Arizona's Petrified Forrest National Park

We traveled to The Petrified National Forrest this week. We went there several years ago, but we wanted to spend more time seeing everything. Of course when we arrived the weather was windy and cold. So that meant (wimps that we are) we didn't see much and promised we would come back in the spring. It is still a fascinating place to visit. As with all National Parks, you drive along in perfectly normal country, then all of the sudden scenery so different and incredible pops up that you're speechless. The way petrified trees were formed 225 million years ago here was the whole area was a floodplain. Big trees got washed there and then over time silt buried them and different minerals in the silt gave the trees their color. Then they eventually became exposed as weather patterns changed.

Next week I'll be going to Alaska to spend Christmas with my son and grandson. Ed will be with his mom. I won't have a computer up there so I will tell all of my friends and family Merry Christmas and hoping everyone has a wonderful 2008! Bye for now, Vicki & Ed

Viva Las Vegas!

Last weekend we attended my nephews' wedding to a wonderful girl named Amanda. They were married at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Afterward, everyone got together at The Mix, which is on the top floor of the hotel. The best part was the restroom in the Mix lounge. There was little toilet closets and when you went in the whole wall was glass. So could go to the bathroom and look at a spectacular view of Las Vegas while peeing. It doesn't take much to excite me! We had a great time, but I don't need to rush right back there. Bye for now-Happy Thanksgiving all! Vicki & Ed

Ed-the wild animal wrangler

We finally stooped to a new low for excitement here. We flush water down mole holes, then close all of them up and wait for new holes, then put poison in them. Stephanie was flooding a hole and a mole popped out. Well, it was Ed to the rescue with our rake. He chased it-prodded it and carried it on the rake to the empty field next to us and lobbed him over the fence.

The last few weeks, most of our free time has been spent with our parents. We had Ed's mom here for a few days. She could breath easier here and enjoyed the trains. But with no TV, she was happy to get home to her familiar surroundings. Also, we took a trip to Phoenix and visited with both my parents, who have been divorced and remarried for many years. The traffic there is horrible and you couldn't pay me to live in Phoenix now.

Business is very slow now, but there is alot to do. The work campers last summer couldn't do much work because of physical and old age issues. Needless to say, the campground was overrun with weeds and a mess. We spend a few hours each day we work making a dent in a long list of things that need to be done. Ed and I enjoy the physical work though, and you can see a major improvement in the grounds already.

We are going to Las Vegas on Saturday for my nephews wedding. It's going to be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and should be fun. I'll see if I can get a good picture and post it in my next blog. So long for now. We miss everyone! Vicki & Ed

Seligman historical trivia

We've been soaking up Route 66 trivia this week. Everyone ready for alittle history lesson? In 1886, Seligman was founded as a railway stop. Two brothers named Seligman helped finance the railway in this area, so that's how the town was named. This is a booming town of 456 people who basically live off the tourist trade.

Now for the history of Route 66. The Route 66 highway was commissioned in 1926 and stretched from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, Ca. As time went on shorter routes and interstates were built, but people along the old Route 66 wanted to preserve it as the classic American icon for our love affair with the automobile. 17 miles east of Seligman is the start of the longest continuous stretch of the old Route 66. It goes to California. Some of the well-known names for this highway are: The Mother Road, Main Street of America and Will Rogers Highway. And of course there is the saying-"Get your kicks on Route 66".

This week there was a car show here. During the year they hold car shows, motorcycle rallies and trike rallies (three wheeled motorcycles). They had alot of cars that were reconditioned and reupholstered with beautiful tuck-and-roll leather. It was fun looking at all of them. I saw one of our old family cars and my dream car-a 1968 Chevy Camero.

Are you all still awake after this history lesson? I've got to go now and get back to my homework, so I will see you later. Bye for now, Vicki & Ed

Train central-Seligman, AZ

We made it to Seligman, AZ on October 1st with no problems (thank God!) The campground is not as nice as Panguitch, but I feel when we work it will make a difference. Yesterday 44 RVs from Canada came in, a few at a time, and they didn't want any help. This morning, though, I went up front and helped her out because they wanted to buy alot of "Route 66" souveniors. Then we cleaned the restrooms. I think she liked the fact that Ed and I are healthy and know how to work hard. From what we've seen most workkampers are old and not in good shape. As you can see in this picture, the railroad tracks are right behind us. I found out around 80 trains come through here every day. I'm already used to them, Ed hears alot more than I do. Well, that's all for now, happy dividend day to all our Alaskan friends. Talk to you soon, Vicki & Ed

Navajo Trail

The Navajo trail in Bryce Canyon was closed all summer due to a rockslide, and was recently opened back up so we made the time to go on it. As you can see from this picture it was the best view of Bryce and we took the adjoining Peekaboo trail. That made our little trip 5 miles of very hard trail. At least I was in good enough shape that I made it up the steep paths this time!

We are just about all packed to go and will be in Seligman, AZ on October 1st. Our summer was awesome and better than our dreams. Now on to the next adventure! We love you, Vicki and Ed

Summer's last hurrah

This picture was taken at Cedar Canyon campground this week. We checked last week and this campground was going to be open for 2 more weeks. Well, after we were there for a day a camp host came by and told us that the campground would be closed the next day. So Tuesday, the next day, the maintenance guy came by to turn off the water and close the outhouse. They said we could stay there and rough it if we wanted to, so we chose to stay. That night 4 carloads of teenagers decided to park next to us and have a big campfire and do a lot of yelling and running around. To us, that was a sign to pack up and leave. So much for our last camping trip of the summer! Bye for now, Vicki and Ed