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October 26th
Last night after dinner, we walked downtown Williams (old Route 66) to see the neon lights at night.
Left Williams at 11am and continued west on I-40.
Stopped in Kingman, Arizona to fill-up on fuel, so we won’t have to buy the high priced diesel in California, before we get home.
Over the next three days, we’ll continue east on I-40 and north along I-5.
We’ve had a great time and will be arriving home on Saturday.
Stay tuned for our next adventure to Florida, the Carolina’s, a NASCAR race and other sites….. starting in January 2023.
TOTAL MILES THIS TRIP: 4,796
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Grand Canyon National Park
October 25th
55 Degrees
After breakfast, we drove north for an hour, on Highway 64 to the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.
We’ve visited both the north and south rims over the years, but the south rim is our favorite.
The Grand Canyon became well known to Americans in the 1880s after railroads were built and pioneers developed infrastructure and early tourism, and became a national park in 1919.
We walked along the south rim, looking down into the canyon and the far away Colorado River, which formed the canyon over millions of years..
Tomorrow we continue our travels into California.
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Williams, Arizona
October 24th
48 Degrees
Had a couple of small snow flurries last night after dark, but nothing stuck to the ground.
We left the Holbrook area at 10am and continued west on I-40.
Traveled through Winslow and Flagstaff.
Flagstaff always reminds us of Lake Tahoe, with the pine trees and it’s7,000ft elevation. There was even a fresh dusting of snow on nearby Mount Humphrey’s.
We arrived at the Grand Canyon RV Park in Williams at 1pm.
Williams (founded in 1881) sits along Route 66 and is known as the ‘Gateway to the Grand Canyon’.
A short walk from our campsite is Main Street. We visited all the ‘tourist shops’ and had dinner in town.
Weather forecast is in the lows 20’s tonight. Brrrrrrrrr……..
Tomorrow, we’ll take the hour drive on Highway 64 to the Grand Canyon National Park.
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Holbrook, Arizona
October 23rd
45 Degrees
Had a little bit of sprinkles last night and rain just after leaving the Casino.
We left the Sky City Casino at 11am and continued west on I-40.
Drove through Gallup, before entering Arizona and the Navajo & Apache Territories.
Arrived at the Hopi Travel Plaza near Holbrook at 3pm.
The forecast for tonight is a chance of light snow, but no snow / ice accumulations.
We’ll be spending the night in the truck plaza parking lot.
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Aconita, New Mexico
October 22nd
75 Degrees
We fueled up and left Amarillo at 11am.
Traveled west on I-40 into New Mexico. Had lunch at the New Mexico Welcome Center at the border.
We battled 40+ mph head-winds all day.
Since leaving Oklahoma, we’ve been traveling parallel with the historic ‘Route 66’.
Most of Route 66 has been paved over by I-40, but there are many sections, mostly through old small towns, where Route 66 is still visible and alive.
We were delayed on I-40 for 3+ hours due to road construction and a semi truck crash.
Arrived at the Sky City Casino, near Acomita, New Mexico (60 miles west of Albuquerque) at 7pm.
We’ll be spending one night in the casino parking lot.
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Amarillo, TX
October 21st
80 Degrees
We left Hinton, Oklahoma at 10am and continued west on I-40.
Traveled through Clinton and Texola Oklahoma, before entering Texas.
Continued west to Amarillo and arrived at the Big Texan RV Park at 1pm.
Amarillo (established in 1887) is currently the largest city in the Texas Panhandle.
Amarillo was once the self-proclaimed “Helium Capital of the World” for having one of the country’s most productive helium fields.
The Big Texan Complex where we’re staying, is best known for their world famous cowboy western steak ranch.
If a patron can eat their 72oz steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, roll and butter… all within an hour, gets their meal free.
There’s a special ‘contest table’ in the main restaurant seating area. Most contest eaters don’t complete the meal within the allotted time.
We had a nice ‘normal’ Texan steak dinner with all the cowboy fix’ns.
Tomorrow we’re off to New Mexico.
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Hinton, Oklahoma
October 20th
72 Degrees
Learned a trick yesterday from Don … Shaving Cream works on everything, from cuts, hand cleaner, tractor maintenance, cow shampoo, etc!
We left the Poteau area at 11am and traveled north on Highway 59 to I-40 west of Fort Smith.
Continued west on I-40 through Shawnee and Oklahoma City.
Arrived at the ‘Casino Oklahoma’ in Hinton (pop 3,000) at 4pm. It’s a large modern casino with a large parking area for cars & truck – in the middle of nowhere.
We had dinner at the casino and will be spending the night in the casino parking lot.
Tomorrow, we enter Texas.
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Last Day in Oklahoma
October 19th
62 degrees
Was a cold night in the low 20’s and still cold when we left for the ranch.
The truck was covered in light ice when we woke up.
Did ranch chores and helped around the farm. Also laid out corn to attract deer, for the November hunting season.
Went into town for an early supper with all the family. Donna & I had a great week in Poteau!
Tomorrow we leave the Poteau area heading west.
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Mend’n Barbed Wire Fencing
October 18th
62 degrees
Focused on the far end of the ranch, into the dry creek bed, to mend barbed wire fencing. The fencing along the creek is to keep the neighbor’s bull out of the cow pasture.
Drove metal posts and wood posts into the ground and re-strung the old fencing.
Moved a new water trough closer to the house and installed a new automatic water shut-off valve for the cattle.
Noticed a large bird in a cattle pasture. Upon getting closer, it was a Bald Eagle.
Forecast for tonight is a cold 22 degrees.
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Poteau Ranch Work
October 17th
69 degrees
Yesterday was over TWENTY DEGREES cooler than Saturday and today was even cooler, in the upper 60’s.
After breakfast, Donna and I drove over to the ranch (about a 10 minute ride).
Did some dirt moving from one of the cattle ponds and other chores.
We all went out to lunch / dinner at a nearby cowboy restaurant frequented by all the locals.
Tuesday night is forecast to be in the 20’s here in Poteau.
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Fort Smith, Arkansas
October 16th
73 degrees
The final tally for yesterday’s BBQ, was 86 friends & family.
We had a wild night last night of wind, rain and thunderstorms – Feels like fall is here in Oklahoma.
After a leisurely breakfast, we drove about 45 minutes north to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers, Fort Smith was established as a western frontier military post in 1817 to protect warring Indian tribes, when it was also a center of fur trading.
As the city developed, it became well known as a base for migrants’ settling of the “Wild West” and for its law enforcement heritage.
The US Army also used Fort Smith as a base during the Mexican War (1846-1848). As a result, the US acquired large territories in the Southwest, and later annexed the Republic of Texas, which had been independent for some years.
The Fort Smith National Historic Site includes the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the “Hangin’ Judge,” presided over the court for 21 years. His gallows is still standing.
Tomorrow is back to ranch work.
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Ranch BBQ
October 15th
92 degrees
Went to the ranch at 9am. Donna helped with some cooking and I tended to some chores on the ranch.
Learned how to drive the old tractor and spray the dusty roads for the afternoon guests.
At 4pm, 75+ family & friends came to the ranch for a down-home country BBQ.
We could hear the rumbling of thunder and the darkening clouds all during dinner, but the rain held off.
Pulled pork, ham, corn bread, game hen, beans, sweet tea and all the fix’ns …. the meal was mighty fine grub — I never did find the possum pie!
We arrived back at camp at 7pm and are under a severe thunderstorm watch. Forecast is for rain and thunderstorms into late tomorrow morning.
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Poteau Balloon Festival
October 14th
90 Degrees
After breakfast, we visited Donna’s sister’s home about 10 miles north of our campground.
Helped with cooking and tractor chores around the ranch. I got real good at running the ‘skid-steer’ front loader and dump truck.
We also helped set-up for tomorrow night’s family ‘critters & varmints’ BBQ ranch get-together.
Expecting a large turn-out on the cattle ranch with family and friends.
In the afternoon, we drove to the LeFlore County Fairgrounds and the Poteau Balloon Festival.
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Poteau, OK
October 13th
78 Degrees
We left the Branson area at 9am.
Traveled south on Highway 65 and I-540 into Arkansas and through Forth Smith, to Poteau, Oklahoma.
We arrived at the Long Lake RV Park at 1pm. The park is along Terrell Lake and the nearby Poteau River.
Our campsite sits along a pasture with a herd of Bison.
Poteau was founded in 1885 with a general store and a few houses. The railroad was constructed through Poteau in 1887, and the town grew.
Poteau is also known for their bank – in January 1934, Bonnie & Clyde robbed the Poteau Central National Bank of $1,500.
The population of Poteau is currently 8,800 … including Donna’s sister Marie, who lives nearby.
After setting up our camp, we drove north of Poteau to The Barn (yes, it’s an old barn) for a down-home catfish & fix’ns dinner…. yee’ haw!
We’ll be in Poteau for seven nights.
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Clay Cooper Show
October 12th
81 Degrees
Had a nice rain and lightening storm roll through the area just after breakfast.
This evening, we walked down the street to the Clay Cooper Variety Show.
Clay has been entertaining since the age of 14, and now his wife and kids are in the show, along with many other entertainers & musicians.
We saw this outstanding show 18 months ago while in Branson – and the show never disappoints.
Tomorrow, we leave Branson for Oklahoma.
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The Haygoods
October 11th
83 Degrees
After breakfast, we drove to Table Rock Lake and toured the grounds of the Shepard of the Hills Fish Hatchery.
Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is the largest trout-rearing facility operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Every year, the hatchery produces between 350,000 and 400,000 pounds of Rainbow & Brown Trout.
We then drove over to the Upper Dam Visitors Center and learned about the lake and dam.
The Table Rock Dam was built in the 1950’s to prevent constant spring flooding along the White River Valley and Branson.
After dinner, we walked over to the Haygoods Variety Music Show.
The Haygoods are five brothers and one sister that have been preforming for over 30 years, to over three million guests, during 7,000+ shows.
A great time had by all.
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Dolly Parton’s Stampede
October 10th
81 Degrees
Did a little shopping today and filled up the truck with fuel.
A weather change is forecast for the area. Cooler temperatures, lightening and sprinkles due starting tonight.
We went to the Dolly Parton’s Stampede show this evening.
The 35,000sq ft wild west arena is ringed by dinner tables above the rodeo show-floor.
The show is home to 32 horse riders that have a friendly competition while doing horseback stunts at top speed.
There were also pig races, dog agility and chicken herding.
The show also has spectacular special effects and phenomenal musical productions, all while we enjoyed a mouthwatering four-course family feast!
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Downtown Branson
October 9th
76 Degrees
After breakfast, we traveled the few miles to Old Downtown Branson.
The downtown area is along the White River just east of the main entertainment center.
We walked the streets, shops and riverfront areas.
After dinner, we enjoyed the Dick Clark Show in town with Elvis, The Blues Brothers, Willie Nelson and others.
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Branson Belle Showboat
October 8th
64 Degrees
Was a cool 42 degrees last night – felt great!
At 3pm, we drove 20 minutes away to Table Rock Lake. The large lake has 745 miles of shoreline and tree studded shores.
We boarded the Branson Belle paddle-wheel showboat for a 4pm dinner cruise.
The showboat (700 passenger capacity) was constructed in the White River Landing at Table Rock Lake, and was launched on August 12, 1994.
The 280ft Branson Belle was launched on launching rails lubricated with two tons of bananas. The bananas were used for lubrication because they were biodegradable and would not have polluted Table Rock Lake as grease would have.
The Branson Belle (1,250 tons) is claimed by its owner to be the largest paddle-wheeler on a landlocked lake in the United States.
During the 3 hour cruise, we had dinner during a musical variety show and saw the sights along the lake.
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Titanic Museum
October 7th
70 Degrees
After grocery shopping, a much needed truck wash and lunch, we visited the Titanic Museum.
The museum construction consists of the front half of the ship, including its first two funnels. It’s just a three minute walk from our campground.
It’s one of two Titanic-themed museums owned by John Joslyn (who headed a 1987 expedition to Titanic’s final resting place); the other is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The museum holds 400 Titanic artifacts in 20 galleries – the tour was fascinating.
After the museum, we walked to a local BBQ smokehouse for dinner.
Tomorrow, we board a paddle-wheeler showboat for a dinner cruise.
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Branson, MO
October 6th
78 Degrees
Had a beautiful Missouri sunset at our truck stop last night.
We left the Collins at 10:30am, since we only had a quick 100 mile journey to Branson today.
Traveled south on Highway-13, through Springfield, then south on Highway-65 to Branson.
Branson is in the Ozark Mountains and the community was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s.
Branson has long been a popular destination for vacationers from Missouri and around the country. Due to Branson being known for family-oriented tourism, casino gambling is frowned upon and it does not exist in this area.
We arrived at the Musicland RV Park at 1pm. We’ve stayed at this large full-service park in the past and it’s close to all the show venues.
Expecting cooler weather starting tomorrow, with highs in the 60’s and low 40’s at night. We’ll be staying in Branson for seven nights.
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Collins, MO
October 5th
78 Degrees
We left Abilene at 11am and traveled east on I-70 through Topeka and around the western side of Kansas City, into Missouri.
Continued south on Highway-71 and Highway-13. We are now in Amish Country!
We stopped at the Pilot Travel Center south of Collins, Missouri at 4pm for the night.
Tomorrow, we’re off to Branson for a seven night stay.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
October 4th
80 Degrees
After breakfast, we drove down the road to the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is the presidential library and museum of the 34th president of the United States (1953–1961), located here in Abilene.
The museum includes Eisenhower’s boyhood home, where he lived from 1898 until being appointed to West Point in 1911, and is also the president’s final resting place.
It is one of thirteen presidential libraries, and the forth presidential library we’ve visited (Regan, Truman, HW Bush & Eisenhower). This library was dedicated in 1962.
We learned all about Eisenhower’s life, WWII history and as a United States President.
After lunch, we visited the Geary Historical Museum in nearby Junction City, Kansas. The museum is now housed in the old schoolhouse.
Our personal tour guide was a former kindergarten teacher in the school. We also walked the downtown Junction City area.
Tomorrow we leave Abilene, for Missouri.
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Seelye Mansion
October 3rd
84 Degrees
Last night we drove into nearby Enterprise, to watch the area’s only steam locomotive roll into town.
The engine was built in the early 1900’s and was a static park display since the 1950’s. Now it’s operational once again.
Last night was the last journey the train will take for the next 12-18+ months, due to planned refurbishment.
While in Enterprise, we also toured the old Grist Mill and bought some old fashioned locally-ground cornmeal.
After lunch today, we Walked old downtown Abilene and visited the old 1800’s era stores.
We then toured the Seelye Mansion, right in the heart of Abilene.
The 11,000sq ft mansion was built in 1904 by the Seelye Family (prescription medication maker) for $50,000.
Mr. Seelye’s two daughters kept the home after their parents passed. Terry Tietjens purchased the home in the 1980’s (all original furnishings included), fixed it up and turned the home into a museum.
He allowed the two Seelye sisters (then in their 80’s) to stay in the home until they also passed away a decade later. Everything in the home is where the sisters left them, including their hats and hair brushes.
We explored every room from the top floors, to the basement bowling alley.
NOTE: Dwight Eisenhower used to deliver ice to the mansion in high school, but only to the rear service porch.
Tomorrow we’ll visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library and nearby Junction City.
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Abilene, KS
October 2nd
80 Degrees
We left Oakley at 10am and continued east on I-70 to Abilene, Kansas.
In 1803, most of modern Kansas was secured by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state.
In 1857, Dickinson County was founded and Abilene began as a stage coach stop. It wasn’t until 1860 that it was named Abilene.
In 1867, the Kansas Pacific Railway (Union Pacific) pushed westward through Abilene. In the same year, Joseph G. McCoy purchased 250 acres of land north and east of Abilene, on which he built a hotel, the Drover’s Cottage, stockyards equipped for 2,000 heads of cattle, and a stable for their horses.
The Kansas Pacific put in a spur line at Abilene that enabled the cattle cars to be loaded and sent on to their destinations.
The first twenty carloads left September 5, 1867, en route to Chicago, Illinois, where McCoy was familiar with the market.
Abilene grew quickly and became the first “cow town” of the west.
We arrived at the Covered Wagon RV Park at 2pm. This family-owned park is just a half mile from ‘downtown’ and will be our home for the next three nights.
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Oakley, KS
October 1st
90 Degrees
Had strong winds and rain in the area last night in Colorado – winter will be arriving soon in the mile-high Denver area.
We left Colorado Springs at 11am and traveled north-east on State Highway 24 and connected to I-70 near Limon, Colorado.
Continued east on I-70 through mostly farming country into Kansas. A typical 25mph Kansas Plains wind was blowing most of the day.
Arrived at the High Plains RV Park in Oakely, Kansas, along I-70 at 5pm for the evening. This is a quiet family owned small-town RV park.
We were planning on staying the night at a I-70 rest area, but it was too hot to park without electricity for the evening.
Mostly wheat and corn fields and small farms in this part of western Kansas.
Tomorrow we continue east to Abilene, Kansas for a three night stay.
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Garden of the Gods State Park
September 30th
77 Degrees
Garden of the Gods is a city park just outside Colorado City and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
At about 250 BC, Native American people camped in the park and are believed to have been attracted to wildlife and plant life in the area and used overhangs created by the rocks for shelter.
In 1879, Charles Perkins, purchased 480 acres of land that included a portion of the present Garden of the Gods.
Upon Perkins’ death, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909, with the provision that it would be a free public park. Palmer had owned the nearby Rock Ledge Ranch and upon his death it was donated to the city.
The park’s 21 miles of hiking trails and visitor center is still free to this day!
We drove the scenic park’s drive and hiked a couple of the trails. Beautiful weather and scenery.
Tomorrow we leave Colorado, east into Kansas.
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Pikes Peak Cog Railway
September 29th
Summit: 25 Degrees
We had a quiet night at the RV park and drove the short distance to the Cog Railway train depot at 11am.
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway opened in 1890, with a nine mile rail journey to the summit of the peak. It’s based on the many cog railways in Switzerland.
Before the railway was built, it took two days to reach the top of Pikes Peak by mule.
Normal trains can’t climb the 12%-25% grade, so a cog & rack system was used to help pull the trains up, without causing the train’s wheels to slip on the steep rails.
The trains started out as steam powered (1 ton of coal used per trip), but were upgraded to gasoline engines in 1938, and to diesel in 1964. The tracks and depot were refurbished in 2012.
We departed the 3.5 hour round trip to the summit @ 8mph, leaving at noon. Our tickets were purchased nine months ago, so we were able to pick front row seats on the train, next to the engineer.
The summit visitor’s center at an elevation of 14,115′ was breathtaking both from the view, but also from the very thin air.
We had winds, snow, hail and thunder while on top of Pike’s Peak.
After the train ride, we walked the small town of Manitou at the base of the railway.
Tomorrow, we explore the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs.
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Colorado Springs, CO:
September 28th
78 Degrees
We left Cheyenne at 9am and traveled south on I-25 into Colorado.
Continued south through Denver and onto Colorado Springs. Traffic and road construction was a nightmare along I-25 all the way from Wyoming!
Colorado Springs (elevation: 6,035′) is along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountain Range, was first established in 1859, during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.
The region is also one of the most active lightening strike areas in the United States.
We’ll be spending three nights at the Colorado Springs Holiday KOA.
This KOA is a very large modern facility, with sights of Pikes Peak out our back window.
After setting up camp, we drove the 10 minutes into Old Colorado City and walked the Old Town area of shops and stores.
Tomorrow we travel to the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak via a cog railway.
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Cheyenne, WY:
September 27th:
75 Degrees
We left Little America at 6am and traveled three hours east along I-80 to the small town of Rawlins, WY, and to the Old Wyoming State Penitentiary.
The prison cornerstone was laid in 1888 and opened in 1901. The original buildings had 104 cells, but no electricity or running water. Heating in the winter was poor.
More buildings and cells were added over the years, including a women’s cell block, license plate factory, a death-house and a punishment dungeon.
Executions started with a ‘traveling gallows’, which was moved indoors in 1916. A gas chamber was added in 1936 to add to the fun!
We toured the cell blocks, buildings and grounds of the old prison.
After lunch, we continued east to Cheyenne, WY and to the AB Camping RV Park. We’ll spend one night in Cheyenne.
It started to lightly rain just after dinner and became cooler.
Tomorrow we’re heading south to Colorado.
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Little America, WY:
September 26th:
77 Degrees
We left West Endover at 10am into Utah and continued east on I-80.
Almost immediately dropped in elevation into the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bonneville is well known for their mile land-speed record runs along the hard salt flats.
We continued east and past the Great Salt Lake and through Salt Lake City and Park City, which is home of the Winter Olympic Training Facility.
Arrived in Little America, Wyoming at 3pm.
Little America is a very large travel center & truck stop, including a motel, small RV park, restaurant, repair facility, etc.
We’ll spend one night in the truck parking area and leave tomorrow for an old prison tour and Cheyenne.
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West Wendover, Nevada:
September 25th:
80 Degrees
After a cool quiet night in the 40’s, we left the Winnemucca area at 11am and continued our journey eastbound on I-80.
We traveled past the towns of Battle Mountain and Elko.
Battle mountain was named by California emigrants that battled Shoshone Indians in the area during the 1800’s.
This part of eastern Nevada is also known for it’s gold mining. The sixth largest gold mine in the world is at the nearby Cortex Mine.
We arrived at West Endover, NV at 4pm. The middle of the town is split by the border of Nevada and Utah. We’ll be spending on night at one of the large casino parking lots in town.
Tomorrow we’ll continue through Utah and into Wyoming.
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Imlay, Nevada:
September 24th:
80 Degrees
After a couple of days of routine maintenance on the truck and trailer and packing, we left Rocklin at 1pm.
Since our stop tonight is in the middle of the Nevada Desert, we have it planned to arrive just before dark, to beat any daytime heat.
We hit east-bound I-80 and traveled the two hours up and over the Sierra Mountain Range. This time of year, it’s free from storms and snow.
Had a snack at the Donner Lake area rest stop and continued into Nevada.
Passing Reno, we continued east into the Nevada Desert and past the towns of Sparks, Fernley and Lovelock.
We arrived at the I-80 Cosgrave Rest Area (a few miles west of Winnemucca) at 7pm for the night.
This large rest area has separate parking areas for cars, RV’s and trucks + it’s away from the interstate noise.
Tomorrow were off to the Utah border.
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Rocklin Roamers 