Living on the edge ... of canyons and rivers!

Been circling around the Southwest like a tumbleweed lately.  We visited the Grand Canyon (awesome), Death Valley (again), Joshua Tree Nat'l Park (would love to revisit during warmer season), Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, Phoenix ( to celebrate our brother-in-law John Magnotto's life) and Las Vegas (won $57).  We've been connecting and reconnecting with extended family and thank them for all of their loving hospitality!  After a short visit with Ben this weekend (so excited) we will head east to Jeanne and Jim's in Florida and hopefully get in on some of that warm weather!  Look for us on Instagram.  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Where oh where can they be?

Well, we never made it to Hell's Canyon ... instead we went to the Columbia River Gorge.  It was cool and a little rainy but we managed to hike, bike and drink some good craft beer.  We dried out in warm Yakima, Washington and then proceeded on to Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park ... a favorite ... with hot days and cold nights and plenty of hiking and biking.  Then onward to Seattle to visit Amy and Phil and then Ben and Jesse in Portland.  We also spent some time at Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Yosemite National Park ... it is mind boggling!  We are presently camping in  Death Valley National Park ... yes, it is hot! but beautiful.

Mountains!

Our National Parks are the best ... mountains everywhere! Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Craters of the Moon National Park and Sawtooth National Rec. Area ... awesome parks with cool/cold nights and warm sunny days.  The only problem has been the smoke from all of the fires out West ... it comes and goes.  Recently we parted from Jeanne and Jim ... they went south and we went north to Missoula to visit more family ... Jesse's parents, John and Sue Honsky.  We biked, hiked, ate well, toured Missoula and visited Garnet Ghost Town.  Thanks so much for the wonderful hospitality!  Tomorrow morning we are headed to Hells Canyon Nat'l Rec. Area.

Don't Fence Me In

Hiked and biked around Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.  We are now making our way across Wyoming with the Yursiks with stops at Devils Tower and the cities of Gillette, Buffalo and Cody.  Mostly great weather but also experienced one bad storm in the Badlands and one beautiful double rainbow in Buffalo.

Oofdha ... Around & Around We Go

We've been circling Minnesota for awhile now enjoying much of what the state has to offer and connecting with family.  Met up with Ben and Jesse on the North Shore along Lake Superior and then headed towards the Boundary Waters for canoeing.  Connected with some of the Magnottos in the Lake Area and the Conlins at their Stones Throw Art Gallery in St. Peters. So greatful for their hospitality!  We ventured into the Twin Cities for some shopping and then visited the McNamaras.  We finished by camping along the Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.  Time is flying ... on the road for 3 months now!

Water, Water Everywhere

After a quick overnight in Cleveland, we headed for Lake Michigan ... really enjoyed the Nat'l Recreation campgrounds, the bike trails, the beautiful lake, the weather and the sand.  The Upper Peninsula was not as welcoming ... rain, fog, cool temps ... and lots of mosquitoes and flies.  Presently, we are in northern Minnesota near the Boundary Waters.  Going canoeing today or tomorrow and then ?.  No WiFi at the moment or cell service so will add some pics and send this off when we enter civilization again.  Love to all!

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

We called Atlantic Beach, N.C. And Myrtle Beach, S.C. home for a few weeks ... always fun along the Atlantic Coast ... especially with family!  There was a lot of sun, walking, talking, biking, hiking and eating.  Stopped at Mt. Rogers Nat'l Rec Area in Virginia on our way North ... mountains, rivers and blooming Rhododendrons everywhere ... beautiful.  

The Camping Life

Life on the road can sometimes be challenging ... or not!  Meals take longer to prepare but we figured out how to make granola in our dutch oven ( thanks MB ).  Also enclosing a picture of Dave cleaning house.

Hot ... and hotter!

The temperatures and humidity in the east keep rising ... I know we wanted Summer but this is ridicules!  Spent some time at Shenandoah Nat'l Park and Lake Sherando Nat'l Forest this past week! We love these national recreation areas.  We saw our first ever timber rattlesnake. ... now we have to watch out for bears and snakes!  We also stopped to visit with Dave's brother Chuck and Pat and our Megan and Buddy in Virginia.  Not sure where we are going today.  Hope everyone is having a great summer!

The Adventure Continues!

Meandering across the East for a few weeks on our way to a family reunion in Myrtle Beach.

The Adventure Begins!

Short Term Goals

        

        1. Fun and Adventure

        2. Rehabing Dave's Knee (He is doing great!)

        3. Getting Accustom To Our New Lifestyle

        4. " ... Going where the sun keeps shining.  Through the pouring rain.  Going where the weather 

            suits ( our ) clothes."    Harry Nilsson

Long Term Goals

         Same as Above

Pictures are worth a thousand words ... so here goes!