November 20-21 - Flying to California

Time to carry on the tradition of spending Thanksgiving with the California kids. 

Flight to California went well, just a short delay in Chicago to fix the all important part of the plane, the bathroom!!

Made it to Drew and Erin’s by noon. Was warm enough to sit outside with Winnie and Dennis. 

Look at their mandarin tree. 

Trees still have their colorful leaves 

Hi there Dennis. 

Then it was time for Winnie’s birthday party. 

Princess Winnie with her birthday crown

Tuesday morning dawned sunny and bright and we were packed to the roof and on our way to Bandon, Oregon by 9ish. 

October 23-28 - Jonesborough, TN

With the leaves almost past prime in State College, we decided to drive south to visit with Terry and Sandy Countermine. Trees were in full vivid color as we drove farther south. 

Here’s a sunrise from where Ida sits in the driveway. 

Porch time. 

We parked in their driveway for the week and had a wonderful visit. It seems there is always something happening in their town. This time it was Haunted Happenings. 

They closed off Main Street and had Trick or Treating up and down the street. Lots and lots of people with their kids and dogs. 

The Jonesborough Novelty Band played  as people milled around. 

Chip and Mary came to town just for the event. 

Carved pumpkins lined the streets. Some talented and creative artists, as you’ll see. 

here is just a fraction of the costumes that walked the streets. 

A fitting moon for Haunted Happenings 

On the way home, we stopped at a new Harvest Host, Lambert Vintage Winery. Enjoyed tasting their wines and having a Izzy. 

We had a foggy and rainy ride home. 

August 18 - Hillsboro, IN

Today was a long day but nothing much to see as we drove through Illinois and into Indiana. 

Before we left Pershing State Park, took a short hike. Learned that The town is named for General Pershing, one of history’s great leaders in World War I. 

Tonight we are camped at Charla-Rose Lake Campground in Hillsboro, Indiana, just across the Illinois-Indiana border. 

When we turned into the campground, we realized we had stayed here before. Again it’s a well maintained park with a lot of campers that have had their spot for many years. 

Tomorrow we’ll make it to Ohio. 

August 17 - Kansas and Missouri.

Driving across Kansas on Route 36, a straight, 2-lane road we see lots of corn, soybeans, windmills, and some sunflowers. Not much else. This was the original route for the Pony Express. 

In one of the small towns, Marysville, they had these painted squirrels at several businesses (much like the groundhogs in Punxatwany. 

Arrived at our campsite at Pershing County Park near Laclede, MO. Longest check-in we’ve ever had. An older gentleman trying to work an iPad. It was painful to watch. Beautiful, well maintained. Lots of hiking trails. 

August 16 - Hunter Cove COE

We finally were able to stay at. Core of Engineer Campground, near Alma, Nebraska. 

Large, well maintained grounds with electric for $13 with our America the Beautiful senior pass. When we pulled in, the temp was 93, hence the need for electric for AC. 

Lake was large with some heron and egrets and people fishing. 

Tomorrow we’ll drive through Kansas on Route 36, a 2 land road with little traffic

August 15 - Andrea flies and we head east

Andrea had an early flight from Salt Lake City Airport so we got an early start to head home. 

Sunrise on the mountains was pretty. 

We weren’t very far out of Salt Lake and got stopped on I-80 because of an accident. Very rugged mountains. 

On the go again toward Ogden, the landscape is ruggedly beautiful. 

As we continued on I-80, we traveled through Echo Canyon. Beautiful red rock with green trees.

Then passed the 12 and a half foot high bronze Lincoln Monument. It was placed here because Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, the US’s first transcontinental railroad. This act contributed to the westward movement and the settling of pioneers in Wyoming. 

Tonight’s stay is at Vedauwoo Campground in the Medicine Bow National Forest, near Buford, WY (east of Laramie). This is our type of camping/boondocking. No services but fantastic scenery, we’ll maintained toilets. The night sky was showing all her stars. Wish we wouldn’t have been so tired so we could sit out. But after getting up at 4:30, we were both ready for an early bedtime. 

A hiking trail through the boulders.