Mar 30, 2013 - on familiar ground

Yesterday's drive through the Rockies was a challenge. Today's through the flatness of Nebraska was blessedly boring. Only one million folks live in the whole state and 60% of them live in Omaha, so the road was empty. Part of the route followed the North Platte River and we saw huge flocks of birds congregating in the nearby lakes. Perhaps they were snowbirds heading home just like we are. There aren't that many campgrounds along this stretch of I-80 and we're not sure whether they are open yet, so we opted for the campground at the...

Sep 27, 2012 - Mitchell, SD to Council Bluffs, Iowa

WOW, the smell of cattle was overwhelming this morning. Don't know why...maybe it's the change is wind direction or something! So glad that we were heading out of town!!! The "look" of the highway was pretty much the same as the day before...field after field after field after field (you get the idea). Again corn was the main crop followed by wheat. As we got closer to Sioux Falls, we noticed more color (RED). It was nice for a change...several days of nothing but green (evergreens), yellow (aspens and birch), and brown (harvested fields,...

Sep 11, 2012 - drive like the wind

Since Ken assumes all the driving responsibilities in the motor home, we generally travel no more than 300 miles a day. However, our repairs are scheduled so we can get everything done this week and don't have to spend the weekend in IA waiting around. This meant we had to cover about 500 miles today and also lost an hour as we changed time zones. It would have been nice if the weather had been more supportive. As we spent the morning driving east a very strong north wind punched us in the side and Ken struggled to keep us on the road. At...

Apr 27, 2012 - Day Trip: Council Bluffs, IA

WINDY! If I say nothing else today, I have described the day. The wind is howling! We are still in Gretna. We start our morning with a trip to town. The Gretna Pharmacy fills one of John’s prescriptions. We talk with a local woman. She is eighty and used to RV. She also loves to fish. Nice people here! We head to the local supermarket. We stock up on supplies. We get on the Interstate but travel only one exit. Yesterday, I had a “There it is!” moment. I saw a Sapp’s Café coffee pot. It is the one pictured in my Roadside Giants book. John...

May 25, 2011 - Council Bluffs, Iowa

We skirted tornadoes most of the day. Thankfully, we managed to stay north of the severe weather moving across central Missouri. Heavy torrential rains slowed our progress, and we spent some time in a rest area waiting for the rain to subside. Upon arriving in Council Bluffs, it was terribly cold and windy. The next morning, we found a trail system nearby that was very nice for jogging, biking, etc. along Indian Creek and Lake Manawa. 352 miles - Tomes "Country Club" RV Park - about 2 miles from I29 Full hookups; self-contained units only...

Oct 6, 2010 - Council Bluffs

Still here in Council Bluffs. Just had the oil changed in the RV. Now in a hunt for a Runza Sandwich. It is found in Council Bluffs and around Omaha and pretty much a mainstay here and was featured on the food channel as one of the top 100 sandwiches to try. Its a German sandwich with homemade dough filled with ground beef, onion, cheese & cooked cabbage. We finally found the place and it is actually a chain like McDonalds. There are many different Runzas. I got mine and Tim got one with beef, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, onions and cabbage....

Jun 17, 2010 - Council Bluffs, IA & Bluff's Run RV Park

Once again we have a short drive today as we head to Council Bluffs, IA for a weeks stay at the Bluff's Run RV Park at the Horseshoe Casino. We got settled and then drove out to the airport to pick up our son Billy who'll be joining us for the week as we attend the College World Series of Baseball. This year's event is historic as it will be the "Last Blast at Rosenblatt".

Mar 31, 2010 - We are finally Full-Timing

Last night we spent the first night full-timing in our new home. We have a few more weeks of work left before the true freedom can be realized, but we are closer. We can spend the next few weeks ironing out the wrinkles, I know there will be some. The first thing I noticed is we have 26 coffee cups, what happened there, we don't even know 26 people who drink coffee. It did seem strange to leave the Phaeton this morning and go to work, after 40+ years of backing out of the driveway. The light at the end of the tunnel just keeps getting...

Jan 20, 2010 - Robert Byrne Quote.....fits this Winter.

~ Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~ Robert Byrne This morning everything was covered with ice, the forecast for the next five days is heavy fog and freezing rain. With our next major winter storm scheduled to arrive mid-week next week. Passing time in this winter wonderland by researching RV parks in Utah and Arizona, for next winter. We have chosen Shiprock RV Resort in Apache Junction and Cottan's Willowind Resort in Hurricane Utah. November in Utah and December thru February in Arizona.

Jan 7, 2010 - More Snow Days

This is the second time this year we have three snow days in a row for snow and cold. In thirty five years of teaching I have never experienced a winter like this one. This weekend the actual low is predicted to be 25 below zero. Tomorrow we are going to take another step towards the "Great Adventure" and apply for our passports.

Jan 5, 2010 - A Very "Cold" New Years

If I had any reservations about leaving the Midwest they have been dispelled this winter. Our next snow storm is predicted to arrive Wednesday, with 30 mph winds and another 3-7 inches of snow on top of the 30 plus inches that is already on the ground. Later in the week we drop back in the deep freeze with temps in the -20 degrees range. This is the first time in my life I am hoping we "don't" have a snow day, I certainly don't want the school year extended to make up days. Jeannie and I are waiting for the dream to begin.

Dec 29, 2009 - A Very White Christmas

Our last Christmas living in Iowa has proved to be a very snowy one, the Christmas Blizzard left us with 22 inches on the ground and now we are going into the deep freeze, the prediction for New Years Eve is 11 to 15 below zero. We had a wonderful Christmas with our children, grandchildren and family, and I'm sure we will have a wonderful time next year visiting them at Christmas. Or they will have a wonderful time visiting us in the warm sunny SOUTH!