Just traveling

Haven't written since leaving the Carolinas so I thought I'd let people know I've not fallen off a cliff somewhere. Stayed in Indianapolis catching up on some business and went to a Christmas party with my ASGA friends. Enjoyed myself a great deal; haven't gone dancing in a long time and I really do enjoy dancing.

My son got a new job so he was away most of the week while I stayed at his house. After the party Saturday night I stayed at a friends and then took off for Chicago to spend a couple of days with my daughter while she was up there for business. Was hoping to go the Sears Towers and walk out on "The Ledge" but the skies were cloudy and gray which made it kind of useless going up to look around or even down. Hey, you're above the clouds so you really can't even see the ground much when its yucky out.

I did have the experience of learning the black mucky sludge looks exactly like the street you're walking on, well, at least until you step into about a foot of it - real stinky too!!!

Afterwards I headed South to Texas where I should be for the next month or so. Been staying with my friend Sue for the past week before heading further South to Killeen/Ft. Hood to spend Christmas and New Years with my daughter and son-in-law (Devon). Devon is a soldier in the Army and is stationed at Ft. Hood.

While staying with Sue we were able to get out this past Sunday while the weather was a balmy 70+ degrees. Very nice. We headed over to Ft. Worth to visit the Stockyards. It was a nice little piece of the past and they still do a small cattle drive through the downtown area twice a day. There is a enough sights of interest I would suggest anyone driving through should stop by and enjoy the rustic western atmosphere.

Me, right where I belong!!


Big Jake!!


The Cattle Drive

South Carolina

South Carolina, overall, is a very beautiful state. One of just a few states I wouldn't mind settling down when I get to that point in my life. But it won't be near Mrytle Beach! Somewhere south of Charlotte, NC or further south near Hilton Head or Charleston is more to my liking.

Mrytle Beach is truly a "tourist" town. It appeared to me to be one long strip of nothing but seafood buffets and putt-putt places. Yes, there are tons of real golf course but I'm telling you the number and extravagance of the silly putt places is simply astonishing. You could go there with a date and I believe play putt-putt every night for a year and not hit all of them. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration but not by much.

The part of South Carolina just south of Charlotte is scattered with subdivisions hidden by trees and one could easily find property on a river or lake and seclude yourself if that is what you so wished to do. And even then, you'd have a major city not so far away.

Further South, Hilton Head Island is majestic. What a contrast to Mrytle Beach. Just driving across the bridge on the HHI you feel like you've driven back in time with all the roads being tree lined. Any businesses along the main strip are hidden by those trees, signs strategically placed to let you know just where the local Wal-Mart or Home Depot or Subway is located. Very well architecturally designed.

And having staying on Hilton head Island for an entire week (yeah, I know, not a real long time) but opinion of HHI hasn't changed one instance. Love the area. Now, just need to have enough money to live here. lol

I'm heading back to Indy now to enjoy the ASGA Christmas party with my friends. Afterwards I'll be heading to Texas to spend the Christmas season and more with friends and family. Probably will be in Texas for a month or longer. From there, if I don't have a job by then, I'll be heading off to New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California and on.

Speaking of jobs, I did finally have an interview with a company located in Lexington, KY. The interviews went well but that doesn't really mean anything. I'll let you know if I get the job. Mixed feelings about that for sure!!!! lol

Ciao!!

Back in Indiana

Been back in Indiana for a couple of days now. Cam back to mainly 1) do some repairs on my Jeep and 2) take part in the season ending ASGA outing down in Sellersburg, IN. It's raining now so I thought I let you know the ups and downs of the past few days; overall though its been a good week. Hopefully the rain will clear out before the weekend.

The repairs consisted of the 100,000 service, finding out what that 'noise' is I keep hearing and getting my brakes serviced.

Took the Jeep into the dealer to get my 100,000 service and seems the Jeep is doing quite well. Everything seem to check out except for one major item - my drive shaft. Yep! Len, that noise I kept hearing wasn't the wheel bearings; it was the front u-joints which on the Jeep is one and the same with the drive shaft. Seems that can't replace one without the other. Good thing I have that 'Forever Warranty'. $100 out-of-pocket for me. Yippee! Except that the warranty company won't honor the contract. Seems there is a clause in the contract that I was to notify them each and every time I get an oil change or really anything done to my car.

At least the Jeep dealer feels as bad about it as I seem to feel. No, really. They are working with me to get it replaced at their cost. So it's going to end up costing me around $500. A lot less than I'd anticipated. Working with the warranty company to void my contract and get reimbursed. If I remember I'll keep you upon how that goes. The drive shaft is now scheduled to be replaced mid next week.

On to CarX to get my brakes fixed - whatever that might mean. I was bracing myself for another big expense, not that I'd been having any problems but when I bought the Jeep the guy told me I should probably have the pads replaced in 10,000 or so miles and I'd had gone almost 20,000. Come to find out that the rotors and pads are practically brand new and have plenty of life in them. Cha-ching!!!

This Indy stop isn't turning out to be as expensive as I'd thought it would be.

Now if the rain would just go away!!!

Wisconsin

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am a huge Dallas Cowboy fan. That being said I did take the time to take a tour of Lambeau Field in Green Bay. As a football anyone you should really want to see Lambeau Field first hand. And I believe it was well worth the tour. And I have to admit there is something unique about the Packer mystique that probably no other team can match. Just the fact that the team is owned by the townspeople puts the franchise in a category that can't be matched. That and the fact that it is one of the older franchise and one that has won so many championships doesn't hurt either. A definite must see for any football fan. Enjoy the pics.







Another neat venture that I took was to take a tour of a submarine. In this case it was the USS Cobia docked at Manotiwoc, WI. Manotiwoc was one of the major submarine boat yards during WWII. I can't imagine having to live in one of those submarines for months at a time. Kind of makes my Jeep feel roomy!! lol



No such thing as a private can!!


The very precious water supply


Backup battery


Yep, that's me crawling through a manhole.

Superior Wisconsin

Yeah, I know, what happened to Minnesota? Well, nothing really. I just had to take a detour before finishing up in Minnesota. My right back tire kept losing air so I went to get it fixed. Come to find out that there's nothing wrong with the tire; it was the rim that was cracked! Ouch! And the only place other than ordering a new one from Chrysler that could get one was Countryboys in Superior, WI. So $145 and one day later I'll be back on the road. Yep, they can get it but not until tomorrow after 10am can I pick it up. And they don't mount so I'll have to take it back to Wal-Mart to have it mounted. Oh well, better find out now whether than later when I'm on one of my back woods jaunts. My next trip was a trip around Lake Superior which will entail a trip into Canada.

I will include something I thought was rather cute. here are some picture of the "mighty" Mississippi River. Ha! Hey, everything starts small, right?

North Dakota - what a surprise!

I've always thought of North Dakota and some sort of barren wasteland; I couldn't be further from the truth. Although it doesn't really rank anywhere as far as energy or food production the western part of the state boast beautiful painted canyons and Lake Sakakawea - the third largest man-made lake in the United States.

And I found another gem of a place for those coming this way to visit. It borders Lake Sakakawea somewhere between Tioga and Williston, just close enough away that you could stay there if you had plans to play The Links of North Dakota. The place is Lund's Landing and the proprietors are the friendliest people and they serve the best Walleye and Juneberry pie for miles.

It was a good thing I came up this year too. If I'd come any of the past few years I might have come away with a different opinion. Seems North Dakota had gone through quite a few years of drought and just last winter had a record snow fall. This record snow fall just happen to fill up the empty sloops, ponds and small lakes. Even Lake Sakakaweah was down about 30+ feet according to locals. Even Lund's Landing would have looked completely different since the little inlet they are set on would have been completely dry. Timing is everything; so much for global warming!!

Enjoy the pics:

Beautiful Canyons


New construction technique


View from Lund's Landing teepees.

Our Americana

I have the great dialogues with myself as I'm driving down the road only to have my mind go blank when I sit down in front of my computer. Yeah, I know; must of you are saying right now, "So, what's different, his mind is blank most of the time, isn't it?" Funny!!

Anyway, driving on the back roads of America really opens your eyes to what is out here. "The more things change, the more they stay the same" is so very true. I remember back in Nevada driving through some of the old "ghost towns". Well, I've already driven through many of the future ghost towns of America. Most have some people hanging on refusing to leave but the towns themselves are pretty run down.

One example is the quaint little town of Belfield, ND. A small town still well occupied but not being kept up. I'm sure not so long ago there were a contingent of people that took pride in what the town looked like; not so anymore.

As I was driving through I noticed a sign for the Belfield Dam. Well, where there is a dam there is generally a lake. So off I go. I figured it would be a nice place to eat lunch. To my delight it was a beautiful 'pond' albeit a large pond but I'd never call it a lake. What disappointed me and delighted me were two scenes at the lake. The first was the name of the park - "The Dam Park". Now some one or group of people had to have a great sense of humor. Love it.

But just behind the sign was a well designed playground for the young kids. The playground was left untouched, for how long is anyone's guess.

I just think it's kind of a sad statement about human nature. One group of people strive so hard to build something up while the next or the next generation choose to go their own path (nothing really diabolical) leaving the past's charm to ruin. Like everything else, life is one big circle. What comes around, goes around.

Belfield Pond


The Sign


The park playground


Belfield Quarry



Ducks feeding in Belfield Lake




One really nice side benefit of driving through these little towns is every now and again you find a gem. In Marmarth, ND you find such a place. Now the town itself leaves much to be desired but on the outskirts of the town is an Automobile Museum. Yep! The older gentleman moved there about 7 years ago and brought all of his automobiles with him. And I mean all - over 50 and they all run according to him. He keeps them all up by himself. Everything from late 1800s to maybe a 1940 or 1950 but very few 'newer' models. In fact he has the original roadster owned by General Dougles MacArthur. One just like it won a Grand Prix race.

And that's not the best part, amongst the cars are collections of pictures that contain just about every famous person from the region - Geronimo, Custer, TR, Annie Oakley, Bat Masterson, Will Bill, Billy the Kid, etal. You name it, this guy had a picture.

Definitely make it a stop if you're ever in North Dakota.

Camping on the Gallatin River

Greek Creek is the name of the campsite.

Evening everyone; well, at least it is for me. All’s quite around here for me now. My daughter doesn’t arrive back home until the 9^th and since I’m already back in Montana I thought I’d camp for a few days while I’m waiting for her to get back home. Well, I got here the day before Labor Day and now that it is Labor Day there is only myself and one other campsite occupied. So yes, except for the cars passing by it’s pretty quite. Yes, cars; it’s not like you have much of a choice when you are a drive-by camper. Although I like the spot I’ve got. It’s off to its own and the river is right next to me. I took some pics so you know what I’ve lived like for the past three days (by the time I post this).

I’ve been trying to catch a fish to eat but I think I bought the wrong license. You see, I bought a fishing license; I should have bought a catching license. Sheesh! If I had to depend on fishing to survive I think I’d die in short order. Anyone out there want to teach me how to fish and actually catch something worth eating????

Labor Day is the first day of bow hunting season so I’ve seen a lot of bow hunters coming out of the woods. All empty handed. Guess they are having the same kind of luck I’m having.

Hey, Len, you’d be proud of me. Once I got to the campsite I set out to find some firewood naturally thinking all loose firewood had already been picked clean. Well, I bought a bow saw and it came in very handy. Found some drift wood along the shore the size of a tree and actually found a downed tree, brought them both to camp and have had plenty of firewood all three days. And I’m getting pretty good and starting my fires. Haven’t had to use the ‘special stick’ but once. There’s a pic of my firewood about half used up included with the others. Cool idea, that saw!

Well, better get my supper fixed. Hmmm, Polish Sausage or Spam!!! Lol

Montana

Driving through Montana give me the vastness of not only the state but of the United States. The United States is the 3rd largest country in the world, similar in area to China. The only two larger countries are Russia and Canada yet much of their territories are virtually uninhabitable. Montana, taken alone, would still be one of the 100 largest countries out of the 233 recognized. heck, Alaska almost makes the top 40.

And I'm getting the sense that Montana can be split into three distinct regions: high mountain treed, rolling grassy hills and in the far West, plateaus; all with their own distinct beauty I might add.

Glacier National Park is beautiful with too many trails for me to take on this particular trip but the two I did go on were well worth the treks. Hidden lake and St. Mary Falls, enjoy the picks.

Walk up to Hidden Lake (1.6 miles and 2,000 feet up) Hidden Lake


































Below St. Mary Falls St. Mary Falls.

Whitewater

This is for all you whitewater fanatics. The first is on the Payette River in Idaho and the second is the Kootenai River in Montana. I say we get a group together, go to the National Whitewater Center in North Carolina, learn how to kayak rapids and then go take these babies on. What say you?!?!? Sounds fun, huh?

Just absolutely gorgeous!

Those are the words going through my head as I'm driving down ID-28 once I hit the mountains. Whoever built the roads built them to follow the rivers and the rivers here are gorgeous. So, Len, when you drive the roads I'm talking about please pull over to peruse the scenery or you'll definitely drive off the road. Some of these roads you either up against a mountain wall watching for rocks coming down on you on one side and inches from getting a car wash on the other. Simply thrilling!

And the minute I'm ready to declare ID-28 in the mountains one of the most beautiful drives I've been on, up comes US-93 along the Salmon River. Yep, just as gorgeous and then I hop on ID-55 which follows the Payette River. Wow! I think this just may be God's country.

Enjoy the pics.

Salmon River

















Lemhi River






























Payette River

Back to the Real World

Well, my real world anyway. I've had a fantastic last few days and most of the time I didn't have internet or phone service but intermittently. Thus, the few phone calls or blog entries.

From Devils' Tower to the laundromat I'm sitting in now I've camped three days and enjoyed a multitude of nature's beauty. I've also discovered to camp sites that anyone would enjoy; one along Silvee Lake and the other along side Jackson Lake. And actually at the Jackson Lake one I did have some internet and phone access but who wants to spend time on the internet when you have all of nature to explorer.

Two of the more exciting moments came at Silvee Lake and while driving through Yellowstone.

At Silvee Lake I parked the Jeep and started walking around the lake when over to the right there was a family of moose. Minding their own business munching away on the trees and the grasses. I was able to get pretty close and noticed the bull had spent plenty of time scrapping the felt cover off of his horns. Here's some pictures of the moose.





The second incident was while I was driving through Yellowstone. I came upon some buffaloes and of course they decided to cross the road right as I was coming up. Well, at least that was I thought!! To my surprise they turned up the road and started walking right towards me but in the lane next two me. Yep, they walked right past me; heck, I could almost reach out and touch them they were so close. Here's the video. Be sure to have your sound on!!!



I also recorded two other videos: one of Old Faithful but it is too big to post here, and one of the Upper Falls. It's pretty cool so I'll add it to my next post. It takes forever to upload the videos. Wow!! I'm sure Dairy Queen appreciates my patronage though! lol

130 = 250

Took off from Devil's Tower for Buffalo, WY today after spending some time with Len and Kristy. It's only a distance of about 130 miles. I made it 250+.

Len and I went on a hike around Devil's Tower. What a magnificent structure. I would have taken the elevator to the top but they forgot to build one. Dang!!! lol





So, what does a guy do that has more time on his hands that he knows what to do with, he decides to go North toward Canada (not quite getting there) and take a round-a-bout way to Buffalo, WY. You just set the navigation systems to avoid freeways and off you go. lol And man am I glad I did. The trip was absolutely gorgeous and eventful. Somewhere going North on 58, either in Wyoming, more likely Montana I driving down the road and there on my right are mounted missiles. Yep! You read that right. Three missiles loaded and ready to take off. Hmmmmm, wonder who they are pointed at?

Tons of dear, my only regret was that I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of a beautiful stag - easily with 4 points (8 if you count both horns). Magnificent!! Also got pictures of some buffalo, a herd of dear and a beautiful mountain. See, going out of one's way isn't a bad idea after all. Even if I did have to pay 2.929 for gas!! Yikes!!