March 28 - Oklahoma to Texas

Driving across Oklahoma, you can see for miles in all directions. It’s very flat, dry high plains. Those black specks are cattle. 

Then coming across the panhandle of Texas, it’s still pretty flat but we see sagebrush in the fields. It’s we’re here so they must have had rain. 

Tonight we stayed at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Last year we stayed just outside of here because it was full when we got there. This year we called ahead and got a really nice spot. Gorgeous mountains behind us. 

 The canyon has lots and lots of trails. Off we go to explore. 

After about 5 miles, we arrived back at the campground. Here’s what Lenny did. 

We tuckered him out!

Since there is a fire ban here, Bill had to use the gas grill for steaks AND s’mores.

Great dinner but we decided we needed to hike to burn some of those calories and to take some sunset pics. 

Thanksgiving 2017 - Sacramento and Nevada City

This year I'm traveling with granddaughter, Kya to show her where her uncles and aunts live. 

Flew into Sacramento Friday evening. Saturday morning we were on our way to San Francisco and Alcatraz. Kya has wanted to visit Alcatraz so her ticket is her birthday gift!

Golden Gate Bridge 

Sun setting on Alcatraz.

Bay Bridge

Playing Yatzee at Drew and Erin's new house. 

Thursday - Yay we are in Eastern Time Zone.

Changing time zones is tough, easier going west than coming back east!  

Lenny was very happy with our campground- right along Sugar Creek. Would be a nice place to come back and kayak. 

We have about 8 hours to get home. 

The last two hours are the LONGEST ones!  

Great trip. Wonderful memories. Thanks for driving Bill Shuffstall and putting up with your two women!  

Monday - A visit to Fort Bridger and a quilt shop

Definitely cooler here at Ft Bridger today .. 72 degrees and supposed to get down to 55 degrees. 

Our campground was right next to Ft Bridger so we  over there and toured the fort and buildings. 

Ft.  Bridger was first established as a emigrant supply stop along the Oregon Trail in 1843.  Then it was obtained by the Mormons in 1850s and finally a military outpost in 1858. The fort was abandoned in 1890. 

Then there just happened to be a quilt shop in this little town of Lyman. It was one of the nicest quilt shops Lin and I have ever visited. Lots of finished quilts with kits made up. Yes, we found things to buy!  Could have spent much more time there but we were afraid we'd get left behind. 

We made it to Cheyenne, Wyoming and stayed in A. B. RV Park. We stayed there last fall and liked the staff and the park. Their BBQ place was open so we took advantage of it for dinner. Liked it so much, we bought some sauce to take home!  

Still cool here. We'll take it. Good sleeping weather. 

We have about 22 hours till we are home. We'll have some lONG days. 

Sunday - visit the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko

Before we keep heading east, we made two stops. One to Walmart for embroidery thread so I can keep sewing and two to the California Trail Interpretive Centre. 

If you're out West on I80, you should stop here. Really helps you imagine the hardships these people and animals endured. Very well done. 

Look at the size of the sage. 

Here is a wildlife bridge. These folk take their wildlife very seriously. 

Next stop was the salt flats outside of Salt Lake City. 

Stopped for the night at Ft Bridger RV Park so we can go to the fort tomorrow morning. 

Sunday - visit the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko

Before we keep heading east, we made two stops. One to Walmart for embroidery thread so I can keep sewing and two to the California Trail Interpretive Centre. 

Saturday - heading east. Goodbye Cali.

After a relaxing wake up and walk around the campground, we took off for Elko NV. Good size town for this part of the world. Staying at Iron Horse RV park. Lenny met a friend at the dog park and played with a mini Australian shepherd for about 30 minutes. 

Ate out for the first time in awhile. The Pizza Barn was packed but had good. 

Lots of granite mountains. Not too much grows on them. 

Night view from our campground. 

Thursday - Hiking the Tuolomne Grove

Since dogs aren't allowed on most trails in Yosemite, Linda and I were excited to find they could hike in Tuolomne Grove. This is another grove of majestic Sequoias. The hike was about 2.5 miles, all downhill for 1 mile, then a loop to see the trees and then the trek back up. Glad we did it early morning. 

.this is one of the fallen ones. Don't you wonder what kind of sound that would be as it's falling?!

Next was lunch and a little time relaxing beside the South Fork of the Tuolumne river. 

Drove around at some of the other RV Campgrounds in case we come back. 

The back to our campground to cook dinner, another foil pack - chicken Parmesan with zucchini (see Jean, I'm even using the buggers out here). 

Got a call from the backpackers. Bill and Winter were coming back tonight. John and Carl were staying out one more night. Oh the stories and pics we will hear tonight. 

Thursday - Hiking the Tuolomne Grove

Since dogs aren't allowed on most trails in Yosemite, Linda and I were excited to find they could hike in Tuolomne Grove. This is another grove of majestic Sequoias. The hike was about 2.5 miles, all downhill for 1 mile, then a loop to see the trees and then the trek back up. Glad we did it early morning. 

.this is one of the fallen ones. Don't you wonder what kind of sound that would be as it's falling?!

Next was lunch and a little time relaxing beside the South Fork of the Tuolumne river. 

Drove around at some of the other RV Campgrounds in case we come back. 

The back to our campground to cook dinner, another foil pack - chicken Parmesan with zucchini (see Jean, I'm even using the buggers out here). 

Got a call from the backpackers. Bill and Winter were coming back tonight. John and Carl were staying out one more night. Oh the stories and pics we will hear tonight. 

Thursday - Hiking the Tuolomne Grove

Since dogs aren't allowed on most trails in Yosemite, Linda and I were excited to find they could hike in Tuolomne Grove. This is another grove of majestic Sequoias. The hike was about 2.5 miles, all downhill for 1 mile, then a loop to see the trees and then the trek back up. Glad we did it early morning. 

.this is one of the fallen ones. Don't you wonder what kind of sound that would be as it's falling?!

Next was lunch and a little time relaxing beside the South Fork of the Tuolumne river. 

Drove around at some of the other RV Campgrounds in case we come back. 

The back to our campground to cook dinner, another foil pack - chicken Parmesan with zucchini (see Jean, I'm even using the buggers out here). 

Got a call from the backpackers. Bill and Winter were coming back tonight. John and Carl were staying out one more night. Oh the stories and pics we will hear tonight. 

Tuesday - Lin and I set out to explore quilt shops.

Today was the most slow-paced day we've had. We got up and made eggs and bacon, took the dogs on a small hike. Then headed north to Sonora to find a quilt shop. Of course we found some things to buy.

Next had to get some laundry done so we waited for that to finish. The dogs were allowed inside so we just sat on comfy chairs and read our books. 

The town of Sonora is really a fun and vibrant town. Nice shops, lots of people and no parking for the big truck so we just drove through and wished we could stop and shop. Although, the temp was 101 so you really couldn't stay outside long. Yes it's dry heat but it's still hot. 

On the way back, we stopped in Jamestown, another little historic downtown. And what do you know, there was a quilt shop there, too. And they let Lenny and Reuben come inside so of course we could shop longer. They were both on their best behavior so the owners loved them. 

You need to understand that to drive the 15 or so miles to Sonora, it took us about 45 minutes. Had to go over a HUGE mountain on a windy, twisty road. So one wouldn't make that trip too often. Saw some different countryside though and found a beautiful lake that we can go swimming with the dogs IF we want to take that twisty, turny road again. If we are desperate to cool off we just may!

After a delicious dinner of salmon and asparagus wrapped in foil and grilled, we went into town for the law officers day. They were showing people what they use for search and rescue there ... horses, dogs, drones. Quite interesting. 

Back to the camper to play some Cribbage. 

No pics today. Can't believe it. 

Monday - Linda and Peg on their own!

Lenny and Reuben had another day at the sitters so Linda and I took off early for Merced Grove of Sequois. We hiked down in for about 1.7 miles to see these majestic redwoods. 

There's just no way to show you how big these trees are. It was a nice hike of about 4 miles even though we knew when we went down hill for at least a mile, we'd have to come back up. It wasn't as bad as we thought. We actually did the hike in about 2 hrs. 

So we still had time to head t Tenaya Lake for lunch and a little relaxation. 

Made it back to pick up the boys by 3ish. They were very happy to see us. 

Crab cakes and salad for dinner. Now going into the "big" town of Groveland, population 601. 

Friday - 1st full day in Yosemite

John and Winter finally made it to our campground very late last night, early morning. 

After a great Shuffy breakfast, we all headed out for Yosemite Valley. It was packed with cars and people but we managed to see Bridalveil Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls. 

Bridal Veil Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

After dinner cooked outside, the boys and Winter started to organize their backpacking stuff. They will be taking off early tomorrow for 6 days in the wilderness!  

Shanon, Drew and Erin should arrive tomorrow for two days. We'll see what fun they have in store for us!

The sleeping arrangements inside of our camper. Night all.