Pella, Iowa

 July 11, 2012

Pella, Iowa....does the name sound familiar????  As in Pella Windows and doors.  The original name of the company was Roll up screen company.  Some how that just doesn't do a lot for a company.

Oh well, that is not really the true beginning of this town.  It originally was a town established in 1847 by a Dutch clergyman that brought his wife and children and 800 followers to the new world.  The Dutch purchased 18,000 acres for $1.25 per acre. They named of the town Pella, a city of refuge.

There was the working windmill with a replica of the millers quarters on
the second floor of the windmill.
The large wooden shoes were just sooooo tempting!!!!

There was a replica of the original town with original artifacts.
Note the McCaskey Register Company was located in Alliance, OH.

There was a replica of a town in the Netherlands, complete with a
little house with a tulip garden.

The town buildings had a Dutch flare to them also.

Let us not forget to mention the trip to the Bakery.  The pastry was wonderful.  There was a pastry there in the shape of the letter "S".  This pastry is usually made at Christmas time for Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas).  Here is a bit of the history:

"Saint Nicholas (later known as Sinterklaas) lived from 271 to December 6, 342 A.D. in Myra, Asia Minor. He became the patron saint of fishermen and as a priest, was known for good deeds all through the Mediterranean area. He is the patron saint of Amsterdam. As Dutch trade grew, so grew the tradition of Sinterklaas.
Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain and rides through the streets on a white horse. He is accompanied by his Moorish servant, Piet, and many helpers. Sinterklaas rides over roof tops listening at chimneys to check children’s behavior. Wooden shoes are left by the fireplace with carrots or hay for the horse. Piet exchanges the carrots and hay for a small gift or candy.
Sinterklaas Eve, December 5, and Sinterklaas Day, December 6, are days of festivity and merriment. Sinterklaas parties consist of jokes, rhymes, simple gifts camouflaged in strange wrappings and lots of festive fun and laughter. Traditional spice cookies, hot chocolate, apple fritters and Dutch donuts are served. Chocolate letters are special Sinterklaas Day treats."

This bit of information was taken from http://www.pella.org./

Just a really neat little town to visit.  I'm glad Bill and Nancy decided to share it with us.

Until later.....stay safe.

Barb & Jim

Winterset, Iowa

July 10 - 17, 2012

Winterset, Iowa is located 13 miles southwest of Des Moines, Iowa.  It is a small town with alot to offer.

First of all for the reason for going to this little town was to visit with some new friends we met when we first started out full-timing.  We met Nancy and Bill in Wichita Falls, TX the first of October 2011.  We have kept in touch and decided to met up again after wintering in different locations.  Bill and Nancy were gracious tour guides and took us to some really interesting places.

Before we get into "places to go", Nancy gave me the neatest tip on how to get dried on bugs off of the front of your car or camper (in our case).  You just wet a Snuggle dryer sheet and wipe it on and just wipe off the bugs.  It is that easy.  I found Snuggle dryer sheets worked better than Bounce dryer sheets.  You have to rinse off the residue when you are finished....but the camper smelled good after I got done cleaning off the bugs.  Let me know if you try this tip.

Ok, things to see in Winterset.  In the Campground where we were staying there was several neat things.


The Maze with Sun Dial

 

The Clark Tower, in memory of Caleb & Ruth Clark.




This is the Bridge that Francisca's children read her diary.





The following was not in the City Park but was nearby in the area:



A local Air Museum  honoring Iowa Aviators.



The Freedom Rock by Ray Bubba Sorenson II
thefreedomrock.com



Winterset, IA is the birthplace of John Wayne.

There was quite a few things to see and do in such a little town.  Bill and Nancy also took us to Pella, IA and to see all of the Bridges of Madison County. (Look for two more posts on these places).

Having a great time....wish you were here!!!!

Until later.

Barb and Jim

Nebraska

July 8 - 9, 2012

Ok, it took us 8 months to get out of Arizona.  We were in Utah for three weeks, and we were in Colorado for 3 weeks. Nebraska, which is a much bigger state.....2 days.  We did make one stop in Nebraska to mention.

The Strategic Air Command museum.
Located between Lincoln & Omaha NE

My favorite....the SR71, Blackbird.
A super secret spy plane.

And here are a few of Jim's favorites:



Jim and his airplanes!!!!

 Have you noticed, this is NOT the first airplane museum and it will not be the last!!

Until later.


Barb and Jim

Rocky Mountain National Park

July 7, 2012

It wasn't the best day to go to the top of a mountain, but off we went anyway.  We had a nice day, and Phil and Karen went with us as our tour guide  (since they live in the area).

And once again we used our Senior Pass!!!

That hazy stuff was not fog...it was clouds!!!



Talk about being above it all!!!



And throw in a little snow....



Coming down was less clouds and more scenery.



This was the third Continental Divide we have crossed
since being out here...this is only the first one I got
a picture of.  Just not to fast on the draw.  OOPS.



















I will never pass up the opportunity to take
pictures of flowers!!

  Until later.....
Safe travels to you all.

Barb and Jim.

Off to visit some more new friends

July 4, 2012 - July 8, 2012

We left Colorado Springs for Greeley CO, less than 3 hours north.  This time we are visiting Phil and Karen at their really neat place.   It use to be an old ski lodge called Sharktooth.  The story goes when they were excavating for the ski slope they actually found a sharktooth on top of the hill.  It's a pretty good story though.

We had a very enjoyable visit with Phil and Karen.  Karen has a 1968 Cadillac convertible....so we went for a joy ride!!!!

We were the cool kids that day!!!!

Phil has his toy too....



Had a tough time pulling Jim away from this!!!!!



You know the saying...."Whoever dies with the most toy's, wins!"  I think Phil will win!!!

On to number 3 rock garden......Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain High......

Barb and Jim

A View from the Top and more rocks!

July 2 & 3 2012


 Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, and the Manatou Springs Cliff Dwellings,were a couple of the places Jim  had visited with his parents as a small child and he wanted to share them with me.

Once Hwy 24 and the area attractions opened we jumped in the truck and off we went.....to the top of Pike's Peak.....



Notice what side of the road the drop off is on...
MY SIDE!!!!



Not on my side going up.....
but coming down it was!!!!

The view from the top was really neat.

Pikes Peak....14,110 feet above sea level.
It was a bit chilly up there, about 56 degrees.
We both forgot to bring a jacket.  Abby was happy though.

Pike's Peak was the inspiration for
America the Beautiful
by Katherine Lee Bates



The Cog railroad goes to the top of Pikes Peak, rain or shine,
even in the snow!



Coming down.  I liked this side of the road much better than
coming up.

Carving of BIG FOOT.  Isn't he cute?



Pine trees... they were green.  The Fire did not get to these.


















 Our next stop that day was at:

Yes, boys and girls, more ROCKS!!!!
They even gave them Names.

Kissing Camels



Balanced Rock



Ship Rock
















Only three more rock gardens to go!!!!

On July 3rd we went to Cave of the Winds and the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings(thats two).  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I have no pictures of these two sights.  Oh well, it was just more rocks, in different shapes.

Cave of the Winds:  http://www.caveofthewinds.com/

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings:  http://www.cliffewellingsmuseum.com/

Until later.....

Barb and Jim

Colorado Springs, con't

June 27, 2012 - July, 2012

The Waldo Canyon Fire raged until well after July1st.  Loss of property was 29 square acres, 340 homes and 2 lives. Such a tragedy.    There was also a ban on fireworks for the Forth of July. Go figure!!

The afternoon sun behind the smoke clouds.



Smoke from the fire.

On July 29th Jack, our host, took us out to see things that most tourist wouldn't usually see.

Jack took us to the Golden Bee, a pub inside the Broadmore hotel.

Jack bought Jim a YARD  of Beer!!!!

GLUG....

GLUG, GLUG....

Didn't spill a drop!!!!  Done in 20 minutes, seriously!!!!
1 yard of beer is 48 ozs.

Then Jack took us to see the lawn sculptures that a German fellow had in his yard....totally awesome.



This was a weather vain that moved with the wind.





















Jack also took us to the Olympic Center in Colorado Springs.

On Saturday, the 30th, we went for a boat ride on the Pueblo reservoir with our hosts, Jack, Karen and Bodie.  Pueblo  was south of the fires  so we got out of the smoke that day, but it was 101 degrees that day.  Still have a very enjoyable day.  Sunscreen?  Who said you had to use sunscreen in the blistering sun?  I didn't and I had a sunburn for days after that as evidence!!!



Jack, Bodie and Karen.





Even Abby got to go into the water!!!



Highway 24 and the area attractions were not opened until July 2nd.....more to come.

Stay Safe,

Barb and Jim.