Winding Down

This time tomorrow night, we'll be home! We had a wonderful time in Kansas - thanks Kim & Don - even tho we got stuck almost axle deep in the mud and had to call for a wrecker to get us out! Just another chapter in the misadventures of Dan and Linda!Spent our time there talking (who? Us?), shopping-loved The Legends and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, horseback riding and eating WHEW! No wonder the time went so fast! We started east this morning and are spending the night at a rest area east of Springfield, IL. These long travel days are rough on this old girl! I wanted to post pics along with this, my last addition to the blog, but due to technical difficulties, they are still on my camera :(

We have been so blessed to have been able to take this trip! We've met and spent some time with many wonderful people, and saw amazing and beautiful sights, as well as visiting with family. I must say, tho, that this travel weary crew will be very happy to return home.

Thanks to those who have taken the time to read my blog and keep up with our travels. Who knows what the next chapter will hold!? Happy trails!!!

Onward!

Arrived in Liberal, KS in good time, A long day of riding :(. We are traveling with two very well-behaved doggies, for sure. Teddi has decided she likes riding in the front with Dad & Uncle Mel, while Baxter rides in his car seat in the back with mom. Tomorrow we head to Meriden, KS to spend some time with our niece and nephew and their family. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

I-40 to Albuquerque from Holbrook, AZ

The drive to Albuquerque was a real contrast in weather. As the back-seat photographer, I still was able to snap some pretty good examples of what mother nature can offer on a 250 mile drive!

Amazingly, we had no rain, snow or anything else from those clouds! It is very cold here - our water froze last night! This morning, the sun is shining, the hose is defrosting and life is good, even with the cold! We'll be leaving tomorrow to overnight in Liberal, KS. 

We are blessed!

From everything we've heard, we really "dodged a bullet" with the snow that was forecast! We only got light snow, and by this morning it was all gone. The weather over the weekend was very cold and windy. Dan & I spent the early afternoon today at the laundromat (not high on my love to do list!). The pics below are of the sky on the way home, and from our camping spot!

About an hour after we got home, we had sleet, hail and snow, along with some rumbling thunder!

Now, the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the black clouds are gone . . . and we thought Michigan weather was unpredictable! We'll be leaving here tomorrow, so are hoping the storm has blown itself out, and the weather will be mild! Next stop, Albuquerque!

Painted Desert, Petrified Forest & Snow? Oh My!!

We've been parked at this spot since the 13th. We're enjoying the nice weather - 75 degrees :0). Wednesday we went to the Painted Desert -- one word, stunning! You could certainly see God's handiwork in full splendor!

Thursday, we went to the Petrified Forest. It was amazing to learn how all of the logs were formed, and how long it took for just one to get to the petrified state. Many things are made from the wood, including furniture, bookends, and jewelry.

The colored material in the middle of the logs is used to make jewelry.
The colors are dependent on the different minerals in the layers of the wood.

And then . . . . . . . . . . the forecast was for up to a foot of snow - YIKES!!

Our Last Day :(

Yesterday, we gave our 4 legged kids baths :), cleaned the 5th wheel a bit, and met family for supper at the Avi. It was nice to see everyone! Today, we'll be meeting again for supper at the Golden Nugget. Just hanging out till then. Tomorrow, we will start heading east to go home. We are planning to stop a few days to see the painted desert and the petrified forest, then on to Kansas for some time with more family before returning to Michigan. Postings and pictures will come as we travel and our internet works!

Laughlin, NV/River Walk

Our RV Park is just across the river from Laughlin, NV, on a hillside with a great view of everything! We've been great fans of visiting the casinos for supper at the various restaurants, especially the buffet at the Avi!

The Laughlin "strip" from the opposite side of the river.

A view of Laughlin from my front "porch"!

There is a sidewalk that runs along the river beside the casinos. These pictures were taken there.

Tour Boat

Colorado Belle Casino

Koi at the Colorado Belle

DUH! Feeding the pigeons on the River Walk right beside the sign telling her not to!

A real oddity - a phone booth! Even more odd . . . WITH a phone book!!

Las Vegas!

Last week, we decided to drive to Las Vegas (2 hrs. away). We left mid-morning, and the drive didn't seem long with new scenery to view. After a stop at Camping World, we drove to the Las Vegas strip. What an amazing sight! There were people all over the place, and the casinos were awesome! We decided to walk along the strip and check out the various buildings, as each one was built to reflect a certain style. I think my favorite was the Luxor, although we didn't get to see it until driving through on our way home, when all the lights were on. It was an Egyptian pyramid with a large statue of a sphynx in front of it. A beacon shone out the top of the pyramid, and the rest of it was outlined in lights. A once in a lifetime visit -- we had a lot of fun!

Treasure Island (note the skull carved into the rocks!)

Caesar's Palace

New York, New York

Luxor

After we saw the strip during the day, we went to "old Las Vegas" on Freemont Street. It was lined with shops and casinos, and covered over the top with lights. There was also a zip-line which went about 1/2 the length of the street. It was fun to watch the brave souls who chose to ride on it! No, we didn't even contemplate taking a turn!  Unfortunately, the second half of our day, the wind kicked up to gale-force, so it was difficult to enjoy the outdoors. Below are a couple of pics from Freemont St.

Freemont Street

Freemont Street

Rodeo!

The internet access here is truly awful, which explains why I haven't posted anything recently.  The rodeo was great! I did kind of feel sorry for the calves tho', when they got roped and thrown down - none of them looked too happy to get out in the ring (not that I'd know what a happy one would look like!)!! The bronco and bull riding was very exciting, but I especially liked the barrel racing! I coldn't believe how fast they rode around them without running into them! My pics aren't the greatest, but I'll post them and try to link a video or two. Hope it works!  Well, it didn't work, so I'll try to post them later when we have better access.

All "the girls" (Miss Rodeo, etc.) in their glitzy outfits, waiting at the gate.

Before the show began. The calves in the pen, waiting to be released for roping.

Rx = Rest, fluids, meds

Finally, after a miserable week of sinus infections and a touch of bronchitis, we're starting to feel like people again instead of medical experiments! We're at a different campground (since Wednesday), which is across the river from Laughlin, NV. We have a really nice view that is especially pretty at night when all of the casinos are lit up. Went out for dinner last eve at one of the casinos. The food was delicious and we all ate too much!

Hoping to go to a rodeo either tonight or tomorrow night. Looking forward to that!