the boys were climbing, running, sliding and just being boys.  Everyone had a great time.
Heather, Caleb, and Hunter climbed high in the play area.

Hunter and Keegan sitting with Ronald.

The spiders from the Happy Meal were a big hit.

Betty, Heather, Caleb, Ben, and Nathan.
Keegan  squeezed himself into the family picture.
The spiders got into the picture as well.

First, second and third cousins.
Kara, Hunter, Heather, Caleb, Ben, Nathan, Keegan, and the spiders.

Grandma Betty and Ben, Great Aunt/Memaw Mary and Caleb,  Great Uncle/Papaw Carol, and Keegan.  Can you find Hunter?