Finally, we get off the lazy track and start to see family:

Aiken, SC, Aiken State Park – brother Will and bride Pam was our first stop with added treat that my oldest brother, Fred, came up for a visit from Waco Texas. Did a lot of eating at some great restaurants, touring museums, playing Euchre and just enjoying each other’s company. Even cousin Jerry and wife Ann joined in for a day of fun!

Weather – we all talk about it and I do mention it occasionally but while in Aiken for the 12 days we saw the sun once. It rained or sprinkled most days and one day it rained for 12 hours! Thank goodness our campsite is sand because during the height of the rain it was about a foot deep. Took these pics before and after rain – you can (can’t) see our ground rug. We cozied inside for the day and watched stupid movies. Poor Chet, he held it for as long as he could, and when the time came he rushed under the camper, stood in the water and let loose. He was mighty glad when the water receded and he could do a proper squat.

Moving on is now an annual visit to see the Ouellette boys – well at least 2 out of 3.

Charleston SC to be with Denny, Allison, and Mariann (ex-sister-in-law). Since we have seen Charleston a couple of times and only there for short stay, we spent our time visiting at a great brewery that served $20 pizza with a pitcher of beer! Can’t beat that price. Next day everyone came to our place and we never seemed to run out of things to laugh and talk about. They all are in good health and that is what counts.

On a hike we came across a gravesite – This is Matthew Sandford place of rest 1859. Notice there is a head stone AND a foot stone.

Picked up and headed for Savanah to visit with Jason, Lisa, Connor and Ethan. Now here are some interesting boys – Connor who is just 16 has learned to fly a plane – which he was doing BEFORE he got his driver license. And Ethan, 11-12, is into robotics and is winning all sorts of awards. Must be hard to keep up with them as parents. Another very wonderful visit.

Now we needed to skip along and hurry down to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with John and Sandy. We overnighted in a rest stop in Florida that allows 10-hour parking, although us and a few others stayed more like 14. Popular place with the truckers – must have been over 75 trucks and maybe 15 campers all resting over. Ahhhh, the hum of diesel engines running all night.

Thanksgiving was a feast presented by Sandy – all delicious. Put Wanda in their side lot, stayed a couple of days then off to Boulder, CO.

NOTE: Sandy is a great cook and everyone knows that her kitchen is her space – DO NOT ENTER. I could hardly do the dishes – and the guys, well, they took full advantage and only got off their butts to move from couch to dining table. Mental note to self not to let Ty continue that habit.

Winter Home

Pulled Wanda into the winter spot, set up our Christmas decorations, celebrated that we are “camping” with our customary hit of schnapps and called it a wrap for the season! Everyone here is wondering where Chet is.

The other day we had our first casualty – frog got into our overhead fan and took the spin of his life. Cute bugger – too bad.

Wisconsin Cheese, Family in Illinois, Indiana Dog Attack, and Kentucky Horserace/Bourbon

Devils Lake State Park WI

Friends Tom and Leslie told us about this spot – just a quicky to hike up this incredible trail that going up was all boulders. It was tough but the views were worth it..the whole point is to view the Balancing Rock. I don’t know about that….

Bob and Tamera

From there we headed south Janesville WI to visit with friends, Tamera and Bob, whom we met during our Covid stay in Desert Hot Springs CA. They were full timers for 20 years and after all this time yearned for a sticks and bricks place. They have a very homey, much acreage place just on the outskirts of Janesville.

We did a couple of things worth mentioning. Ever play Wii bowling? That’s what did for 2 nights and I swear I threw out my shoulder!! Went into town of Milton to get a “famous” cheese sandwich only to discover that it was Monday and half the town was shut down. No fears as Bob knew of a dairy farm that made equally as good and probably better. Never having the first one I have nothing to compare other than it was THE BEST cheese sandwich I ever had. Thick slices of dill cheese, with dill pickles in between the slices and a toasted sour dough thick cut bread. Makes my mouth water as I write this.

Mark Fouchey Family Time! Next, we traveled a whopping 124 miles to Naperville to park Wanda in front of Mark and Jen Fouchey’s for 2 days of seeing the highlights of Naperville (the Arboretum was nice) and nights of Euchre plus a game of passey Pinochle.

Then we went an hour down the road to Kankakee State Park where the Fouchey nephews, wives and baby Mason joined us for a splendid Sunday afternoon of catching up with the boys since they are all grown up and married. And baby boy Mason – it has been a long time since the Fouchey’s have had a baby in the family and a boy to boot! The whole area of Kankakee State Park is nice, and very much still ingrained with Native American history. We came across an old gravesite of Chief XXXXX, who did not leave the area when the Indians were forced (Trail of Tears even in Indiana!), but remained and died and subsequently buried on his land.

Time to move onto Manor Lake, Paynetown SP, Bloomington IND. Just a beautiful park and a very large lake! Too bad I could not enjoy as I came down with a nasty cold that put me in bed for 3 days! I remember taking hike, but I don’t remember the hike. What I do remember is getting a call from Ty who was repeating the hike with Chet to alert me to get dressed as need to take Chet to emergency vet.

Chet is fine – like nothing ever happened and I recovered from cold.

Back to the hike Ty took – in August of this year, this area had a big blow, 70 mph winds for a couple of hours. Blew down a lot of trees. It is spooky (esp this time of year) to hike thru a woods that have these big magnificent trees down in such violent manner.

Since we could not stay the weekend at Paynetown so we moved onto Mammoth Cave, had to stay at Mom Pop RV Park, right on freeway since it is the weekend and state parks are full. Since we are off sightseeing its ok

HISTORY Time

Mammoth Cave – largest cave system in the US. Hiked to the area where the river, which is running through the cave makes exit running for the Green River. Enough said. You have to really look at video to see the bubbles.

Lincoln Birthplace – Sinking Springs Farm, KY

Besides from the obvious history of Lincoln growing up here (he did not, left when he was 2) it is the story of a pioneering family trying to make ends meet and starting out in Sinking Springs, birthing the 16^th President of the United States.

What IS impressive is 100 years after Lincoln moved from Sinking Springs what is considered a replica (log cabin built in same era as Lincoln’s) was placed in the Memorial Building to preserve Lincoln’s birthplace and to establish a memorial to the 16^th president.  A short walk around the Memorial is actually a short walk through the area where Lincoln was born and lived for 2 years.  The Sinking Stream is still evident today.

Kentucky Horse Park

A few of us from Blue Way showed up here for some wine sampling, whiskey tasting and the coup de grace – Keeneland Horse Track. Who was here? Organizer Kerri and Dennis Gilligan, Connie/Phil Devine, Beth/Ed Hoag, Pam/Jeff Martin.

Good fun, lots of food (soup night on Friday) and I won $50 on #12!

Chester Frost State Park – Chattanooga TN

This park is big and crowded and skinny sites! To be fair, there are 2 camping sections and I picked the wrong one – crowded skinny sites with lots of families having lots of fun. Other side had lots of grass and lots of space.

Hiked at the Battle of Chickamauga battleground and saw a dead racoon on the trailm-that was a first for us. Must have been old, died and fell out of the tree. He wasn’t chewed up – just dead. The hike was a “tour” through the battle itself with memorial markers at the sites of the different skirmishes that depicted where each side was stationed. When you look at the picture of the open field just think of men just shooting at each other with no cover.

Battle was 3 days – September 18-20 on 4 farmers land – which they sought safety in the woods while their houses were used as hospitals. When the battle was over, these people were left with the dead on the fields, crops destroyed, any livestock taken. War – nobody really wins.

Halloween was last night here – there were lots of kids in the campground so I went and got candy to pass out. Had 5 kids, 2 adults. Too bad we have to eat all this candy.

Tom and Leslie Welbourn came out to visit with us in September – always so good to be with them; although we have not been neighbors going on 18 years it never ceases to amaze me that we can just pick up where we left off. And in the short time we managed to pack in some amazing hikes! UTE trail to Milner Pass was a 4-mile downhill trek that started at the top of Trail Ridge (11,200 feet) ending at Milner Pass. Windy, rainy and cold but we all preserved. We also did the most popular hike(s) in Rocky Mountain National Park – Bear Lake and Alberta Falls; we tried to push on to Odessa Lake but it was threatening rain and I think beer was calling the guys. Just a lot of good days, Tom and Leslie, let’s plan something for next year!

Early September we flew to Michigan for wedding in the family, Kyle Fouchey nephew son of Mark and Jen, married Grace a lovely 1^st generation Chinese woman. They had a traditional white wedding, but afterward also incorporated the tradition of tea where gifts are exchanged with the bride and the bride wears traditional red. What was outstanding in the wedding is the man who officiated spoke fluent Mandarin and he would say a few words in English, then say same thing in Mandarin. It was lovely. Then onto the good old fashion wedding where the young folks take over and rest of us go back to hotel for a great family visit. BTW father of the bride did his homework and made a special effort to know the Fouchey Family, when we met he knew are names and family place in the family – except he kept mixing up Dave with Ty, thinking Dave was the oldest. He told Ty he looked so young he could not possibly be the oldest (Dave is the 5^th youngest!). I was impressed that he spent the effort and came over, along with wife Ling Ling, to talk to us.

September 14 came and we bid adieu to the fellow group host. It was bittersweet, but knowing, and God Willing, that we will all return next year was the sweet of the bitter. It was mixed emotions for Ty and I to leave the mountains, yet the itch to travel was gnawing at us. Being camp host was so much fun for us, and I am sure it is the place and the other host that contributed to that fun and the want to return next year (yes we signed up!)

A brief 10 day layover at daughter’s, Amy and Scott, to finish up with the doctors and such. Ty took a beating at the dermatology as he had 2 Mohs surgery for basil cells. Both on his face, soon he will have a Frankenstein look with all the rail tracks on his face. Spent the time wisely getting Wanda ready for travel, packing away our winter clothes (it was cold in mountains at night – average temp was 45 degrees). Left knowing that Amy is finally on the road to health. And last day attending Boulder’s Porch Band play (that is our friend John Hernadez playing bass fiddle)

Amy’s beloved dog, Lacie Lou, has gone to Doggy Heaven, as all good dogs do. She came into Amy’s life as a young pup looking for someone to love and a family. And she got that everyday of her 9 young years. So hard to lose a pet, especially for one so young yet, but she will be remembered for the joy she brought to the family.

Speaking of weddings, September 25, we celebrated 54 years of wedded bliss. Most years have been good with a couple of not so good mixed in just to show us what we are made off. Riley’s cooked a special dinner for us on Thursday which was a nice way to celebrate 8 hours on the road (on the 25^th). We agreed to go for 1 more year and 1 more year after that and 1 more year…..

First stop was Mike and Kay Riley’s – good thing I took all summer getting my liver back in shape because it didn’t take long for me to have to grab the Tumms! Kidding aside, what a lovely relaxing home the Riley’s have on Lake Minnetonka. The weather was incredible allowing us to have 2 great days on the lake motoring around, playing minute golf and a place instead of normal windmill holes had sculptures (last holes was a “lazy river” where ball meanders before dropping out of site) then back to the house for great eats and bonfires in the evening. Ann and Brian Wellen and Mike and Leslie showed up on Friday and Dana/Angie Scott came up on Sunday. Thanks you two for showing us a very good time!

Riley’s took us to this fun miniature golf place where all the holes do not have the traditional windmills and dinosaurs – rather it was all sculptures! Last hole was a labyrinth of water where the ball rolls down the lazy river off to infinity (and beyond).

October will see us on the road all month visiting, praying for all affected by Milton……

The other thing that has been interesting is the wildlife.  When we arrived in mid-May it was common for bull elk to just wander into the campground, antlers covered in velvet working toward September and the mating season.  By early June they just disappeared moved to higher elevations where it was cooler.  Now early September they are migrating back, the bulls with love on their mind.  Of course, the mule deer follow the same behavior but a few stayed around through the summer with their fawns.

(Be sure your volume is on – in the video you can hear the male “clucking” and “bugling”)

One of them is Longs Peak at 14,255 feet one of the 55 Colorado “14ers”.  The notch near the peak is called the key hole a recognizable feature along the standard route.  My daughter and I hiked this route 21 years ago.  It was our first 14er and it gave credence to John Denver’s “he saw everything as far as you can see”.  Along these trails other things are very fragile.  When you get above the tree line, about 11,500 feet here, the tundra has taken generations to develop and can quickly be destroyed by uncaring hikers. I always find it interesting to see a tree standing tall with its root system depending on a narrow crack in the rock for moister.  We have thunderstorms very often; you can hear and see storm cells coming.  Sometimes they come from multiple directions.  Sometimes it rains incredibly hard other time it’s just a lot of noise.   One of my most enjoyable hikes was when I was able to meet up with my old friends from Anthem in the National Park.  I hadn’t seen them in 5 years yet the welcome I received was great, the hugs and handshakes and smiles were wonderful. Hey Anthem sorry about that “old” comment.

I guess I can’t carry on about hiking without mentioning Chet.  Jane’s little 15-pound Havanese dog.  The dog can hike.  I have had him as far as 8 miles on a difficult trail and he doesn’t slow down. He even comes when I call him especially if I have treats. We get down he goes to sleep in the truck by the time we get home he is ready to go again. 

Tessa (Granddaughter) Update She has her grandparents’ wandering genes

After taking what she called a “gap year”, Tessa decided to go to college in Santa Barbara CA. I am really proud of her following her plan to travel right out of high school, checking out potential places for college. She went to NYC, Oregon, Washington State, Texas and California – deciding on Santa Barbara. She only knows one other woman her age there – but that is what she was looking for as she stated she knew she didn’t want to go to Colorado U and wanted to branch out, meet new friends and explore a whole new world. I say “Good for you, Tessa!”

Lots of Family Time and Friends

It is good to be relatively close (hour and half down the mountain to Boulder) to family. Briefly see the kids as they are all consumed with their friends whom they are not in college with. But that is ok and it is fun to watch them play and grow up which in only one year away from the nest they are maturing quickly.

Tyrus the grandson and I get to golf occasionally. Wish it was more.

Dave and Kristin Rossi came up to Estes Park to see how we are living.

My nephew Fred and bride Martha stopped in on their way to Texas (home) from Yellowstone, always good to see family and we have seen many Anthem folks. Cards with the girls is always a treat.

Sadness in my heart….Denise McGuigan

I met Denise while in college and we hit it off right away. Thru the years we lost touch but was reunited on our first year of the adventure down in Fort Myers Beach. Her and Kit (husband) wintered there too. It was the type of reunion that despite the years of not seeing each other, we picked up right away. Every winter since we looked forward to our time together – going to La Ola’s, playing cards, dancing, singing just having a good time. But my heart was broken when Denise passed away on July 18. What a woman she was – funny, caring, industrious, beautiful dancer, truly a wonderful person and I am so lucky to have known her, told her that I loved her, learned from her and had her as part of my life. I will miss you, Denise, save a seat for me in heaven.

Walking Chet up to my happy place one morning and he is off leash, of course, running happily ahead of me when all of a sudden, I hear a woman yelling “BEAR BEAR”, I start to panic calling for Chet. When I get up to this woman, there she is petting Chet and she says “I thought he was a baby bear!”

We are violating camp host rules by having a hummingbird feeder attached to our window of the rig, but we take it in every night and when our manager shows up.

It is very entertaining to watch. Some mornings and evenings there are 3 on feeder and others lining up to swoop in.

This is our first view from our campsite and our first visitor

Many “camping spots”

Before we could start the new Great Adventure, we had to get thru all the doctor appointments the first part of May – so we took turns camping at St. Vrains State Park, Carters driveway (Amy’s neighbor) and Boulder County Fairgrounds.

St. Vrains is a beautiful park with lots of nesting eagles and osprey; watching them dive into the water fishing was very entertaining. Couldn’t stay at Amy’s since all the kids were migrating their way back home from college so no room at that inn. But we saw them plenty especially when staying in Carter’s driveway over the weekends.

May 15 finally arrives…

we made the trip uphill to the mountains to begin our job; we’ve always loved that canyon/uphill drive and this time we were chatty with anticipation. Arrived at Mary’s Lake for our camp assignment and much to our surprise they outfitted us with “work clothes” – 3 tee shirts, long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, visor and hat (I love hats but this one is plain goofy). Then off to East Portal Campground, Host site 2 for our summer spot!

What struck us first was the views! We sit at 8,268 feet above sea level – good thing we stayed at 5280 for 2 weeks to acclimate. Oxygen is getting thin up here!

As you can see from the pic – which is our view from picnic table, there is still quite a bit of snow on the mountains and it is cold – I am wearing flannels and long pants.

Estes Valley Campground at East Portal

This is where we will call “home” till September 15. Our first 8 days was orientation, learning the ins and outs of being a camp host and meet and greet with other camp host. Estes Valley District owns 2 golf courses, 2 camp grounds (East Portal and Marys Lake), a recreation center, bowling alley and manage the marina on Lake Estes. As camp host we get to use all the amenities for free – nice perk. At EP there are 3 other camp host couples and we all work 3 days on, 6-hour shifts, 3 days off. Perfect schedule that allows us to then explore the area when not working. So far, a great bunch of people from Texas and St. Louis – we have regular camp fires and pinch in taking over other shifts when in need.

Picture: Top: Greg and Lin – returning host from last year

Left: Joe and Leah newbies

Right: Lance and Cindy newbies here but are experienced camp host

Estes Valley Campground at East Portal

This is where we will call “home” till September 15.

We pulled the 1st shift on opening day – nothing like jumping right into the frying pan! I usually do the office duties while Ty drives around in the golf cart talking to happy campers. Perfect job for him!

Settling into our job and our beautiful camp, we are still awestruck by the beauty of the mountains, how quickly the snow is melting and it is warming up. In the beginning of June 3 big bull Elks roamed the field across from our campsite every night, sometimes coming into the campground to the delight of all the campers. These are pretty big animals, probably weighing in at least 800-1500 pounds so you want to give ‘em a wide berth and as host we remind the campers to give them space.

Gall Bladder ATTACK

Just when everything is going so smoothly Amy goes into hospital for emergency gall bladder removal. Of course, there are complications resulting in her being hospitalized for 8 days. Lucky for us, we were off when we got the call in the middle of night and rushed down to Boulder to be with her. Then I ended up staying with her (pulled the midnight shift as she could not be alone) and Ty came back to work. Our camp host friends all pitched in and took my half of our shift. Wonderful people! She is on the mend now, but it was just too scary to watch your child (even if they are an adult) to be so sick.

On our off days we are off exploring the area, getting in a lot of hikes. I even went into Rocky Mountain National Park while Ty and Chet went to Michigan. Hiked 5 miles that day: Sprague Lake, Bear Lake, Alberta Falls then drove up Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous road in the US, to the top, 11,000 ft and back.

Once there (BTW stayed at the most expensive RV park ever – $100 bucks a night and that is with a discount!), we boated twice, thanks to Todd and his beautiful vessel, on Percy Priest Lake. Dana and Angie live on a houseboat, interesting abode living; reminds me of living in the Blueway RV park – a party just waiting to happen. No eclipse for us – skies were cloudy and we saw a little of the beginning, then the end. However, we were on Todd’s vessel with Dana, Angie, Kim (Todd’s friend) and the dogs, Chet and Sanibel. So, all not a bust!

Table Rock Lake

Is our next stop, thanks for the suggestion Phil Devine, which is Branson territory. We are not much interested in Branson, as it is definitely the ultimate tourist trap; reminds us of Gatlinburg and The Dells – has the same attractions.

However, Table Rock has some fabulous hikes, which we tried to hike every day we were here; Ty and I being so out of shape, that the slightest incline had us huffing and puffing. And poor Chet, sleeps the whole afternoon when we get back to Wanda.

Tried canoeing on the White River – beautiful day, however, it was windy and river is BIG with lots of boats going by that create rocky swells we had to navigate. Chet wasn’t too thrilled.

REPAIRS! And when we first set up camp here at the Old Hwy 56 Campground Wanda’s right leg broke.

What’s a new season without repairs! You may recall that while we were in Nova Scotia the left leg broke – well, Wanda is old, over 70,000 miles and that is a lot of ups and downs and we all know how our legs feel after doing squats. We could not have found a better spot to have to wait for the parts to come in then have her leg replaced.. Only a week!

Indian Point COE (Corps of Engineers) Campground was were we landed after the repairs. Still just outside of Branson, that we have by this time seen most of it, so we opted to drive 40 minutes around the lake to a place called Dogwood Canyon. At first we balked at having to pay $18 a head just to hike, but decided we drove all this way might as well. Turned out to be well worth the money spent. The “trail” was a paved 6 mile winding path that followed a river and had many waterfalls and other interesting sites like a chapel (great place for a wedding ceremony), fire pit caves with remains of inhabitation 8,000 years ago and a museum that had a lot of artifact’s but interestingly enough not many of the exhibits had stuff that was from that area. And waterfalls you can walk under…good stop.

Lake of the Ozarks – ticks! Lots of decent hiking trails, but everyday we picked ticks off of the 3 of us. I need to get a tick collar for myself as the spray was not a deterrent. While we were at the Lake of Ozarks, Phil came down and took Ty, Chet and I out for tour of the lake – beautiful ride.

Phil and Connie Devine – it was divine! Time to start making the trip home to Colorado, but first an overnight stop in Columbia MO to visit Phil and Connie. They have a really nice log cabin style home, plenty big on a lot of acreage and a pond of his own. Phil can stand on his deck and cast to his heart’s delight.

Last Push – little over 800 miles to go to get to Boulder, CO. Thought it would take us 3 days, but we managed in 2. Smooth sailing, easy peazy ride except for the snowy, slushy roads in Eastern Colorado. Showed up, but no place to stay for the weekend, so Amy’s neighbor let us park Wanda in their driveway while they are in Arizona. Thanks Carters!!! We ended up at St. Vrains State Park – we have to get 3 different spots for the 14 days we are here – then off to our camp host job on May 15

Where else can you see a Moonset and Sunset all on the same day! Here is proof!

Blueway does a good job of making sure we are having fun; once a month is a themed pool party which of course because you know we like to dress up and let our alter ego appear we readily partook in the festivities. We were Pirates, Trailer Trash, Barflies, and Circus.

On non pool party days we and the other folks who liked to party with us, went bike riding to Mullock Creek marina, kayaked on the river, Ft Myers Beach to La Ola’s to watch Johnny Walker, played pickleball, and cards. Many, many happy hours that extended late into the evenings and feeding the wildlife – Bob the Painted Turtle.

Family visits included Amy, Tyrus and Scotty; Colleen the niece all the way from Windsor Ontario Canada and Jess (Amy’s friend). Bob and Linda Nichols (Scotty’s dad and step mom) were in the picture too. Whew!  We loved it!

Best part of wintering in one spot is we met just a lot of awfully nice, fun friends from all walks of life. All of us escaping the cold and just wanting to have fun.

For example: take a look at Phil. When you look at the pic on the left you think, wow what a hillbilly. Well, he is not that is Phil dressed up for the trailer trash party. Phil on the right side of pic in work life was a very hard-working (I think at least he led us all to believe that) construction guy who retired just days before coming to FL. Talk about shedding the work life and embracing the carefree life of retirement -dressing up for trailer trash and all. Just watching him have so much FUN everyday brought a smile to my face. If we could all could be so happy! You rock Phil!

We left Blueway on April 4 and slowly will make our way to Nashville TN to view the eclipse with our Blueway friends Dana and Angie on their houseboat. Then we will mosey on to Colorado, planning to be there May 1, hopefully staying at the Boulder Fairgrounds.