to Osprey, Florida

Saturday, July 6, and Sunday, July 7, 2013

From here on, it is just road.  Left St. Louis on Saturday morning and no stops except for bathroom breaks, gas, food and overnight in Macon, Georgia.  I was able to finish my book.  We traveled through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and finally Florida.  They just don't have enough lanes on I-75 in Florida.  Kent needs his own personal lane.  We estimate that we have traveled 37,000 miles on this entire trip, having left in March.  We have traveled by car, taxi, bus, boat, ferry, train, plane, tuk tuk and rickshaw.  And a lot by foot!  We were able to visit with our children and grandchildren, and good friends, go to countries that we have never been to before and see sights we never thought we would ever see.  So, this is the last entry.  Looking forward to making this into a book.  Thanks for sharing the ride.      

The End

Columbia and St. Louis, Missouri

Friday, July 5, 2013 - Columbia, Missouri

Before leaving Independence, Missouri, Kent got his National Parks Passport Book stamped at the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site.  We stopped in Columbia and visited the cemetery where Kent's parents are buried.  Don't think I have taken a picture before.

Friday, July 5, 2013 - St. Louis, Missouri

Then on to St. Louis.  We parked near the St. Louis Arch which is officially named the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.  It is a 630-foot stainless steel arch and pays homage to those who migrated west.  Kent had made reservations many days ago and decided that this was the trick to cure my fear of heights.  Actually, I don't have a fear of heights; I just prefer my feet on the ground.  We were not prepared for the long lines just to get in, the magnetometer and bag check and more long lines to go up.  Once inside, Kent had his National Parks Passport Book stamped. Fortunately, there were concession stands so we didn't starve and an air show for entertainment.    

from the top of the Arch looking down on the Mississippi River

Mississippi River looking towards Illinois

the ball park, Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals play

the historic old St. Louis Courthouse

Next, we walked a few blocks to the new Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, to buy tickets for the game that evening.  The Cardinals are in first place in the National League.  Again, we were not prepared for the long lines of people just waiting to get in -- and they had tickets!  It was more than two hours before the game was to begin.  We were able to purchase tickets and good seats, but they weren't cheap.  A bottle of water was $5.25.  Later in the evening there were fireworks along the Mississippi River.    

Independence, Missouri

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

We only planned one stop on our way from McCook, Nebraska to Independence, Missouri. It was the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka to get Kent's National Parks Passport Book stamped.   Please note that Kent is not about to go too far off the beaten track.  Besides, Ms. Garmin really lets you know when you are not following her travel itinerary!  After checking into the Residence Inn in Independence and having some great barbecue, we visited with some friends, Richard and Mickey Olsen and later, Kent bought a pair of shoes at Bass Pro.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Visited with friends, Othei and Kenneth Davidson at their new home and had lunch with Jay Turner at Corner Cafe.  Checked out Lakewood and our previous home and went to Independence Center where we bumped into Kimberly Bean.  In the evening we attended a program at the Community of Christ (RLDS) Auditorium by the American Rhythm Dance Company.  Twilla Mann and Lianne Ames, both formerly of Independence and now of Idaho and Utah, are co-directors.  Their group of talented and energetic cloggers, musicians, singers and dance students were on a tour to Omaha, Neb., Nauvoo, Ill. and Branson, Mo., etc.  After their performance the city of Independence sponsored the fireworks on the LDS Pageant Grounds, which is next to the Auditorium and the Spirit of Independence Band played patriotic songs during the fireworks. Also saw Larry and Dee Nicholson; they had their Hawaiian Ice stand set up at the Stake Center.  That is always a favorite treat. Said 'hi' to lots of good friends.

http://americanfootworks.blogsot.com/     

Community of Christ Auditorium

President Manuel Medina - welcome and introductions

"American Rhythm" performers

    

McCook, Nebraska

Tuesday, July  2, 2013

On our way to McCook, Nebraska to spend a little time with our daughter, Lauren and her husband, Mark.  We arrived in the afternoon and checked into the Horse Creek Inn and got a light bite to eat.  Lauren was busy at the studio signing up students for summer school where she teaches ballet and other dance classes.  So, we went to Mark's shoe store where we always check out the sales and styles. Fun things are happening at the studio. The yellow walls are getting a coat of purple. This is the beginning of the project and it needs to be done before the summer classes begin. Next, we made sure to check out the aisles of the neat kitchen store in town and also the gift shop across the street.  Kent's request was to have dinner at Coppermill Steak House.  I think we all get the exact thing each time.  Then back to our hotel room to hang out, watch tv, eat snacks and check out Lauren's Facebook friends.      

Spotlight Studio in transition 

will two coats be enough?

Update!

Just got these pictures from Lauren.

Everything is pretty much put back together.

The color and the project has been top secret.

The students were excited to see their "new" studio.

Fruita and Aspen, Colorado

Saturday, June 29, 2013 - Salt Lake City, Utah

Very hot outside - record temps.  Last minute wash to do, bathroom to clean and more things to pack.  Pizza for lunch.  Met our friend, Emily, at the Blue Lemon while on her break.  She works at Deseret Book and we see her whenever we go in.  We first met her at General Conference when we happened to sit next to each other.

Sunday, June 30, 2013 - Salt Lake City, Utah

Today is our grand-daughter's (Ellie) 7th birthday, so we made sure to give her a phone call.  We attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Spoken Word performance and broadcast at the Conference Center for their Independence Day Celebration. They move over to the Conference Center during the summer months due to the many people in town.  Later we attended church, cleaned out the fridge and packed the car.

Monday, July 1, 2013 - to Fruita, Colorado

Up early and out the door by 7:00 am.  We have been gone almost four months and it is time for us to head home.  Driving east on I-70 our first stop was at the Colorado National Monument near Fruita, Colorado so that Kent could get his National Parks Passport Book stamped.  The car climbed the steep hairpin-turn road to get to the top where the visitors center was located.         

  

Colorado National Monument, Fruita, Colorado

We continued our trip...until we spotted a Cafe Rio.  We thought that maybe we would not see another one, the farther east we went, so we just had to stop one last time for lunch.  We then traveled to Glenwood Springs and headed south to Aspen.  We couldn't recall that we had ever been there before.  We spent a few hours window shopping and walking up and down the tree-lined streets.  Instead of staying overnight in Glenwood Springs, we continued on to Goldin, Colorado. Temperatures were much cooler.    

Aspen, Colorado

This fire truck was a big tourist attraction.

Mt. Timpanogos, Utah

Friday, June 28, 2013

Most of our time is now devoted to cleaning the condo, washing clothes and packing suitcases, since we will be leaving Utah soon to return home.  So we needed a break.  Our first stop was to drive to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument so that Kent could get his National Parks Passport Book stamped.  Then back to Lehi to check out the new outlet mall.  The bathrooms were highly recommended so we had to find them as well.  We would give them a "10" in spaciousness, design and cleanliness.  

Then we had a "date" with our good friends, Mike and Sue Koplin.  We first met them in Lake Ridge, Virginia in about 1976 or probably '77, then visited them when they lived in St. Louis, Missouri and caught up with them, now in Lehi, Utah.  They planned a whole evening of fishing, food and fun in the canyon.  The temperature was much cooler than the record highs in Salt Lake City.  Don't know which was more delicious -- the steak or the s'mores!  

It's a good thing that we did not plan on fish for dinner!

the resident chickens looking for a free hand-out

Sue and Mike Koplin

Payson, Utah

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

We were in Payson, Utah visiting with the Ames family, so we decided to check out the Payson temple that is under construction in the area.

Paradise, Utah

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

We had a great day traveling north to Paradise, Utah.  We did make a stop in Brigham City to see the new Brigham City Temple.  Then on to Paradise, which is in Cache Valley, to arrive at the 'country' home of our friends Carol and Nick Nielsen.  They served their mission in Visakhapatnam, India at approximately the same time that we did.  So, we are never short of "war stories" and we enjoy catching up; talking about the great people, interesting places and memorable events.  We admired their garden flowers, neighboring farm fields, the 'forever' views and the cool air.  After a great lunch, we spent the afternoon at The Golden Spike National Historic Site.  Fortunately at 4:30 we were able to experience the power of the #119 as it was returned to the engine house with steam, puffs of smoke and its loud toot.   

Brigham City Temple, Utah

Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah

National Park Service

The Central Pacific Railroad, from Sacramento and the Union Pacific Railroad, from Omaha  built railroads to tie the West to the eastern states.  They met at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869 with the Jupiter and the No. 119 facing each other and the golden spike was symbolically tapped into place to connect the rails.  They had crossed 1,776 miles of desert, rivers, and mountains and employed 8,000 to 10,000 workers.  What used to take 6 months by ox-drawn wagon would now take six or seven days by train.

The #119; one of two engines on display is an exact replica of the original.

Our good friends, Carol and Nick Nielsen from Paradise, Utah

The #119 being returned to the engine house at the end of the day.

Day 38 - Singapore to SLC

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Singapore to Tokyo to Los Angeles to Salt Lake City

It's time for us to go -- return to reality.  We will be leaving from the Changi Airport in Singapore and returning to Salt Lake City -- on the same day!  Because we are flying from west to east, it is the same day on paper but it will actually take two days!  

The only thing that we can remember about the flights is how long they were.  Singapore Airline does feed you well, and they provide earphones for the movies and music. You will find a blanket and pillow on your seat and they hand out hot towels.  On these flights we had someone in a seat next to us, so we couldn't spread out.  We did have to get off the plane in Tokyo so they could clean it.  But that also meant that we had to debark, go through security and then wait to get back on the plane.  After arriving in Los Angeles, we had to endure immigration, retrieve our baggage, and go through customs.  Then we had to re-check our luggage for the LA to SLC flight.  We finally arrived in Salt Lake City in the late evening and we took the Trax from the airport to within one block of our condo.  It only took 20 minutes and not even one person asked to see our tickets!       

a rainforest and waterfall feature in Terminal 3

Changi Airport, Singapore

check-in area

waiting area - plenty of seating

our plane from Singapore to Tokyo, then on to Los Angeles

It holds 471 people and takes one hour to board everyone!

One more bathroom picture!

The "excellent" bathroom at the airport in Singapore.

Day 37 - Singapore

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Our last full day in Singapore.  The Singapore Zoo is very popular and well known.  It is a total ecological adventure with over 2,800 animals inhabiting a lush tropical rainforest.  It is so different than any zoo we have ever been to.  

Allison, Parker, McKenna, Madison and Sarah

Singapore Zoo

a new resident, the polar bear, at the Frozen Tundra

McKenna, Parker and Madison

feeding carrots to the giraffes

butterflies munching on fruit attached to a tree limb

flying fox inside the Fragile Forest

Kent's new best friend, a ring-tailed lemur in the Fragile Forest

What is that emergency number?

white tigers

we arrived just in time to watch them being fed

Now I know why the kids were wearing their bathing suits under their clothes!

This is the water park called Wet Play, and its also at the zoo.

Great anticipation!

When the bucket becomes full, it tips over and everyone gets soaked.

This friendly octopus gives showers or rinses off your feet.

this is called Tug Boat

We can see who's not helping!

faster! faster!

Oh no, another bathroom picture!

There are mirrors over the sinks, but the back wall is open to the outside.

We were so glad that Sarah made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which we ate at the water park.  After returning home, we finished our packing and cleaned Madison and McKenna's bedroom and bathroom that they were so nice to loan to us.  For dinner, grandpa brought home Canadian Pizza.  What a treat!  Then, the hot water heaters were turned on and everyone got a shower before bedtime.