Cave of the Wind

If you have been following my blog, you will know that Gary and
I like visiting caves, so when we found out that Colorado Springs
had a cave, we had to go. The cost for this cave tour was $18 per
adult. As far as caves go, we would rate this one a 2 out of 10.





First tourists had to climb down this rope to enter the cave.


Thomas Edison visited the cave and gave the owners one of his
light bulbs which is still in the cave.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, Co. It is a free
city park that covers 1350 acres. These red sandstone formations
are over 300 million years old. There are many places to park and
lots of hiking opportunities. Horseback riding and mountain biking
are also activites that can be found there.





Balance rock.

Pike's Peak

Can't visit Colorado Springs, Co area without a trip up Pike's Peak.
It is 19 miles to the top of the 14,110 ft. Peak. What beautiful sites can be
seen during the drive. In 1894 Katharine Lee Bates traveled to the
top of Pike's Peak and wrote the words to what became "America
the Beautiful". In 1886-88 a carriage road was built to the top
of the Peak. The first automobile reached the top in 1901. In 1916, the
second oldest car race in America, the Pikes Peak Hill Race was held.
As of today, the fastest time up the road is about 14 minutes. When
you reach the top, you may find yourself short of oxygen. If you are
hungry, there is a place to order hamburgers, chicken sandwiches,
soup, and pizza. Cost to drive your car up the road is $10 per person,
or $35 per car. Well worth the trip. On the way down, you must stop
so a guard can check to see how hot your brakes are. If they are too hot,
you will have to pull over until they cool off.



Our first stop was at Crystal Reservoir. Lots of people were fishing
here. You can see Pike's Peak in the background.


Looking down at the road we traveled to the top.


Pike's Peak.


View from Pike's Peak. One inch is 38 miles. More pictures on travel
links.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are located in Colorado Springs, Co.
Cost to visit the Dwellings was $9.50 per adult. Well worth the money.
Besides the dwellings, there is a great museum which features pottery.
We were at the dwellings during the dances. We were able to
walk through the dwellings. Great gift shop. For more info you
can go to www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com
More photos can be seen by clicking on our travel photos or here.

We were able to walk through these dwellings.



Can you see the eagle shadow? This was a wonderful dance to watch.





Two faced ceremonial pot.

On our way to Canada

We are finally beginning our journey towards Canada.
We stopped at Amarillo Ranch Rv in Amarillo. Had dinner
at the Big Texan. Needless to say, the dinner was not that
great. Just ask Jim. Very expensive for such a little bit of
food.


Jim and Sherri have been thinking about trading rigs.
What do you think?


Let's see, Sherri will have her ironing board, Jim will have
his still, and there is even a port-a-pot hanging on the back
end.


We stopped in Raton, New Mexico at the Cedar Rail RV
park. This is our back yard for tonight.


Another view of our back yard.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

The Civil War Battle at Pea Ridge took place March 7, 8, 1862.
Brig. Gen. Samuel R Curtis commanded 10,500 federal troops.
Confederate Major General Earl Van Dorn commanded a force of
16,000 men. General Albert Pike commanded the Confederate Indians
during this battle. The Confederates Generals McCulloch
and James McIntosh during this battle. This battle resulted in
saving Missouri for the Union. The Trial of Tears went right
through this battlefield. More photos on travel link.



One of many fences on the battleground


Pictures like this could be viewed at the various stops
along the battlefield.


Imagine seeing 10,000 Union troops set to fire upon you
from the fence.


One of the many cannons depicting the battle at Morgan's
woods.

Daisy Air Museum, Rogers, Arkansas

How well I remember the days when my brother
and I would practice shooting with his Daisy
BB gun. Gary still has the BB gun that he
purchased for his son. How many of you remember
the days you took your Daisy out hunting for
birds or shooting cans? The tour of the Museum
cost $2 per adult. I never knew that Daisy made
so many types of guns. I took lots of pictures
of various models made beginning with the
first model. So, if you want to see more, click
on the travel photo link.


This is a Daisy.


50,000,000 air rifle.


The movie "A Christmas Story" is a classic.
Remember the dad's prize for one of him
many contests? Gary is standing by that
prize. Does the phrase, "you'll shoot your eye
out" sound familiar?


Models of the Red Rider BB gun. Can you
find yours?

War Eagle, Arkansas

We are camped at War Eagle Mill in War Eagle, Arkansas.
Sherri is taking some craft classes, Gary is fishing, and Jim
and I are just relaxing. The War Eagle Mill is a working mill.
The mill is three stories. On the third story is the Bean
restaurant. Second story is a story while the first story is
the mill and store to purchase the various grains. After having
lunch, I purchased the cornbread mix. Can hardly wait to
see if mine tastes as good as theirs.


One lane bridge to the mill.


Water coming over the dam


Front of the mill.

Side view of the mill. The water wheel is located
behind the brown wall.

War Eagle Caverns, War Eagle, Arkansas

Gary and I took a trip to War Eagle Caverns located near
War Eagle Arkansas. We entered the cave through a natural
entrance rather than the entrance of years gone by. For that,
we would have needed a wet suit. We noticed various fossils
on the roof of the cave. War Eagle Cavern was used as a
set for the movie "Frank and Jesse". The film crew even
left some of the movie props inside the cave. We also got
to see a still that was found in the cave. There were no
stairs in the cave. Besides the cave tour, War Eagle
Caverns also has a Maze and offers gem stone panning.


These are the rimstone dams located in the cave.


This formation reminded me of a buffalo.


This is one of the few formations inside the cave.


This is only one of the many pipestrelle bats that occupy
the cave.

Northern mocking bird, Scissortail flycatcher

There were lots of birds to watch during the day. Most
of the time, they appeared when I did not have camera in hand.
However, I did manage to take a couple of pictures.


Northern Mockingbird.


Scissor tail flycatcher. This was my favorite.


Scissortail flycatcher. You can really see his tail in this
photo.


Finally caught him in flight.

Fishing at Lake Tawakoni

Our second visit to Lake Tawakoni has come to an end.
It was a lot warmer and dryer here second time around.
Gary caught fish every day. Most of the time he released
what he caught, but every once in a while, he brought
one or more home for pictures.


Catfish he caught off the dock.


Gary thinks these are drum. He decided to cook one for
dinner but said that trout tastes better. I decided to have
chicken.