But before we leave South Dakota and head into Iowa–We surely had to make a stop at the Corn Palace–wow, wow, that was amazing. Get it a”mazing”&

Onward to Iowa…
They have a best kept secret–Iowa Great Lakes–absolutely beautiful. And as we continues on our road trip we ended up staying in Minneapolis for the night.

Met a nice couple from Sweden.

They were on motor cycles–and had saved for two years to spend the summer in the U.S. and travel. But onward…

When we got up the next morning–we just had to see the Amusement Park in Mall of America. We got there early to beat the crowd. Got some great pictures. We sent my daughter a picture of SpongeBob’s house and she showed it to our granddaughter–she quickly ran to get her shoes and shouted to the phone, “I’m coming MiMi and Papa, I’m coming to the party!”

I’ve got more pics–but they are stuck on my xd card and I have to get a card reader to read them–such is life.

Anyway after that we headed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I almost hit a deer on the way. Phew–close call.

When we got up I got to dip my feet in Lake Michigan. We had dinner with Jeanne Ward and her daughter and headed into Toledo, OH for the night.

When we got up we–we headed over to Fort Wayne, Indiana and got a picture of Johnny Appleseed’s grave.

We left Fort Wayne and drove back into Ohio–to visit the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Hubby was lovin’ this. We spent the night in Canton at yet another KOA.

When we got up the next morning we drove to Charleston, WV and stopped at New River Gorge Bridge to get some great pictures.

Our Summer Road Trip is coming to a close–as we head home to North Carolina. I hope you’ve enjoyed my updates. We had a great time and with only 8 more States to go–I can’t wait until we can share our next trip–and we won’t wait too long I promise.

But listen, if you ever get close to North Carolina–look us up. You can find me on Facebook.

Ahhh, Home Sweet Home!!!

Do you have any great road trip experiences? Please share them with me.

We drove W to Kansas…o.k. this is a State we kind of cheated on. Need to go back and spend more time there.

We drove up through Nebraska and stopped at a few places along the way. We ended up staying at the Hot Springs KOA.

We got settled in and ate at Dale’s Family Restaurant Friday night. Getting up nice and early the next day we headed over to Mt. Rushmore!

Now the ride up had some incredible views. Again this trip has given us the opportunity to visit some amazing sites right here in our own backyard. and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

But we have one more spot to visit today–so we got to see this amazing work of art and headed to Devil’s Tower, Wyoming.

Again a breathtaking experience…I have a lot more pictures and we got to see a whole field of prairie dogs up close. They were so cute. It’s been a long day of sight-seeing and we have to meet with a client on Monday–we start our journey across beautiful South Dakota–definitely going to come back and visit Keystone, SD again one day.

We drove and laid our heads down in of course another KOA in Belvidere, SD

When we got up we headed into Sioux Falls, SD and with all the rain they had the falls were beautiful…running right through the middle of town.

I’m running a little behind here so I’m going to see if I can finish up our road trip for ya.

Again, we stayed in a KOA. Love KOA!

We didn’t have anything to do today so we hung out at the Campground–as the sun started to set we decided to go for a ride and ended taking a ride on a tram. Again, remember I’m afraid of heights–and 10,000+ feet is HIGH! But I did it.

The views were incredible. When we got up the next morning we headed over to visit with Mike Tobin. After that visit we headed into Colorado to spend a few days with family members.

As we drove we took a few detours. We drove over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, took a tour of an EarthShip Home…oh and we drove through Taos, NM–now that place we will definitely be visiting again. Only this time I want to spend about a week.

When we finally got to our Families home it was a little late. We caught up and planned the next few days. I wanted to meet with my buddy Armando and we wanted to take a day trip to Wyoming.

This is where we ate Bull Nuts–yes we ate them. They were on the menu–so we tried them. Let’s see they tasted like beef. Not much flavor really.

This is what they looked like–served with cocktail sauce–I think that is funny!

Anyway, we enjoyed our visit to Wyoming–but it’s time to head back home.

When I come back we’re headed to Kansas, Nebraska, Mt. Rushmore, and Devil’s Tower.

We started out Day 7 to the Grand Canyon!!! I have to say it was one of the most awe inspiring and horrific experiences. First I’m afraid of heights.

So when we get to the Grand Canyon and start walking up to the path–Mather Point–we walk around the corner and there we see the most beautiful site I’ve ever seen in my life. There are NO barriers, fences, NOTHING to keep us from walking right into the Canyon itself.

Needless to say I stayed way on the other side of the walkway while we walked about mile on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at Mather Point.

Oh, I mentioned horrific right? Well, Jesse loved this visit to the Grand Canyon and well he’s not afraid of heights…so he is walking down on the rocks and snapping pics left and right. I’m thinking to myself–”please Jesse please–get off those rocks–I do not want to go home a widow!”

It was very emotional watching him…

At one point he sat down on a rock so I could snap a picture–when he stood up from the rock–he slipped! That is when I lost it–yup I just broke down and cried.

After I calmed down–we continued on our driving tour of the South Rim–and yes it was an experience I wouldn’t trade. Pictures can’t give the Grand Canyon justice–but you can find more on my Facebook page.

When we left the Grand Canyon that day we drove towards Flagstaff–now we saw smoke while heading to the Grand Canyon that day–and after our tour–Flagstaff was under smoke–a camper emptied his campfire–without dousing the flames.

OK, so here is the story about our State Line Signs.

When we drove across the State Lines we took pictures of the State Line signs. However, when we drove W on Hwy 10 into Arizona–we didn’t see the State Line Sign–so knowing that we had to head back to New Mexico for a business meeting–we said it’s o.k. we’ll get it when we return.

Yes, that meant another U-Turn. Get it? Back to New Mexico–take the first exit–back to Arizona–take the picture–back to New Mexico–I know silly right? BUT we had to get that State Line Picture lol

However, by the time we leave the Grand Canyon and get back to the New Mexico State Line–it’s dark! Now, we’re headed East on I-40 and yes we took the first exit–Exit 8 in New Mexico! Needless to say, it was NOT as easy as we thought it was going to be.

When we took the exit (we took a left) thinking it would take us over the overpass so we could get back on the Highway and get a picture of the Arizona State Line sign. BUT we took the wrong turn and ended up on some dark, dark, DARK road! When we realized that this was NOT going to get us back on the interstate we turned around.

So we’re back to the exit and we take a right–and see a sign that says Road Closed ahead–geez–can we NOT get back on I-40 West to get a picture of the Arizona State Line sign? Anyway, Jesse keeps driving and we go under the overpass–and I’m thinking please just turn around and forget the @$^#$ Arizona State Line sign.

Jesse says, “Hell NO! We’re getting a picture of that sign!” Anyway, he continues and the signs still say Road Closed–BUT when we got up to the Close Road sign–you could go left and that road FINALLY took us back to I-40 West so we could get that picture of the Arizona State Line sign.

Now, remember we didn’t see an Arizona State Line sign on Hwy 10 West–we may have missed it but I doubt it. After all this trouble–adding another hour to our trip–we’re tired and had been driving all day from the Grand Canyon back to New Mexico so I could meet with a client Monday morning.

Jesse said, “If there is NOT an Arizona State Line sign, I’m going to write on a piece of paper, Arizona State Line and stand on the State Line so you can take a picture.” This made us laugh for sure.

OK, so all the State we’ve been through have nice State Line signs right? And we’ve been through I don’t know 10 or so States by now…

Arizona–the State the has one of the most beautiful Tourist Attractions in the World–and…NOT to mention–one of Seven Natural Wonder of the World right?

And well well here is the State Line Sign–for Arizona!

I’m going to print off the pictures of the State Line Signs–and send a letter to the DOT in Arizona–get a nice State Line Sign!!

OK, some of my readers may live in Arizona. If you have a better looking State Line sign–I’ll be glad to post it–but I have to tell ya Hwy 10 West and Hwy 40 West–this is what we found.

Since this is such a long post–I’ll continue with Day 8 tomorrow another time.

This is us hard at work. It was a pleasure meeting Peggy for the first time; a dog lover like I am.

We left Austin about 1:30 PM on Thursday, June 17, 2010 and headed to New Mexico. We took Hwy 10 West and drove and drove and drove…it seemed like forever. I think it was about 542 miles before we finally stopped in Fabens, Tx.

Along the way we stopped to get the sunset and we helped two young gentlemen who had run out of gas and I gotta tell ya–Hwy 10 is NOT a place you want to do that. Fortunately, there was a gas station (almost ready to close) about 2 miles up the road. We got those two young men on the road again…and continued our journey.

Once we got up we drove into El Paso, TX and took the scenic route along side the Rio Grande. Border Patrol were out in full force on the other side of the fence. We did find a nice little roadside place and had the pleasure of eating probably the biggest burrito I’ve ever seen. Made fresh tortillas…mmmm good for sure.

We continued our way to White Sands National Park in New Mexico. If you have not seen this wow wow wow!!! My father took us here when I was a young teenager and I wanted Jesse to see it as well. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I felt as some point that we were driving on ice. They have to plow the sand–225 square miles of brilliant white sand (gypsum).

Oh and we also visited White Sands Missile Range along the way. Anyway we continued along New Mexico and drove into Arizona–tomorrow we are headed to the Grand Canyon!!!

Can’t wait to share with you my horrifying experience when we got there.

I hope you’re enjoying our little Summer Road Trip experience. If you are please feel free to Retweet it and visit my Facebook page for more pictures.

I work with so many folks who are trying to make it…and Elvis is an incredible example of someone who did. At 22 years of age he purchased Graceland. Imagine that! But I learned he was very generous and loved to give, give, give. I have to believe that is one reason he was so successful and that his legacy will continue for many, many years to come.

In one of the museums–they showed a wall of checks that he had sent to charity. On one day November 8, 1962 Elvis signed 40 checks for $1,000 each for various charities. WoW!!!! Remember you get to keep what you give–and it seems Elvis knew that.

We could follow his example–for sure.

K, we headed out of Memphis and started driving toward Arkansas. Now you know we’re working on taking pictures of all the State Line signs as we go. Who knew it would be smack-dab in the middle of a bridge on the Mississippi River–so we missed it. I made Jesse go up to the next exit–and drive back into Tennessee and get back on the interstate just so we could get the Arkansas State Line Sign. We did get it tho.

As we’re traveling through Arkansas–we saw a sign for Daisy Arkansas–Population 118! So we took that picture too. We posted that on Facebook–don’t ya love technology?

For the night we camped in North Little Rock, Arkansas and ate the Cock of the Walk Restaurant. Legend has it that men who were the strongest wore a Red Feather in their Hat (hence “Cock of the Walk”) and if they met another man who also wore a Red Feather they had to challenge them. In this picture Jesse is the “Cock of the Walk” and noooo, I didn’t challenge him.  LOL

Anyway, Jesse had cat fish and I had chicken. Great food if you ever get to visit.

Once we got up we headed on into Broken Bow,  Oklahoma. On our way we stopped to visit the home of Jefferson Gardner, Chief of the Choctaws 1894-96. When we pulled up through the dirt road–the sign said “Honk for Attendant”–so we did. A gentlemen whose father bought the house in 1910 gave us a tour of the house! Very exciting–and well worth the $10 we paid.

We continued driving into the Great State of Texas! Driving all the way to Austin where we stayed in a campground outside of Austin.

Ok, more to come! On Thursday I met with one of our clients–and well now I consider us Friends!

We finally made it to Alabama and setup camp in Noccalula Falls Park in Alabama. Whooo was it hot setting up camp.

Once we finished that we headed over to Albertville, AL and  met with my buddy Kevin St.Clergy for dinner at Santa Fe restaurant. And no drinks (alcohol that is) I guess you can’t drink on Sunday’s in the restaurants in Alabama.

Or maybe it’s just Albertville–I asked Kevin but he wasn’t sure…anyway I had water, Jesse had tea and while Kevin tried to order a drink they just laughed at him…no really lol

He’s good friends with the folks there–so we had a nice meal–brainstormed a bit and Jesse and I headed back to our campground.

Didn’t think I’d sleep but the night had cooled some and we slept just fine.

We got up; broke up camp and headed over to EducatedPatients.com where I met with Kevin and we had a conference call with our other partner Daryl Hill.

Spent a few hours there and we headed to Mississippi. Took a detour and went over to Natural Bridge, Alabama…pictures will be loaded to Facebook.

Spent $5 to walk through and get some great pictures. Then we headed on over to Tupelo, Mississippi and visited the Elvis Presley museum.

Decided to stay here overnight–and we are staying in Trace State Park. Absolutely beautiful!! Oh yeah and we’re staying in a cute little cabin right on the water. Jesse cooked steak, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes…hmmm good.

More to come as we travel the U.S.–hope you’ll leave your comments and let me know of the beautiful places that you have visited.