Collegedale, TN to Avon Park, FL

We were gone a few days short of five months. The motorhome registered 18,355 miles. The flight from Anchorage to Barrow was 1,525 miles round trip. We sailed on five ferries between Haines, AK and Prince Rupert, BC, for a total 645 miles. We also took three sightseeing cruises but have no idea the miles covered. Home was a very welcome sight! Our son and his family had kept the yard manicured, and everything look so very nice.

Wednesday, October 7, was a travel day to Collegedale, TN. We parked our unit at the home of our friends, Bob and Clymera Lorren and also visited with Cliff and Rachel Myers, former friends from Avon Park.

On October 2 we arrived at Hot Springs, AK and stayed there through October 6. While there we visited with his sister, Betty Montgomery, and sister-in-law, Faye Palsgrove.

Georgie

Yesterday we left Forest City and arrived today at St. Joseph, MO. Our stop here is to pick up Georgie. He is a Havanese puppy. This picture was taken when he was about three months old. However, we didn't pick him up until he was four months old. We had purchased him when we were in Alaska, and the breeder kindly held him for us. He is the most loving dog and won't let at least one of us out of his sight. When we move from room to room he trots after us. While I am typing this, he is on the floor beside me. We are actually posting this narrative on December 13. This breed comes from Cuba. They do not shed and are hypoallergenic. He gets along with our cat, Oreo, and loves to chase a ball. He seems to prefer to hang out with John, but he shares himself with Carol at times. Below is a more recent picture. His fur is so soft and fluffy. They are sometimes called Havana silk dogs. In this picture he is all tired out from chasing his ball down the driveway.

Forest City, IA

We were in Forest City from 9/25 until 9/29. The reason being our motorhome was sideswiped while we were parked in Anchorage. We came to Winnebago's factory to have it repaired. It appeared to be caused by a rental motorhome that had been parked next to it, and it was gone when we returned. Evidently the driver turned as he was backing, causing the bumper to scrape the side. There was about $3,000 worth of damage and our insurance covered all but $400.

Carrington, ND to Mitchell, SD

We had never been to Mitchell, South Dakota to see the Corn Palace. These are some scenes taken both outside and inside. The theme for 2009 was Americas destinations. The pictures depicted many places we had been, like Mt. Rushmore, Lincoln Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial.


The picture above is a close-up to give you an idea of how the natural materials are used. We read that there are about a dozen different colors of corn that are grown for this project.

The 2010 theme is transporation. They have completed this train and car, and you can see they are constructing another scene. You can't tell by the picture because of equipment blocking the view, but it is a 4-wheeler.

The picture above is of the very first Corn Palace built in 1892. We liked the picture below because it shows a parade passing and the Statue of Liberty in "center stage." It was from the early '20's.


The next two pictures each contained twelve different years of designs.

Below are two very colorful designs.

On the road to Carrington, ND

We thought these highway markers were very appropriate. Someone had added the angel and flowers. Many were decorated with flowers. Printed on the back side was the word, "Think." Some other states in our travels had white crosses. These certainly encourage you to drive safely.

This is Carrington's water tower.

The reason for stopping in Carrington was to visit our friend, Ginger Unruh. Her family lived in Avon Park in the late '60's, and our children played together. We camped with their family in Yellowstone about 1977, after they moved west. We have only seen her one time since. She lost her husband a few years ago.