October 21-22, 2016 Pittsburgh

Hi Everyone.  Yesterday (Thursday) we traveled from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, about 350 miles.  We checked in to the Cambria Hotel.  It is a popular spot if you are an Ice Hockey Fan. The Pittsburgh Penguins play about 200 yards down the street.  There will however be a Steetlers Patriots Game at the Heinz field on Sunday.  Don't you just love being in the right place at the wrong time.

We did take an evening drive about 14 miles that took over an hour to drive as a couple of accidents in strategic spots caused traffic tie-ups all over the city during the Friday afternoon get out of work traffic.

We finally made it to Oakmont where we had dinner with Devin, who played Golf for the Nokomis Warriors over a decade ago.

Today (Friday) we got a late start on the morning and stopped at Latrobe Country Club, Arnold Palmer's home course.  Grammie was found on the 18th Fairway. 

When Latrobe Country Club was founded back in 1921, the course was built on Farmland.  Deacon Palmer, Arnold Palmer’s father, improved the course by planting many trees.  About ¾ of the trees found on the course today were planted by Deacon.  One of them, a red pine between the 1^st and 18^th fairways, died and was going to be cut down.  Arnie suggested that the stump be left and converted into a giant carving of his father.  Arnie’s brother Jerry, hired renown local woodcarver Joe King to carve the 12 foot stump into a sentimental tribute to their father.

Arnie at Latrobe

We ended the day driving to Tobyhanna PA for our last night outside of New England for this trip.
Looking forward to see kids and grandkids soon
Thanks for looking out for Grammie.  Sometimes Tom wanders off to golf courses and he doesn't want to loose her.

October 20, 2016 Hannibal, MO

Hello everyone.  Today we got up early to see a little bit more of Hannibal and then headed for Indianapolis, a drive of about 345 miles.

We started by going to a tour of the cave where Sam Clemens and occasionally Becky Thatcher spent some time.  Tour guide Jodi, who did an excellent job, pointing out the underground tunnels compricing up of 3.5 miles.

This entrance that was blasted in 1890 by John East because of impractically of the original discovery entrance.

This is the original entrance first found in the Winter of 1819-1820.

Autograph alley where autographs were permitted until 1972 when the cave became a National Landmark.

 Scrapings enhanced with smoke.

The number of bats has diminished in the last several years however their presence is still noted.

Their is a place in the cave where tunnels cross identified as Marriage Corner.  There have been several marriages underground in the cave.

The inside of the original discovery entrance looking out.

Jesse James is said to have made an appearance in the cave after a train robbery in nearby Saverton, MO.  The picture below, Mark Twain Cave photo, shows certified proof that he was there on September 22, 1879. 

Following the cave tour on the way back into town we went to Lover's leap where we took some pics of the Mississippi.

The island toward the opposite banks of the Mississippi made popular in Mark Twain stories.

Mark Twain T-shirts are popular around town as many of the stores nearby the river area rely heavily on the appeal of Mark Twain by the tourists.

Tom took this picture and showed it to Grammie while he mimicked the voice of a much younger grandson Drew who left a message on our phone saying "Where's Grammie, is Grammie there?

 

Click the link.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie, where ever she is!

October 19, 2016 - Hamilton-Hannibal

Hello everyone.  On Tuesday we left Robin and Doug in Cheyenne and made the 440 mile trek to Lincoln, NE.  On our way over the hill we saw a wonderful sunrise that only best be seen by the human eye.

The rest of the ride was pretty much uneventful as one can only see corn on the left and soybean on the right with an occasional new tractor or a rented harvester or combine headed towards the fields.  At this point, there is a lot that is still to be harvested.

Today, we left again early, headed to Hamilton, about 190 miles down the road to Missouri to see the Missouri Quilt company.  It  features the Main store that warmly welcomes new customers as far away as Maine.  It has small displays of items that can be found in other stores on either side of the street...all centered on quilt making, except for storefront #8 which is the man cave for those who need a break from walking around silently.  Missouri Quilt Company

 While Tom was chiding other men in the store about keeping track of their credit card, Grammie was doing her best to wear it out.  This is how she rolls.

We left Hamilton and drove another 145 miles to Hannibal Missouri, where we crossed through last year, to stay overnight.

 Becky Thatcher's childhood home.

The local brew-pub with a good look at the Mississippi from the 2nd floor.

For those that would like to spend some time sightseeing, a trolley provides your ride.

One can still take a riverboat sightseeing ride, or an evening 2 hour dinner cruise.

The Mississippi is still actively used for transportation.  How about a houseboat vacation?

Houseboat vacation. 

The new bridge across the river was dedicated in 2000 and is named the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge.

Sam Clemens was actually a riverboat pilot before he became a journalist and then a writer.

A view of the river from the lighthouse located 200 feet above the river.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.

October 17, 2016 Cheyenne again.

Good morning everyone.
We are back in Cheyenne for the last couple of days with Doug and Robin.

Found Grammie checking a local farmers market.  Tom was trying to fine some mustard pickles with no success.

Cheyenne has cowboy boots on street corners.

Doug and Robin showing off an old book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a wonderful snuggly outfit made by Charlene. Thanks Charlene,  it is really appreciated and it was a big hit at the shower.

The I Spy quilt was also a hit at the baby shower.  The cousins who helped Grammie put it together were very proud of their work..

We are looking forward to seeing Baby Kus who will arrive in January.

Thanks for keeping track ow Grammie's whereabouts.

October 13, 2016 Rocky Mountain National Park

Hi everyone.  On our way back up to Cheyenne we decided to go through Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a gorgeous day with the temps in the 70's.

We entered the park through Estes Park and drove up the Trail Ridge Road which has been closed above the Rainbow Curve section.

 There were plenty of great views of the mountains.  

At this point we were above 7000 feet and still climbing.

 

 At one of the roadside turnouts there was a sign warning people to not get close to the wild animals.

 I'm not sure if this guy is still alive or not!

 A great view with plenty of color, but no comparison to the rich colors of Maine.

 Grammie was enjoying the wonderful views... after I got her out of the gift shop.

We finally arrived in Cheyenne...the last of our westward wanderings before we turn back east.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.

October 12, 2016 Denver

Today we went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

This is not our first visit to the museum.  For more, visit out 2014 trip to Denver.

We did manage to take a very meaningful picture in the gift shop.  Couldn't resist it.

Tomorrow, back to Cheyenne.  Tom gave you a break today, he kept a good lookout for Grammie.

October 11, 2016 Golden, CO

Hi everyone
Today we were in Golden Colorado to visit Tom's Aunt Helen.

Before arriving, we stopped in the city to do a little of window shopping.  It is a wonderful city, the home of Coors Brewing Co.  For the 3rd year in a row, the plans to visit the plant were squashed because the tours are not held on a Tuesday or Wednesday.  The City is surrounded to the west by many mountains including the Colorado 14 ers.  We have driven up Pike's Peak and Mount Evans before which are the only ones accessible by vehicle.

One of the more famous buildings in town is the Old Capitol Building which has been a restaurant since 1971.

Tom and Aunt Helen.  We had a nice visit.  It has been a yearly visit the last 4 years.  She sure looks like Tom's mom...they were sisters.

She still have a unique phone that our grandchildren would love.

And for today's humor...

Have a great day everyone, thanks for checking up on where Grammie has been.