Howdy all you-all

Here we are in the mountains of Kentucky sending you greetings!!

We have been doing lots of wonderful things and I am a couple of installments behind. This is going to be a brain search for me to remember back to last week to chronicle our adventures. They say if you don't use it-you lose it. Wonder what the saying is if you haven't used it and you try?

We had a terrific time in Paducah, Kentucky. The best part for Jerry was getting the plumbing fixed. The rest of us enjoyed lounging at the pool.

After Jerry's chore was done, we went to the old down-town area. There is a flood wall that is amazing to see. The mural isn't finished yet, but it already goes for three city blocks. I tried to get a picture that would give an idea of how many frames of mural are there. The artist has one in production and can be watched...when he is at work. I guess you could watch him anytime if you knew where he was, we were too busy to track him down for that sort of nonsense. The mural has interpretations beneath each frame and it helps to understand the history of this area. The break in the wall is where the on-coming streets intersect. Cars can drive through to get to the waterfront just on the other side. In fact, on the other side is grassy areas and trees. It is used for outdoor concerts, has a boatramp, all that sort of thing.

On another day in another place we made friends with a family that gave us the inside skinny on the politics of Paducah. They told us there is talk of removing the wall as some think the river should be in view from the city. Discussion is happening to do that very thing, which we find amazing. I am sure the artists are as amazed as we are at such a thought. Not to mention the reason for the wall was flood control.

If you go to Paducah and it is summer-time, make sure you schedule yourself to be there on Saturday as they close the streets in the down-town core and have lots of musicians in different locations to keep you entertained. We sat on a bench when someone explained to us what was going on (it was around 5). We finally asked when the music would start and was told at 7. Hmmm... tired cranky children and still another hour til show time. We did the responsible thing and took our charges home for a good night's sleep. I tried to talk Jerry into going back but he didn't think it would be much fun by himself.

There is a lot to do that we didn't do. There is a wonderful quilt museum that I peeked into. It would be a wonderful place to visit...but not with a man and two children. We made plans that I could go on the next day and Jerry would stay with Rose and Chris and swim. BUT...the next morning while reading about the area we found something that we ALL would enjoy. We went to the Land Between the Lakes National Park. It was a beautiful day for a picnic.

A children's hummingbird activity was planned at the Nature Center, so that was our target (I include a picture of volunteer Rose dressed in the hummingbird costume for the children's activity). This Nature Center was remarkable. Inside, besides the classroom, there was a section that housed small critters. Lots of turtles, frogs and snakes. We had perfect timing as Sunday is snake feeding day and they allow the public to watch as the care-taker drops the cute fluffy little mice into the cage. Then the snake injects the mouse (think bite) and swallows the little guy whole. Pretty cool stuff. Personally I don't like mice and it seems like a slow way to get rid of them. Maybe if they fed the snakes more than one a week??

Outside is even better than inside. There is a natural trail that has exhibits more like a zoo would have. A lot of woodland creatures that I would imagine were injured and retrieved. We saw owls and a bald eagle. There were also wolves and deer and bobcats...other things that just aren't coming out of the depths of my memory. There were a lot and the trail was fun to walk. The meadow part was where they fed the hummingbirds and butterflies. Let me tell you that the hummingbirds were thick!! It looked like a swarm of very large bees. They were everywhere. The monarch butterflies use this center as a stopping place on their migration as well, but there weren't any there the day we stopped.

Leaving the nature center and going down the road several miles was a viewing area to see elk and bison. In Kentucky you get corrected if you call them buffalo. Same animal tho. We opted to pass since we had already traveled with a much larger herd while we were in South Dakota. Instead we went on several more miles to the Homestead.

The Homestead is a working 1850 farm. They do everything the same as would have been done way-back then. It impressed us how many buildings they needed in order to have a functioning farm. Every task seemed to need it's own residence. There were a couple of them that they don't use now, but still maintain: the smoke house and spring house. Everything else was being used. The house had an interesting construction. Each room was called a pen and stood seperately with a common roof over all. This made breeze-ways between each room. I would imagine it helped to keep the sleeping areas cool at night since nothing was connected to the cooking area.

A picture is included here of Jerry at the wood shop. The lathe is operated with a foot peddle. There is a rope that wraps around the work and a counter-weight that is almost the length of the building. Jerry spent some time talking with the woodsmith (surprise?), and this guy was nice enough to go chop down a tree to give Jerry a couple hunks of wood so he could turn them when we get home. There are the typical farm animals in abundance. We didn't allow enough time to really tour the farm well. The woman-in-charge. .was, and kicked us out at closing time (we had only been there an hour).

While driving through the forest there are lots of side roads. Each one has at least one cemetery sign. The story on this is one we heard in school, but now makes sense. One of the programs that was implemented to end the depression was the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). That was a huge water-control project that involved the government buying (willingly or not) land in the Tennessee Valley so a dam could be built and jobs generated. That was where we were. The agreement that was made included moving the cemeteries to higher ground and allowing access to them in perpetuity. As Paul Harvey would say: Now for the rest of the story. The government is now negotiating with developers to sell this same land. It is wonderful view property and in very high demand. Not a few families of those that were dislocated are miffed. They were forced to sell their land for a pittance and now developers will make a bundle. Carpet-bagging continues in the south. That is the story told to Jerry as he was doing what he does best.. talking with new friends.

More to come as we break camp and head to Northern Kentucky.

A bit of bathroom humor

Bet that subject piqued your interest...Here is the story (with pictures).

After we spent two nights in the so-called campground in Iowa (with WI-if), Jerry reserved us a spot in Missouri. I will have to admit the ad in the book made it sound like a utopia. The only honest part of the ad was that it did NOT have a connection. We managed to camp without one before so figured we could handle that again. Everything else sounded pretty good.. showers, restrooms, swimming and a small store. It was close to Jefferson City and lots to see. I included pictures of what the campground looked like. There is one of our cat and truck parked under the wonderful trees. The picture of the building with two doors being kept closed with the 2X4's is a picture of the showers/restrooms. On the last day, Jerry actually went in them--he had to. Somewhere along the trip, our toilet uhm..broke. So, we were very creative about that whole part of life. At least the shower in the cat worked and we could stay clean. The swimming area was a lot less than we were used to as well. The campground was a called a marina. I think they called it that because it was within a mile of a river. There was a stagnant slough to the side of where we parked (swimming area?). I warned Rose and Chris to NOT go down there...and of course at night we had the skeeters. That is what you call them in Missouri.

We did have some wonderful things in camp. We had fireflies. Not millions of them, but enough to know they are not a fantasy. There were also some very large old oak trees. I paced one and it was at least 20 feet around. Beautiful tree.

You would be amazed at the amount of forest here. It started in Iowa and went all the way through Missouri. We are still in it in Kentucky. When the road got to the top of a rise so we could look out, there was no end to the hills and all of them were covered with trees. It amazes me to think that someone actually tried to cross that mess without a map only using deer paths and Indian trails. We had the advantage of clearings now and again to see the forest, but the frontiersmen would only have one tree after another. The trees grow rather close together, so it is dark and formidable. Makes sense that the settlers traveled by river. Daniel Boone was truly trail-blazer.

Speaking of him, we went to his grave site. (There is a picture of Rose and Chris by a monument.) It was mostly his wife's family graveyard, but the monument did address the fact that he WAS buried there. Several years ago, Kentucky asked for his remains so they could duly honor him. There are two stories. One is that Missouri honored the request and exhumed his remains and gave them to them no problem. The other story (far more interesting) is that Missouri didn't want to give the bones to Kentucky so they dug up a slave and gave them those bones. Part of that story is if they did get the wrong bones it was an accident. Let's see--politics. Would they really make that mistake??? Or did they get caught?? Anyway, they are discussing digging up some more bones to satisfy Kentucky's request. Now the plot thickens because the property which is connected to the graveyard is for sale (graveyard is not state property) and the sellers don't want the mystery solved as the value of the property will go down if his bones leave the area. They have 30 acres they are asking 1.2 million for. If ol' Dan's bones leave they will only get market value.

While we were driving the scenic route, we were interrupted by a huge thunder/lightening storm. They experience some kind of rain!!! I guess it was close to an inch within just a few hours. They have moved whole towns up into the hills after they flood a couple of times.

A lot of the little towns could be fun, but they don't even use the old buildings. We were intrigued by them and you now have our pictures. The jail-house picture was one of those buildings. It was obviously the oldest building in town, but they were using it to store plastic barrels. When we stopped for the picture-taking, the locals thought we were up to no good. I expect they wanted to know what was so interesting about that old building. Poor Jerry, I made him get in there for his picture and he broke out in a sweat--there was a nest of hornets right behind him. Even our bug girl refused the second picture. Jerry was a trouper. For those that don't know Jerry is allergic to bee sting. We have to carry one of those bee-shot kits. Hmmm...maybe that made up for the campground choice?

When we traveled into Kentucky we had to cross the confluence of the Ohio and another big river. Both bridges went way up so the ships could go under They are the old steel girder type of bridge. I took a picture as we entered the second bridge which had one lane closed. Good idea as this was a very narrow bridge and it was a white-knuckle ride the way it was. Jerry was strangely quiet.

We will be in Kentucky for a bit longer than a week. On Monday we will head to the north-central area to try the National Forest. Rose and Chris have a half-brother living up that way that they want to visit. We are hoping he can camp with us a few days as well.

Stay cool if it is hot, get warm if you are cold. Just some practical advice from someone who has been to Missouri.

Still on the Road

We made it through Nebraska...alive. It was part of our adventure to see
the United States.

If given a choice between the NorthWest corner of the state and the
SouthEast...I would pick the northwest. Maybe it was driving I-80 for a few
hours that made it boring...miles and miles of corn. They still grow it
there, a lot.

Btw...my mom and sister sent me an email (which I just got) that I was
roaming around the town my dad was born up there in Nebraska. Didn't even
know it. I sent a picture of the Cow Poke hotel in my last posting...that
was it. Has the same 20 to 30 families living there now as when he was born
in a sod house.

While still camped in Nebraska's National Forest we were treated to a
tornado alert. A rather exciting afternoon with lots of lightening and big
drops of rain. Our camp was snuggled down in some hills, so I don't think
we were in eminent danger. Unfortunately...they had to close the swimming
pool on the only day we would have been able to swim. Only another
over-heated mother can understand the frustration of two small children. As
we were walking away from the entrance Rose asked if we couldn't please go
swimming in the river again. Mind you, the storm has already started. I
had walked them to the pool only to allow them to know for themselves it was
closed--after all, I didn't want to be the bad guy. Good plan, went bad as
I was the bad guy anyway when I told her we couldn't even swim in the river
during a lightening storm and tornado alert.

They got to do their second favorite activity--watch a movie. Same one they
watched 20 times. Before we left the next day, I let them back in the river
while Jerry did the dump thing. Pictures included.

It gets hot in Nebraska! Thanking God for an air conditioned pick-up. Rose
can now read the temperature and the travel direction from the rear-view
mirror...and does, moment-by-moment. We are giving her an education.

There were very few Kodak moments the next few days. Nebraska is one of
those states that you must make an effort to find something worth
appreciating. We finally got that on the last night...a brilliant sunset
and electrical storm show. The sunset was amazing. If we didn't know
better we would have thought we were in a prairie fire--it was amazing. It
had been a while since taking a picture, but I joined the other campers and
we were all snapping away. I have included the shot I took just outside our
door.

It is hard to tell if Nebraska is behind the times with technology or not.
The camp-hosts suggested that we go back up the highway to the big town
(York) and go to Wendy's as they are a hotspot. We did, and low-and-behold
there is a Starbucks right next door!! Shazamm!! This is a no-brainer.
Got Rose and Chris and frosty at Wendy's and went next door to the world
renown WI-if hotspot for a latte and some civilization.  That is what folks
from the northwest expect. Change that thought. Starbucks has decided that
folks in Nebraska aren't up to laptops at coffee shops yet. None of them
have service. Jerry was a trouper and drove everywhere I pointed to try and
plug into an unsecured network. The list of parking lots we visited for the
next hour or so is mind-boggling. There were networks, but none strong
enough to penetrate all those brick buildings. Folks, I was hanging out the
window trying to get on the Internet.

Some parts of this adventure are only funny when they are behind you.

It is soooo very nice to be connected. I was having withdrawal. I was
carrying this laptop everywhere we went hoping to find a connection. The
next day Jerry went golfing and was telling the owner about my difficulty.
The golf-guy told Jerry that the local crowd all huddled around those tall
grain elevators next to the railroad tracks. You probably remember seeing
them, every little town has one. He said that you can connect in the shadow
of the tower.

"Alrighty", I said. "This is Nebraska. It is weird. I am desperate." I
put Rose and Chris to bed, Jerry was watching the one channel on TV. Into
the pick-up I jump with the laptop in tow heading to the nearest tall
landmark...six miles away. I was thinking the whole way how incredibly
strange this felt. How totally impossible that they would have a router on
the top of those things. Sure enough, when I set up the computer there was
a connection! It was the strongest one I had found so far...so quickly, I
connected hoping that I would get the meager band-width before the crowd
started forming around the railroad tracks. I managed to send most of my
back-log and received six emails apiece for Jerry and I before the
connection just disappeared. You must understand this whole process wasn't
at lightening speed. I had already been there almost an hour to do the
little that I got done. I decided that if I really needed to connect again,
there were elevators at every poh-dunk crossing and could use them at will.
Of course, I never did again. Still am amazed that is the only way to
connect in Nebraska. There were a couple more cars pulling into the area
when I left. HA! I win!

We are now in Iowa. Getting here was an experience in itself. When we got
to the border (which is the Missouri River) there was a very old steel
bridge. It was about a lane and half wide. Two cars could probably pass on
it, but a camper must go it alone. Unfortunately, when it was our turn
there was a tanker-truck half-way across coming toward us. Jerry stopped to
wait for him to finish. He stopped and started to back-up. He finally
relalized that we were waiting and continued crossing. We were laughing so
hard at how Nebraska needs visitors so bad they charge them to leave!!!
This was a toll-bridge. I am sure it has been paid for many times over as
it looked like it was built in the 20's or 30's. Trust me, the toll-booth
and fee-taker were originals as well.

We will be in Iowa until tomorrow, then it is off to Missouri. I suspect
there will be more moments for pictures there. Our wonderful neighbor,
Monya gave us the Reader's Digest Scenic drive book and we found a drive
that is close to where we were going. Now, it is where we are going.
Looking forward to something a little less high-way and a bit more relaxing
and historic. While searching for campsites we found that the national
parks in Missouri are called Mark Twain National Park...all of them. There
are many in various locations. So if someone ever says that is where they
are--you will have no idea where that is.

You can tell I have been away from civilization for a while, as this is
quite long. I feel no guilt as you can delete at any time and I won't know
the difference.

Hugs from all of us to all of you.

Entering Nebraska

Hey Everyone!!!

This is Susan again from Nebraska this time.

We sure didn't know what to expect when we made reservations at the National

Forest in Nebraska. In our mind, Nebraska was long miles of corn fields.

We have yet to see any corn yet.

The trail here went the through the area in South Dakota that was dealing

with a forest fire that was destroying homes and had killed one person. We

did see the pillars of mad smoke, but it was quite a ways from the highway

we were traveling.

Leaving the Black Hills was a bit sad since we had enjoyed ourselves so much

there. Our last day was spent cleaning with a couple hour break for a bike

ride on the rails-to-trails path. What a enjoyable experience that was!

Rose is able to ride without training wheels and Chris has one of those

wheel things that attaches to my bike. We were able to ride 3 or 4 miles.

In that period we saw a beaver cross the path in front of us and raced a

deer.

The Nebraska landscape was a bit barren after such lushness in South Dakota,

but after a few miles we started to see the natural beauty. The area we are

camping in is an oasis in the prairie. Someone said this man-made forest is

three miles across, not sure how long...but it is a ways. Jerry is going to

hike to the look-out tower today while the rest swims. This is the only

National Forest that boasts a swimming pool. When the forest was built by

CCC in the 30's, they included a swimming pool with all the other buildings.

The pool is used by local residents as well as visitors to the forest.

There is a minimal charge ($1.00) and the pool is only open certain hours..

but believe me having that water available in the heat (and humidity) is a

blessing. Unfortunately the pool is closed on Wednesdays so poor children

had to wait one more day to hit the water.

Since swimming was out yesterday, and we were needing some supplies, we

back-tracked to the nearest town (Thedford, population: 450). It is the

county seat so it has a lot going on with the fairgrounds, courthouse, etc.

It also has a grocery store (think what might be in Falls City). Not only

that there is a museum (which will open if you give them a call) and an art

gallery. Not to mention the local hotel--the sign was so interesting we

couldn't resist a few pictures. All you cowboys are probably green with

envy about now.

When we were returning to camp we notice a dirt road that was the back road

to the forest and decided to take it. It wasn't long before we saw the sign

that said only 4-wheel drive vehicles allowed. Couldn't figure out why for

the first 20 miles, then we hit the wash-outs. It sure was fun to drive

it!!! Told Jerry that I like off-roading. Really kicked up the dirt (not).

Jerry is pretty protective of his truck and actually told me to slow down.

Oh well, I pretended. We were a bit used to grassland scenery, but this was

so much better!!! There were so many flowers blooming and everything seems

to be well-watered. I included some pictures from our back-road experience.

A mini-adventure occurred when an unknown visitor flew through Chris's

window and landed below him. I included the best picture we got of this

little fellow. Chris shrieked and Rose said that a tiny owl was on the

floor. We have no idea what this bug is, but it was strikingly beautiful.

The picture needed to be better to appreciate all the colors he has. He was

probably 2 to 3 inches long. There were hundreds of them flying with us the

whole time we were in the grassland area. When we get Internet access again

we are going to find out what it is. Jerry was the brave one to remove him,

Chris didn't want anything to do with it. Rose is our bug girl. She wanted

to keep him for her collection. You can rest easy knowing he was returned

to live free--will maybe. There was a very pretty bird eyeing him when we

left.

About 10 miles from camp the forest began. It is hard to imagine how much

work was done to plant this area. My understanding is there were two

forests planted. This is the smaller one and it is incredible. One area

was posted that it was planted by school children in 1960ish. Those

children are probably now bringing their grandchildren to see the trees they

planted. It is mostly various species of pine, but there are elm and

cottonwood as well as spruce and cedar. The smell is amazing!!! Even Rose

and Chris have noticed.

Rose and Chris are delighted with this place. The loop we are camped around

is about 20 acres...with nothing but trees a knolls in the center. We all

have hiked through this mini-forest and deemed it "good". Rose and Chris

are allowed to wander this area at will. Their only rule is they cannot

cross any road. There are so many paths to entertain their imaginative

play! We are still heavy into the cowboy/Indian stuff. I asked them

yesterday if they were hiking through there like Indians, Rose said, "No, we

are noisy white men."

The pictures this time are sent smaller...should be quicker to open as well

as download. I had several people mention they had some trouble. This is

the smallest size I have available-hope it works for you.

We are on a grand adventure and do think of our friends that we have left

behind, often.

Best wishes to all of you--til next time--where ever that is.

Today's Journey

Of course, it was bound to happen that one day I would forget the camera..

today was that day.

 

SO

 

I will now describe to you the pictures that didn't get taken.

 

We wanted to be sure and take a picture of the Calvary Chapel we visited in

Rapid City, so that is the first picture we didn't take.

 

After church, we missed taking the funniest one of the day.  It is Chris

cowering behind my legs as we watch an animated T-Rex growl and steam at us.

We are in Wall, South Dakota.  For any of you that haven't heard of Wall

Drug, I will tell you a bit of the story.  (I got this from the menu.)  A

young pharmacist decided to run his own pharmacy in a small town.  He found

one for sale in Wall and decided to use his inheritance from his father to

purchase it.  Let me tell you he was a visionary if he thought there were

enough people to keep him busy out there.  Anyway, he told his wife that if

he was unable to provide a living within a year they would move on.

Sometime during that year she came up with this idea to offer free ice water

to travelers on the highway.  This was in the 30's and people were traveling

in them old model T's or whatever else.  He thought that was an excellent

idea and with the help of a high school student made some signs and posted

them on the side of the highway...like the Burma shave signs.  The idea

worked wonderfully well and the people came to the drug store.  Of course,

when they got there they bought stuff.  Within a year they had eight

employees.  Now the store is a full city block and the only reason the town

still exists.  Should you ever go there I would recommend you eat at any

other restaurant in town.  The food at Wall Drug is not good and very

expensive as well.

 

The next picture that we didn't take was of Rose and Chris sitting in a

covered wagon (again at Wall Drug) pretending to go across the prairie.

There is a courtyard of fun activities for children to do which makes it a

nice break from driving through the center of South Dakota.  We didn't take

a lot of other pictures of them playing...which I won't bore you with.

 

When we were shopped out (only took some of us a few minutes), we headed

south into the Badlands.  They start less than ten miles from Wall.  The

advice we had was to go to the Badlands either at sunset or dawn to have the

best show of colors.  We have two reasons why we didn't want to do it at

that time of day: 1) Rose 2) Chris. So we went in the middle of the

afternoon.  The next non-picture is incredible.  You must understand just

how rich and lush the Black HIlls are to really appreciate the rare

starkness of the Badlands.  It is as if all the good is sucked out of one

area (Badlands) and dumped into another (Black Hills).  The scenery in the

Badlands is surreal.  We were amazed by it.  At the pull-outs we joined many

other tourists in quiet amazement.  The picture not showing here is of us

high above a plateau of folding hill sides separated by huge cracks and

canyons--with no vegetation to be seen.

 

The last shot is of a place called  Pig Dig.  You will especially like not

seeing the one with Chris quizzing the archeologist about how she came to be

in a hole to dig in the dirt.  It was more like an interrogation.  Of course

you can't see Rose in the background going through their trash can looking

for???? Who knows what.  Those two little girls you can't see are her new

friends, neither of which can speak English.  Rose believes she was speaking

Spanish with them, but I am not so sure as there seem to be many Ukrainian

people here.

 

There were many many pull-outs that we refused to leave the car to enjoy the

view.  Maybe it was just today, or maybe they are always there...but, there

are some nasty little flies in the Badlands.  They refuse to be brushed away

and will only leave you alone if you swat them.  Not only that they are

quick--and bite.  I mean BITE HARD!!!  We are all full of welts from them.

Either they prefer ankles or white colors as they went for our feet.

 

I truly do feel bad spamming everyone.  It must feel like you are watching

someone's home movie.  Remember I will never know if you just delete these

missives.  So don't feel guilty at all if that is what you do.

 

Probably no pictures tomorrow either.  Not because I am planning to forget

the camera, but because we are going to be cleaning and only have a bike

ride planned.

 

Enjoy your sunshine!