Ahhh, the Amish!
Bugies of all sizes configurations and prices, horses of all sizes and genders, and beautiful rolling farmland; yes we are in Amish country in central Ohio. Here I thought the Amish hung out in Pennsylvania. Suzy went to a gazillion quilt shops and I rode the bike and got lost a gazillion times. Thank goodness the Amish are great at directions. They kept telling me I looked like Lance. Don’t think they watch TV or read newspapers either…….
What’s going on, some of the Amish are riding in cars? I need to know what are the rules are. Seems like there are the black belt Amish that use steam to run their furniture equipment and only ride in buggys and farm with machines pulled by horses, then there are the brown belts who can ride in a car run furniture machines with electricity and trim their beards, then the tan belts who can …….oh what the heck, I have no idea. And I am not going to ask them.
Every one seems to have a pristine farm and furniture shop. All different crops being rotated make for beautiful fields. Wheat, corn, beans, barley, hay and the like.
Played tag on my bike ride with two cute Amish girls in buggy. They ate me alive going uphill and I passed them going downhill. This went on for quite a while until I out lasted them. Hey that Amish woman is wearing a bonnet instead of a bike helmet.
Beards and hats and suspenders for the old men, young men and young boys, sans the beards. Bonnets and dresses for the girls and women. So clean and crisp. Plus all the clothes lines are full of the same, sans the beards. Saw an Amish man hanging out the wash. Nice!
Amish grocery stores are fun. All kinds of new brands and things. Suzy making friends with all the little Amish kids. This is great country.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Presidential Libraries and Museums
Presidential Libraries
Started our quest to visit most of the twelve presidential libraries in the next year.
Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas visited on July 16, 2009 and Truman Library in Independence, MO was visited on the next day.
Eisenhower Library
What would Abilene be like without Ike? Greyhound Hall of Fame might not be the draw that the Eisenhower Library and Museum are today.
First of Many visits to the Libraries, however, the libraries are usually just for research and not open to the public, however they usually have museums and other structures related to the president they are honoring. For instance, Ike’s library is on the grounds of his childhood home and Museum. Truman’s library is on the same grounds as the museum but his house is a mile away.
Tom and Ike have a few things in common:
Ike was at Ft Lewis
Ike married while a second lieutenant
Ike liked fly fishing
Both chose really smart women to marry
Amazing isn’t it?
Ike was wooed by both Democrats and Republicans, appears to be only wrong choice he ever made.
Eisenhower in German means Man of Iron or works with Iron.
My big chair would not fit in the Eisenhower’s living room in their home in Abilene.
Ike signed the legislation that made the Federal Government the caretakers at the presidential libraries. The facilities are paid for by private donations but the government runs the libraries.
Tom’s first recollection of the presidency was a bet he made with Inez Carpenter when he was six years old (one dollar) that Adali Stevenson would beat Ike in the 1952 election. Tom lost the bet but Inez wouldn’t take his money. Tom never bet against Ike again.
As the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces for D Day Ike did the impossible. Was there ever a command position with so much resting on it or with so many challenges? Can you imagine what went through his mind prior to the invasion? I think this moment in history ranks at the top of the important points in the last 100 years. Thank God we had the right guy in the right job at the right time.
Harry Truman Library
Truman was the opposite of Eisenhower. Ike was not a politician. Truman was the consummate politician. It was through a local businessman that Truman owed his political roots all the way to the senate. He was selected as VP for FDR without much experience, but amazingly he found himself in the presidency and became an amazingly effective leader especially at the beginning as World War II was coming to an end. I found it amazing that these two men that grew up less then 200 miles apart were such enemies. After Eisenhower took over the presidency from Truman he never invited Truman to the White House in the eight years IKE served.
Truman was the original champion of national health insurance. He failed to get the legislation approved during his tenure, but when LBJ got Medicare through congress he went to Independence to sign the bill in the presence of Harry Truman.
I would think that Truman’s “D-Day” was the decision he had to make shortly into his presidency of whether to drop the A Bomb on Japan. It was interesting to read the comments people were leaving at the exhibit on whether Truman should have dropped the bomb. I would have thought this many years after the fact that people would be a bit more introspective about this moment in history, but most of the comments didn’t really reflect much thought about the impact of the bombs on our world 60 years later.
Started our quest to visit most of the twelve presidential libraries in the next year.
Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas visited on July 16, 2009 and Truman Library in Independence, MO was visited on the next day.
Eisenhower Library
What would Abilene be like without Ike? Greyhound Hall of Fame might not be the draw that the Eisenhower Library and Museum are today.
First of Many visits to the Libraries, however, the libraries are usually just for research and not open to the public, however they usually have museums and other structures related to the president they are honoring. For instance, Ike’s library is on the grounds of his childhood home and Museum. Truman’s library is on the same grounds as the museum but his house is a mile away.
Tom and Ike have a few things in common:
Ike was at Ft Lewis
Ike married while a second lieutenant
Ike liked fly fishing
Both chose really smart women to marry
Amazing isn’t it?
Ike was wooed by both Democrats and Republicans, appears to be only wrong choice he ever made.
Eisenhower in German means Man of Iron or works with Iron.
My big chair would not fit in the Eisenhower’s living room in their home in Abilene.
Ike signed the legislation that made the Federal Government the caretakers at the presidential libraries. The facilities are paid for by private donations but the government runs the libraries.
Tom’s first recollection of the presidency was a bet he made with Inez Carpenter when he was six years old (one dollar) that Adali Stevenson would beat Ike in the 1952 election. Tom lost the bet but Inez wouldn’t take his money. Tom never bet against Ike again.
As the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces for D Day Ike did the impossible. Was there ever a command position with so much resting on it or with so many challenges? Can you imagine what went through his mind prior to the invasion? I think this moment in history ranks at the top of the important points in the last 100 years. Thank God we had the right guy in the right job at the right time.
Harry Truman Library
Truman was the opposite of Eisenhower. Ike was not a politician. Truman was the consummate politician. It was through a local businessman that Truman owed his political roots all the way to the senate. He was selected as VP for FDR without much experience, but amazingly he found himself in the presidency and became an amazingly effective leader especially at the beginning as World War II was coming to an end. I found it amazing that these two men that grew up less then 200 miles apart were such enemies. After Eisenhower took over the presidency from Truman he never invited Truman to the White House in the eight years IKE served.
Truman was the original champion of national health insurance. He failed to get the legislation approved during his tenure, but when LBJ got Medicare through congress he went to Independence to sign the bill in the presence of Harry Truman.
I would think that Truman’s “D-Day” was the decision he had to make shortly into his presidency of whether to drop the A Bomb on Japan. It was interesting to read the comments people were leaving at the exhibit on whether Truman should have dropped the bomb. I would have thought this many years after the fact that people would be a bit more introspective about this moment in history, but most of the comments didn’t really reflect much thought about the impact of the bombs on our world 60 years later.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Jacked Up!
Murphy’s Law also applies to RV’s
There are two legs on the front of 5th wheels that raise them up off the truck bed and then lower them to level position. Raising 6,000s pounds requires they have reduction gears and screw apparatus that make the movement slow but powerful.
Legs are essential to unwed the truck and 5th wheel as together they are long and bulky
Going for coffee in typical Starbucks parking spot won’t work married to 5th wheel.
Last Wednesday as Suzy was lowering the legs they froze up and parts started leaking out of the machinery. Shafts broke, gearboxes shattered and things stopped fast.
So we began a long stretch of having the truck married to home. Judy bailed us out with her car so we were able to buy a couple of 12 ton jacks for lifting it off the truck until we could get legs fixed.
Ordered the parts and believe it or not the factory that makes legs and parts is in Dayton, OH just 60 miles north of Cincy so when all the parts we needed didn’t show up in first shipment we were able to get rest of the parts in a couple days. It was a bit harder to get a mobile RV repairman out to help. He was on vacation and then he was busy, and then it was raining, and then Tom got tired of it all and decided to do it himself.
So disassembled it all and put on new reduction gear, motor and new gears and power take offs on the right leg. Got it all rebuilt and pushed the switch to lower, nothing, pushed the switch to raise, same. So deduced it must be the other leg. And sure enough, the other leg was frozen solid. Turns out, that is what destroyed the motor, gearbox and shaft on the other side. So instead of waiting for the part, we drove up to Dayton and the factory and bought a new leg from the manufacturer. They weren’t used to seeing people show up at factory for parts but were glad to help out. Threw leg in truck and continued on to Berlin, OH home of large Amish community. Had the new leg attached and working in less then an hour and we are 100% on two legs again.
As I have found in life so many times, if you want something done, often it is much faster to learn how to do it and then do it yourself rather then waiting on the rest of the world to get on your schedule. Besides now I am a certified jack over-hauler and installer. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Murphy’s Law also applies to RV’s
There are two legs on the front of 5th wheels that raise them up off the truck bed and then lower them to level position. Raising 6,000s pounds requires they have reduction gears and screw apparatus that make the movement slow but powerful.
Legs are essential to unwed the truck and 5th wheel as together they are long and bulky
Going for coffee in typical Starbucks parking spot won’t work married to 5th wheel.
Last Wednesday as Suzy was lowering the legs they froze up and parts started leaking out of the machinery. Shafts broke, gearboxes shattered and things stopped fast.
So we began a long stretch of having the truck married to home. Judy bailed us out with her car so we were able to buy a couple of 12 ton jacks for lifting it off the truck until we could get legs fixed.
Ordered the parts and believe it or not the factory that makes legs and parts is in Dayton, OH just 60 miles north of Cincy so when all the parts we needed didn’t show up in first shipment we were able to get rest of the parts in a couple days. It was a bit harder to get a mobile RV repairman out to help. He was on vacation and then he was busy, and then it was raining, and then Tom got tired of it all and decided to do it himself.
So disassembled it all and put on new reduction gear, motor and new gears and power take offs on the right leg. Got it all rebuilt and pushed the switch to lower, nothing, pushed the switch to raise, same. So deduced it must be the other leg. And sure enough, the other leg was frozen solid. Turns out, that is what destroyed the motor, gearbox and shaft on the other side. So instead of waiting for the part, we drove up to Dayton and the factory and bought a new leg from the manufacturer. They weren’t used to seeing people show up at factory for parts but were glad to help out. Threw leg in truck and continued on to Berlin, OH home of large Amish community. Had the new leg attached and working in less then an hour and we are 100% on two legs again.
As I have found in life so many times, if you want something done, often it is much faster to learn how to do it and then do it yourself rather then waiting on the rest of the world to get on your schedule. Besides now I am a certified jack over-hauler and installer. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
RV Park Nirvana
RV Park Nirvana
After the first four weeks of staying in RV parks on the road, we have learned there is a huge difference in these temporary parking lots. We just stayed in a beautiful site in Golden, CO where our rig was backed up to Clear Creek which was full of river kayakers and inner tube floaters. We were in a grove of aspens with a short walk to the Farmers Market, the community center (for exercise) and downtown Golden. We are currently backed up to a quiet small lake in western Ohio, however they are not all like this.
Some are Noisy, Smelly, Crowded, (however we have overhead a doozy of a fight by being too close). And the nice thing is the next day you can leave it all behind; try that with your annoying neighbor.
Sometimes we park on gravel, occasionally cement, and once in the mud.
Some have no facilities while others have luxurious facilities like swimming pools, hot tubs, fishing ponds, libraries, evening fogging for bugs, and park like settings.
The cost of these parks vary but the daily rates have ranged from $25 per night to $49. They are cheaper if you stay a week and really cheap if you stay an entire month (averages $15 a day when you stay a month). Our average is a little over $30 a night so far. We have yet to pull into a Wall Mart parking lot or casino lot for a free night without facilities.
Tom’s top ten list for good RV site
Short walk or bike ride to Starbucks
Hot Tub
Shade and Trees
Water Nearby
Running and Biking Trails nearby
Fly fishing potential in neighborhood
Level Site
Water, electrical and sewage close enough so no field expedients necessary to make connections.
Laundromat with dryers that work (not the kind that take 10 quarters to tumble your wet clothes)
Store nearby for emergency provisions (O’Doule’s, Diet Coke, fudgesicles, etc.)
Suzy’s Top Ten List for Good RV site
Lots of talkative neighbors
Clean Laundromat
Close to Quilt Stores
Close to a Target
Dog walking area nearby
Quiet time starting at 9 PM
Bookstores within a few blocks.
No bugs!
No Bugs!
Did I say absolutely NO BUGS!
Namaste
After the first four weeks of staying in RV parks on the road, we have learned there is a huge difference in these temporary parking lots. We just stayed in a beautiful site in Golden, CO where our rig was backed up to Clear Creek which was full of river kayakers and inner tube floaters. We were in a grove of aspens with a short walk to the Farmers Market, the community center (for exercise) and downtown Golden. We are currently backed up to a quiet small lake in western Ohio, however they are not all like this.
Some are Noisy, Smelly, Crowded, (however we have overhead a doozy of a fight by being too close). And the nice thing is the next day you can leave it all behind; try that with your annoying neighbor.
Sometimes we park on gravel, occasionally cement, and once in the mud.
Some have no facilities while others have luxurious facilities like swimming pools, hot tubs, fishing ponds, libraries, evening fogging for bugs, and park like settings.
The cost of these parks vary but the daily rates have ranged from $25 per night to $49. They are cheaper if you stay a week and really cheap if you stay an entire month (averages $15 a day when you stay a month). Our average is a little over $30 a night so far. We have yet to pull into a Wall Mart parking lot or casino lot for a free night without facilities.
Tom’s top ten list for good RV site
Short walk or bike ride to Starbucks
Hot Tub
Shade and Trees
Water Nearby
Running and Biking Trails nearby
Fly fishing potential in neighborhood
Level Site
Water, electrical and sewage close enough so no field expedients necessary to make connections.
Laundromat with dryers that work (not the kind that take 10 quarters to tumble your wet clothes)
Store nearby for emergency provisions (O’Doule’s, Diet Coke, fudgesicles, etc.)
Suzy’s Top Ten List for Good RV site
Lots of talkative neighbors
Clean Laundromat
Close to Quilt Stores
Close to a Target
Dog walking area nearby
Quiet time starting at 9 PM
Bookstores within a few blocks.
No bugs!
No Bugs!
Did I say absolutely NO BUGS!
Namaste
Friday, July 24, 2009
Jet’s Lessons Learned (2) on the Road Less Traveled
What’s up Dog?
Beware of mountain ice cold creek water. It may be good for making Coors Beer but it takes my breath away. Other dogs don’t seem to mind, and my testicles are long gone, but still it’s awfully cold. My scrotum disappears, no kidding! Talk about shrinkage!
It is very annoying to have Tom paste the EXIT stickers from the RV on my butt. Yes we all know where the poop comes from, Grow Up Tom!
Rabbit chasing is just as good as ground squirrel chasing. Rabbits do tend to bait me a bit by standing real still so they don’t think I will see them. Oh well, if its fun for them I will play along.
Dog areas at rest stops are way nicer then the people’s areas. I get to spread out and roam and pee and roam and pee and take a dump and roam and pee. Every time they threaten to put me back in the truck, all I have to do is lift a leg. They are SO trained!
The satellite dish is really scary. When Tom brings it in to lay on the bed for traveling I just got to get out of the area. Look out every one, I don’t care about anything other then vacating the satellite area. No gamma rays for me. Large suitcases seem to have the same impact on me but I have never heard of gamma rays coming from a suitcase.
Me visiting people that have dogs is not as easy as it sounds. The Caldwell’s have a Boston Terrier, Baxter. Nice little guy with lots of energy and great disposition with people. He is my cousin so you would think that we would hit it off well. Not quite! Baxter turns out to be a bit territorial about his house and doesn’t like me being inside it. This was easy to deduce as I found him hanging from my neck by his teeth when I was half way through the front door. Good thing he has small teeth and I have a thick neck. I told him that I “got it” and would not pose a threat. That should have been enough, but apparently Boston Terriers don’t understand Labrodorish, as he continues to show me those little teeth from time to time. It’s really not a problem and I enjoy watching all the adults go crazy every time it happens. It’s as if they think he really poses a threat to my well being. Maybe they are worried I will attack. Really no future in that.
I think I have adjusted to life on the road quite well. Took me a bit longer then Tom and Suzy but it wasn’t a race. Looking forward to seeing all the good pee stops in PA and NY and Canada where I hear the dogs are all named “King”!
What’s up Dog?
Beware of mountain ice cold creek water. It may be good for making Coors Beer but it takes my breath away. Other dogs don’t seem to mind, and my testicles are long gone, but still it’s awfully cold. My scrotum disappears, no kidding! Talk about shrinkage!
It is very annoying to have Tom paste the EXIT stickers from the RV on my butt. Yes we all know where the poop comes from, Grow Up Tom!
Rabbit chasing is just as good as ground squirrel chasing. Rabbits do tend to bait me a bit by standing real still so they don’t think I will see them. Oh well, if its fun for them I will play along.
Dog areas at rest stops are way nicer then the people’s areas. I get to spread out and roam and pee and roam and pee and take a dump and roam and pee. Every time they threaten to put me back in the truck, all I have to do is lift a leg. They are SO trained!
The satellite dish is really scary. When Tom brings it in to lay on the bed for traveling I just got to get out of the area. Look out every one, I don’t care about anything other then vacating the satellite area. No gamma rays for me. Large suitcases seem to have the same impact on me but I have never heard of gamma rays coming from a suitcase.
Me visiting people that have dogs is not as easy as it sounds. The Caldwell’s have a Boston Terrier, Baxter. Nice little guy with lots of energy and great disposition with people. He is my cousin so you would think that we would hit it off well. Not quite! Baxter turns out to be a bit territorial about his house and doesn’t like me being inside it. This was easy to deduce as I found him hanging from my neck by his teeth when I was half way through the front door. Good thing he has small teeth and I have a thick neck. I told him that I “got it” and would not pose a threat. That should have been enough, but apparently Boston Terriers don’t understand Labrodorish, as he continues to show me those little teeth from time to time. It’s really not a problem and I enjoy watching all the adults go crazy every time it happens. It’s as if they think he really poses a threat to my well being. Maybe they are worried I will attack. Really no future in that.
I think I have adjusted to life on the road quite well. Took me a bit longer then Tom and Suzy but it wasn’t a race. Looking forward to seeing all the good pee stops in PA and NY and Canada where I hear the dogs are all named “King”!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cincinnati
Joining you this morning from Cincinnati, Ohio on the banks of the Ohio, actually we are on a little lake just off the Ohio River which is the border between Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana (free geography lesson). We arrived here last Saturday and have been enjoying visiting my sister Judy and Esly, and Es, Rob and Tina. The food has been wonderful, somehow house food is a bit more elaborate then fifth wheel food. It has been an unusually mild July here in Cincinnati so we have missed the normal heat and humidity this time of year.
Suzy and Judy are off to the Quilt shops this morning so I am left to my own devices. That sounds ominous doesn’t it?
We have had our first mechanical problem with the fifth wheel (FW). The mechanism that jacks up the front of the FW broke loose from its stanchion (leg) and in doing so broke a few other parts. Fortunately the FW was on the truck when this happened so we were able to get to a park and get situated. We have ordered the parts, and the last ones will be here soon, and Saturday a mobile repairman will install. It couldn’t have happened at a better time, with us intending to stay here for a while anyway. Guess I knew what I was doing buying the extended warranty protection.
We will head out to the NE Sunday or Monday toward Columbus, Cleveland and Lake Erie as we make our way toward PA, NY, and Canada.
Will have another blog on the Presidential Libraries we visited on the way here. They were very interesting and can’t wait to visit more. Cheers
Joining you this morning from Cincinnati, Ohio on the banks of the Ohio, actually we are on a little lake just off the Ohio River which is the border between Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana (free geography lesson). We arrived here last Saturday and have been enjoying visiting my sister Judy and Esly, and Es, Rob and Tina. The food has been wonderful, somehow house food is a bit more elaborate then fifth wheel food. It has been an unusually mild July here in Cincinnati so we have missed the normal heat and humidity this time of year.
Suzy and Judy are off to the Quilt shops this morning so I am left to my own devices. That sounds ominous doesn’t it?
We have had our first mechanical problem with the fifth wheel (FW). The mechanism that jacks up the front of the FW broke loose from its stanchion (leg) and in doing so broke a few other parts. Fortunately the FW was on the truck when this happened so we were able to get to a park and get situated. We have ordered the parts, and the last ones will be here soon, and Saturday a mobile repairman will install. It couldn’t have happened at a better time, with us intending to stay here for a while anyway. Guess I knew what I was doing buying the extended warranty protection.
We will head out to the NE Sunday or Monday toward Columbus, Cleveland and Lake Erie as we make our way toward PA, NY, and Canada.
Will have another blog on the Presidential Libraries we visited on the way here. They were very interesting and can’t wait to visit more. Cheers
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Compromises
I know its been ten days since the last blogswero. Been busy acting like a tourist. You know, the unwashed masses. Anyway, I am back and will try to be a bit more consistent.
This full time RVing is all about compromises. Now after 40 years of marriage you would think that there wouldn’t be much left to compromise on. Contraire!
Here are just a few of the choices that needed adjudication from the battlefield.
Rocky Mountain Sewing Expo…..or
Braves vs. the Rockies Baseball Game
I skipped the sewing expo but we both caught the ball game
Shorter hikes under 5,000 feet elevation
Longer bike rides over 5,000 feet
We part company on the longer bike rides.
Turning Furnace on in the morning
Keeping refrigerator stocked with O’Doules and Suzy’s favorite white wine
We do both for each other.
Limits on the number of bookstores and quilt stores in one day
Limits on the number of physical activities in one day
What would life be without limits? (more exhausting)
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum or……..
American Alpine Climbing Museum
We ended up not doing either, lack of time I guess.
Fly fishing Stops
Quilt Store Stops
We are doing these separate and enjoying the time away.
Taking Jet out for a pee at zero dark thirty AM
We take turns……Jet doesn’t care who takes him, just be quick about it.
Whose turn is it for the Kindle?
We are learning to share, Suzy while we are driving, Tom in the evening.
We have learned so much through the compromises. We learned new things about each other, that life is not 50/50, that losing is like winning and vice versa, and it is all good.
This full time RVing is all about compromises. Now after 40 years of marriage you would think that there wouldn’t be much left to compromise on. Contraire!
Here are just a few of the choices that needed adjudication from the battlefield.
Rocky Mountain Sewing Expo…..or
Braves vs. the Rockies Baseball Game
I skipped the sewing expo but we both caught the ball game
Shorter hikes under 5,000 feet elevation
Longer bike rides over 5,000 feet
We part company on the longer bike rides.
Turning Furnace on in the morning
Keeping refrigerator stocked with O’Doules and Suzy’s favorite white wine
We do both for each other.
Limits on the number of bookstores and quilt stores in one day
Limits on the number of physical activities in one day
What would life be without limits? (more exhausting)
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum or……..
American Alpine Climbing Museum
We ended up not doing either, lack of time I guess.
Fly fishing Stops
Quilt Store Stops
We are doing these separate and enjoying the time away.
Taking Jet out for a pee at zero dark thirty AM
We take turns……Jet doesn’t care who takes him, just be quick about it.
Whose turn is it for the Kindle?
We are learning to share, Suzy while we are driving, Tom in the evening.
We have learned so much through the compromises. We learned new things about each other, that life is not 50/50, that losing is like winning and vice versa, and it is all good.
Monday, July 6, 2009
999 Places To See Before You Die
You all must have seen the book “1,000 Places to see before you Die (U.S. and Canada Edition). On page 672 it lists Saratoga, Wyoming for its infamous Hot Springs. I suggest they change the title of the book to “999 Places to see before you die” and eliminate Saratoga. The Hot, Hot, Hot, OMG Too, Too Hot Springs were scalding. Yes, medium rare were my feet after only a few seconds. If the author doesn’t want to take Saratoga out of the book I suggest she makes Saratoga the last of her 1,000 places she sees and then dies by immersion in the mineral springs.
Suzy drove the 20,000 pound rig yesterday across Wyoming, and other then being a little tense (couldn’t pound a pin up her butt with a sledge hammer) she did just fine. She wasn’t volunteering to take the wheel in the Denver traffic today though.
Antelope: Wyoming’s answer to mosquitos, with horns. Mosqalope anyone? They are everywhere. Except didn’t see any at the hot springs.
Great to be back to “Civilization”! New rule, civilization means internet and television with local channels. Trying to get Suzy to head off to the Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow but she may have gotten too much of civilization today in Golden, CO. Costco and Great Harvest will do that to you.
Suzy drove the 20,000 pound rig yesterday across Wyoming, and other then being a little tense (couldn’t pound a pin up her butt with a sledge hammer) she did just fine. She wasn’t volunteering to take the wheel in the Denver traffic today though.
Antelope: Wyoming’s answer to mosquitos, with horns. Mosqalope anyone? They are everywhere. Except didn’t see any at the hot springs.
Great to be back to “Civilization”! New rule, civilization means internet and television with local channels. Trying to get Suzy to head off to the Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow but she may have gotten too much of civilization today in Golden, CO. Costco and Great Harvest will do that to you.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Nature Naturally
So far in less then two weeks we have seen mammals including Bison, Black Bear, Antelope, Elk in velvet, Badger, Deer, and Ground Squirrels.
Our foul or fowl sightings have included Whooping Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, Canadian Geese, Osprey, Eagle in nest, Idaho Bluebird, Pelican, Blue Heron, and lots of Hawks.
So why is it with these great observation powers I told Suzy the other day to look at the antelope over there, and they were in fact Canadian geese. She has been less likely to get excited about one of my animal sightings since this incident.
Driving between Yellowstone and the Tetons on a very narrow road under construction means I have less then 4 inches from the blacktop machine and the fifth wheeler. I am on my A game with this challenge, even managed to wave to the flagman whose eyes were bulging out of his head for some reason. Such power; holding up a line of over anxious tourists thirty cars long. I did pull off shortly thereafter and noticed them all waving frantically at me. Must have been some mud on my rig or something.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming named after a “hole” being a valley between mountains. I think it was really named after the “hole” it leaves in your pocket book after staying here too long. As many art galleries as pizza shops tells you something and then if you count the number of homes for sale over a million dollars you begin to get the idea that the pizza makers aren’t buying the homes or the art work. Neither are the average tourists whom are more likely to have a T shirt in their shopping bag versus a bronze bison. Speaking of bison, we had one for dinner tonight, well part of one. Very tasty burgers it made. Also Thomas Bateman’s “The Chief” at the Museum of Wildlife Art here in Jackson. Chief is an amazing bison painted coming out of a fog bank. Bateman is from the Canadian San Juans and his wildlife art is the best. His exhibition was here last year and I saw it in August. Was hoping it was still here so Suzy could see it. We will have to track it down.
Riding the road bike this morning with the Tetons on my right shoulder and a herd of bison on my left. Needless to say it was enjoyable.
Our foul or fowl sightings have included Whooping Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, Canadian Geese, Osprey, Eagle in nest, Idaho Bluebird, Pelican, Blue Heron, and lots of Hawks.
So why is it with these great observation powers I told Suzy the other day to look at the antelope over there, and they were in fact Canadian geese. She has been less likely to get excited about one of my animal sightings since this incident.
Driving between Yellowstone and the Tetons on a very narrow road under construction means I have less then 4 inches from the blacktop machine and the fifth wheeler. I am on my A game with this challenge, even managed to wave to the flagman whose eyes were bulging out of his head for some reason. Such power; holding up a line of over anxious tourists thirty cars long. I did pull off shortly thereafter and noticed them all waving frantically at me. Must have been some mud on my rig or something.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming named after a “hole” being a valley between mountains. I think it was really named after the “hole” it leaves in your pocket book after staying here too long. As many art galleries as pizza shops tells you something and then if you count the number of homes for sale over a million dollars you begin to get the idea that the pizza makers aren’t buying the homes or the art work. Neither are the average tourists whom are more likely to have a T shirt in their shopping bag versus a bronze bison. Speaking of bison, we had one for dinner tonight, well part of one. Very tasty burgers it made. Also Thomas Bateman’s “The Chief” at the Museum of Wildlife Art here in Jackson. Chief is an amazing bison painted coming out of a fog bank. Bateman is from the Canadian San Juans and his wildlife art is the best. His exhibition was here last year and I saw it in August. Was hoping it was still here so Suzy could see it. We will have to track it down.
Riding the road bike this morning with the Tetons on my right shoulder and a herd of bison on my left. Needless to say it was enjoyable.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Jet’s Dog Blog
Happy Fourth of July all you poor dogs out there. Beware of all the loud noises today. I would like to stay in and hide under the bed all day if I had my choice, but as a dog you know I don’t. Plus I have to wear this silly flag scarf around my neck all day, and probably be made fun of by all the other dogs as their owners say, “How cute!”. So thought I would you let you in on the life of a dog on the road less traveled. I will tell you one thing, I am sure smelling a lot of different pee in the last two weeks. Never had this much pee mail to respond to.
Prairie Dog Hunting has become my first love. It is better then 7 card holdem’. The little buggers are fast. And they love to taunt me. But I put the run on them real quick with my lightning speed. Then I show off my digging prowess and enlarge their hole seven fold. Tom keeps trying to tell me they have come up down the way and are on the other side of the road laughing at me, but what does he know. He thinks they are ground squirrels but I know better.
I am looking for help out there from any dogs reading this. How in the world is a dog supposed to negotiate these Cattle Crossings with all the spaces between metal bars. My legs get swallowed in them. Ouch. First one I hit at full speed and biting it is what I did. Next time I tried low crawling across, nope. I can jump 4.5 feet but the crossings are usually six feet wide. It is humiliating to have Tom carry me across, so please, tips anyone?
I am still looking for a few good big dogs. There are ten poodles to every “real” dog so far. All the Small Dogs in RV parks is a sign the owners are older because they can’t pick up the heavy droppings. Speaking of which, excuse me while I go whine at the door, so they take me out for a constitutional. My buddy Max calls these a backup on the Santa Anna. Max would like RVing, as the bone drawer in the truck is usually full.
Deet around, bartender except for me. And they wonder where all the mosquitoes are coming from when we go back inside. Hello, they are all over me! How about a bit of deet for the dog? Wet spring in Wyoming so lots of mosquitoes everywhere.
Louisiana neighbor said I was a “blockhead” Lab and now that is all Tom and Suzy call me, “Blockhead Jet”. I don’t make fun of their head shape, even though Tom’s is a bit pointy for a dog. Tom said not to listen to the neighbor as he had a Jack Russell so he couldn’t be too dog savy.
Well that’s it from my end, as typing with these big paws is very time consuming, time for my third nap of the day at 6:30 AM. It’s a dog’s life you know! Chow or Ciao? Blockhead Jet
Happy Fourth of July all you poor dogs out there. Beware of all the loud noises today. I would like to stay in and hide under the bed all day if I had my choice, but as a dog you know I don’t. Plus I have to wear this silly flag scarf around my neck all day, and probably be made fun of by all the other dogs as their owners say, “How cute!”. So thought I would you let you in on the life of a dog on the road less traveled. I will tell you one thing, I am sure smelling a lot of different pee in the last two weeks. Never had this much pee mail to respond to.
Prairie Dog Hunting has become my first love. It is better then 7 card holdem’. The little buggers are fast. And they love to taunt me. But I put the run on them real quick with my lightning speed. Then I show off my digging prowess and enlarge their hole seven fold. Tom keeps trying to tell me they have come up down the way and are on the other side of the road laughing at me, but what does he know. He thinks they are ground squirrels but I know better.
I am looking for help out there from any dogs reading this. How in the world is a dog supposed to negotiate these Cattle Crossings with all the spaces between metal bars. My legs get swallowed in them. Ouch. First one I hit at full speed and biting it is what I did. Next time I tried low crawling across, nope. I can jump 4.5 feet but the crossings are usually six feet wide. It is humiliating to have Tom carry me across, so please, tips anyone?
I am still looking for a few good big dogs. There are ten poodles to every “real” dog so far. All the Small Dogs in RV parks is a sign the owners are older because they can’t pick up the heavy droppings. Speaking of which, excuse me while I go whine at the door, so they take me out for a constitutional. My buddy Max calls these a backup on the Santa Anna. Max would like RVing, as the bone drawer in the truck is usually full.
Deet around, bartender except for me. And they wonder where all the mosquitoes are coming from when we go back inside. Hello, they are all over me! How about a bit of deet for the dog? Wet spring in Wyoming so lots of mosquitoes everywhere.
Louisiana neighbor said I was a “blockhead” Lab and now that is all Tom and Suzy call me, “Blockhead Jet”. I don’t make fun of their head shape, even though Tom’s is a bit pointy for a dog. Tom said not to listen to the neighbor as he had a Jack Russell so he couldn’t be too dog savy.
Well that’s it from my end, as typing with these big paws is very time consuming, time for my third nap of the day at 6:30 AM. It’s a dog’s life you know! Chow or Ciao? Blockhead Jet
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