Dane and Elaine's Travels With Sputnik

September 15,16, and 17. The Mad Dash Home.

2012-02-09T21:14:00.001-06:00

Our home for the last couple of nights in San Francisco.

Can't leave California without trying In-N-Out burgers.

Donner Pass and Truckee Lake. Such a beautiful place with such an unfortunate history.

A freight train running along the Truckee River

Elaine wanted me to stop and get a picture of the double rainbow and the T@B was framed perfectly.

Some of the Nevada countryside.

We spent the night at Elco, Nevada at the Iron Horse R.V. Park

When we stopped for gas near West Wendover, Nevada, we spotted this neat old trailer. They had converted it into a race car hauler. They were on their way for a day of racing at...

The Bonneville Salt Flats. The realm of childhood heros Art Arfons and Craig Breedlove.

The Great Salt Lake.

The third re-incarnation of the once Great Saltair

Lunch at Loco Lizards in Park City, Utah. Great avacado salsa verde, mmmm.

After seeing a Walmart along the highway earlier in the day with so many R.V.s it looked like an R.V. show, we thought we would give spending the night a try. We stopped at one in Laramie, Wyoming. Aside from a few trucks and cars driving through the lot at night it was nice. We made sure to patronize the store.

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument.

After we stopped for the night in Hebron, Nebraska we found a little restaurant in the Shell station. The special was prime rib for $9.99. It was huge even with the fat removed. Hebron allows camping in the city park. Campers were $5.00 for electrical hookups tents were $3.00.

September 14; San Francisco, California

2012-02-02T21:51:00.001-06:00

The Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog.

It was a perfect time and place for a bike ride. It was windy, chilly, and foggy.

Normally the east side is for pedestrians and the west side is for cyclists but the east side was closed.

It's a long way down.

Alcatraz

You couldn't see the tops of the towers.

On the Sausalito side.

One of the famous cable cars.

A sea lion watching the tourists.

Lombard Street, the crookedest street.

Fisherman's Wharf

The view from our dinner table.

Some of the amazing offerings along the street.

It was a beautiful night along the wharf.

We topped off the evening with a hot fudge sundae at Ghirardelli's in Ghirardelli Square.

Our campsite overlooking the ocean in Pacifica at the San Francisco R.V.Park.

September 13, 2011; Big Sur to San Francisco

2012-01-12T22:07:00.000-06:00

Our campsite at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with the Big Sur River behind us. It was a nice campground but the roads were terrible.

Another unique camper.

Giant Redwoods.

A little friend we met while hiking.

One friend I'm glad we didn't meet.

Beautiful roadside flowers.

A magnificent drive along California Highway 1.

A happy camper.

We stopped at a beach covered with these California Poppies.

Harvest time in the valley.

We stayed at San Fransico R.V. Resort in Pacifica. Our spot was on an 80 foot cliff above the Pacific Ocean. We slept with the windows open and listened to the waves crashing below.

September 12, 2011; Yosemite to Big Sur

2012-01-10T21:34:00.000-06:00

We had a delicious breakfast at the Ahwahnee Lodge.

Thanks, Mom & Dad!

The dining room was almost as pretty as the view outside.

To resist fire, the Ahwahnee was built of concrete, textured and stained to look like wood.

Parking at the Tunnel View Overlook for...

one last look at the valley.

Our first stop after leaving the valley was the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.

The Grizzly Giant. Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir had their picture taken in front of this tree. Not bad company to be in.

Muggin' it up.

The California Tree.

Still alive in spite of the giant hunk taken out of it to accommodate tourists in carriages.

Notice how the bark is growing inward to cover the gash.

The Bachelor and Three Graces

The Fallen Monarch. Giant sequoias are resistant to decay, this tree fell over three hundred years ago.

Beautiful San Luis Reservoir

The Pacific Ocean at last!

We made it to the coast just as the sun was setting. Beautiful!

We camped at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, ate dinner at the lodge

and got serenaded by a German chef.

September 11 2011; Yosemite Valley

2012-01-07T20:29:00.000-06:00

We had site 402 in the North Pines Campground. It was spacious, neat, and within a stones throw of the Merced River.

It was the 10th anniversary off 9/11.

All food, cosmetics, or anything with a scent has to be put in the bear box. They have to change the latching system every few years because the bears learn how to open them.

In July three hikers were washed over Vernal Falls. At the time we hiked up, one body had been found, The other two were found in November after the river receded. It was an odd feeling to know they were there among those boulders.

Elaine's childhood friend, Joe, drove up from Murphys, California to spend the day with us.

When Elaine and I were hiking earlier in the day the temp was in the 80's. Thunderstorms came through and the temperature dropped. When we got up to Glacier Point it was sleeting and the National Park Service was salting the roads.

Half Dome from Glacier Point

Half Dome and Vernal Falls, we hiked up to the falls earlier in the day.

El Capitan, I hope there weren't any climbers on it when the storm came through.

Bridal Veil Falls

Elaine and I stopped by Camp Curry to use the Wi-Fi. Elaine just had to sit on the stump bench.

September 10,2011; Yosemite National Park

2012-01-05T19:39:00.000-06:00

Since check out time at the campground was noon, we took a quick hike then headed for the valley.

While getting ready for the hike, we ran across this old school teardrop.

Tuolumne Meadows, the high country of Yosemite.

Tuolumne River

Tuolumne Meadows with Lembert Dome in the background.

An old cabin near Parsons Lodge

Parsons Lodge was built in 1915 for use by the Sierra Club.

Tenaya Lake

It's beautiful country, but you can get in trouble if you're careless.

A rockslide occurred while we hiked the Yosemite Falls Trail. The National Park Service closed it as a precaution. Luckily we missed it.

Yosemite Falls

Elaine poses in front of Lower Yosemite Falls.

We went from triple digit temperatures in the desert to 50 degrees in Yosemite.

September 9, 2011; Pahrump, Nevada to Yosemite, California.

2012-01-03T18:43:00.001-06:00

Terrible's Casino R.V. Park was beautiful. We arrived after dark and the casino's general manager happened to be in the campground and helped us get a site.

Our camper battery was dead when we stopped. The tow vehicle didn't charge it from our drive the day before.

I got out the volt meter and tried to diagnose it, while Elaine worked out. We stopped at a local R.V. parts dealer to check on a new converter. They would have to order it, so we left.

Area 51 on the right and Death Valley on the left.

A dust devil in the hot Nevada desert.

A stop on Highway 6 on the California- Nevada border.

Welcome to the Wild West.

Going up on the desert side of the Sierras.

And coming down on the forest side.

Mono Lake.

Tioga Pass.

What an amazing view to welcome us to Yosemite.

Toulumne Meadows Campground. Load up the bear box!

September 8, 2011; Grand Canyon Village, Arizona to Pahrump, Nevada

2011-12-30T20:55:00.000-06:00

Our T@B and the impressive new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. 2000 feet long and 900 feet above the Colorado River.

The Hoover Dam intake towers on the Lake Mead side .

It's quite a sight looking over the edge.

The architecture is wonderful depression era art deco.

The Winged Figures of the Republic by artist Oskar J. W. Hanson.

Our tour guide advised us that the low hum and the vibrations inside the dam wasn't machinery or the generators, it was the water flowing through the tunnels to the generators.

A huge bank of generators, there is another set on the Arizona side of the river.

Panoramic view of the dam.

It's a beautiful view looking out over the dam.

Off we go into the desert.

We stopped for the night at Terrible's Casino R.V. Park in Pahrump, Nevada. An oasis in the middle of the desert.

September 7; Grand Canyon National Park

2011-12-28T20:25:00.001-06:00

We enjoyed the sunrise from Mather Point along with a herd of elk.

A would-be Ansel Adams captures some images.

That squiggly line going down the canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. We are going to hike it today.

After loading up on Gatorade, water, trail mix and energy bars we set out.

Walking down hill for three miles is very tiring on rocky trails,

We had to avoid mule trains, stay on the inside of the trail.

The canyon seems even bigger down here.

The Three Mile House shelter.

Time to head back up. The park service says going down is voluntary, coming back up is mandatory. You don't get rescued unless your dying.

Four hours down and two climbing out. It was easier climbing up.

After the long hot hike I was looking forward to a nap in our air conditioned camper. The battery was dead and the thermostat for the a/c runs on 12 volt. So it was a hot nap.

We put the battery in the truck box and hooked it up to a charger. We drove 25 miles to Desert View Watchtower.

We had another beautiful sunset over the Grand Canyon.

September 6 2011; Grand Canyon National Park

2011-12-27T20:39:00.000-06:00

Elaine and I arrived late at night and set up camp in Trailer Village.

I was tired from the drive the day before and wanted to sleep in.

Elaine woke me up before sunrise and we drove to a beautiful sunrise on the Grand Canyon at Yavapai Point. It was worth it.

Walking up to the edge for the first time is breathtaking! I had never seen it before.

Before exploring we had a great breakfast at the El Tovar Lodge.

Grand Canyon Village as viewed from the Trailview Overlook.

Our charging problems continued. The power to the fridge was running low. Even though we were plugged into shore power, we couldn't get 12 volt output and the battery wasn't charging.

Thats the Colorado River way down there.

She's not a hermit but Elaine found a good place to rest.

These little beggers were all over. They would try to steal food out of backpacks.

Shuttle busses in the park ran about every 15 minutes and were very convenient. You can travel to different points on the south rim easily.

After a day of sightseeing we enjoyed a wonderful sunset.

September 5 2011; Albuquerque, New Mexico to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona.

2011-12-24T15:35:00.000-06:00

The Great Southwest

Yikes!

The Whitehorse Trading Post at the New Mexico- Arizona border.

The beautiful Painted Desert at Petrified Forest National Park.

The Painted Desert Inn on old Route 66 in the National Park

A thunderstorm blew across the desert and it was an awesome sight.

Elaine standing next to a petrified log.

The ever changing colors of the desert.

The famous Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook, Arizona

The Jack Rabbit Trading Post, another Route 66 icon.

September 4, 2011; Hinton, Oklahoma to Albuquerque, New Mexico

2011-12-22T22:07:00.006-06:00

Since Interstate 40 runs parallel to the old Route 66, we popped off the interstate and check out some of the "Mother Road".

One of the most famous buildings along 66 is the Tower Conoco Station in Shamrock, Texas.

Built in the 1930s, it was built of glazed brick with art deco accents and included the U-Drop Inn Cafe. The building functioned until the mid 90's.

Outside Amarillo, Texas is a great example of roadside pop art, the Cadillac Ranch.

You are encouraged to paint the old caddies. Unfortunately the field is littered with empty cans.

My Sunday school teacher wife tagged one of the old cars "D & E 25 years".

Tucumcari, New Mexico has over 1200 motel rooms. A local said in bad weather they close the highway near the town, whether it needs it or not, and the rooms fill up. Although we came through in the daytime, the night is lit up with over six miles of neon lights along old Route 66.

An old church in the desert.

We stopped for the night just west of Albuquerque at Enchanted Trails R.V. Park.

Enchanted Trails has several classic trailers as rental cottages. Inside the main building is a nice collection of mid century antiques including an old theater Wurlitzer organ. It was a nice park with clean bathrooms and showers.

Enchanted Trails R.V. Park

Cadillac Ranch

Tower Conoco Station

September 3, 2011 St. Louis, Missouri to Hinton, Oklahoma

2011-12-21T22:16:00.012-06:00

It was the first day of our epic journey across the country. We got off to a good start and headed straight down highway 44.

Elaine and I decided to take a quick detour through Joplin. The devastation was incredible.

After a long day of driving we stopped at Red Rock Canyon State Park in Hinton, OK. The campground was nice, with large grassy sites set in the bottom of a red sandstone canyon. The road into the canyon is narrow and winding, a tight squeeze for larger campers but doable.

While we were looking for a campsite, we saw some classic campers. When they noticed the T@B, they invited us to join them. We had a good night talking about old campers and telling camping stories around the fire. After the trailer was plugged in, we noticed the battery wasn't charging. I was unable to diagnose the problem so we avoided using the 12 volt lights to save power for the fridge. It would be a problem that plagued us the remainder of the trip.

After an all night rain, time to head out.

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Cedar Hill Lutheran Church Campout, Lesterville, Missouri

2010-08-22T20:31:00.006-05:00

We had a nice spot by the Black River

Kurt and Deb's new camper

Elaine awarding prizes for the scavenger hunt

Plenty of great food!

Looks can be deceiving, The Black River is very busy. Plenty of rafts and drunks.

2010 Indianapolis 500,Camp Bremer, Speedway Indiana

2010-06-18T21:51:00.006-05:00

" Camp Bremer" at Pat and Jennifer Bremer's house in Speedway.

Our friends The Brown Family, The Bremers, The McDowells, Elaine and me.

A parade float traveling down the road

An original brick from the speedway in Pat's garden.

Race morning.

John Andretti hit the wall on the backstretch.

Dario and Helio battle it out.

T.K.

Danica Patrick

Dario wins the Indy 500

Southern Missouri, March 2010

2010-03-02T19:06:00.014-06:00

We took a five day drive along the southern border of Missouri.

A Piliated Woodpecker caught our attention.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

A Flatiron Building in Eureka Springs

Our campsite at Lake Wappapello

A little friend came noseing around,

Mamouth Springs, Arkansas

Muskrat

Opening day of trout season

Rainbow Trout

The hatchery at Roaring River.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Osage Beach, Missouri, December 2009

2009-12-29T19:19:00.007-06:00

We had to camp one more time in a Missouri State Park to get our fourth consecutive Missouri Camper Award. So for the second year in a row, after Christmas festivities, we hitched up the T@b and headed out for the weekend.

Welcome to the Lake

The Captain Larry Don, a boat almost as old as the lake.

We were the only ones in the park.

Sputnik was an island of warmth in the frozen Ozarks.

Bagnell Dam

One of the original turbines from the dam.

We had a good lunch at Peckers

Babler State Park; Wildwood, Missouri, November 2009

2009-11-08T19:38:00.007-06:00

We spent the weekend at Babler State Park, just a half hour from home, but completely removed from day to day life. Above is the statue dedicated to Dr. Babler, for whom the park is named.

Our site, # 37, was nestled into the woods, with stairs leading down to the table and firepit area.

Saturday morning breakfast. Our 1st time making egg mcmuffin sandwiches. Thumbs up!
Check out the nice, wooded area behind our site.

Shamus, playing peek-a-boo behind the tree. He loved his big backyard.

An old building, probably built by the CCC's, along our hiking path.

The nice thing about hiking with a 10 pound cat...when he's all tuckered out, you can just pick him up & carry him.

All good things must come to an end. Sunday morning goodbye.

Washington State Park, Desoto, Missouri ,October 2009

2009-11-01T18:48:00.013-06:00

My parents used to take us camping at Washington State Park when we were kids. We had alot of great times. We thought we would have our fall campout at the same park that gave us all those good memories.

It was a beautiful fall weekend.

The morning was a little cold, but the fire kept us warm.

Maddi takes Shamus for a walk.

Elaine served up another great breakfast.

The lodge was built by the C.C.C.

Indian petroglyphs

Grants chili fixins.
Another great pot of chili.

Mom and Dad warm up around the fire.

St. Francios State Park: Bonne Terre, Missouri. September 2009

2009-09-20T17:58:00.009-05:00

Campsite 24. The park was full this weekend.

We brought along the canoe. The Big River runs past the park.

The Big River also flows behind our house about 80 miles downstream.

The water was clear and the fish were plentiful.

However I broke my rod a week earlier so they were all safe for the week.

It started to rain on our float but it was fun.

You can't go floating without getting a little wet.

It rained late into the evening.

" Mommy, make it stop! Even a Wonder cat does not like rain."

When the rain stopped it was time to play.

He may not look like he's up very high, but that was about a 5 foot leap for Shamus.
Notice the dangling leash below the log.

Click play to watch Shamus playing in the sand.

Shamus Update

2009-09-10T21:39:00.003-05:00

For fans of Shamus the Wonder Cat, I thought it was time for an update. Two weeks ago Tuesday, Shamus had a cardiac ultrasound (I know-a cardiac ultrasound for a cat?!!) and the news was very good. While the ultrasound did show the parallel lines consistent with an adult heartworm, it also showed that his heart was healthy & didn't have any changes in the thickness of the heart walls or chambers. Whoo hoo!

Yes, Shamus has a long way to go still-he gets to be on Prednisone for another two months. Also, it takes a year or two for the heartworms to die and when they do, they can shed particles that can trigger another experience like the last one. Worse still, they can "migrate" in his system & cause a blockage :( However, all that being said, when this first began on Friday, August 7th, we didn't think he would make it through the night. Fight on, Wonder Cat, fight on!

Prayers for Shamus

2009-08-15T20:01:00.002-05:00

Many of you know Shamus the Wonder Cat. He travels with us on our T@B camping adventures and has visited most of the Missouri State Parks. He has been to several T@B rallys, and has just concluded a two week trip around Lake Superior into Canada where he has made many new friends. People love to meet and pet the cat who walks on a leash. He is the unofficial mascot for Cedar Hill Lutheran Church and loves to play with the children.

Shamus doing what he does best.

Friday night, Shamus the Wonder cat didn't seem to be doing so wonderful. We found him sleeping next to the litter box (never a cat's first choice for sleeping accommodations), lethargic and wheezing a little when breathing. Not a lot, we weren't even sure at first if he was doing really bad or if we were reading more into than there was. While we were trying to decide if his behavior merited a trip to the after hours, emergency vet, Shamus helped us decide by vomiting blood. After a 24 hour kitty ICU stay, x-rays, blood work and a heartworm test, we learned tonight that Shamus has heartworms.

With IV fluids, antibiotics and medicine to get the fluids off of his lungs, Shamus got to come home Saturday night. When the heartworm test came back Sunday afternoon, we've added Prednisone and heartworm preventative to the tools to combat these nasty little parasites. Unlike dogs, cats cannot survive the treatment that would kill the worms & rid them of the heartworms. The prednisone can help with the inflamation and the heartworm preventative will make sure no new worms infest him, but we have to wait & see if he can fight this off until the heartworms die & get out of his system.

Shamus, and his people, would appreciate your prayers, especially during the next weeks. We would love to continue to share our travels with Sputnik and Shamus the Wonder Cat.

I can't end this post without thanking God for all of the good in the midst of a bad situation - awesome caring staff and vetrinarian, Dr. Swanson, who treated Shamus & us like one of their own, the caring staff at our regular vet's office, my dental credit card which is also accepted at the vet's office, and the fact that female heartworms were present so that the heartworm test could detect them and we could begin treatment.

Shamus sporting a smiley face bandage over his catheter site

There's no place like home

They couldn't get the IV in his right leg so they had to shave his left leg too. I'm not sure Shamus appreciates having a "poodle cut"

Every kitty loves a nice basket :)

Washington County, Missouri; September 2009

2009-08-14T20:00:00.005-05:00

Mike and Gina invited us to camp on a 4000 acre ranch.

Our campsite was on the Mineral Fork River.

Mike took us on a tour of the ranch. It has lakes, bluffs, rivers, and creeks.

It is criss-crossed with many dirt roads made by the mining company.

The Mineral Fork runs through the ranch.

Our campsite is in the trees below the bluff.

A herd of buffalo.

Katelyn and a lizard.

A full moon on a foggy night.

The rock at the swimming hole.

Annie takes a dip.

Some of our native wild flowers.

Shamus, Katelyn, Miss Elaine, Nick and Matt.

Lake Superior Circle Tour; Keweenaw Peninsula

2009-08-14T19:51:00.000-05:00

The Houghton- Hancock lift bridge.

Shamus the Wonder Cat

Follow the Circle Tour signs.

Cat Harbor- Population 3

The Jampot. A fantastic bakery run by monks.

The Eagle Harbor Light House

The rocky lakeshore at Eagle Harbor.

It was Christmas in July at Baraga State Park

Some campers went crazy!

Saying good-bye to Lake Superior at dawn.

We will be back.

Lake Superior Circle Tour; Pancake Bay, Ontario to Baraga State Park, Michigan

2009-08-12T21:31:00.000-05:00

Crossing the International Bridge

Welcome Home!

We can't go through Sault Ste. Marie without a visit to the locks.

It was a beautiful day.

Shamus continues to make friends.

Hotels along the strip.

Making pizza from scratch.

The finished product.

Our campsite at Baraga State Park.

Lake Superior Circle Tour; Obatanga Provincial Park to Pancake Bay Provincial Park

2009-08-11T20:14:00.006-05:00

The Geese of Wawa, Ontario

A waterfall at Sand River.

Hiking can wear out a cat!

Old Woman Bay

Shamus loves to roll in the sand.

An evening fog bank rolling in.

A quiet walk along Pancake Bay

There were many intricate sand castles.

Lake Superior Circle Tour; Rossport, Ontario to Obatanga Provincial Park

2009-08-08T18:10:00.014-05:00

Ontario Parks have campsite grooming stations with shovels and rakes.

Rainbow Falls

Another section of Rainbow Falls

Aguasabon River Gorge

Oh no, another waterfall?

Old logging boats used by German POWs during WWII at Neys Provincial Park

Life preserver from the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Watch for moose!

The original Winnie the bear was bought in White River in 1914

Papa's Chipper

Fresh Cut Fries and Poutine

Our camp site at Obatanga Provincial Park

A loon came by to serenade us.

Lake Superior Circle Tour: Thunder Bay, Ontario to Rossport, Ontario

2009-08-07T18:56:00.017-05:00

We found Ontario Provincial Parks to be very nice and clean. The park staff were friendly and helpful.

Our site at Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls

Pet goats at the Thunder Oak Gouda Cheese Farm

Shamus makes friends at the waterfront park in Thunder Bay

All Aboard!

Terry Fox started to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Having cancer himself and running on an artificial leg, he ran 26 miles a day. A complete marathon. It was near this spot that the returning cancer forced him to quit after running 3339 miles. He died on June 28 1981.

He is considered to be Canada's greatest athlete.

The Sea Lion at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Mon Chat! Shamus among the wild flowers

Canada's longest suspension bridge.

Shamus wasn't too sure about seeing tiny people below him when he looked through the slats.

One of the bridges was 300 feet long and the other was 600.

Our campsite in the Rossport campground at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

Cooking Stir-fry on a cold and windy evening.

We took a sunset walk on the beach looking out on Lake Superior at Rossport.

Lake Superior Circle Tour; July 2009: Superior, WI to Thunder Bay, Ontario

2009-08-05T20:33:00.011-05:00

We camped at Patteson State Park, 12 miles outside of Superior, Wisconsin

Lower Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park

The last whaleback freighter METEOR in Superior, Wisconsin

Dane on the bridge of the METEOR

The Aerial Lift Bridge at Duluth, Minnesota

Ships going under the lift bridge

The Fish Tug NELS J

Shamus takes a walk in the park

Shamus anticipates the tunnel

Waterfalls everywhere!

Gooseberry Falls

The lower falls at Magney State Park

Devil's Kettle

Welcome to Canada!

International T@B Rally; Sunset Lakes Resort; Hillsdale, Illinois

2009-07-27T17:37:00.018-05:00

The International T@B Rally at Sunset Lakes Resort.

Our spot by the lake.

Shamus resting after meeting everyone.

Jeremy Kessenich shows his trailer modifications

Lynn's talk on electronics

Judy and Kevin take out a boat from the "yacht club"

Carol Brown gives a Dutch Oven cooking demonstration. Mmm mmm good.

Mister the chihuahua

T@Bs on the lakeside

Elaine visiting with fellow "T@BBers

Shamus takes Elaine for a walk.

Jim and Sophie

Story telling

A winged visitor, this great blue heron was almost tame. Here he flies over to our side of the lake to fish, not at all disturbed by our nearness

Melty Cat

Cedar Hill Lutheran Church Campout, Rivers Edge Campground; Lesterville, Missouri

2009-06-28T18:21:00.012-05:00

We had a great time at Cedar Hill Lutheran Church's camp out on the Black River. The Black River is a typical Ozark stream, shallow and cold. It's a great floating river, especially on a 98 degree day. We were joined by a high school friend, Kurt and his wife Debbie.

Campsite # 23 on the Black River

The view from our campsite.

Shamus resting in the sun

The horse camp at Rivers Edge.

The pot luck dinner on Saturday night.

We had a great turnout

Saturday nights service.

The Woods renewed their wedding vows with Pastor Bilgreen presiding.

2009 Indianapolis 500

2009-05-27T17:03:00.019-05:00

It was our 21st Indy 500. We camped at Lieber State Recreation Area about 40 miles outside Indianapolis. It has a Corps of Engineers lake and Cataract Falls. Parke County is nearby with over 30 covered bridges. On Saturday, we drove to the Speedway for a drivers' autograph session and a drivers' meeting. We met fellow T@bbers Tom, Micah, and Caleb Brown in the garage area. They camp across 16th Street at one of the track lots.

Our campsite at Lieber State Park

The Pagoda

Elaine kisses the famous Yard of Bricks

T.K.

( Tony Kanaan)

Helio Castroneves (this year's winner!)

Milka Duno

Former Indy Champion Dan Wheldon

Danica Patrick

A.J.'s garage with Vitor Meira's car

Raphael Matos' car gets a push to tech inspection

That car is barely on the rails. Notice the inspector lying underneath the car.

Sarah Fisher's #67 getting the final once-over

Practicing pit stops at Justin Wilson's garage

Dane almost took out a stand of cowlings at this garage.
That famous Andree grace in play once again.
Ask Dane about the Ferrari incident.

Graham Rahal's garage

Big beautiful transporters

Andy Granetelli at the drivers meeting

I love the Indy spirit.

Rehearsing the flyover on Saturday.
A beautiful duo of restored B-25's.

Tom and Ella Brown's T@B camped out across from the track .
Internal temp before A/C...100+

Mario Moraes on the "hook"

Alex Lloyd a.k.a. "Pink Lloyd"

Graham Rahal

Marco Andretti

T. K. hits the wall going into turn 3.

Danica Patrick

The Speedway's Yellow Shirts...
"I've got everything under control"

May 2009; Turkey Run State Park, Parke County, Indiana

2009-05-18T21:25:00.019-05:00

Parke County, Indiana has 31 old covered bridges, It was fun to take a driving tour to see these beautiful parts of Americana.

We had a family campout in the covered bridge capital of the world

Campsite 51
It was a stormy night on Friday but it eventually dried out.

Sugar Creek near flood stage

Brad and Emily on the suspension bridge at Turkey Run

Elaine and Shamus

Crooks Bridge at high water

The Bridgeton Bridge was lost to arson in 2004. The new bridge was built by volunteers in 2006

The Bridgeton Mill and covered bridge.

Bennett Spring State Park: Lebanon, Missouri. March 2009

2009-03-22T19:37:00.019-06:00

Time for a spring fishing trip.

Campsite 417. It wasn't the campsite we had reserved, but the park compensated for it by giving us a certificate for a free night of camping.

This is a view towards the spring. The spring has an average flow of 103 million gallons per day.

Spring has arrived. The flowers are budding,

the spiders are building their webs,

and the bobber trees are in full bloom.

The C.C.C. built the bridge, the hatchery, dining lodge and several other buildings.

The Whistle Bridge. We call them steel culverts, but regionally they are called tin whistles, hence the Whistle Bridge.

Elaine and Shamus on the Bluff Trail

Hiking sticks (which we never remember to take when we go hiking)

Dutch oven creations-Sausage and Beans

The hatchery dam

Our weekend home away from home

For more information on Bennett Spring State Park go to www.mostateparks.com/bennett.htm

Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Illinois; Feburary 2009

2009-02-09T18:25:00.010-06:00

Campsite #2

It was 70 degrees on Saturday, after being below freezing earlier in the week. It made for a muddy campsite due to the snowmelt, but it was great weather for outdoor cooking.

Cooking muffins in the Coleman oven.

The finished product

The lodge at Pere Marquette was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from stone quarried in the area.

Play a giant game of chess, dine, or just sit by the fire.

Sunset from the porch of the lodge.

Shamus the Wonder Cat on our hike.

A view of the Illinois river from the peak of the Goat Cliff Trail. The park does a great job of mapping & labeling the trails.

America's national bird, the bald eagle, makes its winter home here, soaring high along the cliffs and dining on fresh fish from the Illinois River.

Crossing the Illinois River on the Brussel's Ferry

Crossing the Mississippi on the Golden Eagle Ferry

For more information on the ferries see Dane's Notes on Boats

Branson, Missouri; December 2008

2008-12-28T20:15:00.020-06:00

For Christmas this year, we got Thursday & Friday off. Never a couple to squander a 3-day weekend, we headed off Friday to Table Rock State Park to fulfill two missions with one camping trip. First, Elaine has always wanted to see the Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City & the Branson area. Second, we needed to camp one more time in a Missouri State Park to earn our 3rd annual Missouri Camper award. We had weather varying from wonderful to wild & windy, a range of activities from Christmas lights to lakeside walks & all in all, a priceless weekend.

Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City

The train float in the Christmas Parade at Silver Dollar City

Our camp site at Table Rock Lake State Park

Cooking Grant MacLaren's Johnny Cakes

The water fountain at Branson Landing has shows on the hour.

Our view of the fountain from our table at The White River Fish House Restaurant

The Titanic Museum

Watch for low flying aircraft!

The Branson Belle

See Dane's Notes on Boats

Merry Christmas

2008-12-09T16:12:00.009-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from Dane and Elaine

to all of our friends, family, and fellow Tabbers.

Babler State Park; Wildwood, Missouri. November 2008

2008-11-16T14:50:00.003-06:00

"He that careth for the sick and the wounded watcheth not alone. There are three in the darkness together and the third is the Lord."

Babler State Park was donated in the memory of Dr. Edmund Babler by his brother.

It was a cold and rainy weekend. We set up the tent room, plugged in the space heater and listened to the rain on the canopy. Dinner was saute'd salmon with rice pilaf. Breakfast was bacon and eggs and fresh baked cinnamon rolls.

Elaine has the table set for dinner.
A cheerful hiker?
I really am having a good time.

We had a nice two and a half mile hike on the Virginia Day Trail.

This one's for Ella Brown. We are watching Indy 500 Highlights from this years race.

St. Francios State Park: Bonne Terre, Missouri. October 2008

2008-10-19T17:39:00.001-05:00

We wanted to go camping near our home so we decided on St. Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, about an hours drive. It was a beautiful fall weekend in eastern Missouri. Night time temps were in the 40's. We hiked about 6 miles over the weekend. The park is on the Big River, the same river that runs behind our house.

Site 109
Breakfast on the stove

Friday nights menu was chicken and rice cooked in a dutch oven, followed by turtle brownies baked in the coleman oven served with hot apple cider.

Shamus the Guardian Cat

A stroll along the Big River
Waterfall on Coonville Creek

Happy Halloween

Chicago Marathon; October 2008

2008-10-14T21:23:00.001-05:00

Wheelchair Racers
The Elite Woman Runners
Our nephew Brad in his first marathon
Brad waving near the end of the race

Whew!

Montauk State Park; Licking, Missouri. September 2008

2008-09-15T20:20:00.001-05:00

Matt, Nick, and Mike out-fishing me again
The best part about fly-fishing is the beautiful places you go Fishing in paradise
Gina, Katelyn, and Luke

Michigan; August 2008

2008-09-15T20:18:00.002-05:00

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Gardens at the Grand HotelDarla and Bailey riding horses

West Bluff Cottages

Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island
Red Chairs on Steve and Jeanne's Dock

Petosky at Sunrise

A stormy sail on the tall ship Manitou

Elaine and her Dad at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Ludington, Michigan

Michigan Lighthouses; August 2008

2008-08-24T21:02:00.000-05:00

Round Island Light
Grand Haven Lights

Old Mission Light

Ludington Light

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Eby's Pines T@b Tour Rally; August 2008

2008-08-15T20:45:00.000-05:00

Grandpa and Missy
T@bs waiting for homes
A factory tour
T@bs in the making

Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson, Missouri; July 2008

2008-07-15T20:19:00.001-05:00

Elaine is busy cooking breakfast
Shut-ins
Shamus isn't mad, it's just a yawn

Our Rig

Round Spring: June 2008

2008-06-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

Photos by Kevin Knoll

Round Spring

Rocky Falls
Heidi and Kevin and Shamus
Round Spring Cave

We took a two hour flashlight tour of Round Spring cave led by a very knowledgeable National Park Ranger

Alley Spring; Eminence, Missouri; May 2008

2008-05-15T20:17:00.001-05:00

Alley Spring Mill
Alley Spring
Dane, Elaine, Mom, Grant, and Dad at Big Spring
Big Spring

2008 Indy 500; Our 20th Year

2008-05-15T19:16:00.000-05:00

Hula Cat at turn 3 grandstand

Elaine And Dave

Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves

T@B Rally At Turkey Run, April 2008

2008-04-15T20:18:00.000-05:00

Welcoming visitors to our trailer Showing off our T@bs

Tons o' T@bs Elaine on the Ladder Trail

Hiking through canyons
Shamus the Wonder Cat

Hermann Wurstfest, March 2008

2008-03-18T18:15:00.001-06:00

Dutch oven cooking demonstration
Our T@b and Bob and Shirley Pauers T@b
A rainy spring day at Herman City Park
Whole Hog Breakfast at the Fire House

Smokey Mountains, Febuary 2008

2008-02-15T20:29:00.000-06:00

Hula Cat And Orange Monkey at the entrance to the park

Metropolis, IllinoisOur campsite at Edgar Evans State Park

Laurel Falls
On top of Old Smokey
A Lake in the Mountains

Staved Rock State Park: October 2007

2007-10-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

Our first T@b Rally

Potluck and gift exchange

T@bookees

C.C. and C.C.

A gorge at Starved Rock

Ozark Live Steamers

2007-10-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

Our friends Rick and Lois run miniature live steam locomotives. Twice a year they gather at a friends farm in Fordland, Missouri with a group of like minded enthusiasts. We tagged along. We all camped on the property and rode trains all weekend. At night they got together and played bluegrass music.

Warming up the trains in the railyard.

When a train comes by, jump on. With over two miles of track several trains were running at once.

We rode trains late into the night. The red hot cinders puffed out of the smoke stacks and were quite a sight.

Engineer Rick

Hot Springs, Arkansas; Feburary 2007

2007-02-27T10:44:00.000-06:00

Our camp site at Lake Ouachita State Park. It had two levels and was very nice.

The Caddo Bend Trail is four miles long over a peninsula into the lake. A rest among the Mountain Pine trees.
A small bloom in the dead of winter.

Hot water fountains along Bath House Row

The Fordyce Bath House is the National Park museum
Hot water flowing down the hillside
The Arlington HotelWe took our hot baths in the Arlington Hotel. It was great.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; November 2006

2006-11-27T09:24:00.002-06:00

Our niece Madelyn was going to dance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. My whole family went up to New York to be with her on her big day, and to have Thanksgiving at Shaun and Kristins new house in Connecticut.

Elaine and I arrived a few days early. One of our first stops is Mystic, Connecticut.
Sherwood Island memorial to 9/11 and the Connecticut residents who died that day.
The plumes of smoke could be seen from this spot.

Shaun and Kristin's house in Oxford, we parked the T@B in the driveway.

Baking cookies

We took the train to Grand Central Station on Wednesday morning.

A memorial to the police and fireman who gave there lives on 9/11

Overlooking Ground Zero

Huddled Masses or Wretched Refuse?

The balloons are ready to go

Bailey and Elaine

Darla, Maddy,and Elaine

Times Square

Our spot to watch the parade was in front of the Newsweek Building.

Rockefeller Center

The famous ice skating rink

"30 Rock"

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Kristin's beautiful table

Shaun and his band played at Martini's

A sunday drive across Manhatten. Heading home.

A sweet stop in Hershey, Pennsylvania

The street lights are Hershey Kisses

An Ohio sunrise.