Headed East

The motor coach is pointed east and we are headed home. We have found that six weeks is about the maximum amount of time we want to be on the road. After a while you get your fill of sight seeing, reading and moving from place to place even if those places are interesting. Last night we spent the night in Elko, Nevada at the same RV park as we did on the west bound leg. We are currently at the Hill Air Force Base RV park in Salt Lake City. Tomorrow it is Rawlins, Wyoming then Sidney, Nebraska and finally, Waco, Nebraska before arriving at home on Sunday. We are ready to spend a little time at home.
During the past ten days we spent a week in Carson City, Nevada visiting with Nancy and her family. Carol got to spend time with the granddaughters. She and Elizabeth did a few crafts and Carol is anxious to get home and start some plastic canvas projects. On Sunday Bryan and Nancy held a car show that was very successful. They had over 100 entries and everyone thought that it was very well done. They are now planning another one for September. On Tuesday we spent the day in Reno shopping and then with old friends Frank and Bev Wesh. Naturally, we went to Luciannos for dinner. The rest of the week we spent hanging out at Nancy’s.
We took our leave on Saturday and traveled 60 miles east to Fallon where we lived for 17 years. Saturday was spent making contact with old friends. On Sunday we were invited to Mike and Beth Reese’s home for dinner. And a fine dinner it was. Monday Carol had lunch with a number of friends and Jim Anderson stopped by the coach for a visit. We then went to the Foremasters for supper with Mel and Barbara. That salmon was great. Tuesday morning we headed east and will continue until we reach home. The forecast is for cooler weather. That will be welcome after 100+ this last weekend. Carol enjoyed the beautiful sunsets of Nevada but misses the green of Missouri. She has no regrets of moving to the Ozarks. I find that I too have a different outlook on Nevada after living in Missouri for six years. I guess that I also missed the greenery.
There are no photos at this time because we just haven't taken any.

Still on the road west

Not much to report. We are currently in Elko, Nevada which is not near anywhere. We have successfully traversed Montana, Idaho and Utah. Just south of Butte, Montana we stopped at a rest stop and saw a large group of Pioneer roses. Passing into Idaho we saw information about all of the trout streams in the area and it reminded Carol of the Robert Redford movie “A river runs through it”. Later we passed a large lake and saw a flock of white pelicans. They are quite a distance from the nearest coast. At the park in Idaho Falls Charles talked to one couple who were making their first long RV trip and he talked to another Rver who wanted advise about taking his motor coach to and through Yellowstone on his way to Billings, Montana. The next morning Charles had pancakes and juice cooked up by the park. They do that every morning. This morning we passed the Great Salt Lake and I thought you might like a view from the road side park. We have also experienced one more time change as we are now in the Pacific time zone. Yesterday we stopped at the campground in Hill Air Force Base and we made a grocery run to the commissary. We also washed the coach that was quite dirty after three weeks on the trail and several rain storms. So far we have not experienced any restaurant food. We will be in Carson City tomorrow afternoon and will stay for a week while we visit with Nancy and her family. The first big event is a car show that Nancy and Bryan are putting on Sunday.

Out of Canada

Today was a get away day for the rally. We had a continental breakfast with the rest of the attendees and then hit the road. Today and the next four days are travel days as we head for our next stop, Carson City, so no pictures for the next several days and maybe no blogging for a few days. It took us 35 minutes waiting in line to cross the US/Canada border. They looked at the passports, asked one question and sent us on our way. There were four motor coaches in line and they did not bother to inspect any of them. Tonight we are in Great Falls, Montana, then Idaho Falls, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Elko, Nevada then CC. We will stay at Hill AFB in Salt Lake City and since it is a short run will get there early and hit the commissary to stock up.
A few words about western Canada. It is a great place to visit. The people are courteous and helpful, the entire country is very clean and the weather is great. I have never seen a city as clean as Calgary. They can be rightfully proud of the city. Calgary would be a great place to live………….in the summer!!!

Banff and Lake Louise

This is the last full rally day and it was a full day going to Lake Louise and Banff. We boarded the bus at 8 am and were off along Canadian Highway 1. West of Calgary this highway runs through four of Canada’s National Parks on the way to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Banff National Park was the world’s second national park following only a park in Australia. It was established in 1885 and covers 2,564 square miles. Our first stop was at Lake Louise, a high mountain lake which is at 5,680 ft above sea level. The warmest temperature for the lake is 50 degrees and it freezes in the winter. At the west end of the lake is Victoria Glacier. The main hotel at Lake Louise is Chateau Lake Louise which was built in 1890 by the Canadian Pacific Railway to entice visitors to western Canada and provide extra income for the new railway company. In fact, the railway built much of the infrastructure of the area just to get tourist to visit (and spend money). The locals say that Banff is an acronym the stands for “Be Aware Nothing For Free”. While we were there we listened to a ranger give a talk about the lake and the national park. We then headed for Banff for power shopping and a quick lunch. The only industry in Banff is tourism and there were plenty of tourists. After the lunch break we stopped at the Cave & Basin which is a natural hot springs that is the birthplace of Canada’s national park system. Then we drove by the Banff Springs Hotel that was built in the 1890s also by the Canadian Pacific Railway. At one time it was the world’s largest hotel. We did not stop as the guests do not like to have tourists wandering around. The price? If you have to ask you cannot afford it. Next we stopped at the Bow River Falls that are below Banff. There was a Kodak moment here for some when a young elk appeared. Then on to the Hoodoos. What is a hoodoo? It is a geological formation of limestone capped by a harder material. The limestone dissolves over time leaving pillars. By this time everyone was just about toured out and we headed home. Tomorrow a quick getaway breakfast and on the road to Montana.

Rodeo Finals Day

Last day at the rodeo and last day for the rodeo. Today the rodeo finals where the final 10 in each event get to see if their luck is as good as their skill. We left the park at 11 am and headed for the stampede grounds. Once again the weather is great; sunny and 60. When we got there we had some time before the rodeo started so we visited the Indian Village. The Indian tribes of Alberta set up tepees and perform dances and other performances during the Stampede. The Indians were part of the first Stampede in 1912 and are an integral part today, not just something that has been added in recent years. For the rodeo events the top 10 compete for the final four spots and then those four compete for $100,000. It was obvious that most of the competitors brought their A game as the scores were consistently higher than in previous days. Also, the rodeo stock were the cream of the crop as only about half of the cowboys in the bull riding and bareback bronco riding managed to stay on long enough to get a score. Each event champion also received a large bronze sculpture depicting the event they won. At the end of the finals it was back on the bus for the return to the park. We have to rest up for the trip tomorrow to Lake Louise and Bannf.
One additional note from yesterday. The Adventure Caravan folks hosted an ice cream social. After the ice cream was consumed they drew names for some prizes and we won an Adventure Caravan back pack. We haven’t used one before but have come to the conclusion that at times it will be useful.

Second day at the rodeo

Today we started late because we were going to end late by viewing the night show at the Stampede. During the afternoon portion we took a day off from watching the rodeo itself and took in some of the other activities at the Stampede grounds. We watched some of the Working Horse Classic in the Big Top Tent that spans several hours each day and you can come and go as you please. It is an equine event that combines how well the horse and rider work together doing a fixed set of maneuvers and then how well they do working with a steer. Both men and women compete in the same classes. Once you are on a horse it is a level playing field. We then wandered over to the vendor area one more time and then to the kitchen display area. Here there are continuous cooking shows by different chefs. Somewhat like the Food Channel out west. Each cook prepares some type of food and then the audience gets to sample the result. We then watched the Super Dogs in the arena. This was an hour show with 16 dogs, each a different breed, competing in four groups. It is not a real competition. Each group of dogs is backed by a portion of the audience so it gets the audience into the action. By now it was time to head for the grandstand and the evening meal. We had a buffet meal in the Clubhouse and the prime rib was cooked just right. At 8 pm the evening show started with the chuckwagon races. Each night they have nine heats all leading to determining the top eight drivers. Those top eight were announced after tonight’s races and the driver in first place won $6,000, a belt buckle, a western scuplture and a new crew cab pickup truck. Tomorrow night those eight compete in the semi-finals leading to the finals the last day and first place is worth $100,000. There was then a 30-minute intermission while they set up the gigantic stage for the evening show. We were then treated to a two-hour spectacular with performers dancing, juggling, singing, doing high wire acts, etc. You truly have to see it to get the full effect. This all ended with a 10-minute fireworks display. Now everyone had to go home so we joined the other 25,000 people heading for the one exit. When our bus was loaded we headed home arriving at 1:15 am. It took me about 38 seconds to be asleep. Overall, a great day. Now we get a day off to recover.

First rodeo day

First day at the rodeo, but not the last. Left the park at 9:30 am and headed for the rodeo grounds. I did not mention yesterday that we could easily see the rodeo grounds from the Calgary Tower as they are virtually downtown. I am sure they were not so close to downtown at the beginning in 1912 but they just never moved them and the city grew around the grounds. Among the many parts to the Stampede grounds is the largest Midway I have seen in a long time. Dozens of those stalls were you can spend many dollars throwing a baseball, squirting a gun or throwing rings to win a stuffed animal worth less than what you have spent. Also, a full compliment of carnival rides and almost any kind of fair food; funnel cakes, snow cones, etc. We started at the vendor area looking for some items on Carol’s list and found some. There are those who will receive the items in the future. Carol bought a cowboy hat and even got is autographed by one of the rodeo cowboys. They will know who they are when they get them. Part of the vendor area was dedicated to western art (all for sale). In that area were several fountains and large sculptures. After I took a picture of one of the lifesize sculptures he got up and repositioned himself and I took another photo. I have included those two photos above. We saw two other “sculptures” in that area. We then went to the rodeo. The special thing about the Calgary Stampede is the prize money and the fact that only the top 20 in each of six classes are allowed to participate. For those who are unfamiliar with rodeos they are calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, bare backed bronco riding, saddle bronco riding and barrel racing. The barrel racing is limited to the ladies. After the rodeo we headed back to the bus for the ride back to the park. Tomorrow is a late day. More rodeo plus the evening show with the chuckwagon races and fireworks. Yehaa!!