THIS IS IT-OUR LAST DAY

We have had such a nice time here in Atlanta with Diane. I am anxious to get home but I will miss Diane too. These last two days especially have been tiring. When you are talking temperatures 95 to 98 it is hard to walk anywhere. I have held up amazingly well for all the things we have done here.
This morning Donna and I took the Marta. We had to take two trains. The trains come every few minutes so it is not a problem.
We met Diane for lunch in the State Building. There is a large cafeteria with several restaurants. After lunch Diane took us up to see her office. She is on the 19th floor. What a wonderful view of the city you get. You can see the Capitol close up.
We took the Marta back to the apts. and both of us were almost to the collapsing point. After a short nap we revived pretty much.
Today I said goodbye to the little Kia Blueberry. I have a new car waiting for me at home. I almost forgot what it looks like. We have been gone for two weeks.
Now I have to get everything packed up. We will be leaving around 8am to get on the Marta. We just walk out the front door of Diane's apts. and cross the street to get on the Marta. I hope I can manage to drag my suitcase. Maybe someone feel sorry for me and help. Donna will have her hands full. Diane can't help because she has to leave on an earlier train because she has a meeting in the morning. The Marta takes us right into the airport. It is the last stop. Once we are there we will be fine as we are going to have our bags checked.
The happiest part of all-----WE WERE ABLE TO UPGRADE TO FIRST CLASS.
When we get to Sea-Tac Airport we will be going right to Sequim on The Rocket transit which will take us right to our door. Our neighbors, Marge and George will have dinner ready for us.

A NICE SUNDAY

Pictures from the Coca-Cola Museum. We met the Coca-Cola bear. Diane and I having our picture taken with the Coca-Cola bear yesterday.

We went to the Atlanta Ward with Diane. We met a few people. Everyone was friendly. Diane taught the Relief Society lesson.

After Church we had lunch and then went to the Historical Museum. We spent a long time there and still did not see everything. I spent most of my time going through the Civil War displays and watching the short films.

We didn't see a lot more. It got up to 96 degrees today and Diane's apt. felt the best. Diane had bought a bookcase and Donna helped her put it together.

Tomorrow will be our last day as we are leaving early Tuesday morning to catch our plane back home.

SHOPPING AT THE MALL

CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia We walked around in the CNN Building for a while yesterday. We did not take the tour. The buildings are really fascinating.
Today we were going to go to the Zoo but in 95 degree weather it wasn't going to happen so we went to a Mall instead. We went to the Perimeter Mall. It is a large Mall too. We also went to Target and I got my hair cut at "Great Clips". You notice we just went to air conditioned "Sites".
We drove past the Atlanta Temple today. There was a distribution center there so we all bought a new temple dress. I don't get to the temple much anymore but I will be ready if I ever get a chance.
We are going to Church tomorrow. Diane is going to be giving the Relief Society Lesson.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF SUMMER

Today while Diane was at work Donna and I went to the Aquarium. It is the largest Aquarium in the world. We spent a long time there. It is a fascinating place. I bought an umbrella stroller
to use as a walker. I would never have been able to walk as long as I did without it. By afternoon Donna and I were getting hot and tired. We had left the Aquarium and we planned to meet Diane at the "World of Coca-Cola"'. I asked Donna what she thought it would cost for three people to go back to the apartment by Taxi. Donna said get me an aid-car and there will only be two for the Taxi. After we took the tour through the "World of Coca-Cola" we did take a taxi to the Marta station. Donna and I really don't do well in 90 degree temperature.
The "World of Coca-Cola was very interesting to see. We saw a short film and had a tour then we were on our own. Everyone got a souvenir bottle of Coca-Cola when they left.
I think tomorrow we might go to the Zoo. I will see if I can manage that.

STILL IN ATLANTA

After Diane got home from work we went to Target and then the Lenox Mall. The Mall has four stories. It is a huge mall and had a Marriott hotel attached. We ate at the California Pizza. I was really tired when we got back. As I said before I love the heat but this heat in Atlanta gets to me.

Today Donna and I are going to the Aquarium. Diane has been there. It is supposed to be a really large one. We are meeting Diane after work and going to the "World of Coke"

HERE WE ARE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

We made it into Atlanta about 11pm.last night. As we approached the city there were six freeways. We were looking up at these tall buildings all lit up. I felt like a small cartoon character in a special effects movie. The apartment building that Diane lives in is very nice. It is huge. There are four separate buildings in this complex all very large. Our GPS guided us to one on the back side but thanks to the world of cell phones Diane guided us in. It is very difficult to find something in the dark when you have never been there.
As I said, the apartment building is very nice and very secure. You can't even get into the building without a key or the parking garage either.
I guess because I am the mother and probably because I am old I got special treatment. Diane gave me her bed. Diane bought two single air mattresses for her and Donna. Diane's "bed" is actually a queen-size air mattress and is almost the height of a regular bed. I was so impressed. It is extremely comfortable. I slept so good on it.
Diane's apt. is a one bedroom and very roomy. It has a large bedroom and front room and a very nice kitchen and bath. The bathtub is a garden tub which was a little bit of a challenge for me but I managed.
We met Diane for lunch. Donna and I took the Marta. As we were standing by the ticket machine trying to figure out what to do a nice policeman came to help us and even took us to the right place to wait for the train. Either Atlanta is the safest city in the nation or the most dangerous. There are policemen everywhere. You cannot walk a block without seeing a policeman. Everyone is so friendly here. We had to ask questions of a couple of people. We did meet up with Diane and had lunch at "Waffle House".
I love the hot Summer days but the heat here in Atlanta is almost too much. Donna and I were going to go shopping when Diane went back to work but we went home and took naps. We had already walked quite a bit. We decided to wait until Diane got home.
Diane is home now so I guess we will go shopping. Right now the temperature is 91 degrees but according to weather site it feels like 95.

GETTING CLOSER TO ATLANTA

Laura and Almanzo's Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansville, Missouri We finally got to the Rocky Ridge Farm. We thought we would just be there a short time and then be on our way to Paducah, Tennessee but we ended up staying there 3 hours. We had so much to see and also one of the ladies guides you through the house and the Rock house which Rose had built for more modern living for them. Laura and Almanzo lived in the Rock house for 9 years then moved back into Rocky Ridge. Both houses are on the same property. I loved the Rocky Ridge home best but Donna liked the Rock house best. There were so many things to see. Pa's original fiddle is there. Someone there plays it on regular basis. We had just learned in Church awhile back how a fiddle has to be played or it will "die". I cannot describe how beautiful the property is. Almanzo built buildings, made furniture. The house was built mostly from rocks and wood on the property.
We are staying in a hotel tonight in Poplar Bluff and will be in Paducah tomorrow and probably quite aways beyond. ATLANTA HERE WE COME.

WORKING OUR WAY TO ATLANTA

Yesterday we did not go to the same place as we planned. It rained all the way from St. Joseph to Branson (about 120 miles). we did not go to Springfield. We went to Branson instead. We went to the Fantasic Caves which is a ride through cave. At first I wasn't going to go but Donna talked me into it. I am so glad. It was such an awesome sight. The guide told us so much about the history of the caves. After that we booked a room in Branson and then we went to the live play "Sheperd of the Hills" which has been performing there for 51 years. It was great. It did not follow the story the same as the John Wayne movie. It was probably closer to how the author wrote it. I enjoyed it very much. It was 81 degrees when we got into Branson. The play lasted until after ten and it was still very warm outside. There was a funny incident during the play. The actor was saying something about how he could not believe an uneducated girl from the hills would not go with him, and a lady in the audience called out to him. He started laughing and forgot his lines, it took him a while to get back into character. He said he did not think this was an interactive play, all the time trying to remember where he was. It was fun. He said "I can't remember my next line". Anyway, the show finally went on, and it was great. Donna talked to a couple of the actors, and they said that they were some of the "new ones", as they had only been in the play for 10 and 12 years, and some of them have been in the play for 30 or more years.

KANSAS AND MISSOURI

Great Platte River Road Monument and Museum. We spent a long time here this morning.

This is the part of the river where the different pioneers took off to the West. This is where the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail and the California trail converged. The museum had some of the Mormon history as well. There was so much to see. The displays started with the mountain men and the pioneers and right up to the cars. This is also along the Lincoln Highway. The Lincoln Highway was the first highway across the continental United States.

On facebook I said we were in Hiawatha, Missouri. That was wrong. We were in Hiawatha, Kansas. We did not go very far into Kansas and would have not gone into Kansas at all if we had not had trouble trying to get across the river. We were able to access a bridge from Hiawatha and crossed the river and then we were in Missouri. Even the big trucks were using this detour. We are spending the night in St. Joseph, Missouri. The reason we had trouble crossing is that many things were damaged from the bad flooding they had this last Spring. Even now we saw where some water was over the roads. Some of the bridges were closed for repairs.

Tomorrow we will probably go into Springfield, Missouri and probably be able to see the Wilder Farm in Mansfield, Missouri.

We are having a great time. This is a trip of a lifetime for me.

GOOD MORNING FROM SUNNY NEBRASKA

The pictures above are of the restored cabins I took when we went to Fort Bridger. Cabins like these in the 30's and 40's were where people stayed when traveling. These cabins are on the Lincoln Highway.

These are just like the cabins that my mother, dad, my sister and I stayed in when moving from Helena, Montana to Washington. You can see there is a little opening right next to each cabin for you to park your car. We had a new 1932 Chevrolet. The cars were not very wide then so the opening was not large, just enough room to park the car and get out. In the bottom picture you can see the "bathroom facilities". There was no water in the cabin. You had to go to an outside water faucet to get water. My mother was thrilled at one of the cabins we stayed at because the water faucet was right outside the door.
Yesterday I drove most of the day. Donna had not slept well the night before. We were in Wyoming and climbed to very high elevations. Donna is still having headaches from her Concussion and then the high elevations made her Asthma worse. We stopped at a Reststop up in the mountains because she was having trouble with her breathing and she needed to use her Asthma machine. Someone at the reststop told Donna they had to call an aid car for someone who was having trouble breathing.

I guess my lungs must be pretty good. I am so very fortunate to be in good health. My only "problem" is old age. I am so glad I can get around as well as I do. I am really enjoying this trip. I will have lots of good memories.

Anyway, we are through the mountains so Donna should do OK the rest of the way except for the heat. At least we have an air conditioned car which my parents did not have.

I can hardly believe that I have been doing all this freeway driving. The speed limit most of the way is 75. There are so many trucks I have to keep passing and a lot of the time I am close to 80 or above. You have to keep your speed up because everyone goes so fast. So this also a new experience for me and Donna says I am doing really well. I feel I am too and for me who would rather have someone else drive I am really enjoying it.

WE ARE IN NEBRASKA

One more post tonight. This is the house on the Bill Cody ranch in North Platte. We couldn't go through it as they are working on the flood damage. This not the house he lived in but the house he used for entertaining. It is very large. Bill Cody made a lot of money from his Wild West Shows.
The other site we saw was the original Pony Express station in Gothenburg, Nebraska. It is the original building but was moved to the site where we saw it. Each rider rode 10 hours at a time and then had to change riders and horses in two minutes all along the way.
Tonight we are staying in a Comfort Inn in Kearney, Nebraska. Kearney is pronounced Karney. Tomorrow we push on to Lincoln, Nebraska and then onto Kansas City, Missouri and maybe further--we'll see.

HEADING FOR CHEYENNE THIS MORNING

We reached the Continental Divide yesterday. We will be passing over it one more time. We are headed for Cheyenne this morning and then go as far as we can toward Lincoln, Nebraska, For two women alone we are doing good. The little Kia has been doing well too. The temperature has stayed good even up the high hills. In the picture if it looks like we are in the middle of nowhere--we are.

ON OUR WAY TO CHEYENNE, WYOMING

Fort Bridger in Wyoming. We left the hotel in Unitah, Utah and we thought possibly we would make it to Cheyenne, Wyoming. We made a few stops and by the time we got into Laramie it was 6:30pm so we just decided to spend the night here. We are in a Quality Inn. I drove about half the day. Through the mountains and through construction. When there was no construction the speed limit was 75. I even got the Kia up over 80 a few times. There are miles and miles of Sagebrush. We finally got to Little America. It was like an Oasis in the desert. We ate lunch there. There is a hotel there. Also green lawn and trees and picnic area. We went to Fort Bridger and spent a little time there and stopped at a couple of more Fort sites.
I wanted to tell you about the square cows I saw. I had been seeing cows out in the fields and one evening when it was getting dusk I saw these black "cows" spread out over the field. I said to Donna there are some more cows. She said those are pretty square cows. What I saw was actually bales of hay so now when we see bales of hay Donna says there are some more square cows.

WINDY MORNING

Shoshone Falls near Twin Lakes, Idaho. It is called the Niagara Falls of the West. The wind is blowing so hard this morning. We are going to have to go across the mountains this morning. Hope my baby car doesn't blow us too bad. Sorry--I said my car. It is Diane's car which we are trying to get to Atlanta in one piece.
Yesterday we went to Jennie's so we could see Jennie, Mike, Erik (who is staying there until Sunday)and the babies and Donna had not seen the house yet. Jennie made us a really nice dinner.
We stayed at a Best Western last night. At 11pm we had to change rooms because a little kid was running back and forth over our heads in the room above. We did get a good night's sleep after we got settled in.

WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA

We left yesterday Wed. morning August 10th from Renton, WA and even with several stops we made it to Boise, Idaho. We are at a Best Western Inn. I woke up about 5:30 Mountain time and am working on my PC in the dark waiting for Donna to wake up. I have not taken many pictures yet. I left my camera in the car last night so will have to put pictures on next time.
We will probably go into Salt Lake today because Donna wants to see Jennie and the babies and their house. I am not sure how far we will get today but will keep you posted.
So far we are doing good considering that I am 83 and that Donna is recovering from a concussion from having a 10 lb. door closure fall on her head from the last hotel she stayed at.

ALL THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SO FAR

We spent August 6th and 7th at Jennie and Mike house in Farmington (near Salt Lake). Jennie's beautiful kitchen. The whole house is very big and very impressive.

A tender moment with Kent and Debbie and their newest granddaughter, Addie.

The nice garden that Mike's parents have put in. Everything seems to grow so well in this area.

While we were visiting with Jennie and Mike, Donna and Laif were in eastern Washington and Idaho visiting with their grandchildren. They had gone to Silverwood and also had been celebrating Donna's birthday. As they were leaving the hotel Donna went out the door and the magnetic door opener fell and hit her on the head. The workman had been working on the door and it wasn't fastened down and it fell on Donna's head. She had to go to the ER. She has a Concussion. She had a cat scan and has no bleeding inside but she was in a lot of pain and she still has been having headaches. The part that hit her head they figured weighed about 10 lbs. It is a miracle that it wasn't worse or had hit one of the little ones. The hotel will be paying for the medical and I hope they will do more for her.
Of course this would happen right before our road trip. I was afraid we would not be able to do our trip but Donna says she will be fine. I may be doing more driving than I figured on.

We just got home from Renton this morning and are getting things ready to put in the Kia. We will be going back to Renton tomorrow evening and then take off on our road trip Wednesday morning, the 10th.

I will definitely keep an eye on Donna. I was doing some reading about concussions. The headaches can last for three weeks or more and some people get disoriented. Donna is a strong person and I know we will be watched over by our guardian angels so I know everything will be OK.



We will keep you posted as we travel along. Donna hasn't seen Addie yet so we will be meeting up with Jennie in Ogden and probably have lunch together. We will be spending the night in Ogden.

Above is a picture of Steven and Janet's children that we watched while Janet was at Cub Scout Day camp with David. We were in Portland on July 31 st and August 1st.

SUMMER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, AT LAST

I just wanted to do a short post. We have a busy Summer planned. Donna and I went to Portland on July 31st so that we could watch Janet and Steven's children while Janet was at Cub day camp with David. We left on the 2nd to go to Renton (where I am now). Yesterday Donna and I just ran around and did a little shopping. Early this morning Donna and Laif flew to Spokane to spend time with Michael, Rachel and their children. They will be going to Silverwood for one day. Saturday morning is my flight to Salt Lake for the blessing of Jennie's new baby, Addie. I will be back on Sunday. Donna will be picking me up Monday morning and we will have to get the Kia all packed and be ready in a day and a half to start our road trip to Atlanta.

I am going to keep a diary along the way and take pictures. I will post on my blog along the way too. I know we will find lots of hot weather.