October 3, 2018

There have been some very beautiful cloud formations and sunsets in the last month. I wanted to share some of them with everyone.
But first, the corn is harvested!!

Now for the clouds.

On Hwy. 25 to Gallatin

On 109 at South Tunnel intersection. Looked like a stairway to heaven! 

Franklin, KY

Franklin, KY from the Cracker Barrel parking lot

My backyard

My backyard

Now for the sunsets. All these pictures are taken with my iPhone 8. No filters or adjustments were made. All taken from my back porch on different nights.

Black walnut tree with vine growing in it. 

Notice deer on the horizon. 

Sun through the Rose of Sharon bush.

That's all for now. Will post more when I have something to show or talk about. Hugs.

August 23, 2018

I drove to Kentucky a week after I got home from my trip. These are some pictures that I took on State Hwy. 109 between Gallatin and Portland, TN.

Interesting geology

South Tunnel intersection

Trees that will be turning color with fall temps. 

Old silos near new section of 109 as it reaches 31W in Portland, TN.

The property next door to me has tobacco and soybeans planted this year.

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of my home. When I was in California, I tried to show some people my place, but I couldn't find the pictures I had on my phone.

My backyard view from the house. 2 pine trees that we bought as 4' tall live Christmas trees  in early 2000's and then planted. 

The backside of the house and shop. A pampas grass, a rose of Sharon, and river birch trees. 

The driveway coming up to the house.  Looking toward the  street. 

The front of the house. Wagon wheels found down in the holler in 2002 while clearing area for a garden. 

Cornfield next door

Corn

That's all for this day.

Tuesday. August 14, 2018
Day 28

Last leg of trip!! Less than 400 miles to go. I had a hard time getting going this morning. The room was so nice and the bed was the most comfortable of the whole trip!! I needed gas so drove to nearest station and turns out it was right below where I was last night in the parking lot listening to the music. The hotel was on Wentzville Bluffs Rd. Now I see why! It literally was on a bluff.

Last night I was standing where those 2 little trees are on top of the bluff.

I got into St. Louis about 11am and the traffic was crazy. I saw 2 close call accidents with people changing lanes and almost pulling into another car. And the roads through there are not good. Lots of construction. Hate to have gone through there at rush hour!!( The only real rush hour traffic I had the whole trip was this afternoon coming into Nashville and getting onto Viet Nam Blvd. Traffic was actually stopped at the end where it turns into Longhollow!)

It was nice to see all the trees when I got into KY and TN. 

I took more pictures. One with Don Williams singing in the background! But it's too long. 

One place on the road I saw a string of what looked like clothes alongside the road. Probably somebody's suitcase :-) The rest of the trip I don't remember seeing any trash. Not like in TN. Someone threw out a grocery bag right in front of me. Another threw out a cigarette. That would be a major NO NO in California with all the wild fires. 

I got home about 4:30 this afternoon. It was so nice to drive up to a newly mowed yard. Thanks to my granddaughters. Got part of the car unpacked and then had to quit. It was only 88 but it felt really hot. So will get the rest tomorrow. And put away all the stuff I have sitting on the counters, etc. 

It was a great trip even though the main reason for going was sad. Thanks to everyone who helped make it enjoyable both in California and TN and Krista and Stacey for taking care of my place while I was gone.  I will be glad to have my hand held shower again! I guess it was time to be home tho. The required maintenance light came on west of St. Louis and the strap on my purse gave out this morning!  (Too much stuff in there :-) ) Drove 5,497 miles! I had the car serviced before I left and now will have to go in again so I can get the orange caution icon to go out on the dash board! 

Until the next trip........or if I have something exciting to write about. :-) 

Have a good night. Love to all, Carol 

Monday, August 13, 2018
Day 27

I woke up to clouds but warm weather. I left Hays, KS about 9:45am. On the way east, there are a lot of billboards referring to Eisenhower. His boyhood home and Presidential Library and Museum are in Abilene, KS. It's about 25 miles from Junction City, KS where my dad grew up. I believe he told me that their football teams played against each other. I don't think he actually met him, but he did support him. I think you will have to zoom in on the picture to see the billboard. Yes, that is a little rain on the windshield. At first I thought it was bugs that I had missed when I washed the windshield. It rained enough to use the wipers but the pavement didn't get wet)

A little farther down the road after I came to Abilene, I saw a highway sign that made me laugh. I couldn't get a picture because it came and went before I could get the camera. I thought that Truman and Eisenhower would both turn over in their graves if they saw it. And my dad would too.  So I looked it up and found out the story behind the sign. (The picture wouldn't post so you will have to click on the link below to see it)

                                                  

Eisenhower Truman Highway I-70  It's a 2 page pdf that is interesting. 

I decided to try one more time to find my great grandfather's grave marker in Junction City, KS. 3rd time is a charm. I found it! It's on a hill that overlooks the Ft. Riley army base. The cemetery is well hidden, doesn't have a name on it and no markers to indicate where it is. It's a small cemetery and very peaceful and pretty well kept. I took a lot more pictures but won't post all of them. 

Ft. Riley

Joseph P. Estes and Elizabeth Estes great grandparents

Lots of Petersons there. No relation that I know of. 

Ft. Riley in the distance

I think is a crab apple tree. 

So as long as I was in cemetery hunting mode, I drove out to the cemetery (Humboldt Creek Cemetery) where my other great grandparents are supposed to be buried. When Lon and I drove out there 4 years ago, we couldn't find their markers. Well, I walked the whole cemetery and still didn't find it. And they aren't listed as being a memorial there. But my great uncle (my grandfather's brother) and his family are there. 

There is a portion of I-70 that is a toll road. When you enter you take a ticket and at the end there is a clerk to take your money. $3 This is the sign there since there is a lot of construction going on. In case you can't zoom in, it says "ONE LANE RD AHEAD PLEASE MERGE NICELY".

When I got to Boonville, MO I stopped at a Love station and gassed up and went to Hardy's to get some chicken tenders. Had to take a picture of this man. Must be some kind of highway worker. 

I got to Wentzville, MO about 6:20. I'm at the Hampton Inn. It's huge and I think is new. It still has that new smell. It's next door to a movie theater (12) and a huge parking lot. I heard music which sounded like it was coming from across the parking lot. I thought there was a concert going on. So I walked across the lot to find it. Turns out it was coming from speakers in the parking lot. 

I am in a King Suite! It's beautiful and I could live in here!! It's so big. Very comfortable. And nicely decorated.( Jeana just informed me that the Dodgers and Giants are playing ball. Finally found it on the TV so now can watch while doing the blog :-)  ) Plus there is a huge walk in shower and vanity area, and a small kitchenette. 

Side entrance. My room is just inside the door.  

When I walked across the parking lot, these businesses were down below. Sounds interesting!!

The movie theater on the left. The Hampton Inn on the right

If I had any energy, I could spend some time here ;-)

I should be able to make it home tomorrow. Have 400 miles to go. Will be good to get home. And I imagine my granddaughter will be glad too so they don't have to take care of things any longer. It's been longer than anticipated. And I am grateful to them for feeding my kitty, etc. 

Have a good night all. Hugs, Carol