OR/WA 2013 Trip - Days 10 through 12

Wow, can't believe we are down to the last few days of our vacation.  

It is time once again to get on the road and head back to Branson, MO 

and our jobs at Branson View Campground! 

Sunday morning found us packing, unpacking and repacking the Jeep for our return to Missouri.  I wish I would have thought to get a picture of the Jeep full and running over.  We had two boxes of journals, a medium size tote, two doors for the Jeep (for when the soft top is on), the soft top, a back window, side windows and frame - all for the soft top and those sunny hot days known to happen in the summertime in Missouri.  Plus two suitcases, 2 pillows, 2 blankets, a purse, two coats, a sweatshirt, long sleeve denim shirt and fleece, a bag full of yarn, a bag with our laptop, Ipad and Nook, a bag of laundry, a carry on bag w/toiletries along with a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of crocks and an ice chest.

Bet that's a sight you just can't picture!!

Breakfast was leftover Chinese food before hitting the road at 11:00 a.m.!!  Hard to say good-bye but it was time to head for home.  Instead of taking 2 1/2 days to travel back we opted for 3 1/2 days - 

Day 9 found us traveling from Clackamas, OR to Jerome, ID.  We stayed at the same Best Western hotel that we had stayed at on our way from Missouri to Oregon.  In fact, had the same dinner too - chicken wings and pizza from Dominoes. 

Day 10 found us waking up late - seems like someone (who me?) set the alarm for Sunday morning instead of Monday ;) and so we got a later start on the day.  Our goal was to get to Greeley, CO for the night.  Our initial ETA was 7:30 p.m. and guess what we made it there about 7:11 p.m.!!!  The tailwind sure helped us to make some time on the road.

The skies as we left Jerome...sunny and blue skies mixed in with dark grey clouds.

One of many views we saw on the road.

Love how the sun shines on the rocks.

We wondered how God made these beautiful stones.

A beautiful statue through one of the towns.

Storm clouds in the distance.  At one time we wondered if we were going to have to pull off the road for awhile due to high winds with gusts from 35 to 55+ miles per hour.

Abe Lincoln watching over the area.

Beautiful array of clouds. 

Amazing colors and shapes.

God's handiwork!!

The skies as we were arriving in Greeley, CO.

We arrived in Greeley, CO to spend the night and visit with our friends, Mike & Conny Jensen.  Our claim to fame with them is that we introduced them to each other on October 6, 1978 while we were stationed at Camp New Amsterdam, Soest, Netherlands.  

Ron and Mike - it had been over 34 years since we had seen each other.

Visiting in the hallway

Ron, Conny & Mike Jensen.

All four of us trying to take a self portrait :)

Thanks to Conny we were able to get one of all four of us.  So good to be together after all these years - laughing and remembering fun times like four of us riding in a little Datsun pick-up and commenting Ron had the best seat as he was the driver :)

 Thank you Mike & Conny for being great hosts.  The breakfast frittatta was delicious!   

Let's make sure to see each other again soon!

Some fo the things we saw between Greeley, CO and Colorado Springs, CO
It was a nice day for a drive.

Really like the overpasses and the decor.

Mike High Stadium - this is for you Kristy Smith

Denver skyline

We loved the architecture of this building.

Beautiful artwork on the noise barriers.

Enjoying the blue skies and different couch formations.

Another beautiful view of God's creation.

Love Pikes Peak and the colors in the sky.

Another beautiful view of Pike's Peak.

Our next stop was in Colorado Springs for lunch.

Through Facebook, Ali reconnected with high school best friend, Corrine Randall Lanier.  It had been 37 1/2 years since we had seen each other.  And only 3 years since we have reconnected.  So fun to talk about old times, common friends and where the Lord has taken us over the years.  We visited for over three hours and it felt like one!!!  Can't wait to see each other down the road again soon!!

Corrine and Ali

Funny faces!! 

Also while in Colorado Springs, Ron's cousin, Tammy Bach Davis and grandson, Dominic were able to join us for a visit.  So good to see family so far from home.

Dominic just waking up from a nap.  Lovin' those curls.

Dominic trying to get Grandma to take him somewhere.

Dominic giving Santa Ron a hug.  Dominic was two in January, 5 months older than Treyson and all those curls remind us of Brandy's son, Jaxon!!!

Alice, Ron, Tammy & Dominic  (Ron & Tammy are cousins as their moms are sisters)

All too soon we had to say good-bye!  Hope to see y'all again real soon!!

 The pictures below were between Colorado Springs, CO & Lamar, CO

Looks like my place to shop

This is the kind of town that Ron would like to settle in.

Pretty!!!

We like old buildings and this one's top caught our eye.

And we decided we did not like this color (green) but it was an interesting paint job.

Beautiful sunny skies.

Love the upper porch and the columns.  Now I could call this home.

Reminded me of a name Brandon was thinking of for a baby girl.  Glad they had 4 boys :)

Beautiful old church

Ron was watching the sunset in the rearview mirror and so we stopped so I could get a picture.

Another interesting old building.

Sunset

Sunset with beautiful cloud formations.

Facing away from the sun...love the shades of blue.

Bet this was a beautiful house in its prime.

I love big trees like this.  Reminds me of a picture my Grandma Ehrhardt had.

Checking the sunset in the passenger side mirror - Ron was amazed I could get the picture.

How far it is to Branson - time to call it a night.  Dinner was snacky foods - too tired to go sit in a restaurant.

Hope you enjoyed traveling along with us!!
Stay tuned for Day 13 and our return to Branson!!