The sounds of crickets, doves cooing, the smell of corn , the outside air wrapping around you like a warm ,wet blanket. This is the midwest in August.
The pictures are of things I saw while on my walk yesterday.
Friday, August 1
Missouri-Mozingo Lake
The sounds of crickets, doves cooing, the smell of corn , the outside air wrapping around you like a warm ,wet blanket. This is the midwest in August.
The pictures are of things I saw while on my walk yesterday.
Wednesday, July 30
Abreast
We left McCook NE yesterday in the rain and we were in rain all day and night! The mountain dust ran down the side of the motorhome in what seemed like chunks! We haven't seen that much rain in a very long time.
Hwy 34 in Nebraska is great, not so with hwy 136. We took it because it was a direct route to Maryville MO. I doubt if we take it again. It is narrow and no shoulder on most of it but the rough stretches were a bigger aggravation. After arriving at Mozingo Lake we unhitched the car and went into Maryville to buy groceries. That was a bite in the budget after not buying groceries for two months! It was nice to pick up some items I hadn't enjoyed for a time and I will have to pace myself on some of them.
Our phone coverage and Internet connection were iffy last night. It does seem more stable this morning. Butch discovered an ember burn on the hood of our car so he is currently checking the roof of the MoHo. We may have to talk to the next neighbor who decides to build a fire! Campground host duties never end!
I am working on a Swedish weaving project and I finished the center section while we were on the move. The finishing on the ends are remaning and that is my favorite part and that is what I plan to do while the golf tournament is occupying Butch.
We will miss the hummingbirds!!
Monday, July 28
Over the Mountain...
And down the hill....We left SMR about 8:15 this morning and boogied up and over Berthoud Pass without a hitch. Butch was very impressed with how our 2004 Newmar Kountry Star performed. Our route was I-70 to I-76 to Hwy 34 and it is all good road. We had looked at our Good Sam book prior to leaving SMR and had chosen McCook NE as a probable destination. I asked Butch before we left if I should scope out a place to stay on the Internet and he said "Naaaw, there are plenty of RV parks along 34." We couldn't find one so finally he pulled over and gave me time to connect and I went to my trusty resource- www.freecampgrounds.com and we found Karrer RV Park on the east side of McCook. 50 amp electric and they restrict your stay to 3 days. Price- Donations!! It is a great little park. That website has saved our fanny more than once. Check it out.
We already miss our SMR friends. What a great bunch of people!! :-)
We already miss our SMR friends. What a great bunch of people!! :-)
Friday, July 25
Hosted Ragbrai
Leo & Keri hosted several Ragbrai groups and I asked Keri to tell me what it was like. Here is her reply:
"Sorry I have not written sooner – it has been a busy and tiring week. RAGBRAI in Jefferson was really a great opportunity for the community. The Jefferson theme was “With all the Bells and Whistles”, but the true underling theme was hospitality. In general, the citizens welcomed the bikers with open arms. I was in charge of the meal at our church; I decided it would be a good way to see if this is what I want to do in my retirement years. The menu included ham balls, cheesy potato casserole, green beans, yogurt and fruit parfaits, and home made pie. We decided that we could feed 500 from 4-8pm. It was great. I might never eat a ham ball again after making over 1,500 of them. The bikers were so nice and appreciated the AC, a clean “real” bathroom and the home made food. When I finally returned home (exhausted) around 10pm, I was greeted with a yard full of motor homes and tents. Leo had invited additional groups as he rode on Sunday and Monday. I would guess we had around 50+ people at our home. I was too tired to spend much time with them and many of them had gone to bed. The next morning I was up at 5AM getting ready for the ride to Ames, I walked out of the house and the sun was just beginning to come up, I wish Barb would have been there to get a picture of the tents and the dew in the early morning light. It was fun to watch the bikers start to stir and get ready for the day. I had lots of bananas and granola bars to give the bikers to get the day started. I think I was the first biker out of the driveway, I was scared about not being able to make it to Ames, so I wanted to leave early to ride in the cool and have the whole day to make the trip. When I arrived back home on Tuesday afternoon it was as if Monday had never happened, not one piece of trash anywhere. What a great group of people to have at my home. I had a great time riding to Ames and only suffered a little sunburn. Leo is still on the road with a group, I think it might take several days for his recovery."
"Sorry I have not written sooner – it has been a busy and tiring week. RAGBRAI in Jefferson was really a great opportunity for the community. The Jefferson theme was “With all the Bells and Whistles”, but the true underling theme was hospitality. In general, the citizens welcomed the bikers with open arms. I was in charge of the meal at our church; I decided it would be a good way to see if this is what I want to do in my retirement years. The menu included ham balls, cheesy potato casserole, green beans, yogurt and fruit parfaits, and home made pie. We decided that we could feed 500 from 4-8pm. It was great. I might never eat a ham ball again after making over 1,500 of them. The bikers were so nice and appreciated the AC, a clean “real” bathroom and the home made food. When I finally returned home (exhausted) around 10pm, I was greeted with a yard full of motor homes and tents. Leo had invited additional groups as he rode on Sunday and Monday. I would guess we had around 50+ people at our home. I was too tired to spend much time with them and many of them had gone to bed. The next morning I was up at 5AM getting ready for the ride to Ames, I walked out of the house and the sun was just beginning to come up, I wish Barb would have been there to get a picture of the tents and the dew in the early morning light. It was fun to watch the bikers start to stir and get ready for the day. I had lots of bananas and granola bars to give the bikers to get the day started. I think I was the first biker out of the driveway, I was scared about not being able to make it to Ames, so I wanted to leave early to ride in the cool and have the whole day to make the trip. When I arrived back home on Tuesday afternoon it was as if Monday had never happened, not one piece of trash anywhere. What a great group of people to have at my home. I had a great time riding to Ames and only suffered a little sunburn. Leo is still on the road with a group, I think it might take several days for his recovery."
Come Monday
Come Monday we will be headed over the mountain and down the hill to Maryville MO and Mozingo Park and golf course. Butch is pictured here at Adam's Falls near Grand Lake CO. It is a beautiful place and one worth seeing again. We will miss all our friends at SMR but we look forward to fun with other friends and family the remainder of the summer.
Tuesday, July 22
At Steamboat Springs CO
Butch thought he looked very fine in this jacket but I said we didn't need another closet ornament. We will be leaving Snow Mountain Ranch next Monday headed for Maryville MO where Butch and Gary will be playing in a golf tournament at Mozingo. So soon we will be "On the Road Again".
Thursday, July 17
Donn & Peggy
While friends Donn and Peggy were here we had a busy and fun-filled 3 days. They made walking sticks, and we went to Hot Sulphur Springs for a soak. We stopped at Grand Lake after our trip through Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park and they were unsuccessful in moving a rock.
Tuesday, July 15
Friends Visit
Friends Donn and Peggy Gordon of Carson City NV came to Snow Mtn Ranch for a visit and we spent yesterday at Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. We went to Estes Park and returned on the one way road. I was able to get some great pictures and will put the best of them here now and make an album later.
Friday, July 11
Thursday, July 3
Auntie get your gun
This is a picture of my Aunt Ruby. Neither her granddaughter, Joanna Neff , nor I know the story behind the picture but it is a nifty picture nonetheless.
Monday, June 30
Shawn Johnson
Jason and Laura were privileged to attend the induction of Shawn Johnson to Iowa's Hall of Pride. Laura is employed by Iowa Boys Athletic Association and thereby received an invitation to attend. Pictured is her coach, Chow. Another with Jason and Shawn's mother. Laura is pictured with Shawn. It certainly adds interest to watching the Olympics in August.
Wednesday, June 25
Now the news
We work on Friday, Saturday and Sunday- off the other 4 days. That is by choice. The busiest days are the weekends and the time flies.
Tonight we are going on a staff excursion to Boulder for a dinner theatre. There are 18 of us going. Should be fun. You will most likely see photos of it on www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com tomorrow or so.
My job of taking care of the blog has been a bit of a challenge lately because of an ailing Internet connection but I called Verizon yesterday and we determined my aircard was not functioning properly and a new one is on the way. Friends Terry and Lisa pulled in a couple of days ago and they have Verizon also which was working great for them. That helped in the diagnosis.
So I hope ya'all are keeping up with the posts...till next time...
Tonight we are going on a staff excursion to Boulder for a dinner theatre. There are 18 of us going. Should be fun. You will most likely see photos of it on www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com tomorrow or so.
My job of taking care of the blog has been a bit of a challenge lately because of an ailing Internet connection but I called Verizon yesterday and we determined my aircard was not functioning properly and a new one is on the way. Friends Terry and Lisa pulled in a couple of days ago and they have Verizon also which was working great for them. That helped in the diagnosis.
So I hope ya'all are keeping up with the posts...till next time...
Monday, June 23
Long Dry Spell
We have just been busier than hmmm..scat!!! We work the weekends and right now the supervisor is in Oklahoma so we ...ahem...are in charge!!! The campground has been full on weekends. With fuel prices such as they are we are getting primarily Colorado people.
The weather has been in a word perfect!!! Highs in the 70's -lows in the 40's!
By the way...Did any of you know you can volunteer here for as little as two weeks? And you do not need an RV to do so. They would house you in a room. Wow! A working vacation!! You put in 3-8 hour days and the other 4 you can play with the YMCA footing the bill for many things including food.
I do not understand why we are not swamped with volunteers.
Butch is playing golf today with Mike Bryce. They are using Grand Golf passes whereby they golf on very expensive courses($89) for free!! That is a new feature this year and one that will most likely bring Butch back again next year.
Things a running smoothly this year-enjoying the people and the work and all is well.
The weather has been in a word perfect!!! Highs in the 70's -lows in the 40's!
By the way...Did any of you know you can volunteer here for as little as two weeks? And you do not need an RV to do so. They would house you in a room. Wow! A working vacation!! You put in 3-8 hour days and the other 4 you can play with the YMCA footing the bill for many things including food.
I do not understand why we are not swamped with volunteers.
Butch is playing golf today with Mike Bryce. They are using Grand Golf passes whereby they golf on very expensive courses($89) for free!! That is a new feature this year and one that will most likely bring Butch back again next year.
Things a running smoothly this year-enjoying the people and the work and all is well.
Thursday, June 19
More Flood Info
From friend Phyllis Thompson in Atlantic IA:
SW IA got hit hard in places with winds, tornadoes, very heavy rain, etc although we were very fortunate here in Atlantic. A couple of our low lying areas flooded, but those aren't unusual. Some farming fields still have ponds and some replanting will need to be done. We did have 5 out of 6 straight nights of watches and warnings for severe thunder storms, tornadoes and flooding. All the updates, and constant weather broadcasts out of Omaha stations over rode the TV programs those evenings and nights. Mason City, in north east IA had the worst flooding ever in it's history, but daughter Deb and Kevin were lucky - not even water in the basement from ground water. They live in northeast Mason City. They are about a block from the river, but it didn't come up that far where they are. It was a couple of days before they could get out of their immediate area though. A lot of MC was at a standstill because the water overflowed the levy at the water treatment plant which pretty well shut down the City because so many places couldn't function without tap water - just think of the hospital, for instance. Emergency medical tankers came there, but only emergencies & in patients already there were treated. Inmates at the jail had to be taken to other counties, restaurants couldn't be open, day cares couldn't function, etc. Curfews were issued and enforced with heavy fines because of traffic congestion and looting, etc. You couldn't get into MC unless you could prove you lived there or had to be there. This flooding continues to play out as the water has progressed on south into areas that got plenty of rain also before the flooding rivers come to their towns and areas. 2008 has NOT been kind to Iowa this winter and spring!!
SW IA got hit hard in places with winds, tornadoes, very heavy rain, etc although we were very fortunate here in Atlantic. A couple of our low lying areas flooded, but those aren't unusual. Some farming fields still have ponds and some replanting will need to be done. We did have 5 out of 6 straight nights of watches and warnings for severe thunder storms, tornadoes and flooding. All the updates, and constant weather broadcasts out of Omaha stations over rode the TV programs those evenings and nights. Mason City, in north east IA had the worst flooding ever in it's history, but daughter Deb and Kevin were lucky - not even water in the basement from ground water. They live in northeast Mason City. They are about a block from the river, but it didn't come up that far where they are. It was a couple of days before they could get out of their immediate area though. A lot of MC was at a standstill because the water overflowed the levy at the water treatment plant which pretty well shut down the City because so many places couldn't function without tap water - just think of the hospital, for instance. Emergency medical tankers came there, but only emergencies & in patients already there were treated. Inmates at the jail had to be taken to other counties, restaurants couldn't be open, day cares couldn't function, etc. Curfews were issued and enforced with heavy fines because of traffic congestion and looting, etc. You couldn't get into MC unless you could prove you lived there or had to be there. This flooding continues to play out as the water has progressed on south into areas that got plenty of rain also before the flooding rivers come to their towns and areas. 2008 has NOT been kind to Iowa this winter and spring!!
Sunday, June 15
Thursday, June 12
Monday, June 9
Benefits
Some of you have wondered what we get out of volunteering at Snow Mountain Ranch. Trust me, the reasons are abundant but here are a few things we like about it.
For quite some time winter senior volunteers have enjoyed the benefit of Grand passes for skiing but now summer volunteers have the benefit for golf. This is a big deal for golfers who can now play free golf at the courses in the area on their days off. Come on golfers, volunteer at Snow Mountain Ranch and enjoy a Grand golf benefit!!
Summer Grand Pass Use Benefits/Rules
Summer 2008 Season
I.Grand Passes - For a complete list of Grand Pass benefits, please come to the HR office. A Grand Pass Benefits book is posted on the bulletin board immediately to the left of the HR entrance for your perusal. Examples of some of the Grand Pass benefits include:
Free Golf at Pole Creek, Headwaters, Grand Lake and Grand Elk Golf Courses
Free entrance to base activities at WP Resort (mini golf, alpine slide, lift ticket for downhill mountain biking and more!)
Free entrance to High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser and Flying Heels Rodeo Series in Granby
Free skiing at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Sol Vista and Steamboat
Cross Country Skiing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Discounts at local restaurants and retailers
For quite some time winter senior volunteers have enjoyed the benefit of Grand passes for skiing but now summer volunteers have the benefit for golf. This is a big deal for golfers who can now play free golf at the courses in the area on their days off. Come on golfers, volunteer at Snow Mountain Ranch and enjoy a Grand golf benefit!!
Summer Grand Pass Use Benefits/Rules
Summer 2008 Season
I.Grand Passes - For a complete list of Grand Pass benefits, please come to the HR office. A Grand Pass Benefits book is posted on the bulletin board immediately to the left of the HR entrance for your perusal. Examples of some of the Grand Pass benefits include:
Free Golf at Pole Creek, Headwaters, Grand Lake and Grand Elk Golf Courses
Free entrance to base activities at WP Resort (mini golf, alpine slide, lift ticket for downhill mountain biking and more!)
Free entrance to High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser and Flying Heels Rodeo Series in Granby
Free skiing at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Sol Vista and Steamboat
Cross Country Skiing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Discounts at local restaurants and retailers
Snow Mountain Ranch Volunteers
We have been here long enough to get in the groove. We work mainly weekends and that is okay with us. Next week finds us in charge as our supervisor is going back to Oklahoma for doctor appts. Not crazy about being in charge but we will manage.
Today was Butch's birthday. He had a good time...played golf for free!...had birthday cake and a song.
We had snow yesterday morning. Yes, snow in June...about 2 inches. Last night we didn't get snow but it was 27 degrees this morning. It has been interesting and a challenge to figure out which coat to wear.
I have been working on the SMR blog and you can find it at www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com.
I haven't heard from hardly anyone lately but I can understand that. Especially in Iowa where they are dodging tornadoes and bailing water.
Today was Butch's birthday. He had a good time...played golf for free!...had birthday cake and a song.
We had snow yesterday morning. Yes, snow in June...about 2 inches. Last night we didn't get snow but it was 27 degrees this morning. It has been interesting and a challenge to figure out which coat to wear.
I have been working on the SMR blog and you can find it at www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com.
I haven't heard from hardly anyone lately but I can understand that. Especially in Iowa where they are dodging tornadoes and bailing water.
Tuesday, June 3
Sunday, June 1
First Day of work
Butch and I finished our first day of work today. We are both tired tonight. Not used to putting in 8 hours of honest work. We will get used to it soon. Some things have changed and it is all about getting the routine down again. Once we do that it will be smooth sailing.
Yesterday we walked up to the waterfall...at least we intended to. It was muddy, snowy and slick in spots. We had been told you couldn't go all the way up because of a snow melt filled stream and beaver ponds. We did plan to go as far as we could but gave up short of that goal. We did walk far enough to give both of us sore calf muscles. We saw moose, deer and "large kitty" prints in the mud. None were fresh.
I am doing much better with the altitude this year.
I will be doing more posting on the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com so may want to check in on that one too.
Yesterday we walked up to the waterfall...at least we intended to. It was muddy, snowy and slick in spots. We had been told you couldn't go all the way up because of a snow melt filled stream and beaver ponds. We did plan to go as far as we could but gave up short of that goal. We did walk far enough to give both of us sore calf muscles. We saw moose, deer and "large kitty" prints in the mud. None were fresh.
I am doing much better with the altitude this year.
I will be doing more posting on the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com so may want to check in on that one too.
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