We're going to try to get one last "good weather" trip in this weekend.
Weather.com is making some fantastic promises. I've been doing some refinement on Pumpkin, although the major patch on the missing siding is still hanging over my head. That can wait, though. In the meantime, I fixed up a way to hang a good clip-on curly fluorescent light over the bar and a paper towel rack in the bathroom - both "honey-do" chores, but should make things a wee bit better. We need the better lighting for working jigsaw puzzles and the paper towels for - whatever Joyce wants them for.
Friday we're heading out to meet son Stephen at Campbell Point campground near Shell Knob on Table Rock Lake. Stephen has a long weekend and we have no weekends, so we're planning on spending 4 or 5 days. I'm not taking Coors (the Jeep) this time. Stephen will have his new-to-him pickup there if we need to do some running and I'm towing Scat (the fishing boat) to the campground.
We're going to finally get in some fishing this year. Between traveling, the high lake levels and the extreme hot weather this summer, we just didn't get out in the boat. We're going to try to catch up in a few short days.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
It's A Done Deal
Home safe and sound today. We arrived around 4 pm, tired, but satisfied with a great trip.
It's a bit difficult to see in this photo, but Pumpkin looks like it just drove through a bug slaughter house. I'll have to get that cleaned off before I take it anywhere again.
Like most vacations, it was great, but it is also great to get back home. Oxford (the cat) was here patiently waiting and the chickens seemed happy to see us, too. Our friend Floyd took care of them in our absence. Thanks, Floyd.
Now, where to next?
It's a bit difficult to see in this photo, but Pumpkin looks like it just drove through a bug slaughter house. I'll have to get that cleaned off before I take it anywhere again.
Like most vacations, it was great, but it is also great to get back home. Oxford (the cat) was here patiently waiting and the chickens seemed happy to see us, too. Our friend Floyd took care of them in our absence. Thanks, Floyd.
Now, where to next?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Home Tomorrow - If Nothin' Breaks
Days are getting long now. We're tired and ready for our queen sized bed at home. We were on the road about 5 hours today which is pushing it for us old folks. But, after some hit and miss tries at finding our chosen campground, we finally found our way here. We're at the Rock Ridge North Park on Fall Creek Lake.
It's a typical Corp of Engineers park in reasonable condition. The season is over and the park will go into winter mode in two weeks. The only people here are us and the camp host and his wife. That's not to say we're alone, though. The lake is shallow (even more so now as it is low) and seems to be a migrating bird stopover. There are probably well over 100 white egrets across the lake wading in the shallows. I saw a stream of large white birds with black tail and wingtips swoop along just off shore heading up into a cove. They looked like they could be some kind of pelican, though I doubt that. Then there are hundreds of this small bird in a cloud of wings skimming the water and suddenly swooping up and turning back. They are just too far away and too small for me to make out what they are, but they look like some kind of shore bird like killdeer or tern.
Tomorrow is our last day on the road. Home is about 225 miles so it will be another 5 hour day. But, then we'll be home. Today is day 15 of our trip. We've had a really nice time.
It's a typical Corp of Engineers park in reasonable condition. The season is over and the park will go into winter mode in two weeks. The only people here are us and the camp host and his wife. That's not to say we're alone, though. The lake is shallow (even more so now as it is low) and seems to be a migrating bird stopover. There are probably well over 100 white egrets across the lake wading in the shallows. I saw a stream of large white birds with black tail and wingtips swoop along just off shore heading up into a cove. They looked like they could be some kind of pelican, though I doubt that. Then there are hundreds of this small bird in a cloud of wings skimming the water and suddenly swooping up and turning back. They are just too far away and too small for me to make out what they are, but they look like some kind of shore bird like killdeer or tern.
Tomorrow is our last day on the road. Home is about 225 miles so it will be another 5 hour day. But, then we'll be home. Today is day 15 of our trip. We've had a really nice time.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
We Are Back In Kansas, Toto
I have always considered Kansas as being placed here so one would appreciate Missouri and Colorado - and I do. This part of Kansas has got to be the most boring part of our trip. At least, we are tired and could do with less excitement for now - if excitement is even in this country's vocabulary.
We did see one thing very interesting. While driving through a few cuts in hills, I noticed the banks on either side of the road was ten or twelve feet of nothing but dirt - nary a rock in sight. Then all of a sudden there were fence rows with hewn rocks as post. These rocks were roughly 3 feet tall and possibly 6 to 8 inches square. Some fields had the rocks spaced about the typical distance between fence posts. Others had one every other post or so with steel or wood posts in between. These antique stone posts were used because there were so few trees in this part of the country. Supposedly, these stones were quarried from rock outcroppings in the area. They must have quarried a lot of them because I never saw a single outcropping of stone.
We opted to stay at the Lucas Park on Wilson Lake just west of Salina. Turns out it was a good choice. This is a Corp of Engineers lake and the difference in maintenance is like night and day.
It's a beautiful lake. The only drawback might be the wind - and perhaps the goat head burrs. Although Ditto hasn't collected too many this time. Wind or no wind, I grilled some steaks tonight and they really hit the spot.
We did see one thing very interesting. While driving through a few cuts in hills, I noticed the banks on either side of the road was ten or twelve feet of nothing but dirt - nary a rock in sight. Then all of a sudden there were fence rows with hewn rocks as post. These rocks were roughly 3 feet tall and possibly 6 to 8 inches square. Some fields had the rocks spaced about the typical distance between fence posts. Others had one every other post or so with steel or wood posts in between. These antique stone posts were used because there were so few trees in this part of the country. Supposedly, these stones were quarried from rock outcroppings in the area. They must have quarried a lot of them because I never saw a single outcropping of stone.
We opted to stay at the Lucas Park on Wilson Lake just west of Salina. Turns out it was a good choice. This is a Corp of Engineers lake and the difference in maintenance is like night and day.
It's a beautiful lake. The only drawback might be the wind - and perhaps the goat head burrs. Although Ditto hasn't collected too many this time. Wind or no wind, I grilled some steaks tonight and they really hit the spot.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Working Our Way Back Home
We're continuing toward home. Last night was somewhat of a bust what with Joyce's encounter with a yellow jacket. But, she's better now just itchy.
A short distance from where we stayed last night, is the famous Chimney Rock of pioneering days. This photo is very similar to what one typically sees in books, taken from the East. But, actually, it was somewhat a disappointment for us. As we approached from the West, it is closely attached to a long butte, making it seem much less impressive. But still, it is easy to see how this magnificent rock led many pioneers on toward Oregon.
Keeping in mind, we are now traversing the southwestern portion of Nebraska along the Platte River, I have little to report on the trip beyond Chimney Rock. Just a lot of cattle feed lots and open range. Our next stay is at Enders State Recreational Area just outside, of all places, Enders, Nebraska (whoopee). There must be a wise man somewhere who named this place.
Actually, it was somewhat like Minatare in that it could have been beautiful except for poor maintenance - and those incessant goat head burrs. Poor Ditto had to crap in the road because the grass was too dangerous. But, we weren't staying long, so any port in a storm, I guess.
A short distance from where we stayed last night, is the famous Chimney Rock of pioneering days. This photo is very similar to what one typically sees in books, taken from the East. But, actually, it was somewhat a disappointment for us. As we approached from the West, it is closely attached to a long butte, making it seem much less impressive. But still, it is easy to see how this magnificent rock led many pioneers on toward Oregon.
Keeping in mind, we are now traversing the southwestern portion of Nebraska along the Platte River, I have little to report on the trip beyond Chimney Rock. Just a lot of cattle feed lots and open range. Our next stay is at Enders State Recreational Area just outside, of all places, Enders, Nebraska (whoopee). There must be a wise man somewhere who named this place.
Actually, it was somewhat like Minatare in that it could have been beautiful except for poor maintenance - and those incessant goat head burrs. Poor Ditto had to crap in the road because the grass was too dangerous. But, we weren't staying long, so any port in a storm, I guess.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pulling Up Stakes
It was time to start our journey back home. I checked Pumpkin's vitals and we got everything ready to roll. I stopped at the dump station and did just that. While there, we hooked up Coors, but ran into some difficulty with the lights. I think there may be a loose connection inside the plug that plugs into Pumpkin. I got it to working and it seemed to hold, so we'll try to get home with it as is. I'll just have to keep a check on it.
So, here is where we spent the last four days at Ellsworth AFB. A nice place for our headquarters.
Next stop was Minatare State Park near Scott's Bluff.
This was NOT one of Joyce's favorite spots. While Ditto and I were at the park office checking in, Joyce got stung by a yellow jacket in the meaty part of her upper arm. She had apparently trapped it there and it wanted out. It got out. Joyce was understandably a bit skidish the rest of our stay here.
But, we did get out for a Jeep ride out on "Lighthouse Point". Nice spot.
The only problem (besides the yellow jackets) was the lake level was very low. The lady at the office had explained the lake is filled by water off the Platte River, but only when floodgates are opened to do so. Whoever controls it had let the water level go way down for some reason. Then to add to it, the lake level had been way up over the summer, flooding much of the park. So, when it went back down, it left a lot of debris and trash that had yet to be cleaned up. I'd say on a more normal season this would be a very nice place to stay - if the yellow jackets move on.
So, here is where we spent the last four days at Ellsworth AFB. A nice place for our headquarters.
Next stop was Minatare State Park near Scott's Bluff.
This was NOT one of Joyce's favorite spots. While Ditto and I were at the park office checking in, Joyce got stung by a yellow jacket in the meaty part of her upper arm. She had apparently trapped it there and it wanted out. It got out. Joyce was understandably a bit skidish the rest of our stay here.
But, we did get out for a Jeep ride out on "Lighthouse Point". Nice spot.
The only problem (besides the yellow jackets) was the lake level was very low. The lady at the office had explained the lake is filled by water off the Platte River, but only when floodgates are opened to do so. Whoever controls it had let the water level go way down for some reason. Then to add to it, the lake level had been way up over the summer, flooding much of the park. So, when it went back down, it left a lot of debris and trash that had yet to be cleaned up. I'd say on a more normal season this would be a very nice place to stay - if the yellow jackets move on.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Back roads
This was one of my favorite days. We started out not knowing for sure where we wanted to go, but wanting to take some back roads. We did just that. We took a road along side the Mickelson Trail, which is a walking/biking/horse trail. While driving along a very dusty but smooth dirt road, we came across this little two rut lane leading across a bridge over the Mickelson Trail and on into the "interior". A sign said there was a dam 3 miles in.
Well, the dam wasn't much, but the drive was terrific.
Ditto got in a little bit of leash-free time here.
We piddled around and found this nice stream in a grassy valley.
And took in the sights of fall in the Black Hills.
As we drove slowly back out, we were greeted with this stand of birch that really caught our attention.
As we made our way back out on the dirt road to Mystic (small settlement) and on toward Rochford (another small settlement), we came across a group of camper/squatters down in a creek bed. Parked along side the road were two USDA Black Hills ranger trucks and a white SUV. The rangers and a guy with a gun on his hip were standing around nearby. I realized the "encampment" was that of some gold prospectors. They had the area pretty dug up and I wondered if that was the reason the "law" was there. But, we drove on.
Shortly, we were overtaken by a cloud of dust. It was the two ranger trucks and the white SUV. They went zooming on by as I pulled over and let them through.
We caught up with them again. They were parked alongside the road and were examining an area of excavation on a tree covered bank above the road. I could see a wheelbarrow up on top, laying on its side. Interestingly, there was a playground sliding board with no legs or frame on the side of the bank placed as though to slide stuff down to road level. One of the rangers, a woman, was standing in the road and I asked if someone was poaching gold. She was quite friendly and chatted a bit. She explained that in the National Forest, surface digging for gold was legal. What was not legal was using any mechanized equipment without a special permit. The site they were examining looked like someone had used a backhoe - according to the ranger. So, it wasn't gold poaching, it was illegal use of mechanical hands. (sorry)
We left the scene of the crime and headed out to Hill City. We stopped for a sub sandwich there which amazingly was cheaper than a Subway in Forsyth. We had a picnic at the city park and watched dogs poop by a noisy little creek flowing nearby, then took the Needles Highway into Custer State Park - pull in your elbows, ladies and gentlemen.
So Ditto wouldn't feel left out, we took the Wildlife Loop again so she could tell her new friends goodbye.
Then we headed back to camp - too pooped to pop again. Another very nice day - and our last one in the Black Hills.
Well, the dam wasn't much, but the drive was terrific.
Ditto got in a little bit of leash-free time here.
We piddled around and found this nice stream in a grassy valley.
And took in the sights of fall in the Black Hills.
As we drove slowly back out, we were greeted with this stand of birch that really caught our attention.
As we made our way back out on the dirt road to Mystic (small settlement) and on toward Rochford (another small settlement), we came across a group of camper/squatters down in a creek bed. Parked along side the road were two USDA Black Hills ranger trucks and a white SUV. The rangers and a guy with a gun on his hip were standing around nearby. I realized the "encampment" was that of some gold prospectors. They had the area pretty dug up and I wondered if that was the reason the "law" was there. But, we drove on.
Shortly, we were overtaken by a cloud of dust. It was the two ranger trucks and the white SUV. They went zooming on by as I pulled over and let them through.
We caught up with them again. They were parked alongside the road and were examining an area of excavation on a tree covered bank above the road. I could see a wheelbarrow up on top, laying on its side. Interestingly, there was a playground sliding board with no legs or frame on the side of the bank placed as though to slide stuff down to road level. One of the rangers, a woman, was standing in the road and I asked if someone was poaching gold. She was quite friendly and chatted a bit. She explained that in the National Forest, surface digging for gold was legal. What was not legal was using any mechanized equipment without a special permit. The site they were examining looked like someone had used a backhoe - according to the ranger. So, it wasn't gold poaching, it was illegal use of mechanical hands. (sorry)
We left the scene of the crime and headed out to Hill City. We stopped for a sub sandwich there which amazingly was cheaper than a Subway in Forsyth. We had a picnic at the city park and watched dogs poop by a noisy little creek flowing nearby, then took the Needles Highway into Custer State Park - pull in your elbows, ladies and gentlemen.
So Ditto wouldn't feel left out, we took the Wildlife Loop again so she could tell her new friends goodbye.
Then we headed back to camp - too pooped to pop again. Another very nice day - and our last one in the Black Hills.
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