Idaho to Oregon

The drive down the mountains, with strong winds was spooky. But finally, when we got into Oregon, we drove along the Columbia River on I-84. This was truly Gorgeous! We drove miles and miles, watching them opening the spill ways, the sun setting...WOW!
Just on the other side of the river you can see Washington State.

Idaho

You know, when your driving across the country, it is amazing! You think you've seen something beautiful...then something else comes up that is just as gorgeous.
Idaho had lots of plateaus and winding at the bottom was the Snake River.

Laramie, Wyoming

We made it as far as Wyoming. We had a little ride height problem, Hank needed to adjust before heading over those mountains again. It was wonderful to fill up/ and drain after 10days. We are getting good at dry camping but I sure don't like it!
I am so spoiled!!!

Cummins

Here we are at the Cummins in Denver,Co. It was decided last night that we need an exhaust manifold (which they don't have)so, we are waiting to hear when they can come up with one!

Met up with Debbie and Doug yesterday, and did a little shopping.

Temperatures rose to 104 after a great weekend. We are alone on the lot but it does have 50amp plug in's...phew.

Sunday night Finals...Denver

Sunday was a pretty amazing day, starting off with Chapel in the Matco Tool tent, breakfast in the Lucas tent...then off to spend the day with Karen Stoffer in the GEICO tent. After the first round win, Karen was interviewed by ESPN and they presented her with a first round win cap. When she returned to the tent, she presented that cap, signed to Hank, for all his help this weekend. VERY Cool.
After several rounds, she was in the finals, we stood not 15-20' off the starting line. We also got to watch something pretty special. The NRHA offical comes to the bike, inspect them, gives them fuel to run, watch them put it in...check off a list including where all stickers are placed on the bike.
Another pit event you don't get to see everyday. Then we all went and ate Mexican to
celebrate! Awesome weekend.

Thanks Debbie, Doug, Karen and Gary and the rest of the team for a great Weekend.

Saturday night at the Races

What a great day at the races! Great qualifying for Karen and Jimmy. Wonderful Food.
Fabulous entertainment by Kelly and Debbie and to top it off, great "snicker-doodles" by Maryanne. We can't wait until tomorrow.

Red Rock Canyon Amphitheatre

For those visiting Denver, Colorado, Red Rocks Amphitheater is a spectacular place to visit and watch popular musicians perform. This natural structure is enhanced by a man-made stage and the venue is a beautiful tourist attraction overall. It has been owned by the city of Denver since 1928, and organizations and private performances have been held at Red Rocks for more than 100 years. Popular groups/singers that have performed at Red Rocks include Bjork, The Killers, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Jethro Tull, John Denver, Sonny & Cher, Pat Boone, The Carpenters, Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Coldplay, and many others.

Hank, Debbie and I had a great time climbing those stairs in this high altitude.
Our pulse was really racing, lol. Couldn't believe all the people that have preformed on this stage.

Jim's awesome cookout

Apparently this has become a tradition and we were glad to be included. Kelly and Jim put on an awesome cookout with steaks, pototoes, salad, corn and great cheesecake. All the "young adults" were so polite. Their house was gorgeous! Then to close out the evening, Jim provided us with a beautiful rainbow for good luck at the races.

Norad and Peterson AFB

After an intial SS and Drivers Lisence check, we arrive at the gate. Then we are checked again and loaded on a bus. We drive through security. Then we are checked again and given a pass. Then, we walk through a metal detector, and checked one more time against our badges. PHEW. We are finally getting to walk through the massive bank-like vaults. 11 slide locks...this thing is huge! Then you go through another door just like the last 250 tons. It was built in the 50's in Cheyenne Mountain by a mining company in 24hr. shifts in 4 years. Wow. The massive 3 building are built on huge springs. Just in case of an earthquake. It is like a city unto itself. We weren't allowed to take any pictures but you can go to this site to view more info.

Karen and the rest of the racers signed autographs for our military at the base.
An interesting point of interest at the AFB..they had put up a 911 memorial out front. The center is a beam from one of the towers, the rocks from The Pentagon, and the dirt from Pa. Then a special room with pictures of Bush with the fireman on the rocks and many more during the first few hours of 911. Really awesome!


http://www.norad.mil/

Denver, Colorado

After getting all settled in at the track, we headed to the airport to pick up Gary and Karen. It is a very long drive..but it was worth it cause Maryanne sent "snicker-doodles" home with Karen. So, we got to munch on those in 5 o'clock traffic.
AFter dinner, we went on a late night drive over to Red Rock Canyon to see the natural theater in the rocks. Just a beautiful evening drive.

Monday Night Entertainment

Hank and I had a little trouble with the engine, so we stopped just past Park City, Utah on a great overview of a Lake. Debbie and Doug caught up with us late into the night. The guys put their heads together check out what was wrong. The Final Answer: exhaust leak from a gasket. We both spent the night, what a view this morning with coffee.
"Move along little doggies". We are hitting the road shortly, atleast we can see when we break down.

Sunday at the Races

The last day had some interesting things going on before and during the race, such as a guy parachuting down with the American Flag and a motorcyclist entertaining during the race.
We had a great time..but a little struggle getting the RV out before all those fans made a mad rush to their cars.

Saturday night party at the races

We have run into alot of people from Gardenville, Minden, Carson City, Reno etc..
We were introduced to a really nice couple Berta and Dick. They invited us over to their camping "Compound". I think they had "50" children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,(lol) with about 6-7 5th wheels in a square, with tents set up in the middle. They had great margarita's (yes Bob-Great ones!)! Clam dip, salsa, taco's and everything you can think of to go with a Mexican meal. What a great Host and Hostess! Thanks for a great evening.

Friday Night at the Race in Sonoma

Friday night, is qualifing night. Mom is there, mother-in-law, friends, family and teammates wait for starting time. The build up is intense! Karen has qualified but she will get another run today. We had great sloppy joes for dinner in the pits.
It was absolutely freezing here at night. Mike Dunn from ESPN came to do an interview with Karen.

Napa Valley, California

Thursday, we had a wonderful day touring. We went on a guided tour with a relative down into the cell of a champagne company. Did the wine and olive oil tasting at 10 in the morning...by 3pm, I was ready for a nap. But the day wasn't over yet...we had a great dinner outside the RV's with about 15 people and great wine again!

Napa Valley, Infineon Raceway, California

We arrived at the raceway, climbed a hill, and parked the RV overlooking the race track. This is where the owners of teams parked their rigs. WOW...what a view from our front window. You can see the grapes growing on the other side of track.
Thanks to Debbie and Doug, we get to enjoy this race with such wonderful friends.
Hank was so excited to go down in the pit and help the guys set up the tents, unload the semi etc...then to complete the evening, Debbie did a wonderful job on cooking
tri-tips for dinner. God has blessed us so much by introducing us in Salt Lake City.
We look forward to a great weekend.

Alcatraz

As the boat gets closer and closer to the Island of Alcatraz, you realize has small it really its. But that doesn't compare to how small a cell is and how confined you were in this prison. The wind that whips around this island is constant, the sun is rare, and one small recreation area outside was these prisoners only freedom.
When a prisoners was in solitare..it was even smaller and darker. A cot, toliet and sink the only thing in the cell. No personal items. Everything they cot was earned by good behavior, including reading books. They didn't have tv's, a/c "it's their right thingy." This was an awesome tour and well worth the money. It is now a National Park!

Afterwards, we had to walk to Fisherman's Warf for some crabs!