Grand Adventure continues

We left Yellowstone this morning and after a really nice ride to the northeast entrance of the park we headed out across Wyoming with a short loop into Montana so that we could add to our state count. Encounter some really great roads. The first was Cheif Joseph's scenic Highway, quite a few switchbacks with a couple that were right together. John loved them but a couple gave me a little scare. Here is a picture from the top of that mountian.

Looking back the way we came. Cheif Joseph's Scenic Hwy.

Made it to Cody Wy, where we stopped for gas and I found a Quilt store on the way through town. Didn't spent long there because we still had a long way to go.
Our next fun road was Alt. 14. Now that was a trip, first across a long and windy plain then up a big mountian and across another really windy plain to another mountian with some more really curvey (and I mean curvey roads) and we ended our day in Sheridan, Wy.
Tomorrow we head to Sturgis SD and then down to Keystone to see Mt Rushmore. I hope to post more picture later but for now I am going to bed.

Grand Adventure Catch up

My how the days have flown since our last post.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were spent getting all the grandchildern time that we could. What cute kids they all are and we are sure missing them so much. We were even able to get them all awake to kiss and hug on some more before we left on Wednesday morning.

Then off we went heading north into Idaho and then into Wyoming. Our first stop of the day was in Jackson Hole at the visitors center. From there we headed up to the Grand Tetons which are just breathtaking. Didn't stop longer than to take some pictures that we will post later. Then we made our way into Yellowstone National Park. It was really a thrill to finally be here, it's a place that I have heard of all my life and still can hardly beleive that we are here.

Took us quite awhile to get to our camp site because people were stopped all over ther road to look at the

bison. We finally made it to the camp site and got all set up and had dinner. Then we went over and saw the ranger presentation about the big fire here in 1988. Very interesting. By the timer we got back top camp it was time to turn in. Slept pretting good although it was cold.

On Thursday we just rode for most of the day. We went by Norris Geyser Park then on up to Mamouth Park at the northwest corner (sort of) where we had lunch. From there it was off to Roosevelt Corral where we went on a horseback ride out to our Old West Cookout. Now that was fun, and man was the food great. Then it was back on horseback to the corral where we mounted our iron steed and headed back to camp. On the way we saw a beautiful sunset. Another good nights sleep and today we headed out to see Old

Faithful. That was worth the trip. Still more picture to follow. I haven't downloaded them to the computer yet. Our travels today also took us by the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the upper and lower falls.

We are now back at the Canyon Visitors Center using their power to chare phones and computer and its the only spot we can get an internet signal. We will be heading back to the camp site shortly to start trying to get things ready to leave tomorrow for South Dakota. We will be staying somewhere half way tomorrow night so w should be able to post more pictures then.

Having a wonderful time and the weather has been perfect.

Rocky Mountians to Grandchildren

The Grand Adventure continues. After our visit to Estes park on Tuesday we returned to our camp site and while preparing dinner we had a couple visitors that just wondered through. I guess they were use to people

 

being around because they walked around and through all the camp site for quite awhile. At least it wasn't bears .

On Wednesday August 11 we packed up the trailer for our trip acrosss the 

Rockies. We headed up the Trail Ridge Road and it was a beautiful ride. The crazy part was that they were doing road construction and there were parts where it was one lane going up.                                                                                                                                                   

But we did make it to the top.

After a warming cup of coffee we headed down the other side. This was truely a great ride with lots of switchbacks and curves. A little on the scary side for me in the back seat a couple of times but I did enjoy it.

Then it was across western Colorado and into Utah. We did have to stop and put on rain gear again, but it was never really hard rain. Thought for awhile that we would miss it but then the roadcurved again and we ran through it for awhile.

We ended our day in Naples, Utah.

On Thursday August 12, we headed north up through more mountian and by the Red Canyon,

and into Wyoming, west to Evanston Wy where we headed north again and back into Utah. After one more climb into the mountians to Bear Lake we head down by the Bear River into the Cache Valley  

and into Smithfield where we were greeted by our sweet daughter and five beautiful grandchildren. And there we have been for the last two days getting as many hugs or what ever as is possibly.and there we have been for the past three days. On

Friday we just hung out and enjoyed the kids

That hot dog is as big as Tara

and then on Saturday we went to the county fair, which was a real treat with all the little ones and the bigger ones also. Yeah for fair food!! Funnel cake and ribbon fries, yum!  Today has been a really good day. Church where the younger three girls were dedicated and then home for a nice nap.

We are really having fun and the weather here is great. High eighties in the day time with no humidity. Two more days here then we head to Yellowstone.  I will try to do better with the updates so they won't be so long. See you next time.

Rocky Mountian Wild

Well, the Grand Adventure is well underway. We left Pearland Saturday August 7 around 8am, a little later than we had intended but oh well. One thing I can say for riding the bike in Texas in August is that it is HOT!! But we survied and made it to Abilene about 4:30.



After a good night's sleep we headed out to Palo Duro Canyon. Another hot day in Texas but we saw some great scenery. Arrived at the canyon and checked in to our cabin and cooled off , Did a quick tour of the Canyon and the to the theatre for the play "Texas".

Cow Camp Cabin Palo Duro Canyon

The play wasn't over until about eleven so that meant that we had to sleep quick because we were up at six the next morning and on the road by 7 :15. after a quick stop for breakfast in Amarillo we headed north on US287 into Ok and on into Colorado. Long roads with nothing but corn feilds and ranch land to look at for 400 miles, but it was cooler. We did run into a lot of rain Denver but we had wisely decided to put on rain gear when we saw the clouds ahead. Finally made it to the Rocky Mountians Park about 6:30CT and got checked in, got the tent set up and had a quick dinner of canned stew and crackers.Our first night in the tent wasn't too bad. It was cold but we stayed warm snuggled together. We woke to a beautiful morning with the sun coming up over the mountians. Took our time getting up and going but what are vacations for.

We spent most of the day Tuesday touring the beautiful town of Estes Park, even had lunch a a lovely place on the river.

In other words folks we are having a great time, so back to it. Will update when we reach Utah.

The reservations are all made, the route is all mapped out, the bike has been serviced and we have started packing the trailer. Just seven day until the grand adventure begins

Ronald McDonald House

February 7, 2009

Mid Life Cycles Ride

Ronald McDonald House

Saturday, February 8, 2009 the Nana and I met up with our Motorcycle Gang, known as the Mid Life Cycles, about 2:30 PM at our organizer's (Spongebob) house to ride as a group to the Ronald McDonald House in Houston. For those of you that don't know about this great place, just know this is for children who have very serious medical condition that need treatment in outpatient setting, and don't live in the Houston area. Located right in middle of the greatest medical facilities in the USA (maybe world) the patient and their family member can stay in a nice and loving environment with out cost to them. The house is funded by private donations and many of the meals are provided by volunteer organizations. You can learn more about this great facility by going to their website - http://www.ronaldmcdonaldhousehouston.org/home.htm.

Saturday night was our night so we went as a group, carrying all the hamburgers, hot dogs and fixings necessary along with a trailer load of paper goods all donated by members! We had great time, but wanted to provide you an opportunity to see the pictures we took --- as they say, one picture is worth a 1000 words! Here are a couple, but to see all go to http://community.webshots.com/user/Dandy1945

Blessings!!! They just keep coming!

Our very first Flat tire on a motorcycle....

Since we have owned a motorcycle Carolyn and I have taken a long drive on New Years Day! We just can't think of a better way to start the year off than "saddling up 'n riding out" into the wide open spaces with no particular route or destination! Usually at least 300 miles....

2009 was a little different in that we decide to leave Pearland early afternoon on New Years Eve and drive to San Antonio to visit with Brendan and his Dad and Step Mom. We arrived mid afternoon and after short visit we drove on into New Braunfels where we had nice supper and went to bed early! After breakfast the next morning we had pick a tentative route that would lead us north east and then east and up around Lake Livingston and south back to Pearland. However, it was getting chilly with overcast skies and after a couple of hours we decided to get up on Texas Highway 290 and take straight shot on into Houston and then to Pearland. We were about 20 miles west of Brenham (home of Blue Bell Ice Cream) when I started noticing a wobble from the bike that I have never experienced before, so I got off the road and onto the shoulder immediately where I had my fears confirmed...back tire was flatter than a pancake!

Hwy 290 by this time was very busy and even though we were on long straight away and off the road we felt somewhat vulnerable with those cars and trucks whizzing by at high rates of speed. Cell phone reception was not too good, but got through to Roadside Assistance, but best they could do (on a holiday) was have someone pick us up and take us to a Honda dealer and "drop us off"! Of course, the dealers were all closed so we would have had to leave the bike outside the dealership and get ourselves home best way possible! While talking to them, Jim & Diane H. each riding a bike pulled up to check on us (bikers are like that....always looking out for each other....just an attitude that comes with two wheels...but I digress...) and they offered to call another biker friend who had a trailer and would probable help us out! Eric agreed to come after us but he was almost an hour away and to sit tight. Jim and Diane stayed with us and kept us company until Eric showed up with his trailer and an air compressor which did not help at all as the air would go out as fast as we could put it in. Eric has done this many times and he immediately took charge and in matter of minutes we got the Wing on the trailer and tied down. We said good bye to our new friends and got in the truck with Eric. He informed us that he had called the local dealers and could not get ahold of anyone to open up the service department so he was just going to take us home....a two and half hour trip, one way! We could not believe how lucky we were! Eric was a real blessing...as was Jim and Diane! Eric helped me get it off the trailer and in my garage and then as we were saying good bye I offered to reimburse him for his gas and he would not even consider taking a nickle! He was serious when he said that all he wanted me to do was....."pay it forward"!!

Our new friends, Jim & Diane!!

Bikes are made "to ride" not ride....

You have to admit....it's a good looking bike...ain't it?
(but..we are saving on gas......)

We got the bike (and us) home Thursday evening and next morning I got up and drove half way to San Antonio, met Dave and Brendan and brought him back for a week end visit....here is a couple of recent pictures of him!

He's giving Nana a few pointers....

Visiting with his Mom and sisters via web-cam...ain't this modern technology grand......?

He's a good looking boy! We love having him close by!