RV Adventures

Buffalo Roundup 2011

2011-09-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every year Custer State Park invites the public to witness the roundup of about 1300 Buffaloes. This is about half of the people the showed up!

As you can see, a few people showed up. This is a view of the South viewing area.

The cowboys were assisted by trucks. Buffalo are hard on the horses so the trucks try stay between them.

The Bison are pushed toward a gate.

They are rounded up annually for vaccinations. many are sold at action to control numbers.

A bison goes for $1,000 to $2,500.

Many come from the horse camps to view the show from horseback.

The Governor came to see the show as well....this is not him.

Where can you see 1,300 Bison rumbling over a hill these days. This was cool!

Black Hills South Dakota 2011

2011-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

OK, we return to our Home State for a couple months.

The views of Mount Rushmore are amazing.

This little begar came right up to our car,

I think this fellow will be a surprize for the cabin owner when he returns.

This grasshopper hitched a ride through Custer State Park.

He hung on up to 50 MPH!

Coral spied these fellows by the airport.

This was an old gold mine.

It was abandened when they hit water.

The water runs year round.

This waterfall is where the water flooded the mine.

This is a home for wild horses from all over North America.

They live out their lives running wild.

This is a ceramonial Indian site. Lakota men cut a bone into their chest and tie themselves to the pole. They remain like this for 4 days.

These petroglyphs were near a cave. Hildago was filmed here.

Some of the wild horses crossed the river and stay year round in the hills beyond.

The horses are beautiful.

This train runs from Keystone to Hills City.

Taking on water for the trip.

The track is the steepest in North America.

Pismo CA 2011

2011-09-14T16:02:00.000-07:00

All feet on the BEACH!!!!

Our favorite needed a push.

Coral explores some tide pools.

Brandon, Jade and Aubrey have Mari Jo buried up to her neck!

PJ looks concerned.

Look what hatched. Aubrey Ann plays with Landon.

Landon looks just like Papa!

Jade makes bubbles at the Pismo Discovery Center.

Mr. Handsome paid us a visit.

I might consider trading my motorhome for this little house,

The pool is nice too.

Our campsite was just off the dunes. We stayed a month.

A short drive to Cambria and we found Elephant Seals.

Harry Potter-Universal Studios Visit 4-2-11

2011-04-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

Coral arrives at Hogwarts! This picture says it all.

The ride was a 75 minute wait! We will return for some butterbeer!

Don't let the snow fool you, it was hot! There were lines to get in the shops!

The Grinch found some friends.

Ralph and I make plans to climb this mountain.

Orlando, Discovery Cove 4-1-11

2011-04-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Discovery Cove was the best day we have had so far in Orlando Florida.

Coral swims with the rays.

Coral get to ride a dolphin!

They feel like firm rubber.

Ralph kisses his dolphin!

This was amazing.

Ralph tries to ride this dolphin like a surf board.

This was a special experience.

New Orleans...Gator Time!

2011-04-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

Coral has to fight to get her sweat shirt back! This swamp tour was just outside New Orleans.

These gators were hungry.

This is the luxury suite we stayed in.

Coral wanted to keep him.

Ralph wrestled this gator bare handed.

On to San Antonio, TX 3-2011

2011-04-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

San Antonio Space Needle for dinner.

We toured LBJ ranch and Ralph had to give a presidential speech.

This was LBJ's ranch house where he and Lady Bird lived.

This was the plane he used to commute to DC.

LBJ was born in this little house.

Off to Sea World, San Antonio, TX. Ralph makes friends easily.

The whale show was cool.

No trainers were allowed in the water with the killer whales.

Coral does hard time in the pokey.

Coral gets attacked!

This was an old saloon in downtown San Antonio,

Is Coral admiring the mirror of herself?

The river walk was cool. Here we are on a water taxi.

Ralph eyes the Alamo.

Van Horn, TX 2-2011

2011-04-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are at an old movie set in Red Rock Canyon.

Coral sees a buffalo on this rock?

Coral crushed a natural decongestant, smelled like Vicks.

We had to hold the rocks from falling. Good thing we came along!

Two old goats, not Ralph and I, said goodbye from a ridge.

Tuscan, AZ 2-2011

2011-04-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

We traveled to Tombstone, AZ so Ralph could his gunslinger on.

Sure enough, he got caught and had to be hanged.

Luckily, his get away stagecoach was waiting.

We stayed near a copper mine and did the tour. Ralph and Coral got tired.

Coral met a real Indian! Joe Begay has been in several movies and claims he is a real Indian because he was sent to Indian school in Hollywood to be taught how to act in the movie "Buffalo Soldier".

I'm Back!!!! Center of the World? 2010

2011-04-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

OK, the center of the world is somewhere between El Centro, CA and Yuma, AZ.

This fellow was engraving the history of the world on marble plates.

Lest you doubt that the center was here, this proves it,

This place was truly weird. The finger is pointing at the center which is inside the pyramid of course!

Coral Goes Home June 2009

2009-11-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Coral flew home to be with the grandkids so I could continue working. Haven and her buddy Patrick.
Is Patrick cuter than me?

Faster Mom...Faster!

Haven barrel races!

Jade can race too!

Off to San Diego to spend time with Sherry.

The girls are having an adventure.

Whales!

Flipper?

Good thing Nick shows up to settle things down.

Let the fun begin.

Girls hit the beach.

Haven finds a mermaid!

A baby Jadatang.

Of coarse, Havens the spider.

Jade likes the Hippo.

4 monkeys!

Jade wants to climb.

San Diego was fun!

Cleveland March 2009

2009-11-12T17:09:00.000-08:00

My working year begins at Cleveland, OH. I must admit that I didn't think there would be much to see.

The Air Force Musem was amazing.

OK, it's been a while since I updated the blog. Work has been keeping me moving.
Ralph was like a tour guide.

We spent a day walking through the hangars.

Ralph checks out the plumbing.

OK....this was the coolest thing about Cleveland!

Coral checks out Ralphies hat.

Here is the de-coder ring.

Ralph really wanted the leg lamp.

Coral is looking for Ralphie....I think he has his tongue stuck to a pole somewhere,

Meanwhile back at the camp, Ralph checks out the gyser.

Old Faceful?

We made a trip to Michigan to visit Corals Cousin....

Jill Phillip (Jilly Bean)

Hoop De Do!!!!!

2008-07-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hugs and goofyness
Jade thinks Chocolate Milk is the best!
Jade plays the scrub board while we all sing along!

The Hoop De Do Show was at Fort Wilderness.
We had seats almost on stage.
Haven always wants something.
All you can eat and drink.....life is gooood!
Jade admires Princess Haven.

Hello to Hollywood Studios Disney

2008-07-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Studios, these California Girls should know their way around. Star Wars day at Disney....Look out for Nerds!
Movei set looks like San Francisco.
Kim Impossible....Jade's hero!
More Nerds!
Storm Troopers arrested the girls.

Rock & Rollercoaster was cool.
Snow White?
Cool stage looks like Micky's hat.

The mousecateers?
Mainstreet Disney
Mistery girl?
It's a race!!!!
Both pay the price!
Haven says, "Follow me PaPa, it's just a Hotel"

This Hotel made me wet my pants!

Magic Kingdom 6/21/08

2008-07-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Haven patiently awaits the boat to the Magic Kingdom.Jade learned to tie her own shoes!
The girls feeling a little ducky.
Haaaaaarrrrrrr!
Pirates are atacking!
Can you pick out the Lego people?

Jade becomes the Little Mermaid.
This ride was not "My cup of tea"
Oh Pooh....
Bouncy, ain't they.
Beware the attack Duck!

Here's a look at the Electric Parade.

Disney World-Animal Kingdom 6/21/08

2008-07-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the Hoop-Dee-Do Review in Fort Wilderness.
This camp is so big this is how you have to get around.

And so it begins......14 days in Fort Wilderness and 10 days in Disney World.

Jade found a friend.

Lions & Tigers & Bears....Oh MY!

This was the Tree of Life.

Mt Everest was a crazy ride.

The girls are on the lookout for wild game.

A rhino decides to cross our rode!

Everyone got wet on this ride.

It was hot so the girls got wet in this fountain.

How 'bout this cool ride?

When Haven shops she moves sooo fast....just a blur!

Haven said I screamed like a little girl...here's the proof!

Big Green Lady! 6/17/08

2008-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Haven can't believe she is in New York! Such drama should be on Broadway.

Jade sees a large figure on the island ahead and is scared.

It's a Big Green Lady!!! Run for your life!

Haven and Jade with The Big Green Lady. Not so scary after all but BIG!!!!

She's not so big, I can fit her in the palm of my hand.

The girls have a wardrobe malfunction.

Haven strikes her best Lady Liberty pose?

Jade gives it her best shot.

Haven poses with PaPa. I know it was painful but she gave it her best.

Grand Kids 2008 Vacation

2008-06-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Our first trip with the kids was to Ocean City.

Jade enjoys the merry-go-round.

This ride was like hang gliding.

Haven and Jade fly high.

Haven promised to ride 3 easy rides so Jade would agree to ride the logger.
This was my shot of the kids.

This was theirs. Jade freaks out on this ride.
I wondered why Ralph wanted to sit on the bench. He was hanging with the babes! I think I heard him tell them "Life is like a box of chocolates..."

Here are the flip flop girls.
The beach was great.

This track ran under the boardwalk.

The girls table manners were perfect as usual!

Haven's new hair cut....what a ham.

Scarey stuff in this miniture golf course.
Haven lost her ball!

Summer 2008

2008-06-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Here we cross the Mississippi on our way to New Jersey "The Garden State" The water was high as was the price of the camping at the casino!

Colonial Williamsburg was a disappointment. We expected more interaction with the historical charactors. It was just an expensive museum.
Our 1st place to explore in New Jersey was Atlantic City. The casinos are right on the ocean.The water/light show at Ceasars was great.Coral spied this strange spider web. They are everywhere along the roads in New Jersey.As we are just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia we decided to see the sites. The buildings were interesting.Here you find the intrepid explorers aboard a double decker bus in Philly much like the colonist must have done.
The Liberty Bell had a long line to view. 1.5 million people come to see it every year. I used to think it was dropped, causing the crack. The truth is that it was a flaw in the casting and cracked the very first time it was rung.Rocky was missing from the museum steps!We later found him hiding in his own park near by. Can you find Waldo? It seams that the Museum Society felt the the Statue was "Not Art" and had it removed a few years ago. After public outcry the statue was returned, not to the steps but it's own park near by.
The Canadians dressed Rocky up during the playoffs and suffered the curse of Balboa by losing the next day.

Our tour interrupted a wedding party taking pictures.Coral thanks the horse for the ride around Philly.On our next visit with the grandkids, we plan to cruise around Philly in the "Duck". This tour floats down the Delaware River as well as exploring the city. While in Pennsylvania we decided to visit the Amish. Our adventure begins here in the little town named, Bird In Hand.
This little guy was at the Plain & Fancy Farm petting area.
Coral and Ralph consider becoming Amish. Ralph puts his foot down and refuses to give up the hat. He wants to be Amish.

After much discussion the Amish found a way for Ralph to become Amish!

We took a ride in an Amish carriage.
These are Amish children in training.
This family is on a stroll.

Ralph talks the Amish life over with the carriage horse.Coral considers a Helicopter ride at an Air Craft Museum near our campground.Coral decides to fly the Space Shuttle instead.
The grandkids will be here soon. I can't wait to see the Statue of Liberty with them!

Windy City 2007

2007-10-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here at CRA Chicago, I decided to work a little to catch up our finances after spending the summer with the grandkids.

Ralph poses by a suit like the one he used to wear as a Navy Diver.

The Brookfield Zoo was nice.Ralph and I pose by a fountain in the center of the zoo.This zoo has a dolphin show!Ralph jumps a frog.Coral poses by Bison.There was a Chain Saw Carving Contest going on. These guys have only 3 days to complete their projects.Big Foot taking shape.Big Foot completed! It got 7th place. Coral voted for this guy to win.
The details were amazing. "Spirit of the North" got 2nd. This one is called "The Waiting Game" It got 6th but won the "Peoples Choice" award.

This Guy won 1st place for "All Creatures Great and Small". This bench was difficult.
The zoo will make good use of this bench. It got 7th place.
"Learning to Climb" got 4th place.

I liked the bison carving. Coral thought the bison looked wierd.

"The Great Gift" got 3rd.

"Just Out of Reach" got 5th.

Grandkids Adventure Part 3

2007-07-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

This little lamby went everywhere this summer!

Now for a boat ride on the Missouri River in Montana.This was our boat.
These are ancient indian drawings.
Ralph settles in for the ride. This green plant is related to the rose and blooms once every ten years or so.
Nana and Haven.
Jade has a short summer romance.

This museum is in the book, "1000 places to see before you die"

These bone are big!
Haven watches the archiologist work.

Dress up time at the museum!
Bear hug?
This was a traveling exibit.
Coral says hi to the bison.
Jade checks out the bones.

Dance like an Egyptian.
Nap time.
Someone call for King Tut?

This won't hurt a bit. Jades ready to become a mummy!

Jade charms a snake!

The horse was made with link chain.
I think Ralph built this house in the 1800's

We check out the wagon ride.

Off we go!

How 'bout these cuties!
Jade looking for her moose....was it chocolate mousse! Here we go!
Not snow!

The girls smell the sulfer....dad's feet?

Haven poses at the lookout point.
This is the parks newest ranger.
The girls try to stop this floating marble globe at the visitor center.
Coral caught this bison taking a dirt bath.
The girls cool off in a creek.

Off we go to explore.The crew and a waterfall.
Jade thought this was cool.

This waterfall was worth the hike.

Haven liked this horse. She saw a bear and cub on this ride.
Jade is riding the fence in this one.
Heart to heart talk.
The girls pumped for 30 minutes before we realized that it was pressurized.
Haven poses by a waterfall in Yellowstone.

Jade liked the bear cubs.
Haven steaming.
Haven & Great Grandpa bond.

Look papa...a hot tub!

Off we go to the Grizzly Discovery Center.

The girls ride a carved bear.
How 'bout this bear!
Two little indians...

The girls check out a bear.

We take a ride around Yellowstone!

Haven wants to get in the hot pot but the water is 300 degrees!

Here we are at camp.

Too hot!

Jade is wired up now!

Haven ate a hot marshmello.

Bigfoot?
The girls enjoy a creek in Yellowstone.
Sisters...

This was near our campground.

Scarey!

We rode this stage coach around Jackson Hole while Coral shoped.

The girls wrestled this bison and won!

The girls pose at the entrance to the National Wildlife Art Musium.
Jade liked this statue.

Tigger?
Bear or monkey?

Ok....this is a monkey.

Heres a look a Red Canyon on the way to Bryce Canyon.

This view is so good... I can't stand it!

This was a nice museum on the way to the park.

The girls have a little dissagreement with the display?
Haven wanted her dad to see this.
Jade points out a bear.
Whats that smell?

Looks like a wild indian!
Jade hikes to see a waterfall.
The views were great at Bryce Canyon.
Jade found Santa on vacation!

Jade gives her best smile.

Heres a look at the rock formations from the valley floor.

Mossy Cave is where we found the waterfall.

The pictures below prove that good looks are hereditary.

Haven makes her own water slide.

The girls enjoy the falls.

This was fun!

Jade pulls Sponge Bob's tongue at CircusCircus Las Vegas.
The girls played their hearts out!
Haven thought this was a cool RV?

Haven helps Jade with a new hairdo....mohawk?

Ride um girls.
Another summer romance?
Jade was brave and went by herself.
Haven and Jade thought 3-d was cool!
The Shark Reef in the Mandalay Casino was neat.
Haven swims with the sharks.
Heres a look at out Las Vegas Campground....roughing it.
After 7 states in a month and a half the kids are ready to head home.

Kid Trip Week 2-3

2007-07-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

Week 2 and we head into Washington near Mt. St. Helens.

The kids look at a lake distroyed by the 1980 eruption of St. Helens.

Great Grandpa and Haven discuss the dead trees still floating in the lake.

The girls paddle in the pond at our camp.

Don't run ashore.

Now were crusing.

Off to Ape Cave. This cave was actually a lava tube.

Down we go, into the Lava Tube near Mt. St. Helens.

This cave crew looks scarey!
Haven blows her light around.
Spooky!
Haven plays with a ghost.
It's dark in here!

Ralph sees ghosts!

Haven rests at the end of our cave exploring.
This way out!

Jade misstook the golf hole for a pee hole.

This snake wanted to golf too. Ralph shows us how to golf.

Looks like a good place to drown some worms!

Why can't I catch a fish?
I caught the first fish...he..he..hehe.he
Here fishy fishy.

I finally caught the biggist fish, now we can go!
Kind of slimy isn't it?

Hey...my fish, no my fish!

A good days catch.

Coral catches the biggest fish easy.....

T-Rex Jade!
Ralph and I check out our new Harley.
We went to Mossy Rock to watch fireworks.
4th of July was great.

Haven by the falls.
Iron Red River?
Jade wanted to take an elephant home.
This is Brian's dream bike!
We passed the ghost rider along the way!

Can you read?.....Quick hide the sign!
Haven coming out of hybernation.
Walk like an Egyption?
Cooling off in the mist of a waterfall.
PaPa is feeding the bull but Haven is having none of it.

Jade and Haven check out the waterfall.
This was snow along the road.
This deer was at the Visitor Center for Mt. Rainier.
Haven plays Model.

Jade at Mt. Rainier.

This marks the glacier spot.
They are standing on the rock smoothed by glacier.

Chinese...Japanese...Injun Chief?

Jade or Cindy Loo Who?
We had a fight over "Bob" the butterfly....or...Moth?

Grandkids Summer Trip 1st Week

2007-06-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

Harrrrr Maties!

Took the girls to the Fresno Zoo on a trial run. Looks like we are in for a fun trip!

Off to a wild start!

The princess poses.

The Diva poses.

Haven checks out the stingrays.

The girls enjoy the cars in the Salem Car Show. Ron and Lee had their car in the show!

Haven picked this car for her mom.

Haven does "The Price is Right" with Lee's car.
Jade rocks out with the car from the Grease movies.
Is that gang signs?

Jade goes biker on us!

Tigger bounced in to say hi to Jade.
Jade poses "gangster" style.
Haven likes the 'Cuda.

Haven mounts her horse for a ride on the beach.

Jade is making mud pies!
Haven made a cake!
Jade rides like the wind!
Jade is a cowgirl and riding by herself.
Jade returns from a long ride on the beach.

Haven is covering Jade up so, as she says " Jade won't bug her"
Jade said "She's posing for the whole world and the sky. "
Haven tries the skim board.
Haven and Jade walking in the surf.

Haven flies the kite.

Look at what washed up in the tide.

Jade tries to bury her sister!
Haven finds a mermaid on the beach!

The Swamp Thing? We had to check this out.

Coral checks out the Alligator Man!

The skeleton caught Jades eye.
Jade poses by the gnome.

The girls enjoy the kites at the National Kite Museum.
Haven checks the plumbing.
These kites were huge!

The kids got to make a kite.

Haven gives her kite a try!

This was where Lewis and Clark found the Pacific.
The girls try to launch the boat.
Haven poses for the camera. What a ham.

We came upon this nasty slug on our hike to the light house.

This beach was big!
The kids ham it up after watching "So You Think You Can Dance?"
Jade riding on the beach.
Haven enjoying the ride.
Jade is a natural rider.

Jade and Haven check out the barracuda.

Here is a picture of Lewis and Clark.

Coral and the kids check out the bones of a small hump backed whale.

PaPa tests the weight limit of this boat!

You want some of this?

A direct hit!

The kids thought this was a giant ice cream.

Long Beach is known for it's big razor clams.

Strappin' in for the race.

Haven gets an early lead.

Now...PaPa is in the lead!

Haven tries to catch up.

Jade gives PaPa a driving lesson.

The stand off...my money's on Jade!

Haven spins to avoid Jade's quick moves.

Jade drives the bumper car like a pro!

Oyster Shells at the docks made stinky toys!
This guy paid us a visit near the docks.

Ist week...so far so good. Moving tomorrow, June 29th, to a campground between Mount St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. I'll keep you posted.

Fleet of Flowers

2007-06-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

On Memorial Day of each year, since 1945, Depoe Bay has hosted the FLEET OF FLOWERS. This colorful ceremony is recognized as one of the most impressive observances held in the United States.

We got to help put together the wreaths for the ceromony. Following an on-shore ceremony at Depoe Bay Harbor, the fleet of flower laden boats passes under the spectator lined Highway 101 bridge.

This is the boat that Ralph and I road out to the ceremony.

As they proceed through the channel into the ocean, they pass the Coast Guard boat and then form a circle within sight of shore.

The floral tributes are then cast onto the water, after a Coast Guard helicopter lowers itself into the center of the circle and drops a wreath.

The memory of a tragic event on October 4, 1936, prompted this solemn ceremony. At sea this day was the troller, Norwester, skippered by Ernest McQueen (AKA McWilliams), and with two teenage boys aboard; his son Walter, and Walter's friend, Gene McLaughlin. A storm began to increase its intensity, accompanied by dense fog and approaching darkness. Meanwhile, Roy Bower and Jack Chambers had only minutes before returned from fishing. They were watching from the bridge when they caught a brief glimpse of the Norwester through the fog and heavy seas. They immediately set out on Bower's "Cara Lou", hoping to help the struggling boat to safety. The storm raged all night, thwarting efforts by other fishermen to put to sea. By the morning, however, McQueen had brought the Norwester into port; battered, but still afloat, with all hands safe. They had ridden out the worst of the storm tied to an offshore buoy. The "Cara Lou" was found awash later that day, with Bower and Chambers both dead from exposure. A few days later, relatives and friends scattered their ashes, along with flowers, on the ocean that had taken their lives. Bower and Chambers were posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism. This ceremony two years ago was where Ralph had his wife Carol's ashes put to sea. Coral and Ralph made a special wreath in her memory for this years ceremony.

What we have been doing.

2007-05-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here we are...at our new pad in Squaw Valley. We spent the winter making a place to park our motor home near family. Since we were in the "Boonies" there was no cell or internet so the Blog fell behind.

Yes that's snow!!! We got snowed on three times. The grandkids had a ball.

Here is my daughter Mari Jo at Thanksgiving. That baby is growing!

Here's our grandkids with Santa. It was fun spending the Holidays near family.

Aubrey Ann was a great finish to our visit with family.

Goodbye South Dakota

2006-09-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Coral took this picture outside our motor home. This woodpecker was one of many wildlife visitors near our campsite.

Coral poses by the completed fort/town project on our last day in South Dakota.

Coral points out the corrected spelling on the sign. It read "and" instead of "an".

Ralph and I made this Tepe for the kids.

The WeLikIt gang.

Paul and Sandra LeClair, Fort WeLikIt Family Campground owners

Ralph and I on lookout duty.

Ralph and Coral swinging it.

Ralph hams it up in the old town.

How 'bout these fine Workampers!

Coral made these signs for the old town project.

Here is a look at the fort that Ralph and I built.

Last look at our campsite.

Turkey came to send us off.

California Bound

2006-09-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here we are...Yellowstone National Park!

Hail on the way into Yellowstone....lucky me.

Here's Old Faithfull.......a geyser too.

Old Faithfull is over rated. It blows at different times, not every hour.

Ralph and I brave the elements to explore this uncharted territory.

The colors in these pools were amazing.

It's cold by these hot springs.

At 200 degrees F this waters is so acidic that it would destroy a leather boot.

Coral hits the decks.

The water from the geysers flowing into the Snake River.

More hail on the way out of Yellowstone.

Here's a look at the Tetons on our way back to Jackson Hole.

Ralph and Coral discover Big Foot!

Coral kisses her real true love in Jackson Hole.

Close up look at the Jackson Hole sign on moose antlers.

Buffa-Hole? Don't ask.....Don't tell!

This was our favorite place to eat in Jackson Hole.........We ate like pigs.

Coral & Ralph check out the bear sculpture.

Ralph check out the plumbing on this sculpture.

Another Elk Antler Arch. There are four in this park.

Off to Teton Village for a ride to the top. Ralph getting on the car to ride to the top. They were putting 45 people per car and we were packed like sardines. During ski season they put 100 per car!

Up we go to the top of Look-out Point.

Fear of heights? My knees are knocking together.

It's cold up here. Wind gusts to 50 MPH.

This look at 5000 ft was spectacular.
A fellow wearing a leg brace said he shattered his leg on the ski run near the center. Ralph wants to ski here. We said that he could fly in....ski...then we would send an ambulance!

How 'bout this view.....mountains aren't bad either!

Here comes our ride down.

Moose sighting!

This moose was right outside the window!

How 'bout these fine Bison. The one in front is particularly handsome.

After spending the night in a rest stop in Idaho we finally arrive in La Pine Oregon.

These bears were carved in a stump at our campground.

Off to the observatory near our campground.

Coral checks out a solar flare.

Ralph checks out a sun spot.

This is a real meteorite. The outer shell was melted on entry!

The walkway showed the maximum distance each creature can jump.

The human jump mark was out to the tree shadow.

Ralph almost makes the world record!

Off we go to explore a lava tube!

They gave us this lantern and said....Go explore. The cave had no lights and few stairways.

In we go....Come on Ralph we have lava tubing to do!

Down we go into the lava tube.

It's dark in here.

You can see here where the lava flowed through the tube on the walls.

Looks like ghosts down here!

On to Lava Lands.

Here we get to explore the volcano that created the lava tube.

We are taking a road to the top.

OK Ralph, I'll hold the sign so you can check it out.

The crater is 500 ft deep.

You can still see where the lava flowed 8,000 years ago.

Coral at the top of the volcano.

Coral feeds a chipmunk.Luckily chipmunks can't read.

On to the falls!

Here is where we cross the river!

OK.....we took the bridge.
Glad we decided to hike instead of row!

The falls were nice. We are heading for California later this week. We are having fun along the way. On another note, Mari Jo called to let me know that she is "expecting"! I am looking forward to having another grandchild next May!!!!

Bad Lands and Close Encounters

2006-08-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Off we go to the Badlands.

I'd like to begin by apologizing to those sensitive individuals that frequent my site. We made a wrong turn and ended up lost on an Indian Reservation where this sign caught my eye.

All I can say is....... Got Milk?

This lone Buffalo was on the edge of a cliff...luckily Coral was able to talk him out of the suicide attempt.

After 20 hours a driving around in circles....we made it to the Badlands!

This place was really cool!

I was expecting a waste land but this place was interesting.

Ralph takes a hike.....

Ralph make it into the desert when he realizes that his Ba Ba is empty.......

Got Milk?

Ralph has a bad hair day.....Einstein look?

Ralph and Coral at the Limo....I mean Saturn.

Off we go to Devil's Tower National Park and our close encounter!

As we approach Devil's Tower we are met by aliens!!!!! Harley riders from Sturges!!!

Ralph scared stiff as he has a close encounter of the Harley kind.

Ralph and Coral at the visitor Center.

Bikes everywhere!

Ralph pushes through to get to Devil's Tower.

A view from the Visitor Center.

The story goes like this........Once when some Crows were camped at Bears House, two little girls were playing around some big rocks there. There were lots of bears living around that big rock and one big bear seeing the girls alone was going to eat them. The big bear was just about to catch the girls when they saw him. The girls were scared and the only place they could get was on top of one of the rocks around which they had been playing.
The girls climbed the rock but still the bear could catch them. The Great Spirit, seeing the bear was about to catch the girls, caused the rock to grow up out of the ground. The bear kept trying to jump to the top of the rock, but he just scratched the rock and fell down on the ground. The claw marks are on the rock now. The rock kept growing until it was so high that the bear could not get the girls. The two girls are still on top of the rock.

The tower is composed of 5-7 sided polygonal pillars.

Ralph and I decide to take the 1.5 mile hike around the Tower.

Here is a view from the other side. The park is celebrating it's 100th anniversary.

It's hard to imagine that this is a popular climbing site.

This a picture from the half way point around the tower. I'd like to say that the batteries went dead in the camera at this point but the truth was that I was too weak to push the button any more. Thank goodness that Ralph is only 84 years old and able to carry me the rest of the way........Thanks Ralph!

Mari Jo and Brandon Visit Custer!

2006-07-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Coral completes the sign for the fort that Ralph and I are building.
Here is a look at the progress.

Coral spots some wild turkeys in camp.

Mari Jo had a talk with her horse before hitting the trail in Custer State Park.

Off they go on the one hour ride.

They left...fearless...into the wilderness.

They returned with a Rodeo Clown?

Where are the smiles....saddle sores perhaps?

Brandon heads for the stalls...

Mari Jo's horse talked to her....."Is that you Wilbur?"

Brandon glad to be back.

I didn't see any kissing....

The riders return, pretending not to have sore butts....

Soon after the staggered back to the stable to return their helmets.

Off we go to Sylvan Lake for a little hike.

Such a cute couple....

Uh Oh....looks like a narrow pass.

Brandon climbs ahead to find a passage through the treacherous terrain.

It seems that Brandon likes to climb.

Anyone seen Brandon????

We had to hire rescue climbers to get Brandon down......just kidding.

Ralph points the way. Good thing Ralph came along.....he had to carry me the last mile back to the car.

Brandon fishes with his bare hands to get us some food before starvation set in.

Off to Mt. Rushmore.....

Mari Jo was attacked by the rare Rushmore cave man.

Off to the Reptile Gardens....

The Gator Wrestler said that the males are best to work with because the females can't keep their mouths closed.

Looks like I'm the tallest.

At Bear Country Mari Jo sits on a bears lap.

When the bear got fresh....Mari Jo gave him a noogie!

Brandon waits for a little bear hug....three hour later he gave up.

Well......I was chasing this moose when all of the sudden he stopped...well you can figure the rest.

Haven in South Dakota

2006-07-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Goats charged the road and backed up traffic on our way to Mt. Rushmore.

This buffalo is a typical traffic jam in Custer.

ASS....K me no questions about this shot!

Haven at the tunnel to Mt. Rushmore.

Haven at the foot of Mt. Rushmore. There is a trail that leads to the base.

Haven climbs Rushmore.

Haven checks out a casting of a cougar foot print during a nature talk at Jewel Cave.

She passed on the cougar poo.....go figure?

Don't let this innocent look fool you....Haven has been kicking PaPa's butt for two weeks!

Down we go into Jewel Cave. This is the 2nd largest cave in the world. We begin this tour after taking an elevator down 275 feet!

This cave has over 150 miles of mapped passages. They estimate that there is 10 times more undiscovered.

Haven by some flow stone.

Haven says" Sure hope we don't have to climb out"

Haven at 300 feet.

This formation looks like a map of the US.

Off to Bear Country...weather was warm so this bear took a swim.

Another bear in the road? Haven get out and chase that bear away!

Is this a punk bear...or just having a bad hair day?

Coral said that this was a pregnant ass......I have no comment.

Baby bear feeding time!

Haven spots this peacock in the parking lot.

Haven climbs the rock wall at the Maze.

Haven ring the bell like a pro.

Off to the horses!

Haven mounts the horse named Courtney.

Hitting the trail.

Off we go the the slide!

Up we go...no turning back now!

Haven wins!

PaPa comes in second.

Off to wind Cave.

Haven feels the cave breath.

Down we go.

Watch your head.

Whats that dripping on me?

Let's go deeper PaPa.

Finally an elevator. After this Haven flew home. We will miss her.

6-30-06 Farm-Cosmos-Plunge

2006-06-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

Off we go for a night blast at Crazy Horse. This blast is in honor of Ruth, the wife of the sculptor.

Haven gets a look at a tepee.

The blast went off at 10pm. A bunch of noise and dynamite!

The next day was for a Trail Ride. Rockin R, near Crazy Horse for a hour and a half ride!

Haven puts on her cowboy hat.....well safety first!

Haven mounts Daisy for her trail ride.

Haven hits the dusty trail.

The Girls on the trail.

Coral takes Haven to the petting Farm but forgets the camera.....go figure?

Off to the swimming hole in Hot Springs.

Haven and Coral cool off.

Haven on the slide.

Paul fights a gator to save Haven!

Off to the Cosmos. This is a wierd place.

In we go!

Haven stands on the wall....the cosmos draws her to the corner!

Coral gets to feel tall due to the power of the cosmos!

These deer were near our camp!

6-21-06 Haven vrs South Dakota

2006-06-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Haven finally arrives at South Dakota. Here we are at Custer State Park Look Out.

Haven, the star of the show, poses by some rocks.

Haven finds "Big Foot" evidence!

Haven and Grandpa share binoculars at the Fire Lookout Tower. You can see Crazy Horse and Rushmore from here.

Here is the toughest squirrel in Custer. He stood in front of the car and wouldn't budge. Here he is in the tree after we honked the horn.

Here is Haven checking out the objects in the box. Haven said that there were dead things in there!

Finally, Haven gets a look at Buffalo.

Haven and PaPa hold up the cave opening.

Haven spies a climber at the Eye of the Needle.

Haven does a little rock climbing on her own!

Haven on the hike around Sylvan Lake.

Haven thought this looked like a giant shark mouth.

This is called Haven jam!

Haven stands at the waterfall behind Sylvan Lake. She is about 30 ft. below water level!

Here's Haven in a rock cavern near Sylvan Lake.

Here "Her-culese" parts the mountain so I can get through.

So ends the day at Sylvan Lake with Haven on the Dam. The hike around the lake took about a hour. My legs feel like rubber and I'm ready to head for camp.

6-14-06 Air & Space

2006-06-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Ellsworth Air Force Base and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

We thought that this was going to be a simple museum but they put us on a bus, ran security on us and off we go to a Minuteman missile Silo! This truck was used by the PeaceKeeper Force the maintain security around the silos.

This was a missile transport truck.

This is the access hatch to arm the missile. The 20 ton concrete cover was blown open 7 second before the launch.

Down Coral goes, 30 feet, into the 120 foot silo. As we get deeper in the ground the temperature drops dramatically.

This silo is 105 feet deep and the missile was huge!

Ralph mans the cockpit.

Where's the "Easy Button?"

Ralph actual flew one of the Mustangs 35 years ago.

Ralph cranks this one up for a spin. It's good having Ralph around....he keeps us going.

6-10-06 Carving Classes & Fort

2006-06-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Coral shows off her carving progress on day two of the week long class at the Wood Carving Museum in Custer.

Close up look at the rough carving.

Ralph hard at his carving project.

Coral carving on her piece. On day two the work didn't look like much.

Here is the results. The detail is amazing.

The proud artist shows off her completed project.

Ralph and his complete carving. I must say that I was impressed. The camp owners were so impressed they want Coral and Ralph to carve a sign for the camp!

Here's Coral covering the office. She is wearing the Fort Welikit shirt given us workampers.

Here is the start of the fort Ralph and I are building for the kids to play on.

Here I am working with Ralph on the fort.

Wait a minute....Is that the Skipper and Gilligan?

Here is our progress to date. Behind the fort will be a version of KidTown that I built for PJ and Mari Jo years ago. Feels good to be building something.

6-1-06 Bison..Museum...Cave

2006-06-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

On our way to Keystone we ran into a little traffic!

Coral wanted to pet this mule.

Looks like she gets a kiss instead!
Coral gets the local favorite hairdo..."How do I look?"

Ralph gives Abe a little advice. They were old friends.

Off to Rushmore Caves. If you can climb the stair to the entrance...you can survive the cave!

Ralph going in. Looks like hell!

This column was broken by the town kids before the cave was developed.
Ralph looks at the crystals reflecting back to him.

Back in Custer we take a look at one of the Buffalo painted by local artists. This one depicts Custer's Last Stand. The leather on the back is sculpted as well.

5-30-06 Caves..Museums..Caves

2006-06-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Off we go to Sitting Bull Crystal Cave! This cave was a 200' vertical drop with no elevator.

Ralph heads for the wide opening but this is not the tour entrance.....too easy.

Ok...This is the hell hole they want us to enter. Coral opted to stay in the gift shop for this cave.

Looking down into the abyss....Turn back!

At least we have stairs. This is the original entrance! There is no way I could squeeze my butt thru this hole!

Ok, Ralph and I made it out of the pit. We had to lag behind several times to catch out breaths. Coral was the smart one on this cave. My legs like rubber we plod on to the Journey Museum.

This is "Stan" not "Sue". Sue is in the Chicago Museum of Natural History and is the most complete T-Rex ever found. "Stan" is the second.
Lakota beading. The beads were made from seeds and porcupine quills.

Coral wanted to adopt these kids. They are the Bison twins and I felt hairy kids with hump backs might not be a good fit for our family.

Then Coral latches on to a baby Mammoth! I'm not cleaning up after this one.

This Triceratops was found in the Black Hills.
While we were in the museum a bad storm was moving in. This storm dropped 3 feet of hail in some areas of Rapid City. They had to bring out the snow plows to to clear the roads. Coral sees an eagle flying left to right in the clouds. Scarey stuff.
Ralph checking the plumbing again!

Ralph says "I'm tired of you taking pictures of me checking plumbing....come on...you want a piece of me?"

5-27-06 Dances with Wolves

2006-05-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

We took a bus down to the base of Crazy Horse Mountain and the driver took this picture.

Here's a bike for Paul Faias. This special edition bike built for Crazy Horse was donated for a fund raiser. After going to Disney Hospitality Training the Chamber of Commerce invited us to attend their season grand openning. This was the first night of lasers and was closed to the public. Good food for all.

After the speeches Native Americans danced. We all danced together with them. Coral was in heaven.

Off to Kevin Cosner's Tatanka. After making Dances with Wolves Kevin commissioned a local artest to make brass sculptures of a buffalo hunt. It took seven years to complete. Kevin built a interperative center near Deadwood, South Dakota to display these sculptures and teach everyone the real Lakota ways.

Coral with a Lakota Indian that put on a demonstration. He sang and played the flute. Of coarse Coral loved this.

The sculpture depicts the Lakota casing the Bison over a cliff. This was a common method used as the buffalo can weigh over a ton and are difficult to kill with a bow and arrow.

A Lakota woman gave us a tour of the grounds and answered our questions.

Off to downtown Deadwood. Sorry but I was too busy gambling to take pictures. We enjoyed the gunfights the occurred on the hour. Each fight was a reenactment of an actual fight that happened here. This is where Doc Holiday, Calamidy Jane, and the likes hung out in the old west.

5-25-06 Mammoths, Rushmore & Reptiles!

2006-05-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

Off we go to Hot Springs South Dakota and The Mammoth Site!

Ok, The Mammoth Site. About 35 miles south of Custer Mammoth bones were discovered! Well, bone are not that interesting but this place is cool.

It seam that these mammoths went into this sink hole for a drink and ended up stuck. They estimate that there are over a hundred of these slow learners in the site. They have dug up about 20 so far.

Ralph checking the plumbing....AGAIN?

Here is one studly cave man. I bet that he could kick some Mammoth butt!

Looks like there is some inbreeding going on around here?

At a museum in Hot Springs we found some old dental tools. Look a little painful!

Here's Coral having her hair curled...Old style!

Off we go to Mt. Rushmore. Wasn't it nice of them to carve me into the mountain too!

Ralph and Coral at the rail. This was carved in 14 years. There is a crept behind the images....Kind of spooky huh?

In front of Mt Rushmore is a hallway with all the state flags. The museum is underground.

Off to the Reptile Gardens. This is the largest collection of reptiles in the US.

Ralph found a hot rod...Nice pose until the car alarm went off.

Coral and her cheesy smile inside the dome at the Reptile Gardens.

If it were a snake....It would have bit ya! Ralph sleeping under the snake?

Now off to Alligator Handling 101.

Always work from the end without teeth.

Never look away while working with gators!

Never put fingers into the gators mouth!

This is the right way to hold a gator.

This is the wrong way. Boy, those gators have bad breath!

Here I am, talking to the prairie dogs.

Just a little turtle love!

Coral pets a lizard...And so ends our day at Reptile World.

5-17-06 Bear Country

2006-05-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

Here's Coral getting friendly with the local bears!

Elk....big ones!

Hey Dean...these Elk look like the deer we used to hunt years ago!

How about this old goat?

OK, bear in the road! Who has the right of way?

I got out of the car and ran the bear up a tree.

OK, OK maybe I drove around the bears.

I know exactly how this bears must feel. I used to feel like this on War Calls and MBR's If I wasn't "Under the Bus" ....I was "Out on a Limb"!

Looks like me on Monday mornings before the coffee (Chop-Chop) was brewed.

Baby bear feeding time! Milk is poured into these tubs.

Bear getting in a little fishing time.

"Stick em up!" Ralph, hamming it up by a stuffed bear.

Looks like this bear lost his keys!

5-17-06 Crazy Horse

2006-05-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Here's Ralph on the viewing deck for the Crazy Horse Sculpture.
Here is a look at the current progress with a scale model in the foreground. When completed it will be the largest sculpture in the world at 563 feet high. The head alone is 87 feet. The entire Mt. Rushmore carving would fit inside the head of Crazy Horse. The sculpture is an answer to a question asked of Crazy Horse..."Where are your lands now?"....."My lands are where my dead lie buried."
Here you can see rubble pushed by a dozer over the edge. This project was started by Korezak Ziolkowski in 1949. It has been entirely financed through charitable contributions. Millions of tons have been removed at a cost of about $5 a pound!
Ralph and Coral check out the displays. The dress that Coral is looking at is made from an old army blanket and shells.
Paul striking a handsome pose.....OK,OK...it's my blog so my comments...sexy legs huh?
Cool beaded gloves!

Here are some tribal flags from local donators.

Coral looks on as Black Lance paints her a buffalo scene on a feather.
Here are some completed projects.

This mural was created from the granite escavated from the Crazy Horse Sculpture. Can you see the harp, fiddle and piano?

Coral shows off her rock from the Crazy Horse Sculpture.

5-16-06 Wind Cave/Woodcarving

2006-05-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

We are done working for this week so off we go exploring the area. Our first stop was the National Museum of Woodcarving. Coral plans to take classes here in June.
Here is Ralph and Coral admiring some hand carved furnature.

This carving was carved by a real horse's ass!

Most of the carvings were animated and created by on of the original Disneyland animators.

On the way to our next destination, Coral snapped these pictures of baby Prairie Dogs.

Boss Hog wasn't far behind.

Here we are at Wind Cave, not to be mistaken for Break-Wind Cave that PJ christened in Kings Canyon Park.

Here is the original entry hole. It was about 2 feet across. There is no way my ass would ever make it through this hole!

Here's Ralph climbing into the Cave. We will be hiking a half mile and over 200 feet down.

Coral says "They want me to go into that deep, dark cave!"

5-13-06 Eye of the Needle

2006-05-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

After the Bison adventure we took the tour route through the north end of Custer State Park. Here's Coral by a painted Buffalo at the visitor center.

Here's Ralph checking the plumbing!

Here I am rock climbing on our way to the Eye of the Needle.

Coral caught this picture of some friendly chipmunks.

Ralph and I doing our best to hold down the guard rail.

We had to drive through this narrow tunnel. Glad we were in the car because the Motorhome would have never made it!

Here is the Eye of the Needle. This rock formation looks like it will fall in the next breeze.

Here's a look back at the tunnel we drove through. This was a good day for exploring. Had some training earlier on the office work. Plan to give it a try tomorrow so the owner can go to a Mother's Day Ceremony.

5-13-06 Buffalo!

2006-05-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

Ralph on the Buffalo look out. The proper name is Bison but who cares. We have not seen a single bison on this trip yet and today we are on a mission. Custer State Park has 1400 Bison this time of year so we hope that we can find some on the drive through.

A deer in the road...a good sign!

Buffalo...Bison....Babies!!!!!!!!!!
Buffalo Close up... Buffalo looking at us...kind of pissed?Buffalo climbing in car window!
Just Kidding....we had fun looking at the Buffalo and taking pictures.

5-13-06 Fort Welikit Campground

2006-05-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Here is the entrance to our campground. The name is pronounced (We Like It) and there is no Fort. This is a very nice camp and we are looking forward to enjoying our time in Custer, South Dakota. Here are some more pictures:

Up the road from our camp is Sylvan Lake. We will be spending time in a boat on this lake soon.

5/8/06-Golf YIKES!!!!

2006-05-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

5/8/06 Ralph and I decide to have a go at golfing. Anyone who know me also knows that golf is something I have never attempted outside the miniature course. Here are some pictures.

The weather was questionable but being the dedicated golfers that we are...we said "damn the rain" and started swinging. Ralph called me a wuss for getting a cart but I thought it was a good plan in case of a down pour. Here we are starting out using Ralph's antique clubs.

Like a farmer hoeing weeds, Paul demonstrates his perfect form!

Here's Ralph taking a perfect put...being the experienced golfers we are, we were unsure weather to remove the flag or not.

And then it happened! That once in a lifetime occurrence! Ralph's ball landed exactly on top of my ball from the tee! Ralph was unsure of the rule that may apply. Being the men that we were we knew that balls tend to pair up and hurt when knocked together. I grabbed Ralph's ball and asked him to turn his head and cough (being married to a nurse comes in handy) and played through.

Soon after the ball incident it began hailing and Ralph retreated to the cart. My 1st golfing attempt ended with 2 lost balls...2 balls paired.. and 2 odd balls, very wet and running for cover. I can't wait to try again. Maybe during a tornado next time! I am sure that Mike C. is very proud of me after reading this. We plan to head for Custer, SD in 2 days!

5/7/05-Bombs and junk art?

2006-05-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

Later we visited the Thiokol Rocket Display. This is where the NASA Space Shuttle rocket motors are manufactured. Minuteman ICBM's were made here as well.

Looks Like I have a little captain in me!

Here is a look at Marble Park near our camp. This was created by Mr. Marble out of farm equipment and wood carvings.

Looking at all this junk reminds me of dad. OK...OK This isn't exactly the Smithsonian but I like checking this stuff out.

5/5/06-Utah...what's in Utah!

2006-05-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

5/5/06 Here we are at in Garland, UT. The pools are fed by hot springs and maintained at 98 degrees.......Hot tubs at 120 degrees.............nice! Ralph and plan to golf later this week. Fore!
5/6/06 Day trip to Golden Spike National Park was fun. The final spike was driven at Promontory Summit on 5/10/1869 so they are having reenactments of the ceremony. Here are some pictures.
Gold and silver spikes were placed in the ties. The actors put on a good show. I dig this stuff. The ceremony commemorates the completion of 1,776 miles of track linking Sacramento, CA to Omaha, NB. It was thought that this would take 12 years to complete as rails had to be shipped around the Cape Horn.

The project took 5 years to complete exactly 100 years before the moon walk!

On the Road....finally!

2006-05-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

4/30/06 Finally on the road by 10am. Rust flushed out of tanks an headed for Reno.We parked at BoomTown, Reno Nevada for our first night. Must say the view is better than Hayward. Taking turns driving. Dee Dee at the wheel! Hope she can drive this rig!

5/1/06 Off to Wells Nevada. Coral sited a buffalo and we are not even out of Nevada yet!

What luck....we found Ralphs highschool! Actually this was a ghost town near Wells, NV. He! He!

Short Timers Attitude

2006-04-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

Date: 4/24/06

Count down = 5 days

I am fighting short timers attitude and trying to continue to work as if I am not leaving. Having gave notice, my business dealings often enclude "I will no longer be with the company at months end....". Having spent 6 months staring out my RV window at the construction site, Coral, Ralph and I are looking forward to hitting the road on 4/30/06.

Custer, South Dakota will be our first adventure.

I will keep all of you posted trough this blog as we travel in search of the retirement dream.

Paul