Our Journey of Discovery

Kolab Canyon, St George and Camp Verde

2007-10-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Along our way back home we made a stop at the Kolab Canyon in Utah for a Harley ride up into the canyon. We have been here before but not on the Harley. Not the red pavement. They somehow use the native red rock in their road paving. So is this still called “blacktop”? The red mountain picture is the sun coming up lighting the already red mountain. This was our view from our campsite in St George Utah. After the stop a few days in the area we moved on to one of our favorite RV parks Camp Verde along the Verde River in Camp Verde, AZ. We spent 2 weeks there and made new friends Larry & Orlene that live not far from us at home and Helen & Bill with their little black dog Lucifer. Both couples we will stay in touch with.

Pendleton Woolen Mills, factory tour

2007-09-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Our next day tour in Pendleton, Oregon was of the well known Pendleton Woolen Mills. They have been in the same building since 1909. We saw how the wool was cleaned, carded, dyed, and spun into thread. Then we moved on to the giant weavers that make the material, blankets and rugs.

www.pendleton-usa.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=198

On to Utah and Arizona………………

Pendleton, Oregon - Underground & Brothel tour

2007-09-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

What a contrast !

On the way home we spent a a couple days in Pendleton, Oregon to see the sights. We took the “City Underground” tour that included some above ground sights. There was almost a complete restored ChinaTown underground, with a jail, several stores/shops, laundry, meat market and along side all this a SpeakEasy complete with a pool hall and bowling ally all hidden below the downtown streets of Pendleton. Above ground we toured the historic restored “Madame Stella’s brothel”. Tour parts are obvious by the pictures. Some of the girls that worked in the brothel also lived there in with very basic furnishings. They did their own laundry, cooking and housekeeping. The fancy room with the satin bed cover was Stella’s private room. Tour money well spent.

http://www.pendletonundergroundtours.com/main/

Lunch with Tracy

2007-09-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

On our way back through Portland we had lunch with daughter Tracy at one of her favorite restaurants in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Cool and wet on the Pacific Coast

2007-09-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

A few weeks in September on the NW Washington coast (Copalis Beach) experiencing cool, wet, fog, wind was all we needed to head inland and into warmer dryer weather. Next time we visit it will be late July or early August in hopes of a warmer dryer visit. Good times were had with our friends Joe (green plaid shirt) & Bonnie, and Lee & Kolleen (red blouse).

As far West as we can go

2007-09-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is about as far West as we will get this trip. Copalis Beach, Washington. Nice when we first got there but the weather changed and sunshine was a memory. We did get a ride on the beach and a one nice walk on the beach.

Oregon happenings Aug 07

2007-09-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

While in Oregon this summer we spent time on the coast with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Lincoln City, went to a car show, air show and went to see the Spruce Goose. Also made time to visit our friend Kerin. Time to head North to Washington state.

Betty’s friend from Intel. Aug 4th, 2007

2007-08-25T00:37:00.000-07:00

This is Betty’s friend from Intel, Nancy, her husband James, and the kids Megan and Nick. We spent a nice afternoon and dinner at their new home in Hillsboro. Betty and Nancy worked together for several years prior to Betty retiring.

They also met us for seafood night at Spirit Mt Casino when we were staying there in their RV lot. We all picked black berries on the casino property. The berries have since turned into a cobbler (now gone), and 5 or 6 containers of freezer jam that will come home to Arizona this fall.

July 29th 2007, Noisiest night so far

2007-08-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

Camping World, Troutdale, OR (under construction!)

We arrived at camping world just before they closed and were told, sure no problem, park in our lot, lots of room and we will take you in first thing in the morning for your service (new slide out topper measurement & generator service). All went well till about 4am. Huge very bright lights turned on creating daylight right next to us and a cement truck pulled in with huge rocks tumbling in the drum “right next to us”. Add to that, 6 more trucks were lined up to dump their cement. No more sleep for us and decided we better move before we got hit. Note the white pickup and the 4 orange marker cones? We were parked between the two when the first truck pulled in about 6 feet from our bedroom window. Very loud!

How do we haul the Harley?

2007-08-19T22:46:00.001-07:00

A few of our friends have asked how it is that we take the Harley and the Jeep at the same time. The Harley (2006 Heritage Softail Classic) rides on a hydraulic lift that has been welded to the back of the coach. (www.hydralift-usa.com) The Jeep Liberty hooks on under the motorcycle with a tow bar that goes into a receiver on the lift.

Questions about the Jeep, it is a 2004 Liberty Limited.

We just spent a day at Mac Welding in McMinnville having the lift removed and raised 4" so it doesn't drag as easily. One very nice spot we visited recently had a sharp slope that caused us to gouge up the blacktop a little. So now hopefully we will be welcome back without damaging their blacktop.

July 28-29 2007 Rufus, Oregon

2007-08-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the Giles French Campground, Dufus, OR., just below the John Day Dam on the Columbia River.

This is a Corp of Engineers park. Camping is free with no hookups. We are parked about 10 feet from the Columbia River on the Oregon side. This is the state line for Oregon and Washington. The whole time we were here the wind blew, nonstop. The area just to the east of us is also known as wind surfing capital of the world. Note the trees that seem to only grow in the direction of the wind. The drive from here to Troutdale, Oregon was the worst wind we have driven in since we bought the coach 4 yrs ago. Sometimes head on and worse sometimes from the side. Never want to do that again!
One picture shows the river traffic in the gorge, barge traffic headed for the locks on the dam, and train traffic on the Washington side of the river. Another picture shows us parked alongside the river with the John Day Dam behind us. Another of the pictures is of a Indian fishing pier. The local Indians come down to the river at night and set out their nets in the river, returning the next night to pull in their catch. We are told the Indians are the only ones that are allowed to fish this way.

July 25, 2007 Cheney, Washington

2007-08-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ponderosa Falls RV Park just outside Spokane in the little town of Cheney.

Someone told us this was a crummy park but we found it very nice, green, level with lots of open areas. We did find that one small row in the back was mostly dirt and not level. While in Spokane shopping we got caught in a traffic jam due to a fuel truck catching fire.

Picture of our rig through the trees. Nice park, nice people. We took part in club house games 2 evenings. Very friendly folks here.

July 18, 2007 Butte, Montana & Wind

2007-08-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

Visit to Butte Montana and a drive up to look over the city from high on the hill in old Butte near the copper mine shafts. The old Dumas House of prostitution was in operation from 1890 to 1982. We talked to a security guard that was a retired city police officer. He said the girls of the Dumas gave $1 from each “visitor” to the local police department so they would look the other way.

Also pictures of one of the mines, and Copper King Mansion.

The last shot of the motor home is an example of why you shouldn’t park in a Walmart lot, put your awning out and leave for a day of sightseeing and “hope” no wind kicks up.

July 14, 2007 Medora, North Dakota

2007-08-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This buffalo stood on the road as we came around the corner. Betty took the picture and tried another as he passed by about 3 feet from her window. She thought the picture didn’t take but…. Several others were seen on the 36 mile scenic drive through this National Park in North Dakota’s Bad Lands.

July 8-10 2007 Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

2007-07-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

What a nice visit with our friends Dwain (waving to me in the front yard) and Linnea (in their living room).

We met our friends 2 years ago in Arizona. After lots of visits in the camp grounds and at our home in Casa Grande it was time to visit them at their home in Minnesota.

They had a cement pad, 50A electric, and water hook ups for us. We backed in right next to their home.

Note the lush green lawn, I checked, not 1 weed. We had Linnea’s fresh Rhubarb Pie made from Rhubarb that Dwain cut that morning in the back yard garden. They took us to a spaghetti dinner to meet some of their friends one evening. The next evening Dwain fired up the BBQ for great steaks.

This was the spot I selected to take on my long delayed job of rewiring the overhead entertainment compartment in our Bounder. This meant taking out the 27” (450 pound, at least) TV. We got it out and rewired with a new home theater unit. Good picture, great sound, thanks Dwain.

Their son Tim (in the kitchen) prepared a 5 Star going-away breakfast for us our last morning. Not enough time with these folks but time to leave and find the “Oregon Trail”. We made plans to meet this winter in Arizona and share our latest adventures and a game or two of Pegs & Jokers.

June 30 - July 7, 2007 Scandia Minnesota

2007-07-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

We stayed this year as we do every summer when we come this way, with our friends Mike & Diane at their home in Scandia, Minnesota.

I (Dennis) grew up about 30 miles from Scandia in St Paul. We call this place "Thom’s RV Resort", space for 1 rig. The first year we brought the motorhome they asked what we needed. We said a little power would be nice. We got a leveled space with water and 50A service and a welcome mat from our old friends.

Pictureof our rig through the metal work of the fire pit.

We spend the month of November in Mazatlan. Mike & Diane are friends that joined us last winter to spend a week with us leaving the snow and cold of Minnesota behind.

A few pictures at the pool (90 deg.) of Mike sitting at the end, Diane and Betty floating and Diane and Betty in the kitchen.

July 1-5, 07 Visit with Relatives

2007-07-23T22:59:00.000-07:00

Good visits with my (Dennis) Dad in White Bear Lake, MN. Dad will be age 91 in Nov.Brother-in-law Glenn, Sister Karen, Dad

We had a fun afternoon with my little sister Karen, 6 yrs younger than me. We took a drive to visit my niece Rochelle and her family in Wisconsin with a stop at Taylor’s Falls, WS.

Dinner with my Step-Dad at Old Country Buffet in Woodbury, MN. Harold is age 86, still getting around great.

June 22, 07 Friends and Tomatos, Wiggins, Colorado

2007-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

“The time has come,” the Walrus said,”to talk of many things.”– L.Carroll

We had a fun visit with Harold at his summer home “farm” in Wiggins, Colorado. Betty at the wheel of Harold’s 1953 Ford NNA tractor. Harold is our neighbor in Casa Grande.

While there we took a side trip to visit his daughter and son in law, Cindy & Russ. Cindy gave us a tour of their produce business. Honeyacre Produce (since 1985) They have 5 large climate controlled greenhouses.

The vine tomatos are grown from seed in a bag of coconut husks. An irrigation system provides water and nutrients. They pick twice a week when the tomato’s are ripe and rush to market, fresh with no pesticides. Unlike regular store tomato’s that are picked green and have little flavor. They are all flawless and look perfect or they don’t go to market. We got to watch the watering, pollination from bumble bees and the trimming of the suckers. Best of all we left with tomato and pepper samples J

United States Air Force Academy

2007-06-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

We spent a couple of fun days here in Colorado Springs, Colorado with Pikes Peak out our front window. The people were so friendly, maybe the most friendly group at this Elks club. Happy hour was 5pm in a nice shady area next to the pool. We are looking forward to seeing our new friends Kay & Jim on the West Coast.

We spent a fun afternoon at the Air Force touring the area open to the public. The Cadet Chapel was amazing. The chapel is 150 feet tall, taking 4 years to build and beautiful inside and out.

It contains a separate chapel for each of the three major religious faiths represented in the Air Force. Betty is standing with a soon to be fighter pilot and Cody the falcon.

Parking here was tight to say the least. This is compared to our parking spot at the Santa Fe, NM Elks. There we had about 2 acres to pick our spot in and no neighbors. Here in Colorado Springs we had electric and water but not much air to breath J. Less than one foot clearance on one side and about 2 feet on the other side. The Alfa "See Ya" coach that is parked next to us came in and the driver said he couldn’t back it into that spot, could someone help him. I got into his coach and slowly backed it into the spot shown. Of course I had an interest in how this big rig was backed in, not wanting the paint or mirrors on my coach removed

Albuquerque NM, Sandia Peak

2007-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

A nice couple days visit here in Albuquerque with a good parking spot at the Sandia Casino. We had a very good buffet dinner at this beautiful Casino/Golf course. We took a short drive to the Sandia Peak Tramway. They say this is the world’s longest passenger tramway. The ride climbs the mountain for 2.7 miles to an elevation of 1,378 ft. It takes a 14 min. ride to get to the top. All supplies for the restaurant are taken up in the tram. Very interesting information can be found at www.sandiapeak.com. Cost for round trip “flight” as they call it was $15 each for seniors. Well spent dollars. We spent a little over an hour at the top taking in the 11,000 sq mile view.

Holbrook, AZ Petrified Forest and Spirits

2007-06-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Holbrook, AZ We parked at the local Elks lodge. At this stop we visit the Petrified National Forest and the Painted Desert along with a stop to take some pictures of some rock art left by a group of people that lived here or passed through at some time in the long ago past. This rock art looks like a giant bird trying to eat a small person. Was this a historical record or story or...
We, had a fish dinner with the local Elks members, some good conversation and got a “hot tip” to be sure to visit the haunted court house in town. We did visit the court house but didn’t see any spirits floating around. They say only one may was hung here in the 1800’s and he is still hanging around the area.

Camp Verde, AZ Cliff Dwellings

2007-06-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Our campground is one of our favorites. Camp Verde sits on the Verde River. We have been here several times. This time we saw 3 beavers playing in their pond they made by falling trees along the river. We came back with our camera the next day but no luck at finding the beavers again. Here for a couple days then on to Holbrook, AZ.

This stop gave us a return visit to these 3 ancient dwelling sites, 2 of them are cliff dwelling sites. These sites were used by the Southern Sinagua people. All 3 sites are about 30 miles from our campground. As for the pictures, the large cliff dwelling is Montezuma Castle, a 20 room dwelling about 100 ft above the valley, used in the 12^th century.

The picture with the “little” lake is Montezuma Well that was formed by a collapsed underground cavern now fed by springs. A small cliff dwelling can be seen across the lake in the side of the cliff. The area was home to about 150-200 people in the years 1100-1400.

The picture that looks over and down into a bunch of open rooms it Tuzigoot. This overlooks the Verde Valley. 77 rooms some were 2 stories that were home to about 50-200 people 1125 to 1400.

Coronado National Memorial – April 14, 07

2007-05-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

This was a visit to find our park ranger friend Denise. She recently transferred from the Casa Grande Ruins (about 18 miles from our home) - http://casagranderuins.areaparks.com/
to the Cornado National Memorial, South of Sierra Vista, AZ about 1 mile from the Mexican border (about 180 miles from our home). www.nps.gov/coro We had a very nice bike ride to this memorial. The picture in the case is a real armor suit. I am the goofy looking guy wearing a heavy replica with Ranger Denise standing by. The suit is made of heavy steal chain material. Almost like a 1500’s bullet proof vest. You have to have help getting into and out of it. We had a very nice visit with her and her staff. There is a lot to see and do there so we will have to come back when we can spend a whole day wandering the park, checking out the cave. So next winter we will be back and no I am not putting on that goofy suit again Denise!

If your interested...Ranger Denise says the Cornado National Memorial commemorates the first major European exploration of the American Southwest by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. The park is composed of 4,750 acres of Oak woodlands with the visitor center at 5,230 ft. For more information see www.nps.gov/coro

The real suit!

Tucson, AZ Rally & Ride @ Beaudry's April 5-8

2007-04-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by Beaudry’s RV in Tucson, AZ. We arrived a day early on the 4^th to avoid the rush on registration day since about 200 RVs signed up. We are all RVers that also have motorcycles. We saw several trikes, several Gold Wings, a few others, and a LOT of Harley’s. Beaudry’s is a first class resort. The food was great; they fed us breakfasts, a sack lunch for the ride and wonderful dinners with entertainment every night. One night was casino night, one night karaoke with a DJ, one night Cathy Sea and her band. We have seen her several times. Thanks to Kiri and her support staff for a fun rally.

They offered 3 nights 4 days of guided rides. There were several rides per day. Just show up at the start time and join in with the group. The guided rides were to The Casa Grande Ruins, Bisbee, the Saguaro National Park, Tortilla Flat, Patagonia Lake, and Tombstone. Most rides were 80-120 miles one way. Also available were self guided rides.

On day 1, registration day, we went on a ride with our new friends Judy & Larry from California. We rode about 100 miles round trip to the Saguaro National Park.

This is Betty with “Guy”, the ride captain for the Tombstone ride. I choose the ride Tombstone with about 35 other bikes. We went about 180 miles round trip with 2 hours to spend walking around the town seeing the sights. Tombstone calls itself “the town too tough to die”. With the OK Coral, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, The Bird Cage Saloon there are lots of sights to take in. This is Betty with “Guy”, the ride captain for the Tombstone ride.

We made plans with new friends to meet again in November for the Fall Rally & Ride.

Racing Pigs, 4H & Cotton Candy, March 07

2007-04-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

A ride through farm country 11 miles from Casa Grande is the Pinal County Fair grounds at “11 mile corner”.

We rode the Harley out to the fair grounds for a fun day at the fair. Complete with the animal barns, the commercial vendors all set upin the main building along with the rides and food vendors made for a funday.

One more revolution around the sun

2007-04-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

April 1, 2007 .. It has been a good year. Bought a home in Arizona, sold a home in Oregon. Spent a month in Mexico. Put a few thousand miles on the Harley. Been healthy and enjoyed traveling in our motor home with my beautiful wife. Enjoyed lots of visits with our friends, what more could I ask for. So we have traveled one more time around the sun, another year older. Two pictures of me fishing taken about 1950 at Lake Ida in Minnesota and about 50 yrs later fishing in the Pacific Ocean, just off the Oregon shore.

Visitors

2007-03-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

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Arizona's Civil War battle

2007-03-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday March 11th. What a fun day this was. With our picnic goodies loaded in the Jeep we left for the day at Picacho Peak State Park which is just 21 miles South East of us. With a smell of camp fires and the smoke of battle, these members of the Federal Army's 1st New Mexico Volunteers Company A advanced on Confederate infantry during a re-enactment of the Battle of Picacho Pass.

The most significant Civil War battle in Arizona took place near Picacho Peak on April 15, 1862, when an advance detachment of Union forces from California attacked a Confederate scouting party. The battle lasted for 1-1/2 hours, and three Union soldiers were killed. For more info: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/history_culture/44094.php

Several hundred re-enactors and their families set up a campsite for the weekend. This year the weather was perfect, wishing we had taken the Harley down to this instead of the Jeep.

Joining the Patriot Guard Riders, 1st Ride

2007-03-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

We assemble to ride to honor a Veteran. The man in the center with his back to us is me in front of our bike with the large flag fastened to the back.

2nd picture, bikers lineup with American flags at the cemetery to honor the Veteran.

I have attended my 1st Patriot Guard ride. One month ago the Patriot Guard rode for the funeral of Army Sgt. David Staats who was killed in Iraq. About 2 weeks later I attended his father's funeral, who was a Veteran. The father was beaten to death when he stopped his bicycle to ask a women if everything was OK as a heated argument seemed to be going on between the woman and a man. The "man" was upset that someone was meddling in his business and beat Mr. Staats almost to death. He died later in the hospital. azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0206wvservices0206.html

I was one of about 200 motorcycle riders who rode in the funeral procession that Thursday. Almost all had American flags flying on the back of our bikes. We rode approx. 15 miles. I saw several Americans along the road, standing with their hands over their hearts as our very long procession passed by. I wanted to say thank you to them for being Patriotic American Citizens. The unfortunate death of the Sgt. and then the senseless death of his father are just heart breaking, but having so many Americans show up to show their respect and support was heart warming.

First Holiday in our new home, Christmas 06

2007-03-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

This was the first holiday in our new home here in Casa Grande, AZ. Since we bought last spring, we have been here only a few months. Most of last summer we headed out in our motor home to cooler weather. Then a month in Mazatlan, an RV rally or two and how the time flies. This is my attempt to catch up a little and provide a snapshot along the way.

Beauty in the Arizona desert

2006-04-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

In the past when I have thought of the deserts of Arizona I thought it was dry, lifeless, all brown and most of all dead. How wrong could I have been. After a few (very few) winter rains the desert turns green, and blooms. Color in the plants and rocks are all over we just need to slow down and look.

Friends in Dateland, AZ

2006-04-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday. Today we took a little drive of 115 miles from Casa Grande West to Dateland, AZ. Dateland is about 70 miles East of Yuma.

We had a nice visit with our friends Walt and Lorraine from the great state of California. They have property in Dateland where they winter. Dateland is little more than a wide spot on the hiway. We met them last winter (Feb 05) while boondocking a couple months in the desert near Imperial Dam, AZ

Visit over, we headed back for a nice evening at home. 87 deg today.

Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

2006-04-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

Feb. 26, 2006

This day we took about a 150 mile Harley ride with our friends Dan & Sylvia from the “great state of California” and another RV-Cycle rider, Denny.

We drove to the Chiricahua National Monument. Established in 1924, these formations of balanced rocks, spires and pinnacles are similar in size and shape to those of Bryce Canyon in Utah although without as much color - the rocks are mainly grey but often with a covering of green lichen. The one mile circular route winds through some of the most impressive groups which include several examples of balanced rocks - boulders perched precariously on top of much thinner supporting columns.

During the 1860s and 1870s, the Chiricahua Mountains provided a refuge for the Chokoen band of Chiricahua Apache tribe led by the famous chiefs Cochise and Geronimo. Those people called this area the “land of standing up rocks”. On our way we passed a well-preserved fortress from this era, the Cochise Stronghold, in the Dragoon Mountains 40 miles west of the Monument. This will be a location we will go back to next year. (picture below, Dan, Denny, Sylvia, Betty)

Apache Trail, Superstition Mountains

2006-04-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

We are in Casa Grande (Desert Shadows RV Resort) for a couple more days, heading to the "Sedona area" this Friday. We will be in the general Sedona area for 5 weeks. We were there last spring and enjoyed this area a lot. Lots to see there.

Tuesday Apr 5th we drove the Apache Trail. The “Trail” goes around the legendary Superstition Mountains. This trail once served as a stage coach and freight wagon route from Mesa to Globe. The Lost Dutchman Mine is still waiting to be discovered in a hidden canyon in these mountains. The trip was about 214 miles, 22 of those on a dirt road took us pretty much all day. We made several stops along the way. Our 1st stop was at the Goldfield Ghost Town, a booming community of 3-5 thousand people and 50 working mines in the district.
Here we met up with our friends, Bob & Marlene from "the great state of Washington". We wondered around the many old buildings, snapping pictures as we went.

Next stop, Tortilla Flat (100+ yr old stagecoach stop). We sat on western saddles at the bar. The inside the restaurant /gift shop, all the walls were covered with autographed dollar bills. About 5 miles east of Tortilla Flat, the road turns to a sort of washboard dirt road for the next 22 miles that takes you through the canyons.

The dirt road ends at the Roosevelt Dam. We got to the dam late in the day with dark thunder clouds in the sky and a few drops of rain falling, not leaving much time to see the abandoned old silver mines not far from Globe, AZ. That will be a motorcycle trip for next year.

Introduction

2006-03-27T23:22:00.000-07:00

Since this is the first of our blog entries, I will explain that I expect to cover our current activities and adventures. At the same time, I will insert a few random flash backs over the last year of places or events that were of special interest.

We are driving a Fleetwood Diesel Bounder, 37 ft. We tow a Jeep Liberty, and have a 06 Harley Davidson, Heritage Softail Classic motorcycle that is carried on a hydraulic lift on the back of the motor home. We have been enjoying every day of our adventure since we left our home in Oregon, Jan 18^th, 2005.