Zion National Park

Like I said before, when it comes to RV parks, you get what you pay for. This is our best (and most expensive) one yet: Zion River Ressort, http://www.zionriverresort.com/ . We were trying to book something at Zion National Park 2 weeks ago. The park campgrounds were already full for the weekend. This one showed up and we are glad it did. Nice place, met nice people who want us to meet them here same time next year, pool and hot tub with 80s and sun, small dog run, beautiful scenery, close to Zion National Park...

Around the RV park:

Virgin River which runs through Zion National Park

Went to Zion National Park yesterday, Rollie was in awe again but said he likes the Grand Canyon better.

Las Vegas

We spent 2 nights in the Sam's Town RV Park which was just made a KOA park. From what I have seen so far, KOA has strict requirements for bathrooms as these had been recently remodeled, and every other KOA we have stayed in they were impeccable. As for the rest of the place, well, it felt more like a run-down trailer park. But we could walk to the casino with a huge bowling alley on the lower floor and many restaurants and had a good visit with a friend from Northfield.

http://www.samstownlv.com/stay/rv-park

All along the way I have been watching the flora change from prairie to desert.

Grand Canyon

Watched the sun rise over the Grand Canyon 10/28. Rollie was in awe, his first memory of the big ditch.

When we headed out in the dark on foot from the RV park, which is very near the south rim, with the dogs, we almost (iterally) ran into a small elk herd, 7 cows and one bull. We slowly backed away and made other plans to get to the canyon.

Joplin

Back in college in Joplin, MO, friends showed me a marker at the intersection of Mo, KS and OK. It has been updated (GPS technology?) and moved about 20 feet to the east. The old marker is still there; a stone pillar built by students in the 1930s. This new one is much nicer because you can stand on it in 3 states at once!

Revisiting Joplin 3 years after the devastating tornado I could still see the huge swath of destruction along 20th St in the heart of the city. Lots of rebuilding but still many empty lots. The Dillons grocery store we were looking for (our Garmin is 4 years old) doesn't exist. Same for the old St. Johns Hospital. There is a brand new hospital about to open at a new location. Still a lot of work to do but the city survived.

Technical Difficulties

There have been several times I have tried to get into Blogger to post but was unable. Not sure what is wrong with my brand new Chromebook but I will keep trying. Right now it is saying it is unable to save or publish...

Family Visits

Dined with Rollie's family at the site of our first date in Eagan, MN, to belatedly celebrate our anniversary.

Went over old family photos with 4 of my cousins and 2 of my siblings in Lenexa, KS. Trying to put names to pictures and gather history of my mother's family. Nature photos taken by my maternal grandfather can be seen at kansaswildflowers.org .

Retirement means...

Retirement means...

• I never know what day it is but some of you know I had trouble with that before.
• The dogs get more walks.
• We can visit family and stay for more than 2 days (whether they like it or not).
• We have time to get together with old friends.
• Becoming a travel agent and social coordinator.
• A lot of explaining that we just don't know where we will be next month but we will keep in touch!
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