My new jacket!!!

Gretchen is an expert so I am so pleased that she directed me on how to make this beautiful jacket.
I picked the matereial up in Sedona....can't wait til it is finished.

Gretchen n Franks!

When I saw this wind chime I knew I had to get it for her.

Billings, Montana

Isn't this antelope cute...

Oh yeah we stopped for this huge hunk of animal..
we had a great time...

Bison were plentiful at Wind Cave National Park.

Honoring our military, present and past.

At the end of the Mount Rushmore lighting ceremony they asked
all military present and past to step forward and be honored.
The people clapped for a long time.

Mount Rushmore one more time....

The last time we were here was in 1997...
Wow have things changed.
Not the Presidents but the grounds...(haha)
It was awesome....we stayed for the night show.
Very excellent.

The Wind Caves....

This is the opening that Alvin found for four years he climbed, squeezed and discovered miles and miles of these caves.
Highly recomment seeing this...

This is all underground...

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD.

Wow another big surprise for us....
Approximately 26,000 year old site has one of the largest
concentrations of Columbian mammoth bones discovered to date.
Another must see...in our opinion.

Wind Cave National Park....

We were fortunate to go on two tours of these fabulous caves...
I never heard of these caves but Gordon had...
This cave is the 5th largest cave in the world but it still has
many unexplored areas so it could be the largest in the world
but time will tell.
The formation are called boxwork, no stalagmites or stalagtites in this cave.
No bats here either...
So unique it is a must see...

Independence Rock in Wyoming!

We learned a lot when the Ranger took a liking to us and showed us all around and told us the stories about this rock.
Lots of history here, the settlers need to be here at Independence rock by Independence day or risk the snow in the Rockies
and Serra's. There are thousands of names written on the rocks...our guide took us to the top...he showed us the secret
cave he doesn't show most people...

Tornado watch!!!

Dang we were not expecting a tornado watch in Casper, WY.
Just a lot or rain, lighting and thunder....
But it was still a bit scarey...

Ella turned one on June 9th....

Miriam, Brent and Ella!

Independent Rock in Wyoming!

This is Mike we met him at the rest area...he is the new owner of my
tomato plant....it needed a better care taker...

Lots of history here...Mike took us on a private tour...the granite rock had to be 500 yards long and 300 feet high
and Mike took us all the way up...the pioneers needed to be here by July 4th or they would run into bad weather.

Mike took us in the secret cave.....we felt honored.

This is the outside of the cave...many names are written on these rocks, many very readable still....it was a great side tracked adventure.

Before the welcome sign....

Before you get the welcome sign...you get the "how to pay for your tickets" sign....

The gardens at the Temple!