Mormon Row

Hi All,

Carl was out early to catch the good light on Mormon Row, named for the group of Salt Lake City settlers who moved here in the 1890's. Many of the barns survive, creating these iconic Grand Teton images.

This morning there was a large bison herd in the area, offering more photo ops.

This is the T.A. Moulton barn built 101 years ago.

Tomorrow we get our uniforms and radios and get to "work".

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

TRNP North Unit

Hi All,

The second major portion of TRNP is about 50 miles north. 

The erosion formations are more interesting, like this example of harder red sandstone protecting the softer clay creating unusual formations.

The orange balls are "cannonball concretions"

This Mesa along the Little Missouri River is covered in dark clay so it looks paved.

This view of the canyon was taken from a CCC overlook built in the 30's.

Geology buffs can read the sign, otherwise, just enjoy the view.

The North Unit scenic drive ends at this oxbow overlook.

Back at the coach we were relaxing and reading when Carl noticed motion outside. Three bull bison were browsing through the campground and came within five feet of the coach.

Tomorrow we drive to Billings for RV service and shopping before we go into Grand Teton.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Hi All,

Southwest North Dakota is home to one of the hidden gems of the National Park system. TRNP is a wonderful combination of great landscapes, diverse wildlife and a rich history that includes the formative years of our greatest conservation president.

This is the view from our campsite, across the Little Missouri River to the ND badlands (with our Senior Pass, this site costs $5 a night!)

The soft clay erodes easily creating interesting formations.

More badlands landscape

There are about 500 bison in the herd here. New calves were spotted frequently.

There are also several huge black-tailed prairie dog towns with thousands of adorable critters. Birding was also excellent with sighting including golden eagle, lazuli bunting and a gorgeous male mountain bluebird.

This is heavily eroded Wind Canyon

This expansive view of the river was taken at the mouth of Wind Canyon.

Theodore Roosevelt first came here in 1883 and he spent time in this, the Maltese Cross cabin, named for his cattle brand.

It was here in the rugged wilderness that TR cultivated his conservation ethic that led him to protect over 230 million acres of parks, monuments, refuges and forests when he was President. Thank you TR.

This was just the South Unit of the park. Tomorrow we explore the North Unit.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Sioux Country

Hi All,

We took a break from driving and spent a day in central South Dakota. We are camped at Al's Oasis in Oacoma, SD. Al's includes a campground, motel, restaurant, gift shop and grocery store along with about 30 billboards on the miles leading here. It was reminiscent of South of the Border in South Carolina for those of you familiar with that I-95 landmark.

This is Lakota Sioux country and the information center had this stylized tipi overlooking the Missouri River. It is also Lewis & Clark country since the Corps of Discovery stopped nearby. The oars in the photo are part of a replica keel boat from the expedition.

Nearby is the Akta Lakota Museum with history, artwork and cultural exhibits. 

This magnificent carving is titled "Sioux Spirit".

This 36' diorama depicts a buffalo hunt

The intricate bead work was amazing 

This is a small section of a pictograph that covers a full buffalo hide. It commemorates a victory over the US Calvary.

This stylized dance painting reminded us of the work of Ted DeGrazia from Tucson.

Tomorrow we continue to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western ND.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Stuck in the Mud

Hi All,

From Magee Marsh we drove west to an overnight stop in Sheffield, IL near the Iowa border. It had been raining all day and it was good to be off the road. 

It was a weird campground with all grass sites and roads except for the main gravel path. The campground manager assured Carl it was solid and directed us to turn around to get into our site. Halfway through the turn we sank through the grass into the mud.

Attempts to pull us out with a farm tractor were unsuccessful so we camped for the night right where we were stuck.

This morning Good Sam Emergency Road Service dispatched a huge tow truck. Unfortunately, if they came in to get us, the tow truck would also get stuck.

Plan B was to get this tracked vehicle to winch us out using straps around the rear axles.

It was slow and nerve wracking but the crew was very careful not to damage the coach.

Here's the hole we dug with the left rear wheels. Also visible are two of many blocks of wood we buried in an unsuccessful attempt to use the coach jacks to get something solid under the wheels.

Even when we got out of the hole we had no traction and the mini-tank towed us up on to the gravel road.

It was a stressful morning but we are back on the road headed for Grand Teton. Life is good even in the mud;-).

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Magee Marsh

Hi All,

Two days driving brought us to one of the finest spring bird migration spots in the country at Magee Marsh on the south shore of Lake Erie. We met up with friends Lynn & Jane Miller serendipitously when they mentioned in an email that they would be birding in the same area. 

We got in three good hours of birding before the rain drove us back to the car. By that time we had seen lots of birds including 15 different warbler species.

Here Lynn and Sandy try to photograph the always in motion warblers. Lynn is a fabulous nature photographer and the Fuji Superzoom camera Sandy selected is the one Lynn uses.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

One Final Adventure

Hi All,

There is always anxiety getting through Heathrow. This time it went smoothly and we were sitting at the gate in plenty of time.

The flight to JFK was uneventful and we landed 45 minutes early.

Next morning we were greeted by an email telling us our flight from NY to Boston was cancelled and we were rebooked 8 hours later!

Some phone calls and a cab ride to LaGuardia got us out an hour earlier than our original 12:30 flight.

Hope you all enjoyed our adventure in the United Kingdom. See below for some interesting Scottish phrases. 

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

During our time in the UK we have picked up a fascinating collection of expressions rarely heard this side of the Atlantic:

When asked how long our VAT tax refund would take, the reply was, "In the fullness of time"

One B&B operator did not rent to campers since they take long showers and " Nick the loo paper"(translates to steals the toilet paper).

The people of Edinburgh are sometimes characterizes as having a fancy facade but nothing underneath. The expression is "Fur coats and no knickers"

Another B&B operator jokingly admonished Elliot to, " Keep a civil tongue in your mouth"

"Haste Ye Back" signs were frequently seen as we left towns along the southwest Scottish coast.

Gearhead Quiz

Hi All,

Cars in the UK are very different from the ones in the states. There are lots of Hondas and Toyotas but aside from a few Prius's and CRVs all the models are different and smaller.

In addition there are make seen in the UK that are rarely if ever seen in the US. Here's a quiz for auto buffs. Can you name the brand and country of origin for these car badges ?

Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Hadrian & Lake Region

Hi All,

We enjoyed a fabulous final day in spite of occasional rain. First stop was Housestead, one of the best preserved Roman forts along Hadrian's Wall. It was built in 124 CE on the direction of Roman Emperor Hadrian to keep the northern barbarians out of the Roman Province of Britannia.

Here's a wide view of the fort which garrisoned 800 soldiers.

The wall runs across the crest of the hills.

This is the grainery with a raised floor to keep the grain dry and away from the vermin.

This is (or was) the latrine. They have better facilities now ;-).

After the fort we drove to the Lakes Region for some spectacular scenery. How about this great landscaping in Ambleside.

A sample of lakes scenery

More views

Rocks and sheep everywhere

plus an occasional waterfall

All in all a great finish to a great trip.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

On to England

Hi All,

Today was a travel day including a two and a half hour ferry ride from Belfast and a 150 mile drive to Hexham. We attempted to stop at one of the points along Hadrian's Wall but it was raining too hard for the half mile hike. Perhaps tomorrow.

Elliot picked another winner with the Thornley B & B. 

This lovely old English cottage comes with a pastoral view of the neighbor's sheep.

and five cats including this beautiful, huge Maine Coon cat named Sergey.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502