Tuesday, August 31st

We drove part way up the Road to the Sun today. Weather was crappy as you can see. We had rain, sun, sleet, fog. The white is snow that was falling at the high elevations. Our caravan starts tomorrow afternoon, but in the meantime everyone is getting settled in and getting to know our new friends and renew old friendships. It is depressing to see where fires have taken out so many of the trees as well as the pine beetle. We have winter warnings for tomorrow night, but 80 by Saturday. Even the weathermen are saying it isn't even September yet!

Sunday, August 29th

I just reread the older post and saw a few typing/spelling mistakes. It was wifi that was not readily available and they charged for it in most places.

It is now Sunday and we are settled in our campsite at KOA West Glacier, Mt. We left Lake Louise this morning after a night of rain. Fortunately, it was dry when we were packing up. We then had rain until we arrived here. Unfortunately, the scenery isn't nearly as pretty when it is raining. The sun is shining on us right now and it looks so great.

On Saturday morning, we went to see Lake Louise in the morning sun. It was lovely and there was ice on the walkway. We hicked down the one side of the lake to the end. Later in the day, we drove north of Lake Louise and just saw many more beautiful mountains with more snow than when we arrived. Saturday morning we had a low of 26, but it warmed nicely in the afternoon.

Hopefully, we'll be able to keep up with this now that we are back in the USA and civilization.

Friday, August 27th

Yesterday was a beautiful drive from Calgary to Lake Louise. The mountains were lovely with small pockets of snow. After settling into our campsite, we drove to Lake Louise - absolutely gorgeous. The water is so clear and a beautiful color of turquoise. I dared to put my foot in the below 40 water. The Fairmount hotel overlooking the lake was lovely. We then drove to Moumarine lake which is smaller and retains its color all year. There was even a wedding there.

Last night, we had some rain and the cold front arrived. This morning is was cloudy, windy and 37. The higher elevations had snow. We are touring Banff today since the weather is overcast. It is just a beautiful spot. Lake Louise will be our furtherest spot from Daphne and also the northern most. Unfortunately wife is not readily available and they like to care for it. Thank God for Starbucks and today is definitely a coffee day.

Wed. Aug. 25th

What a gem we found in Calgary. This is a huge city of over 1 million. Construction is going on all over the downtown area. We went to the Olympic Plaza this morning to find that there would be a concert at noon. Weather was gorgeous, so we got some lunch and enjoyed part of the concert. Many of the workers from the downtown offices came out to do the same thing. We then walked down Stephen Avenue. How neat! It gets closed off and the restaurants all have outdoor seating. People were everywhere and very few were using cell phones or ipods. Conversation was going on. Besides the restaurants, there were benches all along the street for several blocks for folks to just sit and enjoy.

On the way back to the campsite, we stopped at the Olympic Park where a good number of the venues were held in 1988. They still use the facilities, but for the summer they have a camp. One of the major attractions for the camp is biking. They transport the bikes up the ski tows and you ride the trails down. Just like skiing, they have several different trails of difficulty. There were people practicing cross country with wheels on their skiis. Another hugs hockey rink is being built on the sight. They will do lots of training there as well as sports medicine.

A very interesting day spent here in Calgary. Low this morning 9 (50) and high this afternoon 26 (81).

Tuesday, August 24th

We are now in Calgary after of cool morning of 38 in Shelby, Mt. It warmed up nicely to the mid-70's. Calgary is a very large city with lots of traffic and road construction. Tomorrow we intend to explore the city. No pictures tonight since the phone is turned off while in Canada. Did have a beautiful sunset last night and I think tonight should be just as good. Our campground is on the hillside overlooking the city- can't wait til the lights come on.

Monday, August 23rd

This morning started out with a flat tire. Fortunately, it turned out to be the pressure censor that caused the air to leak. Were able to get that taken care of with just an hour delay. The drive from Billings to Shelby, Mt. was through some beautiful countryside. There were lots of large ranches with cattle, some horses, and lots of wheat farming. They have had an extremely wet summer so most was still green. Also got to see some windmills along the way.

Tomorrow we are off to Calgary, but not before a low of 39 tonight. Yes, we have found some cooler weather.

Sunday, August 22nd

We stayed over an extra day here in Billings. After their record high of 102 yesterday, it only got to 92 today with clouds and lots of wind. It is raining tonight and suppose to turn cooler for 2 days. I tried hard to spend money shopping today, but couldn't find a thing I couldn't do without. Tomorrow we are heading northwest to Shelby, Mt. toward the Canadian border. Plan on crossing over on Tuesday.

Took a beautiful drive around the rim of Billings today. Beautiful scenery looking down into the valley. Record high temperature today of 102-104 depending on where you were.

Dinner tonight at the Moose Lodge where we are camping.

Were amazed today to find out there is no sales tax in this state. I suggested to Jack that I spend the day tomorrow shopping - think of all that sales tax I will save!!!!

Saturday, August 21st

We are now in Billings, Montana and they are expecting their first 100 degree high today, but humidity is very low.

Friday was a long drive from Rapid City to here. Drove through Wyoming where there is lots of desolate land where the cowboys can roam. So far, Montana is about the same. We did see snow on some of the mountain tops. Very different to see all the crossing gates on the interstate to use when the snow gets too bad. We just don't see that in Alabama.

Thursday, Aug19th

We took another trip back to Mt. Rushmore this afternoon. Got to see 92 people receive their citizenship. What a beautiful setting for such an affair. Four sixth graders from an area spoke on what it means to be an American.

Have to let everyone know when you see At&T advertise about having you covered - we have found the part of the country that is very behind when it comes to technology. The famous iphone is of no value around here. Occasionally you can use it as a phone, but forget internet.

We are off in the morning for Billings, Montana.

Wed. August 18th

Wow, time is flying by and we'll be leaving this area before we know it. Last evening, we went and walked around the town of Keystone at the foot of Mt. Rushmore. This morning, we went to take pictures of Mt. Rushmore. Took along jackets, but they weren't necessary. Weather was gorgeous. Later in the morning, we went to see the craving of Crazy House - amazing and they take no federal funds. It was very interesting and a work in progress. These sculptors are not only great at what they do, but to do it year round on the side of a mountain - very brave of them.

Yeah, I just got to put this picture on - haven't a clue how I did it, but here it is.

Monday, August 16th

Never got back to this last evening. We did go to Bear Country yesterday afternoon and saw several wild animals along with lots of black and brown bears roaming free. It was fun especially watching kids in other cars bouncing from one side to the other.

Today, we headed to Ellsworth Air and Space Museum. This is where the minuteman missles and B1 bombers are. The minuteman 2 missles are still around. We got to actually go into a missle silo. Wow, is about all I can say. A world under a world.

Afterwards, we went to the Chapel in the Hills. It is a duplicate of one in Norway. The chapel and grounds were lovely. It is still used today for weddings and special services. Pews are just benches and it isn't very big.

Tomorrow is moving down, but only down the highway about 10 miles - will be closer to Mt. Rushmore.

It is also suppose to warm up to 90 tomorrow.

Sunday, August 15th

Yesterday started out cool and rainy. We were able to do a few housekeeping chores along with the laundry. The afternoon cleared and turned beautiful.

Last evening we went to Mt. Rushmore to view the night show. The cravings are awesome.

The evening show was extremely moving. Sure wish everyone in our country could hear the message. The lighting of the mountain after dark was truly awe inspiring.

This morning, Mass at the cathedral and then a wonderful brunch at the Elks lodge.

We are now preparing for our afternoon outing.

More later while I still have wifi.

Arrived in Rapid City this evening having driven due West from Sioux Falls. It was a beautiful drive with ever changing terrain. At times the views seemed endless. Stopped at the town of Wall that is known for the Wall drug store. It was very interesting and fun to see.

Our weather is wonderful. Tonight is suppose to be 50 and a high of 70 for tomorrow. Jack had to take his sandals off tonight because his feet were cold!!!

Tomorrow we hope to get out and start exploring the area.

Greetings from Sioux Falls, SD. Had a lovely drive through lots of corn fields today. Just had a horrendous storm come through and the temperatures are finally going to be below 100. We've already cooled down to 75 after the rain. Tomorrow we are off to Rapid City - Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, etc. for the next week. We are very excited to be finally reaching some cooler temperatures.

Wednesday, August 11

We arrived in Omaha, Ne yesterday and are staying in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Went to Rosenblatt stadium last night and Jack even got a tour of the inside even though a minor league baseball game was going on.

Downtown Omaha has been going through some major restoration for about 8 years and they are making tremendous progress. We saw the new stadium under construction for LSU to win the next championship!!! There are bronze sculptures, parks, walking and bike trails all around. We walked a pedistrin bridge from Nebraska to Iowa and back again. On both sides it connects to more walkways. The Missouri river was raging and quite high - downstream they are experiencing flooding.

Drove to the west side of town - lovely old homes, churches, schools and stopped at the birthplace of Gerald Ford. His family was living with his grandparents at that time in a lovely large home in a lovely area.

Onward further north tomorrow - still 100 here today, but this morning was delightful.

Hi Everyone-

We are now in Topeka, KS. Rode around the capital, but it is being refurbished. The downtown is clean and full of state buildings.

Our trip from Tulsa was uneventful except for the extreme temperatures. They had a high of 111 here today. We are spending the night at the Moose Lodge which provides us with 50 amp service.

Tomorrow we head to Omaha, NE to visit Rosenblatt stadium where LSU won several baseball championships. They are still predicting HOT weather there also.

Also forgot to mention while in Tulsa every morning we saw a mama deer and her 2 babies when we took our walk.

That's it for today folks

This will be our final day in Tulsa. Toured the downtown area yesterday. It is a very clean city. We also went to Oral Roberts University.

We went to church this morning at the cathedral and are now at Utica Square for maybe some shopping and of course, Starbucks.

Once again there are weather warnings for the next couple of days-heat of course.

Jack is thrilled because he was able to get the satellite working and we now have Direct TV. I must say it was nice being without Fox News for a week.

Heading off to Topeka, KS tomorrow and Omaha, NE on Tuesday.

It is now Thursday, August 5th and we are camping at Lake Skiatook outside of Tulsa. We have a beautiful campsite overlooking the water. Will be here until Monday.

We left on Monday and arrived in Greenville, MS. Had to change camping plans due to the excessive heat and definite need for as much a/c we could get. Stayed over in Lake Village, AR, but had dinner in the famous Doe's Eat Place. Steak was the best ever - atmosphere very colorful.

Tuesday we traveled to just north of Paris, TX - there again choosing a corp of engineers campground for the additional power to run a/cs. The temperatures have been ranging 103-107. Today is beautiful - cloudy with a nice breeze. A cold front came through last night and only suppose to reach low 90's, but back to 100+ by the w/e.

Traveling the backroads of Arkansas and Texas has been most enjoyable. We go from flat farmlands, to rolling treed hills - love avoiding the interstates.