Well August flew by - we had Sturgis Bike Week. We rode in the Dakota Thunder ride - it's an annual ride that starts at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and then is escorted by police and the State Patrol through the Black Hills into Sturgis. We got to tour the cockpit of a B1B bomber - very cool. There were 200 motorcycles on the ride. Lee and Deb Ralston and Floyd White rode with us. It was a great ride, and we're ready to do it again next year.
This year they honored a WWII B-17 pilot - who was 91 years old. He flew several missions over Germany and was also part of the Berlin air lift. It was wonderful to honor him. They had a B1B flyover Main Street Sturgis - with full afterburner!
It's now September 12th, We're going to be staying here at Hart Ranch for a while longer. I had surgery last Friday - all is going well, but will be staying here for about 9 more weeks for treatments. More later.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
July 2012
7/17: This has been a very busy month already, and it's only the 17th!
On June 29th I flew to Baltimore to be with Kim and Richard for their wedding on June 30th. It was a beautiful and fun wedding in spite of the horrible storm that blew through on the 29th, knocking out power all over the mid-Atlantic. They made the best of it and had their garden wedding in spite of no power, 105 degree heat and 98% humidity!
I have two new nieces, one new nephew, and a GREAT new brother in law! Here are some pictures from the wedding weekend
Last week (for my birthday) we rode to Medora, North Dakota. Medora is in the North Dakota Badlands, and is where Theodore Roosevelt went after his wife and mother died. It's a beautiful area. Roosevelt got into cattle ranching in the area.
On the way up, it was 100 degrees - a really hot ride. After one stop, Mike discovered that his left brake caliper was hanging on by the brake line! He had just had the left fork replaced, and they hadn't tightened all of the bolts. We limped in to Buffalo, SD, where we found a small hardware store that had bolts, washers, and stuff that fit so that we could continue our trip!
On Tuesday night we went to the Pitchfork Fondue - they cook steaks on pitchforks in boiling oil. It was tasty, and the view of the town was spectacular. On Wednesday we rode through the Badlands - a really nice ride; and then toured the Chateau de Mores - a "hunting cabin" that the Marquis de Mores built in the town. He founded the town, and named it after his wife, Medora. Teddy Roosevelt hunted with them often, and word is she was a better shot than the Marquis!
On the way back to Hart Ranch we rode the Enchanted Highway. (Go to enchantedhighway.net for pictures of all of the sculptures). It's a nice two-lane road in the middle of North Dakota wheat fields with giant metal sculptures. It was amazing. The Fisherman's Dream sculpture was my favorite.
It was a great ride and a fun three day trip!
On June 29th I flew to Baltimore to be with Kim and Richard for their wedding on June 30th. It was a beautiful and fun wedding in spite of the horrible storm that blew through on the 29th, knocking out power all over the mid-Atlantic. They made the best of it and had their garden wedding in spite of no power, 105 degree heat and 98% humidity!
I have two new nieces, one new nephew, and a GREAT new brother in law! Here are some pictures from the wedding weekend
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| The family dinner on Friday night - before the big storm! |
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| The new Zmuda-Taft Family: Richard, Kim, Eric, Matt, Mary, Anne, Scott |
Last week (for my birthday) we rode to Medora, North Dakota. Medora is in the North Dakota Badlands, and is where Theodore Roosevelt went after his wife and mother died. It's a beautiful area. Roosevelt got into cattle ranching in the area.
On the way up, it was 100 degrees - a really hot ride. After one stop, Mike discovered that his left brake caliper was hanging on by the brake line! He had just had the left fork replaced, and they hadn't tightened all of the bolts. We limped in to Buffalo, SD, where we found a small hardware store that had bolts, washers, and stuff that fit so that we could continue our trip!
On Tuesday night we went to the Pitchfork Fondue - they cook steaks on pitchforks in boiling oil. It was tasty, and the view of the town was spectacular. On Wednesday we rode through the Badlands - a really nice ride; and then toured the Chateau de Mores - a "hunting cabin" that the Marquis de Mores built in the town. He founded the town, and named it after his wife, Medora. Teddy Roosevelt hunted with them often, and word is she was a better shot than the Marquis!
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| The Chateau de Mores and Medora from the Pitchfork Fondue site |
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| Steaks on the pitchfork, ready to boil! |
On the way back to Hart Ranch we rode the Enchanted Highway. (Go to enchantedhighway.net for pictures of all of the sculptures). It's a nice two-lane road in the middle of North Dakota wheat fields with giant metal sculptures. It was amazing. The Fisherman's Dream sculpture was my favorite.
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| Mike is in the foreground - this thing is HUGE! |
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| Closeup of the fish getting the dragon fly |
It was a great ride and a fun three day trip!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June 2012
6/11: Last week we had a great ride. We left Hart Ranch about 8:00 am and rode the back roads to Devil's Tower. We had lunch there, and then rode to Deadwood, where we had reservations at the Deadwood Mountain Grand. We spent the night there - dropped a few quarters in the slots - and then the next morning rode back to Hart Ranch. We missed the bad weather - we had a wicked thunder storm Thursday night after we got back, so we were lucky. It was about a 250 mile ride, through beautiful scenery. When we stopped to take the picture of Devil's Tower, Ed flew over us, just to remind us that he rides with us!
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| Ed flew over us here |
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| We had a picture of Nate at this very spot! |
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 2012
5/31/12: Last weekend we flew to Georgia and had a quick two days with all of the kids. We were there for Nate's High School graduation - it was really fun and so wonderful to see everyone - but we were exhausted! We got to go to Chase's baseball game (he made the All Star team), and then we went to Nate's graduation party on Sunday, and his graduation on Monday.
On Tuesday, May 30th, Nate left for Fort Benning, Georgia to start Boot Camp for the Army National Guard. He'll be there all summer. He has received a full scholarship from the Guard for college, which he will start in January at North Georgia in Dahlonega. We are very proud of him. Please keep him in your prayers.
Here are some pictures:
5/5/12: We've moved into our Workamper site - it's the same site as last year, #124. Mike had me back the rig in. It took a few tries, but I did it! Luckily there weren't any other rigs or cars around, so it wasn't stressful. We're all settled in.
We had a heck of a hail storm last night. About quarter sized and boy was it loud! Mike checked everything this morning, and the only damage is a split sewer hose. Mike will have to go to Wal Mart for a new one before we can dump tanks.
Other than that, we're working, working, working. The weather hasn't been conducive to golf or riding. We hope that will change soon. In two weeks we head to Georgia for Nate's high school graduation!
On Tuesday, May 30th, Nate left for Fort Benning, Georgia to start Boot Camp for the Army National Guard. He'll be there all summer. He has received a full scholarship from the Guard for college, which he will start in January at North Georgia in Dahlonega. We are very proud of him. Please keep him in your prayers.
Here are some pictures:
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| Chase up to bat! |
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| Nate and Paw Paw |
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| Us with the Graduate! |
5/5/12: We've moved into our Workamper site - it's the same site as last year, #124. Mike had me back the rig in. It took a few tries, but I did it! Luckily there weren't any other rigs or cars around, so it wasn't stressful. We're all settled in.
We had a heck of a hail storm last night. About quarter sized and boy was it loud! Mike checked everything this morning, and the only damage is a split sewer hose. Mike will have to go to Wal Mart for a new one before we can dump tanks.
Other than that, we're working, working, working. The weather hasn't been conducive to golf or riding. We hope that will change soon. In two weeks we head to Georgia for Nate's high school graduation!
Friday, April 6, 2012
April 2012
4/12/12: This week we start work. Mike started on Tuesday, and I'm starting today. It's fun to be back, seeing all of our old friends.
Driving around the Hills the last few days, the lack of rain and snow over the winter is very apparent. The grass is brown and dry - it looks like the end of summer. We're supposed to get rain for the next few days - I sure hope we do. With all of the pine beetle damage there is a huge fire danger around here. If there is a fire this summer, it could end up like the Yellowstone fire 25 years ago. Pray for rain!
Well - that's all for now, I have to get ready for work.
HAPPY EASTER! Today we went to the Easter sunrise service at Mt Rushmore. When we got there at 6:30 am it was 29 degrees. With the wind, it is REALLY COLD! (We don't like cold) It's a beautiful service though. We saw a mountain goat climbing on the rocks up by the monument. I would have a picture except that my camera batteries were dead. Rats. :-(
We're going to the Gaslight Saloon for Easter brunch. We were there last year with Annette and Mike Yarusso. I can't believe it's a year already. More later.
4/6/12: Today we arrived at Hart Ranch. It was like coming home. We left Las Vegas on April 3rd. Luckily we had tail winds most of the way. Yesterday on the way to Casper, Wyoming we stopped at Independence Rock. It's a spot on the Oregon Trail where the pioneers used to camp by the Sweetwater River. There were many carvings on the rock from the 1840's and 1850's.
We got in around noon, and got settled in. This picture of Mike on the red neck patio is after we unloaded the motorcycles and before we got the man cave set up. Shortly after this a storm rolled in with hail, lightening and thunder. I didn't even have a chance to set up my hail protection system on the Spyder!.
Driving around the Hills the last few days, the lack of rain and snow over the winter is very apparent. The grass is brown and dry - it looks like the end of summer. We're supposed to get rain for the next few days - I sure hope we do. With all of the pine beetle damage there is a huge fire danger around here. If there is a fire this summer, it could end up like the Yellowstone fire 25 years ago. Pray for rain!
Well - that's all for now, I have to get ready for work.
HAPPY EASTER! Today we went to the Easter sunrise service at Mt Rushmore. When we got there at 6:30 am it was 29 degrees. With the wind, it is REALLY COLD! (We don't like cold) It's a beautiful service though. We saw a mountain goat climbing on the rocks up by the monument. I would have a picture except that my camera batteries were dead. Rats. :-(
We're going to the Gaslight Saloon for Easter brunch. We were there last year with Annette and Mike Yarusso. I can't believe it's a year already. More later.
4/6/12: Today we arrived at Hart Ranch. It was like coming home. We left Las Vegas on April 3rd. Luckily we had tail winds most of the way. Yesterday on the way to Casper, Wyoming we stopped at Independence Rock. It's a spot on the Oregon Trail where the pioneers used to camp by the Sweetwater River. There were many carvings on the rock from the 1840's and 1850's.
We got in around noon, and got settled in. This picture of Mike on the red neck patio is after we unloaded the motorcycles and before we got the man cave set up. Shortly after this a storm rolled in with hail, lightening and thunder. I didn't even have a chance to set up my hail protection system on the Spyder!.
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| Mike relaxing on the red neck patio at Hart Ranch |
Friday, March 9, 2012
March 2012
3/29/12 - Las Vegas: We've been here at the Oasis Las Vegas RV resort since the 20th. We've been seeing old friends; Mike has been playing lots of golf and I've been walking with my girls. Claudia and I have been hanging out together. It's been a short two weeks - we've decided that next spring we'll spend more time here. We're heading north on April 3rd, and weather permitting should be at Hart Ranch on the 6th.
3/16/12: Today we took a little ride to Oatman. It's a fun ride, and the town is so cute - with all of the wild burros begging to be fed. The weather is supposed to get cold, windy, and rainy tomorrow, but today was perfect for riding. They're having a trike rally here at Avi - the group is called Brothers of the Third Wheel. I want to know where the sisters are? Some cool trikes - especially the Star Trek (Star Trike). It has blue lights at night.
3/13/12: Today we're saying goodbye to good friends Joe and Ellen DeRose. They're heading up to Apache Junction, and we're heading to Avi (Laughlin). We'll see them again next year on our travels. We've been neighbors here in Yuma since Feb 1st, and have had lots of fun eating, drinking, playing cards, and half of us golfed a lot!
3/12/12: Today we loaded up because tomorrow we're heading to Avi (Laughlin, NV). After the last loading fiasco (in Georgia) where we had to move the rig so that the ramp wouldn't be so steep, Mike figured out a MUCH better way to load. I swear that he's channeling Rube Goldberg!
He bought a winch, which he bolts to the floor in the garage, build a frame contraption so that the rope and winch cable don't drag on the floor, and rigged up the rope so that it doesn't rub on the Spyder. It works GREAT! He runs the winch, and I ride the Spyder helping it in reverse, but the tire doesn't spin anymore and the engine doesn't quit. The hardest part now is bolting and unbolting the winch. Mike is amazing. Here are the pictures:
3/9/12: Today friends Lee and Deb Ralston rode their Gold Wing over from Florence (east of Casa Grande - about 200 miles), and then when they got here we took a short ride into California, through some very pretty date groves, and then back to our place in Yuma. They had a very long day riding, and are staying the night at the Quality Inn, and will head back to Florence tomorrow. We had a great ride, and will see them soon at Hart Ranch!
3/16/12: Today we took a little ride to Oatman. It's a fun ride, and the town is so cute - with all of the wild burros begging to be fed. The weather is supposed to get cold, windy, and rainy tomorrow, but today was perfect for riding. They're having a trike rally here at Avi - the group is called Brothers of the Third Wheel. I want to know where the sisters are? Some cool trikes - especially the Star Trek (Star Trike). It has blue lights at night.
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| This burro has a mohawk like Jake! |
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| Two great looking rides in front of the Oatman Hotel |
3/13/12: Today we're saying goodbye to good friends Joe and Ellen DeRose. They're heading up to Apache Junction, and we're heading to Avi (Laughlin). We'll see them again next year on our travels. We've been neighbors here in Yuma since Feb 1st, and have had lots of fun eating, drinking, playing cards, and half of us golfed a lot!
3/12/12: Today we loaded up because tomorrow we're heading to Avi (Laughlin, NV). After the last loading fiasco (in Georgia) where we had to move the rig so that the ramp wouldn't be so steep, Mike figured out a MUCH better way to load. I swear that he's channeling Rube Goldberg!
He bought a winch, which he bolts to the floor in the garage, build a frame contraption so that the rope and winch cable don't drag on the floor, and rigged up the rope so that it doesn't rub on the Spyder. It works GREAT! He runs the winch, and I ride the Spyder helping it in reverse, but the tire doesn't spin anymore and the engine doesn't quit. The hardest part now is bolting and unbolting the winch. Mike is amazing. Here are the pictures:
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| The winch is bolted to the floor |
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| See the wooden contraption to keep the cable from dragging, and the rope doesn't scrape the paint on the Spyder! |
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| All loaded - YAY! |
3/9/12: Today friends Lee and Deb Ralston rode their Gold Wing over from Florence (east of Casa Grande - about 200 miles), and then when they got here we took a short ride into California, through some very pretty date groves, and then back to our place in Yuma. They had a very long day riding, and are staying the night at the Quality Inn, and will head back to Florence tomorrow. We had a great ride, and will see them soon at Hart Ranch!
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| Lee and Deb in the Medjool date grove |
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| Date grove |
Friday, February 3, 2012
Yuma, Arizona
2/25/12: Just a note - we got it figured out how to load the Spyder without having to move the 5th wheel: we got a winch. We tested it today - Mike is so great at figuring stuff out. Using the winch to assist backing the Spyder up the steep ramp keeps the rear wheel from spinning and the engine from stalling. It works great!!
2/20/12: Yesterday we took a little trip to Martinez Lake which is only about 40 miles north of Yuma. Mike and I rode the motorcycles, and Joe and Ellen drove their jeep. Lots of ATV's and dry campers in the area for the long weekend. We had to ride through the Yuma Proving Grounds (Army) with tank crossings - we didn't see any tanks.
We had lunch at Fisher Landing, and then headed home. It was a fun day.
2/3/12: We arrived in Yuma on Wednesday the 1st. It isn't what we expected at all. We're not staying in an RV park, but in a neighborhood in the foothills with lots that have homes, park models, or 2 to 4 RV's on them. People buy the lots and then rent them out to snow birds like us. It's a lovely area.
We are parked right next to our friends Joe and Ellen DeRose, who we knew from Las Vegas. We'll be here for the month of February, and maybe into early March. It's warm and sunny. Today Mike and Joe are golfing.
We are close to the mountains, and the sunrise and sunset is beautiful, with the shadows and highlights. It's what I miss from Las Vegas.
More later as we explore the area.
2/20/12: Yesterday we took a little trip to Martinez Lake which is only about 40 miles north of Yuma. Mike and I rode the motorcycles, and Joe and Ellen drove their jeep. Lots of ATV's and dry campers in the area for the long weekend. We had to ride through the Yuma Proving Grounds (Army) with tank crossings - we didn't see any tanks.
We had lunch at Fisher Landing, and then headed home. It was a fun day.
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| Joe and Mike |
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| Ellen and Joe |
2/3/12: We arrived in Yuma on Wednesday the 1st. It isn't what we expected at all. We're not staying in an RV park, but in a neighborhood in the foothills with lots that have homes, park models, or 2 to 4 RV's on them. People buy the lots and then rent them out to snow birds like us. It's a lovely area.
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| Our lot in Yuma, next to Joe and Ellen |
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| Our street in Yuma. Notice the home on the corner lot, and the RV's on the lot next to it! |
We are parked right next to our friends Joe and Ellen DeRose, who we knew from Las Vegas. We'll be here for the month of February, and maybe into early March. It's warm and sunny. Today Mike and Joe are golfing.
We are close to the mountains, and the sunrise and sunset is beautiful, with the shadows and highlights. It's what I miss from Las Vegas.
More later as we explore the area.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Casa Grande, Arizona
1/31: We've had a nice week here - the weather has been perfect. We rode to Florence one day to visit friends Lee and Deb Ralston who are staying at Cactus Gardens. Mike has been getting in a lot of golf. Tomorrow we head to Yuma for the month of February - and that's as far as our plans go.
We made it to Casa Grande on the 25th after eight days on the road. We're at the Palm Creek RV Resort; this place is beautiful. It's HUGE with 1900 sites. It has a little Par 3 golf course that Mike played yesterday. All of the sites are very long and wide - with concrete patios.
We're visiting friends Chuck and Joan Wood who have been staying here since November. The weather is sunny, warm, and DRY! We head to Yuma on February 1st to visit with friends Joe and Ellen DeRose.
We made it to Casa Grande on the 25th after eight days on the road. We're at the Palm Creek RV Resort; this place is beautiful. It's HUGE with 1900 sites. It has a little Par 3 golf course that Mike played yesterday. All of the sites are very long and wide - with concrete patios.
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| Our Site at Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort |
We're visiting friends Chuck and Joan Wood who have been staying here since November. The weather is sunny, warm, and DRY! We head to Yuma on February 1st to visit with friends Joe and Ellen DeRose.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012!
We had such fun on New Year's Eve in the cabin. Katie had to work, but Taylor and Ella stayed, along with Angie, Scott, Nate, Jake, Pam, and Neil. We had a great time.
Here's the link to all of the pictures we've taken while in Georgia, and the New Year's pictures are toward the end: 2011 Fall in Georgia
Here are a few of the pictures:
That's all for now. We move out of the cabin on 1/6, and then we'll start watching the weather. Next stop, somewhere in Arizona.
1/13: We just spent a fun couple of days visiting Chuck and Elaine Stalker in Ferandina Beach, Florida. We hadn't seen them in a number of years, so it was fun to reconnect.
1/17: We're packed up and ready to go. Packing was exciting; we couldn't get the Spyder backed up into the garage because the ramp was too steep. We had to unhook the trailer, pull in the slides, and pull it to a spot in the RV park that had less of a slope so that we could load. We'll have to find a better way, because most RV parks are much flatter!
We head out tomorrow, taking the southern route to Arizona. We'll be in Casa Grande for a week or so, and then on to Yuma. Stay tuned.
We had such fun on New Year's Eve in the cabin. Katie had to work, but Taylor and Ella stayed, along with Angie, Scott, Nate, Jake, Pam, and Neil. We had a great time.
Here's the link to all of the pictures we've taken while in Georgia, and the New Year's pictures are toward the end: 2011 Fall in Georgia
Here are a few of the pictures:
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| We're going to see if the kids can join the Flying Walendas |
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| It's tough playing Limbo when you have to hum the music |
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| Taylor had too much fun |
That's all for now. We move out of the cabin on 1/6, and then we'll start watching the weather. Next stop, somewhere in Arizona.
1/13: We just spent a fun couple of days visiting Chuck and Elaine Stalker in Ferandina Beach, Florida. We hadn't seen them in a number of years, so it was fun to reconnect.
1/17: We're packed up and ready to go. Packing was exciting; we couldn't get the Spyder backed up into the garage because the ramp was too steep. We had to unhook the trailer, pull in the slides, and pull it to a spot in the RV park that had less of a slope so that we could load. We'll have to find a better way, because most RV parks are much flatter!
We head out tomorrow, taking the southern route to Arizona. We'll be in Casa Grande for a week or so, and then on to Yuma. Stay tuned.
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