Happy Birthday Lisa

Happy birthday Lisa! Getting close to the top of the hill. It has snowed here because of you. There always seem to be a storm on the night you were born.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This is the photo that I wanted on my Christmas cards this year. Due to printer problems we were not able to get that done. I will post the rest of our summer west trip and other stuff soon. I have been slacking on the posting lately. Shaun and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Soccer 2007 a fun season

Soccer season 2007 has come to an end. Shaun had a great time playing and making new friends. We won one game against Grand Haven and I enjoyed watching the kids improve their skills and teamwork. A small break in the western trip to post pictures from soccer. I will try to finish our western saga soon. See Soccer 2007 for more pictures of all the fun.

Day Five of the Western Adventure.

Jurasic Park?

1880 train
Train Robbers?

Discussionn on the rails

An abandoned mine New friends

Today we went on the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone SD. It was a 2-hour round trip tour on a line that used to connect mining camps. This train was used in several movies and was used to carry dynamite for the Mt. Rushmore creation. There was a museum with dinosaur bones in Hill City that was quite cool. We returned to the campsite and went with John (our camp neighbor) to an abandoned mine on public land near Custer. We drove on a two track about ¼ mile until we dragged bottom and then walked the rest of the way. There was an old cave and a large rock overhang that were quite cool. They were mining feldspar a pinkish rock that is used for making varnish. We found several rocks that have gold dust in them. Shaun found a nugget of iron that is not common to the area. We also hauled several large quartz rocks down the mountain. Most of it was a cool rose color. We learned much about gold mining and prospecting. We also walked a dry creek bed and John showed us where he would pan for gold when there is water in the creek. Later we went back the Black Hills Forest and took the nature loop. During the drive we saw 101 deer, 5 elk, cattle, and 8 buffalo. Later we took a wrong turn and got lost in the mountains. After a sharp turn at the top of the mountain we came extremely close to hitting a buffalo that was crossing the road. We finally found our way home and hung out with John and his wife at their campfire. It was cold and I Shaun crawled into my sleeping bag with me. Again I ask why did we not bring the space heater?

Day four of the Western Adventure.

The thinker

The whole crew at Mt. Rushmore

Four presidents can you name them?
Crazy hourse monument
The Light show begins
The mountain comes alive

After a cold night we got up to head to Mt. Rushmore. We took the scenic route through the Needles State Park. It was a twisty mountain road with rock outcroppings that were amazing. During the drive Lisa spotted a mountain lion about 100 feet from the road. Shaun was the first to spot the monument when we were about twenty miles away. It looked small across the valley and on top of mountain. On route to Mt. Rushmore we went through several one-lane tunnels blasted in the mountain. The last two gave you views of Mt. Rushmore framed beautifully at the end of the tunnel.
Once we got the monument the magnitude of the sculpture was incredible. Photos do not do this wonder justice. The time and work to create this work is amazing. We took tons of photos and climbed up the mountain on the trail as far as you can. The kids did nicely on the whole day and will have a nice memory of one of our national treasures.
After Mt. Rushmore we went to The Crazyhorse Monument. I was not overly impressed from the parking lot. We went in and watched a movie about the dream of creating Crazyhourse. I was moved by the passion of all involved in the project. I realized that the work in progress is impressive in many ways and not being finished yet is just part of the story. When completed this monument will be truly a great feat. How this project has and will serve the American Indian is a very good thing. After dark we went back for a spectacular laser light show on the mountain. When the monument is lighted it almost comes alive and gives you a taste of things to come. The last images of the laser show have Crazyhorse in motion on the mountain in actual size. I was quite a sight to see.
For dinner we cheated on the camping cuisine. We went to the Chuck wagon buffet and Music show. After a good meal we enjoyed a country cowboy trio. We had a good time and got to enjoy a beautiful sunset before the laser show.
Back at the campsite Shaun and I talked to the folks at the next campsite. They are a Schoolteacher and character actor. They told us stories of South Dakota and what attractions to see. He is also an amateur prospector and Shaun was interested in all he had to say about rocks. See Mt Rushmore Crazyhorse for more photos.

Day Three of the Great Western Adventure

We left Sioux Falls today heading to Custer. This is the area around Mt. Rushmore. We had to drive across most of South Dakota on the straightest stretch of road I have ever driven. We made a side stop in Michel to see the world famous Corn Palace. The building was decorated with mainly corn. The used other natural grains and grasses to decorate the facade. The first corn palace was constructed in the 1800’s.
Me made a second stop at 1880 Town. This was a recreation of a typical town in 1880. It was very hot but the kids had fun not being in the van. Shaun found all the cats and kittens that lived in the town. We were going to eat at the town but it did not serve dinner. So everyone was hungry and tired when got the campground in Custer. We had spaghetti’s and tortilla pizzas on the camp stove. We tried to have a campfire but it was too windy. We had to add more tie downs to keep the tent from blowing away. I was surprised that it was not on top of us in the morning. I did not sleep well because I seemed like I was sliding down a hill all night. It was also cold. Why did we not bring the space heater?

Day Two of the Great Western Adventure

The drive was a little dull today. We left Sleepy Hollow campground about 10:30 this morning. We packed everyone in and hit the road. We made one stop to climb a tower to see the scenic prairie. I did get some nice photos with the boys and prairie grass. We camped at a KOA campground with a nice pool and playground. We had a “fun” time setting up the tent in a gale force wind. The wind calmed down later and the tent stayed up all night. Later we played mini golf and it was almost completely dark when we finished.

Day one of the Western Adventure

I cannot believe how much crap you can cram into a minivan. There was not much room for the kids or us. We made it to Holland before discovering the cell phone and other things were left home. Finally we left about 10:30am and started the drive. The kids were reasonable good in the car and we made good time with minimal stops. We arrived at Sleepy Hollow campground about 6:30. We had Hobo dinners much to Shaun’s delight. He calls anyone that looks like a bum a hobo. We had chicken and veggies cooked on the mighty fire that I built. Lighter fluid works great to start a fire. Shaun was very good at making jiffy popcorn on the campfire. There was a beautiful sunset over the cornfields. When dusk fell fireflies were everywhere just like home. We all went to bed tired.

4th Of July

Southern fireworks
Do we need to take cover?
We must be serious about sparklers

Parade fun

On the fourth we went to the parade in Allendale. I had not been to the parade in many years and it was nice being on the campus of Grand Valley. The kids made a big haul with lots of candy. The parade was cool except for the loud fire engines that Zander did not enjoy.

Later we went with Joe and Lori to her mom and dad’s to shoot off fireworks. We had a little scare when one kind of went off at all of us. We had Joe’s world famous burgers and a lot of great food. The only bad part was getting stuck in Grand Haven firework traffic and getting home late. 5:00am came early for work on Thursday. See 4th of July for pictures.

This will be the last post before our great western adventure. If we have Internet along the way we will be able to post. We are all keeping journals and will post pictures and observations later.

Michigan Adventure

Are they really scared?

I really was scared!

That first drop is a killer! Hill one and two are not much better!

Snoopy and the peanuts gang.

Monday was a long day of fun at Michigan adventure. We met Kristi and Shelly and their kids at the park. Lisa and I stayed at the lake Sunday night and went from there in the morning. The kids had a great time at the water park and on the rides. I even rode the roller coaster Shivering Timbers. It was 2:17 minutes of fun and terror. Shaun and Justin rode it 3 times but my stomach and back were done after one trip.
Shivering Timbers
Height 125 feet
First Drop 120 feet
Speed: 65 miles per hour

Little Point Sable Tour

Another sun set
Fishin' at Dane and Bea's
Funny Boy
Do a little turn on the catwalk

Triple trouble

The kids love to fish at Dane and Bea’s. There are several docks for them to use and they always have fun. The fish were not too hungry but they caught a few. Sunday morning we went to the lighthouse to take a tour. It was interesting to be inside after many years watching the sun set with it in the background. The view from the top was amazing. It was a cool perspective that you can’t imagine without being up there. Shaun was a little scared of the height and I must say it was a little unnerving on that little catwalk. Lighthouse Photos

Kleinjans' up North

The Kleinjans crew

Beach bums

All I want for my christmas is my two front teeth

Oh @&^$#@! I missed the ball

Boys and mud enough said

I am sure grandpa won't mind

Last Saturday my Uncle Leon and Aunt Judy came up north for the day. The cousins even came from Colorado and of course Reily. It was nice to see those guys it had been a while since we had got together. The day was gorgeous and the company was great. We hung out and caught up on little and big things. The boys had fun jumping off the raft and swimming and I got some cool pictures. Check out the following link for more pictures. Kleinjans’ in the north. Hope you guys will keep in touch online.