Sher and I and two other couples we know spent a couple of nights at the same little RV parking area next to the Orange Box Cafe in Frostproof, Florida. After supper we adjorned to the screened in porch for an evening of music by a local singer/cover artist. (See his story here) Not only did we enjoy the music but we danced to the music too. We all had a great time.
Sher and I “cutting a rug”
Packed dance floor!
Buddy Lyn, our entertainer for the evening
Tractor ready to start the pull
Today was cool and cloudy at the January Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club show. The lack of sunshine did not damper the activities. The crowds were moderate, at least those crowds that made it back to the aisle where we have our vendor spot. (We are set up in Row 70, spot 34, near to the tractor pull track.)
The digital reading in real time of the distance the tractor has pulled. Notice the sign on the sled: Antique, 5500 pound max. tractor weight
Speaking of tractor pulls, I went over to the track this afternoon for the heavy weight antique tractor pull. Wow, was I impressed with the track and the way they operate the pulls. The track has digital readouts in realtime showing how far each tractor is pulling the sled. (The sled is a piece of machinery that the competition tractor pulls: the sled increases the weight as it is pulled along.)
The crowd watching the tractor pulls. There is another digital sign in the distance at the end of the track.
The track offers plenty of seating for spectators, and of course lots of folks simply park their golf carts next to the track to watch. The track itself was in excellent shape. The rainfall a couple of days ago seemed to have helped by keeping the dust down. It was pretty cool to see a line of the old antique tractors waiting their turn to compete in the pulling contest.
The deep gorge of the canyon, looking west from the Highway 16 turnoff.
Let me say that Sher and I were amazed at the scenery in Wyoming. Let me also say that the mountain driving in Wyoming on Highway 16 through the Big Horn Mountains was an experience in itself towing our travel trailer. Climbing up to and descending from the Powder River Pass (elevation 9677) was at times a white knuckle affair!
We were heading west from Buffalo, Wyoming on our way to Yellowstone National
Hello from Ten Sleep Canyon
Park. We had no idea what to expect, just that we knew we were in uncharted waters for a couple of Hoosiers from the flat farm lands of Indiana. This terrain we were seeing was awesome, but the road was a bit scary.
All of the feelings of “Did we really drive that steep curvy mountain road?” slipped away when we got to Ten Sleep Canyon, on the western side of the Big Horn Mountains.
The stark beauty of the cliffs of the canyon.
Cliffs that take your breath away.
This valley was formed by a glacier. The rocks of the canyon are almost vertical in many places, and this area is very popular for rock climbing. The pictures do not do the canyon justice.
Standing in front of Dragons Mouth geyser in Yellowstone National Park
Sher and I have been traveling now for about 18 months. Our travels have taken many different formats ranging from rolling trips that cover a different destination each day to staying in one area for a month or longer. While we are still pleased with our decision to sell our “empty nest” there are times when we do miss a full sized tub and shower and plenty of hot water! Accordingly we have purchased a small two bedroom house. This gives us the chance to take a short break from the road and to visit with family nearby. Having our own washer and dryer are also nice!
While the house will require normal chores such as cutting that pesky grass in the summer months, these are not obstacles that will be hard to overcome. We will continue to travel. There are states we have yet to visit (see our “where we have been map”) and family coast to coast to visit. We’ll see you on the road!
Below is the original text posted in September, 2014
We were having a hard time dealing with our empty nest. We have raised 5 children and when they all left we really felt the empty nest syndrome. When our children were growing up we had often teased them and said when we retired we were going to get a travel trailer and park in their driveway until they got tired of us and gave us the gas money to move on to the next. Little did we know our children would live coast to coast across the United States.
One day as we were sitting in our empty nest that seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and more and more work to take care of, we looked at each other and seemed to know what the other was thinking. Let’s do it! And, that is what we did! We did not retire, we roadtired!
About 15 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa the traveler will discover a unique community of shops and restaurants called Amana Colonies. The Colonies are listed as a National Historic Landmark and have over a million visitors a year. Next to the community there is an RV park fittingly named Amana Colonies RV Park.
The RV park offers Passport America discounts with electric, water and sewer hook-ups costing $18.19 per weekday night, tax included. The staff is very friendly and offer golf cart escort to your site. All sites are level, gravel surfaced with grass and picnic tables. The park is very large, covering acres of ground. Don’t expect any shade, as there are but a few small trees scattered around. There will be no problem for those of you with satellite dishes. The rest rooms, showers and laundry facilities are clean and acceptable. And get ready to enjoy the multitude of these little chipmunk type critters who are everywhere!
For a day of shopping and dining enjoy the Amana Colonies community. The Amana Colonies RV Park provides a clean, friendly and safe place to camp literally a couple of minutes away. Check for availability before you go as they do have special events that fill the park.
Roadtirement 