Leaving flood ravaged Ohio

and headed for Indiana. Thankfully we were not in the flooded area. I fear for those people that are because more rain is headed their way. This country is having some pretty crappy weather to say the least.

Fifteen years ago tomorrow was Hurricane Andrew, seems hard to believe. At that time Andrew was a horrible storm look what we have encountered since then WHEW!!!

While in Indiana we are going to visit my Aunt who is also my God Momma.
Did anyone else know that Indiana was Lincoln's boyhood home???

I interrupt this message to say we are having some electrical problems. Had to leave the WalMart near my Aunt's home to find a RV park where we could hook up to shore power. Mr Doodles is troubleshooting the problem while on the phone with the company tech dude. Needless to say we are not happy campers at the moment, but this too will pass.


I don't think this country lacks for the growing of corn. I am telling ya it is everywhere you look. This country knows how to grow corn. From Montana up north into Canada down into Pennsylvania and here in the heartland. Come to think of it I never saw a corn field in Texas.


Any small town in rural America

I have posted some photos over on my flickr site


Stay tuna'd for updates on the electrical problems...........grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

I am going to start leaving an email address for y'all who do not want to register and send a message.

tombstonetumbleweed@gmail.com

Some photos of the gathering of

our dear Canadian friends. Mr & Mrs Nutz had a gathering out at their campground where we parked our RV for the duration of our visit. I must also say I had no idea that we knew that many folks up in that neck of the woods. But it was wonderful to see everyone. I guess it turned out to be 30 some folk show up for some yummy BBQ of hot dogs, burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, salads and best of all fresh pick corn on the cob. Might I add some of the best corn we have ever had the pleasure of tasting.



That's Chef Tony doing BBQ'in duty and he did a wonderful job. The weather cooperated and it was a loverly evening.



That's Miss Beverly J being cute taking a pic of me while I am doing the same. We hope to see her and her sweet husband out on the RV road soon.







Needless to say it was a wonderful evening, a special thanks to Mr & Mrs Nutz for their wonderful hospitality. Oh and stay tuna'd cause the Nutz and the Doodles crew are meeting up in Vegas mid October.........WOO HAA!!!

A new addition to Grace

After a mid morning send off, the Doodles crew left Cambridge Ontario, Canada in fine style. Mr & Mrs Nutz were good enough to interrupt their busy day to send us off. One of the things that was accomplished while visiting was a box to house our generator. It is no longer stuck in the rear of the truck, but has a fine home in this spiffy diamond plate aluminum box.

I love this photo cause it shows great minds think alike in their In & Out Burger race t-shirts. For those of you that are not familiar with In & Out it happens to be one of the best burger joints in the West.
The boys dressed up for the part Mr & Mrs Nutz thru for us on Friday nite.


The boys worked hard, especially Mr D to create this fine specimen. I still think Mr D should market this produc
The above photo is Mr Doodles and Mr D doing some measuring.

Their it is secured to the rear of the RV, from l to r Mr Nutz, Mr D and Mr Doodles.

Let me say they did a fine job all three of them. And I am forever grateful to Mr D for tackling this project, cause if he didn't make this box I would have had to hear about it the rest of the trip. Mission accomplished I say.

We are in Reading, PA for a NHRA Drag Race.........so stay tuna'd for some photos.

getting outta here

Cause we have had waaaaay too much fun with Mr & Mrs Nutz and friends. Mr Doodles and I are leaving for Stateside either Tuesday or Wednesday. That is when I will be able to post more AND pics as well.

Oh and Buddy has truly enjoyed his visit, he has been a very well behaved cat, for that we are greatful.

Stay tuna'd

Where do I begin...........

10,818.............that is what is reading on the speedometer.

We left Florida in our rear view mirror on May 17th and we still have tread on the tires........amazing.

Well I shall begin when we entered Canada in the Province of Manitoba.....let me say that area is now awarded the Mr. Doodles award for the worst roads traveled. No more said just bad, bad bad.

After a very long day, our first stop was in the Lake of the Woods area in a little Village called Kenora. We stayed there a couple of nites and enjoyed the area albeit quite hot. The locals are not too keen on this global warming thing going on. They too are in desperate need of rain.

The lake the campground is on has an interesting twist during the winter. It seems that the lake freezes solid and turns into a freeway. Visitors from the States drive across the lake to hunt and/or ice fish. While speaking to a local he was saying the lake turns into a six lane freeway.
Now imagine this, they don't have to go thru customs. Does Homeland Security know about this?!?! bet not.

Spent the next nite in a town called Thunder Bay, just an overnite, then on to Batchawana, Pancake Bay at the top end of Lake Superior. What a wonderful area. And happy to say we spent three nites at this lovely spot.

Left there and toddled off to Perry Sound and spent another two nites to prepare us for our ten day visit with Mr & Mrs Nutz.

And that is where we are now. Did y'all think we got lost - Naw!!! Just having waaaay too much fun. Having a rather large get together on Friday nite with friends. Good thing cause I can see a Corona hangover coming from that event.

Depart Canada on Tuesday to head back into the US of A. We will attend another drag race and meet up with our racing friends mid August and then off to parts unknown. Well I shouldn't say that we really do have an idea of where we are going but not exactly when. And once I get to an area that I can post some snaps I will I promise.

So stay tuna'd.........

back in the land of civilization

Well at least we are in an area where we have cell service as well as internet.........life is good!!!

Lot's has been going on since last I posted. We have been in some fairly remote areas of mid Canada. Many photos to post. Lake Superior is huge and even warm enough to swim in and for a citizen of the USA that is saying something. Met some really nice folks while ambling our way to Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Let's see one of the best things that happened is sister and her husband bought a fifth wheel trailer. Can you believe it?!?!!! They found a very well cared for unit and with husbands handy skills they are going to have so much fun in this new toy. Now RV'in is not new to them so they are really gonna have fun in this new find. Can't wait to spend more time with them RV'in.

I was also happy to hear that niece and her husband got to take some time away from their busy jobs....yeah you two.

Also a friend in Northern California has a daughter that has been admitted to the hospital with an unknown illness. Sending good thoughts her way.

My friend Beezer is getting ready to send her daughter off to college and I know she must be feeling sad and happy emotions.

Must go find out how my friend's daughters adoption is going. I know how anxious they are.

And I know that kimmy and tie are busy momma's getting their kids for back to school and probably practicing a happy dance. I have been bad about sending postcards cause of the locations we were in, well and I wasn't good about being prepared with stamps, but I'll try to get back on track soon.

Oh and my very dear friend in Dallas is moving to Hotlanta.......yeah for her cause I think she said on the voice mail she sold her house.

OK that's it for now......stay tuna'd!

The vagabonds are moving onward

So we did leave, as previously mentioned, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Wednesday a.m. and not at an un-godly hour either. Mr and Mrs Nutz sent us off in fine fashion and we will be happy to meet up with those two in Vegas the latter part of October. We have a loosely planned agenda that will be tweaked at a later date. I must also say that Mr N is the sweet brother I never had and if I had to have another sister it sure would be Mrs N.

Now below is a photo of the diamond plate aluminum box that was CREATED by those three handsome boys. This spiffy lookin box now houses our generator for the RV. We don't always need a generator, but when we do this addition sure is damn convenient. Now don't be offended but this is my very own personal vibrator.
And NO it has yet to fall off the back of the trailer. That is a good thing!!!

stay tuna'd for more late breaking news.

ps.............keep good thoughts for all our friends in the path of the impending hurricane Dean. I am glad we are not there but do worry bout our friends.

A legend…

OK we are on our way to Canada today tuesday, and will be out of internet connection for a couple a weeks. We have our cell phone and can be used cause I had it switched to the Canada calling plan.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, not much going on in this town BUT they did have some interesting back roads.

Mr Doodles got a t-shirt in their "gift shop" a bargain a 10$

We found our way out to Devils Gulch. Now I bet you have never heard of that but if you are a fan of the famous Jesse James you would know the history.

Now this isn't much of a photo but the area is very close and hard to get a good shot.

I say brave horse!!!

The legend goes…………….the posse was looking for old Jesse James cause he and his gang robbed a bank in Minnesota. Two of the gang members were killed and two were wounded in this attempt. It seems that all was left was Jesse and his bad brother Frank. Frank and Jesse headed toward the Dakota territory, just north of Garreston which is the locatin of Devils Gulch. About that time the brothers went there separate ways still trying to out run the pesky posse. Frank went west toward Split Rock River, which by the way is a beautiful area. While Jesse rode on the east side not knowing there was a GULCH ahead of him. How he coached his horse to jump that GULCH will never be known. But the James Boys did meet up later and well documented in activity. So goes the legend!

this was at the entrance to Devil's Gulch - read the sign!

Sioux Falls has actual falls, not very big, but falls none the less. Guess they have to keep the falls going to be able to keep the name.

Saw some incredible structures out in the farm land on our mini excursion.

One would make a great house. Old abandoned barn, two story cool roof line. What would that look like in the Desert?

we'll be back.....................stay tuna'd

I'm getting dizzy here being the navigator

Cause ya see we are headed north toward Canada and we are tooling down Interstate 29 that follows the Missouri River. Now 29 goes in and out and in and out of Iowa and Nebraska. Can't make up it's mind I guess.

I hope I don't offend any Iowans BUT the roads in Nebraska are sooooo very much better than yours - sorry - sad but true!
Mr Doodles has chosen Eastern Colorado as having the worst roads so far on this trip.

Photos from the road follow.........

nope this is not a female kitty we picked up for Buddy...what an emaciated looking thing she was. I went and left her some of Buddy's food.



this country should have more of these for alternative power....we sure do have the land mass.


ok gonna go pick up the camera as we are back in South Dakota and the roads are less bumpy...............stay tuna'd

corn, corn, and more corn

And I thought Indiana had cornfields. Whoa!!! Nebraska has a few more than Hoosierland fer sure. Both of us are sneezing from corn dust.

I am also sorry to say that we have driven into the humidity...YUK!!! Hopefully when we get to Sioux Falls, South Dakota it will be a bit cooler and drier.

Took some great on the road shots today, so I'll take a look at them tonite and post them over on my flickr site

We'll spend a couple a nites in Sioux Falls and then find our way into Canada. A warning for y'all I won't be posting while in Canada. We'll have cell service but NO AIR CARD.

I'll remind y'all again but thought I should mention it while I thought about it.

One other thing go look at sister Moon's site She has done some amazing pastels. Remember the silhouette of cactus she did??? It is now in our RV and has a special place of honor as the first piece hung in the RV.

OK I have yakked long enough........stay tuna'd

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

The post I made that is just under this one has had many problems. The photos keep disappearing.

This is the LAST time I am going to re post this blog. Don't know what is wrong but it has happened before with blogger.

And I am not even at my limit for photos.

More from Sioux Falls, SD...................stay tuna'd

We are parting company.....sadly

Mr & Mrs Nutz, Mr D and Ms G are motoring off back to Canada by way of South Dakota. After hearing of our fun time in the Rapid City area they are going to travel that way home. Trust me they will love it and have some great memories. And the best part is Ms G will be able to see a bit of wildlife. Especially the pronghorn antelope along the roadway. They are the sweetest little animals. Hard to get pics of them so maybe Ms G will have some luck. Rest assured before they left we packed in a lot of fun and day trips. One day they traveled up to Pikes Peak, not a place Mr Doodles would travel, while we went to the Air Force Academy. All of these locations are in Colorado Springs which is a couple of hours south of the Denver area. Then if the afternoon we all met at Garden of the Gods Hard place to explain so I'll supply the site and you can see for yourself. The photos that we all took are stunning as you will see at the end of the post. On the way back to the RV we stopped at a favorite steak house of Mr Nutz and a good meal was consumed by the group. Then I believe is was the day before, we traveled an hour or so away to a very cute little area called Central City, an old mining town turned gambling casinos. Cute, cute place with nice small casinos that paid well and supplied us with a lot of laughs. The unfortunate part is we did not bring a camera, however Mrs Nutz did and got some great shots of the area. I'll have to be at her mercy for her to forward any snaps to me. But trust me we were there and had a great time. Oh yeah with the exception of trying to park that Big A** truck we call Louie. He is just a bit tight to get into a parking garage and Mr Doodles is not taking a chance to take off the roof lights. Anyway, they did have RV and bus parking BUT it was 5 miles up the top of the mountain. Now we were at approximately 8500 ft and the danged parking lot was at 10,000 ft. What a view and what a laugh we all had.

So the Happy Canadians have left and we will leave in the a.m for Canada by way of Nebraska and northward.......as always stay tuna'd



Here is the Chapel at the Air Force Academy quite an impressive structure. Not a great shot of the interior but the pipe organ was massive and Mr Doodles wanted to get a shot. You know me I have to take at least one flower pic per trip. This is a shot of the campus of the Air Force Academy. They have a lovely place for their higher learning.

That's Mr D being a gentleman and holding up this big rock for us...sweet! It was a bit hazy but the views were still incredible.


Can you see Nemo in the red rock to the far right...well we did and that's our story and we're sticking to it OK!!

Now is that a lady?!!! Ms G holding the rock for Mr D..such a happy couple.

Purpose of our Denver trip

Mainly was to go the the NHRA Drag Races. Well that we did. And because of the traffic situation we all shoved our fat butts into the big A** truck. Thank the lord it was only 5 miles give or take.

However the "boys" had to do some technical measuring for a steel box that is being made for the back of the RV, gotta love them boys!

So back to stuffing us in the BIG A** truck...that we do and off we go for late day and evening qualifying. What a super day. Weather here is iffy at best, never know when you are gonna get a rain cloud pop over a mountain. As the day went on it got cooler and the track temps went down and the cars went FASTER. No records set but a good day none the less. Of course we had to do shopping for t-shirts and the like. The other gals had to buy grand kids things to take back. No deals but they did get some cute things for the kiddies.

Gonna post a few snaps of the race cars, not that many of you will be all that interested but some of them turned out really good. I will post the whole lot of them over of Mr Doodles flickr.

Stay tuna'd for some more goings on. Oh and by the way Ms G you CAN trust me!

a water consumption realization

OK I am not gonna preach BUT I am gonna mention that we humans are WASTING water.

Since living full time in the RV we have come to realize how much. Trust me I'm not here to tell you go get an RV but I am here to give you a couple of hints on saving water.

First off go get your kitchen timer, put it in the bathroom while showering your normal shower. OK how long were you in there with the water running. God I sound like Al Gore, but this is serious.

Now go get one of those shower heads you can turn off and on while you are in the shower. They have them at all the big home improvement stores. This gizmo is not gonna shorten the length of your shower, just cut down on water waste.

Ladies don't let the water run while you are shaving your legs!!! Guys turn the water off at the sink while shaving. What good does that do?

Your goal should you choose to accept my idea is to shorten the length of your shower. You can do it I know you can and you'll feel better to.

And do me a favor email me how your doing or leave a comment or any tips you can think of to pass along..................stay tuna'd

We are off to the Air Force Academy and the Olympic Training facility here in Colorado.

We have come a long way...

from Comanche Land RV Park in Fort Stockton Texas in more ways than one. We are stay at a lovely facility in Golden, Colorado. Hooked up with friends when we arrived and it has been non stop ever since.

Here's Mrs Nutz and Ms G playing dueling computers

that's Mr Doodles and Mr D trying to wake up..heaven only knows where Mr Nutz wandered off to.



Off to the drag races today to meet up with more friends that we haven't seen in quite awhile, that will be fun. I'll be sure to post pics of the racing.

Had a terrific storm come thru here late afternoon yesterday, tornadoes and such but we were spared any damage. Can't say that about other folks in the RV park. Not a good idea to leave your awning out when you go off for the day....ya never know.

Made a stop at the Coors Brewery right here in Golden. Fun tour cause ya get to sample.

look at all that cerveza


this was one of their big copper vats as you enter


OK stay tuna'd..................

Cheyenne...low key

This photo is just a few miles from the RV park

First day here it rained ALL day. And actually that wasn't a bad thing because we had some things to do inside the RV. After living in this thing for a couple a months I figured out where things really should go and what I need and don't need. Mr Doodles had some wiring he had to attend to. Now we have satellite thru out, not a big deal but a convenience.

And speaking of that rain, boy did they need it here in Cheyenne. With any luck they won't have wildfires when we leave. Cause it seems that almost every where we have been there has been wildfires, some minor others not so minor. The West is so very dry one lightning bolt will set off a fire. And that is what has happened in most areas. And with these recent storms there has been loss of life as well as many structures. Say a prayer and keep good thoughts for the folks in those area - they need it.



The above photo is of an area in Yellowstone that just burned recently. It's hard to tell in the photo I know but there are many areas in the Park like this, blackened sticks just waiting to be struck by lightning, God forbid.

Now today is laundry day, I know more mundane chores. Mr Doodles wants to detail the truck and RV. Since that rain the other day weather has but lovely and balmy. With the chores completed we are going off to Cheyenne's Museum of the West
Read rave reviews so anxious to see for ourselves.

Wednesday a.m. we are off to the Denver area to meet up with friends Woo Hoo! We shall be there for a week, so don't expect a lot of posting on this blog. I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of sightseeing, however one of the main reasons we all are getting together is the NHRA will be in Denver this weekend. We have a good friend that races and it will be good to see him.

Sister and her honey husband are also doing some RV'ing. They took off for the beach in Southern California. Talked to her yesterday and sister was viewing dolphins swimming along the shore, sort of like a Welcoming Committee for Sister Moon and Mr Moon. Hope they are having a great time. I'm sure sister will be posting some pics on her return.

One more thing...........go read this blog my niece did on green cooking. What a great idea..... sorta like having a hybrid for your oven.

Don't forget to keep up with our photos over on Flickr and don't forget you can comment on the photos............so stay tuna'd

Doodles fotos

Mr Doodles fotos

What a great day in South Dakota

In spite of the triple digit temps. We began our day with a visit to Mt Rushmore....and I am sorry to say we were very disappointed. Now don't get me wrong the sculptures of the four Presidents on the mountain were stunning, even though they aren't finished and probably never will be. That's because the dern government didn't do the proper testing on the mountain, so that means this will never be completed. The parking is very poorly laid out and run by a private company, not the Park Services. AND they charge $8 which is not a lot of $$$ but the government does not normally charge to park on Park grounds. I will be honest, if coming to visit Mt Rushmore pull over to one of the turnouts and take photos. The area was never meant to handle the amount of people in one day that they currently get.


OK suffice to say we saw Mt Rushmore, took a few pics and went on our way to Crazy Horse Mountain. You must go visit this web site because it would take waaaaay too long to explain here. But it is privately funded and the most amazing to see. This is a work in progress that I doubt if your children will ever see finished. Designed by award-winning sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, in 1947, the monument was suggested to Ziolkowski by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear in 1939. Mr Ziolkowski worked on his project for many years by himself.If you are ever in this area please put this on your list of places to visit.


The above photo is of the Crazy Horse sculpture, work in progress. I will post the larger photos over on Mr Doodles flickr page. The object in shadow is a marble sculpture of how the artist wants the mountain to eventually to look like. Quite a feat to carry out but I have no doubt in my mind that the family will succeed.

I was fortunate to meet a real Chief of the Lakota Tribe. He is an author as well as a retired Superintendent of Schools for his area. He autographed his book for me which was the "true story" of Crazy Horse and the Battle of Little Big Horn or Greasy Grass as the Indians refer to the battle. He also gave me a t-shirt. What a sweetheart.

After visiting Crazy Horse Mountain, we went off to visit the museum for the Story of Wounded Knee. To see the history of Wounded Knee was so very interesting. Especially after just seeing the movie. I had read the book several years ago. I would recommend the movie over the book cause the book is just so technical and really difficult to get thru. I found it funny that so many western type movies were made in the general area. With the exception of the HBO movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Just down the road from where we were staying was the main location for the movie Dances with Wolves with Kevin Costner. The locals tell me Costner has a home in the area and visits quite often. I also think they told me he has an art gallery too. So Costner is a big deal here in Rapid City.

If you like to see a bit of history in the form of old towns go to Deadwood, South Dakota. This is where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. All the buildings are refurbished and main street glistens with art galleries, t-shirt shops AND casinos. Yep there is gambling in Deadwood. Tombstone Arizona should take notice of this town rebuilt as they are thriving and not just from the casinos. May I add I walked away with more $$$ than I drove into Deadwood with.........woo hoo!!!

After a very long day of tourista doings we drove back to the RV and started to pack up for the 300 mile drive to Cheyenne the next morning...stay tuna'd.

ever get the feeling

that you have been there before? Well we are in Rapid City, South Dakota and I get the very distinct feeling I have been here before. Even some of the people look familiar. What an odd feeling. I have done this before so it is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact when we were checking in to the RV park yesterday, the lady said to me "you've been here before haven't you? No, you look so familiar". However I do get that a lot. Oh well maybe in my other life?!? So we went to the Badlands National Park in South Dakota.. It was a 3 hour drive that looped thru a small part of the Park. Badlands are aptly named. Residents of that area consisted of the Pine Ridge Indian, Bison, Pronghorn (they look like miniature antelope) a few prairie dogs and rattlesnakes. This photo does not do the area justice as to how desolate it appears. There were several large areas that would serve at villages for the Indians and their livestock. Mr Doodles took some shots as well so I must post over on his flickr page.

After the Badlands drive thru we drove over to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Mr Doodles was in the Air Force so it seems there is a magnet that draws us to AF bases. We got to tour a musty old missile silo and the base itself.



However, on a side note when you sign up to go on the tour you must present a drivers license or a passport. They load you on a small bus and then drive to the gate, where they do a security check. Well it was just our luck when the base Police boarded the bus and asked for a gentleman to step off. We sat in that hot sticnky bus for at least a half hour while they did more checking. Finally the driver went in to ask if they could be released if the guys wife got off as well and we all went on our merry way. Yep, that could happen. Cudos to the driver. Come to find out after the tour ended, it was all just a case of mistaken identity. Seems the man on the bus had the same name as a fugitive that they were looking for.

OK we are off to Mt. Rushmore where I know it is going to be crowded due to the holiday week. So must get an early start.

On a side note.....when we left yesterday I accidentally closed Buddy in the closet for eight and a half hours. Let's just say Buddy was not a happy camper cat upon our return........stay tuna'd ;)