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We were excited to be here. We arrived before most of the bronco group. In fact, there was a car show going on in town, with a few parked at the campground we were at. So we went downtown and Rob found a few interesting ones he liked.  He called them Rat Rods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was one person next to us that was there for both!

 

It was great seeing all the broncos and the people that had them. We went on a few rides with borrowed seats.  Seemed like our friend, trail leader, had the misfits of broncos on his trails. The tail gunner did get a little bored – especially since his rig is built to go harder and faster!

The last trail we went on was new to us. We went out to “Top of the World”. Some people were a little daring with their poses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall it was a great visit with good memories.

    

 

 

Upon leaving Flagstaff, we had a few days to get the far distance of Moab so we decided to enjoy it. We drove up to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Parked in bus parking at the visitors center and took their tour bus service as far west as they went, out to Hermits Rest. We did some walks along the way out to the different points as well. Sadie even went for a stroll and stopped for a photo op!

 

After a day of adventure, we had planned on Boondocking somewhere. Sue used a website that was recommended of Campernium.com. She read some reviews and directed us to a part of Kaibab National Forest. According to the directions, we turned off Highway 64 onto 310 (road name) and went past the cattle crossing and then could find a previously used site. Seeing as it was getting dark, we found a turnoff that came back onto the road and parked there. We had 2 neighbors, one on each side of us as evident by the campfires and one serenading us by guitar.

In the morning, we walked around and climbed 80 feet up a fire lookout tower to see some views and  get some cell phone reception to do some check-ins. Boy, the wind was cold up there!

We saw several other campers in various modes as well.  Sadie ran around off leash and found scat as well as a lower portion of a leg that still had fur and hoof, either mule deer or elk. She sniffed at it but would not go near it. She later found something else that smelled appealing as she decided to roll into it.

Back out to the Highway, we did some more lookout points, parking our bus along the side spots just like a tour bus would! Some of the visitors to the canyon even took photos of this spectacle. LOL

The rest of the day we meandered our way north and east. We looked at making some stops along the way, but were not sure of us getting in let alone getting back out, so we continued until just north of Mexican Hat UT we turned onto Valley of the Gods – dirt road.

 

 

 

 

We drove out a few miles as based on the reviews we could go as far as the spires with no worries.

Now the review didn’t say how big of a rig could make it, but Rob wanted to give it a shot. Just had to remind him once or twice of just what vehicle he was driving as it was not our beloved ole Bronco!

 

 

Picked a spot and stayed for the night and next day and night.

 

 

 

 

We are parked under the “Resting Hen” which is the rock formation above us.

 

We left 1^st thing Friday to go the rest of the way up to Moab.

Why Moab you might ask?  Well for the annual Bronco Safari that is the first week of May. Just cuz we don’t have one to drive doesn’t mean our fellow bronco brothers won’t have an extra seat in one, or a few, of theirs!

Our niece and fiancé live in Flagstaff. They planned their wedding for April 16^th in Sedona, so we drove the far distance from Mesa to Camp Verde – 110 miles. We parked there, as well as Bud & Kay, to be close enough to town, while not in town. There were no places to be found in Sedona available nor that could fit us both. The wedding was out on a cliff called ‘Chicken Point” and required a little off roading to get there. The wind had been bad the couple of days before and we were glad it died down mostly, it was still a little cool.

The ceremony was beautiful as was the view.

Pictures do it all no justice as seen

here by the bride’s beauty.

 

While we were parked in Camp Verde, we took a ride out to Jerome –

talk about a town on a hill! 

We also drove over and saw Montezuma’s Castle.

Rob & Bud took care of some RV stuff on both rigs. We parted ways, the folks heading south and us north all the way up to Flagstaff – another 56 miles. Whew. We lent a hand to the newlyweds as they were doing some painting & fixing up of a new home for them and moving out of an apartment all of this the week after the wedding and while still working every day. Luke & Amanda are proud to have a “home” to call their own. 

 

We spent our winter from the end of October to the end of March doing workamping jobs. We only needed to work 12 hours a week each to pay for our space and utilities. Rob sat at the Activities Office desk and assisted anyone who needed information or to purchase tickets to events. I spent my time in the Computer Lab helping anyone with anything they needed. Rob also volunteered as a Ranger, they helped Courtesy Patrol and parking incoming rigs. 

Then on his free time, he also played Horseshoes.

 

 

 

 

We really enjoyed getting to know the people and all the activities, oh and don’t forget the food. We played cards, some we knew and some new ones we learned. Sometimes we served the beer and wine for the gatherings the park had, sometimes we just enjoyed the festivities.

The weather had its ups and downs, January had a cold snap – not long enough for Sue, while February saw a record of the consecutive days over 80! YIKES. Sunsets could be very colorful.

Christmas lights on the streets were very pretty – they even had a contest. 

Oh and we got a great gift for christmas…

 

Thanksgiving had Bud & Kay, as well as Robert drive out to us to spend the holiday together with us. In December Robert came from CA while Steven & Jen flew out from MI to Phoenix and stayed with his folks. We all got together for a few gatherings as well as an early family Christmas. When Robert drove back to CA he had a passenger – Sue. She was headed back to CA to get her left knee replacement surgery.

She was headed back to CA to get her left knee replacement surgery.

Rob worked both of their hours while she was gone for 3 weeks. She came back minus a limp, one that anyone who saw asked about. The knee is almost as good as the other that was replaced 4 years ago.

We played in a Ladder Ball Tournament with the park managers Robert & Esther.   

 

 

 

 

 

Rob had a great hat for St Patrick’s Day. 

Our summer plans are based around a few weddings that we are attending all on the west coast. Sorry east coast family & friends, not this summer.

After WI, we bopped down to AR to do some CPO RV Inspections. While we were there just north of Little Rock, we caught up with a friend that we haven’t seen in 25+ years, and that was a great day.

Then we had to visit a distillery – of course. Rock Town Distillery is the first one in AR since prohibition. They wanted to be making Bourbon, so upon opening, they started by selling some Vodka and Gin from the clear stuff and started barreling for the bourbon. Their Gin is very good. Rob got a bottle of their bourbon of course.

After the inspections, we had some down time before heading to the Workamper Rendezvous in Heber Springs AR, so we dropped down to Red Bay AL and saw our favorite people at Tiffin!

Rob helped a Jeep owner.

 

Oh and after we drove out of the bay, we had an extra little tool.

Look closely toward the roof. 

 

 

Got some great cabinet additions and slides added. What an awesome time, even Sadie had fun playing with their dog.

 

We were out of town so we had a fire, cleaned up some scraps and the yard too! Love our tub!

 

You can take the dog off the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the dog.

Rob has said this several times when referring to Sadie. Now we have proof. I apologize in advance as this will be a bunch of pics of Sadie and the farm.

 

The house from the back, our view from the motorhome.

Sunrise

Blue Moon, I believe, hard to see.

 

 

 

 

The guys doing some work…

 

 

 

 

And break time of course!!    

 

 

 

 

 

We went to the state fair one day, over in St Paul, MN. Had fried cheese curds for the first time.  

I know this next one is a little blurry, but I just couldn’t resist catching it, although we didn’t have any. 

Audrey was trying out a new tractor – her son thinks this is the kind she needs.

Sadie’s escapades around the farm…

 

A momma and her baby. They were separated shortly after this as it was time.

 

She played lots of frisbee

 

 

 

 

And the cats…

   

 

 

Rob doesn’t really care for cats, but this is Walt and he is a little lover! Rob even thought so. 

 

Sadie’s family that we were able to meet.   Dad – Max 

Sibling sisters…   Avery

Maddie

Rizzo

 

 

 

 

 Bud & Kay saying goodbye – one last pic.

Sadie on the morning we were pulling out of the farm. She looks like she is not happy that we are going on the road again!!

 

We arrive in Bluffton IN, at a KOA that was pretty nice. This was south of Ft Wayne where we were suppose to be. Seems that the campground in town wasn’t prepared for us and when they called 2 days before our scheduled arrival, Bud decided he wasn’t staying there. That’s why we diverted to Bluffton. Have to say it is a nice area, just not as close to the brother in south side of town, but not as far as Angola. Again there was rain and mud, but not too much. All in all a pleasant week. We even visited our niece Cassie and her bf Eric with their combined 5 kids and 2 large dogs! Whew that was a tiring dinner by the time we left.

We eventually drove north to the Circle B in Angola, north of Ft Wayne and where the older bro Doug & Leann keep their trailer parked all year. Shortly after arriving, we went to help Chris move into his new & first home with his fiance Kirsten. Not too much stuff of their own, but some furniture of his folks. Seems D&L were downsizing and so they split up the households. Little bit later we all help the next move into said smaller home – called a “Villaminium”. Never  heard of such a thing, but learned it’s a ranch house that you don’t have to maintain the yard. This was done for Leann since she was tired of being the one to do yardwork and since Doug took a job in NC 3 weeks of the month, he wasn’t exactly going to be doing any anytime soon!  Back at camp there was always some tinkering to do, whether on our rigs or someone else’s – say golf cart lights. Kathy went to go riding one night and the lights went out. The boys diagnosed the problem, got the part, and then couldn’t get it working. Try as they may, even Mike stuck his head into the mix. Eventually Gerry found a loose connection and got the lights working again.

 

One of the weekends after all the moving, Mike & Tammy came to the campground with a tent and one grandson Ford. Either he was bored or tired from not getting enough sleep! Then Cassie & Eric, along with the 5 kids and a NEW 9 week old puppy a day later. Boy that weekend was fun. Rob learned a new way to cook – it’s called a Volcano.    

We put a whole chicken in with a can of soda inserted up it’s butt. Then a bunch of leg thigh quarters.  It was soooo good, nothing was left after this crew finished eating. There were a few rounds of crocket played – even after years without touching a mallet, Bud did really good!

On Sunday Jamie, Tammy’s other daughter came up along with her other 2 kids, one wife and toddler!

 

 

They ALL went back to their respective homes on sunday afternoon – PEACE ensued.

Rob & Buddy went and built custom shelves in both new home garages. This is the 4th garage for D&L, and first for Chris.

 

While at Circle B, Sadie learned to run along side the golf carts, much like she runs along side me on the bicycle. We determined that while Bud’s electric cart works, she prefers D&L’s gas one as it can go faster. Often during the week I took her for a run while the camp was less crowded. And if you just got on the cart with her, she barked. We also played frisbee often and she is VERY good at it.  Logan often got into the fun, decided to join Rob one day on the hill.  To say he is heavy is an understatement. Rob still let him be for a few minutes..

 

 

 

 

On the morning we left the gang the could, came to say goodbye. 

Sorry to have not been posting. First in TN and then VA the internet was limited and then we were busy into July. So here’s a recap of most of that time.

We left TN and ventured to my Aunt’s in Bumpass VA. Yes that is the name of the town. It is very much county. We had a great visit with her and Sam, her husband. She had invited a bunch of the family, my cousins, for Memorial Day to bbq. Missy came, along with her husband. Her daughter also came along with her boyfriend. The weather that weekend was in the 90’s, so I took advantage of their pool! I took Sadie’s pool out and tried to get their 3 dogs to indulge with no luck. I did get to enjoy some early & late day views without too many mosquito’s or heat. Here is a sunset I was able to capture.

 

Rob went to look under the RV for something and one of the dogs decided to check it out also. Then of course she rolled over for a belly rub!

 

Next, we had been assigned an RV Inspection in PA, near where we wanted to go for a few day, so we made a slight detour. Well on the way from there to our actual destination near Hershey, we had traveled up and down various hills, some quite steep. As we were going down one of the last ones, Rob saw the air pressure dropping in the front, which is for the front brakes. So I quickly grab my phone and find that there is a TA truck stop just ahead. That air pressure ends up dropping to zero and then the rear begins to drop. At the stop light getting off the highway, he had to use the trailer brakes to hold us from moving forward. We were able to get through the light and parked at the TA. Rob began to fix those air lines and found that they broke from a problem with the exhaust pipe. This job was bigger than he could do in the parking lot so we went into a bay there to let the truck techs fix that. Oh and while we were in there, got the oil changed!

 

I have to say I do not look forward to something like that happening ever again. We just about lost all brakes at which point the back ones would have locked up. WHEW

Jen had a party in NJ in June. It was a great time. It was  a little busy with preparations and planning, pickup, etc. There were toasts for Jen and Steven.

 

We had a version of Newlywed Game.

 

 

 

 

And in the end Steven permitted the winner a special prize.

 

We were able to get other family pictures, but I have to say, I love the ones with Robert pretty much the most… (sorry if you already saw these on fb).

 

From NJ we made a detour back thru TN for a pick up before continuing our planned journey. Sadie was guarding the bacon we cooked for breakfast! And for Rick being the most non-dog person of the group, Sadie liked his lap just fine!

We also played another round of Uno Spin which Rob & I have found ourselves blurting it out at random times. Ya have to know the game, but that is pretty funny stuff! 

Our next stop was a week in KY doing the Bourbon Trail. Rob and his dad were able to visit all 9 that are on the “official trail” and then pick up a prized T-shirt for their completion of said 9. They also visited one other just for fun. I was able to do about 6 I think. One was a beer brewery as well as bourbon distillery. Woodford and Red Roses topped our favorites for bourbons in taste and tours. If we do go back, there are a handful that are “craft” distilleries that we would like to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found a few other points of interest. A future distillery that will be for, uh, for, well I can’t remember but I know it was something we were interested in. Must’ve been too many tastes that day!

Following the parties around the country, we made our way to St Louis where the Hirsch Family had a family reunion planned. One night the 2 newlywed couples in the family were toasted and had to cut a cake. Steven is always the funny faced one!

And since we were doing all these distillery tours the previous week, we felt it only fitting to do the Budweiser tour while in town.

I had no idea that Anheuser Busch was responsible for all of these and more!  Of course we went through a small stable and saw some Clydesdale horses. We had the “good” side! LOL

AND now we are in Indiana – near Ft Wayne to visit the brothers and families. I am going to TRY to keep this more updated because this was confusing and difficult and too long! Toodles

The parents, our friends, had to leave for a conference. We had planned to stick around a few more days. Since the kids are ok with it, we will hang out with them!

We did get a few good pictures of us after church. We figured out we met Rick in 93 and Polly in 95. It’s been so good catching up, we will miss them (& the kids), until our next visit.

Most of us went to one of their friends house and used their kayak’s, canoe, and standing paddle board. The weather was very pleasant with a little wind.  

There was a little bit of a water fight trying to get each other wet…

I even tried the paddle board, did pretty good until I decided to check my balance and wiggle a little. I went off the back and the board took off. One of the kids came out in a kayak to rescue me!