On our way to Estes Park

A couple of weeks ago we packed up some of the stuff I had prepared for breakfasts and lunches and headed off for a 5 - Day travel intensive excursion to Estes Park and beyond.

Sometimes when I get back from a change of venue I get another kind of reality back  again. What wasn't accomplished when it was to warm outside is now waiting for me.I don't mind. There is weed whacking to be done, trimming trees and shrubs, mowing the lawn,doing the laundry,taking care of the animals. Catching up on this and that...I guess you can say Life Happens. Enjoy it while you can...

Today, I'd love to begin sharing some pictures documenting our surroundings heading out from the Des Moines area through Nebraska so I wouldn't spend the hours on the road in one big nap.

The early morning start was to allow for daylight hours at Estes Park upon our arrival. 

As we went from Des Moines to Council - Bluffs we saw how the Wind Generators have increased in number along the I-80 corridor - to add to what we are seeing promoted as an alternate energy source.

  

One of my favorite early morning pictures for our first day on the road. Catching the rays  of the rising sun, a backdrop for the long haul trucker. Somehow as I concentrated on the backdrop I caught another traveler driving across my rear-view mirror. So many levels of interest to keep me thinking once I got to process the images.

 

Entering Council Bluffs traffic increased as rush hour was reaching a peak period.

The last time we passed through the Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro area was two years ago, when we enjoyed our  Wedding Anniversary trip with our family.

Once in a while I saw metal sculptures that definitely catch my attention and from time to time on these posts I will share them...

These particular sculptures made me think of flowers, or maybe even Edward Scissorhands but then of course you might see something different. What does it look like to you?

My on the run pictures of the two Sportsman's Paradises just off I-80 - Bass Pro in Council Bluffs taken with my Canon 7D and Cabela's in  La Vista  snapped with my cell phone since I couldn't get my big camera situated in time for a left-sided backwards shot behind the driver.                            

One last thought for the first few hours on the road.

The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum have placed a reminder of part of our military history in plain sight.

If you haven't had a chance to get out there to see what it's all about...Maybe get a group  together and enjoy a day trip,

Thank you for riding along and I will be back soon to share another leg of our journey soon.

Have a Great Day!

Midnight Rescue

I knew I wasn't destined for a full nights sleep but I was roused earlier than I had hoped. As I was lying in bed trying to determine first of all what was happening, I listened to judge the location from whence all this disturbance emanated. Eventually, I determined the FURIOUS scratching and chewing were coming from without our window in the well of the egress.

My personal alert system went off and told me if I didn't want to be driven crazy from all the noise I would need to approach the difficulty by first finding out what was causing all the commotion. This scenario had only been played out in my thoughts prior to this time. 

What would I do to rescue an animal that fell into the window well and couldn't find the escape route back out?

I finally decided to put on my coat to go outside with Sadie Sioux who darted about with the fresh scent trails sending her off in a commonly traveled corridor. If there was anything running free around the perimeter of the house she would chase it away...I've learned that given free space most animals will flee instead of taking on a threatening stance.

Now what was the source of all my angst just before midnight?!?

                                                           My 11:45 PM wake-up call!

Aha! Instead of trying to figure out a method of demise in such close quarters;I implemented something that made sense to both myself and the little bandit. 

Keeping Sadie back until the critter examined that modified tree limb wasn't quite as hard as I had thought. Maybe, she realized that her reward would come in the chase if she allowed a small bit of calm in the prelude. 

I didn't wait many minutes into the new morning before all was completed. The young raccoon fled with Sadie just at it's rear to keep it moving in the other direction. However, now more than ever, since there has been an interest shown in altering the fabric of our home, a deterrent needs to be implemented.

Oh! Since Hubby slept through all of it. I've got pictures to share.

Have a Great rest of the Day! 
 
ADDENDUM:
As I wrote about my experience of the first little bandit, I heard familiar scratching and once again headed outside to  enlist the assistance of the modified tree limb. It took these two longer to realize their  provided escape route. I truly dislike the thought of the marking scent they leave to entice others to follow. I don't want to get out of bed to chase them away every night. : )

Celebrating Another Birthday

Today is a Mile Marking Birthday for me. I'm adding a Zero to the sum total of all the time I've been a citizen of this planet.

Thank you God for the years you've given me to be a light to someone elses path.I have to thank my husband Corey for sharing this vocal artist and his songs of praise early in our relationship. They meet my needs at different stages in my life.

Thank you for joining me today to celebrate my birthday!

You have a Great Day!

Fourth Annual Marshalltown Fly-in

I want to invite those that have  Saturday, September 16,2017 from 7A.M. - 11 A.M. open on your schedule...It's a come and visit for a little while and then you can take off to fulfill the rest of the schedule for the day. Maybe even come and have some breakfast if you don't want to pull out the griddle...give yourself a weekend break.

                                                       Hope to see you there!

                                                                 Have a Great Day!

Solar Eclipse 2017

A week ago Corey and I  had one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime together.

Along with many other die-hard astronomy  hobbyist we ventured  to a point in the United States easily accessible to us and other family members.

Our trek took us to Kirksville,Mo. on Sunday afternoon. A way point between where we could decide early the next morning,August 21st, what direction to go to find the clearest sky.

All weather reports at 4:00 A.M. on Monday had rain in the western section of  the Eclipse Path in Missouri...So, we headed off towards two other potential locations in the St. Louis area to get as much sun - camera exposure as possible.

At Columbia, where cloud cover was encircling our travel corridor we headed East towards our destination of Washington,Mo. to meet family, before deciding whether to seek the first planned destination at Saint Clair, to get an additional 11 seconds added to our documentation experience.

 The State of Missouri prepared  those who may not been aware already of the heavenly changes about to take place during the daytime travel time.

We came across this warning twice from Columbia to Warrenton.

It truly would be a shock if the skies grew dark at noon.Which they did!

I'm hiding in plain sight to the back left by the open car door.

One of our candid family moments at the Waters/Yoest home as we chose to stay with our larger family group for the total Eclipse.

It definitely was a blessing to witness one of God's magnificent natural events with others who waited expectantly for the appointed time....

Corey was able to get some fantastic eclipse stages starting at the right and working your way to the left. We had both Corey's camera and my camera in operation with Corey manning them both...His brother Bryan was able to coach him into great results with a 5-minute primer on my camera settings.

Here's a Great Big Thank You for Family, Food, and Fellowship!

Have a Great Day!