What a day of exploration! We left our campground to tour the Dinosaur National Monument which is more of a park than a Monument. It extends from the upper east corner of Utah into Colorado. We only explored the Utah side. Our early morning drive took us about 14 miles to look at some petroglyphs. The carvings are at least one thousand years old. I cant imagine people living in this environment for any length of time. It was very hot during the day and very cool in the evening. How did people survive? I complain about not having cell service but they lived here in these extreme conditions. We took many pictures which I will post after I finish typing. I know we said no more gravel roads but we had to go 2 miles on a gravel road to see the petroglyphs and it was worth it. I started worrying when we crossed over a dirt road bridge but we made it. When we were finished we headed back to the visitor center but as I was reading the pamphlet, I realized we missed one of the stops. So...Chris turned around and we went back over the gravel road a second time. Well worth it since the first site only had lizards and the second one had very different symbols.
After the tour we went to the quarry to see the dinosaur fossils. It was an amazing exhibit. The excavation was finished so they built a huge building into the side of the mountain covering almost 200 feet in length and over two stories high of dinosaur fossils. The bones were exposed coming straight out of the mountain. There were thousands of bones. The area was once a lake during the time of the dinosaurs. Later there was a drought that dried up the lake and many dinosaurs just died in the area. In time, the water came back and the lake filled up again burying the remains. Sediment was layered on and through time all was under layers of rock and sediment. The bones became fossilized and are now preserved like rocks. Then came modern day erosion and one day a mountaineer was hiking and saw a large skeleton showing on the side of the mountain. The dig is done now and preserved for everyone to see in an air-conditioned facility.
We were very hot and tired so for a time of relaxing we found a Laundromat and had lunch while the clothes were washing. The laundry's in Yellowstone and Glacier all had signs "do not wash pet blankets". This one had a sign, "do not wash horse blankets". When we were done it was 3pm and we had not driven any distance for the day. We thought we could go about 150 miles before stopping but after 10 minutes it was clear we would not make it very far. We drove about 50 miles and stopped early enough for me to make a pot of potato soup for supper. We ate out side with the wind howling and blowing at about 20 mph. It was wonderful.
Tomorrow we need to stay focused as we have to get as close to Zion as we can. It is hard not to stop and take in the beautiful vistas and there is a turnout every few miles. When we stop at the pullouts we always meet people and we stop and talk too long. It is interesting that almost everyone we talk to has just recently retired. I guess this is what you do. We are doing at least 10 years of vacations in just two months. I feel blessed everyday.
Tomorrow should be just a travel day so I may not post unless something interesting happens. Oh, the RV started right up with us using only one sleep machine through the night.
Peace to my family and all of my friends, Barbara
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Greetings from Jensen, Utah
Jensen is just outside of Vernal, Utah which is just outside of nowhere. We were in search of Dinosaurland. It was supposed to be 90 miles from last nights campground. We left at 9:30 and arrived at dinosaur national monument at 3:30. It was the longest 90 miles and it was probably my fault because I made us stop at every pullout. Each one was better than the next. We did not know that the road from Ft. Bridger to Vernal was a scenic highway but we were plesantly surprised. Just like in life, sometimes the unplanned is better than the planned. We drove the whole way through red rock gorges and followed the Green River. All of the water we have seen is clear green and looks like the Caribbean. The best part of the drive was the 9 miles with nine switchbacks and 8% grade. I had to look that up...it drops 8 feet for every 100 feet traveled...steep! I was on the phone with my daughter when we started the decent or I would have screamed the whole way. We made it but not before my phone call was cut off several times. I am glad to say that Chris did an awesome job and we did not use any of the runaway ramps.
When we arrived in Vernal we went to the post office to pick up mail that was forwarded to us by Ci and Ashby. So lucky to have them taking care of it for us. Then we headed to find a campground. The first one was a giant gravel parking lot for forty dollars. There was no grass and no trees except in the playground. Chris did not want to cookout our tube steaks on gravel. So we followed signs to a KOA that took us to the dinosaur park. The ranger said those signs are misleading and the road we should have turned onto was under water. There was a campground at the park so that is where we are staying. No electricity and no generators after 9pm but for $6 we will rough it. The only problem is that we both have sleep apnea so we are going to try going through the cigarette lighter. Hope the engine starts in the morning.
We hope to see beautiful stars tonight and dinosaur fossils tomorrow. Maybe good pictures of the night sky.
Peace to my family and my friends, Barbara
When we arrived in Vernal we went to the post office to pick up mail that was forwarded to us by Ci and Ashby. So lucky to have them taking care of it for us. Then we headed to find a campground. The first one was a giant gravel parking lot for forty dollars. There was no grass and no trees except in the playground. Chris did not want to cookout our tube steaks on gravel. So we followed signs to a KOA that took us to the dinosaur park. The ranger said those signs are misleading and the road we should have turned onto was under water. There was a campground at the park so that is where we are staying. No electricity and no generators after 9pm but for $6 we will rough it. The only problem is that we both have sleep apnea so we are going to try going through the cigarette lighter. Hope the engine starts in the morning.
We hope to see beautiful stars tonight and dinosaur fossils tomorrow. Maybe good pictures of the night sky.
Peace to my family and my friends, Barbara
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Greetings from Fort Bridger, Wy
Today was another long travel day...the kind that will test a 43 year old marriage. We saw more beautiful countryside as we traveled through Idaho. The people out west are real health nuts when it comes to food and Chris is having to adjust. Two times we have gone out to lunch and did not recognize anything on the menu. The first time I ordered the only thing I thought he would eat...a roast beef sandwich. The appetizers included edaname (really don't know howto spell it) and other non-gulf shores food items. Today we went to a real modern soup/salad/sandwich restaurant. They had great panni's and very different salads. Chris could not find a basic ham & cheese sandwich and did not recognize any of the salads. As we walked out he noted that we were the oldest people in the place. I think he is too old to experience new things. He did however recognize all of the desserts and had no trouble making a selection.
One interesting thing about the west is the speed limits. I was shocked to see 80 miles an hour. I noticed a sign along the highway that said: If you have a fender bender move the cars to the shoulder. I ask you...who is going to have a fender bender while driving 80 miles an hour? It should say move all car parts to the shoulder. There is no way that we will ever get a speeding ticket . Besides, I have not seen any highway patrol out west.
I have been driving about 1/3 of the time now. Chris has even promoted me to driving in the mountains but only if it is 4 lanes. I enjoy it most of the time except when the winds are strong. I only go about 60 mph and I get passed a lot. My philosophy: would they rather I drive slow and keep the traffic moving or drive fast and have a major back up when I have an accident. Easy choice.
Tomorrow we get to see dinosaur bones in Vernal, Utah
Peace to my family and my friends, Barbara
P
One interesting thing about the west is the speed limits. I was shocked to see 80 miles an hour. I noticed a sign along the highway that said: If you have a fender bender move the cars to the shoulder. I ask you...who is going to have a fender bender while driving 80 miles an hour? It should say move all car parts to the shoulder. There is no way that we will ever get a speeding ticket . Besides, I have not seen any highway patrol out west.
I have been driving about 1/3 of the time now. Chris has even promoted me to driving in the mountains but only if it is 4 lanes. I enjoy it most of the time except when the winds are strong. I only go about 60 mph and I get passed a lot. My philosophy: would they rather I drive slow and keep the traffic moving or drive fast and have a major back up when I have an accident. Easy choice.
Tomorrow we get to see dinosaur bones in Vernal, Utah
Peace to my family and my friends, Barbara
P
Monday, September 8, 2014
Greetings from Dillon, Montana
Today was to be a travel day with no sightseeing. However, when we checked out the wonderful reservation person suggested we go to a place called Many Glacier. It is pronounced man--ee. We had planned to drive to the other side of the park and take a scenic route to Missoula but between the approaching snow and Chris being tired of driving the narrow roads, we chose to go by Many before leaving the park. I am so glad we did. It was just the most beautiful setting imaginable. About 110 years ago the park opened the lodge and promoted it as the American Alps. The lodge was built to look like a lodge from Switzerland. The bell hops dress in the little shorts and native Swiss attire. What a gift to see such beautiful countryside. I can't help but hum the song America the Beautiful.
By the time we finished that little side trip it was 12:00 and time to really hit the road. We drove till 8:00pm. Boy are we tired. However it was a glorious day. The drive today was beautiful the whole way. The mountains have two faces and look different as we travel south on the same roads. You would think that you have seen one mountain--you have seen them all. That is how we felt at Yellowstone after seeing 30 geysers. But it is not true with mountains. They have so many different shapes and landscapes. The amazing thing about the Glacier Mts. was that you are driving along looking at amber colored fields and you see rolling hills (Florida mountains) in front of you. You have no clue what awesomeness hidden behind those rolling hills. Then these simple hills open up to an unimaginable landscape. Each time I take a picture I know that I cannot capture what I am seeing.
One thing that surprised me is that we had not seen any sunsets. We waited each evening but the sun just went down with no fanfare. That is until today. We saw an awesome sunset...even though the pictures could not actually capture it going at 65 miles an hour.
Long day of driving tomorrow so I will sign
By the time we finished that little side trip it was 12:00 and time to really hit the road. We drove till 8:00pm. Boy are we tired. However it was a glorious day. The drive today was beautiful the whole way. The mountains have two faces and look different as we travel south on the same roads. You would think that you have seen one mountain--you have seen them all. That is how we felt at Yellowstone after seeing 30 geysers. But it is not true with mountains. They have so many different shapes and landscapes. The amazing thing about the Glacier Mts. was that you are driving along looking at amber colored fields and you see rolling hills (Florida mountains) in front of you. You have no clue what awesomeness hidden behind those rolling hills. Then these simple hills open up to an unimaginable landscape. Each time I take a picture I know that I cannot capture what I am seeing.
One thing that surprised me is that we had not seen any sunsets. We waited each evening but the sun just went down with no fanfare. That is until today. We saw an awesome sunset...even though the pictures could not actually capture it going at 65 miles an hour.
Long day of driving tomorrow so I will sign
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Greetings from St. Marys night 2
Today we woke up early and caught the 9:00 bus to road to the sun. After an hour ride through some beautiful vistas we hopped off at Logan's Pass. I want to thank Melissa for suggesting the hike there. It is only 1.5 miles but it is straight up. It is quite a hike. At one point I asked Chris "whose idea was this?" I told him Melissa. He said to tell her thanks but we were on the uphill climb and I am pretty sure his thank you was not sincere. However at the top...it was glorious. I met a Christian lady on the walk and she asked how anyone could see all of this and not think there was a God/
We were not able to go to church again today. I had found an Episcopal Church in town on the internet but when we got here could not find any listing for it. I think I might have found St. Mary's in Colorado. So we found a quite spot on the walk to stop and listen to an audio lectio divina podcast that I had recorded earlier. It was a beautiful place to worship.
We had two opportunities for ministry today. The first was when we came along a couple that was resting on the way up the path. They both looked weak. I had packed several packs of peanut butter crackers and two pieces of fruit. We asked them if they needed something to eat and they gladly accepted our crackers.
Now on the way back to the visitor center we sat across from 4 girl from Poland. They were being silly and we laughed with them. They had two very large rolling suitcases and 4 large and overfilled backpacks. We saw them get off and sit by the bus stop and we each went our way. We got back to the Rollin Ace, walked the dogs, and headed out. The four girls were dragging their luggage in the grass hiking to the highway. We stopped and asked if they wanted a ride and they came running. With very poor English they said gas station. So we went to the nearest one. Now what. They showed us the road were they were headed and prepared to get out. The road was straight up hill. So of course we said we would take them up the hill. At one point I could tell they did not know where the place was that they were going. They were all talking at the same time, some English, but we understood enough to know they wanted to go to the employee housing for the park and they were meeting a friend to stay with but he was at work. So Chris stopped a fellow walking up the hill and asked him directions. He pointed to the gravel road. The girls again said that we had done enough and they did not want us to have to go on that road. Chris had promised no more gravel roads. But what could we do. Those suitcases had to way 100 pounds each. So we headed up hill on the one lane gravel road, found the housing and dropped them at the door. They could not believe how nice Americans are and thanked us profusely. We saved them quite and walk and climb. It was fun but NO MORE GRAVEL ROADS.
We did have a chipmunk run across my shoe, we saw mountain goats, a pine martin(we thought it was a wolverine), and a marmaduke(I think that is how you say it...he yelled at us the whole way).
This is so quiet and so beautiful. I could stay here for quite a long time but the snow is headed here tomorrow night so we have to leave in the morning. We are headed south and our next objective is Vernal, Utah to see the dinosaurs. It should take us a few days.
Peace to all my friends, Barbara
We were not able to go to church again today. I had found an Episcopal Church in town on the internet but when we got here could not find any listing for it. I think I might have found St. Mary's in Colorado. So we found a quite spot on the walk to stop and listen to an audio lectio divina podcast that I had recorded earlier. It was a beautiful place to worship.
We had two opportunities for ministry today. The first was when we came along a couple that was resting on the way up the path. They both looked weak. I had packed several packs of peanut butter crackers and two pieces of fruit. We asked them if they needed something to eat and they gladly accepted our crackers.
Now on the way back to the visitor center we sat across from 4 girl from Poland. They were being silly and we laughed with them. They had two very large rolling suitcases and 4 large and overfilled backpacks. We saw them get off and sit by the bus stop and we each went our way. We got back to the Rollin Ace, walked the dogs, and headed out. The four girls were dragging their luggage in the grass hiking to the highway. We stopped and asked if they wanted a ride and they came running. With very poor English they said gas station. So we went to the nearest one. Now what. They showed us the road were they were headed and prepared to get out. The road was straight up hill. So of course we said we would take them up the hill. At one point I could tell they did not know where the place was that they were going. They were all talking at the same time, some English, but we understood enough to know they wanted to go to the employee housing for the park and they were meeting a friend to stay with but he was at work. So Chris stopped a fellow walking up the hill and asked him directions. He pointed to the gravel road. The girls again said that we had done enough and they did not want us to have to go on that road. Chris had promised no more gravel roads. But what could we do. Those suitcases had to way 100 pounds each. So we headed up hill on the one lane gravel road, found the housing and dropped them at the door. They could not believe how nice Americans are and thanked us profusely. We saved them quite and walk and climb. It was fun but NO MORE GRAVEL ROADS.
We did have a chipmunk run across my shoe, we saw mountain goats, a pine martin(we thought it was a wolverine), and a marmaduke(I think that is how you say it...he yelled at us the whole way).
This is so quiet and so beautiful. I could stay here for quite a long time but the snow is headed here tomorrow night so we have to leave in the morning. We are headed south and our next objective is Vernal, Utah to see the dinosaurs. It should take us a few days.
Peace to all my friends, Barbara
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Greetings from St. Marys, Montana
We made it to the entrance to Glacier National Park. We have cooked out and gone for a long walk. There is no cell service but there is internet if we go to the office. Tomorrow we will do the Road To The Sun. We have to walk about a mile to catch the tour bus.
I love all the comments and hope I can remember to do everything. We will definitely try to do the Logan pass trail. We planned to stay two nights but might stay extra for the trail. We are at the east entrance for two nights. Hope to move to the west entrance on Monday. They expect their first snowfall on Tuesday so we want to be gone before that happens. Chris wants to go to Canada because we are only 10 miles away. Then he wants to go to Calgary. I think that won't happen unless the weather changes.
The mountains here are so different. Everywhere we go the mountains have their own personalities. They are all beautiful. We watched for the sunset but it just goes down. No bright colors across the sky. We have not seen one real sunset since we left the gulf coast.
The best way to comment is through FB. I get those. Thanks for taking the time to write. Chris and I look forward to reading them each night....when we have service.
It is time now to walk up the hill to our campsite....and the temperature is dropping so I will sign off.
Peace to all my friends. Barbara
I love all the comments and hope I can remember to do everything. We will definitely try to do the Logan pass trail. We planned to stay two nights but might stay extra for the trail. We are at the east entrance for two nights. Hope to move to the west entrance on Monday. They expect their first snowfall on Tuesday so we want to be gone before that happens. Chris wants to go to Canada because we are only 10 miles away. Then he wants to go to Calgary. I think that won't happen unless the weather changes.
The mountains here are so different. Everywhere we go the mountains have their own personalities. They are all beautiful. We watched for the sunset but it just goes down. No bright colors across the sky. We have not seen one real sunset since we left the gulf coast.
The best way to comment is through FB. I get those. Thanks for taking the time to write. Chris and I look forward to reading them each night....when we have service.
It is time now to walk up the hill to our campsite....and the temperature is dropping so I will sign off.
Peace to all my friends. Barbara
Friday, September 5, 2014
Greetings from Helena, Montana
I has been a week since I have written in my blog. It has been an incredible week filled with many exciting moments but no internet or cell service most of the time. I have missed writing and have missed the contact from friends through email or FB replies. However did we survive with the internet?
We left Mt. Rushmore headed to Yellowstone with a stop over at Buffalo, Wyoming. Stayed in a lovely campground that had an ice cream social every evening. We met a very nice couple and shared stories. They gave us lots of advice. We were debating the route to Yellowstone. There were two options. The first was to travel the interstate and come in from the north. The second was to take the scenic route through the mountains and a 10,000 ft pass. The couple had just come from the scenic route and the man loved it while the woman said she would not do it again. The scenic route is full of switchbacks and steep inclines and down grades. Some people lose their breaks before it is over. Which way do you think we went?
We had a beautiful drive through the mountains and I loved every minute of it. Chris has become a very good driver and I did not have to tell him to slow down. He took his time and we enjoyed the journey. We pulled into our reserved campsite in Yellowstone very late and went right to bed.
The campground was supposed to have Sunday services but they were cancelled because it was the end of the season---poor excuse. Chris and I planned our Sunday worship together. He chose that we would do morning prayer and I choose to do lectio divina from my recorded readings. We had a great worship time sharing our time together.
Later in the morning we realized that we had no cell service or internet and the nearest hotspot was at a lodge that was supposed to be 2 miles away. It had been raining, a slow drizzle, all morning so we decided to take a chance with the weather and walk to the lodge, hoping to have lunch before returning. The trip about killed us. I kept saying that this was the longest 2 miles I had ever walked. To make it worse, the rain never stopped, just got worse. We did arrive, had a great lunch, and FB all our friends so they would not worry. Then it stopped raining and we headed back--exhausted. The next day we clocked it in our RV. It was not 2 miles but was really 3.5 miles or 7 miles round trip. No wonder we could not get back up after we sat down for dinner. We now keep the Aleve in the silverware drawer because we need it so frequently.
Yellowstone was great with Old Faithful, plenty of geysers, and even a bison only 40 feet from our path. We hiked everyday and really enjoyed it. Chris finally saw a herd (15) of bison and a bull elk.
Mr. ADHA got tired of Yellowstone...saw it all...so we checked out 3 days early and headed to the Tetons on Wednesday morning. It was only 90 miles away.
The drive through the Tetons was magnificent. We turned on our praise music by Lynn DeShazo as we experienced the beauty of God's work through our eyes and through our ears. Lynn sings the psalms and praises God for all He has made. It was like being on a retreat. The mountains open up to this river/lake area and it is breathtaking. I never expected to see a marina with at least 50 boats on morings. What a great day. We both felt so fortunate to have such an experience.
Now we are in Helena, Montana. There is a Mexican restaurant on every corner and Casinos on the other corners. We took a boat ride called Gates of the Wilderness. Pretty awesome! We had dinner with friends we met through Ci and Ashby when they were in Gulf Shores. It was fun and lots of laughs since they all RV and had stories to tell.
Tomorrow we head to Glacier National Park. We should be there two nights. We hope to travel the road to the sun of the weather holds out for us.
Peace to all my friends, Barbara
We left Mt. Rushmore headed to Yellowstone with a stop over at Buffalo, Wyoming. Stayed in a lovely campground that had an ice cream social every evening. We met a very nice couple and shared stories. They gave us lots of advice. We were debating the route to Yellowstone. There were two options. The first was to travel the interstate and come in from the north. The second was to take the scenic route through the mountains and a 10,000 ft pass. The couple had just come from the scenic route and the man loved it while the woman said she would not do it again. The scenic route is full of switchbacks and steep inclines and down grades. Some people lose their breaks before it is over. Which way do you think we went?
We had a beautiful drive through the mountains and I loved every minute of it. Chris has become a very good driver and I did not have to tell him to slow down. He took his time and we enjoyed the journey. We pulled into our reserved campsite in Yellowstone very late and went right to bed.
The campground was supposed to have Sunday services but they were cancelled because it was the end of the season---poor excuse. Chris and I planned our Sunday worship together. He chose that we would do morning prayer and I choose to do lectio divina from my recorded readings. We had a great worship time sharing our time together.
Later in the morning we realized that we had no cell service or internet and the nearest hotspot was at a lodge that was supposed to be 2 miles away. It had been raining, a slow drizzle, all morning so we decided to take a chance with the weather and walk to the lodge, hoping to have lunch before returning. The trip about killed us. I kept saying that this was the longest 2 miles I had ever walked. To make it worse, the rain never stopped, just got worse. We did arrive, had a great lunch, and FB all our friends so they would not worry. Then it stopped raining and we headed back--exhausted. The next day we clocked it in our RV. It was not 2 miles but was really 3.5 miles or 7 miles round trip. No wonder we could not get back up after we sat down for dinner. We now keep the Aleve in the silverware drawer because we need it so frequently.
Yellowstone was great with Old Faithful, plenty of geysers, and even a bison only 40 feet from our path. We hiked everyday and really enjoyed it. Chris finally saw a herd (15) of bison and a bull elk.
Mr. ADHA got tired of Yellowstone...saw it all...so we checked out 3 days early and headed to the Tetons on Wednesday morning. It was only 90 miles away.
The drive through the Tetons was magnificent. We turned on our praise music by Lynn DeShazo as we experienced the beauty of God's work through our eyes and through our ears. Lynn sings the psalms and praises God for all He has made. It was like being on a retreat. The mountains open up to this river/lake area and it is breathtaking. I never expected to see a marina with at least 50 boats on morings. What a great day. We both felt so fortunate to have such an experience.
Now we are in Helena, Montana. There is a Mexican restaurant on every corner and Casinos on the other corners. We took a boat ride called Gates of the Wilderness. Pretty awesome! We had dinner with friends we met through Ci and Ashby when they were in Gulf Shores. It was fun and lots of laughs since they all RV and had stories to tell.
Tomorrow we head to Glacier National Park. We should be there two nights. We hope to travel the road to the sun of the weather holds out for us.
Peace to all my friends, Barbara
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