Sunday, May 31, 2009, Rocky Mountain National Park

Today we went to a lecture on Big Horn Sheep, but they did not cooperate by joining us. We did see an abundance of elk in the park, which can't be killed since they are in a National Park. They are a little shabby, due to the process of loosing their winter coats. JoNell wanted to visit an area where she had studied marmots, so we took a little hike to that location. On the way there, we passed a coyote that was out in a large open area. We saw him capture two Wyoming Ground Squirrels. We also hiked part way around Bear Lake. The other side still has heavy snow, and the ranger did not recommend it.

Saturday, May 30, 2009, Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado had snow late in the season, so much of it has not melted. As a result, we were able to obtain some nice pictures. Our cousins took their motorhome and car to the park. The car made it easier to travel around the park. Their home is about 120 miles from the park. The highest point in the park is 12,183 feet--over two miles. While we were at the visitor center there, it began to snow. The flakes were large, but they did not stick. However, there was lots of snow there and all over the park. We had fun watching people throw snowballs at each other and also slip some of it inside the back of others clothes. We found out that they, too, were from Florida.

The weather forecast was for rain we postponed our worship service until the evening. We watched a very good Mark Finley DVD.

Friday, May 29, 2009, Rocky Mountain National Park

We arrived at JoNell and Micky Hows, who live near Denver, late Thursday. She is John's cousin. This morning the four of us left for Rocky Mountain National Park to spend three days camping. They also have a small motorhome. JoNell obtained her master's degree in the park doing studies on various animals and areas of the park, so she was very knowledge- able guide. On the way to our campsites, we stopped at Wild Basin in the southern part of the park. Here we did a two-mile hike along a raging creek. There were several small waterfalls; and due to the snow melt, there was plenty of water. Along the trail we saw a number of wild flowers. The lady slipper was so tiny and delicate. We also saw this friendly Marmot. He seemed to enjoy posing.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Recently John received an email about this "Miraculous Staircase" at Loretto Chapel. Since were going to be passing through Santa Fe, he made plans to stop and see it. The chapel was built but no provision was made to access the balcony. In answer to the Sisters prayers, a mysterious carpenter appeared and constructed this staircase. It contains 33 steps in two full 360-degree turns. It has no center support and originally there was no side support. All he used to construct it were a saw, a carpenter's square, a hammer and tubs in which to soak the wood. No nails were used--only wooden pegs. When he had finished, he disappeared without seeking payment. It is truly a wonder to behold.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The workers at Steer Safe installed the equipment early today; and we left for Albuquerque, where we ate at our favorite restaurant chain, Sweet Tomatoes. Then on to Santa Fe. We spent the night on the parking lot at "Sam's" resort. Resorts is what we have decided to call the businesses where we dry camp (without facilities.)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

We spent most of the day at Steer Safe, Inc., in Deming NM. They fabricated a device to give a driver control of the steering in case of a blow out, or when there is a shoulder drop-off. It also helps in cross winds. They didn't have one for our chassis and had been wanting to do a prototype, so they would have a pattern for future sales. They made ours at no cost to us except for the time and extra miles we drove to come here. Fortunately, Steer Safe has good WiFi for us to use. We spent the evening getting the laundry done.

Sunday, May 24 & Monday, May 25, 2009

John had a very boring birthday. We drove from near San Antonio to El Paso, a total of 488 miles. Monday we traveled from El Paso to Deming, NM. We arrived early enough to visit the nearby City of Rocks State Park, where they had many unusual formations. Our imagination found something in this picture. See if you can find the mother with her arms cradled in front of her.

Saturday, May 23, San Antonio

For church we had a Doug Bachelor DVD that tied in with the week's Sabbath School lesson on Sabbath rest. We spent the afternoon at the San Antonio Zoo. They have an abundance of birds from Africa, Australia, and North and South America. The reptile house has large and small snakes from around the world. Most of the snakes are venomous. There were some very colorful frogs. The Komodo Dragon babies are kept in the reptile house. They cannot be left with the parents, as the parents will eat them. In the wild the babies take to the trees to avoid being eaten. This stork reminded me of an old man. There were also many of the large animals found at zoos. It was interesting to watch two workers feeding dead rats to the alligators.

Friday, May 22, San Antonio

We visited Fort Sam Houston this morning. It has really changed in the past 52 years, since I was stationed here in 1956 and 1957. Not much was recognizable except the old Brooke Army Medical Center Hospital. It isn't even a hospital anymore. There is a new, modern high-rise hospital nearby. I went into a museum of Ft. Sam Houston, and the lady there showed me on a model of the base where my barracks used to be.

In the afternoon we drove about 30 miles out to a cavern. It was OK but not something I would recommend. We then stopped at a special vegetarian restaurant, "green vegetarian cuisine," that one of my Facebook friends told us about. They don't use caps in the sign.

May, 21, 2009, San Antonio, Texas

Our day included walking, cruising, and eating Mexican food on the River Walk; visiting the Alamo. We saw a IMax movie of the 13-day siege and fall of the Alamo.

May 19 & 20, 2009

We traveled west on I-10 to San Antonio, TX. We spent the nights of May 19 and 20 at Wal-Mart "resorts." For those who are not familiar with these "resorts," Wal-Mart kindly allows RV parking at most of their locations. This provides very inexpensive parking. It is lighted, and probably as safe of a place as you can park for free. Of course Wal-Mart knows that RV users are in constant need of replenishing supplies.

May 18, 2009, Home

Here we are starting to Alaska on May 18. We left home about 6:00 PM. Even though we had done a lot of advance preparation, it took all day to get the final things together, and get the house ready for us to depart on this five-month trip. We only drove 204 miles to the rest area just south of Lake City, FL, on I-75.