Clayton N.M. to Colorado Springs, Co.

This morning we left our camp ground about 8:15 and traveled to Colorado Springs arriving at “Focus on the Family” campus about 1:45.  They conduct  visitor tours at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and we were able to participate in that, very interesting and informative.  After leaving Focus on the Family we got a campsite in Colorado Springs and unhooked the car.  We grabbed a few snacks and drove the car over to the “Garden of the Gods”.  We enjoyed driving through and viewing the various rock formations.  We are now back at the camp site; the ladies are preparing supper and Stanley and I are doing our “computer things”.

We had stopped in Trinidad, CO to fill up with gas for $3.68 per gallon.  So far the most we had to pay for gas was 3.75 per gallon.  Marie & Mary Jane went to the Safeway grocery store next to the gas station to pick up a few things and found corn on the cob for only 8 cents a cob!!  We enjoyed that for tonight’s supper.

We only drove 253 miles today but then got to experience the 2 extra things here in Colorado Springs.   

Focus on the Family looking toward Pikes Peak

Entrance to Garden of the Gods

Balancing Rock

More Rocks

Officially Traveling Toward Alaska

We are officially on our way to Alaska since leaving Oklahoma this morning.  Last night Edwin’s informed us that Melissa’s uncle Kenneth was willing to prepare a breakfast for us in the canyon before we leave so we took them up on the offer.  Kenneth had the fire burning well by the time the rest of us arrived down in the canyon area via pickup truck and two four wheelers.  The bacon, eggs, onions, and potatoes cooked over the open fire in black kettles really were delicious and gave us a good hearty start.  I told Melissa that the breakfast was well worth our delayed to an early start.  We were on the road by 10am; we headed west on I-40 to Amarillo, Tx. and then headed up through the Texas panhandle and got to Clayton N.M. before stopping for the night.  After driving 331 miles we are now set up at a KOA campground in Clayton, N.M.  The driving today was a bit tiring as we were fighting fierce winds most of the way.  

Getting ready for breakfast



Jacob, Melissa, & Edwin on the four wheeler



Kenneth Slagell, Stanley Shirk, & Edwin Detweiler

Monday morning breakfast at the canyon 

Merrill & Marie, Mary Jane & Stanley before leaving Oklahoma

We had a good day of worship attending church with Edwin’s this morning.  After church Edwin grilled chicken at the Slagell’s where we as a family ate together.  This afternoon we played with the grandchildren even though it was extremely hot and windy; 95degrees and about 35 mph wind gusts with Oklahoma winds constantly blowing.

Sunday Lunch at Warren & Lola Slagell's

Hannah Singing in the Talent Show

This evening my sister Mary Jane and her husband Stanley Shirk arrived here about 5pm.  We attended a talent show and ice cream social with Edwin’s at their church.  After church we loaded and packed Stanley's things into the R.V.  We were able to get Stanley’s motorized scooter into the trunk of our Saturn.



Jacob getting his Birthday Presents Early

Since we will be traveling during Jacob's birthday on June 22 we gave him his birthday presents a bit early.



Day 5 Saturday night May 28th

Saturday morning we all sleep in a bit later than usual. Melissa prepared a special "egg on muffin" for breakfast and Edwin made fruit smoothies to go with our breakfast.  It really cools off nice at night but it soon gets hot when the sun comes up; the high today was 97degrees. 

We went with Edwin’s to Oklahoma City to the  Chuck Wagon Gathering at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Cowboy Museum

Cowboys Statue


Grandma & Papa, Cadon, Jacob, & Hannah





Jacob's pony ride and Papa



Cadon & Hannah in "Rope Making" line 



Edwin's Family after their Stage Coach ride

After returning from Oklahoma City we had a hamburger cook-out over at Melissa’s parent’s place.  A very pleasant evening after such a hot day.





Day 4 Friday night May 27, 2011

Jacob, Cadon, & Hannah 

Hannah combing her Uncle Shelton's Horse

We had a good day today spending time with our Oklahoma grandchildren.  This morning the grandchildren showed us around their place and the Slagell farm.

Later this forenoon we all went into Weatherford, Ok.   Edwin showed us around the South West Oklahoma State University campus where he works as the Head Athletic Trainer and then they took us out to lunch at a Mexican restaurant.

Edwin in front of the Athletic Building

Edwin in his office

After lunch we went to General Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space museum; a very nice and informative museum.

This even Cadon had a baseball game in Hydro, Ok. So we went to watch him and his team play.

Cadon got a hit



Cadon running home



Day 3 Thursday Night May 26, 2011

Last night shortly after I posted to the blog it began raining harder with a mixture of hail and the wind picked up.  We were glad that we were not driving in the inclimate weather.  We were able to sleep well in the R.V. at Loves Travel Center.  Marie woke me about 5:30am and we were soon on our way to Ok.  Today we spent about 12 hours traveling and covered 627 miles.

We arrived at Edwin's this evening in time to go with them to see the children's Bible school program where each of our three grandchildren participated. 
Cadon, Hannah, and Jacob preparing to spend the nignt with us in the R.V. parked beside their house.

Day 2 Wednesday Night May 25, 2011

Marie and I spent most of today traveling through Alabama covering 404 miles.  We intended to get as far as Memphis, Tn. however while we were about 80 miles South of Memphis Edwin called advising us of the stormy weather that may hit the area that we were planning to travel through this evening.  I also talked with a truck drive at "Loves" truck plaza who advised against traveling any farther in that direction this evening so we decided it was best to stop for the night.  With the potential of severe weather ahead I got permission to park here at Loves for the night.  It has began raining with lightening and thunder (not much wind) so I am glad we decided to stay here.  We did see some awful tornado damage Northwest of Birmingham so we are trying to be cautious.  Perhaps we can get an early start in the morning.

Day 2 Wednesday May 25, 2011

It was great spending some time yesterday, last night, and this morning with my Mother.  She is 91 years old and is gaining strength since her recent illness and has given her blessing for us to travel.  My sister Sharon is taking Mama to her Dr. appointment so we said bid our farwells and are on our way heading toward Ok.

             Marie, Mama, & Merrill  -  May 25, 2011

Alaska Here We Come Day 1 May 24th

This morning we began our day about 7am and finished a few last minutes things around the house.  We wanted to leave our place presentable since others will be looking out for us while we are gone.  I drove the R.V to Camper World purchase a few items and Marie drove the car so she could purchase a few things from the Family Dollar store.  We met at Camper World and hitched up the car for towing and headed to Blountstown to my Mom’s house.

After lunch I went into Blountstown and had our dash A/C checked as it just didn’t seem to be cooling properly.  It was low in Freon; It was recharged and now it works much better.  This Florida heat is too much to endure without cooling and going west it appears to be more of the same.

This evening we had dinner with family and plan to head Northwest in the morning.

Merrill and Marie 

Alaska Here We Come

May 22, 2011
Merrill and Marie beside the R.V that is being prepared and packed for the Alaska trip.
We have established this blog for all who wish to follow our travels. We are planning to leave home on Tuesday May 24th going to my Mother's place.  After spending some time with her we will be heading out to Oklahoma to visit our son, Edwin & Melissa and our three grandchildren.  On Sunday May 29th my sister Mary Jane and her husband Stanley Shirk from Virgina will join us in Ok.  On Monday, Memorial Day the four of us will be heading toward Alaska visiting many places of interest along the way both going and returning.  We plan to share our experiences daily most of the time on this blog and we invite you to visit as often as you like.
Thanks for your interest in us as we travel; we would also welcome your prayers for safety as we travel.
Soon to be traveling,
Merrill and Marie