Ok ok I stopped posting after day four. That is because it got boring. We drove from Sioux Falls to Columbia Missouri. I got in contact with my cousin Neal and had a good chat on the phone. Neal lives in St. Louis and it would have been nice to stop, but that just didn't seem to want to work out. We were pooped and decided to sleep in and Neal and his fam were going to the lake early. Just the same it is another person to learn about. You can learn a lot about not only yourself, but people in general just by listening sometimes.
We saw the Arch in St Louis, but did not stop- no pictures - nuthin. The goal was to make it to Nashville. But we made it to Knoxville instead. So the next day- Sunday we went to visit Zacks great aunt June and Uncle Bobby. It was a bit out of the way, but something we needed to do. We had a good visit there as well. We arrived in Wake Forest just after six pm on Sunday. We were both tired and went to the Seminary to get the key to the house.
Well the house that had been ready since May- was not ready. The way they measured the room sizes was not with my tape measure! So we looked at the house and determined that it was just too small. If I am going to be serious about studies, and expect Zack to do the same, there has to be room for shelves, books and at least one desk. There wasn't. The seminary had been doing some maintenance in the apartment above and had caused the ceiling to be damaged. So we went to a hotel. The next day I talked to housing and if we keep the dog, then we have no on campus alternative. So we started looking.
I found an apartment and we moved in on Wednesday the 1st of August. It is in an area called Caveness Farms. We are about four miles from the Seminary and the school. So it works out really nicely. There is a Super Walmart, Super Target, Kroger's, Lowes, Home Depot, Staples and tons of restaurants nearby. It is much smaller than our house in Spokane- but it is nice just the same.
Enter the military to mess it all up. Our stuff will not be delivered until the 7th of August. I am more than annoyed at Suddath the company that moved us. Mostly because the driver just plain lied to those here. I met him at the truck in Spokane, walked him through the house and garage- explained what would be in the house and what would be in storage. He told the people here that I did not tell him until the truck was halfway loaded. So they will not split my stuff up. Makes me mad because the packers from Bekins Northwest in Spokane heard me tell him. Well I will make a formal complaint to the DOD. Not like it will matter.
Well that brings you all up to date on the move. I am glad it is over- almost. I will write more about other stuff that went on later.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Day Four
This morning we left Hill City and headed for Sioux Falls. South Dakota is flat and long. 350 miles seems like 9000. We stopped a couple of times just to be able to stay awake. However we did stop at Murdo South Dakota with a purpose. Cars.
Pioneer Auto Show. Two Hundred Fifty cars. Some really ugly some cool.
The General Lee is loud. But my favorite truck was there and so I am happy. Zack discovered the Opel. I drooled over a 65 Mustang in the parking lot, and of course a 56 Ford F100.
We had to stop early tonight. I needed to receive a fax as my house is tentatively sold. That is kind of bittersweet to be honest. But we had three offers already, I accepted the best one. So here I sit- in Mitchell South Dakota...
Tomorrow we head for Independence Missouri. There is a reason- it puts us south and closer to St. Louis. Then Nashville and then Wake Forest. ugh. lots more driving. From here on it will be longer days of driving because I dont anticipate much to see. There are a lot of pics on this web book. I will edit them later.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/PioneerAuto
Pioneer Auto Show. Two Hundred Fifty cars. Some really ugly some cool.
The General Lee is loud. But my favorite truck was there and so I am happy. Zack discovered the Opel. I drooled over a 65 Mustang in the parking lot, and of course a 56 Ford F100.
We had to stop early tonight. I needed to receive a fax as my house is tentatively sold. That is kind of bittersweet to be honest. But we had three offers already, I accepted the best one. So here I sit- in Mitchell South Dakota...
Tomorrow we head for Independence Missouri. There is a reason- it puts us south and closer to St. Louis. Then Nashville and then Wake Forest. ugh. lots more driving. From here on it will be longer days of driving because I dont anticipate much to see. There are a lot of pics on this web book. I will edit them later.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/PioneerAuto
Day Three
Ok South Dakota has some great stuff. We started our day in the blooming metropolis of Spearfish. Because of the night before we decided to just take a lazy day. Then we drove to Rapid City, and found a hotel with a vacancy and got all excited. Then we headed to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. On the way there we were tickled to find Bear Country USA. Our solution to the critter hiding problem we had at Yellowstone.
We drove to Crazy Horse first. It is cool- but more expensive than I really thought it would be. There is a huge exhibit and explanations of the work. But you cant see much from the visitor center. Add to that the only way to see it is to purchase another ticket to ride the bus to see the actual front of the monument. That part didnt really excite me. So we saw the side and moved on.
Mt Rushmore was really pretty cool. If you look at the pictures, you will notice a bunch of military guys all sitting there. The Airman Leadership School from Ellsworth Air Force Base held their graduation in the outdoor auditorium.
We then went on to Bear Country USA. It is an outdoor zoo, that you drive through, and it is worth it. We both loved the bears. But I thought the mountain lion was cool. Stubborn little sucker wouldnt look tho.
We ended our day in a thunderstorm staying in Hill City. It also ended with an offer on our house. With that I will close and put the links for the pictures up.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/CrazyHorseMtRushmore
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/BearCountry
We drove to Crazy Horse first. It is cool- but more expensive than I really thought it would be. There is a huge exhibit and explanations of the work. But you cant see much from the visitor center. Add to that the only way to see it is to purchase another ticket to ride the bus to see the actual front of the monument. That part didnt really excite me. So we saw the side and moved on.
Mt Rushmore was really pretty cool. If you look at the pictures, you will notice a bunch of military guys all sitting there. The Airman Leadership School from Ellsworth Air Force Base held their graduation in the outdoor auditorium.
We then went on to Bear Country USA. It is an outdoor zoo, that you drive through, and it is worth it. We both loved the bears. But I thought the mountain lion was cool. Stubborn little sucker wouldnt look tho.
We ended our day in a thunderstorm staying in Hill City. It also ended with an offer on our house. With that I will close and put the links for the pictures up.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/CrazyHorseMtRushmore
http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/BearCountry
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
day two
We started the day early, well kinda. We left Bozeman around 9 am and headed for Yellowstone. Tourist travel is insane at this time of year. When we arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs it was so crowded we couldnt even park to go closer to the site. We went on to Tower Fall in search of critters.
We went to the normal attractions in Yellowstone. Since it was so hot there were not many critters out and about. We saw a moose, two mule deer and one elk. That was rather disappointing. There was an evil thunderstorm that came up and prevented us from seeing Old Faithful burp. Yellowstone is an amazing area, too bad it is in Wyoming.
Before I explain why I don't like Wyoming, I have to say it was all going well until we talked o Eddie. Yes I am blaming him for putting a curse on my day. Someone needs to whack him upside the head (Becky) with a loaf of bread.
We decided to exit Yellowstone out of the East Gate. Zack, being intellectually challenged in the area of reading warnings about constructuion projects, missed that there were 30 minute delays out the east gate. So off we went. We got behind a trio of cyclists who for some odd reason didn't like the idea of going fast on loose gravel. So we got to spend an hour in delays. Then it was welcome to Wyoming.
As the evil thunderstorm chased us across the state, Zack decided to call EJ. Enter the curse of Eddie. He tells me to watch for deer. Zack decides that afte reading the map, we should go over Alt 14 to get to Sheridan Wyoming. It would put us there are 11 pm. If you travel in July- make reservations...
So here we go- the phone goes kaput, the road turns into the pass from hell. Sideways wind, hail and thunder and lightning shows. I have to mention that while Eddie warned us about the deer- he neglected Bambi's friend Thumper. Until you have been charged by a enraged rabbit- during a thunderstorm you cant understand. Each time we crossed the goofy cattle grates, another rabbit tried to run under my wheels. Now we have wind, rain and rabbits to contend with. Add to that Zack talking about a rabbit being attacked by a lawnmower....
Alt 14 is not a good choice for travel. It goes up and up and up. there is a section near the top that is falling apart. nasty area. There are road damage signs all over. There are no houses, no cars no lights - nothing for miles and miles. Then those who built the road find the necessity to have you slow down to 40 mph in towns of 40 people. Someone has a sense of humor.
Sheridan arrived with one hotel vacancy. A 90 + degree room with a confused air conditioner. It was not cooling anything. 75 degrees outside but 90+ inside. So we passed. Six hours later in Spearfish South Dakota- 4 am we went to sleep.
Thanks Eddie for the hex. I have never seen roads like those. We saw one deer- he had a cup of coffee and was rather irritated when he saw Zacks NC hat.
Pics.. http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/Yellowstone
We went to the normal attractions in Yellowstone. Since it was so hot there were not many critters out and about. We saw a moose, two mule deer and one elk. That was rather disappointing. There was an evil thunderstorm that came up and prevented us from seeing Old Faithful burp. Yellowstone is an amazing area, too bad it is in Wyoming.
Before I explain why I don't like Wyoming, I have to say it was all going well until we talked o Eddie. Yes I am blaming him for putting a curse on my day. Someone needs to whack him upside the head (Becky) with a loaf of bread.
We decided to exit Yellowstone out of the East Gate. Zack, being intellectually challenged in the area of reading warnings about constructuion projects, missed that there were 30 minute delays out the east gate. So off we went. We got behind a trio of cyclists who for some odd reason didn't like the idea of going fast on loose gravel. So we got to spend an hour in delays. Then it was welcome to Wyoming.
As the evil thunderstorm chased us across the state, Zack decided to call EJ. Enter the curse of Eddie. He tells me to watch for deer. Zack decides that afte reading the map, we should go over Alt 14 to get to Sheridan Wyoming. It would put us there are 11 pm. If you travel in July- make reservations...
So here we go- the phone goes kaput, the road turns into the pass from hell. Sideways wind, hail and thunder and lightning shows. I have to mention that while Eddie warned us about the deer- he neglected Bambi's friend Thumper. Until you have been charged by a enraged rabbit- during a thunderstorm you cant understand. Each time we crossed the goofy cattle grates, another rabbit tried to run under my wheels. Now we have wind, rain and rabbits to contend with. Add to that Zack talking about a rabbit being attacked by a lawnmower....
Alt 14 is not a good choice for travel. It goes up and up and up. there is a section near the top that is falling apart. nasty area. There are road damage signs all over. There are no houses, no cars no lights - nothing for miles and miles. Then those who built the road find the necessity to have you slow down to 40 mph in towns of 40 people. Someone has a sense of humor.
Sheridan arrived with one hotel vacancy. A 90 + degree room with a confused air conditioner. It was not cooling anything. 75 degrees outside but 90+ inside. So we passed. Six hours later in Spearfish South Dakota- 4 am we went to sleep.
Thanks Eddie for the hex. I have never seen roads like those. We saw one deer- he had a cup of coffee and was rather irritated when he saw Zacks NC hat.
Pics.. http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/Yellowstone
Late Start
Okay- we were supposed to leave on Sunday- once in a while life throws curves. We got behind on Sunday and decided to just relax and leave when we woke up on Monday morning. So after having a great day in Worship on Sunday, some wonderful fellowship with our church family- we crashed instead of leaving.
Monday morning we had breakfast with Martin, while Evelyn watched us all eat. She had some test done later that day and was not supposed to eat. We had a restrained tearful goodbye and hit the road.
Zack drove the first leg of our journey. While he drove I became aquainted with the imaginary brake on the passenger side. By the way that imaginary brake pedal doesn't work. I was pleasantly surpised that I didn't need it or the Oh my God handle. Zack drives very well.
The first leg of our trip included a visit to the Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana. It was amazing, but amusing that they really have nothing to do with Lewis and Clark. If I figure out how there will be some pictures posted of them. One word of warning. If you decided to visit, the hike up is short, but you need to be part billy goat. It is only 3/4 of a mile, but it rises 300 feet in the air real fast. It was worth the hike - amazing stuff inside.
Here are some pics (link) http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/LewisAndClarkCavern
Monday morning we had breakfast with Martin, while Evelyn watched us all eat. She had some test done later that day and was not supposed to eat. We had a restrained tearful goodbye and hit the road.
Zack drove the first leg of our journey. While he drove I became aquainted with the imaginary brake on the passenger side. By the way that imaginary brake pedal doesn't work. I was pleasantly surpised that I didn't need it or the Oh my God handle. Zack drives very well.
The first leg of our trip included a visit to the Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana. It was amazing, but amusing that they really have nothing to do with Lewis and Clark. If I figure out how there will be some pictures posted of them. One word of warning. If you decided to visit, the hike up is short, but you need to be part billy goat. It is only 3/4 of a mile, but it rises 300 feet in the air real fast. It was worth the hike - amazing stuff inside.
Here are some pics (link) http://picasaweb.google.com/mkb3123/LewisAndClarkCavern
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