Wednesday, December 2, 2009
August 14, 2009, Friday MESA VERDE
Wow, how to explain Mesa Verde National Park .. .lt's at about 7000 feet with a lot of cedar trees. It's pretty with wonderful vistas where you can pull over and look down and see for miles and miles. But the really fabulous part is the ruins. These American Indians (Lamanites to all you Mormon folks) had this fabulous society where they built homes right into the cliffs. We toured one of them called the Cliff Palace. It was some kind of central gathering place for the people with some small (emphasis on small) housing areas on the outside. We had to climb down over 80 stairs (some places very narrow passages between rocks) to get underneath the rock overhang to climb all over the ruins. We also had to climb three or four wooden ladders off the edges of rocks. OK, it was difficult, but the hard part was that I didn't realize it would be at 7000 feet and I didn't think to bring my inhaler and I was having a lot of trouble breathing. But, I'm so glad I went. It was a wonderful and fabulous experience. Took me a long time to get back up the mountain, but it was so worth it. Went back to the campground for a rest. The weather here is so much cooler than I thought it would
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be, but we braved it and went for a dip in the pool, and then went in the hot tub. Tough life huh? We watched a movie, and went to bed early 'cause we want to take off early tomorrow and drive straight through to home. It's a little less than 400 miles.
Wow, how to explain Mesa Verde National Park .. .lt's at about 7000 feet with a lot of cedar trees. It's pretty with wonderful vistas where you can pull over and look down and see for miles and miles. But the really fabulous part is the ruins. These American Indians (Lamanites to all you Mormon folks) had this fabulous society where they built homes right into the cliffs. We toured one of them called the Cliff Palace. It was some kind of central gathering place for the people with some small (emphasis on small) housing areas on the outside. We had to climb down over 80 stairs (some places very narrow passages between rocks) to get underneath the rock overhang to climb all over the ruins. We also had to climb three or four wooden ladders off the edges of rocks. OK, it was difficult, but the hard part was that I didn't realize it would be at 7000 feet and I didn't think to bring my inhaler and I was having a lot of trouble breathing. But, I'm so glad I went. It was a wonderful and fabulous experience. Took me a long time to get back up the mountain, but it was so worth it. Went back to the campground for a rest. The weather here is so much cooler than I thought it would
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be, but we braved it and went for a dip in the pool, and then went in the hot tub. Tough life huh? We watched a movie, and went to bed early 'cause we want to take off early tomorrow and drive straight through to home. It's a little less than 400 miles.
August 13, 2009, Thursday TO MANCOS, COLORADO
Not much to report today. Drove to Mancos, set up camp and then went to town to the Wal-Mart to get some supplies. We had some trouble with the truck on the way over, so Mike changed the fuel filter and it's good now. Yeah! To get here we had to drive through the Durango pass and it's really pretty there, but Durango is an oddly laid out town. It's very long and narrow with the freeway raised above and going right through the center. Kind of hard to explain, but it just looks weird. We're over here in Mancos 'cause we want to go see Mesa Verde, the old ruins that are built right into the cliffs on the sides of the canyons. We really like the park here even tho' they have some flies, but that's because the people with ranches on each side of us have horses. It was so fun to be out in the country like this. There is a black, mare, mule next door that is beautiful. I've never seen a mule that had such beautiful confirmation. Wow, she's really pretty. She came over to the fence and we had a good visit. Mike took Daisy for a walk on the other side of the park by some horses. Daisy wanted to get nose to nose and just then the horse, who was eating, snorted. Mike said she jumped straight up in the air and it was really funny.
Not much to report today. Drove to Mancos, set up camp and then went to town to the Wal-Mart to get some supplies. We had some trouble with the truck on the way over, so Mike changed the fuel filter and it's good now. Yeah! To get here we had to drive through the Durango pass and it's really pretty there, but Durango is an oddly laid out town. It's very long and narrow with the freeway raised above and going right through the center. Kind of hard to explain, but it just looks weird. We're over here in Mancos 'cause we want to go see Mesa Verde, the old ruins that are built right into the cliffs on the sides of the canyons. We really like the park here even tho' they have some flies, but that's because the people with ranches on each side of us have horses. It was so fun to be out in the country like this. There is a black, mare, mule next door that is beautiful. I've never seen a mule that had such beautiful confirmation. Wow, she's really pretty. She came over to the fence and we had a good visit. Mike took Daisy for a walk on the other side of the park by some horses. Daisy wanted to get nose to nose and just then the horse, who was eating, snorted. Mike said she jumped straight up in the air and it was really funny.
August 12, 2009, Wednesday SANTA FE
Today we went into Santa Fe again to see some of the sites. Neither of us felt very well but we managed to find two remarkable galleries in which we spent a good deal of time. Looked at some jewelry and clothing and then went home to relax. Santa Fe is a really old town and the streets are very narrow and there are a lot of tourists, but it is a really cute town. They probably have some sort of ordinance about signage and architecture because the whole town looks southwest; all the buildings are that Mexican type with flat roofs and even the malls look like that. Again, it's really cute.
Today we went into Santa Fe again to see some of the sites. Neither of us felt very well but we managed to find two remarkable galleries in which we spent a good deal of time. Looked at some jewelry and clothing and then went home to relax. Santa Fe is a really old town and the streets are very narrow and there are a lot of tourists, but it is a really cute town. They probably have some sort of ordinance about signage and architecture because the whole town looks southwest; all the buildings are that Mexican type with flat roofs and even the malls look like that. Again, it's really cute.
August 11, 2009, Tuesday TO SANTA FE, NEW MEXICOToday started off very sad because our good 'ole travel buddies Ralph and Betty took off for home. It's nice to have such good friends that are relatives too! They are heading home and it's a different direction from the way we're going. We had our final prayer meeting and there were tears. We wish them well and hope they travel safe. We drove on to Santa Fe. Always wanted to go there 'cause it's an artsy town. We got there safe and sound. We set up camp and it was still early so we drove into town to see the church with the mysterious staircase. There is this Catholic Church, it's called the Chapel of Lorreto, and they had a ladder that the priests would climb to get to the choir loft. When the sisters came to this area they were afraid to climb the ladder (rightly so), so they wanted to put in stairs, but it would take up a lot of space and they would have to remove pews, which of course they didn't want to do. So the sisters prayed that they could somehow find an answer to this problem. Low and behold, a man showed up who offered to build a spiral staircase. It's beautiful! He built it and then disappeared, so they call it the mysterious staircase. When the man finished the staircase it didn't have a railing, so that was added years later. It's a very pretty chapel and staircase.
August 10, 2009, Monday TO ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico
We drove over to Albuquerque without out a hitch in our get along and we are thankful to arrive safely. We have been so blessed during this trip. Of all the things that could go wrong we have been blessed to be safe with very little difficulty and for that we are grateful. We have a prayer meeting every morning before we take off, and that's been great. On our way over here to Albuquerque we got off the freeway to drive through the main street of Tucumcari just 'cause the name is so neat. It sounds like something out of the Book of Mormon. It's a pretty poor town and it has lots of businesses along the main drag which have gone out of business, empty buildings and closed gas stations. Another reason I wanted to drive through it is 'cause it's part of the old Route 66 road. There aren't many sections of Ole Route 66 left. We drove on one section of it in Needles, California one winter when we were staying in Bullhead City, AZ. That's for you Dale, we did travel on Route 66!
We drove over to Albuquerque without out a hitch in our get along and we are thankful to arrive safely. We have been so blessed during this trip. Of all the things that could go wrong we have been blessed to be safe with very little difficulty and for that we are grateful. We have a prayer meeting every morning before we take off, and that's been great. On our way over here to Albuquerque we got off the freeway to drive through the main street of Tucumcari just 'cause the name is so neat. It sounds like something out of the Book of Mormon. It's a pretty poor town and it has lots of businesses along the main drag which have gone out of business, empty buildings and closed gas stations. Another reason I wanted to drive through it is 'cause it's part of the old Route 66 road. There aren't many sections of Ole Route 66 left. We drove on one section of it in Needles, California one winter when we were staying in Bullhead City, AZ. That's for you Dale, we did travel on Route 66!
August 9,2009, Sunday TO AMARILLO, TEXAS OK ... another excit'n day. That's the way they say it here in Texas, excit'n. We drove all of about 250 miles because the wind was blowing and Ralph's truck has trouble bucking the wind ... bucking, hey, that's another Texas word. I'm picking this up real fast! We stayed in an RV park in Amarillo
August 8, 2009, Saturday TO OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLOAHOMA
Only in Arkansas can you find a community park called "Toad Suck Park ... " Makes you want to have a picnic there huh? Well this was an exciting day ... just kidding! Drove over here and stayed in a Wal-Mart parking lot just like all the poor white trailer trash. No insult intended, just making a joke.
Only in Arkansas can you find a community park called "Toad Suck Park ... " Makes you want to have a picnic there huh? Well this was an exciting day ... just kidding! Drove over here and stayed in a Wal-Mart parking lot just like all the poor white trailer trash. No insult intended, just making a joke.
August 7, 2009, Friday MEMPHIS
Ralph, Betty and Mike went to Tupelo, MS today to see where Elvis was born. I was too tired and wanted to get my blog caught up and do laundry and clean a little house. I worked really hard, got the work part done and then laid on the couch to watch some old movies I've seen a bunch of time, but it was restful. The gang said the house Vernon built himself and it was just a two room. AS you come in the front door you come into a room which was the living/bedroom. Had a rocking chair, lamp, bed. Through that room was the eat in kitchen and then you went out the back door. Very simple. They saw the Chapel where Elvis used to spend time and the bronze statue they have in the town of Elvis when he was a 13 year old kid. Mike brought me postcards so I could see it too.
Ralph, Betty and Mike went to Tupelo, MS today to see where Elvis was born. I was too tired and wanted to get my blog caught up and do laundry and clean a little house. I worked really hard, got the work part done and then laid on the couch to watch some old movies I've seen a bunch of time, but it was restful. The gang said the house Vernon built himself and it was just a two room. AS you come in the front door you come into a room which was the living/bedroom. Had a rocking chair, lamp, bed. Through that room was the eat in kitchen and then you went out the back door. Very simple. They saw the Chapel where Elvis used to spend time and the bronze statue they have in the town of Elvis when he was a 13 year old kid. Mike brought me postcards so I could see it too.
garden. When Elvis' Mom died she was buried in a local cemetery, then when Elvis died his Dad had him laid to rest by his Mom. Later Vernon petitioned the city and got permission to have them moved and buried at Graceland. Then
when Vernon died he was buried there too. It's interesting that Vernon's Mom outlived all three of them and is buried next to Elvis at Graceland. After Graceland we went to his Car Museum. Wow! Stutz Bearcat, Rolls Royce, multiple Cadillac, motorcycles, Ferrari, MG and lots of stuff he drove around the yard. We ventured on to the airplanes. The
large jet was named the Lisa Marie. In the plane the seats were like couches, and the wash room had a gold sink and faucets. There was a conference room complete with a bar full of soda pop (Elvis didn't like alcohol) and a huge glass conference table. At the back was his bedroom with a queen size bed and a big bathroom, complete with gold sinks, etc. Guess what ... we're tired and our feet hurt! We had lunch and rested. Then Mike and Ralph had more tire duty, as we bought two more tires since ours were looking uneven and worn.
when Vernon died he was buried there too. It's interesting that Vernon's Mom outlived all three of them and is buried next to Elvis at Graceland. After Graceland we went to his Car Museum. Wow! Stutz Bearcat, Rolls Royce, multiple Cadillac, motorcycles, Ferrari, MG and lots of stuff he drove around the yard. We ventured on to the airplanes. The
large jet was named the Lisa Marie. In the plane the seats were like couches, and the wash room had a gold sink and faucets. There was a conference room complete with a bar full of soda pop (Elvis didn't like alcohol) and a huge glass conference table. At the back was his bedroom with a queen size bed and a big bathroom, complete with gold sinks, etc. Guess what ... we're tired and our feet hurt! We had lunch and rested. Then Mike and Ralph had more tire duty, as we bought two more tires since ours were looking uneven and worn.
August 6,2009, Thursday GRACELAND!!!
OK ... It's true ... WE TOURED GRACELAND TODAY!!!! It was so neat to see where Elvis used to hang out. Tourists are only allowed to see the grounds and the downstairs. No one is allowed upstairs to see the bedrooms or the bathroom where he passed away out of respect for him and his family. When you first come in there is an entry way and to the right is
the Living room with a large white couch and a couple of chairs. You can see through the Living room into the Music room where one of several of the pianos which have been in that room stands. We saw one of the pianos that used to be in that room in the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a gift that Pricilla gave to Elvis and she had it covered in 24k gold. The one we saw today was just a regular, black, grand piano. There are stained glass windows on each side of the door that goes into the Music room which picture peacocks. Really pretty. Next you go down the hall and see Vernon and Gladys's bedroom. She must have liked purple 'cause her bedspread and accents were purple and the carpet was off white. It was a pretty room and their bathroom was also done in lavender and purple. Next we went to the dining room. So much of the house seems to be done in dark colors. It was a large formal dining room and there was the prettiest picture of Pricilla and Lisa on the wall. Then into the kitchen which was quite large (however, dark wood, dark carpeted floor, etc.). Behind the kitchen was the "Jungle" room. It was like a family room with a jungle motif. Had a waterfall at one end and lots of plants and strangely carved wood furniture. They say sometimes they used this as a recording room and that was why there was carpet on the floor, walls and ceiling. Green carpet. We went downstairs to the basement where there was a TV room. This was my favorite room because it had this huge, bright yellow, leather couch, yellow walls and Navy blue accents. His thunderbolt logo was above the couch and the ceiling was mirrored.
This is where he had his record collection, and after hearing that President Johnson watched three news casts at once, Elvis had three TV's installed and was said to watch all three at once also. Downstairs there was also pool room with a
bar and the ceiling and walls were covered with over 300 yards of fabric in a gathered effect. Then there was the racket ball court, which now has carpet and furniture, lots of leather couches, in it. It also has an upright piano in it and this
was the piano he was playing and singing hymns just before he went upstairs and died. Next we went outside and
across the carport to Vernon's large office, and then the target practice room. We walked outside and through some of the backyard (landscaped beautifully) to the Trophy room. Oh my gosh! I had no idea he had so many. It's a huge room with all kinds of trophies, and then a wide and very long hallway with all the gold and platinum albums, Grammys, and other awards, then you turn a corner and go into the "Movies" room which has actual costumes he wore in each of the (who knows how many) movies he was in. They also had Elvis and Pricilla's wedding clothes and pictures of the wedding. I can't believe how simple her wedding dress was. I guess I was thinking something like Princess Diana or something, but this was just a simple white sheath with beaded sleeves. After that we went by the swimming pool to the Meditation
OK ... It's true ... WE TOURED GRACELAND TODAY!!!! It was so neat to see where Elvis used to hang out. Tourists are only allowed to see the grounds and the downstairs. No one is allowed upstairs to see the bedrooms or the bathroom where he passed away out of respect for him and his family. When you first come in there is an entry way and to the right is
the Living room with a large white couch and a couple of chairs. You can see through the Living room into the Music room where one of several of the pianos which have been in that room stands. We saw one of the pianos that used to be in that room in the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a gift that Pricilla gave to Elvis and she had it covered in 24k gold. The one we saw today was just a regular, black, grand piano. There are stained glass windows on each side of the door that goes into the Music room which picture peacocks. Really pretty. Next you go down the hall and see Vernon and Gladys's bedroom. She must have liked purple 'cause her bedspread and accents were purple and the carpet was off white. It was a pretty room and their bathroom was also done in lavender and purple. Next we went to the dining room. So much of the house seems to be done in dark colors. It was a large formal dining room and there was the prettiest picture of Pricilla and Lisa on the wall. Then into the kitchen which was quite large (however, dark wood, dark carpeted floor, etc.). Behind the kitchen was the "Jungle" room. It was like a family room with a jungle motif. Had a waterfall at one end and lots of plants and strangely carved wood furniture. They say sometimes they used this as a recording room and that was why there was carpet on the floor, walls and ceiling. Green carpet. We went downstairs to the basement where there was a TV room. This was my favorite room because it had this huge, bright yellow, leather couch, yellow walls and Navy blue accents. His thunderbolt logo was above the couch and the ceiling was mirrored.
This is where he had his record collection, and after hearing that President Johnson watched three news casts at once, Elvis had three TV's installed and was said to watch all three at once also. Downstairs there was also pool room with a
bar and the ceiling and walls were covered with over 300 yards of fabric in a gathered effect. Then there was the racket ball court, which now has carpet and furniture, lots of leather couches, in it. It also has an upright piano in it and this
was the piano he was playing and singing hymns just before he went upstairs and died. Next we went outside and
across the carport to Vernon's large office, and then the target practice room. We walked outside and through some of the backyard (landscaped beautifully) to the Trophy room. Oh my gosh! I had no idea he had so many. It's a huge room with all kinds of trophies, and then a wide and very long hallway with all the gold and platinum albums, Grammys, and other awards, then you turn a corner and go into the "Movies" room which has actual costumes he wore in each of the (who knows how many) movies he was in. They also had Elvis and Pricilla's wedding clothes and pictures of the wedding. I can't believe how simple her wedding dress was. I guess I was thinking something like Princess Diana or something, but this was just a simple white sheath with beaded sleeves. After that we went by the swimming pool to the Meditation
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