~Adventure Tour Express~

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

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We had the privilege of traveling to England and Ireland in December of 2005.   My oldest daughter's family had moved there for a year while her husband was assisting in starting a manufacturing plant there.

We spent a total of 2 days in London.  I'd have loved to stay longer but our schedule would not allow it.  

The journey there was an adventure in itself.  We left here an hour late and so our flight to Detroit was late.  We thought we had time to eat but just thought we would check at the gate first.  Well, had we not done that we would have missed the flight altogether.  The were just closing the door when we arrived and the agent said, "Kellers?  Better get on board."  (We'd forgotten that Detroit was an hour ahead!  I still get goosebumps when I think about it.)  The flight itself was uneventful, but when we landed at Gatwick Airport, cleared customs, and had all the excitement of small children pent up inside only to find out our luggage was still in transit.  Luckily I had clean underwear and toiletries in the carry-on bag.  

This did not deter the Kellers...After we had filled out all the official forms we purchased our train ticket and boarded the train to Victoria Station.  It was thrilling!!!  Our accommodations were within walking distance of the station.  We could walk to Buckingham Palace.  That afternoon we walked through St. James Park to Piccadilly!  Actually did Christmas shopping and that too was a trill.

And so it was that the next day we toured other sights.  It began with our first ride on the tube to The Tower of London!

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My only regret is that I cannot share more pictures with you as I have them neatly place in my scrap book.  But to walk the grounds, sit in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula,  Buried in the Chapel is St.Thomas More.  He was imprisoned in the Bell Tower for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the English Church in place of the Pope.  He was executed  on Tower Hill in 1535. (Tower of London Guide Book).   And, oh, the Crown Jewels!  What splendid works of art!!! 

It was a grand tour! 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Now please share your adventure, link it here so all can enjoy it with you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Will be enjoying family that begins arriving tomorrow, and so it is that I will be away until after Thanksgiving Day.  I am grateful for so many things, but one of the things I find I am very grateful for is the friendships I have developed over the last 3 years.  It's been a wonderful adventure.  One in which I find the anticipation of visits from you all and the thrills of visiting with you at your "homes"  just grand!    My very best wishes to you all!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

~Adventure Tour Express~And a Month of Thanksgiving~

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

This week my adventure includes a reason for being thankful.  Traveling to Washington, DC is always a thrill for me.  Attending the National Book Festival, until the last few years, has always been something we looked forward to.   The beauty of its avenues, the glory of her architecture, and the throngs of people make it a destination for real adventure.  Consider those who have gone before us in this city.  Reflect on the wisdom and folly that has passed through the doors  of the government offices there.  And then consider the Providence that oversees  it and the nation beyond its boundaries.  

The Capital aglow at night...

and the monument emblazoned in light.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Washington DC

In this city of government buildings there is also houses of worship that give glory to the Creator of it all.  Within these walls there is offered praise and thanksgiving to the One who watches over us all.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen once said:

"The principle of democracy is a recognition of the sovereign, inalienable right of man as a give of God, the Source of law."

An so it is today as I continue this adventure begun those many years ago, that I am thankful for the freedom to worship, a treasure more precious than gold.

He who finds Jesus finds a treasure, better than all other treasures, and he who loses him has lost mor that all the world. ~Thomas a Kempis 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Please enter your adventure here so we can share the journey.








Tamara at Branch of Wisdom is offering us the opportunity to daily give thanks for the gifts given us by God.  So from today October 24, 2010 to November 24, 2010 we are asked to share in this  journey of Thanksgiving.   Please stop by her blog and read more about the specifics.

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson
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POMPEY'S PILLAR

I was wondering just the other day what had happened to the pictures of out trip to Montana in 2002.  That was a wonderful trip because It was the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition for us.  Ron has a soft spot in his heart for those explorers of the early West.  So when we were visiting Mom and my brother's family in Billings, Montana we were treated to that wonderful sight

View from the walk overlooking the Yellowstone River.

Though it is not very clear we did our best to get the signature of Captain William Clark as he chiseled his name into the rock.  There is a great explanation of the discovery of his signature at Pompey's Pillar

See if you can make out the signature.

From the overlook a lot can be seen of the rugged counntry called Montana.

And we had a grand time on the shores of the
Yellowstone River playing in the sand.

I think it's worth mentioning that even though this is probably not one of the most visited sights in the area, with Yellowstone National Park just down the road.  And thought it doesn't have the most spectacular scenery, I think the history in this spot has a lot to offer.  

Wishing all who visit here a grand adventure today!  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Now it's your turn. Please join in the fun and post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~~Adventure Tour Epress~~

LABOR DAY, 2010
PART I

The adventure started the day before as we began our trek from Indiana to Georgia.   Atlanta has a

lovely skyline.  As it happens Uncle Jimmy had plans for Grandpa, Dad and the four boys.  You see the Dragon Con Parade was on Saturday

And it was a glorious day in Olympic Park.  What a beautiful sky and lovely feathery clouds

There was lots of things of the boys to do while waiting for the parade to begin.  They were able to make stands for their footballs.  All of this sponsored by Home Depot.

What a thrill it was for all the "Boys" to see Bat Man and his Bat Mobile...

And look at all those famous super heroes!

Finally, there was the thrill of having your picture taken with a real race car...Well, maybe not so much these boys, as they live in Charlotte, NC and they get to see these kinds of cars all the time.  But it was fun for Grandpa.

And what were Maddie, Mom, Aunt Kelly, and Mom doing?  We were at the outlet mall just having a wonderful time!!  And as for Maddie...She's a trooper!!!  Yep!  Shopping is in the blood!  And Part II will be shared next week!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Now it's your turn. Please join in the fun and post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

We had a grand time this summer in the St. Louis area.  One
of the surprises was finding out that the last home for Daniel
Boone was near the city.

The home is in a lovely forested area.

And the mimosa trees were full
of butterflies.  This summer has
been grand because these lovely
creatures have been everywhere.

The panorama from the back of the
house was just gorgeous.  It must
have been a grand place to live.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Now it's your turn. Please post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

Central City, Colorado

Gold found there in May, 1859 caused it to be

called The Richest Square Mile on Earth.

Saint James United Methodist Church

One of the oldest churches in the state.

Central City Opera House

Built in 1879 by Welsh and Cornish Miners.

Carriage House Sign

Store Fronts

A journey to Central City is step back in time.  Though gold mining is no longer the main source of income, it is grand to walk the streets and wonder what thrilling events took place here.  There is a wonderful book written by Caroline Bancroft about the history of Central City called Gulch of Gold.  I highly recommend it.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Now it's your turn. Please post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

Never forget, when you least expect it an adventure might just happen when you open your front door!!! Be prepared!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Now it's your turn. Please post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~~Adventure Tour Express~~

Ghost Town Adventures

Buick Electra, circa 1968

Adventures were the norm when Ron and I were dating.  Ron drove a 1963 Buick Electra and a date on a Sunday would be a trip to the mountains to explore old mining towns or ghost towns.   These were places definitely off road.  This Buick had miner's soul.  As big as this car was, it never got stuck and he never let us down.  Ron said he didn't need a Jeep as long as he had "The Tank."

 Gold Dust, Colorado

May, 1968

Thickening Tank

Monarch Mill

And so we arrive at the Monarch Mill.  A mill that processed the gold mined in the hills around it.
A process of leaching the gold our of the ore was done with cyanide and so the thickening tank was used to ultimately separate the gold from the slurry.  It was nasty job.  What man will not do for gold and riches.

It is incredibly exhilarating  to walk through and around a place that was once the center of activity and innovation.  To walk where others have walked and toiled hoping that the riches of the earth would make them RICH.  Wondering about the tales these empty places could tell if only they could talk."


It has been such a genuinely thrilling journey I began on those ghost town dates so many years ago.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Now it's your turn. Please post an adventure we can all share and then link it here for all to see.

~Adventure Tour Express~

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Adventures take different turns sometimes.  We were returning from a family reunion in Colorado and a visit to my mothers in Montana when we decided to take a side trip.  We were certainly pleasantly surprised by what we saw in Mitchell, South Dakota.  The Corn Palace truly is a palace decorated with corn...It is amazing and very lovely!  It would never have occurred to me to embellish a building in this way, but it really works!

It's corn, every bit of it.

Please share with us any surprise or exciting unexpected side trips you have had.  No adventure is to mundane...Life is an adventure!!!  Link your adventure below so we can all enjoy!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!