Niagara Falls

We stayed at a KOA site somewhat close to Niagara Falls, so we decided to stay an extra day to see the sites. The weather was in the 80's and clear, perfect for us to get wet and wild near the falls! After seeing an IMAX show about Niagara Falls, we took a trolley to grab a ride on the "Maid of the Mist". Lindsay wasn't too sure why we would go up to a large falls to get wet, but since there were 50 other wet people with her at the time, she was okay with it. If that wasn't enough, we took another wet trip up the side of the falls and stood on an overlook called "Hurricane Ridge" (there is a reason for that name). We all got wet a 2nd time, even though they give you the gay rain gear. I folded mine up later for a trash bag for the truck. Since we were wet at this point, we might as well go visit the aquarium. We managed to walk around for 45 minutes before they closed, but did get to see a neat Sea Lion show before they closed.

Oh, I do have some sad news to report. My truck has caused the death of a rather slow moving Malard Duck, who decided to cross in front of my vehicle (24,876 pounds) moving at 65 MPH. All we saw was beak, feathers and heard his last "squeak" as he hit my trucks grill. Oh well....

A visit to Laura Wildes Museum

The Fenn girls and 1 male arrived in Walnut Grove, MN pronounced (minnesoda)! Kelly has spent so many years reading these books to our girls, she asked me after baking an apple pie, if I would be so kind to stop at the Wilder museum. Me, being of sound mind (and realizing who is really in charge) said, "that sounds great!". While the girls looked at all the girly stuff, I managed to find an old barn with old tools, old nails, old picture frames and old stuff..we all did have fun and the girls managed to buy some "new" stuff at the store. While we were in the area, we visited Russell, MN as well where Kelly's dad, Noel, went to high school.

Mt Rushmore

While visiting Mt Rushmore, we stayed at a military RV camp at Ellsworth, AFB near Rapid City SD. Lindsay had a great time capturing butterflies and we still have one who came along for the ride on our trip to Minnesota! Mt Rushmore was fantastic, as well as the ride up to the visitors center. This was all of our first trip there and it is just amazing how someone could carve faces in the side of a mountain and show so much detail. We stayed several days here as I needed to get some warranty work done on my truck, then on the 28th of May, we headed on to Pipestone, MN.

Photos from Washington

Kelly with our grandson Landon the day we left Spokane and photos with Chris, Darlene, Alex, Jared and Jackie during our stay at their home in West Richland, WA.

On the road again.

Our family left Chewelah, WA on 21MAY enroute to Virginia. I was able to take 30 days leave from the Navy, so we decided to take a fun vacation while we travel back to Norfolk. We stopped in West Richland, WA to visit with Chris, Darlene, Alex, Jared and Jacque Johnson (Kelly's brother)on Friday. The kids had a great visit and we all stayed up until almost midnight talking! Saturday we headed to Missoula, MT and was able to visit with Nikki's grandpa, Gary Thompson, who came down from Kallispel, MT to have breakfast with us. Nikki and Lindsay last saw Grandpa Gary 2 years ago, so he was very surprised they had both grown so much!
I will post some photos as soon as we get to a spot where we have a better wireless signal. Chat soon...

Pacific Beach Adventure

Before heading back to Norfolk with the Navy, we had to take some time and visit the Washington Coast. Hey, it rains just as much here as in Olympia, so we couldn't wait until the summer to do some camping. We spent 4 days at a Navy operated resort in Pacific Beach. We parked our home very close to the beach for $12 a night and spent some time visiting the area. That treck included numerous gift shops in Pacific Beach and Forks, WA (home of that chic flick vampire/wolf movie). Let's get real, a girl falling for an cute vampire (he really needs some vitamin D)and then is at the same time being wooed by a wolf-boy who rides dirt bikes? Where is Dirty Harry when you need him? Sorry, back to our trip...

On the "only" day it didn't rain, we travelled north toward Forks, making stops at the Quinault Rain Forest. That was well worth the stop and 1/2 mile walk into the woods. Lindsay thought we had walked 6 miles but did have fun looking at bugs, big trees and trying to stay up with Nikki.

In Forks all of the businesses were closed with the exception of the following stores: (2) gas stations with non working bathrooms (that is a big issue with girls), 3 vampire/wolf stores, an Ace Hardware (my saving grace, oh the smell of fertilizer, insect spray and new wood), and the homestyle restaurant with worn out seats! We did all survive and made it back to the safe confines of our 40 foot home (which has 2 working bathrooms).

We are heading back to Olympia tomorrow and have only 3 more weeks before we head east. More to follow!

Disneyland 2010

In March, we were able to fly to California to visit family and have some fun time at Disneyland! Kristin, Jesse and Landon flew down as well and we were all able to stay in the same hotel right across the street from Disneyland. This was Landon's first time in the "happiest place on earth" and did enjoy every minute. I wanted to get some photos on our blog and will also send a link to Disney Photo shop as well. Our family had many photos taken around the park and you can view them and order some if you wish. We also visited with Grandpa Fenn & Sandy, my Sister Liz and family and Kerri & Jay. The time all went too fast and hopefully on the trip back to Virginia, we can stop in for a quick visit again.