Catching Up: May and June

As usual, I find myself trying to catch up on our summer travels!

We left the Valley in late April, and journeyed to Dallas, where we unloaded the bikes, and made ready for a trip to the east coast. The weather was still bad, not to mention, cold, in the east! we decided to leave the bikes in Dallas, and make the first part of our travels in the car. We worked our way to Baltimore, where we had a great weekend, calling for MACA (Mid Atlantic Challenge Assoc)! We had some free time to spend a day at the Inner Harbor, in Baltimore. Had a great time, there!

 Above, is a photo of Decah, as we strolled along the harbor. As you may notice, from the jacket, it was very cool!

This photo was taken from a high rise in the city. This is a retired Coast Guard cutter, that saw action, during WW II. 

A light house, that was used for many years, until it's retirement. 

 D&D, at the harbor.

A really cool, sailing vessel, at the harbor.

Before we left Baltimore, we made a quick trip to our nations capitol. We were so frustrated, trying to negociate the traffic, and find  a parking place, we cut our visit short, and got the "hell out of Dodge"!

We departed the east coast, and worked our way to Gatlinburg, TN. After a great Advanced and Challenge weekend, we played tourists! We enjoyed a terrific music show, visited Ober Gatlinburg, and took in a visit to the Titanic. We didn't know what to expect. Wow, were we pleasantly surprised! We spent 4 hours in the museum! We highly recommend this visit, to anyone, when in the area! 

Little D, by the memorial plaque. 

A view of the museum entry.

Our visit to the museum, was definitely, the highlight, of our trip to Gatlinburg! 

A covered bridge, we found just out of Pidgeon Forge.

After leaving Gatlinburg, we made a visit to our buddy Roy, in Virginia. We spent a few days with Roy, and made a side trip or two, while there. The photo, below, is the home of Ralph Stanley, of bluegrass fame! 

After leaving Virginia, we journeyed west, to California, for the Golden State Round-Up. We stopped off in Reno, and chilled out for a couple of days, at one of our favorite summer stops, Dr Bill & Sheri's boat house. Below is a photo, taken early in the morning, from the boat house. You can see why this is one of our favorite stops!

While in Reno, it snowed! As we journeyed to the bay area, we encountered a lot of snow, and sleet! As we crossed Donner Pass, we finally got out of the bad weather, and had great weather, the rest of the way!

Upon finishing the Golden State Round-Up, we journeyed back to Reno, making a stop at Dr Bill, and Sheri's cabin, at Donner Lake.

Below, is a photo of Donner Lake, taken from the cabin. 

When we made it back to Dallas, we had a week of time to catch our breathe, and reload, for the next trip. While in Big D, we were able to go to one of my favorite events, a sprint car race, at the famous Devil's Bowl Speedway! Below, is a photo of the winning sprinter, on Friday night!

We were unable to go to the Saturday night, finals, but we met the winner, on Sunday morning, after church. The  team was at a car wash cleaning the car. The photo, below, shows how small the cockpit, is!

This is a photo, of the hauler. The team was gracious, enough, to give us a tour of the hauler! A regular shop on wheels, with enough parts, to build several cars!

Upon, departing Dallas, we packed, and mounted our mighty steads, and journeyed east, to North, and South Carolina. Below, is an interesting stop, we made! It is called Strawberry Hill, USA.

It is a strawberry, and peach farm. We had a terrific lunch, and dessert, that was awesome! This was in northern South Carolina.

Yes, this is a must stop, destination, in Chesnee, South Carolina!

We journeyed to Indianapolis, and on to Bettendorf, IA, where we had a super A2 Dance!

Now we're finally to today! We spent the day seeing the sites in the Moline, IL, and Davenport, IA area. The highlight, of our day, was a visit to the John Deere Pavillion, in Moline! It is a great display, of the history of the john Deere Company! Definitely, worth a visit! 

 D&D, in front of one of many, huge pieces of equipment.

 Big D, with one of the many, antique, tractors.

 My favorite, an antique, kerosene, burner!

That's Big D, in a 36ft harvester! Over a half million dollar combine! 

D&D, in the cockpit of the combine. 

Big D, right at home, on a new John Deere!

What we could have done, with equipment, like this on the old farm! Who knows, might still be farming! 

This is the size, for Little D! 

Photo, of the John Deere Pavilion. The design of the building, is that of an old barn.

Our visit to the pavilion, was terrific! Highly recommend, adding this to your list of  "things to see"!

D&D, at Kirkwood Lodge, at Lake of the Ozarks.

So far, our summer has been incredible! Thanks, to all of our friends, and dancers, for making this another unforgettable, summer! Looking forward to the next leg, of our journey! Riding to the Chicago area, tomorrow, for a weekend of dancing, then on to Michigan, for more adventures, with our friends, Ron & Jackie, and Larry & Kathy! Stay tuned, for the next adventures!