Moving Along...

Yesterday, we  traveled

on to Rapid City, SD.  We stayed at another

favorite campground!  Thanks Cabela's for letting us park and shop with you!

While in the big town of Rapid City, we took care of some necessary business like banking, a last minute stop at the post office, and a trip to an RV supply store.

Last night we were off to Hill City.  We made a stop at

Prairie Berry Winery, home of

their famous wines, jams and jellies.

Then, we were off to town to

meet up with the others for a little

window shopping before going to dinner

at the famous Alpine Inn.

We patiently

waited for 5:00 when the dining room opened.

The menu here is very simple...you get

a lettuce wedge salad with house made ranch dressing and your

choice of a 6 or 9 ounce bacon wrapped filet, served with a baked potato!

And, the price is right...$9.95 and $11.95.  Of course, if you save room for it,  there is a fabulous array of desserts to choose from.  I chose bread pudding with caramel sauce...but, I ate it before I took a picture...but, trust me is tasted as good as it looked!!

Full as ticks, we drove back to the Cabela's campground.  The only way to work off that delicious meal was to take a trip through the store for a little last minute shopping before heading to bed!

This morning came early and we were out and on the road heading for Reed Point, MT.  We decided

  

on the scenic route again today.  What a beautiful travel day it turned out to be.  We saw

some of the

locals that live in the area.

We made a

potty stop or two for Molly.  We told her...no more iced tea for breakfast!

And, we even found a great

spot to have a

picnic lunch!

Along with the

first signs of

Spring, we saw what remains of

winter in Montana.

Late this afternoon, we landed at the Old West RV Park in

Reed Point, MT.

We all walked down the middle

of main street to have dinner at the

local and might I add...the only restaurant in town.

We only have a few days left before we cross into Canada, so after dinner some of

us decided to make a plan, while

others just go where they are told to go!

It is hard to believe after planning this trip for almost 2 years, it is now actually underway.  The excitement of what is ahead is growing day by day.

Tomorrow we will be one day closer to crossing into Canada.  We hope you drop in to see how our last minute plans unfold!

North To Alaska...

Before we start North, let me take you back a couple of weeks when

the 54th Escapde was under way, and we were living life in the fast lane...

Our office

was set up. Wallace

 

was checking out all the radios while

Wanda was making a plan for how to direct everyone to the Rise n' Rolls Donuts.  Good job Wan!  According to my scales, I think we found them!

With the help of Greg and his fancy fork lift, Bob and Mark

hung all the sponsor signs...looking good guys!

And, before we knew it, things were in full swing.  There was

registration,

meetings, and

seminars.

Thanks Sharon and Don for recruiting 250 to 300

wonderful volunteers that

helped throughout the week.

And, wow....

look at all these first timers.  They were anxious to hear what

Molly, Wanda, and Susie had to say!

Of course, we don't want to forget the

socials, happy hours, and

absolute craziness that goes on!

But, like every other Escapade, the week was soon over,

Big Red was packed and on the way back to Texas.  We hope you are making your plans to join us in 2015 in Tucson!  We look forward to seeing you there.

But...in the meantime, we are packed up and headed

North To Alaska!

We left Goshen this past Sunday, danced around Chicago and landed at

Camp Wal-Mart in Iowa City for the night.

Monday, we traveled the

scenic route through Iowa to Austin, Minnesota.

This stop

was a must!

Tuesday, we traveled on to Mitchell, SD, home of the

Corn Palace.  The outside of the building is decorated with 12 kinds of corn!

This morning, we were up with

sun, and after a fuel stop, the gang was

 

on the move.  Next stop...Rapid City, SD for our next adventure!

Life is Good!

Time Moves On...

While spending time in Fort Worth with family, we were able to enjoy the kids and grandkids.  And, as usual, they kept us hopping!  There were

cooking classes and

gymnastics classes with Kourtney.

And,

Kinley, trying to convince her mom she is ready for gymnastics.  Or, that she is old enough

to join in with her friends at the 50's dance at Kourtney's school.

Then there were lots of baseball games for

 

Caden and

Zachary.

Caden likes getting to try out a

new position.

And, Zachary's team

while playing really hard, had to learn the agony of defeat.

Andrew is growing up...and at almost 17 he is busy with school and working.  He has a job at the Dr. Pepper Center where he drives the Zamboni.  And, now that he is driving, we enjoy him dropping in now and then for an unexpected visit.

Lauren too is growing up and is always surrounded with lots of girl friends.  We did however, have the change to have an

early birthday party for these four before leaving town.  They even agreed that they could

share their cake! 

And,  then, and still, the hardest part of this RVing lifestyle is when we leave them all behind.  I don't know that that part will ever be easy for me.

But, time moves on, and Pop had the

new refrigerator/freezer in place and the motor home

shining!  Time to head for

Goshen, Indiana to help prepare for the 2014 Escapade.  And, over the past few weeks, we have all worked hard.  But, we have left time to play, and, what a great place to play.  I love being in the middle of the

Amish country.  I love their homes and barns, and seeing them

parked in the same parking lots where we park our cars, and

.

shop in the stores...what a treat!

We had the opportunity to enjoy a real Amish meal prepared and served by Levi and Ester in their home.  What a beautiful home they have and what beautiful people they are.  Our dinner started out with fresh baked rolls served with homemade butter and jams.  Next came a wonderful slaw salad followed by baked chicken, baked steak, stuffing, corn, and mashed potatoes.  Of, course, there was lots of chicken gravy to top off that stuffing and those potatoes!  And, just when you thought you would pop, Ester came back with seconds.  And, for sure, when you thought you couldn't hold one more bite...yes...Ester was returning!  But, this time she came bearing chocolate cream pie, rhubarb cream pie, and a dish of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.

The food is not the only thing around here that is good in Amish country.  There are also lots of great craftsmen in the area.  And, ever since our last visit here in 2010, Mark knew that someday he would be back, and when he came back, he was getting himself a new

 

chair.  And, it could come from nowhere, but Lambright's.  And, another item on his list was to look up Carlyle at Focal Wood Products and have a

support leg made for our free standing table.

Lots of fun days, but, then it was back to work...

And, even the light dusting of snow, the still cool temperatures, and some pretty grey drizzly days, time has moved on, and now we find ourselves almost at the end of time.  The weather is promising to warm up and the Escapade staff will start arriving this week and by this time next week, our general attendees will be arriving, and Escapade 2014 will be underway.  And, we look forward to the time we spend with old friends and the chance that we will make a new friend or two.

So, for now, as time moves on, I must go.  But, check in over the next two weeks and enjoy the fun we will be having here in Goshen, Indiana.  Wishing you were all here with us!