It was a very long day. We got up at 4:30 AM and arrived about 4:30 PM. We are here at last at our SOWERS project in Michigan.
We discovered that our trailer license plate was missing. Besides reporting it to CA DMV and CA Registration, we had to report it stolen to the Indiana State Police. They put it in a national stolen plates database. That cost us about 1 1/2 hours. We can't get another plate until we get home, and a difficult police officer could give us a ticket. But, hopefully, if we are stopped, the registration plus incident report will be enough for the officer to let us go.
We met with the Michindoh maintenance manager Dave and his wife Jackie. Grant is the group leader and required to arrive the day before the other SOWERS, who scheduled to arrive on Friday and Saturday.
Shawna will be flying to Tuscon, AZ on Saturday to spend two weeks with her sister. She has quite a collection of stuffed animals from nearly every state we visited.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Blue Eye, MO to Edwardsville, IL
We took a few pictures at the home of our friends the Kirchners before a long days drive to Edwardsville, IL
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Kansas City, KS to Blue Eye, MO
We have good friends from Livermore, CA that now live in Blue Eye, MO. While we were there, we did a drive-by tour of Branson, MO. We also crossed the border into Arkansas. Blue Eye is in Missouri and in Arkansas. Shawna and I went swimming in the lake. Grant caught me floating on my back in the water!!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Kansas City, KS
There were wild turkeys out the window at Aunt Evelyn's house. In the afternoon we went bowling. In the evening, all my cousins came to Aunt Evelyn's house, and we forgot to take pictures!!!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Mt. Auburn, IA to Kansas City, KS
The campground where we stayed in Mt. Auburn, IA was celebrating Christmas in July. We didn't participate because we were at the Smalley Reunion, but the farmer that pulled us out of the mud was at this campground.
From Mt. Auburn, we went to Kansas City, KS to visit my aunt and my cousins. I was born In Kansas City, MO.
From Mt. Auburn, we went to Kansas City, KS to visit my aunt and my cousins. I was born In Kansas City, MO.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Mt. Auburn, IA
God is good, but you knew that.
We didn't get back to the camp until after 1AM, without our truck, and with lots more rain predicted for that night. Campers in the next site were still up. We shared our story with them. One guy said, "Don't worry, I'm a farmer, and, I live close by, and I have big tractors, and I'll pull you out in the morning". I didn't know a tractor could do that.
Next morning, he took Grant to the truck, and brought a tractor with 4 foot high balloon tires. It pulled our truck out of the mud like it was a toy.
We went back to the Smalley Reunion and had a great day. Shawna made a lot of beaded jewelry. I participated in a Hearts marathon. We got some things from the silent auction. Grant did a lot of visiting. I went to the cemetary again, where many of my Smalley relatives are buried and gathered a lot of pictures and information for my genealogy research.
We didn't get back to the camp until after 1AM, without our truck, and with lots more rain predicted for that night. Campers in the next site were still up. We shared our story with them. One guy said, "Don't worry, I'm a farmer, and, I live close by, and I have big tractors, and I'll pull you out in the morning". I didn't know a tractor could do that.
Next morning, he took Grant to the truck, and brought a tractor with 4 foot high balloon tires. It pulled our truck out of the mud like it was a toy.
We went back to the Smalley Reunion and had a great day. Shawna made a lot of beaded jewelry. I participated in a Hearts marathon. We got some things from the silent auction. Grant did a lot of visiting. I went to the cemetary again, where many of my Smalley relatives are buried and gathered a lot of pictures and information for my genealogy research.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Carroll, IA to Mt. Auburn, IA
Our first stop after leaving Caroll, IA was Ames, IA - where I went to college at Iowa State University. We went to the book store, and then to Robert's Hall, which was the dorm where I stayed my first two years. Then we walked around the center of campus and walked through some of the old buildings.
Next, we drove on to Mount Auburn, IA. We stayed two nights in the McFarlane Campground.
We attended the Smalley Family Reunion on Friday night and Saturday. My grandmother on my father's side was Laura Belle Smalley. Shortly after my father was born, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and put into a state asylum for the rest of her life. It was believed that of her mental illness was a result of child birth. Laura Belle’s mother (also named Laura Belle), died as a result of child birth.
Through Laura Belle Smalley, I am a descendant of the Mayflower and a daughter of the American Revolution. Constance Hopkins Smalley (and her father) are my Mayflower ancestors. Her father, Stephen Hopkins, was an interesting character. Stephen came on a previous voyage on the Sea Venture, headed for the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. He was convicted of mutiny, and would have been hanged. Instead, he was allowed to return to his children, England, after the death of their mother. Next he was asked to be the intermediary to the Indians for the Mayflower because of his previous experience with the Indians in the New World.
On the way to the Smalley Reunion, we used Garmin to find the way, and arrived safely without any troubles. While we attended the reunion, there was a serious rain storm. On the way back to camp, by the same route, 18th Ave was thick with mud. We should have turned around. We got stuck in the ditch in the mud, with the right hand side of the truck up against a mud bank clear up to the window. No towing company would come out onto the road. The police tried to get someone. We tried AAA and Good Sam. They called around and no one would come. Finally, one towing company sent a 4 wheel drive pickup with a tow rope. We spent about 4 hours trying to get the truck out and finally gave up with the truck buried deeper than ever. A lot more rain was predicted for that night, and we were informed that no one would pull out our truck until the road dried out. We had to leave the truck and go back to the camp not knowing when or if we would get the truck out. We did a lot of praying and didn’t sleep well that night.
Stay tuned for the next day’s adventures in the life of Taylor Travels.
Next, we drove on to Mount Auburn, IA. We stayed two nights in the McFarlane Campground.
We attended the Smalley Family Reunion on Friday night and Saturday. My grandmother on my father's side was Laura Belle Smalley. Shortly after my father was born, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and put into a state asylum for the rest of her life. It was believed that of her mental illness was a result of child birth. Laura Belle’s mother (also named Laura Belle), died as a result of child birth.
Through Laura Belle Smalley, I am a descendant of the Mayflower and a daughter of the American Revolution. Constance Hopkins Smalley (and her father) are my Mayflower ancestors. Her father, Stephen Hopkins, was an interesting character. Stephen came on a previous voyage on the Sea Venture, headed for the Jamestown Colony in Virginia. He was convicted of mutiny, and would have been hanged. Instead, he was allowed to return to his children, England, after the death of their mother. Next he was asked to be the intermediary to the Indians for the Mayflower because of his previous experience with the Indians in the New World.
On the way to the Smalley Reunion, we used Garmin to find the way, and arrived safely without any troubles. While we attended the reunion, there was a serious rain storm. On the way back to camp, by the same route, 18th Ave was thick with mud. We should have turned around. We got stuck in the ditch in the mud, with the right hand side of the truck up against a mud bank clear up to the window. No towing company would come out onto the road. The police tried to get someone. We tried AAA and Good Sam. They called around and no one would come. Finally, one towing company sent a 4 wheel drive pickup with a tow rope. We spent about 4 hours trying to get the truck out and finally gave up with the truck buried deeper than ever. A lot more rain was predicted for that night, and we were informed that no one would pull out our truck until the road dried out. We had to leave the truck and go back to the camp not knowing when or if we would get the truck out. We did a lot of praying and didn’t sleep well that night.
Stay tuned for the next day’s adventures in the life of Taylor Travels.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Kearney, NE to Carroll, IA (Swan Lake Campground)
Our first stop of the day was the Kearney Archway. Kearney is on the Platte River in Nebraska. There is an archway over the Interstate that has a nice diorama of pioneer life in migrating westward. It was very nicely done. You could step into some of the dioramas. There were a lot of activities available at the archway, including a maze built inside a replica of a fort, that Shawna conquered.
We crossed the wide Missouri River from Nebraska into Iowa later in the day. The bridge that crosses the river in Omaha that is on Interstate 680 and Interstate 29 has been out for months due to flooding. A large portion of the Interstate is under water. For miles after we crossed into Iowa, there were sandbags piled high around houses and stores from the flooding. It was very sad.
We spent the night in Swan Lake Campground in Carroll, Iowa. It was a state part and campground and the nicest place we have stated. After photographing the sunset, Shawna and Grant had a grant time taking pictures of lightening bugs. Although we see them as brief spots of yellow light, they actually photograph as streaks of yellow light.
We crossed the wide Missouri River from Nebraska into Iowa later in the day. The bridge that crosses the river in Omaha that is on Interstate 680 and Interstate 29 has been out for months due to flooding. A large portion of the Interstate is under water. For miles after we crossed into Iowa, there were sandbags piled high around houses and stores from the flooding. It was very sad.
We spent the night in Swan Lake Campground in Carroll, Iowa. It was a state part and campground and the nicest place we have stated. After photographing the sunset, Shawna and Grant had a grant time taking pictures of lightening bugs. Although we see them as brief spots of yellow light, they actually photograph as streaks of yellow light.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Hudson, CO to Kearney, NE
Our day started out with Grant changing the thermostat in the truck. He is optimistic that that has solved our overheat problem. I hope so. At any rate, it curtailed our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and we headed for Nebraska. We made it to Kearney, NE.
On the way, we stopped for gas, where the age-old question of "Where are we"? got answered right out front. "We are nowhere".
The vote was to go to Cabela's, where Shawna took pictures of all the stuffed animal displays on the wall. Grant enjoyed trying on hats. Shawna found her stuffed animal for Nebraska. His name is Moosie. He's pretty big. I think he could hold all the other stuffies in his arms.
Then we went to The Big Apple Fun Center, where we played arcade games. Shawna and Sandy both played and had a lot of fun and won a lot of tickets which Shawna exchanged for bracelets.
I was dead tired when we got back to camp. We stayed in a brand new campground. It was less than a month old. I think it is a newly plowed corn field. Wish I had taken its picture, but it didn't look like much so I didn't think of it. Well what do you expect from "Cornhuskers".
On the way, we stopped for gas, where the age-old question of "Where are we"? got answered right out front. "We are nowhere".
The vote was to go to Cabela's, where Shawna took pictures of all the stuffed animal displays on the wall. Grant enjoyed trying on hats. Shawna found her stuffed animal for Nebraska. His name is Moosie. He's pretty big. I think he could hold all the other stuffies in his arms.
Then we went to The Big Apple Fun Center, where we played arcade games. Shawna and Sandy both played and had a lot of fun and won a lot of tickets which Shawna exchanged for bracelets.
I was dead tired when we got back to camp. We stayed in a brand new campground. It was less than a month old. I think it is a newly plowed corn field. Wish I had taken its picture, but it didn't look like much so I didn't think of it. Well what do you expect from "Cornhuskers".
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Gunnison, CO to Hudson, CO
Well, not so many pictures today. Our poor truck had a hard day.
We started out in Gunnison,CO. We took Hwy 50 toward Poncha Springs, in hopes of heading up 285 to Leadville. We wanted to spend a couple of hours in Leadville, and then camp outside of Denver and drive around Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way to Poncha Springs, we had to climb Monarch Pass at about 11,300 feet. On the way up the pass, we blew the radiator hose. The Lord was with us for sure. At the very second the hose blew, there was a place to pull off. Grant was able to clamp the hose back on. Shawna brought pitcher after pitcher of water to fill the radiator from the trailer. We made it to Poncha Springs. We found a mechanic to check out the truck and flush and refill the radiator.
The next pass was Loveland at 11,992 ft. We drove up the pass on I 70 at 15 to 20 mph in First and Second gear. We thought it was overheating again, so we pulled over, and let the truck cool down a bit, and made the pass. After that, we were a little apprehensive about driving much further. We stopped outside Denver and bought a new thermostat, and hope that resolves the problem, but we still decided to skip further sightseeing in Colorado, and head toward Nebraska in the morning, where Shawna can get another stuffie to keep her other stuffie friends company.
Grant made a huge mistake this morning. He called Sullivan (a brontosaurus dinosaur), a lizard. He hurt Sully's feelings, but Sully forgave him.
We're good. Just hope tomorrow's adventures aren't so exciting...
We started out in Gunnison,CO. We took Hwy 50 toward Poncha Springs, in hopes of heading up 285 to Leadville. We wanted to spend a couple of hours in Leadville, and then camp outside of Denver and drive around Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way to Poncha Springs, we had to climb Monarch Pass at about 11,300 feet. On the way up the pass, we blew the radiator hose. The Lord was with us for sure. At the very second the hose blew, there was a place to pull off. Grant was able to clamp the hose back on. Shawna brought pitcher after pitcher of water to fill the radiator from the trailer. We made it to Poncha Springs. We found a mechanic to check out the truck and flush and refill the radiator.
The next pass was Loveland at 11,992 ft. We drove up the pass on I 70 at 15 to 20 mph in First and Second gear. We thought it was overheating again, so we pulled over, and let the truck cool down a bit, and made the pass. After that, we were a little apprehensive about driving much further. We stopped outside Denver and bought a new thermostat, and hope that resolves the problem, but we still decided to skip further sightseeing in Colorado, and head toward Nebraska in the morning, where Shawna can get another stuffie to keep her other stuffie friends company.
Grant made a huge mistake this morning. He called Sullivan (a brontosaurus dinosaur), a lizard. He hurt Sully's feelings, but Sully forgave him.
We're good. Just hope tomorrow's adventures aren't so exciting...
Monday, July 18, 2011
Green River, UT to Gunnison, CO
In Fruita, Colorado, we went to the Dinosaur Museum and then we drove through the Colorado National Monument. After that, we drove through Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We spent the night in Gunnison.
Shawna is collecting one stuffed animal from each state and naming them. (:
Shawna is collecting one stuffed animal from each state and naming them. (:
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Las Vegas to Green River, UT
Green River is in Eastern Utah. We drove a lot of miles today. We will be in Colorado pretty early tomorrow. We plan to do a lot of sightseeing in Colorado. We won't be crossing Colorado in a day.
We enjoyed the dry views of mesas and mountains with all the varied colors. We enjoyed the rainbows (yes it rained with lightning today) and sunset in our campground from the window in our trailer.
Shawna enjoyed the swings and the monkey bars. (:
Hi from Grant, Sandy and Shawna
We enjoyed the dry views of mesas and mountains with all the varied colors. We enjoyed the rainbows (yes it rained with lightning today) and sunset in our campground from the window in our trailer.
Shawna enjoyed the swings and the monkey bars. (:
Hi from Grant, Sandy and Shawna
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Hume Lake to Las Vegas
We picked up Shawna at Hume Lake and we are off and on our way to Michigan. I got a picture of the Twain Harte Bible Church kids before we left. We drove over 500 miles today and spent the night in the Circus Circus campground in Los Vegas. We spent a couple of hours in the arcade at Circus Circus, where Shawna won a couple of stuffies.
We did laundry in the morning, and I am having trouble with this internet connection. So, we are late getting away.
We did laundry in the morning, and I am having trouble with this internet connection. So, we are late getting away.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Kings Canyon National Park
We drove the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway today to Roads End. We really love the Kings Canyon River. It was white water raging and roaring through the canyon. The mountains and trees for the back drop of the river are spectacular. And, we really love the waterfalls. I thanked God today for the blessing of the eyes He gave me to behold the beauty of His creation. Grant really enjoyed all the huge trees seemingly growing out of nothing but rock.
We had to take our truck's picture with the two oldest gravity feed gas pumps still in operation. They were installed in 1928. He wanted to get gas there, but it was 1.46 a litre, with a 5 gallon minimum. We decided to save our pennies, and have dinner in the lodge instead. The dinner was good.
We had to take our truck's picture with the two oldest gravity feed gas pumps still in operation. They were installed in 1928. He wanted to get gas there, but it was 1.46 a litre, with a 5 gallon minimum. We decided to save our pennies, and have dinner in the lodge instead. The dinner was good.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sequoia National Park
Today we toured Sequoia National Park. We thought we should show you a picture of our travel trailer. It's our home away from home. It's 26 feet long and quite comfortable for us. It reminds me of the Lucille Ball movie "The Long Long Trailer", especially when we are turning sharp corners or driving on narrow roads. Grant handles it well.
We visited the Auto Tree, the Tunnel Tree, Crescent Meadow, the Giant Forest Museum with the Sentinel Tree on the Generals Highway. We stopped to see the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world by volume.
I took a little spill today. I stood on a large log which crumbled under me and threw me forward and I landed on my forehead. No damage done - just a good scrape and a few scratches and bruises. They fit in quite nicely with my mosquito bites and poison oak. I'm off to a good start - don't you think???
We visited the Auto Tree, the Tunnel Tree, Crescent Meadow, the Giant Forest Museum with the Sentinel Tree on the Generals Highway. We stopped to see the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world by volume.
I took a little spill today. I stood on a large log which crumbled under me and threw me forward and I landed on my forehead. No damage done - just a good scrape and a few scratches and bruises. They fit in quite nicely with my mosquito bites and poison oak. I'm off to a good start - don't you think???
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Jamestown, CA to Kings Canyon Sequoia National Park
We are off on our great adventure to a SOWER's project in Michigan. We were packed and ready to go a day early so we spent Tuesday night, July 12th, at Kristin's house in Jamestown, CA. We had a number of errands to do in town and got away from Jamestown around 3:00 PM. We arrived at Grant's Grove in Kings Canyon National Park at about 7:30PM. It was an easy drive. We will pick up Shawna on Saturday morning and start our drive towards Michigan.
Along the way, we will be stopping in Iowa for a Smalley Family reunion. My grandmother on my father's side was a Smalley. Through my Smalley lineage, I am a Mayflower descendant and a Revolutionary War descendant. Next, we will go to Kansas City to visit my aunts and cousins. Then we will be going to Missouri to visit some long time friends. We will arrive in Michigan by July 28th.
Along the way, we will be stopping in Iowa for a Smalley Family reunion. My grandmother on my father's side was a Smalley. Through my Smalley lineage, I am a Mayflower descendant and a Revolutionary War descendant. Next, we will go to Kansas City to visit my aunts and cousins. Then we will be going to Missouri to visit some long time friends. We will arrive in Michigan by July 28th.
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