Here we Go!! To Mackinac Island by Hydro-Jet Boat.....

August 27, Thursday, Today we drive over to the ferry crossing and used our free tickets for the crossing(We still don't believe the generosity of these Michigan People!!). The Ferry ride is on a Hydro-jet boat..what a fast trip..20 minutes and we arrive. Wow..what is that Smell??? Guess what ...The Horse liquid on the street is TERRIBLE!!! They do clean up the Road Apples but not the rest (YUCK !!!).

Main street is full of shops..mostly Fudge Shops..I heard 17 shops... Lots of specials on Fudge. We headed for the Horse Surrey guided tours of the island, we signed up for the tour and the ButterFly House too. We had the 1:45 tour, started with a downtown tour ...up to the Grand Hotel..passed it.. then pass the horse stables...to the ButterFly house...we spent about 45 minutes there. Then onto another tour thru the Mackinac State Park on the Island..Dave was our guide..one cool guy.. Next stop was the Stone Arch along the coast then back to the gift shop for a switch to the return surrey to down town. We passed the Grand Hotel, some got off for a look, we continued on. It was $10.00 admission to sit on the front porch of the Grand Hotel...I can sit under my awning for Free!!! The surrey tour lasted till 5pm,then we then headed for a pizza/salad buffet at the Murray Hotel on Main St. Then we walked around the shops and caught the 7pm ferry back to the mainland. Back to camp,Had a Great Day!!! ZZzzzz
Here is the Album..Mackinac http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/MackinacMichigan#
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

Seul Choix Point Lighthouse......Read on....

August 26, Wednesday, We got going by 9 am today..Weather is sunny about 70* and a great day for travel. Down the road we saw a billboard for a Historic Light House..Seul Choix Point Lighthouse. We turned down the side road for 8 miles back to the waterfront. We took the $3.00 tour and saw the residence fo lighthouse keepers and walked up 96 steps to the light. While in the tower I talked to some other tourists there. In talking they told us how to get to Mackinac Bridge area. We talked about going to the Island also. They said them were not going there but had tickets for the Ferry crossing. WOW...They gave us 2 round trip tickets for the ferry, value of $50.00 how's that for friendly people in Michigan. We parted and kept saying Thank-You...and then waved good-bye to them as they drove off... What Nice People!!!

We left and drove another 60 miles and arrived in St. Ignace at Straits State Park. We got a space near the waterfront area in the second row, there are sites up on the hill away from the lake too. We paid for 4 nights to stay and see the area. We needed groceries so off to town we go to restock. Today was about 150 miles and we are now enjoying a campfire beside the airstream. I did get some night shots of the Mackinac Bridge from the shore line. We did not cross the bridge yet as we are on the north side for now. God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol

Everyone in "Yooper Land" Has a Car Snowplow!!!

August 25, Tuesday. We woke up to rain drizzle, but decided to leave anyways at 10 am for Mackinac City. We drove down highway 41 then down to the south coast of the UP on Rt 2 we drove all along the coast towns with Lake Michigan on the right side of highway. We stopped at a "Yooper" Tourist Trap Gift shop. Very interesting collection of odd vehicles made into some fun contraptions. I ask what is a Yooper? Answer is the upper peninsula people are nicknamed "Yoopers" and the south of the UP people are called Flat Landers!!! It finally stopped raining so the drive became a nice afternoon.

Around 4 pm we stopped for the night at Whispering RV Park. A nice level sites and full hook-ups with cable and wi-fi too. But the wi-fi would would recieve e-mails but would not let me e-mail out!!! I did download my Blog and 2 photo albums, I hope you saw them even though I didn't tell you to look. God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol

Camper on fire in the campground...read on....

August 22, Saturday, Continued, We went form a drive to Houghton. We saw the Quincy Mine Shaft Historical Site. We decided to stop and take the tour.This was a 2 hour tour in the building where they had a steam engine ...Big Ball Pulley... operate the mine cables to pull up the copper filled cars(7 tons) to the top of the mine and drop it into the mining buildings for mining the copper. There were 92 levels to the mine in it's hay day. Now there are only 7 floors down, the rest are filled with water. We then loaded onto a cog car for a descent down the mountain to the seventh level on the outside. We then loaded onto a outdoor wagon with bench seats pulled by a small John Deere tractor into the mine at one level into the shaft 2,000 feet, wet,damp,and dreary. We had hard hats and Carhart jackets on, it was 43* down here. I don't know how miners can do this everyday for a 10 hour shift. When working the mines are full of rock dust all the time. We then heard stories of how they worked here and the tools they used.( I will stay above ground to work!!!) We walked around a little then back up the cog railroad up the mountain. We saw interesting antique mining equipment all around the fields just rusting away.

We then drove around seeing the sights in Houghton, there was a RV park along the river, I stopped and she said they have been full all summer. Back to camp...zzzzzzz

August 23, we wanted to drive around today too but the Van just went grr..grr..grr..Battery Dead!! Being sunday, I said lets wait till monday when something is open to fix the van. we just hung around the camp and watched the waves on the shore then later tonight we watched the beautiful sunset!!! We collected rocks too just like "Lucy" in "The Long Long trailer" movie.

August 24,Monday..load up laundry and grr..grr.grr again, a neighbor camper helped jump start the van..Nope it didn't start. So I called CoachNet RV Airstream Road Service from the camp office..cell doesn't work here. They said someone will be there 45-60 minutes. 45 minutes later a tow truck showed up, he hooked up the van for the garage trip. On the way his fire pager went off..Camper fire in McLain Park, my ears perked up!!! They said site #12 I was in #33..relief. The scanner said fully involved camper and car. As soon as the tow truck dropped me, he got a call from 911 to respond to pick up the camper.

Off he goes, I am here to fix the van I hope. The man "Dave" checks out the battery and finds it ok, just wondering is there a second battery? YES there was..that was the one that was dead..guess what? It is under the floor at the back wheels in a box strapped up to the floor. The other man "Rodney" stuggles to retrieve the battery..got it...yes this is the one DEAD!! They order one and it is here in 10 minutes. Rodney installs it shortly and the Van starts!!! Yeah!! Problem fixed..

The tow truck man returns with the motorhome on tow truck rollback...sad..sad..completely burned out. The people were out walking and their 2 dogs were left inside and perished in the fire...sad..sad!! Carol was there at camp when the firemen arrived and grabbed the camera to take pictures from a distance, she got some pretty good shots too!! I am glad I trained her to take good shots these past 2 months...Great Job Carol!!! I made copies of the shots and gave them to the people. They also lost the car which was parked behind the motorhome.

Well we started to do laundry this am and we made it to the laundry by 5pm..not bad?? We will be leaving in the am for Mackinaw City on tuesday...Just follow along!!! Pictures are posted ...http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/UpperPeninsulaMichigan# 2http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/Rt20NebraskaIowaIntoWisconsinMichigan# new albums posted today

God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol

Snow Thermometer....39 feet???in one year!!!

August 21, Friday, We awake to a steady rain again, it is supposed to clear up this afternoon. We decided not to tear down in the rain, so we will stay one more day here at Ft.Wilkins. We end up going for a drive to Calumet for a look around. We arrive downtown and all the streets are paved in brick,quiant old historical town. We see the Fire House Museum is just opening by a volunteer "John" His grandfather & father were some of the early members here. There was a $2.00 admission charge here to see the old fire house and equipment, we toured the place then went upstairs to see more, This was a collection of neat old fire stuff, If they had more $$$ they could display it in a nicer display cabinets etc. John said they are very short on $$$, some months they have a hard time paying the electric bill. We also bought a soda out of the machine for $1.00 John said wow!! I made $5.00 so far today more than all week ..it was sad to see the place in such a need of finances!! We then drove around town to see more old buildings, some were pretty cool others were abandon and boarded up with no future in sight.

We then went out to McLain Park to see if they were full and look at the sites for camping. This place is right on the Lake Superior Water front sites. We will come here tomorrow!!! We pass a Therometer of snow fall from previous years, one year it snowed 390'' here, Thats alot!!! We drove about a 100 miles today then back to camp for a pizza supper.

At 7:30pm we left for Brockway Mountain top again because the sky did clear up and I think we will see a sunset tonite. We drive up the mountain to the top..WOW...The view is forever!!! We can see mountains on one side and Lake Superior on the other...Beautiful sight to see the lake run off into the horizon. The sun is up in the upper clouds hiding, We wait for an hour to see it come down into the opening, so do many other cars arrive. Must be a popular spot for everyone. About 8:30 the sun peeks thru the bottom of a cloud then into the opening before the horizon, just a big Ball of Orange Glow..click..click..click.. I got a few shots. Then we drive down the otherside toward Eagle Harbor, the sky is still red along the waterfront, I try some more pictures but no success of good shots here, too late I guess. Back to camp..zzzzzzz

August 22,Saturday, we tear down at 8 am to head for McLain which is 40 miles away. Arriving at 9 am there is a good site available in the 2nd row. Our trailer's rear faces the lake, so we have a wind buffer from the lake. The sun is shinning brightly today & we have a great site for the next 3 nights. I hope to get some good sunset shots here too!!
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

Sunset at Copper Harbor ..............


Aug 18, Tuesday, Rise and shine off we go to the northern tip of the Upper Penisula of Copper Harbor,Michigan. We travel along some pretty highway scenery thru alot of trees that are over hang the highway. we arrive in Copper Harbor State Park and pick a site..#169. We decide to stay 6 nights here to see all the area. $23.00/electric per nite & we have to buy a season stamp of $29.00 for a pass to all Michigan state parks. We get a nice site next to the showers and plenty of shade. It is cold here because of the lakes and the wind passing over them into the area. It is the first time I wear a sweatshirt this summer. But it does feel good to have the breeze blowin'.

We take a drive along Rt 26 all along Lake Superior stopping to see the overlooks and pull offs. Beautiful sites as always and picture time. We even pass a sign telling us to watch out for blowing sand across the highway. We drive to Eagle Harbor and then to Eagle River enjoying the drive all the way then return on Highway 41 back to camp. We see the sunset along the way back.

August 19,Wednesday, We tour the local fort..Fort Wilkins Historic Park..This is a collection of buildings, redone to the 1800's the way they were during the time they were designed to keep peace in Michigan copper country. The town of Copper Harbor is a neat little village of craft shops, little cottage cabins everywhere, a general store, and a waterfront of resturants and boat docks for cruises from here. Tonite we made a campfire to relax around and to pass the time.ZZzzzzzzzzz

Aug 20,Thursday, Also the 74th day on the road, would you believe this is the first bad weather day since we left home!!!! It is Raining and low fog clouds all around us, it is a slow drizzle all day. We can't see more than a mile. We drove up Brockway mountain road to the top of the mountain. It was a no show at all the turn-offs for a look down the mountain across Lake Superior. Maybe later this week we can come back. We ate supper in Copper Harbor at a small resturant. There was a humming bird out side the window drinking from the water feeder. It is still drizzling and back to camp for a night of dvd's movies of "Mash" and "Roy Rodgers" Tomorrow, we will packup and move 40 miles to McLain State Park to see the sights around there. ZZZZZZZZZZ God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

August 16, Sunday, We leave Pikes Peak Camp and headed up the Mississippi River. The first town we hit is Marquette,Iowa, They have a Showboat Casino with a buffet for sunday brunch. I stopped to take pictures of the Showboat, but found out they don't run the river anymore and it is stationary along the river. Carol and I went in for brunch, they had 3 buffet bars full of breakfast,dinner, and salad bar. We filled up fast,every thing was delicious. We then went over to the showboat, lots of people spending $$$$$ I lost $2.00 that was enough.. We went up to the top deck to look around and left shortly.

We went into Marquette and walk around the stores down town, there was also a R/R Station there too!! My buddy Dick Marquette loves trains!!! So I took a few pictures for him, I will send them later. Just imagine ..."Marquette Train Station" I know he would have loved this town!!

Then we crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin and followed the river north. We did see trailers placed on cement blocks WAY UP in the air, to be above flood waters. It sure looked Funny to see them so high above ground(grin). We then headed for Michigan across the state. We saw a park for camping later in the day at PinePoint County Park, we pulled in and it was 1/2 empty or 1/2 full. We found a site along the lake, the sunset was happening, so I hooked up the electric and skooted down to the lakefront for some shots of the sunset...click..click. Awesome!!! Then back to the airstream for supper,that Carol made for us, it is almost 9pm by now ..over 200 miles today. ZZZZZZZZZZ

The next morning Monday, August 17, I hear Carol up at 7 am and I look out the window at the lake and it is covered with a ground/water fog...time for pictures!!! Quickly I arose and grab the camera and headed for the lake front...Yes I did get dressed!!! Click..click.. the morning is the best time to take soft color pictures... wow great view. We then eat breakfast then leave by 9 am for Michigan.

First we stop at Wal-Mart to restock the airstream. We follow Rt 8 east..then Rt51 north to Ironwood into Michigan following Rt28 east. We turn at Bruce Crossing onto Rt 26 and see a town park on the right with some campers in there. We decided to stop early for the night, donation of $10.00/nite honor system with a lock box at registration. We have water/electric. Carol makes supper of Chicken/potatoes...yum..yum.. we eat outside and later watch the sunset..romantic ain't we??? Another 230 mile day ..Thats enough!! ZZZZZZZZZ
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

HORRAY!!! I hit a Single at the Field of Dreams!!! Read on!!!

August 15,Saturday, Last night the train went thru again, but this time he blew his horn out of town and just went thru town quietly, I had to look out the window to see if he was going thru. Thank-you Train Engineer!!! After a good nights rest , we packed up again and left Webster City on Rt 20 east.

We traveled about 150 miles to Dyersville,Iowa, 1st we stop at the Toy Farm Tractor Museum. We eat a lunch in the trailer then go in the museum. The cost is $5.00/each then thru the doors...THOUSANDS of Toy Tractors!!! Rows and rows of display cases with so many toy tractors, they are displayed by manufactures and models too. Unbelievable??? I never saw so many tractors, we read some of the display signs, International Harvester tractor display had a game of 14 questions and when you filled out the card..correctly..you got a multi-colored pencil..it changes color when you hold it in your hand and the heat changes the color. We were there about 1 1/2 hour..great museum for Big Kids..see but don't touch!

Next we go into town to see "Basilica of St. Francis Xavier'' Catholic church...It took up a whole city block. Mass was at 4pm and we were going past a few minutes before. Across the street,cars parked in the street side by side and behind each other blocking the whole street, lots of people were on the sidewalk headed toward the church.

Then we saw a sign for "Field of Dreams" 3 miles outside of town, I decided to follow the road. When we got there the parking lot was filled with Baseball Fans wanting to play baseball on the field, where the Movie was made. There is no organized games allowed, just take turns hitting,running, and fielding the field. I saw all ages & all boys & girls playing....Guess what??? I stepped up next to bat..I told the pitcher to take it easy on this old man...Grin... I hit the 1st pitch and ran...I Got a Single!!! Then was called out on the next hit to 2nd hit by the next kid. I guess I should have run faster!! Then I got some pictures around the farm. We spent about an hour there also...This place is popular with the tourists..over 65,000 come here each year!!

Then we continued north on Rt 136 to Rt 52 to follow the Mississippi River. We arrive at Pikes Peak State Park and get a site for the night. Complete with electric and showers across from the campsite. Beautiful day and night here, we ate at the picnic table and enjoyed the neighborhood... showers later..then Zzzzzz ... 200 miles today(still no plans..just look and see the sights!!!) Tomorrow more Adventure..............
God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol

Some of the old Barns along Rt 20

August 14, Friday, I can't believe it is friday already? We hang out this am taking our time to eat and tear down the camp, it is so easy here unplug elec, then unhook water hose..Done!! we leave here about 11 am for Iowa, We have to take a detour to get around Rt 20 to the east. It is about 34 miles out around. You have to remember that these states don't have alot of back roads. Most roads are anywhere from 6-7 miles between intersections so when you drive around the square detour you do drive 21-28 miles out into the country. That is why these Ranches are so big as to being chopped up in little plots. Boths sides of the highway, corn fields are growing as far as you can see...thousands of acres of corn. There are also water giants spreading water over the corn to help it grow.

I look out my window to the rear and see that my stone guard has let loose on one of the screws...stop to make a rivet repair in 15 minutes and off we go again. Thanks goodness for rivets and duck tape, I do know how to use those tools..not much else though.

In about 50 miles down Rt 20 we enter Iowa..still on Rt 20 however the little towns are now off the 4-lane highway, more people I guess. I am seeing more traffic now, so now I have to be on guard for the other guy. I am still stopping and getting some pretty good shots tho!!! We pull into Webster City, Iowa and find the city park..here it is $12.00/electric hook-up ...Looks nice, several trailers are here, creek on one side and a R/R on the other. Everyone is on the creekside and I am on the R/R side of the park. Well here comes a train as I type..bells/crossing ringing...AIR HORN Blaring!!!! WOW..My Ears hurt!! A truck just crossed the tracks a few feet in front of the train, the engineer laid on the HORN for a long time... It doesn't matter which side of the park you camped on ..it is LOUD!!! Well I hope I sleep soundly tonite! I am tired and covered 267 miles today, we should be in Wisconsin tomorrow, I hope to drive along the Mississippi River towns, but we'll see...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
God Bless....AirstreamHobo & Carol

Aug 13, Thursday, today we only moved about 35 miles(because of a detour actually only 15 miles) We are in Plainview, NB. and are camped in another city park..Free!! water/electric hookups too!!

We are across the street from"KlownDoll Museum" Largest in the world!! Over 4,000 Clowns on display...wanna see all the pictures??..grin..This museum has all kinds of clown figurines and pictures on display..all were donated by clown lovers...They have never bought anyones collection but have recieved donations from all over the world. Mary was our guide and took about an hour to point out the special ones to us. She sure knows her clowns.

I spotted a collection of 3 paintings for Sale and ask how much? Now "Obie" has 3 awesome clown paintings in his posession...Yeah!! I went to clown college and had this person as my teacher at one of the seminars, he has since passed on, so I knew I had to have these paintings.They are also autographed by him and the artist. Did you see the SMILE on my Face??????

We are parked across the street, so I did return this afternoon to pickup the paintings and take some pictures....I won't bore you with them all ,so the ones above will be enough!! Do you realize since I left home I have seen the Circus museum, a Circus Parade, now this a Klown Doll museum Too!! What a fun Day!! Tomorrow we will leave early and continue along Rt 20 into Iowa...follow along....

God Bless ...AirstreamHobo & Carol

This is Rt 20 across America in Nebraska..lots of little Towns to pass thru!!

Aug 11,Tuesday, Up and going... we stop to wash the rigs as they have alot of dust on them and time to clean them!!! They travel faster and better mileage when clean??? We follow the highway 120 out of town toward Nebraska, we decided to go south and catch RT 20 to follow all across the states to Wisconsin.

We go thru the Wind River Canyon..high rock walls on both sides of us. at dinner we pull over at a pull off.. there is a Yellow Train with a Back/hoe on the low bucket cars on the top rails, he is scooping stones out of the cars and dumping them along the tracks for filler. we make lunch and watch him work and move along the cars emptying each car as he goes. Entertainment while we eat...wow!! Then off we go again...into Nebraska finally..around 4-5 pm and stop at Fort Roberts State Park, They have campground there, we pick a site and make supper and relax. I don't even unhook tonight, we want to leave early again tomorrow. 350 miles today..

Aug 12,Wednesday, we check out the Fort Roberts before we leave then we follow Rt 20 east. just a 2 lane highwaybut the speed limit is 65 all the way with reduced speeds at each little town. Alot of towns have dwindled down in size and alot of abandon buildings are present. We stop for fuel and lunch, in the diner there are hard working cowpokes taking a break. You can tell they work outside and hard Too!! They are very polite and friendly too. There are poloroid pictures on the wall, I ask..she said this wall is Truckers..next cowboys..next motorcyclists...What No Clowns?? She said they are all clowns, so I give her a "Obie" card and she tapes it to the wall next to front door...Look for it if you stop in!! Sands Cafe is the Diner, Merriman,Nebraska.

There is a book on the table with mile markers all along Rt 20 and it explains what to see. I ask for one and she said they are free. It is nice to read short essays about each town, some have 39 residents some have more or less. But each highway town sign has the population on them. We stop and drive around each little village and return to the highway again. It is a shame for some of these towns that used to have such buildings,but now are in disrepair.

We arrive in Randolph,Nebraska, they have a town park for tourists to camp in the night...did I say FREE!!! You get water/electric too...but you may leave a donation too...what a nice gesture for these towns...yes... each town does this...5-10 spots Free!! Just Donation. Think of the business they bring in from campers. I already spent $60.00 on fuel and plan to get a few groceries tomorrow...NO Wal-Marts Here!! Just Mom & Pop Stores the Back Bone of America!! Sometimes we get caught up the fast life we forget what did build these small towns years ago..now some are falling apart. There are 3 motorhomes and 2 trailers here tonight. A late supper under the Beautiful Sunset!! 370 miles today...Then zzzzzzzzzz
God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/Rt20Nebraska#

Youth RV Park, Thermopolis,Wy.

Aug 11,Tuesday, To day we also made a historical stop. 20 years ago when I joined the airstream club, I read about a couple that traveled in their Airstream around the world. They were Oscar & Etta Payne from Thermopolis,WY. I knew I was going thru their town, so I stopped at a museum at the beginning of town to inquire. I met a nice lady,Donna, who looked up the info and told me where they used to live. I knew they owned a campground with Hot Mineral Water Spa on the grounds.

So off we went to the Youth RV Campground at the edge of town. I pulled in and was greeted by a host, Jim, He showed us around the camp and told us the Paynes had traveled 64 countries in their 15' airstream. He wishes he could do that!! When they were home they would soak everyday in the hot mineral water, would you believe Oscar lived to age of 103 and Etta live to almost 100..WOW!! I was hoping to see their old airstream but was told it is in Casper somewhere. I did touch the hot water( It was 103* in the first part then down to 92* in the third part of the pool..all natural heat.) and it felt inviting but we wanted to keep moving. The camp charges $33.00 a day for full hookups and the hot springs swimming is included. Jim did tell me that the whole place ..buildings is heated by the hot springs.

20 years ago I did write to Etta and she sent me a book, one of several she wrote about their trips around the world. I still have that book, I guess I will have to get it out and read it again. I did call Pee Wee Schamborn to tell him where I was, and I could tell in his voice he was delighted to hear that, he was the advance scout for that Caravan.He said they were very little people about 5' tall and were very adventuress for their age, Oscar was in his 70-80's when they did the Cape Town to Cairo Caravan then continued on the Around the World Caravan. Wow, to do that today would be fun, but so much red tape is required today. So any ways, I was part of a historical venture today by being in their campground and learning new info on the Paynes!!! http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/CodyToNebraska#
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

Old West Town ......Cody,Wy.

Aug 10,Monday, We decided to stay one more day in Cody..ain't retirement full of decisions? Time to catch up on laundry, we are lucky that that the laundry is right across from the camper in the campground. So we fill our time this am doing the necessaries.

After lunch. we drive over to see the Old Town West...old buildings of the West. It was Ok ? same as 1880 Old Town, but we liked 1880 Old Town better. After the short tour, the lady here said don't miss the Trading Post across the street. We stopped in to see the "Trading Post Gift Shop" but in the back half there was a giant room filled with Old West stuff and a Minature Old West Layout behind glass. There were buttons along the glass to push to give us a short explaination of the layout. Wow..this was great!! And Free Too/ Donation Box at the end...of course I left a donation!! In the room had Cowboy & Indian outfits that were displayed all along the outside wall around the room. The layout was about 40 wide and 75 feet long for the minatures. They even had trains running.

Then back to camp for a snooze...at 5:30 we went downtown for the daily Gunfight Shoot-out with real cowboys at the Irma Hotel (Buffalo Bill's Hotel)... We got to see them enact a shoot-out and do their funny stunts. They sold Posters with their pictures on for Charity. After the show they all autographed the poster. Then Carol & I went to a resturant across the street for a good old west meal. The cowboy bar/resturant was full of patrons but we got a table right away. I had Roast beef hoagie..Carol had a Bacon/burger, Very Good!! After the meal we walked around and poked in several gift shops, cowboy stuff is very expensive!! zzzzzz
God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol

Buffalo Bill Historical Museum, Cody,Wy.

Aug 9, Sunday, Carol needs a rest today, so I go downtown to the Buffalo Bill Museum for a look. This the Museum of the West, if you want to see alot of interesting facts of the West! Admission is only $15.00/adults and is good for 2 days if you need it. The Building is huge, 300,000 square feet, but is pleasure to walk around and see all the displays.

There is many different wings for each part of history, Buffalo Bills' Wild West Show artifacts, Indians, Art Gallery of Western Art, Hands on Nature & workshops of the outdoors, Guns...lots of guns...1,500 here then 1,200 on the second floor if you didn't see enough(I did and skipped the second floor!), Buffalo Bill's family history and his personal collectables. This Museum is a must see for everyone. I thoughly enjoyed this afternoon of Western History Lesson.

Back to camp for supper, Carol is feeling better, so I take her out for supper at "Bubbas Bar-B-Que" What a tasty meal Chicken & Ribs & Salad Bar. Then we watched the sunset at the west end of town, seeing the sun go down behind the mountain range, last night the sun was bright Red!! zzzzzz God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol

View from the Top of Beartooth Highway Scenic Drive

Aug 8, Saturday, Off we go for a drive of a lifetime...We have the map in hand of loops to follow for scenic drives, We pick the Beartooth Highway..right choice!! About 15 miles from Cody, we hit the mountain range...here we go!! Up..Up..surprises around each curve, more beautiful scenery, pictures don't copy what we are about to see.

We pulled off alot of scenic overlooks, even the big burly motorcycle riders said .."Wow..Gee..what do we tell the folks back home, how do you describe this awesome nature that abounds Us...Yes there is a God!!" Only he could make this wonder of the world. This was the quote that we heard all day as we followed the cyclists and other tourist also on this tour.

We arrived in Cooke City,Montana, here is a city that lost it's blacktop road this spring and have been dealing with a hard dirt road with a few bumps for 8 miles of constuction all the way to Yellowstone. I think it added to the mystery of a mountain town. We stopped in the historical general store for a look, there were old fashion counters, display cases, cash register, scales, and a display of old grocery items on the top shelf for display. Then we walked around the other buildings in town, it was a one block town on both sides with all dirt road in between. Then back on the road into,Silver Gate,then Yellowstone north east entrance, now we have been to all 4 sides of Yellowstone. After a short drive in Lamar Valley, we turn around to head for Beartooth Highway.

We hit the Beartooth and here we are amazed by the beautiful drive, Up..switchbacks..up..stopping everywhere to just gaze down into the valleys and to see the cloud cover moving in. We did drive above the clouds for a few miles, we hit rain...hail..sleet..then it began to snow( yes I said snow!! on August 8th, can you believe this?).We got up 10,000 feet in elevation among the snow banks along the road, stopping to walk on snow. I just had to make a snowball and fired one off to Carol..then the fight started...Brrr our hands are cold!

Then we started down the drive..stopping along the way, pulloffs are at every turn, a different view at each one. The cyclists pull in , they have ski masks ,gloves,all leathers on and they are frozen bodies shivering looking for warmth by stopping to rest up. We desended about 10 miles .switch backs all the time..20mph is top speed most of the time!! I didn't touch the gas pedal for 10 miles just coasted down. My pictures don't do the drive justice, you have to see it for yourself. We arrive back at camp at 7:30 pm , a total of 275 miles of all scenic drive. zzzzzzzzz

New pictures posted.. http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/CodyWYBeartooth#
God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol

Balloon Lift-off at Cody,Wy.

Aug 8, Saturday, would you believe I got up at 5:30 am again?? The weather was great for a balloon launch this morning. I went to the park and most had their balloons laid out on the yard, time to fill them with air then hot air for lift off. The colors are so vivid on each balloon. It wasn't long before the first lifted, then another, the sunrise was awesome too. About a dozen balloons were off into the sunrise before the hour was up. Click..click.. lots of colorful and into the sun shots. All this before 7:30 am, can you believe this ? I went back to get Carol for a long drive today on the Beartooth Highway scenic drive...off we go!! More later!! God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

Beautiful Drive from Yellowstone to Cody!!!

Aug 6, Thursday, We leave Yellowstone after a week/8 Days of Fun enjoying the area. I know we have missed some parts of the park, so we will have to come back some day. We leave at 9 am head to West Yellowstone at an RV park to dump and fill up with water. We enter the park to head for the east entrance. We pass the Eagles'nest one more time, traffic is always backed up for 2-3 miles and takes 1/2 hour to pass. Then onto Yellowstone Lake for a pull-off for a short lunch break,boy I love the scenery here. Water splashing against the shoreline for a bit of natures' musical beat. Click..click more pictures.

Then up..up..a mountain to go over Sylvan Pass over 10,000 feet up ...what a view of Yellowstone Lake..wow..wow !!! Then here we go down..down..at least 10 miles without the foot on the gas pedal...just breaks to slow down. Some guard rails are broken thru..wonder what happen?? Then thru the east gate..100 miles so far..took 3-4 hours. We pass lots of campgrounds in the wilderness before Cody.

We pass the Buffalo Bill Dam thru 3 tunnels thru solid rock mountains..beautiful tunnels with rock formations inside. We arrive into Cody, stopping 1st at Visitor Center for maps and camp info. We find the campground (Absaroka Bay RV Park) at the other end of Cody. 99 sites with all pull thru..w/e/s & wi-fi.. yeah... yeah!! We set up then drive around deciding what to do for the next 4 days. Balloon Rally, Buffalo Bill Museum, Shopping/groceries/ , Drive the Beartooth Highway, Dan Miller Cowboy Show(Great Show) , Dinner at Buffalo Bill's Hotel (great lunch buffet), oil change,haircuts, Etc.

Aug 7, Friday, I wake up at 5:30 am (yes thats right!!) and drive to the park to see the Balloons lift off..Too windy this am..one does tether for a while. Also it is stormy at 4-5 pm too so No Balloons today. Maybe tomorrow?? We ate at the hotel Buffet todays lunch, then both of us got haircuts, off to the Dam for a tour/film. Then back to rest before tonights "Dan Miller Show" in the old movie theater,great show and entertainers. Quick stop at McDonalds for a sundae treat, back to camp..zzzzzzzzzzzzz
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

The Falls at Yellowstone!!

Aug 3,Monday, It's been a few days since I wrote here, but we been busy touring around the area. One day we went into Yellowstone and drove to Canyon Village. all of Yellowstone is set up about 14-16 miles apart from each highlight of the park.It is a beautiful drive to each area and we learn to stop certain places for pictures. The Canyon Area has the waterfalls to see and many turn outs to get closer. all the campgrounds have been marked full all week, this is a poplar place to camp. Only one,Fishing Bridge, has full hookups for $35.00/nite the rest are $18.00/nite with no hookups. Lots of generators are in use here.


Another day drive was to Mammoth Hot Springs with lots of thermal activity with lots of steam spouting off. Lots of colorful areas here. We did see plenty of buffalo in the park, once we were in a five mile backup. The Ranger urged everyone to keep moving..Tourists!!! Me Too!!

We did see a coyote in the woods come out to the highway, he sure looked sneaky walking around..ears up all the time listing for danger. The next backup was because of a Big Brown Bear across the river/stream with cars just stopping everywhere,me too but I did pull off the road to safety. We were there about 1/2 hour watching him walking thru the trees and come down to the water edge for a drink. But I think all the chatter on this bank scared him back further into the woods. I did get some good shots..naturally!!

We headed for the north entrance and thru the Stone Arch into Gardiner for a short look around. Back in the park we saw more antelope and then a herd of Elk at the Yellowstone Hotel just basking in the sun in the front yard,people were watching from their hotel windows.

Tonite after supper we take a dusk drive around the area that people recommended.So off we go past Quake Lake which an Earthquake struck here 50 years ago and a mountain side just slid down over a campground of 250 campers,killing 28 people and injuring 150 also. We saw the mountain and it looks like someone just sliced a layer of rock off the side. They never did find the 28 people. Then we continued down the route and thru Idaho for a few miles then back into Montanna. WOW what mountains and seeing cabins all by themselves with no neighbors. There was plenty of firewood piled up next to some. I guess they are the ones that stay all winter.

We even see a Mountain Man Display of Vendors displaying their crafts and tent city. We did but tickets to see 3 Imax movies this week at different times..Yellowstone...Alaska..And Bears, They were awesome to see on the Big Screen!!

There is so much to see and do in the park and west Yellowstone that it is hard to keep track of the daily tours. We have hit all entrances to the park except the East Entrance which we will go to when we leave on thursday to go to Cody,Wy. Here are the pictures so far!!http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/Yellowstone2#
God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol