Blogging My Way Across The USA

Photos

Brian fishing at Lake Ogallala in Nebraska.

Typepad Not Cooperating

For some reason, every time I post a photograph, Typepad blows up and shuts down. So I'm going to post this blog without any photographs to see if it works. I can post with photos using Jim's computer, but he's in bed already.

We are in Colorado Springs. Today we went and visited Garden of the Gods park. It was awesome, and I have some wonderful photographs, but alas...

Hopefully tomorrow I will just be able to get on Jim's computer and post up the photos.

It was HOT today!! Walking through Garden of the Gods, it was probably at least 90 degrees. We didn't last too long, as Brian was getting way whiney, and Riley was looking rather hot. He would find a piece of shade and just lay down. So we went back to the camper and I took a nap, while Jim sat outside and talked and talked with our next door neighbor Ted. Ted is a retired Navy Seebea, who now lives here in his camper. Cool dude for sure.

Speaking of Riley, he is socializing really well. This dog just LOVES everybody!! Every time I take him for a walk, he's like a person magnet. He walks up to everyone and  wants to be petted. That's one thing I'm finding out about this place is that its VERY dog-friendly. Everyone around here loves Riley right back, and he's just soaking up all this lovin'!!! By the same token, if we are somewhere where he needs to just sit nicely and behave, he will do that too - very nicely. He'll sit right next to me, not go toward people, and not bark at anybody. Its like he knows its time to behave now.

Yesterday we took Riley across the street to the Red Rock Open Space. That place was cool!! They have an off-leash dog area, so we could take him off leash and let him chase the Frisbee around for a while. There are trails up around the red rocks, as well as mountain bike trails, and even motocross-type trails through the mountains, where there is a sign warning that you must wear a helmet, and you WILL be airborne, and if you kill yourself they are not responsible. LOL. Sounds like fun!!

So now its getting late. Brian is watching old episodes of Gilligan's Island on DVD, Jim's sound asleep, and Riley is at my feet munching on his doggie toy. Tomorrow Jim wants to drive up into the mountains a bit

Got Some Catching Up To Do

Sorry, had no internet access at the state park in Nebraska. Jim was standing on top of the picnic table, trying to get the thing to connect to his phone, and no dice. Here's what you missed (which wasn't much, it was Nebraska after all!)

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round 2010

OK, we are on the road again! We left home at 10:39 this morning and pointed The Turd west on I-80. Here's the Turd ready to roll:

Riley's driving! LOL

Actually, once Jim kicked him out of his seat, he was content to hang out on the floor and munch on his bone.

While I took pictures of my feet. Hey anything for amusement. We were still in Illinois. By the way, anyone wanna join me for a pedicure???

We crossed the Mississippi River and soon entered Iowa. Whoopdie-do! More corn on the left and beans on the right!!

We even stopped at "The World's Largest Truck Stop"! There were lots of trucks there! Jim had to pee.

We're parked for the night at Anita Lake State Park in Anita, Iowa. I have no internet connection, so this is going thru Jim's phone and its working!! Gonna leave you now with photos of where we are tonight and go eat my slow-cooked-over-an-open-flame hamburger and hope to not get carried away by the mosquitoes! Tomorrow, Nebraska!! I can hardly wait!! Its such an exciting state - NOT!

HUGS!!

 

 

Today's The Day!

The Turd is all packed and ready to roll. We need to have some breakfast, a shower and pack our last minute personal care items, and we are outta here! The humidity level is at about 190% here - hoping its a little less humid in Colorado!! Its so thick here it looks foggy, but its not. Its just air that you can slice.

Brian was up at the crack of dawn (highly unusual). I guess he's excited to go! More likely he just wants to play with the new Nintendo DS that's waiting for him on The Turd.

Tonight's first stop is somewhere in western Iowa. I'd like to stop at the Amana colonies along the way near Cedar Rapids, so it will be a somewhat easy day travel-wise. Of course we are in no hurry. Will hopefully have a decent internet connection tonight to really get the blog rolling with pics of where we will be today!

Bon Voyage!!!

One Week And Counting

Its Thursday. On this day next week, we will be rolling out of the driveway!! Can't wait!! In the meantime, I have about 14 clients to edit, a couple of order to deliver - including one really big one, and countless other things to take care of at work before I go. I'm really hoping to get most of it done, so I can just enjoy the trip without worrying about what is not accomplished.

This weekend we will be cleaning out The Turd and starting to fill it with food and clothes and CAMERA GEAR and all the other stuff we will need for our trip.

Hey Mark! At this point Jim has completely filled under our bed with race car parts to bring you. Hope I really didn't need that space - LOL!!! Not sure how you're gonna get it all home, but make sure you leave plenty of room!! Can't wait to see you guys!!!!!!!!!

Off to shower and get ready for work. Its gonna be a "catch up" day for me. Lots to do!!

HUGS!!

Ten More Days Til We Head Out On A New Adventure!

Today I am working on updating the blog! I had to make a new map for the top. In 10 days, we are heading out again!! This year's trip includes Colorado, where we will spend a couple of days at Garden of the Gods, then up to Rocky Mountain National Park. I've never been to Colorado, so I'm very excited!! Looking forward to meeting up with an old friend who is fortunate to live there (HI TERI - SEE YOU SOON!) From there we will be going up toward Grand Teton National Park, where we will meet up with our Canadian friends Mark and Sandra like we did last year, and then on to Yellowstone for the last couple of days before we head home.

As part of my updating things on the blog, I've made it easier to see that I've posted an entry by including the ability to automatically post my blog updates to Facebook. Practically everyone in my family is on Facebook, so it will be easy to follow along. In fact, this post SHOULD show up on Facebook - which is why I'm writing now - as a test to make sure it does. I've had a lot of family and friends ask if we are going to blog the vacation again, as they really enjoyed reading about our travels last year. So, here you go!! Stay tuned...the wheels on the bus are about to roll!!

Back To Reality - Bleh!

Its Sunday morning at 10:00 and I can't get my butt in gear. I really NEED to get over to the studio and pull some weeds. Lisa tells me that its a total mess! I can only imagine - its been a month since I've been there.

Jim is messing around with The Turd. Something about the jacks not working right. And cleaning it out. I'm still sitting here in my jammies, trying to get motivated. I know I will not get all the weed pulling done today - there's just too much. But I have sessions booked for every day next week and we use the yard to shoot in alot, so it has to get done. Thinking about asking Dann to come help me - he'll probably just tell me "no". Then I'll be on my own. A daunting task, to be sure.

Someone give me a cyber kick in the pants - PLEASE!

The Wheels On The Bus Are Home Home Home

The tally is in - 6051 miles. Countless gallons of gas (I don't even wanna know). Two children who, by some miracle, are still alive (good thing they're cute). Ten states driven through. New friends made for me, and old friends reunited. All in all, an absolutely amazing journey - one that I will not soon forget.

Tonight for supper - PIZZA! Haven't had a pizza in a month. You just don't purchase a pizza west of Mississippi. Its not the same.

The thunder is rumbling in the distance, the humidity level is at about 99% - ahhhhhhhhhh.

The kids are outside with their friends. They've gone off to places unknown. They've been missed, and it took the neighbor kids about 3 seconds to come running to our house when they saw The Turd come down the street.

Oh, hey Sandra! We stopped at Camping World in Madison, Wisconsin and picked up a couple of camp chairs and camp mats. We're ready for next time!

Here is our list of 10 things we've learned on this trip:

1) You do NOT want to leave your campsite for the day without dumping the poop from the bus. Especially when its hot. It gets really PEW in there!

2) Stay to the left - The Turd is WIDE!

3) No matter how big The Turd is, it is still invisible to other drivers at times.

4) The Northwest Pacific coast is cold and windy. Go in the winter when you expect that.

5) If you wanna learn how much you like your family, try living in a 350 square foot bus for a month. We passed - they're still alive.

6) Don't bother passing that diesel truck - he'll just pass you back on the next downhill anyways.

7) Take your time - even a month wasn't long enough. There's just too much to see.

8) Thank God for the pit crew. We're glad good friends will help change tires.

9) Toasted marshmallows are best when shared in the company of really wonderful people.

10) There's no place like home...

HUGS!

The Wheels On The Bus Go Through The Badlands

After heading out of Wyoming this morning:

 

which, by the way, is an amazing state, we entered South Dakota. The kids are itching to get home - they miss their friends, and their pool, and their pets, and their tadpole. Every time we pull off the road, they holler. I guess Jim's not allowed to ever have to pee, and food is apparently overrated.

So, we simply snuck off the I-90 at the I-240 exit and headed into the Badlands National Park. It took them about 3 seconds to figure that one out, but by then it was too late. Too bad, so sad! Sucks to be them, cuz we've always wanted to go through the Badlands. So we did. Dann protested by never once getting out of The Turd. And bitching. A lot. Brian, the adventurous one, is always up for some new scenery. He took it all in - climbing rocks and reading about the fossils there. Here are a bunch of photos. The place is kinda like being on the surface of the moon - only cooler!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're bunked down in Kennebec, South Dakota. Brian has found some boys and a pile of dirt to play in, and me and Jim are being eaten by mosquitoes the size of birds. I'm going in to hide!

HUGS!