With many miles behind us and so many stories to tell our loved ones when we return we bid happy trails to Dave and Becky as they depart to visit family in Indiana.
This trip would not have been the se without the Ford team. They have given Kenny much to banter about for days and days on end. Becky's sweet disposition and Dave's quick wit have been a real blessing. We look forward to seeing them down the road.
Dave and Linda are in to New York to visit family and Kenny and Lori will drop off KD Dave before heading to Virginia.
Happy Trails All!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Elkhart IN
While we have pressed on through some hard travel we also have seen some beautiful sights together on this trip.
At our last dinner together we discussed how could we have organized the trip better. While there were a couple of unexpected happenings overall everyone got along well and supported each others desires for making the most out of travel together.
The Lord has sustained us in our travels and has taken a group of acquaintances and made them friends. From here Dave and Becky depart to visit family members in Indiana and Dave and Linda will visit their family in upstate New York. Ken and Lori will drop off Dave in Oneonta New York and then head to Virginia to return to work.
It has been a wonderful trip. One that will create lasting memories for us all.
At our last dinner together we discussed how could we have organized the trip better. While there were a couple of unexpected happenings overall everyone got along well and supported each others desires for making the most out of travel together.
The Lord has sustained us in our travels and has taken a group of acquaintances and made them friends. From here Dave and Becky depart to visit family members in Indiana and Dave and Linda will visit their family in upstate New York. Ken and Lori will drop off Dave in Oneonta New York and then head to Virginia to return to work.
It has been a wonderful trip. One that will create lasting memories for us all.
The Long Long Day
On July 25 after boon docking in Minnesota, Kenny decided that if we started out early in the morning we could travel further than originally planned so that we could arrive earlier in Elkhart In so the travelers could shop RV parts and arrange for some repairs.
Little did we realize that this 500 + mile day would take us across some of the roughest road known to mankind. Lori is against toll roads and particularly those that use the EZ pass system but by the end of that day she was willing to pay to have some road constructed.
At a rest area in Minnesota there was a sign posted by their DOT that captured it best. They explained that their road system was slowly evolving. Now we know that we should give them a few thousand more years to complete the cycle.
Wisconsin really wasn't much better. We ran 11.5 hours of travel with few of us maintaining the teeth in our heads. We would have snapped a picture for you but it is really something that can only be experienced first hand. I don't recommend it though.
New day and God willing we are on or way to Elkhart IN
Little did we realize that this 500 + mile day would take us across some of the roughest road known to mankind. Lori is against toll roads and particularly those that use the EZ pass system but by the end of that day she was willing to pay to have some road constructed.
At a rest area in Minnesota there was a sign posted by their DOT that captured it best. They explained that their road system was slowly evolving. Now we know that we should give them a few thousand more years to complete the cycle.
Wisconsin really wasn't much better. We ran 11.5 hours of travel with few of us maintaining the teeth in our heads. We would have snapped a picture for you but it is really something that can only be experienced first hand. I don't recommend it though.
New day and God willing we are on or way to Elkhart IN
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
White Buffalo
At the National Buffalo Museum Linda got to kiss her buffalo and we got to see the albino buffalo. There are three here in this herd of Thirty. The oldest one just had her 16th birthday. Her name is White cloud which has a story out of Indian tradition that goes with her. You can read about it at www.buffalomuseum.com.
I believe the one we saw was Dakota Legend who was born in 2008. He didn't look full grown but quite a treat to see an albino buffalo. But watch the warning signs buffalo are not as cuddly as they look.
I believe the one we saw was Dakota Legend who was born in 2008. He didn't look full grown but quite a treat to see an albino buffalo. But watch the warning signs buffalo are not as cuddly as they look.
Frontier Town
This town has not only buildings done in 1800s style but many of the services still in operation. Come and shop at the general store or speak with the teacher at the one room school house.
Kenny and Lori even took a stagecoach ride out to see the buffalo. No buffalo but Lori took some pictures from the stagecoach. Just look at the view.
Kenny and Lori even took a stagecoach ride out to see the buffalo. No buffalo but Lori took some pictures from the stagecoach. Just look at the view.
Jamestown North Dakota
I believe that North Dakota has stolen my heart. They have the biggest of everything here. There is Salem Sue the worlds largest Holstein cow ( didn't get a great shot of her but I will make sure I stop next time). We also passed the geographic center of North America Then Jamestown boasts the worlds largest buffalo.
This buffalo stands 26 feet tall and 14 feet wide. Linda wanted to kiss a buffalo but she couldn't reach him. He is located right within Frontier Town and next to the National Buffalo museum. Don't miss this stop. I am glad I didnt.
This buffalo stands 26 feet tall and 14 feet wide. Linda wanted to kiss a buffalo but she couldn't reach him. He is located right within Frontier Town and next to the National Buffalo museum. Don't miss this stop. I am glad I didnt.
World's Largest Metal Sculpture
North Dakota must have known how much Lori enjoys seeing all the oddities America has to offer. Anything that is the first, biggest, most unusual Lori loves to see it.
This is called "Geese In Flight" and was constructed in w
2001 and is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world. All along the enchanted highway there are sculptures like this. Www.enchantedhighway.net.
The Geese sculpture was made out of oils well pipe and oil tanks and weighs over 75 ton. The largest goose has a 30 ft wing spam.
There are more free amusements than Ripley has just for the visiting.
This is called "Geese In Flight" and was constructed in w
2001 and is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world. All along the enchanted highway there are sculptures like this. Www.enchantedhighway.net.
The Geese sculpture was made out of oils well pipe and oil tanks and weighs over 75 ton. The largest goose has a 30 ft wing spam.
There are more free amusements than Ripley has just for the visiting.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
No better way to experience the wildlife and beauty of the North Dakota badlands than to visit this national park. I think it is one of America's hidden treasures. Just look at the views. 
Medora Steak Fondue and Musical
If you want an evening that is all American you should take a trip to the Ptichfork Steak Fondue and the Medora musical.
At the Steak Fondue you are treated with a 12 oz steak cooked on a pitchfork cooked to perfection in a hot vat. Your sides are served buffet style. It was way more food than any of us needed but we enjoyed it just the se.
While eating you are entertained by some of the performers from the musical singing gospel and country favorites. After dinner Joey O showed off his golfing talents. His show was impressive. He was able to hit golf balls while balancing himself on a large ball, and many other feats that would put even great golfers to shame.
On the hill in the distance was an awesome 12 point elk.
The Musical runs every night through the summer featuring talented musicians and singers. For two hora we were thoroughly entertained. At first I balked at the cost of a $35 ticket but it was worth every penny.
The musical is done in an outdoor amphitheater that does a wonderful job of letting you enjoy the beauty of he land along with the talents of the people. They feature horseback riders, comedy, dancing, singing and even a patriotic finale including fireworks.
At the Steak Fondue you are treated with a 12 oz steak cooked on a pitchfork cooked to perfection in a hot vat. Your sides are served buffet style. It was way more food than any of us needed but we enjoyed it just the se.
While eating you are entertained by some of the performers from the musical singing gospel and country favorites. After dinner Joey O showed off his golfing talents. His show was impressive. He was able to hit golf balls while balancing himself on a large ball, and many other feats that would put even great golfers to shame.
On the hill in the distance was an awesome 12 point elk.
The Musical runs every night through the summer featuring talented musicians and singers. For two hora we were thoroughly entertained. At first I balked at the cost of a $35 ticket but it was worth every penny.
The musical is done in an outdoor amphitheater that does a wonderful job of letting you enjoy the beauty of he land along with the talents of the people. They feature horseback riders, comedy, dancing, singing and even a patriotic finale including fireworks.
Medora
Medora North Dakota was named after its founders wife. The Marquis de Mores was a French nobleman who had the idea that rather than sending cattle east for slaughter that he could establish a meat packing operation and send beef east at a lesser cost making meat more affordable for the low income population in the eastern cities and even to send overseas to his homeland.
He built a twenty six room home with a view for his wife and children. Theeat packing operation was not as successful as hoped as people in the east preferred corn fed beef. The plant burned in the early 1900s and was never restored. You can see the chimney and the foundation. The home was maintained for you to your in your spare time.
Teddy Roosevelt also established a homestead here and later established Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The town is very quaint and welcomes all visitors. There is a lot of history to explore and a lot of natural beauty all around. Well worth a visit.
He built a twenty six room home with a view for his wife and children. Theeat packing operation was not as successful as hoped as people in the east preferred corn fed beef. The plant burned in the early 1900s and was never restored. You can see the chimney and the foundation. The home was maintained for you to your in your spare time.
Teddy Roosevelt also established a homestead here and later established Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The town is very quaint and welcomes all visitors. There is a lot of history to explore and a lot of natural beauty all around. Well worth a visit.
Approaching Storm
On our first night in Medora North Dakota we were amazed by the beautiful sight of an approaching rainstorm.
The Midwest has been desperate for rain and a good shower would not only cool things off but would nourish the land. We got a few sprinkles out of this one but the approach seemed certain with sharp cracks of lightning and ominous rolls of thunder.
We did get rain in the following days however.
The Midwest has been desperate for rain and a good shower would not only cool things off but would nourish the land. We got a few sprinkles out of this one but the approach seemed certain with sharp cracks of lightning and ominous rolls of thunder.
We did get rain in the following days however.
North Dakota
Not often considered a vacation destination but we all found God's handiwork displayed in all it's magnificence in the variety of landscapes. There were amber waves of grain, grassy plains and rugged badlands.
Photographs just can't capture the awesomeness. When you are planning a vacation to see God's handiwork, consider North Dakota.
Photographs just can't capture the awesomeness. When you are planning a vacation to see God's handiwork, consider North Dakota.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Bazaar
One of the highlights of the rally is seeing all the wonderful crafts that people bring to sell. Just amazing displays. 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)