Mount St. Helens, Washington

Today we went to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. It was amazing to see how nature is constantly working, changing the landscape. Hank and I stood directly across from where the volcano exploded and covered the mountain where we stood. A glacier was slowing moving down the crater, a light colored mud covered the ground as far as you could see. The river flowing down the mountain side was filled with silt and very murky. The volcano is still active and earthquakes still occur. Thank goodness, not while we were there. We drove down the mountain to Lake Coldwater and I pull out a surprise picnic. The temperature was very cool, breezy and instead of sitting on the blanket, I wrapped it around me.

Hank and I had a very educational day and hope you enjoy the pictures.

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

We are in a small town of Kelso, just south of Seattle. We have been taking it easy because of Hanks' foot. Tomorrow we are going to drive over to Mt. Saint Helen. I understand there is an observation tower that hangs over the volcano and you can look right down into the crater. Can't wait! I will have some pictures hopefully tomorrow.

We had the heat on this morning, around 50 and the breeze is blowing and windows are open. It is in the 70's, Very Nice!

Miss everyone!

Update on ankle

Hank went to the hospital today, after x-rays, examine etc..he has torn ligaments and sprain. He has an air brace and crutches. This will be about 6wks of healing. YUCK! Then a recheck with another Dr. where ever we are on the road. I keep you guys informed.

Seattle, Washington

Today, we saw Mt.Rainer from a distance while driving. It was very cool. There was snow on the top! Lots of snow! Hank had a slight accident today. We stopped at a rest area and he opened the door to step out and the steps didn't come out. He fell and sprained or broke his ankle. We are going to a clinic tomorrow and get it checked out. He has ice on it all afternoon but it is still swollen about the size of a baseball, UCK! So, please keep him in your prayers for his ankle and prayers for me because he is such a baby and requires constant care.

Be in touch...

Ding, Ding, Ding Goes the Trolly

We made it to Butte MT and had a problem with our house. We have a part ordered and it should be here tomorrow. We took a trolly ride through Butte and learned a lot about the history here. It was a mining town and most of the mines are closed now. A very colorful history here.

Yellowstone Park

Yesterday we went through the northern part of Yellowstone Park. We saw the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the river that ran through it was beautiful. One of the highlights was the falls that was 130 feet.The weather remains in the 80's with a nice breeze.


On the way back home, we came across this bull elk on the edge of the creek. He was in thick grass eating and he drew a big crowd along the road watching him. Right up the river, Hank and I enjoyed a quiet picnic. I wish you all could join us, God is Amazing! His creations are fantastic.

Grand Teton National Park

Yesterday we went to Jackson Hole, WY. Our route took us through the west side of Yellowstone Park and Grand Teton Park to get there. We saw this Bison walking along the road and had a big traffic jam with his stroll. Lillie hopped out of the car and got a close up, not realizing he can run 35mph.

We stopped along the way in the Teton Park and took all the mountain scenery in. It was 92 degrees and there was snow on the tops of the mountains that were 13000 feet. We located a herd of Moose along the way. The town of Jackson was very quaint. We found a cute Restaurant and joined the locals for a nice lunch before our long ride back home.

Yellowstone Park. West Yellowstone, Montana

Yesterday we checked into Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone Montana. It is a great place to stay. We are about a mile from the west entrance to the park. We took a trip to “Old Faithful”. We walked around, ate a late lunch at the Old Faithful lodge and had ice cream. Had a great time seeing Old Faithful doing her thing a few times. Truly awesome.


We stoped at Biscuit Basin and saw the hot springs. We took about a 2 mile hike in the 92 degree heat and saw a great waterfall. It was late when we got started so we called it a day and will start again today.

Reed Point, Montana

We are on our way to Yellowstone, but got tired last night and stopped in a little town call Reed Point. It is a town where everything in it is empty with For Sale signs plastered on the buildings. Very Sad! It is raining this morning and we are still getting up at 6am. Our bodies are so confused.

I have a cute story to relate that starts me giggling when I even think about it. In Sunday School last week when Hank introduced himself, everyone thought he said Honk, or Hunk. They said what an unusal name. Of course with his Southern Tennessee accent, I said not Hunk but Hank. They all laughed and apologized.
The next night at dinner, the waitress kept laughing at Hank wanting to hear him talk some more. So, we practiced saying H A N K all week.
We attended another class, in another state and guess what? Hank forgot all about what he practiced all week. They stuck out their hands for introduction and said, Honk..Hank said no, HANK. I heard a bunch of OHHH's Hunk..I intervened and said HANK ohhh..they started laughing! We now know Hank by JAMES, it is much easier to pronounce even with his southern drawl. Anyway, you know me, I've been calling him HONK all week.

Well...until Yellowstone, see ya.

The Badlands

Yesterday was a long day. We left our RV about 7:30 and drove east to the Badlands. There is a loop around the National Park, but with all the beautiful overviews, it takes a while to get around. We watched a short video of the land and how the Indians survived thoughout the year. It was around 95, windy and hot. Hank and I had made a picnic and stopprd by one of the viewing areas and enjoyed a peaceful lunch. We saw alot of prairie dogs (like 100's of mounds) a coyote or fox (not sure) and deer.

Today we are going to a small Baptist church across the street, and tomorrow we are heading out to Yellowstone Park. It will take a couple of days to get there, so until then....See Ya!

South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Rapid City

Today we went to the South Dakota Air and Space Museum static display at Ellsworth Air Force Base. We saw the B52, B1B and more. We had a good time just looking around at all the old planes.

Rapid City, South Dakota

After resting up yesterday from a long drive, we woke up early and headed to Mt. Rushmore. Then we drove the Custer State Park loop which takes about 2 hours. We saw Bison, chippys, prairie dogs, and elk. The land was very vast with hardly any houses. Hank and I had a good time just driving around hunting animals.

Mall of America, Minnesota

We drove 200 miles just to walk in a Mall. (Ha Ha) You know how Hank loves to walk. Well this Mall is truly amazing. With 3 levels, 4 counting the movie level, in the center, an amusement park. It took a couple of hours to walk it all. We had a great time, then came back to RV and Lillie socialized with all the neighbors.

Tomorrow we start our trip to the Badlands. Later.

Mt. Olympus Water Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI

What a day! We went to the Mt. Olympus water park today and we are beat. We forgot we are old and we will pay for it tomorrow I am sure. This is the water park capital of the country and there are several parks here. The water park was also an amusment park with 4 go cart tracks and we tried them all. Roller coasters, go carts, and water slides. What a day!

House on The Rock

The house on the Rock was awesome! I highly recommend you see this if you ever head this way. The house was really unique but his collections were awesome. This carousel is the largest in the world. He had hundreds of horsey around the walls. He had hundreds of doll houses and thousands of dolls. Fabulous gun collection. Huge Organs and piano players. I have never seen anything like this place, a must see.

Tomorrow is the one of many waterparks in this town! I will let you know if I survive this. This is my first waterpark.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

We arrived late last night, but you guessed it, they are an hour behind. Guess I'd better get use to it. We had a very long drive. We saw row after row of corn throughout Indiana and Illinois. We actually saw several crop dusting planes flying really low over the fields. Hank and I both enjoyed seeing that!
Last night, we walked around looking at all the waterparks (I have never seen this many-#1 in Country)! Suddenly, fireworks exploded over the skies. It lasted about 30mins.
Today we are going to the House on the Rocks! I will let you know more about this later. Bye

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Hank and I didn't get alot of road behind us yesterday. It started raining about an hour after leaving D.C. The hilly mountains slowed us down a bit too! Considering we weigh 41,000 lb. not including the car...it was like Thomas the Train. "I think I can, I think I can." The rain continued all the way to Columbus, Ohio where we decided it was time to pull into a truck stop to get fuel and eat. The truckers were packed in like sardines because of rain and one pull out just as we finished fueling. So we squeezed between 2 18-wheelers. The eating led to sleepy, so we watched a little tv, did a few emails, and hit the hay! We are up now at 4am, had breakfast, showers and a cup of coffee and are on the road to Wisconsin.

Have a great day, I know we will with God's great creations right before us.

Happy 4th of July from Washington, D.C.

We had a great 4th with Katherine and Brian, Rebecca and kids.
Katherine made homemade BQ beef, blueberry fluff pie (with hand picked blueberries from yesterday with kids), potatoe salad, slaw lots of good stuff. Hank and I went home early cause it started to rain and we are getting an early start tomorrow.

National Zoo, D.C.

What is a zoo without a gorillia?? Look at the two pictures and see if you can find him, relaxing watching his kids play around him. He is the one wanting the nap exhausted from walking and climbing all day long. Watching all the people walk by and gazing at everyone. Hank, you know I am kidding but I couldn't resist.

Cherry Hill, Maryland

Last night we had a great BQ at Katherines'. Donna, Brian, Katherine, Rebecca, Hank, Lillie, Ansley and Gabe. We enjoyed ribs, pototoe salad, corn, strawberry truffle. A wonderful evening with family.

Today we rode a wagon around the RV park, just for kicks.



Relaxation was the theme of the DAY! We went swimming at Grammies' pool, Hank cooked hamburgers on the grille.