May 7, 2013 - North Dakota State House

One of our enjoyable adventures is to visit / tour state capitols along our travel ways. Bismarck has been North Dakota's capitol since its inception. This is the second building, built in 1933 after the original building burned ... speculation has it political arguments led to the demise of the building ... but the official report says "spontaneous combustion" ... about the same thing, I'd say!!! By the way ... they are much smarter in North Dakota than the state leaders are in Wisconsin. State law limits legislative sessions to 80 days...

May 7, 2013 - Soldiers and Native Americans

The Bismarck area is rich in the history of Native Americans, Railroads, and the US Cavalry. The Mandan group of Native Americans built their communities next to the Missouri River living in earth lodges ... they were not nomadic like other plains Native American groups, but stayed settled in this area. This community was named "On-The-Slant" ... and as you might expect, the village was built on a slanted section of land just west of the Missouri River. White man immigrants brought smallpox to the area which caused the death of 75% of the...

May 3, 2013 - We're Still a Long Way from Home

Drove through Montana and were amazed at the large number of acres of fields all plowed up and ready for wheat to be planted. And then we got into North Dakota and were even more amazed at the thousands of acres of plowed fields and lack of populated areas. Except for the oil rigs. Lots and lots of drilling rigs and other large pieces of equipment in the fields. Especially around Dickenson, ND, where they were building large motels at every expressway intersection and what looked like big apartment complexes. We have heard that there is a...

Feb 6, 2013 - Rapid City to Bismarck

For the second day running we woke up late and were out of the hotel at 9:30am, must be all that fresh air. Today is a long drive day as accommodation between Rapid City and Bismarck is at a premium as there is an oil field boom in south eastern North Dakota as a result of the increasing oil prices. This we found made rooms at basic hotels for $60.00 normally miraculously rise to up around $120.00 and more for room only. Looks like oil field companies suffer the premiums that mining companies pay in Perth. We chose to have a longer day and...

Sep 28, 2012 - Bismarck KOA, Bismarck, North Dakota

We arrived at Bismarck, ND early this afternoon. We are staying at the Bismarck KOA. The sites are nice with lots of shade. We are getting all the last minute items together before heading out tomorrow for the International Peace Gardens where we will meet our fellow caravaners. We are getting excited about seeing the Polar bears and will be sure to send lots of pictures.

Sep 18, 2012 - Bingo Elves

This Morning me and Shane finished painting Ajay's garage, all we had left was the trim on two sides. We had lunch with Ajay then went over to the Good Samaritan to help Mary with bingo for the residents, she called out the numbers while me and Shane helped the residents with their cards. Mary and I took Shane out to the airport to catch a 5:30 flight back to Sacramento then I dropped her off at the bingo parlor to meet up with Kathy. I went on home to get the car ready for towing, dump the tanks, replace the fresh water fill hose and take...

Sep 17, 2012 - I Think They Are Still Ahead

Myron and Donna flew out early this morning back to Vaccaville Ca. Me and Shane were going to go golfing at eight this morning but it was only 33F with a stiff wind out of the north. We finally went out after eleven even though the wind was still blowing and the high for the day was 66F. We were only going to play nine holes but we were both playing pretty good so we went around again, both of us had two good rounds. Mary spent the morning doing laundry, the afternoon with her mom and her evening at the bingo parlor, her and Kathy have been...

Sep 16, 2012 - Joined Sam's Club

Bought a $40.00 membership card to Sam's Club because I can save almost twenty five cents a gallon when we fill up in Fargo on our way to Alexandria, Mn. I put a coat of primer on all the trim for Ajay's garage while Shane was visiting with Ajay and Mary and Kathie put on a bingo session for the residents at The Good Samaritan

Sep 15, 2012 - Busy Painting

Yesterday afternoon Ajay checked into the rehab center for an addiction to prescription drugs. His job will be there for him when he finishes the program in about 90 days, we are all hoping the best for him in this time of need. This summer Ajay and Leroy replaced the siding and trim on his garage then put on a couple coats of primer. Me, Shane and Curtis spent the morning putting on the finish coat. For lunch we brought in fried chicken and all the fixings for a family lunch at the Good Samaritan with Marcie. After lunch Mary, Kathy, Myron...

Sep 14, 2012 - A Good Game For Me

Ajay, Myron, Shane and me played 18 holes of golf at Tom O'Leary Golf Course in Bismarck. Shane had a killer game coming in below a hundred at 98, I even had a good game breaking 110 coming in at 108. Kathy had to work so Mary and Donna made the rounds of Bismarck's thrift stores before going up to see her Mom. I grilled up the last two packages of pork chops this afternoon that we marinated in Italian salad dressing, once again they came out juicy and tasty since I've been using a thermometer when grilling.

Sep 13, 2012 - Loaded Lilly

Took the Cobalt in this morning for an oil change, tire balance and rotation, ended up having to go back a little later to get the tire pressures topped off. I loaded all the thrift store address's into Lilly so Mary and Donna won't get lost in the big city of Bismarck searching for all the thrift shops

Sep 12, 2012 - Staying Busy

Finished cleaning the inside of the car, even wiped down the tires and under the hood with Armor All. I think this might be the cleanest it's been since we bought it new over three years ago. The hose for the auxiliary fresh water fill is leaking and needs to be replaced so I can sanitize the fresh water tank. I need to take out the old one so I can find a replacement, it turned out to be another one of those little 20 minute projects that ended up taking most of the afternoon to complete.