Finding Fun In All the Right Places

After we had spent two days visiting Pompeys Pillar and traveling the Beartooth Pass into Yellowstone National Park we decided to have a different kind of fun.  We'd never been to Sheels Sporting Goods.  My brother assured us we'd have a lot of fun, but spending time in a sporting goods store was not my idea of a good time.  I had to eat my words. . .

There were so many exciting things to see.  Bronze sculptures and wood carvings as well as beautiful animal exhibits.

This is the closest I ever want to get to a bear. . .

These are some of the most beautiful exhibits I've see outside a museum.  This really was fun!  There can be a "great adventure" even in a sporting goods store.  If you have a Sheels near you visit it.  Take the kids and grand kids.  There are aquariums and a Ferris wheel to entertain them.  AND in Billlings they have a cafeteria and they sell FUDGE!

~~~^j^~~~

Adventures can come

In the most surprising ways

And it's simply fun

By a mountain lion
Have the wits scared out of you
To find out he's stuffed

But it's all in fun
When it's with loved ones you laugh
It WAS so much fun

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

Cathy

I'm joining  Little Things Thursday.  Drop by by and visit!

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Finally, I am joining A Soulful Life for Soulfood Friday

Haiku My Heart~Vacation

Vacation begins

into the sunset we drive

Anticipation 

Family gathers

Catching up with everyone

Glory be to God!

Looking forward to seeing Mom, Phil, Deb, Linda and Norm.  It's been a year and it's time to sit and chat and just experience being with them.  I am so very blessed!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

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

~~~~~

Hannibal, Missouri

The first leg of our vacation journey this year took us to Hannibal, Missouri.  It's a river town on the Mississippi River.  But you all know that.  It is the hometown of Mark Twain (Samuel Clements).  The Mark Twain Village right downtown is quaint and at 8:00 in the morning it's not very busy.  A perfect time to take pictures and stroll along the streets.

Mark Twain

Paddle Wheeler on The River

Becky Thatcher's House

Boyhood home of Mark Twain (right)

Dad was Justice of the Peace

Looking up the street

Grant's Drug Store

The interior of the drugstore

In the garden a statue of Huck and Tom

And I learned something else while there.  There are ties between Hannibal and Denver.  You see Margaret Brown (The Unsinkable Molly) was born in Hannibal before she moved to Colorado and was passenger on the Titanic.  

It was a great beginning to a wonderful Adventure!!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 Please join the Adventure Tour Express and share one of your "great adventures".

All Aboard!!!

I must apologize for the "glitch" in Mr Linky. I don't have any idea what happened that the thumbnail did not appear. Be assured, as I have tried it, that your link can be accessed in spite of this. Now I know how a Tour Guide must feel when there is a disruption in the travel schedule...

Amazing...

I have 1200 pictures to upload from our trip to the Rockies.  So it will be next week before Adventure Tour Express returns.

Wishing all a grand day!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Back Home Again in Indiana

Returned home today from the most wonderful vacation.  i will cherish the moments of this vacation just as I have all the others when family and friends have shared their time and love with us!  May God Bless then all most abundantly!!!

The Beautiful Colorado Columbine


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Glad to be home so I can share some photos with you. I will have the opportunity to share for many weeks!!!

Now please visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Lisa at  Macro Monday  also has much to offer.  The pictures are grand.

Travel Journal 5

“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

~~~~~ 

What a glorious day in Billings.  The  air is crisp, the sky is a beautiful azure blue and the birds are singing.  Those who live here say it's awfully warm.  I smile inwardly and thank Go for the low humidity and the breeze.

No doubt in Newburgh right now the dew is still on the grass.  Not because it is cool and early in the morning but because the humidity is so high it can't evaporate.  The air will be heavy and there will be no breeze. 

We went for  a  brisk, three mile walk this morning.  Oh my how invigorating.  Next will be lunch with Mom, afternoon at the craft fair and a visit with Megan at her place of employment, a quilt shop!  Tis going to be a grand day.  I think I will take a few minutes to read on the deck.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Haiku My Heart

On the road again

Montana, Colorado

Happy on the road

Antelope and deer

Bid Sky, Rocky Mountain High

Happy on the road

~~~^j^~~~

Begin trip to visit family on Wednesday.  The annual pilgrimage to the mountains brings joy and rejuvenation!  It is much anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed!

Thanks be to God!

Visit also Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart.

~~Mosaic Monday~~

The Walk of the Presidents

Rapid City, South Dakota is only 23 miles from Mount Rushmore and so I suspect it gets overlooked by those on pilgrimage to the "Mount." I know that until our last two trips to visit my mom in Montana, it was just a stop over on the way. Not so any more.

I really enjoy our visits to this city of the High Plains. Not a big city but is has an historic downtown where walking is a delight. There are lots of antique stores, wonderful restaurants, and the Presidential Walk. On nearly every corner in the downtown is a bronze sculpture of the Presidents of the United States.

Every President is represented except for the last three. There are the Founding Fathers, fathers with sons, and cousins. It really is a walk through history done by gifted sculpture artists and you never have to set foot in a museum.

If ever you have the opportunity to visit South Dakota, do it. There is so much beauty and history to be explored!

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

Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

It's Really Tuesday

For the last two weeks I've had Monday off, one because of vacation, the other because of the holiday. So what's the problem, Cathy, you may ask? Well, the first day back to work seems like Monday and then the rest of the week is all MESSED up. Complaining? NO! Befuddled? YES! But I'll survive. Just understand that until I get back on schedule, I can't be held responsible for what I may or may not do because my biological calendar (is there such a thing?) is all messed up! Have a grand day!

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

~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

It has been suggested that perhaps some would like to share their vacation adventures with others and maybe it could be done under one umbrella. So starting today, there will be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to join in sharing your adventures whether they be close to home or far away by linking your post here. Please feel free to jump on the Adventure Tour Express!

I begin with an adventure today that is brought to life by a walk down memory lane. Two weeks ago, already now, we visited a place Ron and I both hold dear to our hearts. I was attending Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Denver, CO. City Park was the place where we girls would go for a walk to get out of the hospital for a while. We could walk around the lake, visit the Natural History Museum, or go to the zoo. Funny what simple things could relieve some stress or anxiety.

Ron was just across town at Colorado School of Mines and we met through mutual friends. Neither of us had much money so a date was usually Friday night to a movie and a hamburger after. Sometimes a date was as simple as a "walk in the park."

The park was oh so beautiful in the fall. The color of the trees at sunset were stunning. In the spring the exciting shade of green filled you with anticipation of the flowers to follow.

Museum of Natural History
Ron's favorite place was the gem and mineral
displays, especially the gold nuggets.

The entrance to the park.

The fountain in the middle of City Park Lake

The Band Stand on the Lake

I also remember times as a child when we would meet The Aunts for a picnic in the park. Oh my, what fun we all had!!!

~~^j^~~

For all the memories relived through a grand adventure, I say,
Thanks be to God!

To join in the adventure simply copy and past the button into your post and sign in with Mr Linky! So All Aboard!!!

One of Many

Mitakuye Oyasin
(We are All Related)

Just one of the many sidewalk sculpture in Rapid City, SC. When I'm up and running again will share a number of the sculpted Presidents!! They are fantastic.

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

Rocky Mountain High

Just thought I'd drop in and offer you a bit of Rocky Mountain High!!!! Having a grand time!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

Images of God
The sunset is glorious
Treasured are these gifts

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

We're Off!!!

And away we go!!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!