OK call us crazy!

Ok call us crazy, but we really like the desert foliage and natural beauty. Even at this time of the year when there are just a few blooms. On the second day we were "homeless" we packed a picnic lunch and took off for the western side of the Saguaro National Park. This is a repeat visit for us, but I will never tire of the peacefulness of a quiet drive or hike through the desert.


Barrel cactus.


Everything that is blooming now, seems to be yellow. Pretty pinks and purples come later in the spring.


After lunch I took a hike on an easy trail while Ron rested in the car. He really wants to come with me but would never make it with his knees.


Getting a little more challenging. Remember, I just
had another birthday :(


Yikes!!


The reward is a great view of these petroglyphs at the top of the trail, created over a thousand years ago by the Hohokam people.

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Hope all is well!

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

Before I start this post, I wanted to let everyone know you can now sign up to receive an email each time a new post is written. On the right hand side you'll see a box "Follow by Email". Enter your email address, type in the security letters/number (I know I hate this part too), then you will receive an email. Once you confirm the email you should be set up.

Since the coach was in repairs for 3 days we had to find something to do. We spent several hours at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. Ted DeGrazia (1909-1982)was the son of Italian immigrants. His appreciation of Territorial Arizona, the native cultures in the Sonoran Desert and his passion for art are the background for his magnificent paintings.

He established the Gallery in the Sun when he could not find any other galleries interested in exhibiting his artwork.




Many of his paintings have a religious theme.



"Wind from the East"


A self portrait





You can spend hours on the grounds which comprise of 10 acres in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. Besides the gallery there are beautiful gardens, a Mission in honor of Fr. Kino and dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico - Our Lady of Guadalupe. Using traditional adobe bricks crafted on site, De Grazia built the Gallery and many of the other structures.

In 1976 publications such as the WSJ and People Magazine reported he hauled 100 of his paintings on horseback into the Superstition Mountains and set them ablaze to protest inheritance taxes on works of art. An interesting fellow.

A must see if your in the Tucson area and like spending a few quiet, peaceful hours surrounded by beautiful art. And the admission is free!

Hope all is well!!

Catch Up

I recently read a blog I follow that stated a good blogger writes frequently, even if they don't have anything to say. I have a hard time writing a blog saying we went grocery shopping, did laundry and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. How boring!!!! However, waiting almost 3 months to post is just too long. We have been having fun and staying pretty busy, so here goes on the catch up...

After completing our job in Branson we hustled 4 days from Walmart to Walmart to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, FL for our company convention. Then the convention was non-stop for 4 days. It was our first one and we weren't sure what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised even though we didn't win an iPad or portable scanner. But we did win a beautiful quilt, learned some new things and met a lot of great people.


Halloween party participant. They like to have fun.
We went dressed as the "2011 World Series Champions".
Only because we had the jerseys.



We left Fort Lauderdale to arrive in San Antonio just in time to spend Thanksgiving with my nephew and his family. We had a great holiday dinner experiencing our first Turduken. It was delicious and for those who do not know what that is, it is a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck stuffed into a de-bond turkey with a layer of dressing in between. Of course we had all the wonderful side dishes to go with it. It's fun to experience the holidays with family in other parts of the country. One evening we toured a neighborhood where they go all out with lights and decorations.

One house had a decoration we all jumped out of the car like kids to stick
our heads through. From top left: John, Ron, Joan, Jack and Ali. Kandy was our photographer.

We had Christmas dinner with John, Kandy, Jack, Ali and Kandy's mother Gloria. A very nice, quiet, relaxing time. We ate, drank, opened gifts and played games. Our kind of entertainment.

While in San Antonio we visited the McNay Art Museum built by artist and educator Marion Koogler McNay in the 1920s, the Spanish Colonial Revival-style home opened as Texas’ first museum of modern art in 1954. We visited Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas exhibit.


They didn't allow pictures of the exhibit but
the gardens surrounding the museum were beautiful.



Kandy, Jack, Ron and I then enjoyed a great lunch at the Chart House Restaurant located in the 750 foot tall Tower of Americas . The restaurant is located at the top and rotates offering spectacular views of the city. We then walked out on the observation deck to take pictures.




During our time in San Antonio, my sister (Ann) took a 24 day trip to the hospital. I flew in for a 10 day visit while she was in ICU at Barnes, flew back to San Antonio for Christmas, then Ron and I took off by car January 6th for another 13 day visit to St. Louis. During my first trip I stayed with my sister-in-law, Margie and her family. I can't thank them enough for offering their home, support and love. We stayed with Ann & John during our second visit and was able to help with a few things around the house. She is doing really well and getting acclimated to her new medicine regiment. Thank you everyone who was aware of the situation and offered all their prayers and support.




Due to our delay we were able to celebrate Jack's 13th birthday.


Because of our detour to St. Louis we stayed in San Antonio a little longer than we had planned, leaving on February 4th for Tucson, Arizona. After one night stops in Ozona, Van Horn and Deming, NM, we arrived at the new Lazydays on February 7th. We bought our coach at Lazydays in Tampa, Florida and they bought out the Beaudry RV Park in Tucson last year. Although we have some "issues" with their Tampa service we are so glad to have a western location for coach repairs.


A little (very little) western Texas
campground humor!



While in San Antonio we sprung a leak in our refrigerator hose. The way these things are built it was impossible for us to locate the exact location of the problem but was able to place a bucket in the right spot to keep the bays from getting soaked. But because of the pressure when we used the shore water we had to empty the bucket 2-3 times a day. For over a month we used our water pump and reserve water. Until the water pump line developed a crack and we could hardly get any water pressure. So, even though we were going to a spend quiet, relaxed time at the Lazydays campground anyway, we made an appointment to get the leaks repaired. Along with a few other repairs, 3 days later we are back in full service without any leaks.

They had to order a few parts, one being a new jack, so once they arrive we will be back in Tucson to finalize the repairs.

I'm getting tired of writing and your probably getting tired of reading. So I'll end this post....but watch for others in a more timely fashion...promises...promises.

Hope all is well!!

GO CARDS!!

We were in St. Louis for a total of just over 7 weeks, but time sure does fly. We got to see all the family including some cousins on Ron’s side, friends and past work associates.

We left St. Louis for two weeks in September to work a job in Goodfield, IL. You gotta love “rural America” I don’t want to see another cornfield for awhile.


This is a real road our GPS took us on just outside of town.




The weight limit is 500 pounds when wet. Ron and I could hardly walk together on this road let alone drive on it.


We were also able to play tourist some. We spent a couple of hours in downtown St. Louis at the Citygarden. They had just opened it when we left town a couple of years ago. It is 3 acres in the heart of downtown that has been transformed into an urban oasis featuring contemporary sculptures, lush landscape, reflecting pools a café and spray plaza for those hot, hot summer St. Louis days. There are no walls, fences or “do not touch signs” nor are there any admission fees. Just a fun place to take a stroll and see over 23 sculptures enhanced by rain gardens, water displays and 235 trees comprised of 20 different species. The lush landscaping is made up of 1,170 shrubs, 4,194 perennials, native grasses and wildflowers, 8,000 bulbs, 12,726 ground covers and 32,000 square feet of lawn. Twelve hundred blocks of Missouri quarried limestone were used to build a 550 foot arcing wall. A natural paradise in the middle of a bustling downtown area. When you’re enjoying the garden you forget there is any traffic whipping around you. A highly recommended “tourist” destination for St. Louis residents as well as those visiting the city.



View of the Arch and Old Courthouse from inside the gardens along the walkway.


Lush landscaping.



Fountain & spray plaza featuring 102 vertical jets that
project water up to 10 feet in height.



Dismembered head of the Greek god of love and desire - Eros.
Bandages wrapping Eros's face suggest that the eyes and mouth
have been covered indicating that desires & ideas have been
imprisoned.



Untitled (Ringed Figure) made of painted steel by sculptor Keith Haring.
He is known for gracing children's hospitals, orphanages & day care
centers around the world with his works.


Jim Dine's painted bronze Pinocchio - 150" tall.


Painted bronze creating the impression of marshmallowy lightness of
these two rabbits.


Also while in St. Louis we saw another form of art and what we think is the absolute best use of all of those orange barrels and cones we see on nearly every highway while traveling.


Tax dollars at work!


We left St. Louis last Sunday for Forsyth, Missouri a small town just outside of the Branson area. We have a job here for 2 weeks and tickets to the Don Williams concert. I’ve known of Don Williams for years but really got turned on to his mellow, country sound when my sister-in-law, Terri, cut a CD for us a few months back. St. Louis is so close to Branson, how could I pass up an opportunity to spend an evening with Don?

After Branson, we are heading to Fort Lauderdale for a 4 day convention with the company we work for then off to San Antonio to spend the holidays with my nephew and his family. We are looking forward to our visit.

If you can’t be in New England at this time of the year (so they say, we’ve never been there, yet) then the Midwest is the next best place and the Ozarks "mountains" are beautiful.


View of the Ozark hills. Colors haven't quite peaked yet.


GO CARDS!!


Hope all is well!

Ok..Ok…we are back. Took a little time off from the blog while we were in St. Louis. Arrived in early August and visited with family and prior co-workers, saw our doctors and had dinner with several friends.


We also got to see our other new great neice, Layla, for the first time. What a beauty!


Layla with me.


Layla much happier with Mom.

Our 4+ weeks flew by and before we knew it we were on our way to Goodfield IL for a job. We have been here for 2 weeks and are about ready to wrap it up and head back to St. Louis again for another 2 weeks this time at Babler State Park.

It’s a great time of year to be at this park which is heavily wooded with autumn changing colors.

While staying at the Yogi Bear Jellystone campground in Goodfield a cute RV pulled in decked out with Coca-Cola and Polar Bear signature logos.

The couple are from Canada and were on their way to an auction of Coca Cola memorabilia at the Schmidt Museum in Kentucky. He worked for Coca Cola for 30+ years. It was refreshing to meet someone who has retired from corporate America still feeling good about their experiences.


Cute..cute...cute. Even their propane tank has the logo on it.
Unit a little too small for me to spend much time in it but I
guess it works for them.


They are wearing Coca-Cola clothing and apparently their entire home is decorated in mid - late Coca-Cola decor.

Not much time for siteseeing when we are working but we did take an evening off to see The Lester Family perform at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington IL. We really like southern Gospel and are always watching for Gospel Music events wherever we are. Many groups tend to visit various churches in the more rural area. We saw The Needham Family in Okeechobee FL, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay there.

Often called “St. Louis’ First Family of Gospel Music,” The Lesters, from St. Louis, MO, have been sharing the Word through song for four generations. With more than an 80 year history and numerous albums behind them, the group now consists of 3rd and
4th generation Lesters.


Brian Lester, (in the blue sweater) is the manager & lead
singer. His sister, Ginger, (at the piano) sings Alto and
arranges their music. To the left of Brian is Jonathon Lester
his son and in the back is Brians nephew and Gingers son, Evan
on drums. Ginger's husband works behind the scenes as their
sound technician.

I'm still trying to coordinate a stay near a Gaither concert but to date have not been successful.

Haven’t been touring much lately. One of our last tours I never blog was our visit to the Coon Dog Cemetery near Red Bay Alabama.

We looked for it when we were there in April but drove and drove down Coon Dog Cemetery Road but never found it. It seems we gave up too early and didn't drive down the road far enough. So this time I was determined, even with Ron moaning and groaning again, about driving further and further into "Deliverance" territory. But we are both glad we were persistent.

It is a very unique site. In a small, grassy meadow, deep in the woods was a popular hunting camp where coon hunters from miles around gathered to plot their hunting strategies, tell tales, and compare their beloved companions. It all began when Key Underwood lost his 15 year companion -"Troop" and went searching for a suitable, meaningful spot for his burial. He knew there was no place in the world Troop loved more then that camp...thus the creation of Coon Dog Cemetery. He wrapped Troop in a cotton sack, buried him 3 feet down and marked the grave with a rock from a nearby old chimney. On the rock with a hammer and screwdriver he chiseled Troop's name and date. It is the only cemetery of its kind in the world and is eternal home to over 185 coon dogs from across the USA. It is mentioned in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon. And who said there was nothing to do in Red Bay Alabama?


Coon Dog Cemetary


Some stones are as nice as people headstones...


Some hunters have buried several beloved companions....



Apparently you can design the grave site anyway you want....



Some are very creative....


And others are very simple....straight from the heart!

We are hoping we find the time when back in St. Louis to play tourist….yes….even though it is our home town there are a few places we want to visit.

Hope all is well!

Rockford...Lafayette...Nashville!!

Since our last post we finished the job in Rockford IL. Not the most productive job but the campground owners are happy we can print a site map for them this year. Last year the rep couldn't sell enough ads to print. We also get our campsite at no cost so once you add that to the commission it's not a bad deal. The only site-seeing we did was to the Blackhawk Statue located in Lowden State Park.

The Black Hawk Statue, or The Eternal Indian, is a sculpture by Lorado Taft that rests 125 feet above the Rock River. It is 48 feet high and is 536,770 pounds of concrete (composite of cement and pink granite chips) and is said to be the second largest concrete monlithic statue in the world. The statue wears a long blanket and stares across the river with folded arms. It is not a depiction of any one Indian tribe but a tribute to all American Indians. The sculptor wanted to depict the image of an American Indian looking out over his lost land. The statue creation started in 1908 and was dedicated in 1911, celebrating its 100th year.


Blackhawk Statue


View of Blackhawk Statue from the other side of the Rock River.

We had some beautiful sunsets in Rockford.




After leaving Rockford we spent a few days in Lafayatte Indiana. We have a new (6 month old) great niece we saw for the first time. Dahlia is as cute as can be. She is a very good baby, hardly ever crys, is a great eater and occassionally smiled for us. My kind of kid!!


Dahlia likes her carrots (yuk) almost as much
as Grandma likes feeding her.


Dahlia was content because she couldn't see who
was holding her.


She's a cutie with beautiful auburn hair...
and a lot of it!


We were able to see the whole family at a dinner coordinated by our sister-in-law, Terri. We ate at the Buttery Shelf Eatery. The owner of the restaurant supports a homeless shelter in town. The proceeds from the restaurant fund the shelter and she employs individuals with special needs. After a 5 course meal consisting of a vegetable/dip tray, french onion soup, 2 choices of green salad, pot roast with potatoes and carrots or roasted chicken breast with dressing and of course dessert, we posed for a "family picture" on the front steps.


L-R Ron's brother Bob holding Dahlia, our sister-in-law - Terri (Grandma), Steve (Dahlia's Dad and our nephew), Andrew (our nephew & author) and his wife Victoria (also a writer), Ron (not pictured is Dahlia's Mom - Karen)

We are really proud of our nephew, Andrew, who just had his first book published. A series of short stories - "Naked Summer"! Shortly after publishing his book it peaked at No. 2 on the "Hot New Releases in Short Stories" on Amazon.com, two spaces ahead of Stephen King.




We really enjoyed watching the Lafayette All-Stars play against the world renowned " King & His Court" a 4 man softball team that started in 1946. They are touring across North America in their final season after 65 years and 13,000 games. Ron's brother, Bob played 1st base for the All-Stars along with other community leaders & local businessmen & women.


Leaving Prophetstown State Park were we stay when in the Lafayatte area, we had a one night stay in Shepherdsville, KY then arrived at Seven Point Campground in Hermitage, TN just a few miles east of Nashville.


Our cozy little spot.

This is our 3rd trip here and we finally have tickets to a concert at the Grand Ole Opry. We have a list of 14 other things to do while we are here for 5 days. Needless to say we will have to make another trip in the future to exhaust our list. Plus I'm ready for some down time. The park we are staying in is a Core of Engineer park located on the J. Percy Priest Lake. It is quiet with an asphalted road which is great for walking. It is nicely wooded....the bad news is no satellite reception....the good news is the shade keeps the temperature in the coach at least 10 degrees cooler. And since this part of the country, like so much of the rest, is having an unbearable heat wave...shade is good.

Still trying to make our way to Red Bay, Alabama. Our coach repair list now numbers15 items, with the last one added our water pump that failed to work the other day when I turned it on. Ugh!!!! Always something, but I guess the timing is right since we are in route to the manufacturer.

Will post more as we tour Nashville.

Hope all is well!