Where in the States are the Walmsley's??

We're Home!

2009-07-21T16:51:00.005-05:00

Medora & Freddie were looking like they were liking that Kingston sign! I think
we were too! It is great to be home. It was a wonderful trip, we visited so many
places that we had never been before. It was just an amazing trip! Jimmy is
feeling better and he has a doctor's appointment later this week. God has blessed
us with a safe trip home and and the wonder of His beauty everwhere we went
and we thank Him for it! This is a great country, if you haven't seen it, you really
should try it! I will be doing a recap of our trip in a few days. We traveled over
8,800 miles of this great country and it was worth every minute of it. God Bless America!

Lebanon, TN

2009-07-21T16:21:00.000-05:00

We stayed a couple of nights in this campground in Lebanon, TN, just about a
mile and a half off the interstate. It was a nice place to stay.

I am showing these pictures of a tent compound because there is a story behind it.
A family, a husband, wife and their two children are living in here. The husband lost
his job as a project manager for a construction firm. He decided to start his own
construction business and it did pretty well for awhile. With the economy the way it
is his business had slowed way down too! Then they lost their home. They decided to
live in this campground in some tents. That is when they discovered other people in
similar situations. They began to help them out as much as they could. As fate would
have it a TV station in Nashville got wind of them helping others and broadcast the story.
Supplies of all sorts started coming in so they could help others. The lady who owns the
campground has a big heart and she started helping them store the supplies. They had
food, domestic, clothing, and school supplies to help other folks. Now when someone
needs something they just go there and are able to get what they need. This family is
very active in their church and feel like they have God’s blessing in helping so many
others in similar situations. You just never know what God has planned for you!

Salute to Veterans

2009-07-19T22:23:00.001-05:00

As we crossed into Tennesse from Kentucky at the welcome station on I-24 we
saw this motorcycle. We talked to the fellow who owned it and he said that
his uncle passed away and left it to him. The bike has 169,000 miles on it and
I think he said 20 years old. He rides his bike in funeral processions in honor of fallen soldiers.

The fellow who owns the bike is from Riceville, TN (just south of Athens, TN)
he was coming back from a rally in Little Sturgis, KY. He won a prize for his
bike. It was really awesome and so much more beautiful to see in person.
The artwork is just amazing. Click on any picture to see it larger. This is a
beautiful tribute to our veterans who fought for our freedom. Thank you veterans!
God Bless America!

Paducah, KY 7-18-2009

2009-07-19T22:06:00.001-05:00

We made it to Paducah, KY and were pretty tired when we got there. Illinois is a really long state to drive through. And the roads were awful. I even had some broken dishes in the camper. The table slid into the fridge. Everything was jostled around pretty good. Jimmy
did most of driving, but I helped out a little. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would
be driving the rig. Of course as soon as I started driving the "Men Working" signs
were on the road. But fortunately it was too bad. Jimmy has had minimal pain
with his kidney stone so far. GETTING CLOSER TO HOME!!!!

Coming Home!

2009-07-17T20:43:00.001-05:00

Jimmy was feeling better today and so he drove the rig, I was happy about that! I think I nightmares about driving the rig, but I will it if I need to. As it turned out we had to go through some big towns and it was
a good thing he was driving. The roads were awful. He started having more pain a couple of hours ago, so we decided to stop for the night. We are in a very nice campground and he is resting. We still have
600 miles to home, and we are going to take it nice and slow and easy and hope he doesn't have any more severe pain. It will be good to get home and get him to his doctor.

Windmills in Illinois. We are in El Paso, IL at a campground for the night. We
may try to get to Paducah, KY tomorrow, but it is over 300 miles to Paducah.
We'll just have to see how Jimmy is feeling.

Kidney Stones

2009-07-16T13:40:00.001-05:00

Hello Folks,

I have a little request from all you blog readers! I had to take Jimmy to the ER Tuesday afternoon with kidney stones. It hurt in the morning and he thought it was just back pain. But as the day went on and we were out doing things around town, he was in more pain. They did a CT scan in the ER and it showed he had a few stones in each kidney. Tuesday night he thought he passed the stone. Wednesday he felt great and he looked much better. We went out to Pike's Peak State Park, in Iowa. Then last night (Wednesday) he started having the pain again

Anyway, our plans are to try to start driving home tomorrow. I will be driving the whole entire rig probably all the way (~825 miles, I have driven it once or twice before). So please say a little prayer that we make it home safely and that Jimmy is comfortable and passes the stone.

Thanks for your prayers,

Donna & Jimmy (Dago)

McGregor, Iowa

2009-07-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

McGregor was founded as MacGregor's Landing in 1847 by Alexandar MacGregor. Since 1837, MacGregor had been operating a ferry across the Mississippi River between Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and the present site of McGregor, Iowa. MacGregor planned the new city as a six block development, and it was quickly populated, being incorporated as McGregor in 1857. In that same year, the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad finished building a railroad track from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, thus connecting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River by rail. McGregor quickly became a major commercial center, and served as a hub where grain from Iowa and Minnesota could be transported across the Mississippi and sent on to Milwaukee via railroad. More railroads were built to connect McGregor with cities further west, and the city of North McGregor (now Marquette, Iowa) was established just north of the city to serve as the city's railroad terminus. After reaching McGregor from the west, trains were disassembled and railroad cars were ferried across the Mississippi to continue on towards Lake Michigan.

During the 1870s, the population of McGregor exploded to over 5,500 as the city became the busiest shipping port west of Chicago. In 1874, the system of ferrying railroad cars across the river between North McGregor and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, was brought to an end when Prairie du Chien businessman John Lawler commissioned the construction of a permanent pontoon bridge to connect the two cities' rail lines. As the need for men to disassemble and ship trains across the river disappeared, the city's population began to decline. Today the city's history is preserved in its downtown business district, which contains many buildings constructed during the city's boom years. Because of its colorful history and location beside the Mississippi River, the city has become a popular summer tourist destination, and it is known for its many antique stores.

Barge going down the Mississippi

2009-07-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

Barge is heading down the Mississippi River, it certainly looks majestic! Remember
the Titanic!!!

Pike's Peak State Park was really quiet and serene. A very nice place to camp
or picnic. With beautiful views!

Pikes Peak State Park, Iowa

2009-07-16T10:27:00.001-05:00

In this area, Native Americans of the Woodland Culture of 800 to 1200 A.D.
sculpted earthen "effigy" mounds on ridge tops, in the shapes of animals, to
celebrate their oneness with Mother Earth. Many of these mounds remain
today as a monument to these people and a reminder to us that we are also
of the earth.

In 1673, the first white men to see what is now Iowa, explorer Louis Joliet and
Father James Marquette, reached the mouth of the Wisconsin River and beheld
the great, unknown river now known as the Mississippi. After the Louisiana
Purchase, the government sent Zebulon Pike in 1805 to explore the Mississippi
valley and select locations suitable for military posts. Pike recognized the park
site as an important, strategic point, and an excellent location for a fort. The
government agreed on the vicinity but selected the prairie around Prairie du
Chien (now Wisconsin) for the fort. Several years later, Pike was again sent
westward by the government and named Pikes Peak in Colorado.

In 1837, Alexander McGregor established a ferry across the Mississippi River.
McGregor's Landing was established at the site of the town that now bears his
name. When Mrs. Munn, the grand-niece of McGregor, died, her will provided
that Pikes Peak be given to the federal government as a gift. The land had been
inherited from McGregor. It was later conveyed by Congress to the State of Iowa
and became Pikes Peak and Point Ann State Parks in 1935. Mrs. Munn had never
allowed settlers on the land and as a result, the landscape at Pikes Peak today
probably does not vary much from the way it was hundreds of years ago.

This where the Wisconsin River flows into the Mississippi River.

McGregor, Iowa 7-15-2009

2009-07-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

Yes, that is a pink elephant! With a top hat! You guess it! It is in front of a
casino. We couldn't believe how many casinos there are out west, even in gas
stations. We ate lunch at a little place called "McGregor Beer & Brats!"

We sat out on the deck overlooking the Mississippi River. The View was beautiful
and the weather was perfect, 78 degrees. A tug boat on the Mississippi.

Prairie du Chien, WI

2009-07-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

Prairie du Chien’s recorded history was ushered in June 17, 1673 when Marquette
and Jolliet came down the Wisconsin River and were the first Europeans to see the
Mississippi River. Traditionally, the name of Prairie du Chien came from the French
for Prairie of the Dog, an early Fox chief who lived on the prairie.

French Canadians, engaged in the fur trade, settled on the island by the river, and
the fur trade made the first major economic impact on the settlement. Each spring
fur traders and Native Americans met on the prairie to exchange furs for guns and
other goods. Prairie du Chien was neutral territory; conflicting tribes laid down
their arms before attending the rendezvous.

Gradually the British took over much of the fur trade centered in Prairie du Chien.
In the early 1800s, the Americans asserted their presence with the building of Fort
Shelby. During the War of 1812, the British and Americans skirmished for control
of the fort and the prairie. July 1814, the only battle of the war fought in Wisconsin
happened here and is known as The Battle of Prairie du Chien. The fort was burned.

These were beautiful flowers hanging at a shop in town. We are looking over the
Mississippi River going across the bridge to Iowa.

See that train a'comin' down the track!!

2009-07-16T08:52:00.001-05:00

That's the entrance to our campground, and that's the train coming down the
track! Remind you of a song???!!!

And getting closer and closer and then zoom he is by us again. Actually we see
these trains about 10-12 times a day or night at our campground. But, we hardly
even hear them any more.

Kayaking the Mississippi 7-14-2009

2009-07-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

Jimmy kayaking the Mississippi river at our campsite.

He saw this beautiful eagle near by.

Sunset 7-13-2009

2009-07-15T18:57:00.000-05:00

Sunset just about gone! Then this little fellow went swimming by! He had a
couple of friends too! But they were camera shy!

Awesome Sunset!! 7-13-2009

2009-07-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

Awesome sunset! I love taking sunset pictures they change every few seconds.

We were sitting on the beach and taking these pictures!

Fishermen's Landing 7-13-2009

2009-07-15T18:47:00.001-05:00

This is the view from the water of the campground. There is a beach and
swimming area with picnic tables and chairs to sit in and enjoy the view of the
Mississippi River.

This is looking up the Mississippi from the beach. And the start of a beautiful sunset!!!

Mississippi River from the Kayak 7-13-2009

2009-07-15T18:38:00.000-05:00

Jimmy went kayaking from our campground and these are the views of the
Mississippi River that he took.

I love these with the sky reflecting in the water! Amazing!

Frenchmen's Landing, WI 7-13-12009

2009-07-15T18:31:00.000-05:00

Our next stop was Frenchmen's Landing in Prairie Du Chien in Wisconsin on
the Mississippi River. Our campground is right on the river. The barge and
boat were going up the river as we arrived.

There are cottonwood trees all around us so there are cottom fluffies flying all
around us. They are everywhere. It looked like snow on the ground. This
2nd picture is taken from the dock at the campground.

Mississippe River along the way 7-12-2009

2009-07-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

More pictures of the Mississippi River as we traveled along Route 35. Large
expanses of wetlands on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish
Refuge provide food and resting areas for up to 500,000 canvasback ducks and
many other waterfowl species during spring and fall migration.

The refuge and surrounding public lands in the site support more than 200
nesting pairs of bald eagles, 120 species of fish, 42 species of mussels.the site
also serves as a major navigation highway for commerce and provides millions
of citizens with abundant hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities.

Plum City to Prairie Du Chien, WI 7-12-2009

2009-07-14T10:56:00.001-05:00

Freddie & Medora getting ready for the ride from Plum City to Prairie Du Chien,
Wisconsin. There are a lot of dairy farms in Wisconsin, so they grow a lot of
corn to feed them. We were amazed at how many corn fields there were.

The story of Wisconsin's dairy industry has roots in prehistoric times. Nature set the stage for America's Dairyland during the last Ice Age, when glaciers cut through what is now Wisconsin. As they receded, the massive mountains of ice left behind a countryside of rolling hills and lush pastureland.

Millions of years later, when European immigrants migrated west, they found the nation's heartland, which reminded many of their homelands. Climatic conditions suited farming well, and initially, farmers grew wheat, hops, and other grains. Dairy farming followed naturally, and dairy farmers soon produced an abundance of top-quality milk. To preserve excess milk, farmers made cheese. The move from producing cheese for family use to making cheese to sell was a short step. However, commercial production of cheese in Wisconsin began on a small scale.

More corn fields. And the Mississippi River view from a scenic overlook!

Nuggest Lake 7-11-2009

2009-07-14T10:48:00.000-05:00

Medora & Freddie ready to go kayaking with Jimmy! Views from the kayak.

This is a very beautiful and peaceful lake! Just like it looks with the tip of the
kayak in the picture. Can't you just picture yourself floating down the river?

Nuggest Lake 7-11-2009

2009-07-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

The hiking trail that Jimmy went on and a beautiful view of the lake!

More beautiful view from the hike! It was a gorgeous day!

Nuggest Lake County Park, Plum City, WI 7-11-2009

2009-07-14T10:39:00.001-05:00

This was one of the nicest places we have staying. It is a county park, imagine
that! Jimmy went on a hike and he took these pictures.

Nugget Lake County Park was named for the gold mining that took place in the late 1800's.
Open year round, it features 752 acres of semi-wilderness. The lake is 1.8 miles long and 550 ft.
wide. Walleyes, bass, bluegills, and crappies are fished year round. Because only electric trolling
motors are allowed, it is one of the most peaceful lakes you will visit in Wisconsin.

Muskie

2009-07-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

One more fish for ya. This one is a
Muskie, he looks really mean! We didn't
see any this big!

We are traveling today heading for Wisconsin.
We have traveled over 7,500 miles and Jimmy
said we have averaged 14.5 miles to the gallon of
diesel. He is happy with that. We still have over
1100 miles to go depending on our route home.
Which we don't know what that will be yet.
We plan to stop in Iowa and Illinois and head home!
We sure miss everyone!

Albino white tail deer.

2009-07-09T20:39:00.001-05:00

This albino deer crossed in front of Jimmy while he was riding his bike! It
is in Father Hennepin State Park, in Isle, MN

Soo Line Trail, Isle, MN

2009-07-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Bike the Soo Line trail which is a paved off-road trail in the old Soo Line railroad
corridor between Isle and Onamia and extends 11 miles one way. This is part
of the Rails to Trails bike trails across the nation.

Jimmy roade this bike trail today and he really liked it. He traveled a distance
of 18-28 miles from Father Hennepin State Park in Isle to Kathio State Park in
Onamia

Father Hennepin State Park, Isle, MN

2009-07-09T20:21:00.000-05:00

Father Hennepin State Park is located on the southeast shore of Mille
Lacs Lake. It is named after Father Louis Hennepin, a Franciscan Recollect
priest, who was the first recorded European explorer to visit the region now
called Minnesota. His visit to this region occured in 1679-1680 and was under
duress, since he and his two companions were captured by Indians in the
Mississippi River Valley. They were brought to this area and held prisoner
until Sieur De Luht from the French post at Grand Portage on Lake Superior
came to this region and negotiated their release.

Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota's second-largest lake, spans 132,000
surface acres or slightly more than 200 square miles. Maximum depths barely
exceed 40 feet, while much of the main lake falls into the 20 to 38 foot depth
ranges. While the north half of Mille Lacs contains most of the lake's mud flats,
the southern portion of the lake offers more gravel and rock bars. All sides of
the lake offer some shallow reef-top fishing. Deep-water angling takes place
on the southern deep gravel and rocks as well as on dozens of mud flats in the
north half of the lake.

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Jumbo Perch, Small Mouth Bass and Tullibee
share the limelight at Minnesota's most popular fishing lake - on open water
and on ice.Mille Lacs' fame as one of the world's most prolific "natural" walleye
lakes rests on its ability to produce billions of walleye eggs and fry. Complete
Ice-over - Mille Lacs freezes "all the way", with ice reaching thicknesses of
2 to 4 feet. In most years anglers can find safe walkout ice by early December.
All this info is for all you fishermen who might like to come and fish here someday.
It is a beautiful lake and in some areas you cannot see all the way across, it is a huge
lake.

Paul Bunyon & Babe the Blue Ox, Brainerd, MN 7-8-2009

2009-07-09T12:53:00.001-05:00

You know our visit to Minnesota would not be complete without seeing Paul
Bunyon and "Babe" the Blue Ox. They happened to be at a bowling alley, hence
the bowling ball that Paul is holding and the ten pin in "Babe's" mouth! Still
it was great to see them having some fun!!!

Paul is a big fellow!

Maplewood St. Pk, MN 7-7-2009

2009-07-09T12:44:00.000-05:00

This was one of the truly nicest campsites we have ever had! Views were amazing!

A little ducky swimmy by our campsite. We finally had finches at our feeder
the last day we were here.

Grass Lake at Maplewood St. Pk. 7-7-2009

2009-07-09T12:37:00.000-05:00

Beautiful views everywhere you looked! Awesome! Minnesota is truly the land
of 10,000 lakes!

That is Jimmy way out there in his kayak. Our campsite was absolutely beautiful!

Kayaking on Grass Lake 7-7-2009

2009-07-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

Jimmy getting ready to kayak on Grass Lake. It is so peaceful here we didn't
want to leave.

You can see our 5th wheel in the second picture that is how close we were to
water. It was wonderful! Just amazing! We loved it. If we can't have mountains
we can have lakes!!!

Maplewood State Park, MN 7-7-2009

2009-07-09T10:36:00.001-05:00

Amid the farmlands that surround the park, Maplewood sits on a series of high tree-covered hills
that provide visitors with striking vistas of small, clear lakes nestled in deep valleys. The park is
located in a transition area between the western prairies and the eastern forests and contains
plants and animals found in both landscapes. Amongst its 9,250 acres, Maplewood also boasts
eight major lakes and many ponds that offer water lovers places to swim, fish, boat, and simply
relax. Lake Lida boarders the park to the west and is one of the most popular destinations for
swimmers and anglers alike. The little birds in their nest greeted us at the entrance of the park.
We think they are barn swallows.

Beaver are active in some lakes and raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks and turtles can be
seen frequently. This little chipmunk frequented our campsite so we just had to feed him some peanuts!
He loved them and came to see us every day that we were there.

Pelican Tour 7-5-2009

2009-07-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

"Maplewood" this one is at Maplewood State Park where we camped. The next
one is "Miss Petie" check out that bikini!!!

"Revalation 21:5" this is is one an attorney sponsored. And last but not least
the world's biggest "Pelican Pete" These were all that we saw, aren't you glad!
But we have a brochure and there were lots more interesting ones that we missed.
Sorry, we'll try to do better!

Pelican Tour 7-5-2009

2009-07-09T10:13:00.000-05:00

The first pelican is "Pearl Lee White" and next to him is "Mesquite Pete"
As part of the 50th birthday of Pelican Pete, the world's largest
pelican, in 2007 a group of local businesses created a flock
of pelican sculptures called the "friends of Pelican Pete". Over
three dozen of these four foot birds were decorated by local
and regional artist commissioned by the owners of each bird.

"Pharmacist Pelican" and"Concrete Pete" are these two.

Pelican Rapids 7-5-2009

2009-07-09T09:53:00.001-05:00

The World's Largest Pelican stands at the base of the Mill Pond dam on the Pelican River, right in downtown Pelican Rapids. It is 15 1/2 feet tall, built in 1957. Water spews from the dam in a continuous stream, making this statue somehow more dynamic than others we've seen in Minnesota.

Don't know who thos e girls are but you can see how big Pelican Pete really is.

Jimmy's Pizza was closed so we didn't get to eat there!

Grizzley & Cub

2009-07-04T21:32:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share this picture of a mother grizzley and
her cub. Some people we met in East Glacier NP
actually took this picture and emailed it to me, they
were that close. I think it is a picture of a lifetime.
It is so beautiful! That is just amazing!!! Awesome!!

Feed the Buffalo

2009-07-04T20:56:00.000-05:00

"Freddie" & Medora even went to the Frontier Village for a visit! The restaurant
here was very good!

These buffalo are in captivity that is why you can feed them. "Freddie and
Medora are a little wary of that green dinosaur in the back ground! I guess they
have dinosaurs in Jamestown too!!!

Albino Buffalo, Jamestown, ND

2009-07-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

It was hard to get really good pictures of the albino Buffalo. The National
Buffalo Museum's buffalo herd roams 250 acres adjacent to the Frontier Village
and Museum. Living with the herd are three albino bison, White Cloud, Dakota
Miracle and Dakota Legend. American Indian tradition holds the white buffalo
to be sacred.

These are two different buffalo in the pictures, but I don't know which one is which!!!

Frontier Village, Jamestown, ND

2009-07-04T20:48:00.000-05:00

More buildings in the Frontier Village. One unique building is the Louis
L’Amour Shack, which remembers the Jamestown native and western author.

This old truck and house with the laundry hanging out back are all part of the
Frontier Village. At the other end of the village is a playground, pony and
stagecoach ride area. All of this was part of the campground, Frontier Fort that
we stayed at over the 4th of July!

Frontier Village, Jamestown, ND

2009-07-04T20:38:00.000-05:00

In 1965, "Frontier Village", an old west town, was built next to the World's Largest Buffalo sculpture.
Some of the sights at Frontier Village include a grocery store, wishing well, Midland and Northern
Pacific caboose, school house, church, barber shop, jail house, mine shaft, printing shop, post
office, train depot, log cabin, art salon, souvenir shop, and fire department with three old fire trucks.

Also in Frontier Village is a Dentist Office, that kind of looks like Dr. Walmsley
behind that screen!!!!

Worlds Largest Buffalo, Jamestown, ND

2009-07-04T20:30:00.000-05:00

Erected in 1959, the Jamestown Buffalo was the first true giant roadside sculpture built in North
Dakota. It measures in at 46 feet long, 26 feet in height, and a hefty 60 tons - making it the official
World's Largest Buffalo. It was fabricated out of 8 inch steel beaming, 3/8 inch reinforcing rod,
1/4 inch wire mesh, and gunnite (sprayed cement). The original cost estimate to build the beast
was $4600 but the actual cost was more like $8500 when completed. He was near our campsite!!!

Frantier Fort RV 7-2-2009

2009-07-03T14:44:00.001-05:00

White albino buffalo near Frontier Fort where we are staying in Jamestown,
ND. We are still checking it out, but they give stage coach rides! Looks really
bumpy to me!

We went to see the Ron & Opal Show last night, it was a free two hour show.
They sing classic country & southern gospel singing with Ron playing a variety of instruments, (steel guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, banjo & accordion). Ron & Opal are proud to represent the Roy Rogers Happy Trails Theater & Museum, located in Branson, MO, as their ambassadors on the road. They share many of the same values in life that Roy and Dale stood for: God, Family, and Country. So they are honored to represent the King of the Cowboys and most importantly the King of Kings.

Sandhill Crane 7-1-2009

2009-07-03T14:33:00.001-05:00

World's Largest Sandhill Crane weighs in at 4.5 tons and extends to 40 feet in height. Constructed
of rolled sheet metal welded onto a steel inner frame, the crane was actually built in three separate
sections - the body in one section, the neck and head in another, and pipes were fitted to make the legs.

Why did the residents of Steele, North Dakota erect a gigantic Sandhill Crane? Simple, it's to call attention to the fact that Kidder County is one of the best birding destinations in North America. The Coteau Rangeland of North Dakota, commonly known as the Prairie Pothole Region, is an area of glacial potholes located in the direct path of the migration flyway - making this area a favorite spot for migratory nesting birds including the Sandhill Crane.

McDowell Dam, 6-30-2009

2009-07-03T14:25:00.001-05:00

Jimmy rode his bike down to the McDowell Dam. I think he might have scared
those birds.

The "biker" Jimmy. This was the sign you saw as you exited the RV park! All
you RVers keep this sign in mind, especially the last bullet! Cute, eh!!!

Prairie Breeze RV 6-30-2009

2009-07-03T14:21:00.000-05:00

We stayed at this RV park a couple of nights and were treated to this beautiful
sunet! Thank you Lord!

Freddie & Medora enjoy the canola fields. 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

"Freddie" & "Medora" enjoyed the beautiful canola fields too! They just couldn't
get over how beautiful they were. You just had to be there!!!

The bees were everywhere, I know you would like that Kenny! There are some
bee hives at this field. We saw a lot of them around the canola fields.

Fields of Canola 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T13:53:00.001-05:00

Looking over the brilliant yellow fields of canola in North Dakota. North Dakota shines as a leading biodiesel feedstock in the United States. A cultivar of the European rapeseed plant, canola is North America’s own low-acid variety of the flowering oilseed crop. The word "rape" in rapeseed comes from the Latin word "rapum," meaning turnip. Hundreds of years ago, Asians and Europeans used rapeseed oil in lamps.

These fields of canola were absolutely awesome! Just amazing to see, they went
on forever!

Regent, ND 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T12:32:00.000-05:00

The seven sculptures are spread out along 32 miles of The
Enchanted Highway. We thought we would just look at one or two
of them, but once you see one, you want to see them all.

This is the gift shop in Regent. That is a metal Christmas Tree, I guess
you would never have to worry about it dropping it's needles!!!

"The Wirley Gigs" wasn't working when we were there, but it was still awesome!
The buffalo we so cute!

Tin Family 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T12:21:00.001-05:00

The Tin Family was the first sight erected on the Enchanted Highway. Built
of used farm equipment that took farmers hours of labor and welding to achieve
this initial creation. The Tin Pa stands 45 feet and is held up by 16 telephone
pols. The Tin Ma is 44 feet tall while the Son is a mere 23 feet tall.

Check out that lollipop! That's probably one of the biggest ones I have
every seen. And check out Ma's hair! I guess everyday is a bad hair-day
if your hair is made out of barbed wire!!!!!

Teddy Rides Again 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

"Teddy Rides Again 1993" is a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt's part in North
Dakota's history. The sculpture was built of used well pipe. Teddy and his
favorite horse "Mulley" stand 51 feet tall and weigh over 9000 pounds. It
stands just south of Black Butte which is 3112 feet above sea level.

Who is that in the stage coach??? Could it Butch Cassidy or maybe the
Sundance Kid??

I think it is the famous "outlaw" "singing Dago"!!! But wait, that looks like Gabby
Hayes driving the stage coach! Remember him? Boy you are old if you remember him!!!!

Pheasants on the Prairie, 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T12:08:00.000-05:00

Wow! You can't bag this three dimensional Pheasant that's made of wire mesh
but you can admire this art forum that took 3 years to complete. The rooster
stands 40 feet high and 70 feet long. The Hen is 35 feet tall and 60 feet long.
The chicks are 15 feet tall and 20 feet long.

Fisherman's Dream 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T12:03:00.000-05:00

This sculpture is a three dimensional sculpture that is made out of tin, to
form seven fish. The fish swimming under the water scene include a small
mouth bass, walleye, catfish, northern, salmon, and bluegill which measures
thirty feet long. Jumping out of the water is a 70 foot long rainbow trout.

This is the fisherman catching the rainbow trout with a fly. All you fisherman
out there eat your heart out!!!!!

Enchanted Hwy, Regent, ND 6-29-2009

2009-07-03T11:41:00.000-05:00

The Enchanted Highway features the World's Largest Metal Sculptures
produced by artist Gary Greff.

Gary is a native of Regent, North Dakota.
He was a teacher and a school principal and had never done any art
work or welding prior to 1989. He then began dreaming of ways to
bring people and businesses to the small community of Regent --
fearing the town would someday die if it relied solely on farming.
He began designing, welding, and painting.

The first picture is "Geese in Flight 2001" culpture was raised in June,
2001 and is in the Guinness World Book of Records as the largest scrap
metal sculpture in the world. It was built of used oil well pipe and oil tanks.
The sun ray is 156 feet long and 110 feet tall. The largest goose has a 30 ft.
wing span ad nis 19 feet long.

The second pictures is "The Deer Family 2002" was completed in 2001 and
erected in 2002. It was made from old oil well tanks cut apart and welded to form the
shadow design. To fit throught the streets of Regent, the buk's front leg had to
be cut off and re-welded onsite. The buck is 75 ft. tall and 60 ft. long. The doe is
50 ft. long.

"Grasshoppers in the Field 1999" was the fourth site ereted and went up in the
summer of 1999. They are a reminder of the hardships framers have overcome
while making their living off the land. The sculpture was welded from old fuel
and oil well tanks. The large grasshopper is 50 feet long and 40 feet tall.

Freddie & Medora, 6-29-2009

2009-07-01T14:01:00.001-05:00

Well, folks you remember “Freddie the Freeloader” who has been with us
since our Mississippi Mission Trip (Ask Don & Diane Gray about Freddie), well,
Freddie has a new companion to keep him company. Medora the Prairie Dog
is along with us now and keeping Freddie company now. They are getting to
know each and I think they are going to be very good travelers. Medora just
showed up on our dash one day while I was shopping. Because she showed up
in Medora we named her after the town where we were camped. This could
be a very interesting trip!!!!

Medora Musical 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T20:29:00.001-05:00

This is the Burning Hills Amphitheatre where a nightly Medora Musical is
performed. It is like a small western town. This is a high-energy, western muscial dedicated to the legacy of America's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. We didn't attend the musical, but everyone says it is really good.

This is the view from the bluff at the Tjaden Terrace, of the amphitheatre. We did eat at the "Pitchfork Steak Fondue" restaurant. The chefs load ribeye steaks onto pitchforks and fondue them western style. It was really good!

Medora, ND 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T19:54:00.001-05:00

Some shops in Medora, North Dakota! A quaint town with lots of gift shops and
restaurants.

The Rough Riders Hotel was constructed 1884. The hotel was named in honor
of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders and their service in the Spanish-American
War. In 1903 Theorodre Roosevelt was the first president to ever visit Medora, ND.

Maah Daah Hey Trail, 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T19:38:00.000-05:00

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is 96 miles which stretches throughtout the Badlands
in Thodore Roosevelt National Park. The name "Maah Daah Hey" comes from the
Native American Language of the Mandan Hidatsa Indians. It means "grandfather,
long-lasting." It is used to describe things or an area that has been or will be
around for a long time & is deserving of respect. The turtle shell symbolizes
protection.

Jimmy rode the trail for 12 miles until he came to a stream he tried to cross
carrying his bike. He had his bike on his shoulder to cross the stream. He put
his foot into the water and promptly sank knee deep in dark quick-sand like
mud. He had a hard time pulling himself out of the mud. He never did
find a crossing on the stream that was safe enough to cross. So he road back
to the campground.

Prairie Dogtown 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T19:21:00.000-05:00

It's those cute little prairie dogs again! You just can't get enough of them.

I could sit and watch and listen to them all day long!

ND Badlands 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T10:10:00.001-05:00

More scenes from the South Dakota Badlands! Look at that sky! Amazing!

This little hoodoo looks like some animal! The Little Missouri River runs through the
park.

North Dakota Badlands, 6-27-2009

2009-06-30T09:55:00.002-05:00

The North Dakota Badlands in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park
covers 110 square miles of breathtaking vistas. We went to the south entrance
of the park at Medora, ND and drove 36 miles on the scenic loop through the
badlands. We saw some wild horses and a deer, we were there in the middle
of the afternoon and all the wild animals were taking a siesta!!!

Amazing views were ours to see again! The North Dakota badlands are kind of a miniture
badlands compared to the ones in South Dakota, but just as beautiful!

Moose

2009-06-24T21:28:00.001-05:00

These moose made out of vines were in Red Lodge, don't know much about them
but I thought they were very interesting. They were life-size and very well made.
The shop was closed so we weren't able to ask any questions about them. We are still waiting to see the real moose that roams the campground. Jimmy talked to a lady in the campground and she said there was a black bear at
her picnic table last night. Didn't see the bear either!!!

This traveling around is hard on a person! You have to take a little siesta every
once in a while! Especially if you have a creek to rest by. Life is tough!!!! 78 degrees
today and no humidity.

Chill Day

2009-06-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

We had a chill-out day today. Just stayed around the campground, went to town
for a little while. Jimmy played nine holes of golf and he said he didn't do very
well, but it was fun any way. These pics are of the creek by our camper, you can
hear it all the time. The second one is out our window by our table, that is how
close the creek is.

This is one of the 15 bars or saloons that
is on main street. This is is the Snow Creek Saloon.

Red Lodge, 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T09:05:00.000-05:00

These are the mountains on the way back into Red Lodge. It is just amazing
how they just jut up out of the hillside.

Freddie 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T09:01:00.000-05:00

"Freedie the Freeloader" gets around. That first sign is Welcome to Wyoming.
The second one is Welcome to Montana. He loves to travel!

This is a lake on the highway that is
still frozen. It is amazing that it can still
be frozen.

Beartooth Lake, 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T08:52:00.000-05:00

The campground was actually closed, but we road down to the boat launch and
the lake was awesome! The color of the water is amazing!

Yellowstone Contruction 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T08:49:00.001-05:00

About two miles before the NE entrance to Yellowstone there was road construction.
We had to wait 30 minutes to get by it. They are improving the roads all over
Yellowstone. It will be nice when it is finished. Fortunately most
of the construction is near the entrances.

Beartooth Hyw. 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T08:44:00.000-05:00

The lakes are a beautiful blue color and just gorgeous. This is the Top of the World
store on the Beartooth Hwy. They have everything in there and it is the only
store on the mountain.

A beautiful waterfall on the drive.

Beartooth Hwy. 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T08:38:00.000-05:00

The snow on the side of the road is almost twice as tall as Jimmy, I know, I know,
that's not much, but it is at least 10 feet high. Check out the the Bear's Tooth by
clicking on the picture and enlarging it to see the Bear Tooth.

More views of snow. Some of it looks dirty, I guess because it has been around
so long!

Snow on the Beartooth Hwy. 6-23-2009

2009-06-24T08:30:00.000-05:00

Snow along the highway was still pilled up. They were actually still skiing on
this part of the highway. The run looks pretty steep and this ski lift brought
them back up the mountain.

Chipmunks!

2009-06-23T23:21:00.000-05:00

This chipmunk ran all over Jimmy, and then took a peanut from his mouth.

Isn't he cute! Looks so innocent! We opened the door in our truck and he hopped
right in. He hopped right out too!

Chipmunks on the highway.

2009-06-23T23:13:00.001-05:00

We stopped at the rest stop on Beartooth Highway and found lots of little chipmunks
scampering about begging for food. Everyone was feeding them, so we had some
peanuts in the shell, (Al Williams) and we fed them.

Jimmy had them eating out of his hands. They were really cute, but I was worried
they might bite him. But they didn't, I guess they liked the peanuts better!

Beartooth Hwy.

2009-06-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

Can you believe all this snow. And yes, that is ice in the lake below!

It is just awesome! These lakes should be on postcards!

Beartooth Highway, MT

2009-06-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

I know you all are getting tired of my pictures of snow capped mountains, but you
ain't seen nothin' yet! The Beartooth Highway is awesome, really awesome!

Dubbed "the most beautiful roadway in America" by Charles Kuralt, the Beartooth
Highway climbs to an astounding 10,947 feet above sea level. It winds its way
from Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park for 67 miles on Hwy 212. The snow
lingers through June & July.

Red Lodge, MT

2009-06-23T22:34:00.000-05:00

We are now in Red Lodge, MT, a cute little town that has 15 different bars or saloons
on the main street. I guess that explains why everyone is so happy here. We are
camping in Perry's RV CG and that is a picture of our camper and the creek is
five feet out my kitchen window. We can hear this creek all the time, it is very peaceful.
We are waiting for the moose to come by and tell us goodnight! I hope we get to
see him today. He came by last night and the owner said he was trying to look in our
window and we didn't see him. So maybe tonight we will see him!!!

The creeks are really full now due to some
rain and snow melt.

Happy Father's Day and other Holidays! 6-21-2009

2009-06-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

We went for a little ride to the Lewis & Clark National Forest today to look for a
hiking trail. We saw this little camper/house that had been pulled into Grasshopper
Campground.

Did you all know that today is Father's Day, and the Summer Solstice, and Hike
Naked Day??? That is a cute little movie theater in White Sulphur Springs, MT.

Bald Eagle, 6-20-2009

2009-06-21T11:25:00.000-05:00

The limstone rocks in this canyon are spectacular. They just seem to go on forever.

It was kind of a rainy day. The only wildlife we saw was this Bald Eagle. We saw him
fly behind the boat swoop down and catch a fish and fly up to one of the ledges of the
limestone and eat his dinner. That was pretty exciting!

We are hanging around the campsite today, Father's Day, and doing some things to the
camper and getting ready to leave in the morning!

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there!

Donna & Jimmy

Man Gulch Fire, 6-20-2009

2009-06-21T11:19:00.000-05:00

The Man Gulch Fire overran 16 firefighters in 1949. The firefighters were
smoke jumpers who parachuted near the fire on Aug. 6, 1949. While they were
moving to a safe location, the fire blocked their route. Three survivied, the foreman
who ignited an escape fire into which he tried to move his crew, but they wouldn't do it
and two rookies escaped the fire by being the first over the hill.

Gates of Mountains, 6-20-2009

2009-06-21T11:08:00.002-05:00

As we went down the river and looked back. The first pic shows the Gates of the Mountain closed on the right side of the picture and as we went across the river on the next two pics they open up. It is really amazing.

Gates of the Mountain, Helena, MT 6-20-2009

2009-06-21T11:03:00.001-05:00

We took a 2 hour boat ride on the Missouri River at the Gates of the Mountains
in Helena, MT. In 1805 Lewis and Clark explored this area of Montana.

From both sides of the river, limestone cliffs rose to a spectacular height of 1200 feet.
Great stone walls seemed to block passage, only to open like gentle giant gates.

Conestoga Campground, White Sulphur Springs, MT 6-20-2009

2009-06-21T10:55:00.001-05:00

This was the sunset from our campsite last night.

We bought this huge loaf of bread at the Hutterite Colony near White Sulphur Springs yesterday.
Hutterites are a commual people living in the prairies of North America. The beliefs of the Hutteries are living in a community of goods and absolute pacifism. They also have chickens and process 12,000 eggs a day. We bought a dozen too! It was a very interesting place. They have modern technology and are not totally isolated from our society.

Strange rain cloud 6-18-2009

2009-06-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

We saw this cloud as we approached White Sulphur Spring last evening. It looked
very strange. It was a rain cloud with the sun shinning on it.

It almost looks like a funnel cloud, but it wasn't, it was just rain.

Conestoga Campground, MT 6-17-2009

2009-06-19T19:53:00.000-05:00

Conestoga Campground is really a nice campground, we are going to an ice cream
social tonight!

Our camper and the view!

St. Mary to White Sulphur Spring, 6-17-12009

2009-06-19T19:38:00.000-05:00

It is just amazing how the terrain changes as we drive down the road. These
mountains have many pine trees on them and just go on forever.

Every different kind of drive has it's own beauty.

God Bless America! 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T19:27:00.000-05:00

Goodbye to the Prince of Wales Hotel, the weather was coming in again. This was
an awesome shot of the two flags flying just before we crossed over the border
into the US.

It is always great to be in the United State of America, coming home is a great
feeling when we live in such a great country. And yes, that is a mother grizzly we
saw just after we crossed the boarder into the US. Click to enlarge that pic and you
can see one of her two cubs in the upper right corner. They ran across the road in
front of us into the woods so it was hard to get a picture. We watched them for awhile
playing and then left. We had a great time in Canada!

This catches me up on the blog. I fell a little behind when the kids were here, we
were so busy I didn't get to post on the blog. I hope you all are still enjoying our travels.
We are in White Sulphur Spring, MT right now. Tomorrow we are going to Helena for
the day and then we are heading for the Beartooth Hwy. We are having a great time!
You all need to try it sometime!!

Happy trails,
Donna & Jimmy

Ground Squirrels 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T19:19:00.001-05:00

These are yellow-bellied marmots, they must be related to the prairie dogs
because they are everywhere in Waterton and they seem to have their own little
colony. They scampered around all over the place and were so comical you just had
to laugh!

This one is standing at attention, a lot of them do that. We did notice
some kind of flattened out on the roadway on the way home too!

Wild Flowers in June 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T19:14:00.000-05:00

June is the best time to view wild flowers in the park!

I asked Jimmy what these were and he didn't know. We do know the white one is
Bear Grass?? Anyone else know what they are???

Waterton, Canada, 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T19:10:00.000-05:00

Meanwhile, we were back in Waterton looking at these buck bedded down in some
one's front yard, they look like statues just sitting there, but they were real.

We were just amazed and they are so beautiful! Everyone had fences around their
flowers. So because they are so beautiful, I'm sure they are a little bit of a pest and
eat everyone's flowers!

Grizzly Bear, Red Rock Parkway 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

On the way back from The Red Rock Parkway we saw this grizzly bear. Mostly
I was able to photograph it from the rear, but you can still make out that it was a
grizzly. The first pic he was just going over a hill and I lost site of him and them
he emerged again, but was pretty far away. It is amazing to see these bear out in
the wild!

Blackiston Falls, Red Rock Pkwy. 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:59:00.000-05:00

A short .6 mile loop around the canyon to the falls at the end of the parkway.

Red Rock Parkway 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:52:00.000-05:00

The lake again with a little weather settling in, the scenery just changes all
the time. We got a little rain, but not much! These red rocks were beautiful!

We traveled up the Red Rock Parkway about 9.3 miles up
the Blakiston Valley through rolling grasslands and ended at Red
Rock Canyon. The prairier meets the mountain landscape here.

Deer in Waterton 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:42:00.001-05:00

We went back to Waterton to have lunch. Near the restaurant in people's yards were lots of deer just hanging out! It was amazing. The deer were laying in people's yard right next to their houses, it didn't bother them a bit that we were taking pictures and walking around.

We talked to a resident who said that this herd stays around town all the time.
This mother actually had another little one nearby, she had triplets, which is very
unusual. There was also a herd of Big Horn Sheep in the area, but we were never
fortunate enought to see them.

Black Bear in Waterton, 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:34:00.001-05:00

We saw this black bear very close to the road on our way out of Waterton, he
was really huge. Just lumbering along taking his good ol' time!

It is just amazing to see a wild animal. This bear was eating dandelions one of his
favorite and most abundant foods this time of year!

Cameron Lake 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:25:00.000-05:00

Cameron Lake was spectacular. It is at the end of a 10 mile drive through
beautiful mountains.

We took a .6 mile hike to Akamina Lake and saw this unusual stump and the
beautiful lake, this is much smaller than Cameron Lake, but secluded and still
spectacular!

Prince of Wales Hotel 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:15:00.000-05:00

The Prince of Wales Hotel was spectacular sitting on a hill with the snow-capped
mountains behind it! Do I hear the "Sound of Music"!!!

A closer view of the Prince of Wales Hotel. And those never ending snow-capped
mountain views are still just as fantastic as the first day we saw them! Awesome!

Alberta, Canada 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:06:00.000-05:00

More spectacular views on our way to Waterton National Park in Canada.

It just never gets old!

Going to Canada 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T18:02:00.000-05:00

"Freddie the Freeloader" is trying to hitch a ride into Canada, but I don't
think he has a passport, we may have to leave him at the check-in station!

Maybe they will let him through to Canada, after all they let us through!

End of the hike 6-15-2009

2009-06-19T17:50:00.000-05:00

A waterfalls that they saw on the hike and more snow!

Somehow Jimmy changed the camera to black and white and he swears he
didn't do it. It must have been that abomidable snowman who did it. There were
only seven people on the hike including the ranger and his wife, so it was just right
as far as people. They all had a great time.

Iceberg Lake Hike 6-15-2009

2009-06-19T17:43:00.000-05:00

The first picture is of some volunteers who help with the trails in the park. They
run the trails and try to clear some of the snow away so hikers can get by. Jimmy
ran into four foot of snow while he was hiking this day. He loved it!

This is Iceberg lake, you can see that it is still frozen. The lake lies at the base
of a 3,000-foot sheer cliff and its freezing waters were long rumored to be home to
Montana's fur-bearing trout!!! Believe that one!!!

Views from Iceberg Hike 6-16-2009

2009-06-19T17:37:00.000-05:00

Views from the hike. A waterfall has plenty of water this time of year from the
spring thaws!

There is still some snow as you can see. I guess it can last a long time if the
weather stays cool!

Iceberg Hike 6-15-2009

2009-06-19T17:32:00.000-05:00

He saw these Big Horn Sheep on the mountain. He also saw two Mountain
Lions, but they were too fast for him to get a picture of. The ranger said he
had been doing this hike three times a week for 23 years and that was the first
time he had every seen Mountain Lions!

These are bear claw marks on a tree. They didn't see the bear who made them.
If you look closely at the bottom left corner of the picture you can see a grizzly
bear that they saw. Thank goodness it was not very close!