Casey, IL

We saw a sign on I-70 about the largest golf

tee in the world.  So we just had to go see it.

The largest golf tee is here at the Casey

Country Club!  That's Bill at the bottom.

We estimate it to be 35-40 feet tall.

Couldn't help think about my nephew, Greg,

who is an excellent golfer.

The town of Casey also had the world's

largest wind chimes.  They also have

the largest knitting needles and crochet hook.

I just had to ring these chimes as a ringer.  It was much

lower than our C3 chime at the church.  What a sound!

Had to end with these beautiful roses around the chimes.

Joplin, MO

Four years ago yesterday, Joplin was hit with an

EF-5 tornado and 166 people lost their lives.

We wandered into that section of town and came

across these.  They are storm shelters or bunkers.

The bottom 2/3 are set in the ground.  Many

people in tornado alley have them.

I know this is a long shot, but I wanted you to

see the sign that includes a tornado safe room.

Both the elementary and middle schools

were destroyed.  As you can see, both have been

rebuilt.

These dead trees across from the schools are

perfect examples of how the wind twisted them,

shearing off all growth.

The brand new middle school.  A lot of rebuilding

has taken place, but evidence of destruction

still remains.  It reminded me of the damage at the

Jersey shore after Sandy and I did not have the

heart to photograph it.

Northeast TX: 5-20&21-15

Once again, internet issues have hindered posting.

In Amarillo we drove over to the Cadillac Ranch

only to find the area a mud bath!   People came back

from spray painting these Cadillac cars with

ruined sneakers from the mud.  You can see the

water lying on top of the mud in this picture.

Here is a closeup of one of the spray painted Cadillac cars.

The following day we left Amarillo and stopped in

Groom, TX.  Sister Donna had told me about this

place that has bronze statuary depicting the stations

of the cross.  Here you see Pilate "washing his hands"

after condemning Jesus to death.

 

"Pieta"

Jesus stopping to speak with his Mother.

 

Long view of "The Last Supper" and "The

Crucifixion" on the hill.

 

Closeup of "The Last Supper".  Judas Iscariot

is to the far right.

 

 "The Crucifixion"

The tomb where Jesus was laid is empty.

The huge cross that is like a giant in Groom, TX.

I found this exhibit to be quite emotional for me.

Bill insisted I take this photo since we do not

see this where we live in NJ.

A few years my daughter and I saw this tiny general

store in Allenreed, TX.  I was surprised to see it was

still here on Route 66!

 

 

Amarillo, TX

Found these beautiful prickly pear blooms

on the way to Amarillo, TX.  At home mine

are all yellow.  Sure would like to add these

colors to what I have!

This is only a small section of the storm we were

driving into. It is really cool to see horizon to

horizon and see approaching storms.  We can't

do that along the east coast.

I missed this sign as we were heading west 

weeks ago.  Had to take it this time heading

east to point out the message on the bottom.

Trust me, that's not how many Texans drive!

Close to Amarillo, we were able to look back at 

the storm remnants we had driven through earlier

in the day.

Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert, AZ: 5-17-15

Welcome!

You can see the tee rings on the end cut of this

petrified log.  I like the brilliant colors.

Pieces of petrified wood are scattered everywhere.

Here I am climbing up the steps with my friend, Pia.

I decided to name my cane Pia.  You figure out what

the acronym stands for!

This is the largest log in the park.

Why can't I take one of these home?

It took me several tries, but I finally got the lizard.

A nice assortment of logs.

This is the teepee section of the Blue Mesa in
the Park.

More teepees!

 Petroglyphs from the Newspaper Rock.

This vegetation marks the boundary between
the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert.

We are now in the Painted Desert.  The various
colors of sandstone along with erosion make
these beauties.

A panoramic view of Painted Desert.
To see this in person takes your breath away.

Every shade of red and pink that you can
imagine is here.

We bid a fond farewell to a beautiful day.
I took 60 pictures and choosing the best
ones was very difficult.

Winslow, AZ: 5-16-15

We left the Grand Canyon this morning and

headed off to Flagstaff and indeed saw snow!

We decided to take a side trip up the the Arizona

Snow Bowl and saw this mule deer.

You may be aware I love my aspen trees!

I have now had the chance to see them

 in the spring.  They are the ones with

the white tree trunks.

More snow and a gorgeous blue sky!

Getting closer to the top of the Arizona Snow Bowl.

Pretty as a picture post card.

What a contrast!  Love the open space on I-40 East.

Finally made it to Winslow, AZ!

Taken from the Eagles' "Standin'

on the corner in Winslow, AZ"!

The mural tells the story in the song.

Bill and I bought T-Shirts in the store

across the street.

"It's a girl, my Lord, in a flat bed Ford slowing

down to take a look at me.  Take it easy, 

take it easy. Don't let the sound of your

own wheels drive you crazy."