Wicker Motorcycle

Wicker Motorcycle, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Just one of the interesting things seen at Soloman's Castle in Florida. The artist designed and built his home, and added a wide variety of humorous and offbeat images, and sculptures.

At the Doctors

Use These!, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Taken in Florida, as we visited the doctors for the usual tests, etc. The outcome, while scary at the time, has been great. We've been on a diet since December 3rd, and have lost plenty of weight.

Women Visitors and Roman Column

Women Visitors and Roman Column, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Taken during our one-day visit to Jerusalem. These young women, like us, were being taken to all the must-see tourist stops.

This area of Jerusalem contains the old Roman city, and has now been partially excavated.

Red Propeller

Red Propeller, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

While in Berlin, we visited the Technical Museum. They have a great collection of railway equipment, and lots of other things. This happened to be the propellor for a steamship, with the rest of the display being the actual steam engine.

Bear on a Bike

Bear on a Bike, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

When the River Empress visited Cologne, Germany, our visit to the Cathedral happened to coincide with the "blessing of the motorcycles". The square around the Cathedral was crowded with bikes of all sizes and types. Inside, they held a very nice service.

Outside, we saw plenty of bikes, but this teddy bear caught our eye.

Crown and Statue

Crown and Statue, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Where were we in September-December 2010? We cruised from the east coast, over to London. From there, we took trains to the continent, and joined a river cruise in Budapest. This photo was taken in the main square of Budapest. We trained some more, and then took a repositioning cruise from Italy to the Holy Land, and then back to Florida.

HMS Victory

HMS Victory, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

After getting lost trying to find Stonehenge, we met our dear friends, the White's at the naval museum in Plymouth. We spent the day checking out the area, and dining and drinking good beer. It was wonderful to see them again, after our 2009 visit on the world cruise.

Stones and Clouds

Stones and Clouds, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

We visited Stonehenge during our stop-over in the UK. While the monument is still very interesting, we nearly broke the record for getting lost and driving in circles all over the UK.

Skyline with Chrysler Building

Skyline with Chrysler Building, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Leaving New York City on the Queen Mary 2.

This was the start of our European trip.

Saturn V Rocket Engines

Saturn V Rocket Engines, a photo by RV Bob on Flickr.

Taken in Huntsville, Alabama, at the U. S. Space and Rocket Center. Their Saturn exhibit is awesome. The museum is excellent.

We visited in 2010, and then had to revisit in 2011 after our nephew relocated to Huntsville.

Moon

Moon
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

One of the many Chihuly glass sculptures installed at Cheekwood gardens in Nashville.

We spent the (hot) evening wandering around the gardens and buildings, taking photos of the superb plantings, as well as the glass objects.

Wood Rick for Charcoal

Wood Rick for Charcoal
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Taken when we visited the Jack Daniels distillery. The area around Lynchburg is very scenic, and the distillery tour is interesting.

Makers Mark Tour

Makers Mark Tour
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited Makers Mark distillery and took the tour. After the tour, we enjoyed walking around the pretty gardens and buildings. A creek runs through the property, as you can see in this photo.

Driver and Wheels

Driver and Wheels
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

While in Bardstown, we visited the Kentucky Railway Museum. So, we did not only visit distilleries.

Whitewalls

Whitewalls
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

During our visit to Elkhart, Indiana, we had a late lunch buffet at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana. Wow, we had so much good food! Trying to walk off all that great grub, we ambled into the parking lot and saw this classic car drive-in show. Love those whitewalls.

Streamlined Motorhome

Streamlined Motorhome
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited the RV Hall of Fame museum, and had a great time. So many old trailers and motorhomes. Some of the motorhomes of the 1930's were very modern and streamlined.

Broken Jack

Broken Jack
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

After being pulled out of the mud in Iowa, we hit the road. Imagine our surprise, when we looked under the coach at our next stop and saw that the jack pad had been torn right off of the shaft.

Once we got to Elkhart, it was a simple matter to get this repaired.





Image of the repair work being done.






Image of the repaired jack, good as new!

Pulled Out of the Mud

Pulled Out of the Mud
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Our fun week at the Winnebago owners' club rally in Forest City, Iowa, finished up with rain causing the rally area to become a mire. We (and many other RV's) had to be towed out of the muck.

Firehouse Brewery

Firehouse Brewery
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We had dinner here twice in as many weeks, and really enjoyed it. The beer they make is excellent, and it is complemented by excellent food and service.

The brewpub is on the main street of Rapid City, built in the old firehouse.

Reagan Statue

Reagan Statue
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, has a number of presidential statues on the corners of the main streets. This is a statue of Ronald Reagan.

Downtown Rapid City also has the Firehouse Brewery, a great brewpub. Highly recommended.

Bombers at Ellsworth Air Force Base Museum

B1 and B52
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited the Air Force base and museum. The static displays are excellent, some classic airplanes. The optional paid tour includes a visit to a Minuteman silo on the base.

Rushmore Crowd

Rushmore Crowd
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited Mount Rushmore, after a stop at the Teddy Bear Museum.

This was the first clear day after many days of rain, so EVERYONE was there, including us.

Teddy's Are Open

Teddy's Are Open
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited the Teddy Bear Museum in Hill City, South Dakota. There are thousands and thousands. We loved it.

Prairie Dogs

Prairie Dogs
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We revisited Devils Tower, but it was raining and raining. However, I was able to get some photos of the prairie dogs near the road in the National Park.

I used by new vibration control (VC) lens, and got some extreme telephoto shots. These rodents were quite a ways from the road.

Fort Meade Museum

Fort Meade Museum
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

During our drive around the Black Hills area, we stopped at Fort Meade. This was the fort where Custer rode out to meet the natives (he failed).

It is also the location where they first played the "Star Spangled Banner" on a regular basis, eventually making it the national anthem.

This Fort is very near Sturgis, South Dakota, a place that is very well-known to the motorcycle crowd.

The museum is excellent and recommended.

Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

When the weather cooperated, we drove around the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Wonderful scenery, to say the least. One day during our visit, we managed to see Roughlock Falls along Little Spearfish Canyon. SInce it had been raining so much, the waterfalls were spectacular.

Devils Tower

Devils Tower
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Stopped and took this photo as we drove past Devils Tower, going between Gilette and Rapid City. It was drizzling when we took this shot, and was outright raining when we tried to visit again a few days later. In fact, it rained and rained while we were in West Yellowstone, and during the beginning of our visit to Rapid City.

Bison on the Move

Bison on the Move
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We were driving out of Yellowstone National Park, when we encountered a herd of bison, ambling from one park location to another. The calves are present in the herd, along with the adult bison.

Most of our stay at West Yellowstone has been dampened by some very heavy rains. We have only been able to enjoy the park for 2 of the 4 days.

Gibbon River Rapids

Gibbon River Rapids [Detail]
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Taken during our visit to Yellowstone.

Colorado Canyon

Colorado Canyon
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We drove up Utah 128, which is a spectacular road that follows the canyon of the Colorado River.

"Park Avenue" View, Arches National Park

"Park Avenue" View, Arches National Park
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited Arches today. Amazing scenery. We waited long enough to leave the park during late afternoon, and got some dramatic lighting on the rock formations.

Snow on the Motorhome

Snow on the Motorhome
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

While staying in Colorado, we were parked at 8,500 feet. We took some driving trips over to Mesa Verde, and Durango. The morning we were ready to leave back to Utah, it had snowed overnight.

We drove to Moab, and stayed at the Ken's Lake BLM campsite. The views from our campsite were lovely:

Cliff Dwelling

Cliff Dwelling
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

While we visited Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, we hiked out to a cliff dwelling.

Moki Dugway Sign (They're Not Kidding)

Moki Dugway Sign (They're Not Kidding)
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited Natural Bridges National Monument today, and returned to the Goosenecks park by driving down the Moki Dugway, a very steep road.

San Juan River at Goosenecks Near Mexican Hat, Utah

San Juan River at Goosenecks Near Mexican Hat, Utah
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We stayed in this state park. The views from the bluff were remarkable, as the San Juan River was meandering below.

This photo shows how our RV was parked so near the edge of the canyon:

Grand Canyon at Sunset

Grand Canyon at Sunset
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Our visit to the Grand Canyon was capped by driving to the Rim for sunset. The lighting at this time of evening makes the Canyon look incredible.

Our RV on Route 66

Our RV on Route 66
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Taken as we left Williams, Arizona, for the Grand Canyon.

Blueberry-Apple-Peach

Blueberry-Apple-Peach
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We had an early dinner at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, Arizona, after we spent the day at the Grand Canyon. We were directed to this restaurant, because they were famous for their pie. Well, the pie is obviously wonderful, but the rest of the food was excellent.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Yet another visit. This is an amazing place.

The weather was perfect today.

We'll have more photos, because we will be camping very near the park over the next few days.

Ruins at Walnut Canyon

Ruins at Walnut Canyon
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Part of today's travel included the Walnut Canyon National Monument. The canyon itself is pretty impressive, but there are ancient dwellings all along the high cliffs of the canyon.

Sandi at Meteor Crater

Sandi at Meteor Crater
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We spent some time at this amazing place. Their museum is very interesting, and the facilities are excellent. The crater is awesome, and gives you some idea of how much damage can be done by a meteor about 150 feet across.

Flowers in Oak Creek Canyon

Flowers in Oak Creek Canyon
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

During our current visit to Northern Arizona, we drove through Oak Creek Canyon. It is a remarkable sight.

Rod's Steakhouse

Rod's Steakhouse
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Another visit to Williams, Arizona, another trip to Rod's Steakhouse. Still excellent, after all these years.

As the photo narrative notes, Sandra and I visited this restaurant in the 1950's, traveling with our respective families. The restaurant was started the year I was born (1946).

New Trip Journal Website

We've started another journal over at MyTripJournal.
That website has the advantage of a nice
mapping system, so you can see where we are.

Our trip journal, with maps.

Roadrunner

Roadrunner
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

The RV park is clearing out. This roadrunner passed by our coach, something it might not do when there are a lot of people around. I managed to grab some pictures before he ran away.

Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We had the carpets cleaned, before we left for our summer travels.

Parked in Yuma

Parked in Yuma
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Attending the Gypsy Journal rally in Yuma, Arizona.

The Marine Corps Harrier jets fly overhead during the day, quite a sight and sound.