Alll Good Things Must Come to an End

Hi, everyone,
I'm sorry to say that our journey is coming to an end. We're currently in Macon, GA about 2 1/2 hrs. from home. We decided to drive straight through from Memphis. Although we're a little sad that the trip is over, we have so many good memories (and photos) to look back on for years to come. And, this is not the end of our travels. We're already planning our next BIG trip to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and beyond.
Things we've learned along the way:
This is an incredibly beautiful and BIG country.
Most people are nice, even the Democrats.
Wash clothes at 5 am or be ready to fight for a washer/dryer.

A 6-gal. water heater is very small; take very quick showers.

There is never enough closet space; take fewer clothes.

If you want to see bears, visit Yellowstone in the spring.

If you want to see elk, visit RMNP anytime.

You can live without cable, phone service, and Internet at least 3 days (Yellowstone)

A Verizon air card is invaluable on long, boring drives.

Two people who love each other can still get on each others nerves when confined to an 8'x25' space for 4 weeks.

Thanks for sharing our adventure and for keeping us in your prayers.

Until another trip.....

Carolyn

Where the Wind Comes Beatin' Down the Plain

Hi, everyone,

We left Estes Park on Labor Day and drove 440 miles to Russell, KS. You can make really good time on the prairie. We didn't stop in Denver but really enjoyed the view of the mountain range off to the west. Once we left the mountains, it became flat, or nearly so, very quickly. Kansas was more of the same all the way across to KC, MO. The only thing worth noting was the 20 mile long wind farm just west of Salina. It was something to see. I looked it up on the Internet and found it was built by an Italian firm. The 4 mile wide wind farm generates 1000s of megawatts of electricity which is sold to utilities in Kansas and elsewhere. It apparently was a controversial project with many opposed to it. But, to tell you the truth, it was a welcome sight after several hundred miles of nothing.

Today, we drove another 400 miles and landed in Springfield, MO. not far from Branson. We're debating whether to go there or to head toward Memphis. I'll keep you posted. Our RV park proprietor asked me where we're headed. When I said toward home near Savannah, GA. She said, "I knew you were from Georgia, I know the accent; I'm from Cairo, GA." It is a small, small world.

We have logged right at 5000 miles so far. It's been a great trip.

Later....

Carolyn

Turkeys and Coyotes and Elk, Oh, My!

Hi, everyone!

Finally, we're seeing some wildlife. We drove around early this morning in the lower elevations of RMNP and saw elk (lots of elk), a coyote, a flock of turkeys and a chipmunk. Sadly, no moose or bears. We also went on two short hikes. The one around Bear Lake was incredibly beautiful (see photos).

One of the best things about this trip is meeting people of all walks of life and from so many different states. I've determined that most people don't live their entire lives in one town or even one state like we have. Our current neighbors are from Alabama and Texas and are now living in Boulder, CO. I met a lady in the laundrymat this morning from Seattle but originally from California. She had visited Savannah once and loved it (she didn't go in the summer!). We had neighbors Friday who were originally from the Chicago area now living in Littleton, CO. I can truly see the attraction Colorado has for people. What we have seen of it is really beautiful. The town of Fort Collins was neat, attractive, and seemed to be economically in good shape judging from the new developments we passed through on our way to RMNP. Once, we leave the Denver area tomorrow heading east, I don't expect to see much pretty scenery.

We should be home in 5-6 days unless we encounter a "must see" attraction. It's been a good trip so far.

Enjoy the photos.

Carolyn

Rocky Mountain High--Real High

Hi, everyone,

We celebrated our 43rd anniversary in Jackson Hole, then reluctantly left the Tetons traveling south, then west toward Laramie, WY. We experienced our first traffic problem along the desolete route from Rock Springs to Laramie. We sat, engine off, for about 1 1/2 hours not knowing until later that a tractor-trailer rig had wrecked and burned to the ground. It was a terrible sight. We said a little prayer, hoping the driver had survived.

We arrived in Laramie (one of the wild, old west towns) and found that it hadn't changed much from those cowboy days. Only now, it's returning college students (Colorado U.) that are "shootin' up the town." We ate at a hangout for college kids that was right next to the Union Pacific rail yard and watched one train after another come and go. It was fun. Laramie, however, had nothing else to offer, so we hit the road the next day.

We drove out of Wyoming intending to go on into Denver but stopped at a vistor's center first. After reading through a brochure on Rocky Mountain National Park, we opted to see one more park before heading home (this makes Nat'l Park #4; thank goodness for the Senior Pass we purchased for $10 at our first one). We entered the Park at Estes Park, CO. It's a nice town with lots of shops and restaurants. This morning (Sat.) we drove into RMNP and all the way to the top (12,000+ ft elevation). WOW! John Denver was not kidding about the Rocky Mountain High. We were a little winded after walking around a bit. It is spectacular! Sorry, it was a little hazy and the photos don't do justice to the magnificent views. The winding road had very few guard rails between us and valley floor below. We thought it funny that there were a few signs reminding us to "buckle up." We finally saw elk grazing in the lower elevations and the Aspens are beginning to turn. Beautiful day!

Enjoy the photos.

Carolyn

Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole

Hi, everyone,

Just when we thought we had left all the magnificent scenes behind, we saw the Tetons. Just a few miles outside the Yellowstone's south gate, we saw the first peaks with snow still visible near the tops. Unlike the mountains of NC or GA that you come upon gradually after riding through the foothills, there are no foothills of the Tetons. The mountains rise up sharply from the valley floor just west of the Snake River. The mountains are relatively young (6-8 million years old) and created by earthquakes that forced Jackson down (thus, Hole) and the mountains up. They are still moving skyward at the rate of 1 foot every 200 years.

We went out this morning looking for a suitable place for two out of shape 60 somethings to go hiking and found it at Jenny Lake. I've included some of the pics. There are many cyclists here because the valley is so flat and easily traversed on two wheels (for twenty somethings).

The town of Jackson has lots of shops, mostly fine western art and Patagonia outerwear, and at least 180 restaurants. The sidewalks are boardwalks like in the old western towns. There is no
Wal-Mart here (a retailer essential to RVers). It's a very expensive town; don't know how the locals afford it. I mean the blue collar hospitality industry workers.

Interesting thing happened. We had just parked our truck in town and started walking the boardwalk when we saw a shop with elk and moose antlers hanging outside. A man was standing outside working on one of the art pieces (made with elk and moose antlers). I remembered that old acquaintances of ours from Rincon had a son "out West" who did this for a living. I asked the man if he knew Kyle Anderson and the man said, "You're looking at him." How coincidental is that? He's been here for 15 years and makes a nice living creating the pieces (judging from the prices).

I've gone on too long today. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Carolyn