Should we try for St. Vrain in one day? Maybe We didn't leave Ole's until 12:50 Mountain
time. It would make sense to stop partway, but who's sensible? So on we pushed until we
reached the Colorado border, checking the Trucker's Friend book for stops along I-76.
During that stretch from Paxton we did enjoy one unfamiliar sight - an Ameri-Can!
We look for various types of RVs, trailers, etc., but never for THIS!
As it passed us, we thought it was a truck delivering porta-pots to
construction sites. But no...it was an independent, full-sized, side-
by-side outhouse with two doors (men & women).
No porta-pots these! They have heat and air conditioning, come in
many sizes and indeed, when I tried to Google them, there are many
manufacturers. I couldn't find a brand named Ameri-Can, but I think that's very clever, and it
certainly gave us amusement for the long, straight drive. For info, click here.
We kept looking for an outline of the Rockies, but have since learned what the term "Front
Range" means...more flats. Abby had warned me of this - when she moved out here in
December, she said the plains went right up to the rockies - and she was right.
time. It would make sense to stop partway, but who's sensible? So on we pushed until we
reached the Colorado border, checking the Trucker's Friend book for stops along I-76.
During that stretch from Paxton we did enjoy one unfamiliar sight - an Ameri-Can!
We look for various types of RVs, trailers, etc., but never for THIS!
As it passed us, we thought it was a truck delivering porta-pots to
construction sites. But no...it was an independent, full-sized, side-
by-side outhouse with two doors (men & women).
No porta-pots these! They have heat and air conditioning, come in
many sizes and indeed, when I tried to Google them, there are many
manufacturers. I couldn't find a brand named Ameri-Can, but I think that's very clever, and it
certainly gave us amusement for the long, straight drive. For info, click here.
We kept looking for an outline of the Rockies, but have since learned what the term "Front
Range" means...more flats. Abby had warned me of this - when she moved out here in
December, she said the plains went right up to the rockies - and she was right.
We soon "crossed the wide Missouri" and entered Nebraska. Now that IS flat! The excellent
roads made up for the monotony of landscape. A new pleasurable sensation greeted us: we
looked forward to construction: a change of pace and scenery, and close-up observation of
those behemoth creators of concrete ribbons...
and our first HILLS! as we neared Colorado, we saw the sand hills to our north. Is this where
Sandhill Cranes come from?
roads made up for the monotony of landscape. A new pleasurable sensation greeted us: we
looked forward to construction: a change of pace and scenery, and close-up observation of
those behemoth creators of concrete ribbons...
and our first HILLS! as we neared Colorado, we saw the sand hills to our north. Is this where
Sandhill Cranes come from?
| Cor & Moose |
| GYPSY FEET |
| The Chronicles of Moby Who? |
© 2008 Gail Hunter
| Go To Pete's |
| August Page 3 |
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After we left Madison and the bad news about the fridge, we decided to just
make a run for Colorado. Packed the freezer units with bags of ice and
treated them like a cooler. Nuisance, but OK. Came across this nice city
park (Fox Lake) somewhere in Iowa. Picnic in the car - day's improving!
make a run for Colorado. Packed the freezer units with bags of ice and
treated them like a cooler. Nuisance, but OK. Came across this nice city
park (Fox Lake) somewhere in Iowa. Picnic in the car - day's improving!
That was where the GPS earned its keep. The roadside wasn't conducive to stopping, so we just
plugged in "park." Lo, and behold! Up came "city park 4.7 miles." We had our doubts as we
lumbered down the twisty, overhung-with-branches trail, but having no way to turn around, on we
went, arriving at this lovely lake. The man and boy fishing, and two water patrol men were the
only evidence of "city" we found.
The park was in Iowa. I must say Iowa's beauty was a revelation to me. I guess I just expected
corn, wheat, and miles of flat land. Not so: though modest, there were hills, and many small towns
with up-to-date, period houses lining the tree-shaded streets. Cor and I commented this is just
what one thinks of as the perfect friendly-neighbor kind of place; neat, tidy, inviting, and compact.
plugged in "park." Lo, and behold! Up came "city park 4.7 miles." We had our doubts as we
lumbered down the twisty, overhung-with-branches trail, but having no way to turn around, on we
went, arriving at this lovely lake. The man and boy fishing, and two water patrol men were the
only evidence of "city" we found.
The park was in Iowa. I must say Iowa's beauty was a revelation to me. I guess I just expected
corn, wheat, and miles of flat land. Not so: though modest, there were hills, and many small towns
with up-to-date, period houses lining the tree-shaded streets. Cor and I commented this is just
what one thinks of as the perfect friendly-neighbor kind of place; neat, tidy, inviting, and compact.
The fridge delay meant we couldn't reach Council Bluffs by nightfall, so we settled for a Flying J
truck stop west of Iowa City, Iowa. Very graciously, they allowed us to dump all our questionable
thrice-thawed food in their dumpster. This may have been life-saving: we'd been playing Russian
Roulette with it since the problem first occurred.
truck stop west of Iowa City, Iowa. Very graciously, they allowed us to dump all our questionable
thrice-thawed food in their dumpster. This may have been life-saving: we'd been playing Russian
Roulette with it since the problem first occurred.
I was determined to have beef while in Nebraska, so we consulted GPS again
and it told us to go to Ole's Big Game Steak House in Paxton, Nebraska.
Just our luck, we pulled in at the same time as a tour bus. At least this was a
sign of a notable place. For photos of Ole's
Notable is not necessarily good. The decor was authentic: mounted hunting
trophies everywhere; rustic furniture, old photos of the original owner and his
fishing and hunting buddies on the wall. I thought we'd made a find, however,
we ordered French Dip (my beef) and I hate to say it, but Arby's is better. We
should have ordered steak.
and it told us to go to Ole's Big Game Steak House in Paxton, Nebraska.
Just our luck, we pulled in at the same time as a tour bus. At least this was a
sign of a notable place. For photos of Ole's
Notable is not necessarily good. The decor was authentic: mounted hunting
trophies everywhere; rustic furniture, old photos of the original owner and his
fishing and hunting buddies on the wall. I thought we'd made a find, however,
we ordered French Dip (my beef) and I hate to say it, but Arby's is better. We
should have ordered steak.
Paxton, NE
The next night was spent in Grand Island, NE at the biggest, most flamboyant, complete, and
monumental truck stop I've ever seen: Bosselman's. Huge and historic. It's pure corn, complete
with family photos of the original Mr. Bosselman, his wife and about three layers of descendants -
all in sepia (hence the sepia rendering of this cow silhouette I took.)
The food was great, and we could park next to a tree in a grass island -
very nice for putting out the bedroom slide. This place is true America.
They know what makes good service. Beside the food, the shop is mind-
boggling, the prices are right. It's actually a FUN place.
Take a look at their website - it's inspiring
monumental truck stop I've ever seen: Bosselman's. Huge and historic. It's pure corn, complete
with family photos of the original Mr. Bosselman, his wife and about three layers of descendants -
all in sepia (hence the sepia rendering of this cow silhouette I took.)
The food was great, and we could park next to a tree in a grass island -
very nice for putting out the bedroom slide. This place is true America.
They know what makes good service. Beside the food, the shop is mind-
boggling, the prices are right. It's actually a FUN place.
Take a look at their website - it's inspiring
We pushed on doggedly, finally deciding we would stop at Wiggins, a
spot on I-75 where we would peel off towards Longmont. Well, it
didn't look that great, "so let's go on to Hudson," still on I-75. Sleepy
times were overtaking us, so we missed that exit. "Go on to the next,
but be alert this time."
We were, and pulled in to Love's Truck Stop, still in Hudson, CO.
The food was pretty mjuch "fast" but we weren't too hungry, so it didn't
matter.
However, what did matter was meeting up with a most congenial,
attractive driver named Doug. We were looking at a small DC
charger for my computer (the one from Best Buy didn't work - since
returned.) He recommended a Cobra 130 Watts Microport, said he
used it all the time, never failed. That was good enough for us. We
bought one, and I've been using it happily ever after.
Thanks, Doug, wherever you are!
spot on I-75 where we would peel off towards Longmont. Well, it
didn't look that great, "so let's go on to Hudson," still on I-75. Sleepy
times were overtaking us, so we missed that exit. "Go on to the next,
but be alert this time."
We were, and pulled in to Love's Truck Stop, still in Hudson, CO.
The food was pretty mjuch "fast" but we weren't too hungry, so it didn't
matter.
However, what did matter was meeting up with a most congenial,
attractive driver named Doug. We were looking at a small DC
charger for my computer (the one from Best Buy didn't work - since
returned.) He recommended a Cobra 130 Watts Microport, said he
used it all the time, never failed. That was good enough for us. We
bought one, and I've been using it happily ever after.
Thanks, Doug, wherever you are!
On August 25th, we came over a rise in the highway, and caught our first
vague glimpse of the Rocky Mountain silhouette. Eureka!
vague glimpse of the Rocky Mountain silhouette. Eureka!
Sure enough, it became clearer, although smog
from some fires in the north dulled the outline.
from some fires in the north dulled the outline.
Threatening skies greeted us as we approached
our destination: St. Vrain State Park in Longmont.
our destination: St. Vrain State Park in Longmont.
The lingering rays of sunset thrilled us as they crept over Twin Sisters peak*
lying slightly southwest of our campsite home. Moored at last! for two weeks.
lying slightly southwest of our campsite home. Moored at last! for two weeks.
| And on to Destination St. Vrain - even on the intended day of arrival - a small miracle! |
This was cause for celebration - a big plate of blueberry
pancakes. Because of space, I use a square, instead of
round, pan. Being lazy, I don't measure ingredients, so
ended up with four round pancakes which then spread into
one huge one...cut in quarters, it's all the same. Same
pancake, same butter, same VT Maple Syrup.
pancakes. Because of space, I use a square, instead of
round, pan. Being lazy, I don't measure ingredients, so
ended up with four round pancakes which then spread into
one huge one...cut in quarters, it's all the same. Same
pancake, same butter, same VT Maple Syrup.
This may not actually be Twin Sisters, but that's good enough for me. Twin Sisters are at the
south eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, and so are we. Ergo, and to wit....
south eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, and so are we. Ergo, and to wit....
Now came the good news: daughter Abby lives in Broomfield, a suburb of Denver south of
Longmont. Abby drives a Toyota, but she really rides a Harley - one of the reasons she
moved out here. Oh! Those beautiful mountain roads.
She said she couldn't stand the idea of us being here for two weeks and not having a car to
see the sights. The weather's been good, so she brought us her car and has been taking the
Harley to work.
We drove her back to her apartment, where we had a chance to see what she's been up to
since leaving Lebanon, NH last December.
Longmont. Abby drives a Toyota, but she really rides a Harley - one of the reasons she
moved out here. Oh! Those beautiful mountain roads.
She said she couldn't stand the idea of us being here for two weeks and not having a car to
see the sights. The weather's been good, so she brought us her car and has been taking the
Harley to work.
We drove her back to her apartment, where we had a chance to see what she's been up to
since leaving Lebanon, NH last December.
For those who don't know, last summer (2007) Abby lived her dream. She left
NH by herself one day, on her Harley, tent on back, covered the US, staying in
campgrounds, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and returned via Tail of the
Dragon in Tennessee to NH - all in 24 days.
NH by herself one day, on her Harley, tent on back, covered the US, staying in
campgrounds, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and returned via Tail of the
Dragon in Tennessee to NH - all in 24 days.
Now, in addition to working for The Vail Corporation in accounting, she teaches motorcycle
safety in Colorado, keeps up a Blog, is writing a book, and in her spare time, enjoys her
favorite hobby - machine quilting and embroidery.
We had never seen her tools of the trade, nor did we even know what one of them looked
like: the long-arm quilter. In case you'd like to see one, here it is:
safety in Colorado, keeps up a Blog, is writing a book, and in her spare time, enjoys her
favorite hobby - machine quilting and embroidery.
We had never seen her tools of the trade, nor did we even know what one of them looked
like: the long-arm quilter. In case you'd like to see one, here it is:
This is the quilter - well named, as it is the
width of a king sized bed cover. The
structure on the left holds her sewing
machine and slides the full width of the "arm"
allowing her to move back and forth without
interruption.
width of a king sized bed cover. The
structure on the left holds her sewing
machine and slides the full width of the "arm"
allowing her to move back and forth without
interruption.
One of these holders is at each end. The
quilt, as it is being worked upon, is on two
rollers, held by this gizmo. They turn in
order to keep the fabric taut as you move
along. You can see why she loves her
"sewing loft" in the apartment.
quilt, as it is being worked upon, is on two
rollers, held by this gizmo. They turn in
order to keep the fabric taut as you move
along. You can see why she loves her
"sewing loft" in the apartment.
This is the quilt she completed recently. It contains
backs of shirts from the Harley dealerships she visited
on her trip west last summer. It is king sized, and
could have been larger if she'd used all the shirts she
collected.
backs of shirts from the Harley dealerships she visited
on her trip west last summer. It is king sized, and
could have been larger if she'd used all the shirts she
collected.
| Next: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Celestial Seasonings, University Geology Museum |