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2009 Journey Bob and Margaret Kellett
1-8 Jan 2009 Fly to Melbourne for week with the Boyds. They go shopping and buy a grand two-bedroom canvas tent and other camping equipment, whilst we go looking at caravans for sale, but do not make a purchase. 10-14 Jan 2009 Our grandson, Joel Turnbull, arrives from Adelaide. We cover the usual Auckland scene, the luxury boats at the Viaduct, Rangitoto Island, and Motat. He meets second cousins Fiona and Stuart who, with their two sons George and Theo, are returning to Scotland after a short visit.
27 Feb-6 Mar 2009 Fly to Melbourne and mind the Boyd boys whilst their parents enjoy a short holiday. Attend the AGM of an Australian company which, in common with many others, is going through a difficult patch. The CEO, a fellow Kiwi, outlines their recovery plans, which gives us some grounds for cautious optimism. Although the Global Financial Crisis has had a massive effect worldwide, Australia seems the be living up to its nickname, "The Lucky Country", and not suffering as badly as elsewhere.
The Three Boyd Boy Racers Prizegiving at End of Cricket Season
6 -20 Apr 2009 Fly to London. From Heathrow we drive straight to Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. It is Easter week, and as we are visiting the historic Canterbury Cathedral, tracing the fate of Thomas Beckett, none other than the Archbishop of Canterbury Himself processes down the aisle, followed by a TV camera crew.
Canterbury Cathedral Cloisters at Canterbury Cathedral
Leeds Castle, Kent , on a Glorious Spring Day
Drive all around Kent, some highlights - Dover Castle, Secret Wartime Tunnels, White Cliffs of Dover. Walmer Castle, Leeds Castle, etc.
Good Friday, drive to Reading through glorious countryside to stately Mapledurham House beside Thames, stay a week in homely cottage on the Estate, hare all over the place in rental car - Waddesdon Manor [magnificent estate built by Baron Rothschild], Arundel Castle [ancestral home of Dukes of Norfolk], Basildon House ["Pride and Prejudice" filmed here], etc.
Also revisit our favourite Blenheim Palace, granted by Queen Anne to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. Winston Churchill was born here, and is buried nearby.
Blenheim Palace Waddesdon Manor
Mapledurham House Bluebells on the Estate Grounds
Thence to Burbage Road, London where Desrae and David treat us royally, and we also enjoy interlude with Warwick. England is achingly beautiful with its spring cloak!
Ancient Arundel Castle London, with David and Desrae
20-25 Apr 2009
Fly to Los Angeles then to Ottawa....where Spring is still springing. Our wonderful grandchildren are growing in leaps and bounds! Victoria involved in work as a 'doula' (good to Google). "Ottawa Citizen" recently had feature article with photo of Tor with an Afghani refugee to whom she gave non-clinical support during pregnancy and childbirth. "She's the same as my sister" the woman describes Tor.
We also enjoy hospitality of the Krayers who invite us over for Sue's 60th birthday party. After fond farewells, we're airborne - Kansas City here we come.
Victoria and Colin Share a Joke Bob and Georgia Hit the Shops
Toby and Georgia with Grandad School's Out for Isabel and Anna
Anna Does Homework Isabel Plays Monopoly with Grandad
26 Apr - 8 May 2009
Our man at Subtropolis brings Jeep to meet us at Airport Hotel, we're soon back into Playtime mode, get motorhome serviced, stock cupboards, drive out of Kansas City across the wide Missouri, and then aim westwards. "I feel Free now" comments Bob as we skim across the high prairie of Kansas through Topeka and Abilene.
A day later we roll into Dodge City along Wyatt Earp Blvd, learn about early longhorn cattle trails which ran from Santa Fe to Missouri. The word 'deadline' apparently originated from Dodge, where no guns were allowed north of the railway line (the Deadline!). After lunch we "get the heck outta Dodge" (quote Lawman Wyatt Earp). Eventually "Welcome to New Mexico" greets us. Another day's drive and we're ensconced in Santa Fe, magnificent views, grinning at each other!
Santa Fe, 7000 ft elevation, rare air, oldest capital city in USA, fascinating history, wonderful adobe style buildings, great Mexican influence [our second visit to this very attractive place]. One evening, with new friends from RV Park, watch a Gumball Rally come roaring into the town square.
At The Santa Fe RV Park Adobe-style Shops in Santa Fe
Oldest Church in USA, circa 1610 The Original Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Following headwaters of Rio Grande, we drive in Jeep to delightful Taos where fabulous arts and crafts tempt us. Pink and white blossoms everywhere. Shop owners tell us that US economic downturn is ruining many livelihoods here (and everywhere else!).
8 -21 May 2009
Bid 'hasta la vista' to Santa Fe. Hard to describe scene out the window as we drive towards Flagstaff - BIG, BIG views of mesas, wide valleys, huge brilliant blue sky, red, red earth, sage brush and pinyon trees surviving in arid, sweeping desert, ancient volcanic lava flows. Historic Route 66 appearing now and again.
Onwards... to Las Vegas. Here in the "mecca of tackiness", to quote Victoria, temperature now reaching 104 degrees F (about 40 C). Cool off in casino where Bob joins poker table and later emerges with pockets stuffed with winnings! Playtime's aircon blasting day and night, two day's of desert heat is enough for us so its 'once more into the breach, dear friends' and we're heading NW to Zion National Park. We hike for miles in Zion, utterly enchanted by the fantastic, dramatic red rock vistas and the peacefulness.
Entrance to Zion National Park Along the Valley Floor
Further Up River Magnificent Cliffs
Then, following last year's road, we're once again ensconced in Salt Lake City. Again we go to enjoy the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Bob traces ancestors at the Mormon's Family History Library, makes interesting discoveries.
Whilst staying in this attractive city surrounded by snowcapped mountains, we re-calibrate our Internet Dish to lock-on to a different Satellite (No 127) which has better footprint for the NW area of the USA. Then we're off W, across the Bonneville Salt Flats, exclaiming endlessly, captivated by this unique, snow-white, awesome ancient lake, the salt surface as flat as a pancake, stretching seemingly to infinity.
Lovely Lake Tahoe Bonneville Salt Flats
At Reno, Nevada, we take day trip to beautiful Lake Tahoe, driving via historic Carson City (remember Kit Carson?). The following day, our destination being the Redwood Coast of California, we set off early, full of the joys of spring. We drive for hours up and down the high, snowy, Sierra Nevadas, expecting to find a truck stop any minute where we can refuel the motorhome. Its not until N of Sacramento that we finally find a suitable garage where our rig will fit under the canopy and we can at last let that diesel flow - and put a stop to our 'fuel low' warning buzzer - and improve the atmosphere inside the motor home!
22 May - 6 Jun 2009
Arrive at Fortuna, on the Redwood Coast of CA, cool. It is Memorial Weekend, our NZ flag is firmly planted outside - people come over and chat. Our Rand McNally map shows a little grey road that we can't resist, we pack a picnic and are soon bouncing along in Jeep over mountains and valleys on bone-shaker road to Cape Mendocino, where the Pacific Ocean crashes onto a lonely shore. On the return route we drive into the Humboldt State Park, where we walk amongst gigantic, towering Redwood Trees - we hike through peaceful glades and marvel at nature's handiwork.
Tallest Redwood in this Forest Some Big Cousins
Further north at Winchester Bay, Oregon, the RV park is set right on the edge of the harbour, offering glorious views. On Memorial Day the US Marine Corp Band gives foot tappin' concert in town, it appears the whole district has turned up to enjoy it.
Bob goes fishing at Lake Marie, no luck. Decide to hike around lake until we see sign advising a recent cougar sighting. It advises, "If you encounter a cougar, stand tall, keep eye contact, make noise, fight aggressively"! Needless to say, we don't hang around!
We drive on up the Oregon Coast, wildly scenic with rhodedondrons and azalias blazing the trail. Reach Astoria, where the massive Columbia River reaches the Pacific.
Visit the reconstructed Fort Clatsop, originally erected by Lewis and Clark when they reached the Pacific in 1805 on their long journey exploring the Louisiana Purchase for President Thomas Jefferson. Their group spent six months wintering over in this spot because they had to wait for the Spring thaw in order for them to recross the Rockies on their return trip.
Columbia Bridge, 8 km Across Reconstructed Fort Clatsop
Arrive at Hoquiam, in Washington State, but the fishing there is poor, so we retrace our route 200 miles South to beautiful Newport, which had appealed as we drove through two days earlier. Bob goes fishing today, comes back with three rock cod and one large ling cod. Dinner is very fresh tonight! Whilst Bob is fishing I have just started another quilt project, which keeps me busy.
7 Jun-18 Jul 2009
The Lewis and Clark story of exploration and derring-do was Bob's favourite from his "Famous World Explorers" when he was a boy. In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson bought the "Louisiana Purchase" from France. This massive area of land nearly doubled the size of the USA but, apart from the Indians and some French trappers, no one actually knew what was there. Jefferson thought it'd be a good idea to find out what they had purchased, plus he wanted to see if they could find a pathway through to the Pacific (even though the W side of the Rocky Mountains was not then US territory).
A small military expedition under the joint command of Captains Lewis and Clark started off from St Louis, travelled up the Missouri River all the way to its headwaters, crossed the Rockies, and found their way down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. They then had to retrace their route all the way back to St Louis, the whole trip taking two years.
Anyway, just over 200 years later we decide to follow parts of their route, albeit with the luxury of 21st Century facilities!
As we drive upstream alongside the massive Columbia River we try to imagine a crudely constructed raft laden with men and provisions floating on its lonely way downstream towards the Pacific. Reaching the Columbia River Gorge we see para-surfers, literally hundreds of them, enjoying the strong W wind that roars consistently through the gorge, making this area the 'para-surfing capital of the world'.
We base ourselves in a small town called White Salmon, and park up right on the bank of the Columbia River. This region is where the famous Oregon Trail ended, and at various interpretive centres we learn about the hardy folk who came W in their Connestoga wagons on the Oregon Trail, and read excerpts from some travellers personal accounts: "of everything I did in life, the trail is the most exciting memory" and, "we had gone only a few hundred miles, I felt so weary, doubted I would be able to finish this" and, "sadly we buried mother and were sorely loath to tear ourselves away from the spot".
Oregon Trail-style Connestoga Wagon Louisiana Purchase, and other Acquisitions
We visit the splendidly conical shaped Mt Hood, where the ski field is open all year round. Also visit fabulous waterfalls, vineyards, museums, ancient Indian petraglyphs. Bob goes fishing, I cut out quilt. With the cottonwoods whisperin' above, our RV site should be idyllic, but the railway line is only a few metres away and trains charge through every half hour, shattering the peace and quiet.
Mt Hood, OR, from White Salmon Overlooking the Columbia River, WA
Leaving the Columbia R Gorge, we soon arrive at Clarkston on the Snake River (with Lewiston across the bridge). Bob goes on recce for fishing, returns thwarted, season has ended here. Never mind, we see beavers, deer and porcupine from banks of the fast flowing Snake. Apparently the Indians used sign language to indicate that many salmon swam in the river, but, misunderstanding those hand movements, Lewis and Clark thought they were describing a snake, hence the name.
Next stop Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (a gorgeous place similar to Jackson Hole) - swim in lake which we're overlooking, then watch Iron Man competition. We navigate our way in Jeep to an Alpaca ranch where we're so taken with the dignified alpacas and the enthusiastic owner that we almost convince ourselves this could be a pleasant occupation in the future. But, as usual, our attention is quickly diverted to other things, like the fascinating art galleries we find in town. Bob has urgent requirement for dental treatment, chooses a dentist whose practice is in Niederer Ave, and gets first class repair.
Montana awaits us, we go... holding steady up and over the Bitterroot Mountains (named by L and C for the plants they found growing in this area). Soon we're beside the Flathead R, Bob steering the rig through hellish skinny back roads, finally delivering us to Polson, a small town beside Flathead Lake with The Rockies etched on skyline.
Beautiful Alpacas Living the Hard Life, Polson, Montana
It is glorious here, new friends, plenty of golf, day trips including Glacier Nat'l Park, where we drive the Going To The Sun highway across the main divide of the Rocky Mountains. Stopping at the top of the pass to view the magnificent alpine scenery, I have close encounter with a big, white, shaggy mountain goat, horns pointing my way. We eyeball each other for few seconds......and then I run off! (Talk about Billy Goat Gruff!).
A Lake in Glacier National Park Margie's Mountain Goat
On The Main Divide Rocky Mountain High
Down the Other Side, Glacier NP Yet Another Side to Glacier NP
With friends we go to local production of "On Golden Pond", surprisingly well done, poignant. Drive up to Whitefish to attend a presentation of the musical,"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" which is fun. A friendly skunk lives nearby, he stinks occasionally, but Bob finds him fascinating - likewise the mule deer with those ridiculous ears! Work on my quilt top, deem it finished at last.
The Fourth of July celebrations. Polson is only a small town, therefore we are surpised at the size of the Parade, plus the large number of spectators who line the streets. That evening we watch a great firework display from a grandstand position on our hillside site. Enjoying our time in Polson so much we extend for a further week, but finally the day arrives for tally-ho, and we're out of there, heading SE towards Missoula.
Near Missoula a roadside sign informs us they have the "Biggest Bullshipper in America", and we see the cattle yards and buildings to prove it! Here Freightliners repair the faulty daytime running lights on the motorhome (their use is compulsory in Canada).
Next stop Bozeman, where the RV parks are full. No trouble, we follow the Tiffin logo painted on our motor home, 'roughing it smoothly' by boondocking on the local Walmart carpark (and pay our way by spending money inside the store).
We're pleased to find a truck wash at Billings, our rig so filthy we don't mind the two hour wait in the queue. The owner of the business is a fascinating fellow, Oxford grad, speaks Latin, Greek and Hebrew and now learning Arameaic, the language of Jesus. We mull this over for while until we emerge, gleaming, out of the truck wash.
Soon we're galloping NE across Montana, with The Rockies becoming ever distant behind us. We follow the Yellowstone R as it flows towards the Missouri R, with me reading aloud from the book, "Going Along With Lewis and Clark". They made their way down this river on their homeward journey in 1805. Their round trip took two years to complete and during that time no one back East had heard from them and it was believed that the whole party had perished - they probably would have if it hadn't been for the exceptional assistance given them by the different Indian tribes along the way. When President Jefferson finally received Lewis' letter advising that the mission had been successfully completed, he wrote back, "I received with unspeakable joy your letter", which said everything!
18 Jul- 3 Aug 2009
After three days rest beside the Yellowstone R at Glendive, NE Montana, we're back in the saddle, noses pointing E. We get only 24 miles into North Dakota when we make instant decision to hit the brakes at the charming town of Medora for overnight stay. Theodore Roosevelt, who hailed from New York, had two ranches here - this is the place where he built up his body (he was asthmatic and a bit puny according to records), and broadened his mind. We visit the Nat'l Park named after him and learn that, influenced by the savage beauty of these amazing badlands, where massive herds of bison once roamed, he developed his conservationist polices which led him to formally establish the world's first national park at Yellowstone. The more we learn about Teddy Roosevelt (after whom the teddy bear was named!) we appreciate why Gutzon Borglum chose his face to carve (along with Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln) at Mount Rushmore, SD.
About North Dakota, it has utterly vast, green horizons, truly marvellous! Like its neighbour Montana, it comprises mainly wide open spaces with very few residents. We pass a small town called Home On The Range, which of course starts us singing! That other song, "give me land lots of land 'neath the starry skies above...don't fence me in.." took on relevance here as well, reminding us of the conflict between the early ranchers and the homesteaders: the latter, raising mainly crops or sheep wanted to fence their properties, whilst the ranchers wanted their cattle to roam free.
Skim across North Dakota on Interstate 94, then tether up for a few days at Hinckley, Minnesota. Go walking in the nearby St Croix R State Park (which we visit with eyes skinned for bears, but they're hiding deep in the woods!). There is an enormous modern Casino here. At the main entrance is a sign stating "No Guns Allowed Inside Casino", which highlights that one is still deep in the mid-West. Bob plays in a poker tournament, comes second and wins a pile of money!
Lovely Fine Day Massive Thunderstorm at Night
Stop for several days at Port Sanilac, Michigan, on the Western shore of Lake Huron before heading into Canada.
4 -28 Aug 2009
Back in Canada to spend time with the Welburns. They are camping at Sandbanks, a very popular spot on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Visit Helen Welburn and partner Don in their lakeside home at Lake Bon Echo, then settle in again at Recreationlands Park near Ottawa.
Going to the Swimming Pool Anna's Birthday Bike
The Welburns and us head off for a week's camping at Mt Tremblant, a polpular all season resort about 100 km north of Montreal. Week is full of activities; including zip lining, rock climbing, horse riding, bungy jumping, and riding the luge. We head back to Ottawa for a rest!
Ziplining at Mt Tremblant Anna and Isabel Scale New Heights
Riding the Range Watching TV on Rest Afternoon
Off For A Day's Adventure Welburns at Mt Tremblant, Quebec
Happy Hats Dinnertime at Playtime
We help buy the children's outfits for the upcoming wedding in Boston, new sneakers for back-to-school, a farewell dinner with Sue and Peter Krayer, then we are heading back to the USA.
29 Aug-16 Sep 2009
Spend a few days on Association Island, located in upstate New York. Originally used by General Electric as a resort and training center for their executives, it is now being redeveloped into a very attractive RV resort.
We move on to Niagara Falls, stay there a week taking in the sights and generally relaxing, then take off for Madison, Wisconsin. Margie last visited the huge Quilt Expo at Madison in 2007, liked it so much we just have to go again, whilst Bob plays some golf.
Awesome Force of Niagara Falls View of Both American and Canadian Falls
Head south to Injun Joe's Campground at Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood hometown of Samuel Clemens, [Mark Twain], who used this locale for the settings of his world famous Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer stories.
17 Sep-5 Oct 2009
Back on our favourite site at America' Best Campground [they are not modest] in Branson, Missouri. Margie gets on with her quilt projects, Bob goes golfing and fishing. Among the shows we attend are performances by Dion Warwick and Merle Haggard.
The weather is now getting chilly, and we sort out our stuff in preparation for putting Playtime back in storage.
6-10 Oct 2009
Back again at Worlds of Fun Campground, Kansas City, getting ready to store vehicles then head off, initially to Boston, then New York, then back to New Zealand.
Another Kiwi couple, Alex and Margaret White, are also at the Campground in preparation to storing their motorhome. Have a pleasant night out with them and SubTropolis manager, John Keeney and his wife Susan.
11-18 Oct 2009
In Boston for the wedding of Warwick, our nephew, to Eileen, a young Boston woman he first met in Melbourne [Australia] some eight years earlier. Louise and eldest son, Ethan, fly in from Melbourne; whilst Victoria, Colin and their four children drive down from Ottawa. Warwick's other family members arrive from various points, so numerous siblings and cousins enjoy a great reunion as well as a memorable wedding.
We Gather in Boston Four Cousins and a Baby
Family on Walking Tour of Boston Warwick and Eileen with Louise
19-22 Oct 2009
Soak in the vibrancy of New York City with Louise and Ethan. We then fly back to New Zealand, whilst Louise and Ethan are off to Ottawa to spend time with the Welburns.
Touring NYC is Exciting It Stretches One's Imagination
19 Nov -2 Dec 2009
Fly to Adelaide. All well with the Turnbulls, and we help bid bon voyage to grandson Joel,aged 16, who will spend the next three months on a School-arranged exchange with a family in Mememgen,Germany. Joel has been getting top marks in German, and this exchange will help his fluency with that language.
Eldest granddaughter, Amy, is engaged, and we meet fiance [also called Joel]. Wedding is scheduled for September next year, and we are briefed on plans which are already well-developed.
Enjoy two day drive in rental car down to Melbourne and catch up with the Boyds who have just moved into a home they have purchased. Margie has made a quilt for each of the three boys, which are presented to them before we fly back to Auckland.
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