September 30, 2008

What a great life! Even with the stock market doing its thing and the uncertain economy, we all just have today and right "now." Make the most of it because when "now" is gone, it is the one thing we cannot get back. So look around you -- take a deep breath and count your blessings --breathe. With that off of my mind, we will update you on where we are (as Sheron keeps emailing us "where's Waldo?").

We spent the weekend at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park that is located in the Badlands of North Dakota. At first glance, the Badlands appear barren. Created over 60 million years ago by streams from the Rocky Mountains flowing eastward, the Badlands demonstrate an array of sculptured buttes and is home to a variety of wildlife and plant life. (We keep wondering how the covered wagons made it over these treacherous lands.)

When we were in the Park, we had to "dry camp," meaning there were no hook ups for electricity, sewer and water. For us, that is not a problem. Our inverter continues to provide electricity for our lights, tvs and computers when we are not using the generator (which is run on diesel). And, with a 90 gallon water tank, we can go for a week without hook ups. The beauty of "camping" this way is that we are really out of the mainstream of life (no RV parks) -- just nature. But, I have to say, I am a bit scared to let Chanti out at night for fear of being attacked by a mountain lion, buffalo, coyote or wolf (Jerry said to add a "rabbit.")

Now we have to tell you about the best ice cream (at least for us) that we found. Actually, we first encountered this delicacy while in Zion National Park last year. And, it being so good, we never forgot about it. Lo and behold, we found it again in Keystone last week. It is called "Moose Tracks." It is made of either vanilla or chocolate ice cream with large fudge chips and peanut butter cups folded in. (See picture of me finishing off the last of it on this trip.)

One other thing. For those of you who followed our blog last year, you may remember that I accidentally put fast-acting glue in one of my eyes and ended up seeing three ophthalmologists along the way. Well -- this year, something different has come up. It seems that my cataracts are really starting to interfere with my life -- to the point that everything is somewhat of a blur and I can't read road signs until we are almost past them. And, most of the time when Jerry points something out as we travel, I can't see it.

Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to have one eye fixed -- and if that works out, I'll have the other one done next week. Thus, we are held up in Bismarck, North Dakota until Thursday, when we will head for Minot to spend time with family and attend the Norsk Festival. We will be back to Bismarck after that so that I can have the other eye done. Will tell you more about that with our next blog. Until then, enjoy your life. We miss all of you.