Goshen, IN

August 15-20, 2011
We attended our "first ever" RV ralley in Goshen, IN.  (just south of Elkhart, IN)  There were 300 RV's at the Fairgrounds, and ours was behind the stage in the "inner circle" of a harness racing track.  Interesting.  We saw the horses being exercised at all times of the day...and of course had to watch out for them when we crossed the track to get to the exhibition sites.

We took a tour of two RV factories on the first day...and took a tour of Thor, the factory that makes our RV, a couple of days later.  It was very interesting to see how they are manufactured. The woodworking department in these factories employed primarily Amish craftsmen.   We also took in a couple of seminars...had several meals...and bought fresh bread and produce from the Amish group who were set up daily on the fairgrounds site.  This was the first time in our travels that we saw NUMEROUS horse and buggies.  Had to really watch out where we were going down country roads (we like to go exploring.)  The Superwalmart had a special area...a lean-to pole barn with a hay trough...and that's where the Amish folks parked their horse and buggy when they did their shopping. 

Visits from family and friends to Inspiration Point

May 10 - August 10, 2011
Our First visitors were Brad, Sheila, Jada, and Charlie.  They stayed at the KOA in a cabin - just about a mile from us.  Too cold to swim on Memorial weekend...but we had a good time, nonetheless.

Linda and Eric Taylor made the trip Mid-June - stayed in a cabin on top of one of the mountain ridges overlooking the Beaver Lake...and had an awesome view.   The neighborhood raccoon was at the window  hoping we would share our caesar salad and chicken with him...but finally just gave up and watched us eat.

Brenda, Jackson, Reyna, Sydney and Ava came for a visit the last weekend in June, and stayed at the KOA in one of their new cabins (which were still being built when Brad and family were there.)

We started off  by doing a bit of sight seeing - which we had also done with Brad...to the highest point in Eureka Springs and the Crescent Hotel - dating back to the mid 1850's.

Our trip to Turpentine Creek was unfortunately on a really HOT day..but it was interesting to see all of the exotic cats in the refuge.  Over 100 exotic cats taken into the refuge from abusive situations...you know...that cute little tiger we gave uncle bill for his 50th birthday grew up...didn't know what to do with him, so locked him in the storage shed. 

  The trip to the drive-through zoo was special, also.  We were able to do it with Wendi's family also.  Feeding Emu's and Deer from the car allowed the animals to get pretty up-close and personal.

Bren's kids got to see a bit of Opera during their visit.  On family day they got to take a tour through the costume shop, the dressing rooms, back stage, and through the orchestra pit before enjoying a presentation of "Pirates of Penzance"...followed by autographs.  What an adventure.  The next day they saw the final dress rehearsal of "Die Fledermaus"...we intended to stay only for the 1st act...and go back to the campsite for dinner...but the kids insisted that we stay for the whole opera, and we enjoyed S'mores by campfire at 10:30...our dinner.    :-)

Wendi's visit ended up being a little more upclose with folks in the opera and orchestra.  To a 3 and 5 year old...the double bass was HUGE.  Jennifer (one of our favorites) helped Addison and Rowen play a few notes on the violin.  And we had to get a pic of the girls with Joe and Toby who were from Kansas University/Lawrence KS.

We had great fun swimming at the KOA with every one.  A really nice clean pool..Wendi Chris and the girls stayed in "their own RV"...as there were no cabins available...it worked out very well.  Bob and Donna, the managers of the KOA were beginning to purchase Campers to increase the capacity for renting to those "campers" who needed cabins.  Five cabins didn't stretch far enough.

Rockne's...Mike and Karen...came down all of the way from Wahpeton, ND for the last weekend of the opera season.  Once again...the cabins worked out well.  We took a trip on the Belle - toured Beaver lake.  The captain was quite a story teller.  And of course, we just enjoyed egging him on from one yarn to the next.

Back steps of the Crescent Hotel.  Crepe Myrtle was in bloom.  Just beautiful.

And the boat ride.

And, of course, caesar salad and steak.   A good time with good friends.

Last, but not least, was a visit from Jennifer and her fiance Justin Turnbaugh.  They made the trip so that Justin could do his certification dives for scuba.  I think we caught him "gettin' ready"...   :-)
Their digs were at the KOA, also.  No cabins available, but Bob's newest acquisition...a 1967 Airstream worked just fine.

Inspiration Point May 10 - Aug 10 2011

On May 1, we set our RV on the site at Inspiration Point...Eureka Springs, AR  Our first "workkamping" experience.  The golf cart was for transportation to and from the various cabins that were part of the cleaning schedule.  Our job...support in any way...grounds, maintenance, housekeeping, food preparation and serving...for @ 100 vocal and instrumental college (BS, MS, Phd) students who were there for the summer workshop to gain more experience to further their careers in OPERA.    All of the workkampers had full hookup for the summer...across from the practice cabins...and also had 3 meals a day for the summer.  The site had a large outdoor auditoriam with a roof.  Somewhat protected from the elements.  (Except the heat.)

The scenery from on top of the mountain was incredible.  The site overlooked the Beaver Dam...the first dam in a series along the White river.  Quite impressive.

We watched the students put together three operas (Die Fledermaus, Little Women, and Marriage of Figaro) and an operetta "The Pirates of Penzanze" The pic to the left is from Fledermaus. And Below from Pirates.

It was quite an adventure for us to observe how the various factions put it together to come up with some really fantastic performances.  The stage was created from scratch...the costumes were created "mostly" from scratch...the lighting effects, the stage props...all went from nothing to magnificent. 

Lawrence with wendi and family

April 21 - April 30, 2011

We parked on the side of the garage at Wendi and Chris's house...but had to make a run (for one night) to empty our tanks at the "what we thought was" the KOA.   But, new ownership and now it's Jellystone park.  Well..we had to have pics with Yogi Bear...

 But the surprise of the day came when we left the park and Yogi Bear was there IN PERSON.  Can you imagine????

Great fun was had at Addison's Birthday Party...all of her guests made fairy houses...and fairy gardens.   Oh, what fun...Many of the moms stuck around just to witness this event.  The 5 year olds were enthralled with their tasks at hand...and some even dressed the part when they came to the party.

 

Colorado Springs CO

April 6 - April 20, 2011




We spent a couple of weeks at Brenda's...Helping to get kids back and forth to school...gymnastics...and the rest.  First couple of days we stayed at the Elks Lodge neat I-25.  It was sort of cool...not too expensive...but then made arrangements to store the RV at a KOA just south of Colorado Springs...the $15 per week worked just right for us.  We had the opportunity to see Sydneys program at school.

Pikes Peak was AWESOME with all of the snow cap.  Looks great with or without the snow.  :)

Jean took a side-trip to STL to help Jenn get started on wedding plans for September.  ALL is on track...Mason still likes to "chill"...such a good dog. 

We had a great time...got lots done that needed to be done...and we moved on...for a few days with Wendi and family.

Dallas/Amarillo

March 28 - April 3, 2011

We went from Shreveport, LA to Dallas and stopped a couple of days to see our long term (not old) friend Oscar from our North Dakota Days. And we shared our famous - recipe from Mexico Margharitas. Best ever. No reflux...because there's no sugar...DUH. Oscar was gracious and extended the services of his washateria for us to do our laundry. What we didn't

count on was the plastic bags for our hanging clothes. They will never be the same again...we just know our hanging shirts will be shouting "where's the bag." :-)

From Dallas, we went to Oklahoma City and stayed at the Elks Lodge. They had one full hook-up, which we enjoyed. Very hostpitable lodge...and we enjoyed our time there. On to Amarillo TX. What a great encounter.

Todd and Gerri Whitehead and their three boys Ryan, Raegan, and

We took a half day and went out to see the scenes of the area. Beautiful. Almost as impressive as the Grand Canyon...so enjoyable.

Our next adventure took us to Colorado Springs.CO...spent time with Brenda and the kids.