Dianne and David's Travel Adventures

2012-01-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It has been along time since by last post. We all have such high hopes in the New Year and most of us are glad the year has ended and a new one is almost here. I have mixed feelings on that. 2011 was a very exciting year. The best part was meeting Mandy's donor and hugging him and telling him face to face how grateful we were. We met up with old friends and enjoyed some beautiful scenary. However, during our travels I was having some unexplained spotting. Not constant but rather annoying. I had had my annual physical and pap test the end of March and had mentioned that I had had 2 times of spotting. My family Doctor did not seemed concerned so I put it in the back of my mind. When we returned to Arizona I mentioned it to Mandy and asked for her gynocologists name. I had an appointment on November 17th. We talked about my problem and she examined me and I had blood drawn. She scheduled me for an ultrasound and biospy in December. On December 15th we met again to discuss my results and she told me I had uterine cancer stage 1. She referred me to a Gynecologic Oncologist and I got an appointment on December 21st. He told me my best treatment was a compete hysterectomy. I said when can you do it and he said he could do it on December 27th but that I could wait and get a second opinion. I had a copy of my biospy so I knew what I needed to do so I said lets do it. So Tuesday evening December 27th I had my surgery. He used a method called the de vince surgical system. www.davincisurgery.com I have a problem giving blood cause my veins are small and not eating for a day and half and not having any water caused a problem so they had to put my IV in my neck. It wasn't that bad but did make me want to get up and move around so I could leave the hospital. This procedure is consided out patient surgery and so your hospital stay is only 23 hours. I felt good enough to leave by 3 pm and was able to rest better at home. I was told my biospy report should be ready by Tuesday the 3rd. So I finally placed a call to their office yesterday and they called back with the results. They test 19 lymph nodes and found no cancer cells. It had invaded less than 50% of my uterus and was Grade 1. The nurse said it is up to the Doctor but usually there is no further treatment such as radiation or chemo. So I am starting 2012 on a Happy Note!! We have great friends and neighbors in our park. They made dinner for us and cookies and pies. Also lots of emails, cards and balloons from long time friends and phone calls from family. I would like to thank David for his wonderful nursing skills the last few days and helping put on my socks and cooking. Thanks to Mandy for keeping her Dad company during the surgery and helping me get dressed to come home. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming I still need them. HAPPY 2012 TO ALL OF YOU...

2011-10-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

For all those who know me and always wondered!!

Monday September 26th

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Yea we are in Arizona. We will spend the night in Sun Valley and then head to Mesa tomorrow morning.

Tuesday September 27th

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We got up early and hit the road by 7:30. About 30 miles from Mesa we started seeing the saguaro cactus. I knew we would be home soon.

Arrived around 11:30 and went to work unloading the 5th wheel.

Thursday September 29th

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We have the 5th wheel unpacked and ready for storage and the park model is cleaned and everything is put away. We are now ready for all our friends to arrive

We traveled 9866 miles and spent $3730.56 on fuel. We never paid over $4.00 a gallon so that was good. When we left in June we thought the price could possibly be $5.00 or $6.00.

Keep checking the blog for updates.

I hope you enjoyed out summer trip as much as we did.

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To view the pictures in a larger format just click the picture then use the back arrow to return to the blog.

Monday September 26th-Moab to Sun Valley, Arizona

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There is always something to see when you travel on Highway 191.

This is Wilson's Arch

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Along highway 191 from Moab to Bluffs is several interesting formations. This is Twin Rock.

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Twin Rocks in located in Bluffs, Utah.

There is a restaurant and gift shop there.

Sunday September 25th-Canyonlands Tour

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Today we toured the southern part of Canyonlands called The Needles. We have toured the northern part called Island in the Sky in 2005. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

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Newspaper Rock

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NEWSPAPER ROCK is a petroglyph panel etched in standstone that records approximately 2,000 years of early man's activites. Prehistoric peoples probably from the archaic, basketmaker, Fremont and Pueblo cultures, etched on the rock from B.C. time to D.C. to 1300.

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This was one of my favorite shapes in the park. This was called the wooden shoe

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David in the view

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David enjoying the view

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I am dwarfed by this formation

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View at the overlook

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View of the Needles

Tomorrow we will be in Sun Valley Arizona for the night and then on to Mesa for the winter.

Saturday September 24- Visit to Arches National Park

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We are spending the weekend in Moab, Utah. There are several National Parks close by. Our favorite is Arches. I am going to try to make it to Delicate Arch. One of the most photographed arches in the world. I did it in 2005 so wish me luck.

Tomorrow we will go to Canyonlands National Parks southern entrance. Called Needles.

Make sure you click older post because there are 18 pictures to see.

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There are several rock formations in the park but I like this one called Three Gossips!!

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This is the Sheep

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Here we go to see Delicate Arch.

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I know I did this before but I am older and I don't like to walk. I like to play the slots!! What did I get myself into? Yes I know it is worth it but still!!!!!!!!!!

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Traveling the trail to the Arch.

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I am not sure what David was doing when I took this, it looks like he was just looking at the view around him. I guess that is when he got inspired to climb up to the arch and check out the view on the other side.

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This is the view of Delicate Arch that David saw through the arch that he climbed up to.

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YEA. I made it...

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Can you see us under the Arch. Thanks to the gentleman that took the pic for us.

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Panoramic view of the Arch

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Whew. It it time to head down the hill. I know it will be a little quicker than going up. It was a tough climb for me. I had to stop and rest a lot but I was determined to make it. We had done this before but that was 6 years ago. David said that I did a good job and didn't whine as much as he thought I would. I think that was a compliment!!

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Hiking back to the parking lot.

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This area in Arches is called the windows section. This particular arch is called Double Arch. This area was used in filming the beginning of the Indiana Jones and the Last crusade. Young Indy entered the arch and into a cave. The cave does not exist but it was a great part in the movie.

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Closer view of double arch. In order to view the second arch you need to hike up to it.

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Castle Rock.

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Fisher Tower. This is not in the park but on a side road

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This was a fault line that David spotted. A crack in the earth, if you will, but we could not find the name of it on any of the maps!!!!

Sorry it was a long day!!

Tomorrow Canyonlands...

Day 5 of our trip to Arizona

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We had to say Good Bye to our neighbor in Golden and hit the road. As you can see on his face he was very sad to see us go!!

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A few miles from Golden is a Buffalo Herd Overlook.

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A view of the buffalo

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Snow on the mountains

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The further we drove to the higher altitude the more we saw the aspen trees had turned. They are really pretty.

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We made it

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We took a scenic route throught the Colorado River Recreational area.

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This looked like Monument Valley. So pretty and the rocks are so red

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So tomorrow we will hike to Delicate Arch (maybe)..

Check the blog for the update.

Day 4 of our trip to Arizona

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This is a statue of Adolph Coors. He was only 26 years old when he opened his brewery in Golden, Colorado, in 1873. He learned his craft as a brewer's apprentice in his native Germany and came to the United States in 1868 as a penniless stowaway.

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This is our tour bus

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From the moment Adolph landed, he headed west, searching for a source of water that he thought perfect for making high quality beer. He found just that in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains

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How many cans per minute is one filler process?

1,100 - 1,800

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Making more beer

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Wall of Beer

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Brew Kettles

How long does it take to brew a Coors Beer?

55 days-the longest in the industry.

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Brew Kettles

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DID YOU KNOW?

Before Coors beer was widely available, various Presidents insisted that Air Force One be stocked with ice-cold Coors in the return trip from Colorado to the White House.

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Tasting the Products!! We got one sample on the tour (Coors Banquet)and then 3 glasses in the tasting room!!

We loved the tasting room!!

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3 for Each of Us!!!!

My favorite was Blue Moon Belgium White with a slice of orange in it. Yummy..

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Big Can of Beer!!

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David with a brewing kettle!!

The weather in Colorado is chilly but tomorrow we will be in Moab Utah and into the hotter weather. Look for some beautiful pics of Arches National Park.

Day two of our trip to Arizona

2011-09-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

David got up in the dark to be first at the driver's license office. He arrived at 6:45am and there were 12 other people waiting outside. The office opened their doors at 6:55 and he made it through quickly and was back at the RV park around 7:50 and even got some fuel. I stayed behind and did a few things to get ready to go. Next stop for the night Waco, Nebraska.

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Driving from South Dakota to Nebraska. Cows, horses, corn and lots of road kill. Cold and windy day. Looking forward to Arizona sunshine.

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Long uneventful (thank God) day. Just views of corn and clouds.

Arrived safely in Waco, Nebraska for the night.

Day One of our trip to Arizona

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We left Mason City in the fog. I was a little concerned with deer being on the side of the road. We didn't even see any. So we get to Sioux Falls and check into the RV park and find out the drivers license office is closed on Monday!! YEA. So we go to park and they only have back in sites so-

QUESTION

What happens when this tree meets

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Meets these guys

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OOPS

There was no posting for the tree like 12'6" Clearance.

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So off to the RV store. Luckly there was no internal damage only the cover.

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So $155.99 later it looks as good as new!

Time to Head South

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We are staying in a park in Mason City, Iowa that is loaded with Oak trees. The squirrels have been scurrying around and gathering acorns by the ton for the winter. Leaves are falling and the temperatures are dropping. Time for us to head south.

2011-09-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

On Monday we will say GOOD BYE to our Iowa State fans and head to Arizona for the winter. First stop Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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While sitting in the campground you see lots of interesting people. We thought we would see a real cowboy practicing with his lazzo.

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No he was just hooking up his water hose. We thought maybe he was from Texas or Montana but no he was from Michigan, maybe West Michigan!!!

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This weekend was spent watching Marcy and her softball team play in a tournament. The team only plays two times a year. Once in the summer and once in the winter. I have always enjoyed watching the girls play sports. They always seemed to play well in any sport they tried. Marcy never played softball in high school but was a varsity volleyball and soccer player. She also lettered in track but never liked it. I can't believe she will be 37 in November. This is the first time she played and I think she had a good time but sore muscles..

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YEA!!! They took 2nd place. Way to go Ladies..

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August 6, 2011

Chad, Marcy and Keira have a 22 foot boat so their weekend usually includes cruising around Clear Lake. We went to lunch then went out on the boat. Nana decided not to ride in the same boat!!!

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A fun ride

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LADY OF THE LAKE is a sightseeing boat that you can ride on Clear Lake. On Saturday it was a wedding cruise.

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I guess you will see most anything on Clear Lake!!!

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At the end of the day there is always room for ice cream. Our friend's Dick and Judy say Birdsall's is the best. It was YUMMY..

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We arrived safely back in Mason City Iowa today. We have done a lot of traveling since we left her on June 21st. We pulled the 5th wheel 4186 miles. We will now stay in this area til we head back to Arizona late September. There might be an occasional trip to Tama (casino) or to Des Moines to visit friends but that isn't long drives. Keira is spending Friday night with us while her Mom and Dad get to go to a grownup party.

I hope you enjoyed our trip and I will continue to update the blog.

2011-08-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I finally got the blog updated from July 20th to July 31th. YEA

ENJOY

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July 31, 2011

What is significant about Vermont??

This is the last state that we needed to RV in to complete our odyssey. We have now been to all of the lower 48 states plus Alaska. I don't think we will be RVing in Hawaii but you never know.

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Sharing the road with Hell's Angels.

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July 30, 2011

Before leaving Maine to made a short stop in Farmington to visit Rick and Sandy Haskill. We know them from Viewpoint and they are fellow shufflers. This was a spur of the moment stop and they were really surprised.

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Welcome to New Hampshire

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This is what is all that is left of The Old Man on the Mountain. The face fell down in 2004.

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This is what the Man on the Mountain use to look like. We saw in one time on a trip to New Hampshire in 1970.

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This was our campsite in New Hampshire

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This fern was all around the campground

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All kinds of foliage in the campground

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July 28th & 29th, 2011

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Maine is best know for its wild blueberries. We were lucky to see some.

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Welcome to Acadia. I hope you enjoy the following pictures. I won't comment on each of the pictures because as they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I will say that the area was beautiful but I think the Oregon coast is the most beautiful area we have seen. The Pacific coast is more dramatic and scenic.