TRAVELING JULY 19TH TO 24TH

Life is great: Here we are heading West on Highway 80 thinking this is going to be a long hard drive - But, as usual we stopped the first night and met the nicest couple, Dave and Linda from Connecticut. Who would have thought that we would end up spending the next couple nights together and have such a great visit with them. This new puppy attracts everyone and when Dave and Linda saw me out with her they decided it was time to take a walk. Needless to say, we had to have cocktail time together for the next couple of nights. Not only that, they had to stop for a day and I had told them we were going to stop in Sidney, NE and on their way through, stopped just to visit and see us for the last time on this trip. What a fun and great couple they are.

We stopped in Sidney to see our friends, Mark and Deanna Jensen. We got here on Tuesday and I found it very interesting to go out with Deanna to take dinners to their crews. They have severay combines that were busy with cutting so I wanted to see what it was all about. I have shown some pictures of the cutting process which I found very intesting.

We enjoyed going to dinner with Deanna as Mark had to travel to MN, etc., I guess about 2200 miles in 2 days. We only got to say hello to him this morning (7/23/08) before he headed out to work again. Unfortunately, they are so busy we ended up not getting to see them for dinner. But, as usual, we went to the Buffulo Point for dinner and met the nicest couple from Chicago - westward and were farmers. Fun couple and I got so carried away that Critch started walking back to the RV!!!!! I couldn't believe by the time I ended my conversation he was half way to the RV park at Cabela's???? He is feeling pretty spunky tonight so that is a great sign.

SUPREME RV SERVICE

We are feeling very lucky to have arrived here to have our X-bracing done on this coach. These guys were tech's from Travel Supreme and I can't tell you what a great job they are doing and how nice they are in helping out. They had to weld in bracing in certain spots then the two front windows had to be reset - this was the biggest job of all and needed the full 3 days we are here. They were great in getting our insurance company to take care of some paint problems we had and repair some scratches so that also was a 3 day job to get that done and dried. Along with those major problems, there were several small issues to get done and they kept their schedule so all is getting done right on time. We have had 4-6 guys in and out taking care of things all three days. It has been really tiring but so happy to have this done.

We will be leaving here tomorrow morning (7/19) and heading to Kimball, NE to visit friends for a couple of days. We do plan to head to Vegas and I think my kids will come and get Critch and the grandkids and daughter-in-law will stay with me for a few days before we can go back into California on 8/16.

This has been a great trip, lots of fun things we have done and hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure. I really hate to go back to the desert in August but being gone 3 months is a little hard on Critch. I think I could be gone 4-5 months but also anxious to get back to the resort and see our friends in the fall.

Up to July 18th:

ELKHART, IN

We arrived here on Monday and the Elkhart Campground is spacious with lots of grass. We are glad to be settled again for a couple of weeks. We did part of the Heritage Trail which takes you through the Amish country. This year they have 12 quilt patterns done in flowers along the trail and they are beautiful. The one above was at Essenhaus.

Doug and Susan, our friends from WV, arrived on Wednesday afternoon. I had fixed dinner for that night so we had a great visit with nice weather, then had dinner in the coach. The next day Doug had an appointment with Gulf Stream to see the new "constellation". They brought the coach up and we were able to look it over very carefully. Susan is determined before they purchase they will have to make some changes in the bathroom. Otherwise, it is really a nice coach, has a lot of features taken from the Alfa with a long slide on one side and small one on the other. The bedroom has 2 beautiful lounging chairs to watch a large TV which is under the murphy bed. Doug was really drawn to that feature. It was fun to see some new ideas.

We then stopped at the "Country Store" which is a large barn divided into several stores with all kinds of baked goods, Amish breads and meats etc. We were able to find some goodies and some Xmas gifts. Doug decided to fix "flatsteak" which I had never had and spiced it with wasabe seasoning. I was surprised that it wasn't hot and was very good.

Friday the girls decided to drive to Middlebury and Shipshewana to see what the Amish country is really like. We stopped in Middlebury to have lunch at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus restaurant and bakery. It is all food prepared by the Amish and boy do they know how to bake. Obviously there was lots of shopping with the handmade quilts and other shops with goods made by the Amish. I found it very interesting to see how the Amish live. There are lots of farms and they bake everything from scratch. The roads have horse and carriages which is their way of transportation and you have to give them the right of way. Sometimes you can sit behind them going 5 miles an hour. We went into Shipshewana and actually decided the goods were all the same.

That town though is very populated with the Amish more so than the other town. I have enclosed some pictures of this area.

Along the ride from Elkhart you can see several different trailer and RV manufactures as this area is considered the RV capitol of the World. On Saturday we went to the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, which was built by the RV industry. It is a beautiful building with so many past and present RV vehicles and trailers. We really enjoyed that museum and spent over an hour viewing the different old campers, and RV's. More pictures of included of those.

We decided that since Notre Dame is such a big name we drove and drove and drove so we could see the campus. When we finally found it - due to Doug's directions!!!!! we could not get near the campus as it is a "walking campus" only and no cars aloud. At that point we decided they lost out that we could not get excited about their school.

We got back in time for Doug to fix his "famous ribs". Now, remember I had made a point of finding the best ribs on this trip so I had to tell Doug that I would really doubt if he could make ribs to beet what I had tasted. As usual, we all had a great time having a few drinks and prepared dinner to eat outside in the beautiful weather. I was so concerned as Doug said he only cooks his ribs for 45 minutes - well, I cook them for 7-9 hrs with sauce on them so how could he bar b que them for 45 minutes?????

I gave him ********* stars!!!! He actually covers them with thyme, rosemary and his secret seasoning and cooks them on the bar be que. I have never had such great ribs in my life, they were excellant. Thanks Doug, can't wait until next summer so we can have those again. Had to say goodby on Sunday morning and so thankful that they could come and meet us from West Virginia. RV friends are so great.

We are now waiting for our appt to go to Supreme RV service on Wednesday as they will start the Xbracing on Wednesday afternoon and we will be done on Friday. We plan to leave there and head west for home. Will keep you updated on our progress.

Critch is not feeling to great and wants to get home. We will see how he does as we get closer but might send him home before I can take the coach into California. Time will tell but we will be home by the 16th of August.

LAST WEEK IN BRANSON-July 6th

The last week in Branson was very exciting and lots of fun. Our neighbors and I decided to try the boat trip on Lake Taneycomo and really enjoyed the scenery and the information about the lake. We first had another try at Ribs and at at Shorty Small's, noted for the best and I have to agree. Right at the Branson Landing they also have Joe's Crab Shack and another restaurant called "Louie's". Branson Landing is definitely a place to visit with restaurants and shopping.









Our trip along the river was interesting as we were told it never gets above 45 to 50 degrees. No wonder there is no water skiing or swimming people out there. It comes from the damn on a continual run therefore keeping the temperature at that degree all winter and summer. There is a beautiful fountain and fire that goes off every hour at the Landing and in the evening they play music to go with the water show.



On Wednesday I decided to go see Moe Bandy and what a great show he puts on. Again, between the Comets and Moe Bandi, those were the best two shows I saw. There is so much entertainment in Branson and lots of fun to see several. Like I said, 1 week in Branson does not do it justice.


Thursday was the day we had to drive to Springfield to have Critch's two teeth pulled and his new plate put in. I decided to get my nails done while he was in the dentist and low and behold I fell in love with our new little "Tina". I went to a beauty salon and there she was, an image of Tara when she was a puppy. I took Critch over to see her and all he could do was shake his head (yes was the word). This picture is her on the table next to my glass of wine - not a big glass. I think she must be 1/2 lb.!!!!
Since she was only 7 weeks we left her and the owners were going to give her the last shots and have her ready for us on Saturday as we headed out of town. I was able to have second thoughts but both Critch and I were excited to get her.
When we got ready to leave on Saturday morning we had a huge thunder and lightening storm. Was all I could do to get the car hooked up and go to meet Tina at Wal Mart in Ozark, MO. "Thank goodness, we drove about 15 miles and the sun came out and we continue to have great weather since then. When I told Joe and Kay Demarte, Joe was convinced I wasn't this crazy- and it was a stuffed animal!!! When he finally realized I was serious he said we have "oodles of Poodles". Sorry Chastain's, I guess we are up to you in the number of poodles we have!!! Tessie and Tara are not to thrilled but think they will warm up as time goes on.

Our first night was anything but easy. Tina is up every hour but when I take her out she does go. I know it will take awhile but hopefully, by the time we get home she will learn to be a traveler and sleep a little longer!!!!

We stopped the 5th at Red Barn Rendezvous RV park and it was delightful for an evening. We then drove to Crawfordsville, IN and enjoying an easy in and out to get us to Elkhart tomorrow. Only 155 miles to our destination for awhile. So looking forward to seeing Doug and Susan on Wednesday so will update after next week.