Utah

 Rained all night while in Limon woke up to the truck sitting in a puddle of water. We couldn't get out without stepping in water. Decided to take quick showers and leave at 630. We packed up moved the truck next to the showers BUT by the time we got out of showers the winds

were 40 to 50 mph. For a while we thought we would be stuck there. Around 8 winds calmed down and we were able to get on the road. Along the way we stopped at Royal Gorge. Once again if you know me you know my fear of heights. But I sucked it up. First we took a gondola over the gorge then we hiked around and walked back on the bridge in wind gusts. Then we took a train down to the bottom of the gorge.  Really was beautiful. We spent about 4 hours just messing around there. Then we headed on our journey again. We headed up Monarch Pass. Yes someplace's in the country really got snow this year. Once again it was gorgeous. Monarch has a wonderful ski area I hope we get to go back sometime for skiing.

After getting over the pass we found this wonderful lake. (Someplace Co.)This was the view out of the camper back door. We stayed the night 3.00 to camp There were maybe 5 RVS there. 

The following day we reached Utah. We took lots of pictures every-time there was a view point we would stop and take pictures. But pictures just do not do it justice. You need 3d. The rock formations and vistas are breathtaking.

 Reached Nevada today. Stopped and had breakfast in Austin Nevada

Our journey is coming to a end. It has been wonderful. We are in Reno currently. Will do some shopping in the Am and head home tomorrow so we can get ready for our next trip to Cody Wy for 4th of July and Yellow Stone. Can't wait!!!!

Limon Co

We are in Limon Co the wind is blowing, the sky is dark, lighting and some rain.
We spent the last two nights at a awesome city park in Topeka Kansas. I wrote about it last night but for some reason it did't publish so will repeat.
Lake Shawnee is a city park with a lake, garden, bike path, and a 18 hole golf course. It is awesome. If you ever are in the area its a great place to stay. We kayak yesterday morning, then played 9 holes of golf, then went for a moon lite kayak ride last night. The park has about 80 RV spots but there were only about 15 RVs there. Our spot was on the lake with a dock. Most spots over look the lake.
The lake has carp, bass, and catfish. The weirdest thing was watching very large fish trash around on the lake edge greenery. One fisherman said it was the bass they like to come out and play?????
We really enjoyed ourselves.
We drove hard today. Limon is a old railroad town off of hwy 70. Got her around 5.  We are going to head down 50 tomorrow and hope to make it to a State Park on the Co. river.

Topeka

Pets Rule

 

Branson Mo

 Memphis
On the way to Memphis told Ed we could just drive by the gates of Graceland and I'd take a picture. But since we stayed at the Graceland RV park we decided to take the tour. We are both glad we did. It was very interesting and worthwhile.
 in the midBeale Street in Memphis is wild. We have been to 6th street in Austin, the lower district in Nashville but Beale is even wilder. About 3 blocks are closed off. Amazing blues and jazz in bars in alleys in the park, on the streets.  We had a great time

Yesterday we got to Branson in the early afternoon. We have been out of touch with news. We were aware there had been severe tornado's. The destruction is everywhere here. Half of the town is closed down and the other half is struggling. The RV park we are staying at is right down town. There are only 4 or 5 RV's but that is probably all they can handle. Only one bathhouse and bathroom is open. The whole backside of the office is ripped apart. It is very sad the town is like a ghost town.This is the start of there season. Talking to the manager here and she told me it took 2 months to get permits to start the repair work here. Most of the repair work just seems to be starting so that must be true for everyone.  

This last picture is for you Nancy thought you would get a kick out of it. Its a restaurant down the street. We are going out to a dinner show tonight. Tomorrow we head home. Should be there in 4 to 5 days unless we see something interesting. Will post if I can as we head home otherwise. I will contact everyone when we get home.

.

Memphis

Last night we went to the Ryman. The sound was awesome. The show was great!!! If ever in Nashville DO NOT MISS A SHOW AT THE RYMAN. Ed just kept saying awesome over and over after we left the show. And it was Awesome.
Larry Gatlin was a outstanding host! Chuck Mead, T.G Sheppard, Holly Williams (Hank Williams great granddaughter) Riders in the sky,. The the Time Jumpers. Check out the Time Jumpers they are nashville musicians who get together on a regular basis to jam they include a great female singer and Vince Gil. They were great.

Riders in the Sky

The Time Jumpers

This is the Memphis skyline. We made it to Memphis this afternoon. We are on Jail House Rock Ln at the Graceland Rv park. The RV park is part of the original grace land property. There's a restaurant down the road that sends a pink limo to pick you up and bring you back.

We were so tired from the last couple of days we are just hanging out tonight. It started raining right after we got here. Ed thought he could BBQ in the rain. Found out it doesn't work to well. I ended up finishing inside.  Tomorrow we will do the tour of Graceland and then downtown for some blues.

Nashville Two

We went to the country music hall of fame yesterday. It was great. Then we did a back stage tour of the Ryman Auditorium home to the Opry for 31 years. You are not allowed to  take pictures back stage  but it was very interesting. You go into the dressing rooms and get to go in the stage. This long hall leads to the backstage area. We are going there tonight for a show. The sound is suppose to one of the best in the US.

 Came home and spent some time with the animals and rested our feet. Went to the lower district bar hopping. There is a three block area with beer joints and they all have good bands. Heard some great music and even did some dancing.
Tootsies is a bar across the ally from the Ryman in the days of George Jones and Hank Williams entertainers used to play at the Ryman and during breaks they would go across the alley to Tootsies for a few beers. Story is Hank and Jones often didn't make it back on time. They had a great band last night. But then so did many other places.

 Just a shot of the lower district at night

This picture is from the wildhorse  saloon.  This place holds up to 1500 people and in the early evening they give line dancing lessons.  We missed the dancing lessons but we did do some dancing while there. 

Today we are going for a bike ride and then to the Rymon to night. Tomorrow we head for Memphis. We hope to get a early start and make it in one day.  

Nashville

I'm back!! Since leaving DC we have not had cell or wi fi reception. So I have gotten a little behind. We are in Nashville now got here yesterday. After leaving DC we stopped at Robertson Lake. It is about 10 miles outside of Lexington Va. The camp ground has 50 spots there were 3 campers there. We hiked the lake then did some kayaking finally. Spent two nights was wonderful just to relax and rest after DC. 

From Va we caught the Blue ridge parkway Its a road that runs through the Appalachians. Beautiful does not even begin to describe it. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour. This was well worth the time we took to see it. Wish we would had longer to do some real hiking.  

Camped in a FPA which are great because they only cost 8.00 with a Sr  Access pass. Did a little hiking  but was a long day of driving and to bed early

Continued down the parkway into the smokey mountains. 

Early that afternoon we found a FP in the smokey mountains and did some hiking and relaxing

Road into Nashville

Arrived in Nashville early afternoon. Was able to get tickets to the Opry. What a great show. This was a bucket list item for me. Was awesome!!

Show included Josh Abbott Band, Jim Brown, Aaron Tippin  Bill Anderson, Matina McBride and Daruis Rucker. It is a live radio show. Each entertainer does 3 or 4 songs.
Well time to get ready for the day. Head into town.