To Arizona

We left Dubuque on October 1, the day after my last day of work.  I really did enjoy my job there, but was ready for our next adventure.  Our first overnight stop was in York, NE.  We stayed at York RV campground.  This is a new campground that has only been open a few months.  It has the potential of being a nice place. However, it is still in the beginning stages.  It's basically a gravel parking lot with all pull thrus and full hook ups.  The WiFi wasn't working yet, and there were no picnic tables or grass.  They took off a couple of dollars, but we thought it should have been half price until it is completed.  Next time we will stay down the road.  

La Cocina Mexican restaurant in York, NE.  All the booths had a design of some sort like this one.  FYI, don't be in a hurry when the Huskers are playing.  The staff were glued to the television.  

The next day we drove as far as Larkspur, CO.  Since we were so close to Adam and Mary in Castle Rock, we decided to pay them a visit.   We also wanted to see little Macy whom we had not yet met, and also see Alex who is a teenager now.  We stayed at Jellystone RV Park for the night.  We had a very nice visit.  They're a fun family.  

I believe this is Castle Rock. Hence, the name of the city. 

Our view out the front window of our motorhome at Jellystone in Larkspur.  Beautiful!

Adam, Alex, Mary, Macy.  Such a cute family.  

After we left Larkspur, Kirk and I drove to Colorado Springs where we stayed a couple of days at Garden of the Gods RV park.  Now remember, this is autumn in October and the leaves were gorgeous. The Aspens were in full color.   The first day we drove to Garden of the Gods which was amazing, Florissant Fossil Bed National monument, and Cripple Creek.   We had planned to drive to Royal Gorge, but took a back road which no longer existed.  Anyway, did not make it to the gorge, but did see some amazing scenery. 

Balanced Rock at Garden of the Gods.  

Thought this was cool. 

This was an unplanned, yet pleasant surprise on our road trip

Horned sheep outside of Cripple Creek

The beautiful aspens.  

More aspens. 

Okay, I just couldn't get enough pictures of these. 

Driving into Cripple Creek 

Outside of Cripple Creek at a gold mine....with some beautiful aspens surrounding it.  

Colorado has one of these everywhere....just a different name.  Zoom in and read the small print. 

On our second day, we took the trip to Pikes Peak.  We were so excited to drive up to the Summit.  We weren't sure we would be able to do it as the ranger had told us that the last run was closed due to high winds.  However, she did say the winds were dying down and it could be opened by the time we got part way up.  Fortunately, they did open it and we were able to drive all the way to the top.  One thing to remember, the air is very thin at the top.  Over 14,000 feet. 

The road going up to Pikes Peak   Gorgeous. 

Crystal Reservoir on the ride up to the summit.  A great place to fish. 

About half way there.  Another beautiful sight. 

Not there yet, but look at that road and the view.  

High atop the summit.  It was so cold.  I believe around 11 degrees.  I was getting lightheaded.  Kirk was already there. 

Another view from the summit.  We would have liked to taken a selfie, but we were just ready to get back down.  You know Kirk was feeling bad when he let me drive ALL the way down.  

October 5th, we left Colorado Springs and headed to Pueblo Acoma, NM. We stayed at the Sky City Casino RV Park which is about 45 minutes west of Albuquerque. We had wanted to stay in Albuquerque, but found out the annual balloon festival was going on and so, there were no available sites in any of the rv parks.  Well, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  The casino park was only $19 a night, all pull thrus, and a very nice park.  We also took the Sky City cultural center tour.  Very worth the small amount it cost.  Acoma Pueblo atop a mesa is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the nation.  There is no electricity or running water up there.  About 10 families continue to live there.  Many were selling their wares during the tour. 

A beautiful site on our ride to the cultural center. 

The only tree at Acoma Pueblo town on the Mesa   

Years ago this was their water source. It now just hydrates only the very few animals that live up there. 

One of the traditional hornos, a mud Adobe oven used for baking.  Still work, but only used a few times a year now for special events 

Mission San Estaban Rey in the background.  We were allowed inside but could not take pictures. 

A beautiful view from the village on the mesa 

This is the only original window made from stone by the Acoma Indians.  You can't see in or out of it, but it does allow light to enter.  

Our site at Sky City Casino. We had a great view of Mount Taylor a stratovolcano , which you can't see in this picture. 

We finally arrived at our destination in Surprise, AZ on October 7th.   Sunflower RV resort.  Getting ready to check-in.   It was only 95 degrees.  :)

Dubuque Iowa 2016

Kirk and I had an awesome time in Wonewoc, WI at Chapparal Campground.  Saying goodbye is never easy, and gets more difficult every time we have to leave.  Our last day there was very busy.  Kirk got his cast off his arm a little early, and to our surprise did not even have to have a brace on it.  The doctor told Kirk that he wanted him to move his hand and fingers.  Kirk developed lymphadema and had lost most of his gross and fine motor control with that hand.  The doctor gave Kirk an order to start physical therapy for his arm and hand once we got to Dubuque (my next assignment).  Also, on our last night there, we went out to eat with Tracy and Michelle Taylor.  They are seasonals at the campground and have been there since we started going there, and before.  We had a great evening with great food and company.   Amy, my boss for the company I was working for in the Dells, dropped off a gift from the therapy staff....Wisconsin cheese, WI beer, and WI wine.  What a treat.  They are a great crew to work with.  I will miss therm.   Dennis and Dianne will be greatly missed.  They are the great, awesome, adorable owners of the Chapparal, and our good friends.  

Dan and Deb, Arlene and Ronnie, Dianne and Ron, and Michelle and Tracy.  It's hard to stay out of trouble when you're around this group.

Kirk and I with Dennis and Dianne.  Never a dry eye when I have to leave these two.  

The cast is off...hand is "fat" but the bone is healed.  PT will take care of the rest.

Went here to eat with Tracy and Michelle.  This is out in the middle of the country, surrounded by farms.  Why Kirk and I had never heard of this place before is beyond me.  Highly recommend going here.  We will definitely go back.

On 7/30/16 we arrived in Dubuque, Iowa.  This was only 2 hours from Chapparal, but it seemed a lot further.  Rudy and Bev were staying at an RV park in Galena exploring the area and met us at our campground, Hoot Owl Hollow in West Dubuque.  We drove downtown, had supper and then said our goodbye's.  They would be heading to Monmouth, Il in the next day or so.

The Dubuque Town Clock.  This clock has stood over the city for over 130 years.

The Dubuque Riverwalk along the Mississippi River.

On 8/1/16, I started my new assignment at Manor Care Rehabilitation, a Skilled Nursing Facility.  The therapists were wonderful to work with.  Someone was always bringing "treats" to work, and I personally gained 5 pounds on that 8 week assignment.  I'm finding as I age, the pounds are harder to lose :(      Ady had her 13th birthday (can't believe she's a teenager) on August 8th.  Robyn always has a family/friends birthday party for her.  Ady has had so many people in her life supporting her and her mom through all those years.  She later had a sleepover with her besties.  It's always a good time to get together with all of these friends and family.  

The infamous selfies in this family are just expected.  We love that Kristy has become a "pro" at this art.  Ady's birthday bash.

Ady opening her gifts.  Thirteen years old....really!!!!!!

Ady stayed with us for two days while mom went hiking with Kristy and friends in Colorado.  West Dubuque is behind us.

Ady and I rode the Fenelon Place Elevator while Kirk was in therapy for his hand.  This elevator is 296 feet and is considered to be the shortest and steepest railroad in the world.  

While Ady was with us, we visited Kirk's sister, Bev, and her husband, Al.  It was a beautiful day for a pontoon ride.  I thought this teenager would be bored, but she absolutely loved it.  Al, Bev, Ady, me.

Me and Kirk on the pontoon using my selfie stick (given to me by my travel company).

I really love this pic of Ady and I.  She's a beauty!

On 8/19/16 Kirk and I drove to City Point, WI to spend the night on the Marsh, and attend Bella and Isaac's dance recital the next morning.  As always, we had a great time and enjoyed watching the kids dance.  They were delightful.  

Isaac and Bella after the recital.  They did great!

The "moms" and "grandmas" after the recital.  Laurie, Neva, and me.

After we left the Marsh, we couldn't drive by the campground without stopping to see our friends...Tracy, Michelle, Kurt, and Laurie.  

Kirk and I drove over to Galena one Sunday and took the trolly tour to the historical sites in town.  It was  an adequate tour to see some beautiful sites, and learn about the history of the town.

Belvedere Mansion in Galena, IL.  The finest and largest Italian mansion in Galena, built in 1857.

Downtown Galena, IL.  We just parked and walked.

On 8/27, we drove to Gladbrook, IA to visit Kirk's mom.  She had been home only a short time after being in the skilled nursing facility for rehab.  Earlier in the summer, she had fractured some vertebrae in her back.  Kirk picked up tenderloins in Beaman for all of us (they are delicious), we had dove bars, and we tried to get her laptop to work.  We were not successful.  She loves looking at her Facebook to see pictures of family and friends, and using her emails.  I hope that eventually we can get her back on her computer.  On our drive home, Kirk and I stopped at Junction 21, about 5  miles from our campground in Dubuque.  We had never been there before, and now wished we had.  The pizza is delicious.  It's a fun, out of the way place.   The next day after returning home, we drove up to Eagle Point Park in Dubuque.  They charge $1 a car to enter the park.  This is a very cool park.  You are high atop of the city, and can see 3 states from certain sites (Wi, IA, IL).  On 9/3, we drove to Monmouth, IL to visit Jim and Elena.  We just went for the day.  Kirk grilled out and we all had a great time just relaxing and visiting by pool.  Our last night in Dubuque, we went out to eat at Catfish Charlie's with my friend Judy and her husband Charlie.  The next day (10/1) we took off for our next adventure.

Lock and Dam #11 on the Mississippi seen from Eagle Point Park.

Attempt at a selfie at the entrance of Eagle Point Park in Dubuque, IA.

Our first site at Hoot Owl Hollow in West Dubuque, IA.

Kirk's new toy.  He was so excited when it arrived that he put it together inside the Rv.  Traeger Tailgater smoker and grill.  

Our last visit with the kids, grandkids, and grand dogs before leaving for AZ.  

Kirk's first brisket on the Traeger.  This was absolutely delicious.  Not sure he made enough :)

Ribs from the Traeger.   Kirk is on a roll and I get to reap the benefits.

While in Dubuque, I met up with a former co-worker and very good friend, Judy,whom I had not seen for 40 years.  Judy is awesome, and it was like we had never been apart.

Kirk and I met up with Bridget, her husband, Jason, and their kids Drew and Kinsey in Gunder, IA.  Home of the famous Gunderburger.  I used to work with Bridget in Decorah, Iowa 15 years ago.  This girl knows how to make me laugh

Harvest is beginning on the marsh.  

9/24.  To Marshalltown, IA for granddaughter, Kaylee's 2nd birthday party.  Charlie, Kaylee, Heather, and Damon.  

Great grandma Mavis at Kaylee's party.  Isn't she beautiful!

Grandson Mason, and his mom Lindsey.  Sure do miss these guys!

Mason, and Grandpa Kirk.  Happy Campers.

Grandpa Kirk is a happy man at this moment with Kaylee and Mason.

Picture of Beautiful mom and mother in law, Mavis at Bev and Al's.

Our 2nd site at Hoot Owl Hollow Campground in Dubuque.  We moved for the last two weeks we were there.  We had so much rain this summer.  It was nice being on a cement pad.