2024 – Heading East (Antelope Canyon – Horseshoe Bend- Lake Powell – Presidential Libraries – Flight 93 Memorial)
July 29, 2024:
Where do we begin with this summer’s adventures when the entire year has been such a whirlwind! Leaving 124 degree temps in SoCal behind us sure feels good! We enjoy snowbirding here for a few months but we are clear this isn’t someplace we want to be this time of year. JUST TOO HOT!
Welcome to Arizona…
Originally we had thought we would stop somewhere around Flagstaff AZ but once we got there and realize we aren’t very far from Page we called ahead and can get into ROAM America Campground a day early so decide to push on. Upon arrival we find that most sites are unlevel and it takes a good hour to finally get a site we can get level on. Because of this issue the manager is very apologetic and extends the extra night for free because of the inconvenience! Great customer service!
Arriving in Page, AZ…
Our view from our campsite at ROAM America…
After our long day of driving and finally getting set up we finally can just relax. It’s still pretty hot out, though nowhere’s as hot as SoCal!
July 30, 2024:
Today we decide to drive the short way to Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area to get some pics and walk around a bit. Very hot though so didn’t stay long. $10.00 to park but it was worth it. Very crowded and difficult to get pics without people in them! Nonetheless the view is iconic and amazing!!!
Horseshoe Bend – Page, AZ…
Later this morning Joanne touches base with Judy and Harold Casterline who we had hosted with at Oscar’s Scherer State Park in Nokomis, Florida back in 2018. Since then they have settled in Page so Judy could teach at the High School there. We will meet them for dinner at The Dam Bar. We have a little time to take a quick dip in the pool at ROAM before getting ready for dinner and meeting our friends. It was fun catching up and the restaurant was fun/unique.
Getting together with Campiest friends in Page, AZ…
July 31, 2024:
Today we decide to take a drive around the area, a little hiking though it is too warm to hike too far. The drive includes another drive by of Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell, and near the meeting place for our tour of Antelope Canyon (Tomorrow). There is a lot to do in this area and we both agree we could spend more time here. Of course we have to stop at the Glen Canyon Visitors Center for some history, movies, and the Passport Book stamp.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area…
It’s hot but we still manage to get a hike in…
Got to get the Passport Book Stamped…
Glen Canyon Dam…
Checking out the Dam from another Hike…
A drive along Lake Powell…
Getting a beverage at the Lake Powell Resort…
August 1, 2024:
Today is a bucket list day… We have wanted to visit and walk through “Antelope Canyon” for many years and are very excited it fell right along our path this year as we head East. This has become a very popular tour over the last few years with pictures of the area all over the internet & social media… You have to book the tour well in advance especially if you want to be in the Slot Canyon at the most premium time around NOON. We had booked this tour at the beginning of the year which was a good thing as it was definitely sold out…
Our arrival time was around 11:30- we wanted to be in the canyon when the sun was directly overhead and (although we knew it would be hot) this would provide the best lighting for photo’s. We couldn’t have been happier with the tour group we selected (Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours). There are 2 tours you can book Upper or Lower. Our tour was the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour.
Our tour guide was fabulous telling where / how to get the best pics and even using our phones / camera to take pics of us in the canyon. This was an excellent day. They had warned us before taking 4×4 several miles into the Canyon entrance that the drive and road could be rough and they weren’t joking. It absolutely was a rough ride! Lots of rules on this tour as the Navajo’s are very protective of this natural wonder. Not doubt they are making a fortune on the tours everyday and are really doing all they can to protect the area. They limit you to one camera and no backpacks, no hiking poles, 1 bottle of water, and no other bags of any kind.
The entrance to “Antelope Canyon”…
The entrance to “Antelope Canyon”…
The tour was a “10” on the tourist hot list!!! Breathtaking scenery, moments to just reflect on the wonder of nature. The natural light at this time of the day was constantly changing, revealing continuous moments of wonder with each turn and step through the canyon. We were both amazed and agreed this is a place that everyone should get a chance to experience. Water and wind have the ability to make a tapestry of the landscape here and we can only hope that these same elements will not damage this place too much in the future.
As we finish our time in Page we both remark that we definitely could have spent more time here and will return in the future…
August 2, 2024:
Departing Page, AZ we head for our next stop in Pagosa Springs, CO. We have been through here before; twice! The first time we spent an entire day soaking in the natural Hot springs an entire day at “The Pagosa Springs Resort”. Last visit/drive through was just 3 weeks ago as our MTTS 2024 path took us right through here… We had enjoyed the Hot springs so much last time we thought we might do the same again. We stopped by the entrance and soon discovered the cost had gone up so much and with the weather being so hot this time of year we opted out and just decided to explore and walk around downtown. The plus is we had a great campsite at Pagosa Riverside Campground which was the same place we stayed on our first visit. A nice view of the river encouraged us to just kick back and enjoy the afternoon at the campsite. On a brief drive into town we did see a luxurious camping resort and stopped to inquire for future reference. The owner gave us a great tour though we decided it was a little too posh for our taste. Very nice though!
8-3-24: Colorado
Departing Pagosa Springs, Colorado had us heading East and then North the entire day. We are heading to visit our son, Sean for a few days in Loveland, Colorado. He has recently relocated back to Colorado from North Carolina and we are so looking forward to seeing his new home and getting a visit in. Our plan is to stay at “Boyd Lake State Park” . The drive has us crossing 4 different Colorado passes today beginning with Wolf Creek Pass being the first. We have driven through Wolf Creek Pass before and it’s a beautiful drive, though it’s a steep one for sure.
Our drive today through 4 Colorado Passes…
We are both extremely happy to connect with our son, Sean back in Colorado. Our RV lifestyle provides us with many opportunities though being able to visit family and friends while staying in our own bed is one the hi-value aspects of this Full-Time RV adventure. We arrive late to Boyd’s Lake State Park after having to make a quick stop at a local Camping World to have our Toilet Check Valve repaired. Another aspect of this life is being flexible with our schedule and travel plans and having to call a few audibles when challenges pop-up. (Take Note challenges happen all the time and we are usually fortunate to find someone to help us along the journey.)
The camp-site is within a few miles from Sean’s home and since it’s late and there is a cost to enter the park for guests Sean opted to see us the next day. While eating dinner we get a knock on our door and to our surprise Sean knew a walking path where he could skateboard into the park and surprised us. So great to see our son….
Visiting with Sean in Colorado…
We spend a couple of days visiting with Sean touring his home and neighborhood, sharing a few meals , and then catching an afternoon of games and beverages at Fort Collin’s New Belgium Brewery. We have a great 3 days and then we need to continue our journey East and Sean needs to get back to his work/life.
8-6-24:
We have a few driving days before our next tourist stop in Abilene, Kansas. Over several years we have been fortunate to visit many of the USA’s Presidential Libraries including: (Kennedy, Reagan, Nixon, Carter, Ford, Clinton’s and …). Our path this year was planned to stop at a few we wanted to add to our visit list.
Welcome to Kansas…
The little historic town of Abilene, Kansas is really a step back in time to a simple way of life. Abilene’s favorite son is of course Dwight D. Eisenhower. Raised here from simple beginnings Eisenhower rose to prominence in the Military and Ultimately became the “Supreme Commander ” of Allied forces during WWII. His leadership, brilliance, steadfastness, organization, & Military experience were all instrumental in the ability to stop Hitler and turn the War around with the Landings on D-Day in Normandy. Without question he was the right person for the huge task in spearheading the defeat of Nazi Germany. Although an incredible Military Commander he is most well known as a “Champion for Peace”. Following WWII he entered politics and was a beloved 34th United States President. In addition his famous humanitarian wife Maime became Ike’s wife on July 1, 1916 and together they had a remarkable impact of our lives and futures…
Eisenhower’s boyhood home…
Where Ike & Maime are buried…
8-7-24:
Today we are continuing our drive East to Independence, Missouri. Our plan is to visit the Harry Truman Presidential Library. Harry Truman is another man that started with humble beginnings and through a chain of events found himself ascending to the Office of the President with the death of Roosevelt in the later days of WWII. Few men have been given the tough decision he faced to try to end the War and no man has ever given the decision to actually use an Atomic Bomb which he did twice on the Empire of Japan. A controversial moment in time, though it did save countless lives and quickly brought the War with Japan to an end.
Welcome to Missouri…
8-8-24:
We continued East across Missouri, then Ohio, West Virginia, a small spit of Maryland as we head for Pennsylvania.
When we are driving from point A-B like this we often stay at conveniently located “Cracker Barrel” restaurants over night. Joanne uses the “Cracker Barrel” app to locate these highway adjacent stops and often confirm access, distance from the highway, reviews, and parking availability through additional apps like “RV Parky” and “Google Maps”. She’s been doing this for years as navigator while I’m driving. It’s a team effort and we have it pretty dialed in. We prefer “Cracker Barrels”, Cabela’s, Bass Pro shops, Casinos, and Information Centers over Walmarts and Truck stops which tend to be much more noisy. Typically we arrive for a Cracker Barrel overnight by 5:00pm as there are usually only 6 sites available for buses and RV’s. We arrive early so we can get an end spot which allows us to open up the drivers side slide into a grass area. This gives us more space. We usually don’t open the bedroom slide as this keeps any noise out while we sleep. Joanne often calls the manager before arriving to confirm the overnight stay and we usually go in and introduce ourselves and ask for permission when we arrive. Often we catch a dinner or a breakfast first thing in the morning. Win-Win for us and Cracker Barrel. We would guess we have saved many “$$$$’s” over the years stopping at Cracker Barrel’s while traveling across the country. Many Thanks to Cracker Barrel!!!
A typical overnight stop at Cracker Barrel…
Friday 8-9-24: We arrived today at “Outflow Campground” in Confluence, PA. We always like to stay at Army corp of Engineer Parks when possible. They usually are generous campsites near dams, rivers , and lakes. This was the closest campground like this near The Flight 93 Memorial a place we have wanted to visit for years….
The Flight 93 National Memorial is located in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and honors the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, who bravely fought back against the hijackers on September 11, 2001. The plane, which was headed for Washington, D.C., crashed into a field near Shanksville after the passengers attempted to overcome the terrorists. All 40 passengers and crew members on board perished, but their actions prevented further devastation.
As part of the National Park Service we were able to use our NPS Senior Pass to enter…
Key Features of the Flight 93 Memorial:
1. Visitor Center and Museum:
The visitor center houses exhibits that provide a detailed account of the events of September 11, the story of Flight 93, and the heroism displayed by those on board. The museum includes photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, shedding light on the lives of the passengers and crew.
2. The Memorial Plaza:
At the Memorial Plaza, visitors can view the Wall of Names, a long granite wall that inscribes the names of the 40 passengers and crew members. The names are arranged in a way that reflects the flight’s final moments, and the wall provides a place for reflection and remembrance.
3. The Tower of Voices:
A 93-foot tall tower featuring 40 wind chimes, representing the passengers and crew. As the wind blows, the chimes create a haunting sound, symbolizing the voices of the heroes. This tower is designed to be both a memorial and an artistic expression of the bravery and sacrifice of those on Flight 93.
4. Crash Site and Field of Honor:
Visitors can walk to the crash site, which is marked by a quiet and peaceful area dedicated to the lives lost. The site offers a reflective space with views over the Field of Honor, where the plane crashed, preserving the area in its natural state as a tribute to those who died.
Flight 93 Memorial…
The Tower of Voices…
The Wall of names…
Sunday 8-11-24:
Departing Confluence, Pa we continued our drive East with the goal to arrive at Hammonasset State Park in our old home town for 2 nights before arriving near family in the Boston area. It was only 2 nights but Joanne always loves stopping by our old CT stomping grounds and the beach…
Tuesday 8-13-24: Finishing up August with Family in New England & Camping with Mac…
We departed Hammonassett State Park on Tuesday morning with plans to camp near family in Salisbury, MA. When visiting family in this area we often stay at Beach Rose RV Park, hosted by friends Missy & John. It’s a nice little campground close to the Beaches, New Hampshire line for shopping (NO Sales TAX ) and our daughter’s family. This year, with our granddaughter Mac turning 3, we plan on camping with her some … Only a few days earlier we had been contacted by College/Fraternity Brothers about a reunion in Lake George, NY. It was only for 2 days and about a 3 hour drive across Vermont to get to. I told Joanne I really wanted to go so we headed over there before connecting with family.
The drive through Vermont in the Mini was GREAT! We have always loved Vermont and then the Adirondacks. We both graduated college many years ago and some of these friends we hadn’t seen since 1979… WOW where does the time go???
We were hosted by the Voltz’s at their beautiful Lakefront home in Ticonderoga, NY. They own the last house at the Northern part of Lake George and it was perfect for the get together! So great seeing The Wayman’s, Zavaski’s, Sutton’s, Grindley’s, Kern’s, Brad & his wife, and our hosts The Voltz’s, and unexpected Kim Volt’z brother Keith who was also a good friend of both Joanne & I from those many years ago.
We enjoyed lunch on the back deck, cruising the lake, tying boats together to just float on tubes during the afternoon, and then dinner on the deck again. So many stories to reminisce about, catching up on our adult lives and families, and a toast to a few gone brothers like Dr. J… Mike was really glad we made the time to go and reconnect with so many friends from our college days!
College & Psi Ep Reunion at The Voltz’s!…
Floating and catching up on Lake George…
The Voltz’s hosted a great get together!
Keith with the ladies while Mike drives the boat…
Taking the ferry to Ticonderoga from Vermont…
August 15, 2024-August 30th 2024:
Arriving back in Salisbury from the College Reunion we planned to spend time with family in New England until our arrival for our 2024 Volunteer commitment at Assateague State Park for the month of September.
This year our granddaughter turned 3 years old and we had the opportunity to have her camp with us for nearly 2 weeks while visiting Massachusetts and then again CT on our way south. Gram (Joanne) & Pop (Mike) were definitely in our glory and exhausted after these next 2 weeks. Mac has a lot of energy (I mean A LOT of ENERGY!) We got to bike ride, swim, bake, have campfires, have movie nights on the outside TV, playgrounds, go to the beach, visit some farms, and… It was a BLAST for sure and we are so fortunate to have this time and have the trust of our daughter and son-in-law to get to do this!!
Mac helping with some Baking…
The “SECRET BED”…
Campfires and Movie nights…
Mac made Mike Birthday Cupcakes…
Picnic dinners at the campsite…
Gram & Mac at the game farm and carousel…
Cait & Mac feeding the chickens…
What a summer! MTTS 2024, Page, AZ, Presidential Libraries, 9/11 Memorial, a Fraternity/College Reunion, and time with family. We are so fortunate for good health, family, and friends on the Journey. We take nothing for granted on this continuing “Revolutionary Journey”….
