Tuesday, September 30th

Everyone made it home safe and sound.  Walt and I got home yesterday about 4:00 PM and Judi and Bob did the last leg of their trip home today and arrived at about 1:30 PM.  Now comes the fun of doing all the unpacking and catching up on 10 weeks worth of 'stuff'.  This will be my last posting.  I hope everyone has enjoyed our trip 'with' us.  Talk to all soon.

Sherry

Hi from the great Smoky Mountain, today is Saturday the 27th

We arrived Thursday afternoon in the town of Sevierville, TN at Riverside RV Park and Resort.  Here until Monday when we do the last sprint for home.  Hope to be there no later than Friday, weather having a lot to do with our decision to leave the Smoky's. 

Judi and I went up into the mountains yesterday (forgot the camera) hoping to see some wildlife on one of the scenic routes through the mountain.  We saw 2 wild turkeys before we got on the trail and 2 doe on our way out.  Considering last time we were here we got to see some bear, we encountered non. 

Again, plans are to be on our way home this Monday weather cooperating. Right now the forecast is anything but cooperative as they are calling for much needed rain Monday.

Next post when time permits.  Maybe when we get home.

Overdue posting, Monday, September 22nd

This is to report to everyone that all is going well.  After the last posting, we spent a couple of days visiting Walt's sister and husband in San Angelo.  We had a good time and us girls had a days of girls only shopping while the guys rested up.  No pictures were taken there.  From there we made our way south and east to San Antonio.  We could have done without the heat while we were there.  Since we had only planned one full day there, we ended up taking a tour.  We saw The Alamo, Riverwalk and some of the missions.  We took a boat ride to see the riverwalk while on the tour.  It was great, but when they dropped us back at the campground at 5:00 PM, it was still 96 degrees and the humidity was about the same.  You will have to try to see this see though.  Here are a couple of pictures.

The Alamo

Pictures along the riverwalk boat ride.

Also, part of the tour was the Texas Rangers Museum.  Here is one picture from there.  I was sorry after we left that I did not get a picture of the rattlesnakes skin that was mounted in a frame, it was beautiful.  I had to add this for our friend Randy.  Oh yes, by the way, they are bullet holes in the picture below.

Bonnie & Clyde Car

We then started the drive towards home.  Texas is so big, it took us a couple of days just to get out of the state.  We try not to drive much more than 200 miles or so a day, so Walt & Bob don't get too tired.

Last stop in Texas

We are now in TN and will take a couple of days at our next stop on Tuesday night.  We are then planning on spending Thursday,  the 25th through the 29th in the Smoky Mountains.  Then we will all head home, so we will make it either Monday or Tuesday, depending on whether we do the trip all in one day.  Will probably end this blog once we make it home.  It has been a great trip and we will have gone over 7500 miles or so by that time.  We sure hope everyone has enjoyed keeping up with us in our travels.

Carlsbad Caverns - Sunday Sept. 14th

We made it to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  Although it is not the most colorful cavern I've been in, it is another national feature that is definitely worth visiting.  Carlsbad NM on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. 

One thing when visiting, the National Park, is entered through White NM with 1 restaurant so if you are going to plan for the evening adventure of bat watching, either bring your own food or leave early to find a decent restaurant.

Just some of the 70 some pictures of stalagmites, stalactites, drapes and popcorn we took: 

 

 

From the ceiling

 

We are currently in San Angelo TX visiting with Walts sister, heading to San Antonio tomorrow for the Alamo and the River Walk. 

Standby for the next round of PICS.  Bob and Judi made it from Carlsbad to San Angelo unscathed and intact.

Saturday, September 13th.

Well yes we are in Carlsbad, NM, but we had to add the exploits of Bob and Judi's new rig: 

1. Somewhere during our journey from Cortez, CO to Flagstaff, AZ the decorative ceiling hanging with lights decided to let go. Held up by only the electric cords for the lights and 1/4 of a screw. 

We contacted both Forest River Roadside, Forest River and the dealer, all pieces are stored under the bed or in a draw. Reduced lighting over the island in kitchen, oh well.
 2. Somewhere between Flagstaff, AZ and Holbrook, AZ to see the petrified forest as documented on Friday, the fresh water tank came out of its mounting resulting in part of the underbelly falling.  We hadn't noticed this until we returned from the petrified forest.  Naturally, it was Sunday evening and nothing happens. Again, Forest River Roadside was contacted.  Due to the hour nothing could be done til Monday morning.  Waking us early Monday, 6:30, that someone will be there within 1/2 hour.

They put the water tank back into position, having spot welded some straps that weren't holding anything in place. We got on the road around 11AM Thursday enroute to Albuquerque, NM. with Forest River attempting to find a dealer in Carlsbad to see if we were able to continue travels as it was fixed.

The dealer stated that the underbelly should be replaced, but was able to secure it so we could make it home.

   3. The batteries in the pick-up died. I mean they where 9 years old.  Had them replaced, so we hope we are good to go.  What else could go wrong.  Even Bob and Judi are still smiling on occasion.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Update, had to wait for good internet again, sorry folks.  New pictures are of the Grand Canyon.  Will not have many captions as the pictures speak for themselves.  Of course, the stops on the shuttle were all named, but not pertaining to the view, mainly from the explorers who were the first to get there. There are a few pictures where it is raining in the canyon.  It was amazing to be standing on the rim and seeing it raining hard in the canyon.  Unfortunately, we were evacuated from the canyon trail for a short time due to the lightning, but we had no sooner gotten back to the transfer point and they reopened the route, so we got back on and returned to the rim.  I was able to get some pictures of a partial rainbow, but we did not get to see a complete one. 

'More' resident raven at Hermit's Rest at end of shuttle route

Late afternoon at Grand Canyon

Another late afternoon at Grand Canyon

Sunset at visitor center

Bull elk at Grand Canyon

Elk family at Grand Canyon, bull was not far away, rut season is just starting

Deer at Grand Canyon

Our next stop after the Grand Canyon was in the Flagstaff area and we have a few pictures of Sunset Crater Volcano and the area around it.

Sunset Crater Volcano

Red cone near Sunset Crater

Red flowers growing in volcano ash area

Twisted trees in volcano area, the twisting gives them more strength for winds and snow

Pueblo ruins in same area

We then traveled to Holbrook AZ to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  Here are the pictures from there.

Painted Desert

Painted Desert

Painted Desert - Tepee Area

Painted Desert Inn, restored by the CCC 

Petrified Forest Log, just being uncovered

Logs falling down as uncovered

Petrified Log - Agate Bridge

 Support was added years ago, they no longer do this, they let nature take it's course.

Largest petrified log, Old Faithful, plus some guy.

Petrified Wood

Petrified Wood

Petrified Wood, colors are unreal

Another One

Cactus blooming in Petrified Forest

Within the park, they have an area where Route 66 went through that area and they have this to mark the area.

Gee Dear, shall we take it home to restore???

We are now in Carlsbad, NM and today was a day of record amounts of rain in this area, and this is suppose to be a desert area.  We did not do any touring today due to this.  Hopefully tomorrow we will be able to do the caverns.  Today they closed it at 1:00 due to flooding.  Will keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow.