Behind the Times

Cranes Mill Park
Canyon Lake, Texas

Once we left Kansas and arrived in Colorado, I couldn't think of anything to blog about.  Since we had lived here for about five years, we were familiar with the area.  One day became another and before I knew it a month had passed without any updates.  I'll make a feeble attempt to catch up on our travels since then but don't expect much creativity.

Longmont, Colorado has changed extensively since we lived there.  The city has recovered from the devastating flood of a few years ago and it has grown noticeably in both population and construction.  The most noteworthy change was the removable of the Rocky Mountains. 

The mountains used to be here, but on the day of our arrival they were nowhere to be seen.  We were pleased to find out that the illusion was the result of smoke from the California wildfires and about a week later the peaks reappeared.

We stayed at St Vrain State Park during the week but  changed to the fairgrounds over the weekend.  Colorado is very pro-environment so the fairgrounds had several different collection containers for recyclables.  In addition to the normal plastic and aluminum another container was for kitchen waste that would eventually end up in the compost pile.  Campers were constantly warned by several prominent signs posted throughout the campground to not leave any food outside during the night.  Evidently the pesky raccoons often feasted on anything they could find.  They must have the ability to read because the campground seemed unconcerned by the animals dining on the kitchen waste in the recycle container. This trash can had no lid and was only emptied each morning.

We stayed here until the end of the month taking day trips around the area.





Elk in downtown Estes Park.













There is a nice walk along the river in Estes Park.  Makes a nice change from the souvenir shops.




































I'm still getting used to the "Gas and Grass" gas stations.  Don't think you can get your twinkies there.


After Labor Day, we headed southwest towards Alamosa, Colorado.  We camped at a spot just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park. 

The aspens were starting to turn  so it was a nice time to be in Colorado.





 This is the view from our campsite.

On the last day we were here the weather finally cleared and we went over to the park.

Many people rent "sand boards" to ride at the park.  I was told it's kind of like snowboarding or skateboarding.  Since I can do neither, I thought it best to not embarrass myself and just watch others do this sport.



Those tiny dots in the center of the photo are braver (and much younger) people zooming down the slopes on their boards




We are currently dog sitting in Texas  and will stay here until time to go to Albuquerque.

Where Grass Roots Are Flushed in the Garden of Eden

August 8-10, 2018

Minnooka Campground
Wilson Lake, Kansas

We have spent the last couple of days enjoying this nice park.  We have a large grass lawn between us and the shore of Wilson Lake.

From the edge of our site the ground drops down sharply to the water.

The nearby small town of Wilson is known for the "World's Largest hand-painted Czech Egg".


















There wasn't much else going on in Wilson.  It must be hard to top the egg.






Lucas, another small town north of here, is the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas.  First on our list was the Garden of Eden.  It is difficult to describe this rather bizarre tourist attraction.  It's fortunate that the owners didn't live in an area where he had to deal with a home owners association.






After retiring from farming Samuel P. Dinsmoor and his wife moved into town where he built this house and continuously worked on his concrete "yard art".  There are many concrete "trees" with various art pieces among the branches. The Bible and politics are among the diverse themes.







For modesty's sake Adam and Eve are photographed from the rear.

Dinsmoor built this planting bed in the shape of a pyramid so we wouldn't have to bend over to pick his strawberries.




After his first wife died, Sam hired a teenage housekeeper.  When he was 81 he married his housekeeper who had just turned 20.  It was rumored that he "had to marry her".  They had two children together.

Sam also built a mausoleum on his property. He didn't want to be embalmed so he left specific instructions in his will directing that his remains be mummified and displayed in a concrete coffin with a glass window.  He now rests in the mausoleum behind a glass window where visitors are encouraged to visit.  He didn't look too bad with the exception of his faced that turned a little green due to a broken window many years ago.





The town of Lucas (both blocks) is home to the Grassroots Art Center with its collection of eclectic pieces.


Eagle made from barbed wire

Car made from aluminum pull tabs

















Art is spread through the town with many pieces found on street corners, poles and yards.

The most impressive building in town was the public restroom.  It is shaped like a toilet with the lid up.

In addition to the "seating area" is a colorful whirlpool representing the flushing water.

Even the toilet paper was not forgotten.




















The inside was more ornate that the outside.

Men's restroom

Women's restroom

More Than Bar-B-Que

August 2-7, 2018

Elks Lodge #2509
Blue Springs, Missouri

We left Minnesota last week after a long stay enjoying the cool temperatures.  It was 98 here today so maybe we should have stayed in Minnesota a little longer.

The RV sites at this Elks Lodge are on a bluff overlooking a large field and woods.  The tree line is about 2 stories lower than our camper so it's important not to back up too far or you will go over the edge. 

When we arrived the lodge was smoking 240 full racks of ribs for a big event on the weekend.  Naturally we had ribs for dinner twice.





We have had many friends recommend the Steamboat Arabia if we were ever in the Kansas City area again.  We made it a point to visit this time and were not disappointed.













The museum is filled with over 200 tons of cargo that was retrieved from the steamboat after it was located in a farm field under about forty-five feet of river-bottom silt.  The most interesting part was talking to some of the men that were involved in that endeavor.














For a change of pace, today we visited the Moon Marble Company.  We thought this would be a quick stop but we had so much fun we stayed much longer than we had planned.












This unassuming building sits right next to the railroad tracks with hardly enough room to park.

The owner demonstrated how marbles are hand blown while we sat on old elementary school bleachers.  Since we are not exactly elementary school children it took quite a bit of work to extradite ourselves from these tiered benches.




We leave here tomorrow and will probably head west to Kansas.

We got Passed by a Peanut!

Tilly's RV Park
Oronoco, MN

We are back in Rochester, MN following our three week trip to the east coast and back with our grandson.  I wonder what is the correct speed limit for peanuts.








It was great fun but we tried to pack too much into that time frame resulting in totally exhausted grandparents.  It will take us a while to recover completely.  Grand parenting is hard work.


Troy was hoping to see some sea turtles but we didn't have any luck.  We passed a sign warning "Caution -turtles crossing the highway next 20 miles"  but they must have been on a different route.


We will stay here for several weeks before we start south.  We are crewing again this year at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta so can't stay in Minnesota indefinitely.

Water, Cherries and Space

June 17-22, 2018
Bull Run Regional Park Campground
Centreville, Virginia

After we left Springfield, Illinois we continued to drive east until we arrived in Virginia on Sunday.  The weather got hotter and more humid as we drove east.  Yesterday was so hot that after we ran a few errands we all went to the water park. 

Troy had a great time but I refused to go down the big slides or stand in the splash area while a large bucket dumped 500 gallons of water on me.









Today we went to pick cherries with Derek, Sarah and Sofia at the farm where they get their fruits and vegetables.  There were so many cherries on the trees that it was pretty easy picking.  Unfortunately the sweet cherries were done and today it was the tart cherries that were ripe.  We didn't eat while we picked but these cherries will make excellent jam.










After filling our buckets with cherries were were pleased to see the arrival of the tractor and wagons for the ride down the hill.

The farm had many activities that were popular with kids and a few things for the adults also.

Troy was trying to make a "corn angel" in this play pit filled with dry corn.











After enjoying a delicious crab cake lunch we went to the Air and Space Museum.  Luckily the severe weather passed by while we were inside.

Troy raced Dave up the three story ramp only to find when he got to the top that Dave took the elevator.  Troy thought that was cheating.  Dave thought it was smart.

Land of Lincoln

June 13-14, 2018
Illinois State Fairgrounds RV Park
Springfield, Illinois

Abraham Lincoln filled our itinerary for today.  We started with the Lincoln Home Historic Site and then walked around the Lincoln neighborhood.

I don't think I could sleep in this room with the busy wallpaper.

At the Lincoln Museum Troy joined the Lincoln family on their trip to Washington.














Entering the log cabin area at the museum.

We ended the day at Lincoln's Tomb.  If a person rubs Lincoln's nose on this statue it is supposed to bring good luck.  Troy only managed to touch his whiskers so I hope that doesn't mean bad luck.

Tomorrow we continue our trip and head east once again.