August 16, 2017 - Beartooth Highway to Great Falls MT

Today we left Cody Wyoming and ended up in Great Falls, Montana.  It was a total distance of 400 miles and it took most of the day, especially when you get in/out of the van to take pictures.

Before we begin, Cody Wyoming is named after Buffalo Bill Cody for his creation of the original Cody city.  He was an entrepreneur who had designed a town to the west of what is now Cody Wyoming.  It only lasted for about a year and the current city was designed by George Beck and had its beginnings in 1896.
Leaving Cody we headed up route 120, then turned onto route 296, now known as the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, then onto the Beartooth Highway.  Since our trip to this part of Wyoming in 2013, the Beartooth became part of our future plans, and today it became a reality.

We left town where the hills weren't very big, but keep in mind, we started at 5000 feet.

1.  It didn't take too long for the hills to get higher, just 2 miles out of town.

 Less than 20 miles we turned west onto the Chief Joseph Highway.

 The next 2 were taken from the Dead Indian Hill Summit

At this point we were 8000 feet.

 It was a pass where many animals passed through

 Antelope Mountain.

 Just before this pic was taken, Tom asked a woman who was taking a picture of her husband in the same location if she wanted 2 people in the picture.  She said yes so Tom took the camera and handed it to her husband while Tom put his arm around her.  It was a Gotcha moment.

 Just to the left of the 2 Native Americans metal art is Sugarloaf Mountain.

 Finally we were up higher looking down.

Finally, turn right and head up higher.

 At first we stopped to take a picture of the distant mountains, only to realize in another 2 hours, we were there,  just short of 11,000 feet.

 Grammie couldn't help taking pictures of wildflowers.

 Grammie stretching her legs at Beartooth Lake.  The mountains we were traveling through are part of the Shoshone National Forest.  Just across the road and up a bit is the Beartooth Lake campground.
Beartooth Lake

 Still heading up towards 11,000 feet

 At times we looked up ahead and could see cars going in both directions.  Many switchbacks.

 A view from the top.

 Tom standing in a snow pile.

 More wildflowers everywhere

Yes, it was a day in the mountains and just about all of the pics were in the mountains, but we thoroughly enjoyed the day.  We ended up at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls Montana and are looking forward to the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park tomorrow.

Thanks for keeping up with Grammie.

August 14, 2017 - Cheyenne

Yes, the clock got turned back a day to the 14th when we were still in Cheyenne.

Robin and Doug looking through Henley's Maine relatives book.

Tom remembers using a mower like this one when he lived in Winthrop over 50 years ago.  When the altitude is over 6000 feet, things take a little more effort to use...or is it his age.   Well, the grass was a little bit taller.

A little bundle of energy with an infectious smile...

A rest station, designed with the adults in mind.  A chance to catch a cup of coffee.

What are you looking at?

A day trip to Greeley to see some sights....and rest a bit

For those a little older, yes there are still some places that are open bearing this logo.  

Tom still has his root beet mug at the ready in the freezer.

Grampie feeding Henley, and when all his teeth are gone, might even steal a bite.  But not today.

The house protector out in front of their house, and has been wherever they have been.

It was a great few days in Cheyenne...and will return in less than a month.

August 15, 2017 - Cody, WY

After visiting Doug and Robin for several days, we didn't get enough of our western family, however it was time to hit the road.  Off to an overnight in Cody, Wyoming.

Leaving Cheyenne, the landscape became quite uninhabited...and the 5 hour drive was at times monotonous...but still pretty

 Hell's Half Acre where the buffalo were driven over the cliff.

 Hell's Half Acre

 The mountains got higher and more beautiful

 Wind River Canyon

 ...and the 3 tunnels along the way.

 No explanation needed

The restaurant made famous by Buffalo Bill

 

 A crowd gathered in Cody to see none other than...

 Buffalo Bill himself.

Grammie is back on the road again.  Tomorrow, Montana

August 11, 2017 Cheyenne

Where was Grammie at the end of the day?  Right where she wanted to be.

August 10, 2017 International Quilt Study Center and Museum

Hello again everyone.

Today, after traveling 300 miles we arrived at the Quilt museum about an hour late for the guided tour, however, it was lunchtime and quiet.


 The International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln Nebraska is the home of the largest publicly held quilt collection in the world. Established in 1997, the center opened a new museum in 2008. The privately funded, environmentally sustainable museum houses more than 3,500 quilts and objects, state-of-the-art research and storage space and spacious galleries. The center's mission to collect, preserve, study, exhibit and promote discovery of quilts and quilt making traditions from many cultures, countries and times. It should be mentioned that the Museum is located on the University of Nebraska at Lincoln's East Campus.


This months displays featured works of Elizabeth Ingraham, Bill Volkening, Sacred Scraps: Quilt and Patchwork Traditions of Central Asia, and a Block by Block exhibit.

Bill Volkening was not a quilter however, he collected quilts, many from the 70's.
They are made from the fabric of the day,....polyester.  Below, a polyester quilt called "Tiled Blocks", with rickrack between the blocks.  Bill's collection was easy to start as quilts made of polyester were cheap.  His collection is over 150 items.

This double knit polyester quilt was bought at a flea market for half price.

In this closeup of the center, it shows the hexagonal shape of the individual pieces, when put together.

This display from the "Sacred Scraps" exhibit shows that fabric can be both commonly used and still considered sacred.  The articles can be used for everyday clothing and still represent special occasions in family life such as weddings.  This display includes pillows and mattresses in front on the floor.  They were used in Yurts, or round homes.

This piece was used as a camel covering.

A child's Talismanic Robe and Hat.  A couple of the many gifts of the Ardis and Robert James foundation

A Nine Patch variation from 1813.

This closeup shows the amazing hand quilting from a different quilt.

The Study center also includes a storage area for the many quilts that been donated to the museum that was at one time stored at the University's Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design Department


For more information, visit International Quilt Study Center and Museum

One last item.  Tom said that this item reminded him of Cincinnati Jane.

Thanks for watching where Grammie has been.

August 9, 2017 - Coralville, IA

Hello everyone.

After skipping a blog day, we ended up in Coralville, IA

Yesterday we made an overnight stop in South Bend, Indiana.  Days on the road are generally in the 350 to 450 mile range, which leaves a little time for a stop to maybe take in a quilt/yarn shop.  We did visit South Bend last year so if this is your first time looking at the blog, visit September 28, 2016.  There are pictures of the Notre Dame campus.  We stayed near the South Bend International airport.  Across the street there is a Military Honor Park Museum.  It is a local museum whose purpose is to Never Forget.   It is a nonprofit organization that is staffed by volunteers.  It is located across from the airport.

For more, visit  the website  Military Honor Park Museum

Today we finished our travels in Coralville, Iowa shortly after noon.  We decided to take a little ride around the hilly countryside.  The fairways were plentiful and the greens were fast.  After the first 9, Grammie decided to rest back at the clubhouse and sip on an Iced Tea.

Coralville is nearing a population of 20,000 and is home to the University of Iowa.

The downtown area has undergone some conservation work which has added to its attractiveness as a city.  There are walkways and bike paths that go through the downtown area.

The Hydro dam used to supply electricity for the town but was replaced by coal generation when the demands for electricity outgrew the hydro capacity.  There is now a wonderful restaurant right next to the river.

Meanwhile, down below, the locals still enjoy fishin'

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.  For all you quilters out there, be sure to visit back tomorrow.

August 7, 2017

After leaving Danbury this morning,today was a longer quiet ride through the hills of Pennsylvania. We traveled along I-84 to Scranton, then down I-81, I-80, I-99 and 22 until we got to Oakmont.  In all it was a mostly wet ride through the quiet hills a distance of  440 miles.  We couldn't resist the mandatory stops at Chelsea's Grille and The Oakmont Bakery.  They are both little gold mines, busy all the time.

Today, Grammie had great willpower.  She didn't buy anything at the bakery, but she did manage a pose for the blog.

After another few miles through the city of Pittsburgh through rush hour traffic we arrived at a LaQuinta Inn that we use often when not staying on military bases or visiting friends.

 Tomorrow, off to South Bend, IN.

Thanks for keep track of Grammie.

August 6, 1971

Hi everyone.
This date 46 years ago Tom played golf at Springbrook Golf Course in Leeds.   It was a great day.

By the way, it was also the day Grammie and Grampy got married.

 Happy Anniversary Grammie!

Grammie consented to the ceremony and this became her extended family.

...and Grampy became part of this one.  

Today we began our late Summer trip by stopping in Danbury, CT.

Danbury was the city where Alice got her first teaching job after graduating.  She has kept in contact with one of her first students who still lives in Danbury.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.