Monday was a spectacular day; one written about in books but very rarely experienced by us. After waking up in Omaha with our "Jetson-looking" trailer behind us, we headed north to Sioux City and then turned west on I-90. Pop had bought juices, waters, peanuts, chips, a cooler, and ice for the trip. As we traveled west, the external thermometer nudged closer and closer to 100 degrees, but inside the Expedition, the air was very cold. There were blankets, sweaters, and sweatshirts being swapped around in the back. Sleeping, chatting, aweing over the breathtaking scenery, and cutting jokes were just part of the day.
Our first stop was a visitor center/rest area where the ladies there gave us the scoop on the best things to experience and see in SD. We got back in the car with at least 10 pounds of brochures and pamphlets of things waiting ahead of us. About 200 miles later we stopped in the medium-sized town of Mitchell, SD. There we saw the Corn Palace, a time-rendered tribute to the bountiful corn crop in that area. And believe me, there is plenty of corn in this area! Part of the outside and the murals inside the building are completed made of corn, different colors of corn and straw, hay, and grasses from the SD plains. Magnificent!
The rest of the afternoon we spent traveling. We were heading towards the Badlands. Because I'm a reader, I have heard much about the Badlands of South Dakota. I have pictures to publish which really won't convey everything, but the rest of the party is ready to get on the road, so I have to cut this short.
As we came out of our astounding ride through part of the Badlands, we came upon the charming little town named Wall. By then we were all exhausted (in a good way) and famished. The Red River Cafe promised interesting and vital nourishment, so the four girls all went in to the restaurant as Pop and Jeff went looking for a room for the night. They got the last two in town! How is that for planning? After a great meal with some very friendly people (maybe South Dakota people are so friendly because of the "south" part? I don't think so), we headed to our Econo Lodge and literally "hit the wall".
Wall, SD has been 7 years without much-needed rain. As a matter of fact, they are in drought status. So, as we were falling into our slumber, we all whispered a prayer for some refreshing rain to fall on this great little town......and this morning, we see that God answered those prayers. It rained during the night!
This morning we are heading to Mount Rushmore and shopping in the Black Hills, then we're heading north for a very short corner trek into North Dakota before heading west again into Montana.
Stay with us.....it's been magical so far! And the three generations are having a great time learning, loving, and laughing with each other!
25 July 2006
24 July 2006
Waking up in Omaha - Day 1
For the next week, I'll be journaling about a unique trip that I have the privilege to take with my husband, his parents, and two of our daughters. It's unique in that we have three generations traveling together, seeing sites that none of us have ever seen, and working with one end of the generational spectrum and the other.
For instance, we arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, yesterday afternoon by airplane. We had rented as large a SUV that Hertz had there in Des Moines. Still for six people and all the luggage plus a small canvas car top carrier, we still were packed in pretty tight. We decided that we would need a trailer to pull behind the Expedition in order to free up the "living" space inside the vehicle.
So we decided to drive from Des Moines to Omaha, just to get a few miles behind us. Pop (Jeff's father) thought we should try to eat at a Omaha steakhouse, but as I used the GPS navigational tool on my phone (what WILL they think of next?), it was discovered that all of the restaurants I was able to get up with would be closing around 9:00 p.m. We would be at least that time arriving in the suburbs of Omaha......which is what happened.
However, providentially we ended up stopping at a Cracker Barrel at Exit 3 in Council Bluffs (a city of its own right beside Omaha -- even though those of us who do not know better would call it a suburb of Omaha) Wouldn't you know? There was a 24-hour Walmart at the exit, and yes, even a U-haul store across the street! So, we settled in at a Fairfield right beside the Cracker Barrel and all "died" for the night. It had been a long first traveling day.
At 7:00 a.m. this morning my husband came into the room, bright-eyed and bushy-tail, so-to-speak, with coffee and a promise that we would be leaving as soon as he returned with our little trailer from the U-haul. So, now comes the delicate dance of the generations. My father-in-law, I'm certain, has been up for at least a couple of hours now. On the other hand, my two daughters (age 19 and 16) were still snug in their beds at 7:30. This is where my husband and I have to bridge the gap between the two extreme generations. It should be an interesting ride.
Our girls think it's really great that they can travel with their grandparents, but I don't think the significance of this trip will really hit them until a few years down the road. It's good stuff. We are excited for the day.
The night before we left, I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. finding interesting tidbits about states and little towns along our way. I have folders full of stuff -- just in case. I believe that Mount Rushmore is on the agenda today, but that could change. It's the time-honored privilege of the older generation that the plans can change at any moment.
So we're ready for anything!
Well, girls are finally up and looking somewhat awake. One's in the shower and one's fixing her hair. My husband has yet to return, but when he does, he'll be relieved to know that we're ready and excited for the day!
Stay tuned.....
For instance, we arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, yesterday afternoon by airplane. We had rented as large a SUV that Hertz had there in Des Moines. Still for six people and all the luggage plus a small canvas car top carrier, we still were packed in pretty tight. We decided that we would need a trailer to pull behind the Expedition in order to free up the "living" space inside the vehicle.
So we decided to drive from Des Moines to Omaha, just to get a few miles behind us. Pop (Jeff's father) thought we should try to eat at a Omaha steakhouse, but as I used the GPS navigational tool on my phone (what WILL they think of next?), it was discovered that all of the restaurants I was able to get up with would be closing around 9:00 p.m. We would be at least that time arriving in the suburbs of Omaha......which is what happened.
However, providentially we ended up stopping at a Cracker Barrel at Exit 3 in Council Bluffs (a city of its own right beside Omaha -- even though those of us who do not know better would call it a suburb of Omaha) Wouldn't you know? There was a 24-hour Walmart at the exit, and yes, even a U-haul store across the street! So, we settled in at a Fairfield right beside the Cracker Barrel and all "died" for the night. It had been a long first traveling day.
At 7:00 a.m. this morning my husband came into the room, bright-eyed and bushy-tail, so-to-speak, with coffee and a promise that we would be leaving as soon as he returned with our little trailer from the U-haul. So, now comes the delicate dance of the generations. My father-in-law, I'm certain, has been up for at least a couple of hours now. On the other hand, my two daughters (age 19 and 16) were still snug in their beds at 7:30. This is where my husband and I have to bridge the gap between the two extreme generations. It should be an interesting ride.
Our girls think it's really great that they can travel with their grandparents, but I don't think the significance of this trip will really hit them until a few years down the road. It's good stuff. We are excited for the day.
The night before we left, I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. finding interesting tidbits about states and little towns along our way. I have folders full of stuff -- just in case. I believe that Mount Rushmore is on the agenda today, but that could change. It's the time-honored privilege of the older generation that the plans can change at any moment.
So we're ready for anything!
Well, girls are finally up and looking somewhat awake. One's in the shower and one's fixing her hair. My husband has yet to return, but when he does, he'll be relieved to know that we're ready and excited for the day!
Stay tuned.....
12 July 2006
When Heroes Act Human
Surprise...surprise. We are all human -- and time, pressure, fatigue, or ill-willed words spoken to us always proves it.
Zinedane Zidane is a national hero in France. As one of the most renown "football" (soccer) players certainly in that country, and perhaps even in the world, he is credited for being the primary catalyst of France gaining their footing and being able to find themselves in Berlin this past Sunday for the World Cup final. He had some great plays; he simply showed up in a big way.
Even if you didn't watch the game (4 billion all over the world did), unless you're a recluse or haven't watched a snippet of news this week, you have heard about the head butt. As a matter of fact, just this morning there was an article informing us that several gaming companies have made, are making, or will make a game that derides and misaligns the incident for the sake of entertainment -- and of course, let's don't forget "cash flow" for these companies. One simple game already on the internet allows you to simply use keys on your keyboard to help Zidane head butt as many Italian players as possible. Okay, that's enough sensationalism for one day, don't you think? All for the might $!
Even though he has apologized, gotten penalized, and all that, it remains that human heroes just can't match up to our expectations in the end, IF we expect them to be god-like. There is only one true God -- and He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Zinedane Zidane is a national hero in France. As one of the most renown "football" (soccer) players certainly in that country, and perhaps even in the world, he is credited for being the primary catalyst of France gaining their footing and being able to find themselves in Berlin this past Sunday for the World Cup final. He had some great plays; he simply showed up in a big way.
Even if you didn't watch the game (4 billion all over the world did), unless you're a recluse or haven't watched a snippet of news this week, you have heard about the head butt. As a matter of fact, just this morning there was an article informing us that several gaming companies have made, are making, or will make a game that derides and misaligns the incident for the sake of entertainment -- and of course, let's don't forget "cash flow" for these companies. One simple game already on the internet allows you to simply use keys on your keyboard to help Zidane head butt as many Italian players as possible. Okay, that's enough sensationalism for one day, don't you think? All for the might $!
Even though he has apologized, gotten penalized, and all that, it remains that human heroes just can't match up to our expectations in the end, IF we expect them to be god-like. There is only one true God -- and He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.
06 July 2006
Loud and Clear
It's a rainy Thursday morning in the south, and I'm preparing myself for a busy five days in a row. Coffee's good, silence is good, and the cleaning and cooking will wait.
Some things just speak for themselves and it is some of those that I would like to put before you today. (If anyone knows how to add a link without actually putting the link in the text itself, I have been trying but do not know how to do it - could use some help!)
WORLD CUP - Hey, I've been really good for the past week! I was able to watch three games in a row that had to go to the 15 min-15 min. overtime and then, when still tied, there has to be 5 penalty kick shootout. I have never seen that on the big stage before! It was exhilarating! It's hard to believe that it can come down to a striker and a keeper to define the winner of a game, but that's the way it is!
FRANCE AND ITALY will play on Sunday for the coveted (but rather unattractive, if I might add) World Cup. In the end, it comes down to these two; however, they certainly are not the only impressive teams there were. My hats go off to Argentina, Ghana, Ukraine, Germany, and Portugal (who my gut really wanted to pull for because of Figo coming out of retirement to play and that Portugal has never won the World Cup). Thanks to all of them for giving us quality playing in their own unique styles!************************************************************************************
About a week ago, BBC ran an article of a rather bizarre nature. The rebel soldiers in Ivory Coast agreed to lay down their arms (for the 5th time in three years) IF the government would agree to pay them back-pay wages since the war started. I had to read it a couple of times to really believe the article was saying that. They started the war almost 4 years ago, but they want back-pay from the government that they have been fighting against. Okay...
....http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5133770.stm
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As if Somalia doesn't have enough troubles with famine, disease, and extreme poverty struggles, citizens of this country was banned from watching the World Cup. When a group in a small town defied these orders, a truck with extreme Islam militants drove by and opened fire. The owner of the cinema and a little girl were killed.....why? For liking football in southern Somalia. This have anything to do with the fact that Somalia has had no effective government in almost 15 years. Anarchy at its finest.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5153800.stm
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*********************************************************************************I like Pepsi just the way it is. Evidently someone at Coke saw a money-making opportunity and stole federal trade secrets from the Atlanta-based Coke offices. And the people at Pepsi did the right thing and sent the documents they received to the FBI. But did they peek first? I would like to think they did not. Having two very similar products out on the market that suddenly became almost identical would be a death knell for one of them. They know that.
Random thought: have you ever did a taste test to see if you can tell the difference between the two. My husband did not believe that I could tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke yea
rs ago, but I definitely passed the test.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202235,00.html
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Ken Lay is dead. I will admit that I found the Enron story rather boring and didn't follow it as closely as some. But, if you've read much of my blog or know me at all, I am always trying to fit puzzles together in human nature and its reaction to certain elements.
Was Ken Lay stressed? For how long? Enough to kill him? Hm......
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202251,00.html
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Guess that's enough for today. I'm in the middle of reading the DaVinci Code. I found a copy for $4 - and decided to buy it. I'm almost halfway through it. Hm.......
04 July 2006
The All-American Dog and All-American Nano Flag
It's hot outside just like a July 4th in the south should be. I have been to Sam's
to buy fruit for our family cookout starting around 5:00. Just taking the groceries out
to the car and then into the house worked up quite a sweat!
So, while I'm awaiting the start of something not-so-American, the first semi-final game
of the World Cup between Italy and Germany, I thought I would surf around the web and
see what some others are up to on this historical day in our country.
Since most everyone knows, that has lived in this country very long, the hotdog (or its cousin the bratwurst - though there may be some that flinch from that comparison) is pretty much the American standard food of baseball games, summer cookouts, or the companion to Kraft macaroni and cheese for a quick evening meal (though me, the health nut, has not served that kind of meal in many years).
In Coney Island, where some people say that hotdogs were "born" - there's a contest today to see who can eat the most hotdogs in 12 minutes. For five years straight, believe it or not, a Japanese fellow has held the record! Anyway, this year there is a young American man who is determined to dethrone the Japanese and rightfully take back what should be American dominated. See the whole story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201928,00.htmlA Nano American Flag? Some Texas graduate students have made a flag that is 10-times smaller than a strand of human hair. Why? I don't know. Intriguing though.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202023,00.html
If you are feeling nostalgic about today and Independence Day and all that, check this website out. There are quizzes, facts, and trivia all about July 4th. If you're feeling lazy like me today, it would be a good pasttime. http://theholidayspot.com/july4/quiz.htm
If you're feeling extremely patriotic, find a parade, watch the fireworks, enjoy a swim, spend time with friends and family. Whatever you do, don't forget to "remember" what it's all about today. This is our country.........be proud and be brave!
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