Home from South Sioux City, NE Hawaiian Rally

A great big thanks to Mandi, Cynthia and Sue for hosting another great rally.   Even though it was a bit smaller group than last year we had a good time!!

I didn't take any pictures of the trailers this year, but have a few from the relay race and the Hawaiian shirt contest. 

And off they go!

 Kathy videoing the race.  Quite funny!

 

 Getting cumbersome!! 

 

Really loaded down!!! 

 

 

 

Then we have the fancy Hawaiian shirts. 

 

 

We didn't have a lot of attendees dressed up, but those that did sure looked nice!!! 

 

And of course, I loved the Lawn chair movie that was chosen "Blue Hawaii" with Elvis!   I would go back to Hawaii again. 

 

Of course, KT and Nacho were happy to stay and watch the movie because Mandie served popcorn!!!  They LOVE popcorn!!!  She also served all the favorite candies that you would purchase at the movies. 

 

 

After a short good-bye and see you next year, we headed out on Sunday morning towards Saylorville Lake and the Prairie Flower campground.  It was a beautiful drive and Dave had programmed the Garmin to take us the shortest route which was through the Loess Hills in western Iowa.  We had never driven through this area before and it was indeed very pretty rolling hills. We enjoyed the drive!

 

Here's our campsite at Prairie Flower in the Coneflower section.

 

 

 

On Monday we had three meetings scheduled related to the potential house we may build if this one ever sells.  Monday night we met with our builder, Jeff, and walked over the lot.  He had good points to make about where to position the house.  Then we drove over to his house as he had driven straight from a job sight to the lot.  I had an opportunity to meet his wife and see their home, which of course he built. I am glad we have chosen him; I think he does a very nice job and has great ideas.  He is very artistic with laying tile, so am now rethinking where we should have tile in the house.

 

He looked at our plans again with us, as Dave has made additional changes; I think we are on version AA or AB.  LOL  :)  He did say that if we don't give him an answer by the end of August, we will have to wait until next spring to build.  I know it is the Lord's timing, but I was hoping for a buyer so we could start building in September.  If we don't have an offer and closing scheduled by the end of August, it will probably be March or April before he can start.  (And that depends on the house being sold by then!!) 

 

Tuesday morning we met Mary, who had just arrived back in town from her trip to New Jersey.  We had a nice breakfast together and then she headed home to get ready for work. We returned to Prairie Flower to finish packing up and headed for home. 

 

Now we are home for a while or at least until we head out to camp with the my brother and sister-in-law in a couple weeks, but that will just be a weekend trip.   :) 

 

We enjoy our Airstream and the ability it gives us to head out and explore this beautiful Country, visit friends and family and attend Rallies.  We are very thankful for our blessings!!!  We know that the Lord has perfect timing so we will wait for Him.    

 

Hugs to all!

 

The Jones with KT and Nacho 

 

 









Another Adventure

We are currently in South Sioux City, NE for a Hawaiian Rally for older trailers.  Not everyone has an older trailer, but a majority are older. 

We arrived on Wednesday, and decided due to the heat that we would prefer full hook-ups, so we are a bit further away from the group site.  The site we chose is well shaded with Cottonwood trees, so we are happy.  At dusk we walked down to the group site, where the early arrivals had set up chairs to watch the fireworks from across the river.  We enjoyed them; or I should say I did as Dave had to take Nacho back to the trailer.  He is extremely afraid of the noises and bangs and even wearing his Thunder Shirt didn't help.  Having missed fireworks on the 4th, I was happy to be able to enjoy them!!

Last night, Thursday, was the first gathering of the group and it was a smaller group than last year.  I believe we have only 11 trailers this year.  Mandie, our dedicated Leader and organizer,  made a simple supper of loose meat sandwiches and chips.  With the humidity and hot weather, nothing too heavy was needed.  Thanks Mandie!!! Later the group sat around visiting and catching up from last year. 

Today, we are busy in the Airstream,  (keeping cool) doing some work on updating this blog and paperwork and research related to house building.  Dave has been sending out bids to different sub-contractors and he is now starting to get some questions and a few replies.   There is going to be LOTS of work, being our own General Contractor, but Dave is up to it and his past experience makes him well qualified to manage a big project like this. 

I'll get pictures of our group and activities over the next couple of days and check back in soon, since Nacho is nagging me to stay on top of it.  He just wants more pictures of himself!!!  :)

This is where they are confined to during set-up time!  

Thanks for reading our blog!  Check back soon!!!

 

The Jones and Pups

Update from South Sioux City, NE

Nacho here, just wanting to let you know that after much nagging from me, Mom has finally gotten around to loading some pictures from our last day in the Black Hills.  So without much input from me, (because I didn't get to go) here is her report.   I promise to do a better job on making sure Mom is making blog posts on a more timely basis.  She's gotten lazy now that she's retired.  :)

Also, since she hasn't posted a picture of me lately, here I am making sure the Bison do not get too close to our truck. 

Candy here taking over from the Bossy Boy!! :) 

On the 4th of July, Dave surprised me by reserving an ATV for 1/2 day exploring the National Forest in the Black Hills.  (He is so NOT into ATVs or motorcycles).  So bright and early on the 4th we drove over to a campground, about 13 miles away, to arrive by 8 a.m. to get outfitted and prepared with a side by side Polaris. I was extremely apprehensive, not about ATVing itself, but doing it for the first time in a very HILLY area instead of in a flat area.  So after getting fitted with helmets and direction on how to use the ATV, we set off on a county road.  The outfitter had told us this was a good route for a first timer and that their ATVs were licensed for road use.  They had directed us to a lake about 4 miles away that we could drive around a bit and get used to the ATV.  After about 45 minutes, I was feeling a bit more confident (I was driving), so we headed back to the camp where we could access the trails into the National Forest.  As we headed back it started to rain, so when we arrived back we went inside to dry off a bit and have some breakfast.  The lady at the campground, makes huge cinnamon rolls and sells, so we helped ourselves to one each.  Very good!!! After consuming those and coffee, drying out a bit and getting additional advice on where to go, we headed out again. 

The trails ranged from gravel road to barely discernible tracks through grassy pastures to steep, very rocky uneven dirt.  We traveled about 58 miles round trip.  The scary part wasn't the trails, but due to the rain we experienced on and off for about 2 1/2 hours was that our National Forest map with all the trails completely fell apart!  28 miles out and not sure how to get back!!!   Luckily and with good foresight, Dave had brought along his Garmin.  Now, I don't always trust the Garmin as it has led us astray a few times, but it recognized the trails!!!!  So with guidance from it and the compass on my phone we found our way back.   It was an awesome experience and we were able to view some areas we would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise.  I think I could enjoy ATVing and Dave agreed!!! 

Up a steep hill

Drenched and map too!

Nice gravel portion

Steep trail down, though not too rough

Hmmm, not sure about doing this in the rain.  :(



 

 

Dave is enjoying himself!  

 

Getting gas before returning it.

 

 

After returning to the trailer, resting for a while, having some lunch and walking around the Rafter J Bar campground to exercise the pups, we headed back into Rapid City.  Dave had promised me, since all my wedding rings were cut off of me this last year, that he would replace them with a wedding band of Black Hills gold.  So off we went to shop for a new ring.  I found one we both liked and I love it!!!  Thanks Honey!!!!!  Now I am legal again!! :)

 

 

 

Later, after a bite to eat, we drove to Mount Rushmore to observe their 4th of July ceremony.  Fireworks are not allowed due to the extreme drought.  The ranger gave a very emotional and thought provoking talk on the history of the four presidents, their contributions to our Country and how our Country is affected today.  I was quite moved by the talk.  A young group of high school students traveling across country from SC to CA for a music festival were seated in the rows in front of us.  All of them were dressed in various versions and extremes of Red, White and Blue.  It was heartening to listen to them and watch them; they were very PRO-American!!!  Hurray!!!!

 

 

As the skies darkened the Presidents were lighted, the Flag was waving and the Ranger invited all the present and former Military to the stage to participate in the Flag lowering ceremony and to be recognized.  All the comments made were so encouraging for Love of our Country; in today's political climate it was refreshing to hear.

 

 

 

The next morning after our usual chores, we started back to Iowa, arriving the next day at Saylorville Lake near Des Moines.  Staying there for a couple days allowed us to see Mary, Steph and Dan and celebrate Mary and Dave's birthdays together.   I am so looking forward to living closer to all of them and having the chance, we hope, to see them more than once every couple months or so.

 

Here's a view of our campsite at Prairie Flower on Saylorville Lake. 

 

 

 

And so ends our 5 week adventure!!!  It was enjoyable and reconfirmed that we love traveling, exploring this beautiful Country, meeting new people along the way and loving our Airstream!!!  We are blessed!!!



 





 



Reporting from Hill City, SD

Hi everyone!!  It's been a while since we have checked in, but we have not been bored or sitting still.

We spent over two weeks in the Yellowstone area and as always enjoyed our time there.  Dave especially loves fishing in Yellowstone, so he was quite happy.  I enjoyed staying in basically one spot; yes we changed campgrounds, but 8 miles doesn't count for much of a change.  Here's a view of one of Dave's favorite spots for fishing:

 

Some of the wild flowers were still blooming, though the color and number is not abundant, still springing up out of the volcano soil, they are wonderful to see.

 

Here's a dead tree picture; I have to take at least one of them everywhere we go.

 



During our time in the area, a former co-worker and his three boys stopped by to chat and share their experiences in Yellowstone; it was their first time and they seemed to really enjoy it.  Thanks Vince for stopping by!!

On June 28, we broke camp early as we were heading out to Buffalo Bill State Park to give Dave an opportunity to fish the Shoshone river, which he has wanted to do for a long time.  We had also made arrangements to meet up with my former Manager, John and his wife De and their kids.  It was their first time to visit Yellowstone also. 

We headed out for the East entrance and came upon road construction; I think this Cat had more than it could handle!!!

I think they should have bought a piece of John Deere equipment!!!  :)

After a short and uneventful, but beautiful drive to BB State Park, we pulled into the loop where we would be staying for a few nights and John and De were already there to greet us.  They had arrived the night before.

Here are a few pictures of our view:

After greetings and getting set up at our site, which was directly across from them, a short walk across a grassy area, we all decided to drive into Cody, to visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.  Boy, has it changed since we visited last.  It has been quite a few years ago, our kids were still in grade school.   :)   We spent the afternoon walking through their may exhibit halls, which was a cool (as in heat wise) way to spend the afternoon since it was in the high 80's outside.  

After stopping for a Walmart run to get groceries, and fishing licenses, we headed back to camp, where we grilled brats with s'mores for dessert.  Then we stayed up late, and I mean late for this old Lady, until midnight!!!  LOL!!!  Catching up, watching the stars and enjoy the peacefulness of the wide open spaces was a great ending to a nice day. 

The next morning, it was decided that Dave would take John, Mary and Sean on their first fly fishing excursion, while De and I stayed behind in their RV to visit and relax.  So off we went looking for the ideal spot, after a few stops to determine if a spot would work, Dave and John settled on a spot.  Then it was time to get ready, no short time there; fly fishing prep takes time!!!!!   Here they are getting ready:

 

I guess all that prep time was worth it as they were gone for about 3 hours and all came back happy with the experience, even if they did not catch any fish.  :(   Dave loaned them some equipment and after hugs and handshakes, they departed for Yellowstone, just a few miles away and Dave and I headed back to camp.  

 

Dave determined there was too much water to fish the Shoshone successfully, so guess next time we try it, it will be in the fall, so there isn't so much snow melt.  Due to that, we checked out two days early and headed for South Dakota.

 

It was a long drive, made stressful (for me, Dave is always calm) due to truck problems again!!!!!  About 23 miles from Hill City the truck seemed to loose all power and it would not accelerate!!!!  Then when we finally got to the campground after crawling along at 30 mph and saw the site we were assigned I freaked!!!  Sorry Dave!!!  It had no logical way to back into it!!! Boy, was I irritated!!! But, with Dave directing we finally navigated the trailer back into the site.  Whew!  What a relief!!!  After getting settled and really noticing the surroundings I settled down.  

 

Our site:

 

 

 

 

View across from us:

 



 

The next day we called around for a dealership to take a look at the truck.  Granite GMC was great!  They told us up front how long it would take to run some diagnostics and said they would get to us as soon as they had determined what might be wrong.  So, we spent the next hour browsing the lot, looking at new trucks and Yukon SUVs.   I know what I want for our next vehicle!!  :)  They determined it was a clogged fuel filter and NOT the transmission or engine as we had feared.  Whew!  What a relief!!!

 

Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day exploring.  We drove the Needles Highway, which is always beautiful but challenging with it's narrow road, tight curves and hills. 

 

 

We then proceed to the area of Custer State Park where the wild life loop is always interesting to explore.  Finally, after driving quite  bit, we stopped at the Ranger's station and received the lowdown on where the Bison were hiding.  Oh boy!  We hit the jackpot!  We could only view the Bison in Yellowstone from a great distance; they were all in hiding there!   We found a large herd of about 300 and yes, they were very close.  Since I LOVE watching Bison, I have quite a few pictures to share.   :)

 

The Bison in this herd seem much smaller in size than the ones in the herd we saw at Yellowstone, but I still think they are majestic looking animals.  I would compare them to the King of the Wild, the Lion.  :)  Nacho was extremely interested in watching them and when any one came too close to the truck he voiced his irritation.  KT could not have cared less, she took a nap in the back seat, the whole time we watched them. 



 

Today, Dave is off fly fishing and I'm doing chores and cooking around the Airstream.  Dave's having brownies for dessert tonight.  :) 

 

Have a wonderful and blessed 4th of July!!!!  We live in a wonderful Country and we have so much to be thankful for and to offer thanks to the many brave men and women that have fought for our Country.  We honor them!!!  Thank you!!! 

 

Also, Happy Anniversary to Dan and Steph!!!!  Love you!!!

 

Dave and Candy