Monday, Oct. 18th

SWEET HOME ALABAMA!!!

We are now safely home. Over the past 78 days, we have traveled over 7,000 miles, been in 15 different states, and 2 provences of Canada. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful we have been given the opportunity to do this.

Now it is time to get our feet on the ground and undertake the projects around the house. To those who followed our blog, I wish to say this is the END!! (until Jack gets antsy again)

Sunday, October 10th

This morning was the end of the festival. Most of the balloons were able to go up this morning, but the box was not working. Regardless, it is still a wonderful sight.

We went to church with friends from Georgia and then out to breakfast. By the time, we returned to the festival park, a good number of the RV's had left. It was disappointing to see it all come to an end, but thankful that everything was so good in creating great memories.

Since we departed Albuquerque later than planned, we only made it to Tucumaria, NM for the night. Working on lots of laundry and tomorrow will be another day of traveling in an Eastward direction. Next week, we should be back in Daphne.

Saturday, Oct. 9th

Yesterday was a winner all the way around. After the morning ballooning, we were treated to our first glow of the week. Weather was perfect, crowds were huge, and all ended with a great fireworks show. The best of all was just after midnight when the gas balloons were able to leave on their journey to the East. It started with a tribute to the 2 ballooners that were lost last week. They were from Albuquerque and were suppose to be here.

This morning saw approximately 450 balloons taking to the air in just over an hour. The north wind took them right over our RV. Truly a nice spectacular sight. We are hoping for another glow this evening and more fireworks. Tomorrow morning ends with another mass ascension and then we head Eastward.

Friday, Oct. 8th

Ok, I didn't get to wifi yesterday. Our morning started early - 6am we were on the field to watch the blowing up of the character balloons. Just awesome to see all that is involved. As the sun comes up, so go the balloons. We were lucky that the wind co-operated and they were able to preform with wind box. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong for the balloon glow last evening, but the fireworks were good. This morning the character balloons stayed tethered because of a passing cold front, but that gave us the opportunity to walk amongst them. Not sure what will happen tonight as the wind is picking up again.

Apparently the night glow has not happened all week, but the mornings have been just about perfect.

Had a wonderful luncheon yesterday at a local country club. Today, we ate at a wonderful Mexican restaurant that many celebrities have been too.

Wed., Oct. 6th

We are all settled at the festival grounds. Came in about noon. Weather is gorgeous. We are meeting lots of new people. This afternoon, Jack and I checked out the Sandia casino. They give new players $40 each. It had to be used by midnight. We didn't want to miss Happy Hour, so we cashed in and came home with $56 and had fun getting it.

Have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning to see the balloons lift off. Also have a luncheon to go to tomorrow. Jack has a little work to do on the RV - again!!!!

Hope to post some balloon pictures tomorrow.

Tuesday, Oct. 5th

Time is flying by. Weather is great - cool mornings and warm days. Today we drove down to check out where we go tomorrow to the festival grounds. Got to see some balloons in the air, but most were done for the day. This afternoon, we rode the longest tram in the world up Sandia Mountain. We had driven this when in Santa Fe a few years ago. It was very cold up the mountain and I certainly was not dressed properly. The views were wonderful overlooking Albuquerque. I have a couple of pictures, but am having trouble with the internet, but will try again.

Got lucky this time.

Monday, Oct. 4th

We are now in Albuquerque NM until Sunday. Our time at the Balloon Festival starts on Wednesday.

Last week, we spent with my brother in Phoenix and Prescott. It was unusually hot in Phoenix, but Prescott was wonderful and cool. We spent our days relaxing and 4 wheeling around the mountains. Sure am glad, my brother knew his way. I was lost at all times. We returned to the heat of Phoenix on Saturday and celebrated my grand-nephew's 14th birthday. Sunday morning, they all came by the RV to see it and to say good-bye. It was so great seeing everyone again. We left later than we planned on Sunday so spent last night in Gallup, NM at an Elks club. We are at another Elks club now until Wednesday.

As Jack said yesterday, we are now heading in that eastward direction. So far, we have covered 5,500 miles on the RV, plus some on the car.

Word on the new a/c unit is not good. Latest shipping date will not get it here in time. Since the weather has cooled we can survive without it.

Can't wait to get some balloon photos to post on this.

Tuesday, Sept. 28th

We are busy trying to get things fixed on the RV. The new motor for the awning was defective so we are waiting for the call right now that the next one has arrived. Bad news regarding the a/c unit. It will not be available until the end of October. We are anxiously the awning repair so we can head to Prescott and some cooler weather. It is amazing to hear all the natives here complaining about the 100+ temperatures. It is running 10+ degrees above normal for at least another week.

Everyone here is doing well and we are having fun in between repair trips.

Saturday, Sept 25th

Well we are now back in summer weather. In fact, we put our fleece away this evening. It was a lovely drive from Utah as we watched the temperatures continue to rise. At 8pm, it is still 96, but as they say - it is dry!!!.

My brother came to visit our RV when we got here and we ended up cooking burgers. It was just a relaxing time. Tomorrow we go for a cookout at my nephew Michael's house. I know we will enjoy seeing everyone again. No pictures since it was a driving day.

Friday, Sept. 24th These are a few of the views from Bryce Canyon. It was a lovely day and we hiked from Bryce Canyon overlook to Inspiration Point. It was just over a mile and at an elevation of 9,000 ft. Each view offered something different. The ride into Bryce through Red Canyon was gorgeous with brillant red terrain and green pines and yellow aspens. Unlike Zion, we were on the rim and looking down in Bryce.

Tomorrow we start our journey to Phoenix to visit with family for a few days and get the RV awning fixed. It will definitely be time to get the summer clothes out again.

Will continue this when we leave Phoenix.

Thursday, Sept.23rd

For anyone who wonders what to do on vacation - try some of our National Parks. They are a super deal for those of us over the hill. You can buy a lifetime pass for only $10. No other deals like that available today.

One park is prettier than the next. Today's adventure was to Zion National Park. They have free shuttles to the different areas and sightseeing spots. We even did a 2 mile hike along the river/stream. One of the highlights was to actually see 2 climbers scaling the side of the mountain. No thank you!!! Tomorrow's destination is Bryce Canyon. Meanwhile, summer is returning with high's going above 80, but nights are still nice and cool.

Wed., Sept. 22nd

Left Provo this morning for what turned into an adventurous trip. We had some rain and tremendous winds. While I was driving, I noticed that the awning bracket wasn't completely closed. After checking it out, we proceeded on our way. When we made a turn in the town of Panguitch, the awning came loose and was blowing in the wind. Fortunately, we were where we could pull to the side of the road. The wind was horrendous and the awning was not going to retract. Coach-net sent a welder with his son to see if they could help. After much work, they were able to wind it in physically and it is now attached with bungee cords and duct tape. A project when we arrive it Phoenix this w/e.

The scenery was just lovely along the route - how nice to have the luxury of being off interstates. With storms all around us, the cloud formations were wonderful and for the most part, we traveled around them.

Tuesday, Sept. 21st - We are now is Provo, Utah home of Brigham Young University. What a lovely campus they have. We are staying at an Elks Lodge tonight with full

service and these are the mountains from our RV. Of course, the temperature was about 85 this afternoon and felt mighty hot to us. Time to put the jeans and long sleeves away and get out the shorts. That will be welcomed, but I don't like the a/c. This area brought back many memories as we were driving down the interstate. The last time we were here was 12 1/2 years ago before Brittany. There also was a lot of snow (reason we came). Today the roadway system has increased along with the traffic. Maybe it is stimilus money are work.

Monday, Sept. 20th

The Glacier to Geysers caravan has officially ended. We departed Cody around 9:30 this morning. Little did we know what a beautiful trip we had ahead of us. We traveled back through Yellowstone and Tetons into Jackson Hole. Instead of wildlife sightings along the way, everyone was stopping for the wonderful fall foliage. We had just done this same route a week ago. What a difference! Mother Nature was busy this past week painting the countryside with reds and mostly yellows.

We are spending the night in Idaho Falls, Idaho and will continue south into Utah tomorrow.

Sunday, Sept. 19th

Yes, that is Jack is some snow. Unfortunately the wind was so strong that it carried it away from hitting me.

What a way to end our rally and time in Cody. We left at 8am when it was sunny, and 34. We traveled the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Highways. The road took us to the altitude of just under 11,000ft. We were above the tree line and along the way got to see the Aspens turning their brilliant yellow and even some red ones. Each turnoff was more spectacular than the one before. What an awesome God to have given us all of this and yet so few have seen it (a first time for us).. We stopped at the highest highway bridge in Wyoming. The Beartooth Highway is the one that Charles Kuralt refers to as the "number one scenic highway in the United States. Tonight is our farewell dinner at Cassie's founded in 1922 by Cassie Waters, one of Cody's first "madams". In the morning, after the farewell breakfast and good-byes to both old and new friends, we will head back through Yellowstone and down to Jackson, Wy on our way toward Phoenix.

Sunday, Sept. 19th

Our Cowboy show and dinner was most enjoyable on Friday night. Saturday morning, we took a bus tour to see the wild Mustangs. They were only visible from a great distance and with binoculars. Later in the afternoon, we went to the Indian museum and walked around the downtown.

Last night, we witnessed a cowboy shootout outside the Irma's hotel. Kinda corny!!! We then had a wonderful prime rib dinner in Bill Cody's hotel that he built and owned and named after his daughter Irma.

Friday, Sept. 17th

A beautiful morning started with a wonderful breakfast prepared by one of our food groups. We then had some free time before departing for a trolley tour of Cody, Wy. After this informative tour we were then free to tour the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. A fantastic museum, but far too much to digest in one day. We will return tomorrow to see what we didn't get to today.

Our beautiful weather of this morning made a dramatic change. The winds on this side of the mountain decided to change direction and are whipping from the north at 15-20 mph. Tonight we are off to a steak dinner and then a COWBOY SHOW - sounds like a fun time.

Thursday, Sept. 16th

We moved to our final campsite today - from West Yellowstone where it was 27 to Cody, Wy where it is now 80 with a humidity of 13%. Our bodies are in a state of shock with the lack of humidity, but we love it. Today we traveled the road from West Yellowstone out the East entrance of the park. The terrain and scenery were beautiful and every changing. We had an extremely huge dropoff while I was driving. Thank God, but I made it and deserve a wonderful Happy Hour tonight. The pictures are of our final view of the hot beds, Yellowstone lake, and Great Fountain Geyser. It is so nice to have working wifi and some phone service although no 3G.

Wed., Sept. 15th

Our day started by leaving the campground at 6:45 this morning for a tour of Grand Tetons. The morning started being cold and crisp. As the sun came up also the temperatures. We started our day immediately seeing some coyote, deer, elk and bison. Our tour guide was very informative and loved stopping for us to have photo ops. The scenery was just gorgeous. As we exited the south end of the Tetons at Moose junction we got to see some moose - mama, baby, and papa. Wow, so very beautiful. On our return this evening, we saw more wildlife and a gorgeous sunset. We arrived back at our RV around 8:30 this evening.

Tomorrow we head to our next location in Cody, Wy. Hopefully wifi and phones will work better there. Will work on pictures after a good nights sleep.

Tuesday, Sept. 14th

Another gorgeous day at Yellowstone. Today, we traveled around the upper rim. First picture is of Old Faithful, the other a river gorge. We went to Mommouth Springs and viewed much wildlife along the way. The buffalo, bison, elk even a swan were some of our sightings. We also saw some mule deer, but are still waiting to see some bear!!!

Tomorrow, we leave at 6:45am for an all day tour of the Tetons. We won't be back until bedtime, so no posting tomorrow. Hopefully, when we get to Cody our phone and wifi service will improve.

Tuesday, Sept. 14th

It has been several days since I've been able to do this. The wifi service here is far from good. These are various pictures from Butte. The statue is The Lady of the Rockies. It is 90 feet tall and built because a man promised he would do it if his wife got well. It is non-demonitional. You have to take a bus up the unpaved road that it kept up by the foundation. The view of Butte from there is just breathe taking. Our weather has been very cold mornings, but nice warm days.

We are now at Yellowstone - it is wonderful. Took the lower tour yesterday and off for the northern rim today. Hope to get this posted and some more pictures later.

Friday, Sept. 10th

Hoping today's entry will be successful. The past 2 days as I've gone to post, the wireless has managed to drop me off. You can check out the other blog sight: glaciers2geyser.blogspot.com for the past 2 days.

Today, we caravaned westward to Deer Lodge to tour the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. This ranch was acquired by the Park Service in 1977 and is just the way it used to be in 1862.

The land was just beautiful. Some of the surrounding mountains were covered with snow they received while we received all that rain yesterday.

Our team group #1 prepared us a wonderful lunch in the dairy barn (no longer in use). After that we drove down the road to tour the Old Montana Prison Museum and several smaller museums in the area. The sun and wind are trying very hard to clear the clouds from the area for a better day tomorrow.

Tuesday, Sept. 7th

Today started with us leaving the campground at 7am to travel to a restaurant in the country. The food was yummy and atmosphere equally as good. After we were all feed, we traveled up the mountain via some very rough road to a Ghost Town in Garnet, Mt. It was truly a step back in time and made me very thankful that I was born when I was. You could very definitely visualize Ms. Kitty in the tavern.

When we left Garnet, we traveled to the Bayern Brewery in Missoula. After tasting and some lunch, we were given a tour. As you can see Jack took a few minutes to partake in his favorite pastime - snoozing. We then returned to the campground for some free time. We took a ride downtown and I was able to ride the carousel. We also drove around town and the University of Montana.

The other picture is some of our members trying to locate a geocache!!!!

Monday, Sept. 6th - Labor Day

The day started with a cold temp of 38 this morning and a layer of fog in the valley where our campground is. By the time we left for our first outing the sun had done her job of burning off the fog and warming things up.

We traveled to the Skyjumpers Visitors Center. This was an extremely interesting place to see what all the training is about and exactly what it entails. Since the weather service predicted no fires for today, they were given the day off. These people undergo extensive training for jumping into an area with a fire and then battle the fire.

After leaving the visitors center, we went to a restaurant for our lunch and then on to the Ft. Missoula Museum. After touring the museum some of us did several geocaches before returning to the campground.

After Happy Hour, we enjoyed a Labor Day picnic of chicken, brats, watermelon and all the trimmings. The evening ended with a birthday cake and ice cream for one of our rally masters.

Sunday, Sept. 5th

Oh what a fun and glorious day we've been having.

First of all, the elk picture was from a sighting in Banff, Canada.

We started our day with a caravan of 6 cars to the National Bison Range. Took a 2 hour car tour during which we saw, buffalo, white tail deer, panghorn dear, an elk, and yuk. The antler tree was at the visitors center.

After touring the range, we went to the St. Ignatius Mission that was found 125 years ago to christianize the Indians. The church was just beautiful with it's many paintings.

Tonight we are off to a restaurant in downtown Missoula and looking around the community.

Friday, Sept. 3rd

Another picture perfect day at Glacier. After a wonderful breakfast, we car-pooled to the McDonald Lodge followed by a boat ride on McDonald Lake. It was a gorgeous day to be on the lake. Afterwards, we all lunched at Jammer Joe's followed by a walk through the Cedar Forest. The variety of trees was wonderful and to consider the age of so many and how they survive is incredible. Pictures are of one of the many streams and also the water coming from the glacier that keeps the valley moist. It is our understanding that wifi will not be available for the next few days. We are moving on in the morning to the Missoula area and the Missoula Jellystone Park.

Thursday, Sept. 2nd

Yesterday was a washout literally with rain most of the day. We did have a wonderful opening dinner of steak at the campground that was fabulous. Today we left the campground for a guided tour of Glacier National Park. The group took the Red Bus to the Road to the Sun. We started out with cold, fog, and clouds, but promises of clearing. Before we got to the pass, we could see the sun starting to shine through and burn off all the clouds. The day turned about to be spectacular. We got to see the most beautiful scenery in this area. Mountain tops with newly dusted snow, waterfalls gushing, beautiful green foliage, big horn sheep and a baby bear cub stocking up on berries. Viewing the glaciers and where avalanches have occurred were just a few of the wonderful vistas. All in all, the day couldn't have been any better. God's majestic beauty was much to behold.