Memories

This has been a week of physical activity and it's not done yet. And my allergies are still giving me grief.

After two months on the road there's lots of work to be done unloading the 5th wheel and getting it cleaned out. Plus we were sick the week before we left and the condition of our house isn't good.

But before I get to my belated spring cleaning and vacation clean up - our good friends of over 25 years are moving to Washington and we've been helping them get on the road with all their belongings. (Yes, the same friends who just planned a daughters wedding.) It's both physical and emotional to move that far after that long in the house their kids grew up in. Lots of memories.

It's so beautiful at their house in Washington. They've been 'living' there every summer for a while now and we've been visiting them every summer since we retired. And we're going again next month.

Everything's a bit messy so no pictures of what we've been doing, but here's a photo from last year's trip to Washington. Yes, this is their view.

Next week: the Denton Family Reunion. (Ray's dad's side.)
Two weeks: the Wise Family Reunion. (My mom's side.)

Never a dull moment!

Home

What started out to be a two day trip home ended up being a long one day trip. We left Gallup, New Mexico thinking that we would get across Arizona and then only have a few hours the next day to get home. Well, somewhere in the middle of the day we decided to just go for it and go home. It probably had something to do with gaining another hour at the California/Arizona border. It was another long day and I have to admit that those long days of just sitting in the truck have taken their toll on my body - it really does hurt to just sit all day - but by the end of two months it was good to get home.

This area is so much different from the other side of the country where they get so much rain (even though they complain if they go a few days without it). This part of the country knows about drought. And I think it's beautiful! Again I took most of the pictures from the cab of the truck as we were driving, but I think you get the idea. 

Did you know that there are tour buses full of Europeans and Asians that go along Route 66 and stop at all the little places? A lady in a small Kansas town told us that she went into a local cafe on the route to get a glass of iced tea and there was a tour bus and only one woman working. She asked her if she needed help and was told that another bus just called, they were on their way. She said that she stayed a couple hours to help get everyone served. Gotta love small towns.



One more state

Ruins.

In the Flagstaff area the scene changes and there are lots of pine trees.

So different from the south where there are lots of kinds of trees.

More pines.

Seligman, Arisona and the famous Snow Cap - from the old days of Route 66.

We enjoyed our lunch stop in this cute vintage town.

We loved this sight - no wind!

Homeward bound.

So barren compared to what we've seen, but home!

Sunset while we were on the freeway; almost home.

Last day, last shot of our Spring 2012 trip!

We had a great time, saw lots of family and friends, had some fun experiences AND as our friend Grace pointed out - we got along and neither one of us hopped a bus home!

Yes, we get along. And next month we will celebrate our 31st anniversary.

Now to unpack the trailer and get ready for a couple of family reunions. Can't wait to see you all!

Then a trip to Washington. Our friends Kathy and Jerry are moving there in a couple of days. Sad to see them go, but we'll be up there for a visit soon.

Then - who knows!



Still Blowin' in the Wind

After a whole day of wind yesterday we had a night of the trailer rocking from even more wind. There is also a fire north of Denver and the wind was blowing from the north. I had been having trouble with my allergies for two daysm and the thought of hanging around in the wind especially with a fire in the area didn't sound fun to me. We just decided to head home. It meant missing the Quilt Museum, but it leaves something for the next trip. 

We made it to Gallup, New Mexico tonight.

Since we spent the day driving in the car, most of my pictures are from the car. We have a bad case of TB (tired butt) from sitting all day. 

You can see the smoke at the bottom of a clear sky.

Later it swirled around more, got browner and we could smell it.

The Jeep brigade out for some fun.

Sad to see some fire damage behind this sign.

Roadwork. Again! Twice!!

A wreck; two cars rolled.

Second wreck; another roll.

The rest of these pictures are New Mexico landscapes.

There will be more TB until we get home.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

This morning we left Kansas City, Missouri, then proceeded to drive, over 400 miles, across the entire state of Kansas. At first, on the east side, it was hilly with trees. Very pretty, but very windy. By the time we made it to west side of the state it was very flat, and the wind was still blowing. There were gusts to 35 mph. and it topped out at 95 degrees. We're in the east side of Colorado now and it's very much like the west side of Kansas.

I was born in Wichita, Kansas, but didn't live there very long. When I was a teenager we went back. We visited a family that lived on a farm near there and what I remember is that it was flat with hills in the distance. A sort of combination of both sides of the upper part of the state.

What else would there be in Kansas?

No Dorothy, we didn't go there.

Here's an idea of how strong the wind was.

Several trees are growing with a lean to the north.

It was a cross wind and there were a couple of people who went off the road.

Kansas, on the west side.

Tomorrow Denver. There's nothing happening at the Red Rocks so we're going to check out downtown. Of course, that's after I visit the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden.

Then we're heading straight home. Ray's running out of his meds; there was a mix up and he needs to get it straightened out.

Plus, we need to rest before we head toward the Sacramento Delta for a family reunion.

On The Road Binding Quilts

Yesterday we drove and drove, from Louisville to Oak Grove (east of Kansas City, Missouri). Today we're on the road again; on our way to Denver. We probably won't make it but we'll get somewhere close. Heading west we need to stop a bit earlier, because the sun is in our eyes.
No stopping  for sight-seeing or shopping for souvenirs. But I did finish the binding on another quilt. That makes five so far this trip. I brought seven quilts that need the binding sewn down and I've finished five. I have one week to do the last two, and they're kinda big so I better get with it.

This one is called Logs because it has all the log cabin blocks.

Lyn Brown designed it. Check out her blog at http://www.lynbrown.com/ 

Here's Mai Tai's in Paradise, from the Quilt Cruise.

Designed by Bonnie Hunter.

Mine is totally scrappy, but check out Reagan's cruise quilt here:

http://floatingonaquiltedcloud.blogspot.com/2011/11/that-cruise-quiltfinally.html

She gave lots of thought to her colors and border.

Baseball Bats, Horse Races and an Antique Mall

The weather today was perfect - warm, but not humid. Our first stop was the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. We took a tour of the factory to see how bats are made and even watched them make a bat for Derek Jeter. Then checked out the museum and gift shop. This giant bat is at the front of the building and notice the ball that looks like it broke a window on the next building.





This glove is made from a 450 million year old limestone.

It's 12 feet by 9 feet and 4 feet high.

Babe Ruth's bat. Note the notches that make the label look like a sun.

He made a notch for every home run.

Then off to Churchill Downs. We've never been to a horse race and had to basically read the instructions in the program. Our first try to make a bet was too late (that horse came in 4th). So we made two bets, one for each of the next two races. It was a $2 bet to show, which means it should come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd to win anything. We just picked names we liked.

This horse is Point Four.

This is him winning the race. The white post is the finish line.

It was exciting; he started out very slow then worked his way to the front.

This is Wildcat Nation. We picked him because our 5th-wheel is a Wildcat.

When they were walking him before the race you could see that he was anxious to run.

Here he is winning. His feet aren't on the ground.

Don't worry, we won't be gambling away our life savings. We made a whole $3.70! But it was exciting to watch, especially when the horses we picked won.

Then we went back across the Ohio River to check out an Antique Mall in New Albany, Indiana. (We're staying at a KOA in Clarksville, Indiana just across the river from Louisville.) Yes, I have been looking for that fantastic buy on an old quilt. I am realistic about the whole idea though because I don't really expect to find one. But I can still have fun looking at them.

I like this fan quilt.

I think this one was made by the same person.

I would love to take them both home, but I can't justify the cost.

(Note the error in the upper right block.)

The orange lovers out there will love this one.

I would never put pink cornerstones with that orange (but I know someone who would).

Sorry I couldn't show more of it, but it's got character.

This one is a "cutter" quilt with lots of holes from wear and scissors.

I like this pillow with velvet.

I did look at other things and so did Ray, but I only took pictures of quilts. I'm funny like that.

Down the street I saw this place and thought of my cousins - the Fink's.

Then on the way to dinner I saw a guy wearing their shirt.



We had a great day and then had dinner at another place by the river. The place last night was better all around.

Tomorrow we head west (home) and expect to be on the road for most of the day. 

Five States

Yes, we traveled through five states today. From about the middle of Virginia to Louisville, Kentucky. We decided to head home and on the way check out the places at the top of our list. Ray's choice is Louisville and mine is Denver. So this morning we decided we would try to make it all the way to Ray's choice.

Most of the day looked like this.

At the beginning it rained a bit and at the end less clouds.

Leaving Virginia, entering West Virginia.

(Virginia - check. West Virginia - check.)

We stopped for lunch on the tollway and saw this nest in the burger sign.

 The capital building at Charleston, West Virginia.

This is the bridge over the Ohio River.

It looks like it's holding up the cloud.

Welcome to Ohio.

We crossed the river for a few miles cuz we've never been in Ohio.

(Ohio - check.) 

Then into Kentucky.

(Kentucky - check.)

 The clouds put on a show.

Lots of farms.

We're staying across the Ohio River in Indiana.

(Indiana - check.)

We checked into the KOA and then went to dinner.

Here is the view from the dinning patio.

After dinner went to the Falls of the Ohio State Park on the river.

 This area is a fossil bed; lots of stuff to see here.

It was 9:00 and the sun was setting.

Ray loved it that it sets so late here.

Tomorrow Louisville.