TRAVEL LO G

07/05/11

Each trip will remain on the web for a few weeks or until our next trip

SUMMARY OF TRIP:

We left Lufkin on May 31 and went to Fort Worth.  On Weds., June 1, 2011, we left with Linda and Brad for Salt Lake City, Utah.  We drove 4612 miles and covered 7 states. We covered several National Parks, saw beautiful country, had cool weather, and ate a lot of food.  We went to every place we had planned to along with places we found on the way.  We used the map and the GPS system to take us to places we might not have gone otherwise.  Jack says the SkyWalk was his favorite thing to do and is glad we included it.  We had to drive about 100 miles out of the way, but it was worth it.  We had planned to come home thru Arizona and New Mexico but the wild fires and the smoke from them, made us change our route.  By doing so, we went thru Moab, Utah and saw more beautiful country.  It was a GREAT trip and I will have a lot of photos to put in albums since I like to see and feel the photos, instead of just leaving them in the computer.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING US ON THIS TRIP.

Mon, June 13, 2011

We got up this morning and made our way to McDonald's for coffee and breakfast.  Since we have traveled this way before, there was not much to see or take photos of.  Some time we have to repeat our trip to get back into Texas and home again.  Thanks to Brad's driving and the GPS system, we made some changes to the route thou.  This has been a great trip and I will catch you up on all of it when I do a Summary.  We got into Fort Worth about 3:00 and found everything in great shape.  Jezzie was glad to be home thou.  We sent out for supper as we did not have much food left in the house.  Thanks for watching our trip and look for more great photos in the days to come.  I don't know if we will go on to Lufkin tomorrow or not, but we still have a lot of things to sha re with all of you.  Goodnight, we are both tired and will possibly sleep late tomorrow.  We love all of you. Love Lou 

                                    Rafters ride the Colorado River                                                                   Ski sloops near Vail, CO

                                        Melting snow runoff                                                                    Hunting season is not open

                                Snow melt makes for a rising river                                                   Water wheel near an old mine

              This was the only accident we saw on the entire trip                                         Entering Denver Colorado

 Sun, June 12, 2011

When we got up this morning, it was 57 degrees.  We missed being with all of you at church.  This has really been just a traveling day.  We was going to have breakfast at McDs but tour buses of young people pulled in just before we did, so we just got coffee and kept going.  We changed our route again and headed south on 385.  We decided to come down the eastern part of Colorado and cross into Kansas.  It has been just a way to get somewhere.  We drove thru wheat fields for miles and miles, then we started seeing feed lots for cattle on both sides of the highway. We followed the Santa Fe Trail for miles.  Crossed into Kansas and had lunch at the Flashback Diner, very good food and then had ice cream.  The cowboys below greeted us as we came into Dodge City.    Then we toured the Kansas Veterans Home community, an impressive place.  The art work below is at Mullingville Kansas and was done by T.J. Leggett and when we get home, I am going to research some more on him.  Linda did some on her phone.  We crossed into Oklahoma and made our way back to the town of Woodward.  And back to the same motel we stayed on our way up.  Again, it is a first for us.  We had supper and then ice cream at Brahms.  Tomorrow we will make our way back to Fort Worth, don't know yet just how we will do that.  Sometimes in this part of the country, you don't have much of a choice in the way you go some where.  The roads just don't always connect in the right places.  Another full day, but most of it as I said is just a way to get somewhere else.  Any way, we have enjoyed every minute of this trip and I guess unless we change our minds again, we will be in Fort Worth tomorrow night.  Then, I don't know if we will go home or stay there, since we plan on being in Fort Worth again next week.  Just keep watching because we don't know from one day to the next.  Love to you all, LOU   

                      Dodge City has a neat sign as you enter                                      Cannon at the Kansas Soldiers Home

                                              Fort Dodge, Kansas                                                                Artist's fence along the highway

                                           More of the fence                                                     One of the small towns on our wondering trip

Sat, June 11, 2011

We had breakfast at the Pancake House in Moab.  Then we started our day by wishing Casey a Happy birthday.  We crossed into Colorado about 11:00.  We changed our route to stay away from the fires and smoke in Arizona and New Mexico.  We came thru the towns of Rifle and Parachute both about 5200 ft up.  As you can see the Colorado River is really flowing strong everywhere.  We walked across the river bridge in West Glenwood.  We had lunch at Chili's in Glenwood.  Saw the ski slopes at Eagle and Avon.  There is a lot of snow still in the mountains.  When we can thru Vail we were up 10380 ft.  We toured the little town of Frisco and was given Brownie Bars at the Visitors Center.  We stopped at a viewing area in Georgetown just in time to see the touring train crossing the Colorado River and going on up into the mountains.  We saw some more mountain goats.  Found a really neat waterfalls and wheel working in Idaho Springs. Saw more rafters in the river but it was really overflowing its banks in places.  We almost have to stop at every overlook to keep from missing some wonderful view.  We had to travel on part of the route we went up on, but changed it when we could.  We headed back toward Limon, Colorado and just before we got into town, we were on the back side of a thunderstorm, ran into rain and light hail, but when we got into Limon, hail had covered everything, even the roof tops.  we stayed at the same motel as when we did when we went up.  We had supper across the street from the motel the same as before.  It is the first time I can remember in all of our travels that we had stayed in the same place twice on one trip.  We are going to call it a night now and get some much needed sleep and rest.  This motel is nice and quiet and of course, it is cool. about 49 degrees when we left the rest.  Good night to all and thanks again for watching us.  Be sure and continue to watch us even when we get home because Jack will be posting more and more photos then. Love you, Lou 

                                                                                                             Colorado River in Utah

              This suspension bridge is being restored                                          Notice where the line of foliage stops

                           Rafters on the Colorado River                                               Ski lifts are closed because of like of snow

                 Steam Engine train hauling viewing passengers                        Some of the outstanding ski slopes in Colorado

 Friday, June 10, 2011

It is a good thing that we got a good night's sleep last night because we have had another full day.  We started out with breakfast at the motel and then we found the nearest car wash.  The car was so dirty Jack and Brad could not stand it any longer.  We headed for the Natural Bridges National Monument and had to stop for cows to cross the highway.  We stopped at the Sipped Bridge Railway and Linda and Brad walked 500 ft down into the canyon.  Jack and I waited at the top for them.  But we did walk down on other trails.  When we got to the Natural Bridges we sent them down with Jack's camera and told them to take all the photos they needed to.  You will see more of these at a later date.  At one of the overlooks, we met bike riders from Livingston, in fact one of them has a girl friend who works in Lufkin.  Small world after all.  Then we had lunch in Monticello Ut.  From there we went to the Arches National Park and the scenery there is so overwhelming, you would not believe.  Around every turn in the road is breathtaking beauty.  The park is one way in and one way out so we were treated to the beauty  of it twice.  We also saw the Wilson Arch area which is very pretty also.  We drove on in to Moab and started trying to find a motel.  Stopped at several and called several only to be told that everything was taken, because it was the weekend and the motorcycle and rafting groups were in town.  We finally found rooms at the River Canyon Lodge, over priced but nice.  We had supper at the Moab Diner and then ice cream.  I am sure that I have not told you everything that we have done today, but it is a start.  The days have been so full sightseeing and it has all been wonderful.  Can't wait to share more of the beauty with you at a later date.  Good night to all as we are finally hitting the hay before 11:00.  We are tired, love you all and thanks for your interest in our travels. Lou  

                         It was like coming out of a tunnel                                         This is one place you should see if you can

                                                                                           Two of the many arches within the park

           This one is known as the Balanced Rock                                                   This one is called the Elephant

 Thursday June 9 2011

 We got up this morning to 60 degrees at 5480 ft up.  We had breakfast at Saligman Rest in Saligman, Utah.  We really had a full day yesterday so we are going to take it a bit easy today.  We saw a group of Elk outside Saligman.  We continued on Route 66 until we got to Williams.  Then we headed back up north.  got to Navajo Point at 7461 ft and had lunch at the Native Market in Cameron.  We decided to tour Monument Valley and it is just as pretty as the Grand Canyon in its own way.  We had to drive longer than we had planned because all of the motels were booked with motorcycle riders.  We finally found rooms at a new Super 8 in Blanding Utah.  Really nice place, we had supper at the Old Tymers Rest which was really different and unique.  We have seen so much of this beautiful country and we really can't tell you beautiful it really is.  Jack is going to publish more photos at a later date.  It is hard to describe each day in words.  I guess we have taken at least 1000 photos between us.  Which means we are averaging 250 or so a day.  Jack is still working on the photos from today, but I am going to finish my part now and let him do his thing to this.  It is already 10;30 and time to go to bed.  Please watch later for more beautiful photos, Love to you all and thanks for watching and praying for our safety.  Lou  

                                                                                               Views from the Grand Canyon

                          Not one of your normal views                                                   How long did it take to get this way                              

 Wednesday June 8 2011

We got up early this morning.  We had a good breakfast at the motel.  We had to go north from Kingman to get to the skywalk area.  We had to drive 26 miles on a dirt, gravel road, one way to get out to the skywalk.  They run a tight ship out there.  We parked the car and went thru a security area and finally to the ticket booth/  After that, we had to wait for a shuttle bus to take us on out to the skywalk.  Brad and I did not go, so we waited out on the rocks and in the sun, for them to return.  We also had to board Jezzie at the stables.  After they got back, we went on and toured that part of the Grand Canyon.  We have seen so much of the beautiful country, it is just amazing.  I know I keep saying that but it is true.  Most of the time, we have been more that 5600 ft up, but the wind was not blowing so strong.  We had a late lunch in Kingman and followed the Historical Route 66 until we stopped for the night at the Grand Canyon Caverns Motel and Rest.  It is really the neatest place.  We could set out around the picnic tables under the trees and enjoy the evening.  about 8;00 we came back to our rooms and got ready for bed.  We have put in a very full day and have seen so many things.  This motel is a place in itself.  will tell you more about it later.  I am going to sign off now and tell you that Jack and Linda really did enjoy themselves on the skywalk.  Love to all and thanks for your prayers and for watching us.  Lou    

                One of the longhorns roaming around                            This is just before Jack went out on the glass--just in case

            Linda and Brad enjoyed the Grand Canyon                                This is the Sky-Walk  (The flooring is all glass)

       Linda and Jack did the walk (first couple on the left)                             This lift ,at one time crossed the canyon

 Tuesday June 7 2011

Well, I just don't know where to start first tonight.  We had breakfast at Harold's cafe where we had supper last night.  We are up 6900 ft and the air is nice and cool, Jack says COLD. We have been thru Zion National Park, the Valley of Fire. Came  thru Hurricane Utah.  We crossed into Arizona at 1;30 and then into Nevada at 2:00.  We came down into Hoover Dam and then over the new bridge over the Dam.  Boy, that has changed since the last time we were here.  We went down into the Dam area and the resident mountain goats made their appearance and came down the rocks for us. The new bridge is amazing for the construction of it.  The country side that we have seen just can not be described in words.  Jack will be posting more photos later.  We are staying up to late at night and too busy during the day to get everything done.  We drove on down to Kingman Arizona and staying the night at a great Quality Inn.  The view from the room windows are outstanding. We had supper at the Cracker Barrel.  Very good, I will close this now and let Jack do his thing with it.  Thanks for watching and keeping us in your prayers, we are having a great time and again the beauty of this world is too much for words.  Love to all of you LOU  

                          It is flat rock around this opening                                        You have to look close-these are old shoes tied to the tree

                 And who said there are no pretty cacti                                                          Too bad it is not hunting season

          A different view of the new bridge at Hoover Dam

                                  We are enjoying the trip                                                     They all come out when the season is over

 Monday June 6 2011

 We had breakfast this morning at the Sunglow Rest in Bicknell, Utah.  The weather has been just great except for the winds blowing so hard.  We came thru Dixie National Forest and there is still snow.  Of course, we are up 9600 ft.  We had lunch at Ruby's Restaurant at the entrance to Bryce Canyon.  We are seeing some beautiful country side.  You will have to watch this site for a long time because we will be posting more photos of the canyons etc in the days ahead.  It will be amazing to see how many photos we have taken. Walgreen's will be glad to see me coming in the weeks ahead.  Casey has been to China for 10 days and he took about 600 photos that I have promised to make into a scrapbook for him. We have had a full day and being in so much high winds have really worn us out.  Brad is the driver, Linda, the tour guide, Jack is the photographer and Jezzie and I are taking it all in.  She is being such a good dog.  I really can't describe how beautiful this country side is, the rock formations are just breath taking.  We have spent the day in Bryce Canyon taking some side roads as we can.  We have stopped for the night at Harold's Inn, which is more of a hunting lodge.  In addition to the Inn there is also about 30 cabins which were are booked up.  We had supper at Harold's Cafe, food was very good and the surroundings really nice.  I will close for now and let Jack get this published.  Thank you for watching and for all your prayers.  I really will write more later.  We are staying up late each night and are packing our days with a lot of activity (and the time change of course).  Good night and we love each one of you. Lou   

      As you can see, the  Aspen are just  now getting leaves                                             Just a neat dead tree

             Here we are, enjoying this GREAT COUNTRY                                  Just cannot get over the rock formations

 Sunday June 5 2011

Well. this has been a very busy day.  We got up early, had a light breakfast at the motel and then headed out to sight see.  We had toured some of the town yesterday, so we went back to the Temple Square.  The people were arriving from all directions for the morning services.  It is a beautiful area and the flowers and greenery was really outstanding.  Jack and I both take a lot of photos and I did some video, hope it turns out ok.  We toured some of the resident areas above the city and boy, do they ever have a view.  We saw one vacant lot, priced at $650,000 for just the land.  Yes, you read me right on the price.  We had a later breakfast at J.B.'s restaurant down town, nice place.  Then we headed out to the Lake area.  Dipped our feet into the water to see if it really was "salt" and yes, it was.  We take all the back roads we can and with Linda working the map and the GPS system.  we found our way out to Fish Lake National Forest.  The mountains are really alive with all sorts of flowers, bib and small.  The weather has been really nice, sometimes too windy, but still great.  We ate at MOM's Cafe for supper and the food was good.  We found a nice little motel in Bicknill, Utah called The Aquarius Inn and the rooms were large enough to have a party in, not you usual size rooms.  It was nice and quite also.  Tomorrow we head out for Bryce Canyon and the mountains.  So, if I don't write tomorrow night, it will be because we are all tired out.  We have been as high as 9600 ft and the winds are beginning to be stronger.  The trip is going great and we are all enjoying ourselves, even Jezzie.  Good night to all and thanks for watching us.  We love you all and watch for more beautiful photos at a later time. Lou     

                                       One view of the temple                                                                Lou sure is enjoying the flowers

                   One mode of transportation in Salt Lake                                                       Lou at Great  Salt Lake

          This is one of the many cold trains running out here                            This lone windmill is on an Army Depot

 This will be for Fri and Sat, June 3 and 4, 2011

I am going to combine these two days, because we are seeing so much of this beautiful country and taking so many neat photos, it is hard to do everything we want to do.  We stayed Friday night in Grand Junction.  We have seen long horn sheep grazing along the highway, lots of deer and have been as high as 9119 feet up.  The air is nice and so far we have not had to much trouble breathing.  We have seen lots of snow on the mountains.  We crossed Colorado and Utah on Interstate 70 and it was ready something.  There is at least five runoffs for runaway trucks.  Linda and I played in the snow at one of  them.  We got into Salt Lake City (today) Sat.  Found a motel and then toured the city, will do some more sightseeing tomorrow, but I did want to catch you all up on where we are and what we are doing.  We will be publishing more beautiful photos after we get home.  The trip is going well, the weather is nice and the screney is beautiful. Will close now and post more tomorrow night.  Thank you all for watching and for your prayers for our safety.     

                                         Mountains in Colorado                                                                     Lunch for the little one

                                   Big horn sheep in Utah                                                                They just  had to play in the snow

 Thursday June 2 2011

Hello again, we have had a very full day today.  We have seen wheat fields, plain fields and a lot of open road.  We had lunch at the Longhorn Steak House in Springfield, CO.  We found the wind mill farm outside Two Buttes.  We found the Towers of the West on the internet and after we checked into the neatest little motel in Limon, CO. we drove back about 5 miles to tour it.  In the photos below  you will see "some" of the "stuff" they have there.  They advertised 12 rooms in 4 floors, but I am sure that it most be the other way around.  The wind was blowing at an unreal rate of speed, Jack only went to the ground floor but I climbed within two levels of the top.  I am sure that they have at least one of every bottle, bowl, nic-niks of all kinds and 20000 arrow heads.  I will write more about the place in the days to come because it was so unusual, can't really describe it.  I will close this now and get ready for bed.  We have had a busy day and we are all tired.  Thank you for watching this with us and we hope you will enjoy some of it with us.  Thank you for your prayers for our safety. Love to all of you, LOU

                                  The winds almost blew us away                                                          This  field had just been harvested

                                           Pretty neat old town                                                                               Notice chocolate sign

                              Almost looks like volcanic rock                                                                This artist deals in metals

                     We wanted to see if the windmill made a noise                                 These were the only rock around anywhere

                                    An outstanding flower bed                                                                      The ceiling of one of the shops

                                                                                                       There was a little of almost anything

  Wed. June 1, 2011

We left Fort Worth this morning and this is our first traveling day.  We are taking it day by day and you know we are subject to changing the route any time.  But when you go thru Oklahoma (as with Texas) there is just so many ways you can get out of the state.  Our goal is Utah and to Hoover Dam, just don't know which way we want to go first.  We stop quite often at McDonald's for coffee of course.  Going thru small towns always gives us a chance to take photos of old buildings and unusual local spots.  We stopped for the night in Woodward, OK.  I don't think we have stayed in this town before.  Our son, Larry, who lives in the hill country about 25 miles outside Bandera, TX, was out of town last Friday night and lost their house, collectable cars and everything they own (except the truck they were driving and the clothes they had with them.  Their house sat up in the hills and since they were not there, no one saw it until it was too late.  I ask that you all keep Larry and Diane in your prayers.  Back to our trip, tomorrow we will decide which way we are going from here.  Thank you for watching our trip and for keeping us in your prayers.  We will let you know tomorrow what our travel plans are.  Good night to all and we love each of you.  LOU

                                       Off and running once more                                                  Notice the second floor fire slide (escape)

                                         A neat old stone building                                                                    This was a hotel at one time

                                 One place we should all stop at