Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Washington State
Woohoo! We are back in our old home state. Well, we used to call Washington home, but not since 1975 as we have been on the move with the Air Force. Of course, that doesn’t stop us from reminiscing, going to our old haunts, and visiting family.
Starting on the east side of Washington, we visited with Dan’s parents, his sister, Sue and her husband Forrie in Spokane. We spent some time catching up with everyone. We spent a couple of hours at the
Spokane Riverfront Park. We strolled along a very wide path with one side marked “For Wheels Only”. What a great way to keep pedestrians from being run over. The Looff Carousel was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Dan’s dad used to ride this beautiful old carousel as a child.
~Looff Carousel
We then moved on to central Washington where we first met in high school, got married and well, the rest is history, right? We stayed in a Thousand Trails Park in Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. It was very hot! All our cats went belly up – to keep cool, of course. Crescent Bar is a thirty-minute drive from Wenatchee, where we spent our teen years. It is also where Dan’s uncle lives. It was good to see Jerry and Anne along with their daughter and their two granddaughters. When we weren’t visiting with them, we were checking out some of our old haunts. Yep, it is true – you can never go home, but the foothills and the river views were just as beautiful as we remember.
Our next stop was another Thousand Trails Resort near Lake Wenatchee and 15 miles from Leavenworth. This is a very large park with forested trails and large grassy areas. It is more like camping in a state or national park than a private campground. We were so busy hiking in the woods, checking out the lake, and visiting with Sandy’s brother Steve that we did not spend anytime in Leavenworth. Steve and Deb drove out from Everett to spend the day with us.
After lunch, we all climbed into Steve’s jeep with plans of taking pictures of waterfalls. Steve found two waterfalls – one on the Little Wenatchee River and the other (our favorite), on the White River. It is glacier fed and very beautiful. Sandy and Steve spent quite a bit of time taking pictures while Dan and Deb wandered around looking at the sights.
After dinner, we sat around just catching up and snacking on mini Hershey chocolate bars and nuts. To keep ourselves entertained we were feeding a chipmunk some peanuts. Much to our surprise, the chipmunk turned out to be a chocolate connoisseur. We were saying good-bye to Steve and Deb, when we realized the chipmunk was on the picnic table and he was munching on a dark chocolate bar. Just as Dan reached for the bag the chipmunk threw down the bar and did a head dive back into the bag. He had a second bar in his paws, but dropped it when he realized Dan had picked up the bag with him in it. He did not go far so Dan had to put the bag away. We are sure the chipmunk was looking for a Mr. Goodbar!
We next drove over Steven’s Pass to our new stop in Monroe, again at a Thousand Trails Park. Our current resort is not as large as the last, but does have an adult only pool and spa, as well as family pool, and access to the Skykomish River from right in the campground – very nice with the hot weather we are experiencing. The Steven’s pass highway 2 is very scenic with mountains all around, waterfalls, tall cedar and pine trees, and a beautiful azure Skykomish River. Dan decided to stop along the way so we could dip our feet in the icy river. While taking in the river views and relaxing, we saw two white water kayakers coming down the river. Sandy managed to get some great action shots of one kayaker. She has put the sequenced pictures together in a slide show.
Next stop La Conner and visiting Sandy’s Mom.
Starting on the east side of Washington, we visited with Dan’s parents, his sister, Sue and her husband Forrie in Spokane. We spent some time catching up with everyone. We spent a couple of hours at the
Spokane Riverfront Park. We strolled along a very wide path with one side marked “For Wheels Only”. What a great way to keep pedestrians from being run over. The Looff Carousel was celebrating its 100th anniversary. Dan’s dad used to ride this beautiful old carousel as a child.~Looff Carousel
We then moved on to central Washington where we first met in high school, got married and well, the rest is history, right? We stayed in a Thousand Trails Park in Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. It was very hot! All our cats went belly up – to keep cool, of course. Crescent Bar is a thirty-minute drive from Wenatchee, where we spent our teen years. It is also where Dan’s uncle lives. It was good to see Jerry and Anne along with their daughter and their two granddaughters. When we weren’t visiting with them, we were checking out some of our old haunts. Yep, it is true – you can never go home, but the foothills and the river views were just as beautiful as we remember.
Our next stop was another Thousand Trails Resort near Lake Wenatchee and 15 miles from Leavenworth. This is a very large park with forested trails and large grassy areas. It is more like camping in a state or national park than a private campground. We were so busy hiking in the woods, checking out the lake, and visiting with Sandy’s brother Steve that we did not spend anytime in Leavenworth. Steve and Deb drove out from Everett to spend the day with us.
After lunch, we all climbed into Steve’s jeep with plans of taking pictures of waterfalls. Steve found two waterfalls – one on the Little Wenatchee River and the other (our favorite), on the White River. It is glacier fed and very beautiful. Sandy and Steve spent quite a bit of time taking pictures while Dan and Deb wandered around looking at the sights.
After dinner, we sat around just catching up and snacking on mini Hershey chocolate bars and nuts. To keep ourselves entertained we were feeding a chipmunk some peanuts. Much to our surprise, the chipmunk turned out to be a chocolate connoisseur. We were saying good-bye to Steve and Deb, when we realized the chipmunk was on the picnic table and he was munching on a dark chocolate bar. Just as Dan reached for the bag the chipmunk threw down the bar and did a head dive back into the bag. He had a second bar in his paws, but dropped it when he realized Dan had picked up the bag with him in it. He did not go far so Dan had to put the bag away. We are sure the chipmunk was looking for a Mr. Goodbar!
We next drove over Steven’s Pass to our new stop in Monroe, again at a Thousand Trails Park. Our current resort is not as large as the last, but does have an adult only pool and spa, as well as family pool, and access to the Skykomish River from right in the campground – very nice with the hot weather we are experiencing. The Steven’s pass highway 2 is very scenic with mountains all around, waterfalls, tall cedar and pine trees, and a beautiful azure Skykomish River. Dan decided to stop along the way so we could dip our feet in the icy river. While taking in the river views and relaxing, we saw two white water kayakers coming down the river. Sandy managed to get some great action shots of one kayaker. She has put the sequenced pictures together in a slide show.
Next stop La Conner and visiting Sandy’s Mom.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lack of Space Challenge: Full-Timing Travel Quilter by Sandy
Have Fabric, Will Travel!
4. I made a custom sized pocket organizer for traveling. I did not use Velcro since the arms on the passenger seat are open and I can slip the loops over it. I use safety pins when I sit in my favorite chair. Now I can have spools of thread, scissors, thimble, and reading glasses in one spot. And, I don’t lose my thread nor my scissors under the chair. I also keep my keys and cell phone in the organizer. Now my purse stays in the closet.
6. I also want to show you our computer center. Dan converted our dining table into a more space-saving storage area for our computers and accessories. Not to mention, the e
xpanded countertop space. We have a bookshelf at the end of the counter. It also holds our 
printer/scanner, safe, paper, and printing supplies. Our laptops go on the top shelf when we travel. I also use the area for sewing. There is plenty of room for Dan’s laptop and my sewing machine. (that's Hitch being helpful)
7. I added a wall basket near me to hold pens, another pair of reading glasses, earphones for the computer, etc.
8. I keep my fabric in labeled Rubbermaid containers. I have been using Space Bags to hold more material. But if the bag gets a hole in it, well, let’s just say the container doesn’t close as well. Even with holes in the Space Bag, I feel the material is better protected from dirt, bugs, and rodents. Yes, we have already had one mouse in our rig. He is gone now.
9. My sewing machine has its own travel case on wheels. It is well protected so it can be stored below. The case has enough room to hold two small tin cans. One filled with rotary cutter, quilt safety pins, and good-grip gloves. The other is for sewing on the machine. It has a magnet for holding my straight pins, measuring tape, and small scissors (2nd pair). I also use the lid as a catch-all while sewing – spools, bobbins, scissors, etc.
10. I bought a 3x4 foot oak board for a sturdy cutting surfa
ce. I have to admit some of the picnic tables have seen better days. Dan rounded the corners and I sanded it down. I did not glue my
cutting mat to the board since the board is stored below with items on top of it. I keep the mat in my closet. I also have a mat/ironing pad folder for the small projects like paper foundation piecing. The folder fits well on the kitchen counter with only one of the sink’s covers in place.
11. If you did not see my pictures in Webshots, here is my new design board Рagain thanks Cher for giving me the idea. It is not perfect, but it is better than nothing. I am using straight pins to keep the wind from blowing away my blocks. When I get a chance I plan to get some felt to glue to the backside of my oak board. One side will be for cutting and the other side will be for my appliqu̩ designs.
I thought I would share some of my space saving tricks along with tips given to me. Dan & I started traveling last March and I have learned a few things during this time. I have figured out a way to quilt inside and outside.
1. Where to keep my iron and ironing board:
In the back of my closet, I have mounted an iron/ironing board holder. I also bought a short ironing board for easy storage and use in our limited space.
2. Where to keep my rulers, mats, and other hanging tools:
I have inserted several ‘L’ shaped hooks inside the closet on the doors and on the walls. Anything with a hole for hanging is now on a hook somewhere inside my closet.
1. Where to keep my iron and ironing board:
In the back of my closet, I have mounted an iron/ironing board holder. I also bought a short ironing board for easy storage and use in our limited space.
2. Where to keep my rulers, mats, and other hanging tools:
I have inserted several ‘L’ shaped hooks inside the closet on the doors and on the walls. Anything with a hole for hanging is now on a hook somewhere inside my closet.
3. Lighting is not very good for up-close needlework so add an Ottlite to save your eye-sight:
I have had a freestanding Ottlite for over 5 years and I cannot live without it. I was worried about my light bulb getting broken while traveling.
I attached a Velcro wire-organizer to the wall near my favorite chair. I can detach my Ottlite if I want to use it somewhere else or leave it attached to the wall.
I have had a freestanding Ottlite for over 5 years and I cannot live without it. I was worried about my light bulb getting broken while traveling.
I attached a Velcro wire-organizer to the wall near my favorite chair. I can detach my Ottlite if I want to use it somewhere else or leave it attached to the wall.
4. I made a custom sized pocket organizer for traveling. I did not use Velcro since the arms on the passenger seat are open and I can slip the loops over it. I use safety pins when I sit in my favorite chair. Now I can have spools of thread, scissors, thimble, and reading glasses in one spot. And, I don’t lose my thread nor my scissors under the chair. I also keep my keys and cell phone in the organizer. Now my purse stays in the closet.
5. I bought a drink holder with trash bag while on a quilting retreat in Chama, NM last year. It has a clamp and can be moved to any table. I find this very useful inside and outside. Threads and scrapes do not blow-away thanks to the trash bag and I don’t spill my tea!
6. I also want to show you our computer center. Dan converted our dining table into a more space-saving storage area for our computers and accessories. Not to mention, the e
xpanded countertop space. We have a bookshelf at the end of the counter. It also holds our 
printer/scanner, safe, paper, and printing supplies. Our laptops go on the top shelf when we travel. I also use the area for sewing. There is plenty of room for Dan’s laptop and my sewing machine. (that's Hitch being helpful)
7. I added a wall basket near me to hold pens, another pair of reading glasses, earphones for the computer, etc.
8. I keep my fabric in labeled Rubbermaid containers. I have been using Space Bags to hold more material. But if the bag gets a hole in it, well, let’s just say the container doesn’t close as well. Even with holes in the Space Bag, I feel the material is better protected from dirt, bugs, and rodents. Yes, we have already had one mouse in our rig. He is gone now.
9. My sewing machine has its own travel case on wheels. It is well protected so it can be stored below. The case has enough room to hold two small tin cans. One filled with rotary cutter, quilt safety pins, and good-grip gloves. The other is for sewing on the machine. It has a magnet for holding my straight pins, measuring tape, and small scissors (2nd pair). I also use the lid as a catch-all while sewing – spools, bobbins, scissors, etc.
10. I bought a 3x4 foot oak board for a sturdy cutting surfa
ce. I have to admit some of the picnic tables have seen better days. Dan rounded the corners and I sanded it down. I did not glue my
cutting mat to the board since the board is stored below with items on top of it. I keep the mat in my closet. I also have a mat/ironing pad folder for the small projects like paper foundation piecing. The folder fits well on the kitchen counter with only one of the sink’s covers in place.
11. If you did not see my pictures in Webshots, here is my new design board Рagain thanks Cher for giving me the idea. It is not perfect, but it is better than nothing. I am using straight pins to keep the wind from blowing away my blocks. When I get a chance I plan to get some felt to glue to the backside of my oak board. One side will be for cutting and the other side will be for my appliqu̩ designs.
12. I found a sturdy, but very light folding table online: This table has
come in handy a couple of times when the campground’s picnic table wasn’t the best or non-existent. I use a dining room chair instead of a folding chair when sewing outside. So far, I have only done my sewing outside when we have a cemented site.
13. I like to hand-quilt, so I also have a freestanding 29-inch hoop. I am storing the hoop and my quilt under our sleeper sofa. I wrap the quilt in an old sheet to protect it. If I ever get a chance to sit outside with my hoop, I plan to use the sheet as a rug to protect the material from the ground. I don’t want to take the feet off for storage, so the stand is stored between the passenger’s chair and the first livingroom chair.
Here are a few more tips that I was given years ago:
1. Always cut the thread from a spool at an angle. It makes it easier to guide the thread through the eye of the needle.
2. Don’t wet the thread; wet the eye of the needle instead. The thread swells when wet. Yea, I wouldn’t try this trick on my sewing machine. I could see me explaining to hubby with a swollen tongue – no, I did not get my tongue pierced without talking to you…!
3. One more tip from a traveling quilter I met in South Dakota. She opted out on having a washer/dryer in her rig. Now her laundry closet is filled with fabric and quilting supplies. As much as I loooove my fabric, I cannot live without my washer/dryer. The machine is small, but I wash almost everyday so the dirty clothes do not pile up. I only use the campground’s laundry rooms when I have large items to wash.
Endnote:
One of the biggest problems I am facing with full-timing and quilting is not having enough time! Setting up and breaking down takes time when projects and tools are spread throughout the rig. So to shorten the setup and breakdown time I found being organized is a big Plus! Something I am still working on with my new lifestyle.
-I try to label everything!
-1 and 2 gallon Ziploc bags with blocks and patterns together.
-I have organized materials by project, by color, and by backings. I should pin a note to the material packets as to what project I was thinking of using them for when I bought them. Have you ever bought material and later wondered why? That’s me – short-term memory here!!
-In the storage below, I have my sewing machine, table, thread cases, and two tubs right next to each other. I can pull everything out from one spot.
-Looking through all of my storage areas periodically helps refresh my memory of where I put things. This is quite frequent these days!
come in handy a couple of times when the campground’s picnic table wasn’t the best or non-existent. I use a dining room chair instead of a folding chair when sewing outside. So far, I have only done my sewing outside when we have a cemented site.13. I like to hand-quilt, so I also have a freestanding 29-inch hoop. I am storing the hoop and my quilt under our sleeper sofa. I wrap the quilt in an old sheet to protect it. If I ever get a chance to sit outside with my hoop, I plan to use the sheet as a rug to protect the material from the ground. I don’t want to take the feet off for storage, so the stand is stored between the passenger’s chair and the first livingroom chair.
Here are a few more tips that I was given years ago:
1. Always cut the thread from a spool at an angle. It makes it easier to guide the thread through the eye of the needle.
2. Don’t wet the thread; wet the eye of the needle instead. The thread swells when wet. Yea, I wouldn’t try this trick on my sewing machine. I could see me explaining to hubby with a swollen tongue – no, I did not get my tongue pierced without talking to you…!
3. One more tip from a traveling quilter I met in South Dakota. She opted out on having a washer/dryer in her rig. Now her laundry closet is filled with fabric and quilting supplies. As much as I loooove my fabric, I cannot live without my washer/dryer. The machine is small, but I wash almost everyday so the dirty clothes do not pile up. I only use the campground’s laundry rooms when I have large items to wash.
Endnote:
One of the biggest problems I am facing with full-timing and quilting is not having enough time! Setting up and breaking down takes time when projects and tools are spread throughout the rig. So to shorten the setup and breakdown time I found being organized is a big Plus! Something I am still working on with my new lifestyle.
-I try to label everything!
-1 and 2 gallon Ziploc bags with blocks and patterns together.
-I have organized materials by project, by color, and by backings. I should pin a note to the material packets as to what project I was thinking of using them for when I bought them. Have you ever bought material and later wondered why? That’s me – short-term memory here!!
-In the storage below, I have my sewing machine, table, thread cases, and two tubs right next to each other. I can pull everything out from one spot.
-Looking through all of my storage areas periodically helps refresh my memory of where I put things. This is quite frequent these days!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Glacier National Park (A Moose Mystery):
The beauty of this park is unbelievable! Gorgeous! Wish you were here! The water is so clear, so icy-blue, and so cold! There are rocks of every color and every formation that you can imagine. It is so hard to describe. It is too bad we cannot bottle this beauty and serenity to take with us. We tried with our pictures, but it just doesn’t do this park justice. We did post our pictures in our Webshots album: Glacier National Park. But you really need to see this park in person to take it all in.
~ Going to the Sun RoadWe started our first visit around 9am and did not get home that night until 11pm. We came home to some very miffed and hungry cats. “Where have you been? Where’s
our dinner??” The views were spectacular. We kept stopping to take in the views, hike along trails, and just sit by the water. We did a lot more walking than we had planned on doing, but we couldn’t stop ourselves!
our dinner??” The views were spectacular. We kept stopping to take in the views, hike along trails, and just sit by the water. We did a lot more walking than we had planned on doing, but we couldn’t stop ourselves!~ Saint Mary Lake
We finally made it to the east side around 4:30pm. Just outside the Many Glacier’s gate, we ran into a couple we had become friends with at our last campground in White Sulphur Springs. While in WSS, we had compared notes on the wildlife we have seen and hope to see someday. We discovered that we had been at Yellowstone at the same time and our lists were very similar: bears, moose, etc. They had just returned from Many Glaciers and were very excited having seen their first cow moose with her little one near Redrock Waterfalls. We had heard that moose were everywhere in this park. We did not think the Mama Moose and baby would still be there, but we decided to give it a try. The hike was almost 2 miles so it would take less than an hour to walk to the lake. Neither one of us has ever seen a moose. As we started along the trail, one of the first hikers we ran into told us if we hurry we might see the cow moose and baby at the waterfalls.
So – off we went at a very quick pace. We were on a Mission! Sandy was packing her Sigma 500mm Super-Telephoto Lens for an up-close and personnel picture. We were within a half-mile of Redrock Lake when we ran into a group of hikers. One woman said, “Oh! You just missed him! A bull moose was standing on the path and he just went into the bushes. If you hurry, you might hear him.” Well, maybe not that close to a moose, but we did head down the trail with caution, listening for the bull moose – no signs of a moose on the path nor near the path – did not hear a moose….Darn… We finally made it to Redrock Lake and could see the falls – but no cow moose, no baby moose, no moose, period.
We asked a mother and her son who were fishing nearby. They had seen a moose at the lake a mile farther up the trail, but not one around this lake. So, we were off again to find a moose when we ran into another couple. Oh yes, she had seen the cow moose and baby about an hour earlier. They had swum across Redrock Lake and had gone into the woods within 20 yards of them. Darn! Missed the moose for sure!
We decided to turn around after another group of hikers said they had not seen any moose at the other lake. So we headed back to Redrock Lake because it was getting late. As we were returning, we ran into another couple and they said, “We just saw a moose swim to the far side of Redrock Lake.” Our jaws dropped! Were the moose playing a game of hide-n-seek with us? Did they know we wanted to get pictures? Have the Paparazzi before us ruined our chances of getting a photo? Maybe they don’t like all those cameras and the attention. It was a mystery to us.
We finally decided to spend some time sitting on the Redrock’s lakeshore. Dan started searching the far shores with his binoculars. He spotted one!!! Yes! A moose at last! Well, the antlers of a moose. He was in some very tall grass on the far shore and he showed no intentions of coming out for us. Well, it was better than nothing at all and we have to admit the hike was worth it for a view of Redrock Lake and waterfalls. So the quest continues to see our first moose closer than across a lake.
As we left the Many Glaciers area we saw a small brown (grizzly?) bear near the road. He was young, and we knew mama bear was somewhere nearby, so we did not linger in the area for photos of him -- least mama bear object.
So – off we went at a very quick pace. We were on a Mission! Sandy was packing her Sigma 500mm Super-Telephoto Lens for an up-close and personnel picture. We were within a half-mile of Redrock Lake when we ran into a group of hikers. One woman said, “Oh! You just missed him! A bull moose was standing on the path and he just went into the bushes. If you hurry, you might hear him.” Well, maybe not that close to a moose, but we did head down the trail with caution, listening for the bull moose – no signs of a moose on the path nor near the path – did not hear a moose….Darn… We finally made it to Redrock Lake and could see the falls – but no cow moose, no baby moose, no moose, period.
We asked a mother and her son who were fishing nearby. They had seen a moose at the lake a mile farther up the trail, but not one around this lake. So, we were off again to find a moose when we ran into another couple. Oh yes, she had seen the cow moose and baby about an hour earlier. They had swum across Redrock Lake and had gone into the woods within 20 yards of them. Darn! Missed the moose for sure!
We decided to turn around after another group of hikers said they had not seen any moose at the other lake. So we headed back to Redrock Lake because it was getting late. As we were returning, we ran into another couple and they said, “We just saw a moose swim to the far side of Redrock Lake.” Our jaws dropped! Were the moose playing a game of hide-n-seek with us? Did they know we wanted to get pictures? Have the Paparazzi before us ruined our chances of getting a photo? Maybe they don’t like all those cameras and the attention. It was a mystery to us.
We finally decided to spend some time sitting on the Redrock’s lakeshore. Dan started searching the far shores with his binoculars. He spotted one!!! Yes! A moose at last! Well, the antlers of a moose. He was in some very tall grass on the far shore and he showed no intentions of coming out for us. Well, it was better than nothing at all and we have to admit the hike was worth it for a view of Redrock Lake and waterfalls. So the quest continues to see our first moose closer than across a lake.
As we left the Many Glaciers area we saw a small brown (grizzly?) bear near the road. He was young, and we knew mama bear was somewhere nearby, so we did not linger in the area for photos of him -- least mama bear object.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Great Falls, MT
We spent one night at Malstrom AFB in Gateway FamCamp. It is a very nice campground for active duty military and retirees. We got in early enough to do some quick touring of the falls a
nd dams along the Missouri river. We also toured the Lewis and Clark National Historic Interpretive Center. The exhibit is setup in a maze so a person can travel along with Lewis & Clark. A lot of the exhibits encourage touch and smell. Of course, the portage exhibit caught our attention with them carrying everything they needed in big heavy canoes on wheels. At least, our heavy home on wheels has a motor! They even have outfits for people to try wearing. The children were enjoying the exhibits and participating in answering a questionnaire pamphlet. Once completed, they would earn a Junior Explorer patch. What a great way to learn history!
We stopped at Kalispell just 30 miles west of Glacier national park. Spruce Park on the River campground is located among cottonwood trees on Flathead River. Within a hundred yards we have access to the river and a view that never ends. Of course, we are also near the highway, but we rarely noticed it.
In our Montana album, we have pictures of our walk to Memorial Falls north of White Sulphur Springs, a stop on Hwy 2, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and Gr.JPG)
eat Falls. There are only a few pictures of the Great Falls area since it was a very overcast day.
nd dams along the Missouri river. We also toured the Lewis and Clark National Historic Interpretive Center. The exhibit is setup in a maze so a person can travel along with Lewis & Clark. A lot of the exhibits encourage touch and smell. Of course, the portage exhibit caught our attention with them carrying everything they needed in big heavy canoes on wheels. At least, our heavy home on wheels has a motor! They even have outfits for people to try wearing. The children were enjoying the exhibits and participating in answering a questionnaire pamphlet. Once completed, they would earn a Junior Explorer patch. What a great way to learn history!We stopped at Kalispell just 30 miles west of Glacier national park. Spruce Park on the River campground is located among cottonwood trees on Flathead River. Within a hundred yards we have access to the river and a view that never ends. Of course, we are also near the highway, but we rarely noticed it.
In our Montana album, we have pictures of our walk to Memorial Falls north of White Sulphur Springs, a stop on Hwy 2, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and Gr
.JPG)
eat Falls. There are only a few pictures of the Great Falls area since it was a very overcast day.~Rainbow Trout in Great Springs Fish Hatchery.
Monday, July 6, 2009
White Sulphur Springs, MT
We decided to cel
ebrate our Independence Day 4th of July weekend in a small ranching town called White Sulphur Springs (WSS) – population: a little under 1,000. We started the day with their parade. The lineup took longer than the actual parade, but they made up for it by going up Main Street, turning around, and coming back down again. The 10-minute parade became 25 minutes. It may have been short and sweet, but it was twice as nice!
Cows – 9, Cowboys – 0
After the parade, we had choices of going to a dog show and art festival, or to a R
anch Rodeo. We have never seen a Ranch Rodeo (though we have seen traditional rodeos) and we found it very interesting. There were 9 teams of 4 ranch hands or ranchers. The competition included different skills in a cowboy’s workday: the ranch horse, branding, penning, doctoring, cow milking, and counting. Why the score above? Well, the teams were doing very well competing against each other until they got to the wild cow milking competition. The cows were smarter than the average cow. Not a single cow got lassoed during that competition. Watching the horse and rider working as one was amazing. We added some action shots of the rider and horse to our Webshot album. Please see above link.
That evening, the town put on a fantastic fireworks show. While waiting for the official show to start, the locals were entertaining themselves with very large fireworks. They were being shot from all over town. After dark, the town’s firework show went on for an hour. Well Done!
Like many small towns, White Sulphur Springs is showing signs of hard times due to our economy. The town may need some fixing up and paint, but it is clean and shows plenty of pride. The locals were very friendly and proved to be down-to-earth, heartwarming, and very patriotic.
ebrate our Independence Day 4th of July weekend in a small ranching town called White Sulphur Springs (WSS) – population: a little under 1,000. We started the day with their parade. The lineup took longer than the actual parade, but they made up for it by going up Main Street, turning around, and coming back down again. The 10-minute parade became 25 minutes. It may have been short and sweet, but it was twice as nice!Cows – 9, Cowboys – 0
After the parade, we had choices of going to a dog show and art festival, or to a R
anch Rodeo. We have never seen a Ranch Rodeo (though we have seen traditional rodeos) and we found it very interesting. There were 9 teams of 4 ranch hands or ranchers. The competition included different skills in a cowboy’s workday: the ranch horse, branding, penning, doctoring, cow milking, and counting. Why the score above? Well, the teams were doing very well competing against each other until they got to the wild cow milking competition. The cows were smarter than the average cow. Not a single cow got lassoed during that competition. Watching the horse and rider working as one was amazing. We added some action shots of the rider and horse to our Webshot album. Please see above link.That evening, the town put on a fantastic fireworks show. While waiting for the official show to start, the locals were entertaining themselves with very large fireworks. They were being shot from all over town. After dark, the town’s firework show went on for an hour. Well Done!
Like many small towns, White Sulphur Springs is showing signs of hard times due to our economy. The town may need some fixing up and paint, but it is clean and shows plenty of pride. The locals were very friendly and proved to be down-to-earth, heartwarming, and very patriotic.
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