2021/07/07 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 20 - Hitting Flagstaff

We left at 9 and headed west...

Next stop Flying J for Gas.

We stopped at KOA but they had no opening for the next two nights, so we got online to find a place and we finally found a place - Black Barts RV Park

Unloaded the 4Runner.

I lost the pins to my flag poll so we stopped at a Tractor Supply Co. to get some new pins and few other things.  Next stop was at Home Depot to get stuff that Tractor Supply did not have.

I went ahead and topped off the 4Runner of the necessary go go juice.

We did several stop in the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument. 

Back at the RV to check on the animals.  We had made some reservations.  I did not know that it was a dinner and show at the Black Bart's Steakhouse.

2021/07/04 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 17 - Hitting the Rockies

 We got moving at 9.

Stopped for the necessary go go juice.

I was differently going slow up and over the pass from Walsenburg/La Veta

We had made some calls and found a campground that had an open spot for two nights.

Unloaded the 4Runner and went to the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center.  The line to get into the visitor center building was stupid long.  They were doing a Covid protocol, only allow a very small number of people in the building.

We headed to Zapata Falls.  Mom M and I stayed at the car while C,A and E hiked up to the falls.

Returned back to the RV to check on the dog, before heading out for dinner.

IHOP was the safest and not busy for the 4th of July dinner.

Went shopping at Walmart and stop for gas for a full tank for our planned drive tomorrow.

No fireworks at the park but in the FAR distance we could see fireworks and mother nature also provided some lighting.

2021/07/02 - Friday - Vacation - Day 15 - Battlefield and Monument

 Left shortly after 9.

along the way gas is needed, so we stopped at a Sam's Club.

Next stop was at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. 

Then the next stop is at George Washington Carver National Mounument

We stopped at a campground but they did not have a space for use for one night, so went went to Big Red Barn RV Park.

Unloaded the car, headed out for dinner - Lucky J Steak House & Arena.

We stopped at Walmart for some shopping and now back at the RV to relax.

2021/06/27 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 10 - Natchez Trace Pkwy - Another day on the Trace

 We left about 9:30 - Had to pull out of the spot and then load the 4Runner so that takes some time.

Our first stop was at Flying J's for the RV.

We drove 2 hours to get to the location were we left the trace the day before.  Once on the trace, pulled into any pullout that I could fit.  We even drove out to Davis Lake - they had were full!.

We stopped for the night at Campground At Barnes Crossing.

We unloaded the 4Runner and headed out onto the Trace for more driving.  We stopped a the Visitor Center, Old Trace and Confederate Gravesites, 

It was starting to get late and I needed gas for the car, so headed back.

We went grocery shopping and headed back to the RV.

Went out to dinner at Mugshots - it was as good as last time we where here.

Back at the RV to relax.

2021/06/24 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 07 - Made it to Mississippi

 We left close to 9:30 today.

Next stop is for the necessary gas.

We had time, so we stopped at Vicksburg National Military Park.  We drove most of the grounds with the RV and trailer.  We did not do all the grounds, we ran out of time and A needed to be able to turn her paperwork in to get her JR badge.

We made it to Lindeaire RV Park and setup camp under the trees.  But what a dump.  I would not recommend this park to anybody. My 30 amp connection was not grounded, and I had to park so I would not get stuck in the mud.  They had several modular homes that were totally run down falling apart with no windows or doors.

We headed out to dinner - Aladdin Mediterranean Grill.  We stopped at Joann Fabrics to do some shopping.

Back to the RV to relax.

2021/06/23 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 06 - Yep, Texas is Big

 We got moving about 9:30 - so a little late...

Well of course we need gas.  I had used one of the tanks for airing up tires, so we found a welding gas supply location to exchange a tank. 

Another stop of gas.

We stopped shortly before 6pm at Fernbrook Park (rv park).

Unloaded the 4Runner and headed into town.  Best Buy, Dinner at Cracker Barrel, and then Walmart to stock up on things.

Back to the RV to relax.

2021/06/22 - Tuesday - Vacation - Day 05 - Texas is big

 We got moving shortly after 9.

Well of course the need for fuel is needed.

After about 6 hours (and 300 miles) its time to stop for the night at Whip in RV Park

Unloaded the 4Runner and headed out for dinner at Red Mesa Grill.

Now that it is a little cooler, the fridge is doing ok (not great) so we stopped at Walmart to get some food and do some spending.

2021/06/21 - Monday - Vacation - Day 04 - Moving On

We got moving at 9 to see if we can get out of the very hot area.

Next stop a couple of hours later for gas and lunch.

I could not wait until the next gas stop, so I stopped at an overlook over Las Cruces. 

Next stop - gas.

Now it is time to stop for the night - Mission RV Park

Once the 4Runner was unloaded, we headed out for dinner at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.  After dinner they wanted something from Kohl's so we spend some more money. 

Stopped for gas for the car.

Back at the RV to relax for the night.

2020/06/20 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - Dog - Family

The night was not good, Turquoise was having major issues during the night.

We went to Petco to get a few things to help with the issue.

After more concerns on what we were seeing, off to the vet.

After some test results,  it was determined that he has high white blood cell count.  We been given some antibiotics to give him....

Back at the house we enjoyed family time!  Dinner, talking, and a round of 5 Crowns with 11 of us playing - Fun times!

2020/06/19 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - Shopping

We slept in, nothing was really planned for today. 

We finally got moving,  headed towards L's business, but before getting there we stopped for lunch that Cheryl could get fried gluten free chicken. We had to order and eat in our car.

We did our shopping,  and stopped at a barbershop so I could get my hair cut.

We stopped at L's place and got the windshield wipers replaced on the van.

Back at the house, Cheryl started the laundry and than they started to work on dinner.

After dinner we played Five Crowns.

2020/06/12 - Friday - Vacation - Day 01 - Full, had to find a different location

We left the house shortly after 9 almost on time.  First stop was at a pet store to get some necessary can food for the dog and cats.

The next stop was at Camping World in Bakersfield to get Cheryl some new pots/pans that all stack neatly together and takes up less space and the cupboard will be neater.  While leaving the parking lot the new tow dolly made some clunking noises.

We stopped at the Flying J's outside of Bakersfield to get the necessary go go juice for the RV.  After filling up the RV, I pulled over in the parking area and had my fill for lunch.

The plan was to stop at the KOA in Visalia, but they could not accommodate use for two nights, so A.M. made several phone calls and finally found a place about an hour further up the 99.

We made it to the Arena RV Park and they only had accommodation in the overflow area (along side a building), but it does have full hoockups.

I have been noticing that the bathroom faucet would only trickle out the water, so I took the head off and cleaned the restricter and now it flow good.  While doing the cleaning, I did get A.M. good when the head was not on correctly and when I turned the water on it squirted hear.

I unloaded the van and we headed to a Black Bear Dinner that we have not eaten at before.  They had opened up inside seating and of course with social distancing.

Back at the RV, we organized the pot and pan cupboard and put the new set in and got ride of some of the old ones.

I did forget the power cord for my work computer, so A.M. is ordering it and it will be delivered to L.M. place so I can still do my necessary work.  So between now and getting to L.M., hopefully I can do what I need quickly without running out of power before getting there.

The train track are just across the street from the RV park and it sounds like they are going to go right trough us.

I noticed that there was water around the kitchen faucet, so I cleaned that up, but I wanted to make sure it was not a leak and sure enough it is, so now we have to stop and get a new RV faucet for the kitchen sink.

I was hoping that E.M. would join us for the weekend, but he decided not to drive down and join us.  We will see him on Sunday.

2019/06/30 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 10 - Library and Stocking Up

We got up late - today is a relaxing day.

We got moving almost lunch time.  First stop was The Joint - but a different one closer to our main attraction.  While I was getting worked on, the rest went into GNC to get a few items.

Next stop was lunch.  The first location had a long line, so we found another location - Parish Foods & Goods.

We spent about an hour and half at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum.

We then took a drive and drove around the Stone Mountain Park.

One the way back home we made several stops. Whole food, then Wal-Mart, the Amazon Locker and then finally McDonald's

Back the RV of course we had to put all the items away and relax.

2019/06/27 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 07 - Battlefield and New Arrival

We got going very late compared to any other time.

We stopped at "The Joint Chiropractic" to see it can help me out with my pain.

Well now it is time for lunch.

We went and toured around at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  Amanda was able to complete the Jr Ranger booklet and got a nice packet of items.  We drove around some more and even found a 'dirt' road that had some major potholes.

Next stop was to go pick up Mom D and C.M., so we will now have 6 people touring around.  It is so cool that we have the complete family and both moms!

We stopped at the convention center to pick up our badges and get the lay of the facilities.  Of course we paid for A.M and E.M. registration.

With my back pain I don't think we will be doing much dancing... Not very happy about that but not much I can do but try to get better...

On the way to get dinner, we stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond, then stopped at an auto parts place, but they did not have the fuse we needed.

We had dinner at one of the location where Triple D visited and it was good.

Next stop was to pickup the amazon package from an Amazon drop box location.  On the way back Mom D started to not feel good.

Back at the RV trying to get everything situated for a family of 6 and getting ready for tomorrow.

2019/06/26 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 06 - We Made It Here

We got going a little late, but that is ok, we knew this was going to be a short day.

We stopped at the visitor center so A.M. could turn in her Jr Ranger booklet.


We stopped at a Love's Travel Stop and had lunch

We drove through some rain and seen some lighting. 

Gas as close to our destination at a Pilot.

We made it to the camp ground and setup camp at about 5:30.

We went to Verizon to replace our mifi that had the batteries expanded.  And stopped at Bed Bath to get a seat cushion for me to see it would help - so far it has not.  I am still hurt a lot!.

Back at the RV, A.M. made dinner and Mom M and I started laundry, I could not sit there any longer and went back to the RV and Mom M finished it.

2019/06/23 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 03 - Travel - Tire - Cross - Dinner

We got moving a little before 9 so a good start for the day.  I first stop was just down the street at a Pilot to get the necessary gas for the RV. 

As a  big rig passed one of the back passenger tire exploded - for a brief second I thought it was one of mine, but knock on wood, I was good and it was the big rigs tire.

Next stop was gas again and to get a quick bite to eat for lunch.  All morning my back is not treating me good, hurting is not fun!

Next stop was at "Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries" in Groom TX.  Amanda took some photos.  I was able to walk around for a little bit before the pain in my back was to great. 

As we were approaching our night stop, we kept checking the weather because the clouds look darker and darker.

We setup camp quickly and then we headed out to get a few things.  First stop was at a Petco to get a thunder shirt for Turquoise (which does help keep him calm when it rains (the noise in the RV is to much for him)). 

We tried out a new restaurant called Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.  The price is good, the food is good. but if you have any allergies, make sure the manager knows.  I had to get a new stake because it had pepper spice in the rub. But they were falling all over themselves to make sure thing were good.  I will for sure go back to them.

After dinner, we stopped at Wal-Mart, Gas for the van, and CVS.

Back at the RV, put tape on the finder of the tow dolly so I don't loose the driver side tail light.

A busy late night.

2018/07/08 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 17 - Chimney and Fossils

We started a little late, but we were waiting for Cheryl's co-worker to be done with what they had planned for the morning.

A little after noon, we headed out to Chimney Rock NHS.  This is not ran by the NPS, so no JR Ranger program for Amanda to do here.

Next stop was a lonely drive north. And we did not have cell coverage out there.  Amanda was able to get her 82nd and 83rd Jr Ranger Program at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, the other was for Paleontology.

Back into town for dinner and some more great conversation with Cheyl's co-worker and family.

After dinner we went back to Wal-Mart for more shopping and then headed back to camp.

The rest of the evening was relaxing and getting ready for tomorrow all day drive.

2018/07/07 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 16 - Bluffs

Cheryl and I did an hour and half bike ride on a converted rail bed to bike/walking path.

We left camp about 10:00 and stopped in town for gas before getting going.

I did stop at a park to let Turquoise have a break, he was pestering us.

At Carhenge we walked around and then back at the RV had lunch.

We made to Scottsbluff a little bit after two (we did change time zones.)

After unloading the van, we headed for Scottsbluff National Monument.  Amanda got her 81st Jr Ranger badge.

We were going to head to another park, but it was going to close so we drove around the old part of town which gave us more time to find a place to eat.

After dinner we went to Walmart and spend way to much money.

Back at camp, we did talk with Cheryl's co-worker that is here also.

2018/06/30 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - More NSDC and Friends

I got up early and did three loads of laundry while Amanda and Cheryl slept in.

We got going to meet friends for lunch, but before heading to lunch we stopped at Walmart to get a few things.

Went to the convention center to check on a few things - we did not win anything on the raffles.

We watched the closing ceremonies and then headed out for dinner.

Our friends headed to a round dance hall while we watched the dancing in the live band hall.

Back at the RV, Turquoise must have not like the weather/rain and peed on the couch and on the one of the bench seats.  So off to do more laundry very late at night.

2018/06/29 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - NSDC and Friends

We got moving really late, but we all wanted some more sleep in time...

Once we got moving we left a little after 1.
First stop was at a bank to take care of a few things, then we stopped for a late lunch.

Once at the convention center, we did some dancing, meet some friends and did more dancing.

We went out for our expensive dinner today - 801 Chop House.  The place did not compare to last years Morton's dinner.

Back to dancing and Amanda got  her shoes.  Because there is no photographer at this convention Amanda found a place and took some pictures with her phone.

We went back to the RV and meet our long time close friends (F&L) that just drove up and had a great conversation.

2018/06/27 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 06 - Education, HOT & Muggy

Regarding last night.  Power was finally restored about an hour later.

Today we got started on the road about 8:26

First stop was for gas.

The next stop was at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.  We spent about 1 1/2 and Amanda got her 78th Jr Ranger badge. After returning to the RV we had lunch.

Next stop is our stop for the next 4 nights so we can participate at the National Square Dance Convention.  Things are very hot and muggy currently.

We did got out and get some things (shopping - Costco and Walmart), returned to the RV and put those items away.

Out we go again for some dinner.

Back at the RV we relaxed.