Newport, RI: 8-21-16

Bill surprised me with a quick trip to Newport, RI.

It's amazing how different the scenes are up here

as opposed to the Jersey shore.

The Pell Bridge that takes you into Newport

is in the background.

Saw this huge kite flying at Benton Point.

A serene cove along the Newport coast.

One of the smaller mansions in Newport.

Closeup of a lotus flower along Route 1.

Lots of lotus flowers along the road.

Carlisle, PA

As we traveled to see our friends, Judy

and Rick, in Carlisle, PA;  I saw so

many of these flowers.

Just had to include a closeup shot.  Besides,

it had been days since I took a picture!

One of the views at their place from the deck.

I never grow tired of seeing the views from

their deck. It's also pretty cool watching

storms approach!

I was able to catch this white tailed deer

in their field.  She was quite protective 

of her fawn and I could not get a photo.

One last picture of the deer.  Bill and I are now

safely home.  Thanks for coming along

on the journey with us!

John Deere Museum, Waterloo, Iowa

I am amazed at the precision of the rows

of crops the farmers plant.  I learned afew

years ago that the farm equipment has

a GPS system that aids the farmer so seeds

are not wasted and the best use of the land

is achieved.  Yes, that is a wind turbine

over the hill.

You are all aware I love John Deere farm

equipment.  I was thrilled when Bill found

this in Waterloo, IA!

Just had to stop and have my picture taken

before entering the museum.

One of the earlier tractors - the

Waterloo Boy.

I was told there is no rhyme or reason as

to why some John Deere equipment

is only yellow.

One of the later model tractors.

Here is my chance!

I was told I would be able to climb into

one of the tractors.  Getting ready

to climb into the cab.

Bill decided to join me since I was

having so much fun.

Am I a happy camper here or what?

I finally got my wish to get into

a John Deere tractor!

The smile on my face says it all!!!

Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD: May 22, 2016

This was taken miles away from Wall, SD.

Bill and I began to wonder if there were

any other people around.  You can see from

one horizon to the other.

Yes, there are people!

We began to see more and more

farms as we headed off to Mitchell, SD.

Welcome to the Corn Palace!

This year's theme is the 

Rock of Ages.

Elvis! 

All the murals you see are made out of

different types of corn grown by

local farmers.

Willie Nelson!

This was taken inside the Corn Palace

where they were holding graduation

for Mitchell High School.

You can see there are 18 varieties of corn

by counting the samples on the table and 

on the lower wall behind.  The murals

are approximately 15 feet by 18 feet.

That's a lot of corn!

Badlands National Park, South Dakota: May 20, 2016

Greetings from the Badlands, near Wall, SD.

These beautiful formations were caused by

wind and rain over millions of years.

There are pinnacles that pierce the sky.

The natural beauty defies description.

This is the first time we have seen so

much greenery in the park.  In another 

month it will wither and die, leaving

only the grey soil.

Erosion can be severe enough to form

deep canyons.

Another group of pinnacles

rising like church spires!

Row after row of eroded formations.

You can see the striations in the

sedimentary rock formation.

I was surprised to see some flowers

in bloom.

A few huge monoliths before we leave

the Park.

The striations on these formations

are easily seen.  Rattlesnakes

inhabit this area of the Park.

After a long day of driving through the Park,

Bill is relaxing on the front porch

of our cabin.

You can tell how happy I am when

I am on the road.  We are now heading

east and will be home soon.

Devils Tower, WY: May 19, 2016

About ten years ago, Bill and I stopped here

in Moorcroft, WY. We liked it so much we

had to return.  However, it was 11:00 in the 

morning and way too early for a beer.

So, we did the next best thing.  We had

sandwiches made to go for our trip

to Devils Tower!

Saw this sign and had to have a picture.

Thought of my buddy, Carol, in the

church office.

Found this Texas Longhorn 

at the entrance to Devils Tower.

Welcome!

A cute little prairie dog.

When Bill fed one prairie dog peanuts,

four more came out of their burrows.

Aren't they adorable?

Devils Tower is almost a 700 foot

basalt monolith.  It is a plug from

a volcano.

The almost ghost town of Huett, WY.

We are truly heading east!

We usually don't stay in cabins, but the

Frontier Cabins in Wall, SD are beautiful!

The decorations reflect western culture.

We recommend this place if you plan

on visiting the Badlands.