Friday, May 11, 2007
We didn't get chased out of the rest stop and drove home,
arriving home shortly before noon. It's good to be home.
We have a lot of catching up to do and shall leave soon
for Robyn's graduation from Whitman College
in Walla Walla, Washington.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Kentucky trip, day 25
Thursday, May 10, 2007
We left the camp ground at 6:30 and drove 423 miles here, a rest stop south of Hugo, Colorado. We stopped to walk, for lunch and a walking tour of Eads, Colorado. We drove most of the way with the windows open. I hope we don't get chased out of here.
We left the camp ground at 6:30 and drove 423 miles here, a rest stop south of Hugo, Colorado. We stopped to walk, for lunch and a walking tour of Eads, Colorado. We drove most of the way with the windows open. I hope we don't get chased out of here.
Kentucky trip, day 24
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
We drove until about 10 and stopped for breakfast this morning.
We stopped at Yates Center, Kansas to walk about 2 PM and see their "Historic Center Square."
The court house was handsome and historic, but the buildings around the square were mostly boarded up and those that weren't were social welfare offices, State employment office, etc. Rather a disappointment after the huge, impressive sign on the highway.
We returned to the RV and when Robert started the engine the horrible screeching had returned. As we were taking the car off the hitch, a woman stopped to ask if she could help. We told her we were looking for a mechanic who could work on our engine and/or air conditioner. She told us to go to the Conoco station and ask for John or Bob and tell them Adele Yow had sent us. We did that, but the John clearly is ready to retire and not terribly interested in fixing a tourist RV. He sent us to a young man down the road who might help. The young man down the road wasn't working and his little sign said he only worked Monday,Tuesday and Thursday. Since this was Wednesday, he was no help. I did call his posted phone number, but that didn't work, either.
Robert went back to the Conoco station and asked where he could buy belts for the RV and they sent him to the local auto parts store. There they told him about Craig Knight who buys trucks, fixes them up and sells them. He'd probably be able to help. We drove out to Craig's place and sure enough it didn't take him long to diagnose the problem; a frozen condenser and a bad pollution fan. He cut the belts and replaced the alternator belt and an hour later and $100.00 poorer we were on our way. Craig told Robert that the guys in the Conoco station are mad at him and won't ever send anyone his way which is why they hadn't mentioned the only one in the area who might be able to help.
We're camped east of Wichita at Lake El Dorado State Park.
I called Greg and talked briefly with him. He sounds happy and likes his job. He misses the family, as they do him. It was too late with too little notice for us all to get together and we were too tired also.
Since our air conditioner doesn't work we'll be up early to get as many miles as possible before it gets too hot.
We drove until about 10 and stopped for breakfast this morning.
We stopped at Yates Center, Kansas to walk about 2 PM and see their "Historic Center Square."
The court house was handsome and historic, but the buildings around the square were mostly boarded up and those that weren't were social welfare offices, State employment office, etc. Rather a disappointment after the huge, impressive sign on the highway.
We returned to the RV and when Robert started the engine the horrible screeching had returned. As we were taking the car off the hitch, a woman stopped to ask if she could help. We told her we were looking for a mechanic who could work on our engine and/or air conditioner. She told us to go to the Conoco station and ask for John or Bob and tell them Adele Yow had sent us. We did that, but the John clearly is ready to retire and not terribly interested in fixing a tourist RV. He sent us to a young man down the road who might help. The young man down the road wasn't working and his little sign said he only worked Monday,Tuesday and Thursday. Since this was Wednesday, he was no help. I did call his posted phone number, but that didn't work, either.
Robert went back to the Conoco station and asked where he could buy belts for the RV and they sent him to the local auto parts store. There they told him about Craig Knight who buys trucks, fixes them up and sells them. He'd probably be able to help. We drove out to Craig's place and sure enough it didn't take him long to diagnose the problem; a frozen condenser and a bad pollution fan. He cut the belts and replaced the alternator belt and an hour later and $100.00 poorer we were on our way. Craig told Robert that the guys in the Conoco station are mad at him and won't ever send anyone his way which is why they hadn't mentioned the only one in the area who might be able to help.
We're camped east of Wichita at Lake El Dorado State Park.
I called Greg and talked briefly with him. He sounds happy and likes his job. He misses the family, as they do him. It was too late with too little notice for us all to get together and we were too tired also.
Since our air conditioner doesn't work we'll be up early to get as many miles as possible before it gets too hot.
Kentucky trip, day 23
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
We left and headed home. We stopped briefly near Fremont, Missouri with RV engine belt problems. Robert fixed the problem and we went on, but he wasn't happy with the way the air conditioner was working or rather not working. So deep in the Kentucky woods he found what he refers to as a "shade tree mechanic" and that is his favorite kind of mechanic. The mechanic was ready to add more coolant, but discovered the system was fully pressurized and that was not the problem and he admitted that he had no idea what was wrong nor how to fix it.
We stopped after 362 miles and the hour or two stop for "fixes." We found a random spot off the beaten track. I made dinner and shortly after dinner we crashed. We had just gotten to bed when two autos arrived. Robert went out to see what was going on and one auto left, but the other stayed so he thought we'd better move on. They might just be lovers, but then again they might not. In the next town we spotted a hospital and decided to stop in the parking lot for the night. Jeanne had suggested that might work in an emergency, and it did. We still got up at 4:30 AM and left.
We left and headed home. We stopped briefly near Fremont, Missouri with RV engine belt problems. Robert fixed the problem and we went on, but he wasn't happy with the way the air conditioner was working or rather not working. So deep in the Kentucky woods he found what he refers to as a "shade tree mechanic" and that is his favorite kind of mechanic. The mechanic was ready to add more coolant, but discovered the system was fully pressurized and that was not the problem and he admitted that he had no idea what was wrong nor how to fix it.
We stopped after 362 miles and the hour or two stop for "fixes." We found a random spot off the beaten track. I made dinner and shortly after dinner we crashed. We had just gotten to bed when two autos arrived. Robert went out to see what was going on and one auto left, but the other stayed so he thought we'd better move on. They might just be lovers, but then again they might not. In the next town we spotted a hospital and decided to stop in the parking lot for the night. Jeanne had suggested that might work in an emergency, and it did. We still got up at 4:30 AM and left.
Kentucky trip, day 22
Monday, May 22, 2007
Robert, Walt and Joy went off to Bowling Green after we had a pancake breakfast in the RV. I opted to stay behind. I was thinking that a quiet day here was preferable to another day in the car.
This afternoon we're going to the laundromat so I changed our bed this morning.
Now, I'm writing this and listening to the CDs I recorded from vinyl records before we left.
I'll read and look at our e-mail that we downloaded to our computer earlier, while they are gone. I have finished "Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides. Its an epic of the American West and a pretty extensive biography of Christopher (Kit) Carson. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Sides has the ability to turn dry history into a very interesting story.
This is our last day here and tomorrow we head for home and Joy and Walt head back to Connecticut. It has been fun to spend this time with them. I already look forward to the next time.
Robert, Walt and Joy went off to Bowling Green after we had a pancake breakfast in the RV. I opted to stay behind. I was thinking that a quiet day here was preferable to another day in the car.
This afternoon we're going to the laundromat so I changed our bed this morning.
Now, I'm writing this and listening to the CDs I recorded from vinyl records before we left.
I'll read and look at our e-mail that we downloaded to our computer earlier, while they are gone. I have finished "Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides. Its an epic of the American West and a pretty extensive biography of Christopher (Kit) Carson. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Sides has the ability to turn dry history into a very interesting story.
This is our last day here and tomorrow we head for home and Joy and Walt head back to Connecticut. It has been fun to spend this time with them. I already look forward to the next time.
Kentucky trip, day 21
Sunday, May 6, 2007
This morning we drove to Munfordville to see "the Battle for the Bridge" site. I had neglected to look in the computer before we left where I had instructions on how to find the site in my "Civil War" file. Everything was closed in Munfordville and the locals we talked to didn't have a clue where it was. With the DeLorme map and a hint from a guide book we finally found the site. There were a number of interpretive signs on a "path," which seemed to be missing, the path that is. We wandered through an unkempt field from sign to sign. The site of the actual fort was off-limits on private property. We asked a fellow who was riding along the road if he knew how we could get into the cemetery and the fort. He said he'd played there a lot as a kid, but hadn't been in there for years. The people who own the property are not very forgiving of trespassers, but he made some inquiries for us at one of the near-by houses. No luck. There was another monument, an obelisk, quite a ways away and across a gully, but the path was so overgrown we didn't even try to get to it.
The site encompasses 219 acres of the battlefield. There were three battles including the September 14-17, 1862 battle and siege of Munfordville which was one of the most strategic battles of the war. The battle was for the railroad bridge and it was won and lost three times and finally blown up by the Confederates. The Union forces, however, continued to use the bridge by laying boards across the pilings that formerly held the rails.
Later we found a "hot-spot" at a Comfort Inn so we all checked our e-mail.
In the evening the East Indian lady who runs this place brought us an Indian chicken rice- dinner that Joy had arranged. The food was good and plentiful. We'll have plenty for another night.
This morning we drove to Munfordville to see "the Battle for the Bridge" site. I had neglected to look in the computer before we left where I had instructions on how to find the site in my "Civil War" file. Everything was closed in Munfordville and the locals we talked to didn't have a clue where it was. With the DeLorme map and a hint from a guide book we finally found the site. There were a number of interpretive signs on a "path," which seemed to be missing, the path that is. We wandered through an unkempt field from sign to sign. The site of the actual fort was off-limits on private property. We asked a fellow who was riding along the road if he knew how we could get into the cemetery and the fort. He said he'd played there a lot as a kid, but hadn't been in there for years. The people who own the property are not very forgiving of trespassers, but he made some inquiries for us at one of the near-by houses. No luck. There was another monument, an obelisk, quite a ways away and across a gully, but the path was so overgrown we didn't even try to get to it.
The site encompasses 219 acres of the battlefield. There were three battles including the September 14-17, 1862 battle and siege of Munfordville which was one of the most strategic battles of the war. The battle was for the railroad bridge and it was won and lost three times and finally blown up by the Confederates. The Union forces, however, continued to use the bridge by laying boards across the pilings that formerly held the rails.
Later we found a "hot-spot" at a Comfort Inn so we all checked our e-mail.
In the evening the East Indian lady who runs this place brought us an Indian chicken rice- dinner that Joy had arranged. The food was good and plentiful. We'll have plenty for another night.
Kentucky trip, day 20
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Today we took the 11:30 AM "New Entrance" tour of Mammoth Cave. The tour descended through a rock chimney on a stainless steel stairway that wound down for 200 feet into the cave; actually 280 steps! I took a Vicodin at 10AM, hoping I would be able to make it without the pain I had on the Corvette tour. It really worked! The tour was fascinating. It's all limestone so the colors were not outstanding, but it is an impressive under-ground structure with may shapes and sizes of stalactites There are 357 miles of mapped underground caves and tunnels. We only did 3/4 of mile in an hour plus.
A picture saying more than 1000 words, I include several. To enlarge photo, just click on it.
New entrance domes
The Great Wall of China: Pools of water leave
deposits forming rim stone crusts or natural
dams. This one is only a few inches high and
about 3 feet in diameter.
Theater curtain. This travertine flow stone drapery
was formed by slow-dripping water. Many examples
of this can be seen in the Drapery room (an extra
40 steps down) of the Frozen Niagara section.
Ceiling of the Drapery room
Onyx Owl--another travertine form
Today we took the 11:30 AM "New Entrance" tour of Mammoth Cave. The tour descended through a rock chimney on a stainless steel stairway that wound down for 200 feet into the cave; actually 280 steps! I took a Vicodin at 10AM, hoping I would be able to make it without the pain I had on the Corvette tour. It really worked! The tour was fascinating. It's all limestone so the colors were not outstanding, but it is an impressive under-ground structure with may shapes and sizes of stalactites There are 357 miles of mapped underground caves and tunnels. We only did 3/4 of mile in an hour plus.
A picture saying more than 1000 words, I include several. To enlarge photo, just click on it.
New entrance domes
The Great Wall of China: Pools of water leave
deposits forming rim stone crusts or natural
dams. This one is only a few inches high and
about 3 feet in diameter.
Theater curtain. This travertine flow stone drapery
was formed by slow-dripping water. Many examples
of this can be seen in the Drapery room (an extra
40 steps down) of the Frozen Niagara section.
Ceiling of the Drapery room
Onyx Owl--another travertine form
Friday, May 25, 2007
Kentucky trip, day 19
May 4, 2007 Oakes cabins and campground, Cave City, KY
Robert, Joy and Walt at Oakes cabins
We went to the Corvette assemply plant near Bowling Green for an 11:30 AM tour of the plant. The tour lasted an hour and was 3/4 of a mile long. The assembly was interesting because 99% of the car is put together with hand labor. Almost no robots, unlike the pictures I've seen of Japanese auto assembly lines. We're even sadder that we missed out on the Toyoto tour at Georgetown. They described in minute detail how each of the three models of the line were assembled and what the specs were, etc I'm a poor connoisseur of such things and all the statistics flew in and out of my head except it is clear these cars are capable of very high speeds, but, I ask where can they drive 200 mph?
After the tour we went to the Western Kentucky University to visit the library and museum. We parked in front of the "Welcome" center which turned out to be the library/museum. There we were issued a parking permit. The lady inside pointed out a couple of places to eat; we went to the Student Union where they had a large buffet and all-you-can-eat for $6.58. It was quite a find. During our lavish lunch it absolutely poured outside and, of course, we had left our rain gear in the car and walked to the Student Union. We didn't hurry with lunch and it actually stopped raining long enough for us to return to our car and the library/museum. We spent about an hour there, until it closed at 4 PM. I didn't find it very interesting. The museum was about on a par with the Longmont museum, although I found some of the Victorian exhibits quite interesting.
We stopped at a grocery on our way back from Bowling Green and Joy bought corn and a pie. We had clam chowder and corn-on-the cob (corn, loose shuck, in Kentucky speak) and pie and ice cream.
Robert, Joy and Walt at Oakes cabins
We went to the Corvette assemply plant near Bowling Green for an 11:30 AM tour of the plant. The tour lasted an hour and was 3/4 of a mile long. The assembly was interesting because 99% of the car is put together with hand labor. Almost no robots, unlike the pictures I've seen of Japanese auto assembly lines. We're even sadder that we missed out on the Toyoto tour at Georgetown. They described in minute detail how each of the three models of the line were assembled and what the specs were, etc I'm a poor connoisseur of such things and all the statistics flew in and out of my head except it is clear these cars are capable of very high speeds, but, I ask where can they drive 200 mph?
After the tour we went to the Western Kentucky University to visit the library and museum. We parked in front of the "Welcome" center which turned out to be the library/museum. There we were issued a parking permit. The lady inside pointed out a couple of places to eat; we went to the Student Union where they had a large buffet and all-you-can-eat for $6.58. It was quite a find. During our lavish lunch it absolutely poured outside and, of course, we had left our rain gear in the car and walked to the Student Union. We didn't hurry with lunch and it actually stopped raining long enough for us to return to our car and the library/museum. We spent about an hour there, until it closed at 4 PM. I didn't find it very interesting. The museum was about on a par with the Longmont museum, although I found some of the Victorian exhibits quite interesting.
We stopped at a grocery on our way back from Bowling Green and Joy bought corn and a pie. We had clam chowder and corn-on-the cob (corn, loose shuck, in Kentucky speak) and pie and ice cream.
Kentucky trip, day 18
May 3, 2007, Cave City, Oakes Motel Campground
Walt and Robert at the "historic entrance" of Mammoth Cave
We drove the 62 miles it took to get here. Joy and Walt arrived about 2 PM. It was good to see them and they seemed to have weathered well their three days of driving from Connecticut. It is always good to see them and catch up on their lives. They are great travel companions because they stay loose and seem content to "go with the flow."
After visiting a bit we went to Mammoth Cave National park and picked up information about tours. We then took a walk, about a mile, down to the Green River and back. En route we paused at the "historic entrance" of Mammoth Cave. Walt and Robert walked down to the gate at the entrance of the actual cave. The day was hot, but near the cave entrance it was really cool. Joy and I with bad knees and bad hip, respectively opted to look from above. It's neat to see all the dripping ferns and mosses, so different from Colorado!
We returned to the cabin and campground about 5. Joy and Walt came over to the RV about 5:30 and we enjoyed a glass of wine. I fixed dinner of lambchops which I had bought at Costco before we left and had kept in the freezer all this time. At our Michigan rendezvous with Joy and Walt I had served similar lamb chops and they had been quite a success. It seemed celebratory to have them here, too. We sat around and chatted until about 8 PM when they returned to their cabin.
During supper Carrie Rose called. She's received a top honor award and was checking to see when we were coming and to deliver the news. She had e-mailed us, but we've not had much luck getting e-mail this trip. Fewer libraries than in Lousiana and the battery on our laptop is dead which makes using WiFi difficult. I said I'd call her when we got back to Boulder and
had made some plans for the next trip. We'll be leaving for Walla Walla shortly after we get home. We leave on the 16th of May, and don't plan to get home from this trip until May 12th.
Walt and Robert at the "historic entrance" of Mammoth Cave
We drove the 62 miles it took to get here. Joy and Walt arrived about 2 PM. It was good to see them and they seemed to have weathered well their three days of driving from Connecticut. It is always good to see them and catch up on their lives. They are great travel companions because they stay loose and seem content to "go with the flow."
After visiting a bit we went to Mammoth Cave National park and picked up information about tours. We then took a walk, about a mile, down to the Green River and back. En route we paused at the "historic entrance" of Mammoth Cave. Walt and Robert walked down to the gate at the entrance of the actual cave. The day was hot, but near the cave entrance it was really cool. Joy and I with bad knees and bad hip, respectively opted to look from above. It's neat to see all the dripping ferns and mosses, so different from Colorado!
We returned to the cabin and campground about 5. Joy and Walt came over to the RV about 5:30 and we enjoyed a glass of wine. I fixed dinner of lambchops which I had bought at Costco before we left and had kept in the freezer all this time. At our Michigan rendezvous with Joy and Walt I had served similar lamb chops and they had been quite a success. It seemed celebratory to have them here, too. We sat around and chatted until about 8 PM when they returned to their cabin.
During supper Carrie Rose called. She's received a top honor award and was checking to see when we were coming and to deliver the news. She had e-mailed us, but we've not had much luck getting e-mail this trip. Fewer libraries than in Lousiana and the battery on our laptop is dead which makes using WiFi difficult. I said I'd call her when we got back to Boulder and
had made some plans for the next trip. We'll be leaving for Walla Walla shortly after we get home. We leave on the 16th of May, and don't plan to get home from this trip until May 12th.
Kentucky trip, day 17
May 2, 2007 Green River Lake State Park
Robert, after our canoe paddle on Green River Lake
We didn't get a very early
start,but had the canoe in
the lake by 10:30 AM.
The weather was cool and
overcast. The lake, a mirror,
it was so smooth. We
paddled a couple of hours, stopping once, to stretch then again later, for lunch. After lunch we paddled back and saw lots of fishermen and some
jumping fish. We were never really close enough
to see these fish, but they would come to the surface and then sort of skate along the surface for quite a ways making splashing noises. I've never seen anything quite like that. We also saw some vultures, but not much else. The leaves hadn't fully come out yet and the shore forest revealed no wildflowers. We paddled only 5 miles, but came back to the RV and slept for 2 hours. Guess we're sort of out of shape!
Robert, after our canoe paddle on Green River Lake
We didn't get a very earlystart,but had the canoe in
the lake by 10:30 AM.
The weather was cool and
overcast. The lake, a mirror,
it was so smooth. We
paddled a couple of hours, stopping once, to stretch then again later, for lunch. After lunch we paddled back and saw lots of fishermen and some
jumping fish. We were never really close enough
to see these fish, but they would come to the surface and then sort of skate along the surface for quite a ways making splashing noises. I've never seen anything quite like that. We also saw some vultures, but not much else. The leaves hadn't fully come out yet and the shore forest revealed no wildflowers. We paddled only 5 miles, but came back to the RV and slept for 2 hours. Guess we're sort of out of shape!
Kentucky trip, day 16
May 1, 2007 Green River Lake State Park,
Holmes Bend Campground
We drove 100 miles to get here, stopping on the way at a
Kroger's, a gas station and a Radio Shack. The Radio Shack
because the battery on the laptop has died and we have been
unable to replace it. Actually we were told we were probably
out of luck because it is sooo old (2 years.) Robert is building a
battery pack for it and needed some parts.
After we checked in we drove almost 50 more miles looking for
put-in places for the canoe. We found several and two especially
look good. They are on the dammed part of the river so actually
on the lake. We'll try some canoeing in the morning.
It was 85 here when we arrived so we'll want an early start in
the morning.
Holmes Bend Campground
We drove 100 miles to get here, stopping on the way at a
Kroger's, a gas station and a Radio Shack. The Radio Shack
because the battery on the laptop has died and we have been
unable to replace it. Actually we were told we were probably
out of luck because it is sooo old (2 years.) Robert is building a
battery pack for it and needed some parts.
After we checked in we drove almost 50 more miles looking for
put-in places for the canoe. We found several and two especially
look good. They are on the dammed part of the river so actually
on the lake. We'll try some canoeing in the morning.
It was 85 here when we arrived so we'll want an early start in
the morning.
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