5/27/05. Just before leaving for the days journey, we stopped in at Mimis Cafe off the suggestion of Scott's dad. Great suggestion the store offered a wonderful breakfast with great service. On leaving, they gave us a box of four of their specialty muffins. These things are huge and deliscious. They were good for two more mornings breakfasts with coffee. Soon after we departed for the Black Hills of South Dakota with a stop for the night in the town of Salem, SD.

5/27/05. Before leaving, Mom and Christa wanted me to see the beautiful mall at the intersection of 16 & 168th street (Southpoint all I think, but not sure). Really nice landscaping in a mall with upscale shops, bistros and some larger corporate stores. Here Mom takes a picture of Christa and I in front of Scheels Sporting Goods.

Scott's family enjoying some entertainment following a greeat BBQ dinner. In the picture are Christine, Scott's brother, Todd, Scott's mom (standing), Todd's wife, Lisa, Jason, and Scott's sister, Julie. Scott's dad is standing behind his mom. Great evening.

Here Christine works on the evening repast while telling us about her beautiful kitchen. Good job, very nice cabinetry. (oh, and you're looking good too Christine).

5/26/05. Here I am standing next to a mig-21. Early during my time in service, this was one of the aircraft we trained the most to intercept. Pretty neat to actually stand next to one, you won't find many around this country.

5/26/05. As you enter the museum the first thing you come across is an SR-71 Blackbird. Awesome. I actually had the opertunity to do some intercept work with one of these when I was in service. What a thrill.

Here Scott stands next to a Blue Scout airforce missle. Yep, pretty big. Looks like it could deliver a good smarting.

5/26/05. While Christa and my mom opted to go to Omaha to do some window shopping, Scott and I went to the Air & Space Museum just southwest of Omaha. A terrific place for the person interested in SAC, airforce, and space memorabilia.

5/24/05. Arrived at the Two Rivers SRA with the intent to visit my old Navy buddy , Scott, his wife, Christine, and his extended family. The whole drive across Kansas really took a toll on me. I slept the first 2 days here, which is probably good because we arrived early and caught Scott off guard. the SRA is a nice little park with electric, water, dump station, and concrete pads. We were sheltered from the winds that had pummelled us ever since leaving Texas. Mahoney State Park is a nicer park, but this one is was pretty good and located closer to Scott and his family.

Concordia, KS

5/23/05. Arrived at the Airport Municipal Park in Concordia, KS. After spending the day driving across the wind swept (and hot) Kansas plains, Concordia was a welcome balm to the weary traveler. We stayed at the City Park which offered concrete pads, water and electric hookups, and a dump station for the price of a donation if you choose to make one. (We made one). This is a very nice little park next door to the local National Guard Station. The park was very clean and well kept. For the price I rank it as one of the best parks we have stayed at and to think it is maintained by the city. Only in a small town could you get this kind of consideration. The reason for the visit was to see my Brother-in-law's (Rod) folks. Leonard and Wanita (sorry if I spelled that wrong) greeted us with all affection taking us into their home for some freshening up. The highlight for me was to get a look at a photo album collected by Leonard's uncle during WW II from the pacific theater. Rare photos that are now on display at the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene. Later, they treated us to steak dinners at the local Moose Lodge. A really great meal. Sorry I did not take any pictures, but I was pretty beat and not thinking straight. We left the next morning headed for Omaha, Ne.

5/21/05. The main point of interest to the visitor of this fair city will probably be to visit the historical sites. In the rebuilding of the city over the years, many of the historical features have been moved or destroyed. Boot hill cemetery, which has been moved twice. Still, a solid attempt to recreate"Front Street" is successfully pulled off with this replica of the buildings present when Earp and Masterson walked the streets. Included are three actual buildings which have been moved into this exhibit area and are pretty much fully restored. They include an old school house, a residential home, and a smithy. All in all, a very interesting exploration of our western history, the good and the bad.

The visitors plaza is located pretty close to the downtown area, as was expected, and offered lots of historical information, directions and a gift shop. A dissapointment was the Freight House Restaurant which looked to be an upscale restaurant. We had a new waitress and the cookstaff did not do her any favors with our orders. All of our steak orders were incorrect with regard to doneness. When asked to correct the order, the waitress took the order back, but the cookstaff must not have been very concerned as the orders returned little better then before. The waitress was already nervous, add this to her youth and inexperience, I felt that it would have been crass to give her a hard time again. Christa thought the potatoes tasted like they were made from instant, and mom's steak fried potatoes were cooked to inedibility. My meal was the only one that turned out well, once Mom and I switched steaks (I like mine rare). The steak was good, and the meal might have been better if there just hadn't been so many problems. In the past I have praised eateries of noteworthiness, alas, I must also respond to those that would charge a hansom price, but do not deliver the hansom service.

5/21/05. Pulled into Dodge City, KS, last evening. We camped at, of course, the Gunsmoke RV Campground. A nice campground with all the amenities. Our first impression of KS was that it is a very windy day, but believe me, we were thankful for that wind. Without it, this would have been a very hot place (dry, too).

5/19/05. Sunset on the western rim of the canyon.

Mom taking a moment to enjoy a view of the canyon rim from our campsite. The campsite was very nice - level, with water and electric, a dump station, interpretive trails, and a gift shop with a museum inside. Beginning in June, there will be plays put on at the amphitheater located in the park. These are supposed to be pretty awesome, but, alas, we are too early.

This is a view while traveling down the main park road towards the campsite. The white roofs in the center left of the picture are RVers and where we will camp as well.

5/18/05. Arrived at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. Quite an entrance as you approach the park. The surrounding countryside is very flat and pretty featureless until you are within about a mile of the gate. Then this great chasm in the earth opens before you revealing a breathtaking view. Especially the descent when you're in a 37' motorhome. Just go real slow.

Tomorrow, we pull chocks and are on the road for Palo Duro State Park in northern Texas. But for now, we're just enjoying the scenery of Colorado City State Park.

At Colorado City State Park, there are hiking trails through cactus, rocks and sword plants. Wear good shoes and take a walking stick, as my mom did find a snake (she hates them) on her early morning walk. This cactus flower shows the beauty of the park at this time of year. The cacti are plentiful and they were all in bloom.

One of the great features of Colorado City State Park is the lake and surrounding scenery. As with most of the state parks we have stayed in, this one is well maintained, clean, and a beautiful stop. We were able to get some paddle time though the water is still pretty cool.