We said our goodbyes this morning and got on the road with no problems. It took us about three and a half hours to arrive in Sidney, Nebraska. I got a couple of pictures of Chimney Rock while moving. It is located about 15 miles east of Scottbluff. It was a landmark for the Oregon Trail.
We ran the trailer through an RV wash before going to the campground. The trailer was set up and Allan washed the truck by hand in heavy wind. We went to the hotel where they had a special room set up for the family reunion. There were many pictures and writings from the families set out on tables. Jim and Arletta had things very organized for us. Everyone had a goodie bag waiting for them. Tomorrow is packed full of traveling to prominent sites of the Webster family. Will fill you in later.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Packing up
We have had an unusual week of work here at Lusk. Our first day was with horses. You know how much I hated that. No large jobs were tackled since Allan was the only volunteer here this week. Allan has been putting windows in doors and repairing floors. He has had two hard days with Pastor Dale putting in two signs. One sign was in the next town 87 miles away with no food or gas stations in between. The wind was blowing so hard that it was difficult to put up the plywood. They were almost blown over. They both said the ground was hard as a rock. A manual post hole digger was being used. Those guys were tired puppies. Most of my work this week has been clean up. Pastor Dale and Allan put in some duct work this afternoon.
The worst part of these volunteer jobs is leaving. We have made many new friends that we will miss.
We are packing up in hopes to be on the road by 8:30 in the morning. We will be headed for Sidney, Ne. for Allan's family reunion. I am looking forward to visiting the largest Cabala's store while we are there. We will be staying in Cabala's campground.
The worst part of these volunteer jobs is leaving. We have made many new friends that we will miss.
We are packing up in hopes to be on the road by 8:30 in the morning. We will be headed for Sidney, Ne. for Allan's family reunion. I am looking forward to visiting the largest Cabala's store while we are there. We will be staying in Cabala's campground.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Weekend trip Part 2
Sunday we decided to take another excursion down a country road. The scenery on Silver Springs Road was different and beautiful, but we can say that about every road we have traveled. There was no phone service, electricity or water for miles and no sign of humans. We did see cows on the road as it was open range in areas. We saw a dead porcupine on the road. Road kill in Wyoming. We had a race with a badger. He was running along side the road while we were trying to get a picture. He ended up digging a hole fast and disappearing. There was a roadside small cemetery with a tombstone of Mother Featherlegs Shepherd who was a madam in the area in the 1800's. Only one car crossed our path during the ride down this road.
Wyoming is a state with many windmills since ranching is one of the largest industries. Cattle are put on open range far from electricity and windmills provide water for the livestock. They say in Wyoming they use a log chain for a wind sock and they don't consider the wind strong unless the links start breaking.
On returning to Lusk, we counted 25 pronghorns in an irrigated field within the city limits.
Monday we went with Pastor Dale to meet with a farrier to have several horses feet trimmed. We learned quite a bit from Mike, the farrier. We returned to the church to continue our work.
Wyoming is a state with many windmills since ranching is one of the largest industries. Cattle are put on open range far from electricity and windmills provide water for the livestock. They say in Wyoming they use a log chain for a wind sock and they don't consider the wind strong unless the links start breaking.
On returning to Lusk, we counted 25 pronghorns in an irrigated field within the city limits.
Monday we went with Pastor Dale to meet with a farrier to have several horses feet trimmed. We learned quite a bit from Mike, the farrier. We returned to the church to continue our work.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Weekend trip Part 1
We found that the group had made a great deal of progress in the last four weeks since we were here. 
There are 3 couples here, two which were new to us. Virgil and Donna Townley worked with us before doing electrical. H. L. and Norma Green, and Ruddy, Elaine and Andrew were the new couples.
Allan and H L worked on installing drywall. Ruddy hung exterior and interior doors. Jeanne worked on the children's area floor and removed floor tiles along with clean up duties. After work Allan would throw the football with Andrew. John and Cookie, members of the church, had the group over for supper on Thursday night. John took us on a tour of his 6000 acre ranch. Cookie took us to the barn to watch the feeding of three young calves and to see her 20 barn cats. Many have no tail and have extra digits. They were cute. Friday morning the three couples headed for other locations. We will stay here another week. We were invited to a hamburger cookout at Pastor Dale and Jana's house.
Saturday we slept late and had a big breakfast before taking a sight seeing trip.
There were lots of things to see. We stopped at Register Cliff 
to view the names of people written on the rocks who traveled on the Oregon Trail. Some are dated back into the 1800's. Unfortunately, people have continued to add their names defacing some of the older names. A fence was constructed recently around the cliffs to protect it.
We visited another area close by that had preserved ruts from the wagon trains worn into the rocks.
We followed the North Platte River to Fort Laramie which was a prominent stopping off point for the wagon trains to rest, make repairs and buy supplies before going over the mountains westward. The soldiers were there to protect the settlers and travelers in the area and keep peace with the Indians.
We decided to travel on to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to see Scottsbluff Monument which was a very prominent landmark along the Oregon Trail. We returned to Lusk after dark.
There are 3 couples here, two which were new to us. Virgil and Donna Townley worked with us before doing electrical. H. L. and Norma Green, and Ruddy, Elaine and Andrew were the new couples.
Allan and H L worked on installing drywall. Ruddy hung exterior and interior doors. Jeanne worked on the children's area floor and removed floor tiles along with clean up duties. After work Allan would throw the football with Andrew. John and Cookie, members of the church, had the group over for supper on Thursday night. John took us on a tour of his 6000 acre ranch. Cookie took us to the barn to watch the feeding of three young calves and to see her 20 barn cats. Many have no tail and have extra digits. They were cute. Friday morning the three couples headed for other locations. We will stay here another week. We were invited to a hamburger cookout at Pastor Dale and Jana's house.
Saturday we slept late and had a big breakfast before taking a sight seeing trip.
There were lots of things to see. We stopped at Register Cliff 
to view the names of people written on the rocks who traveled on the Oregon Trail. Some are dated back into the 1800's. Unfortunately, people have continued to add their names defacing some of the older names. A fence was constructed recently around the cliffs to protect it.
We visited another area close by that had preserved ruts from the wagon trains worn into the rocks.
We followed the North Platte River to Fort Laramie which was a prominent stopping off point for the wagon trains to rest, make repairs and buy supplies before going over the mountains westward. The soldiers were there to protect the settlers and travelers in the area and keep peace with the Indians.
We decided to travel on to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to see Scottsbluff Monument which was a very prominent landmark along the Oregon Trail. We returned to Lusk after dark.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Leaving Billings, Mt heading for Lusk, Wy
Our part of the project was winding down by Friday. The mudding and sanding in the library was finished and a third of the soffit was completed. Our group departed on Saturday morning except for three workers staying another week to finish soffits and window and door trim prep. Dr Phillips and Laura Jean expressed their appreciation for our work and gave us Yellowstone Baptist College coffee mugs and tee shirts with the logo " I confronted the great sanding challenge at YBC -and won." It was hugs and hand shakes and everyone departed.
When we stopped at the rest area at Buffalo, Wy. Jeanne was making sandwiches in the trailer and Harvey and Imogene Hastings from Campers on Mission pulled up beside us. We visited for a few minutes with them and then we were on our way. We drove to Kaycee where we unhitched our trailer at Powder River RV park. We left right away for a drive.
We had decided to find Hole in the Wall which is an old cowboy outlaw hideout. We drove down a nice country paved road which turned into a gravel road which turned into a dirt road. This went on for 30 miles. We met two cars during this whole drive. Good thing because the road became a one car road in places. We had to turn around because the sign said only four wheel drive beyond this point. We were close to the outlaws cave, but we did not hike as we did not know how much further it would be. The scenery on this drive was spectacular.
We took another drive to the mountains but never found the turn off to actually get to the mountains, but this drive was great anyway. We saw sheep, cattle, about 400 pronghorns (antelopes), deer, and horses all unfenced except for the interstate. We had two young pronghorns jump out in front of our truck and race ahead of us down the road for about a mile before they turned off into the field. I don't know where their mother was. There was a horse at the road side. He just stood there and watched us as we drove by. When we returned to the RV park, we had a light supper and went to bed before 10. (our usual bedtime has been 12).
We slept late today. Had a quick breakfast and hit the road. We stopped in Casper for diesel fuel and had a big meal at the mall. We arrived at the church in Lusk at 3:30. Virgil helped get the trailer hooked up. We met the other RV volunteers working here. We attended church tonight. After church we took a walk into town. The weather is cool and pleasant. 50 degrees low tonight.
When we stopped at the rest area at Buffalo, Wy. Jeanne was making sandwiches in the trailer and Harvey and Imogene Hastings from Campers on Mission pulled up beside us. We visited for a few minutes with them and then we were on our way. We drove to Kaycee where we unhitched our trailer at Powder River RV park. We left right away for a drive.
We had decided to find Hole in the Wall which is an old cowboy outlaw hideout. We drove down a nice country paved road which turned into a gravel road which turned into a dirt road. This went on for 30 miles. We met two cars during this whole drive. Good thing because the road became a one car road in places. We had to turn around because the sign said only four wheel drive beyond this point. We were close to the outlaws cave, but we did not hike as we did not know how much further it would be. The scenery on this drive was spectacular.
We took another drive to the mountains but never found the turn off to actually get to the mountains, but this drive was great anyway. We saw sheep, cattle, about 400 pronghorns (antelopes), deer, and horses all unfenced except for the interstate. We had two young pronghorns jump out in front of our truck and race ahead of us down the road for about a mile before they turned off into the field. I don't know where their mother was. There was a horse at the road side. He just stood there and watched us as we drove by. When we returned to the RV park, we had a light supper and went to bed before 10. (our usual bedtime has been 12).
We slept late today. Had a quick breakfast and hit the road. We stopped in Casper for diesel fuel and had a big meal at the mall. We arrived at the church in Lusk at 3:30. Virgil helped get the trailer hooked up. We met the other RV volunteers working here. We attended church tonight. After church we took a walk into town. The weather is cool and pleasant. 50 degrees low tonight.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday local travels
We attended church at Faith Foursquare Church in Billings this Sunday. We drove to the Rimrock above Billings and got some pictures. The airport is located there. We had flown in to Billings several years ago on one of our vacations. We went to a park near the Yellowstone River and then drove south of Billings and saw some different landscape.
I took a picture of Allan when he came home on Monday. The picture doesn't show how covered he is in sheet rock dust. (The abominable snowman)
Most of the fires in the area are under control, but the Wapiti area fire is closing in on homes and farms. This is near where we stayed between Cody and Yellowstone Park.
I took a picture of Allan when he came home on Monday. The picture doesn't show how covered he is in sheet rock dust. (The abominable snowman)
Most of the fires in the area are under control, but the Wapiti area fire is closing in on homes and farms. This is near where we stayed between Cody and Yellowstone Park.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Farmers market and Bear tooth Highway
We said our good-byes to Ken and Judy. They are headed back to Alabama by way of North Dakota.
We drove to downtown Billings to see their Farmers Market on the streets. It was full of people with their kids and dogs. Lots of good food and plants were for sale. Allan found a rhubarb pie that has his name on it. On each corner they had different musicians of all ages. While there I made a stop at the health food store. We dropped our purchases off at the trailer and headed for Bear tooth Highway.
Fortunately the fires that had plagued the Red Lodge area the week before, had been brought under control and the town had been saved from going up in flames. We took several pictures of houses that were of interest.
As we started up the mountains, the roads quickly got steep and winding with many switch-backs of different configurations. Jeanne was more than just a little anxious as she sat in the passenger seat looking down to see the drop off hundreds of feet below. She was leaning toward the center of the truck in hopes that would keep the truck from falling down the mountain. Some stretches didn't even have guard rails. The scenery was breathtaking and indescribable. The pictures really don't do justice to the scenery. We stopped several times at overlooks to take pictures and even got out to check the snow near the top. Unfortunately we did not see any mountain goats. Others from our group had seen some last week on the same road. There were many beautiful lakes near the top caused from the melting snow. We were not tempted to go swimming. Our truck performed well. We were glad we were not pulling our trailer as we could not have kept it on our side of the road with the switchbacks. There were several areas on the road that apparently had problems with rocks slides. The sign warned of the dangerous areas but also said to stay on the road. One side was the mountain going straight up and the other side was straight down. Now just where did they think your were going?
Down at the foothills, we drove through the National Forest campgrounds. It is set up for small campers but not for our size trailer. No hookups, but nice area. Coming out of the mountains we ran into some rain. Allan decided we need to buy new windshield wipers. These have nearly dry rotted from lack of use.
We have one more week here in Billings.
We drove to downtown Billings to see their Farmers Market on the streets. It was full of people with their kids and dogs. Lots of good food and plants were for sale. Allan found a rhubarb pie that has his name on it. On each corner they had different musicians of all ages. While there I made a stop at the health food store. We dropped our purchases off at the trailer and headed for Bear tooth Highway.
Fortunately the fires that had plagued the Red Lodge area the week before, had been brought under control and the town had been saved from going up in flames. We took several pictures of houses that were of interest.
As we started up the mountains, the roads quickly got steep and winding with many switch-backs of different configurations. Jeanne was more than just a little anxious as she sat in the passenger seat looking down to see the drop off hundreds of feet below. She was leaning toward the center of the truck in hopes that would keep the truck from falling down the mountain. Some stretches didn't even have guard rails. The scenery was breathtaking and indescribable. The pictures really don't do justice to the scenery. We stopped several times at overlooks to take pictures and even got out to check the snow near the top. Unfortunately we did not see any mountain goats. Others from our group had seen some last week on the same road. There were many beautiful lakes near the top caused from the melting snow. We were not tempted to go swimming. Our truck performed well. We were glad we were not pulling our trailer as we could not have kept it on our side of the road with the switchbacks. There were several areas on the road that apparently had problems with rocks slides. The sign warned of the dangerous areas but also said to stay on the road. One side was the mountain going straight up and the other side was straight down. Now just where did they think your were going?
Down at the foothills, we drove through the National Forest campgrounds. It is set up for small campers but not for our size trailer. No hookups, but nice area. Coming out of the mountains we ran into some rain. Allan decided we need to buy new windshield wipers. These have nearly dry rotted from lack of use.
We have one more week here in Billings.
Friday, August 8, 2008
End of 2nd week
We had a group supper on the grounds, steak, baked potato and salad on Wednesday. The weather was pleasant. 
We have had still warmer than usual temperatures but about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than last week. Next week should be even cooler, hopefully, in the 80's.
Today, Friday, leaves us tired but with a feeling of accomplishment. The men are close to finishing the walls. The ladies have been painting and cleaning in the boy's dorm. We had supper at Famous Daves, a barbecue restuarant with Ken and Judy.
Our plans are to drive part of the Bear-Tooth Highway in the morning.
We have had still warmer than usual temperatures but about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than last week. Next week should be even cooler, hopefully, in the 80's.
Today, Friday, leaves us tired but with a feeling of accomplishment. The men are close to finishing the walls. The ladies have been painting and cleaning in the boy's dorm. We had supper at Famous Daves, a barbecue restuarant with Ken and Judy.
Our plans are to drive part of the Bear-Tooth Highway in the morning.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Week 2 at Billings
July 31 marked our 2 month anniversary on the road. We had planned to go to the farmers market for some fresh vegetables and take in a movie. Our week had been hot and very tiring so we slept in. We did go to the theatre but found the movie was sold out. Bummer. We did go ahead and buy tickets for Sunday. For supper, we joined two couples from our group at the Olive Garden.
Sunday we attended church at First Assembly Freedom Church and later went to see Mama Mia. We both enjoyed it. It really rained here for about 5 minutes. This is the first rain we have seen.
Monday started our second week here and today (Tuesday) the ladies got a day off and went shopping in Billings at the mall. We had a good time and made a few purchases. This week is supposed to be about 10 degrees cooler.
Sunday we attended church at First Assembly Freedom Church and later went to see Mama Mia. We both enjoyed it. It really rained here for about 5 minutes. This is the first rain we have seen.
Monday started our second week here and today (Tuesday) the ladies got a day off and went shopping in Billings at the mall. We had a good time and made a few purchases. This week is supposed to be about 10 degrees cooler.