Onward to Colorado

Leaving behind South Dakota, with it's wide open spaces and beautiful sunsets, we traveled through Nebraska down to Colorado.

We opted to take a US Highway instead of the interstate and really enjoyed going through the smaller towns and seeing a few things we would have missed on the Interstate. A group of bikers, no, not on motorcycles, but on bikes with shirts and a lead vehicle (a MediVac one) with a banner that read "Calgary to Austin Peloton"   After researching, we found out this is a 9 day supported relay ride from Calgary, Alberta to Austin, Texas. 5 pelotons of 6-8 riders left Calgary on Wednesday October 13, 2010 and arrive in Austin on October 21. "Working together in support of those living with and surviving beyond cancer."  We spotted a field of potatoes being harvested by this huge tractor and thingamajig attached to it.  That's not the way I remember harvesting potatoes on my Grandpa's farm.  Then, we used a pitchfork and got down on our hands and knees to dig them out!  But I guess that isn't the efficient way to do a whole field! Oh, and we picked up a Nebraska cache at one of the historical gold-rush markers. We needed it to add Nebraska to our Geo-caching states. Finally, we spotted Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains loaded with coal going south.  Not just one or two trains, each consisting of at least 100 cars, but at least a dozen!  That sure is a lot of coal!
 

We reached our destination as the sun was setting.  Since it was at a State Park, we just hauled into the nearest available pull-through and set up electricity only. We did not want to level and hook up everything because we had an inkling that we might have to move to another spot in the morning. Had a quiet supper of mussels, clam chowder and hot crusty french bread before turning in for the night.

Our new back yard!

Yup ... in the morning we went to the office and found that the spot we'd pulled into was reserved. So, we found out which one would be available to us for at least a week and, found one back in a quiet, treed, and open area that was suitable. Only problem is that it was a back-in not a pull-through. It was the first time that Paul had done that it and he did it expertly the first time! However, we had a problem was the sewer hookup. Our hose was too short for this particular site so, Paul had to find a Camping World and bought an extension (and a grill!). Next problem was that the extension did not fit the RV systems properly. Oh well, back to Camping World to exchange it.

Morning also brought plans of visiting with the grandchildren.  Their excitement and energy always gives me a happiness that is hard to put into words, they bring a special joy to my soul.  After learning all about "Bionicles" from my grandson and seeing the things he's built out of Legos, I asked him "What's the most exciting part about school?"  Without missing a beat he replied "Recess!"  How is that for honesty?  We had a wonderful  dinner of homemade Chicken Curry with rice.  Afterward my granddaughter presented me with a card that she made especially for me.  It is beautiful and will hang over my computer with the heart she also drew for me.  I braided her hair, watched her jump rope and shared in her collection of stuffed animals.  The night grew late and it was soon time to get ready for bed.  As their mom was getting clothes out for the next school day, I asked "Do they wear uniforms?"  My precious granddaughter said "Yep, white, blue and tacky".  I knew she meant Khaki, but think the true meaning came through with her comment!  Hoping the weather will be a bit warmer this weekend so we can enjoy a campfire, roasted marshmallows and smore's!

My "Joy" bringers.

Jo


The soul is healed by being with children. - Fyodor Dostoevsky