From pink birthdays to Black Hills

There are quite a few pictures in this one and for some reason I was not able to get them in order even though I loaded them in date order...I apologize.  I will caption what is necessary but will try not to bore you with too many details.  (You know how that goes!)

This is a long one but will not disappoint...I promise.

So we last left you in Nebraska where we were visiting Ivory, Kelly's youth group leader from when she was younger.  We also got in a few more days of fishing and went to the Air and Space museum and a few other things and had a blast.  I'm sure it won't surprise to tell you that we did another National Park while in Nebraska and even neater..it was another Lewis and Clark stop.  We then headed back to Illinois and Missouri before heading out again.  We had just left St. Louis a few weeks before but needed to finish a few things up before heading out again.  On the way back to Illinois, we stopped at a campground for the night and met another family from the East coast at the pool.  The kids played and the adults talked.  That night I went to get our new friends and inform them that we were going to shelter (the first time that we have done that on this trip!) because a tornado hit the exact spot that we were a few hours prior and the storm was coming our way.  She woke her kids and came with us as we huddled down and watched a movie.  All ended up well and we had some good conversation.  The mom greatly appreciated the heads up as she was from the East coast and not used to the Midwestern storms.  We ended up with another great evening sharing stories with someone new. 

We ended up back at Scott Air Force Base and spent some more time with family and even met a family that is temporarily full-timing while waiting for their house to be built.  Zachary got to know them and hung out a few times and brought them over one night and we all got to chat and show our "house" to them.  We also had a little girl who had her 6th birthday, Kamryn, (also the first person to have three birthdays on the road) and it was quite an exciting day for a number of reasons.  One of those reasons is that she got an amazing gift that we knew she would love and she also got to spend her birthday with her Grandma; the last time they spent their birthdays together was the day Kamryn was born.  We got a hold of a friend who has horses and coordinated some riding time for Kamryn and she loved it.  That morning, we decorated the RV in "normal birthday RV fashion" and even wrapped Kamryn's morning banana in streamers.  Then, after she had her birthday cupcake breakfast (like mother-like daughter) we gave her the first gift...a bag of carrots?!?!?!  Her response was priceless!  We finally filled her in and headed to ride.  She had a blast and we spent the rest of the day as a family with Grandma and Grandpa. 

While at home, we also attended the Vacation Bible School at our old church.  That was great and the kids had a great time.  We also spent some time with one of Kelly's best friends and did dinner.  The kids played in the pool and the adults chatted.  We had a great time being at home and seeing friends and family again.  But, the time came for us to mosey along.  We had plans to head to South Dakota, North Dakota, and were awaiting a response from YWAM near Minneapolis. 

Awesome SR-71 as you enter the door. 

This girl still claims to want to be a pilot.

Another great day out with Ivory. 

Mommy is in on the action also. 

Yes, this was a real plane that never made it off the ground (pun intended).  It was supposed to be dropped from another plane but didn't fly correctly.   

A little science...

Yes, we know it was meant to float the balls...so?!?!

Homeschool, math in particular, can wear a girl out. 

Meeting some other kids and enjoying some time in the pool. 

This is how we spent out late night and wee hours of the morning hiding from string winds/tornadoes.  Always a story to tell. 

This cool family is trying RV'ing out while their house is built.  Kamryn loves visitors. 

The kids loved visiting with framily (friends so closed that they are family!)

Getting Grandma up and out to do a little workout.

Zachary and Grandma getting a little horseshoe time in. 

The kids haven't gotten much of this (spending time with my mom) with the military, the church plant (in a different country) and our current nomadic lifestyle...kind of nice. 

We used to go to a pretty big church and VBS was a big deal...very blessed for it!

Kamryn's morning banana decorated like the rest of the RV. 

Birthday breakfast as promised. 

Did you happen to notice her face now that she thought she was getting a bag of carrots for her birthday?

Ohhhh...she was happy!

The girl loves these animals. 

I think they look pretty natural...

Hanging out on the fence with Grandma and Grandpa.

This boy is another one that connects with the amazing creatures. 

These girls are in heaven!

...and the carrots now come into play.  It's snack time. 

Dani and the birthday girl on the minis.

Of course Caleb had to have a turn. 

Wrapping up the birthday day and saying "see-ya" to some good folks.

Time for lunch with the birthday girls. 

Of course...it's time for cake!

Kelly tried on her mom's wedding dress from 44 years ago...so...

Kamryn had to also.

We left Illinois and headed to South Dakota as the plan went.  We stopped and saw a few things along the way.  It is amazing how many people we meet on this trip.  When we made it to South Dakota, we had a great conversation with a worker at the visitor center.  After chatting each other's ears off, we headed for the truck.  As we were pulling away, he ran out into the parking lot because he had one more thing to tell us.  We love the people we meet!  We are amazed day in and day out that the Lord allows this path for us!  We headed to another place that Lewis and Clark stopped and spent a few nights there.  That place was a treat because the lake was directly behind us.  It WAS our "yard".  The kids had a great time fishing, swimming, and even met a few others to play with.  There was pretty neat history there as there was a replica of Lewis and Clark's boats there.  Those things were huge!  We got to walk on them and se how they functioned and then got back to the water fun.  From there we continued our trip and it really got interesting...

(This is where a few of them got out of order and for some reason I couldn't fix them)

The beautiful badlands. 

Another Jr Range Badge. 

Our "yard" while we were camping near Wall, South Dakota.  Not bad for a free spot, eh?!

Some animals in our "yard".

These dudes are all over the Badlands! 

Feeding the monster at Wall Drug. 

I know it's dark but these were the sunsets that we saw from our spot near Wall, SD while boondocking.   

Momma and Daddy on a date.  GO AWAY!

Kamryn having a few minutes to herself as the sun comes up.  We are a little nervous though as she stands about 8 ft away from the dropoff.

This was a radical storm that we watched roll into Ellsworth Air Force Base that dumped some pretty nasty stuff on us. 

This is the boys showing some new friends our map.  We played for a few hours at the park with these girls and then they wanted to introduce us to their families!

Well...since we travel so much and we consider our truck a part of our house, it gets included in chores and gets cleaned out twice a week.  It stays quite clean because they do a fine job!

It was a bit cool but Kamryn wanted to get a bit of morning fishing in. 

Lewis and Clark's boat replica.  It was much bigger that we thought it would have been. 

If the wind is blowing too hard to cast past the grass...go wading!

I promise that Caleb did not catch Zachary on that cast!

Do you remember from posts past when I mentioned that Kamryn falls asleep anywhere?!?!

We made a special and intentional stop in Mitchell, South Dakota.  This is where the Corn palace is.  We have been here before and it is different each year.  It is decorated with nothing but different kinds/colors of corn and has a different theme; this has been the case since the early 1900's.  We had a good time there and then Zachary found a place in a magazine that he wanted to visit, of Klock Werks custom motorcycles.  Boy, did that turn out to be a blessing that we didn't expect.  First off, I don't know if you remember the last time that Zachary found a place in a magazine but it turned out to be a memory of a lifetime with him and I being in the middle of nearly 50 million dollars of collectors vehicles and us getting a VIP tour of the place and sharing our story with the guy.  We joked about that and ended up stopping in for what we thought was going to be a few minutes.  Well...we walked in and said something along the lines of, "Hi, Zachary saw you guys in a magazine and wanted to stop in".  A gentlemen stood up and invited us into the back of the shop and showed us some amazing motorcycles (some with turbo I might add!!!), parts, and equipment.  Then, we hung out for a minute and -then- shared our story.  He wanted us to wait and meet someone else and we ended up in this place for a few hours talking with the owner Brian.  Al told Brian who we were and what we were doing on our "RV Missions" trip.  Brian started the conversation off with, "Cool, we are a faith based company..."  It all went from there and we talked about how God has worked in both of our lives and how Good He is.  Brian knows everyone from NFL players and coaches to celebrities to anyone else that you can name...but is a very humble and loving man.  He's been in countless magazines, developed products, and is a major success but took an afternoon to spend with "some folks" who stopped in and ended up sharing a story about how God has worked in their lives.  We just shared back and forth, story after story, of how God has affected different parts of our lives and then Zachary asked if he could pray while we were there.  Brian called everyone into the shop and Zachary prayed like he has a gift to do.  We didn't know it but we were there until closing (not the 20 minutes that we originally thought but a few hours later) but we had made some new friends that we can call on any time. 

Nope...I'm not kidding.  If you can't tell, it's a shotgun with a veil on it!

We captured a picture from the webcam across the street.  that's us on the balcony!  Everything that you that is colored is corn!

Al and Zachary with Zachary's future go-go bike. 

This is Brian showing Zachary how to go 185+ MPH on the Salt Flats on this bike.  Brian's daughter set records and now Zachary is ready. 

That's a happy boy!

This is one of Brian's daughters and her first motorcycle.  Kamryn is loving it!

Caleb getting in on the action!

Loving it!

Out for a little hike.

...and another badge. 

We left Mitchell and went to camp on a almost marked road for free and it was amazing.  It was about 8 miles outside Wall, South Dakota.  It was a bit scary to be a few feet from a large (hundreds of feet) dropoff but it was absolutely beautiful and peaceful.  We have been to Wall, SD before but it is a cool place and wanted to go back.  If you don't know the story, you should look it up.  the short version is that a guy started a store and it didn't so well but wanted to succeed.  He started giving free ice water to people and they started coming in masses.  The story goes from there and there is much more to it.  Anyway, it is a cool place and we had a great time!

Just wanted to show our free camping spot and the quiet and serenity...that's all. 

Out for a walk...and getting chiggers...but that's a different conversation. 

Veterans get a free coffee and free doughnut at Wall Drug.  Awesome!  That is good for my budget!

Drinking their free ice water. 

What...have your kids never ridden on a giant jackelope?!?!

In on the action!

Another badge at Grasslands.

Not bad...

See them in stages?  Kamryn is right on the edge drawing in her jammies.  Caleb has a magnifying glass examining  plants.  Zachary is a bit lower looking for certain rocks. 

Caleb went out and cut a few flowers (some "ok" ones), dried them, and made tea while at this stop.  Quite good!

We let there and headed to Rapid City, South Dakota. This place was also much more exciting that we thought it would be.  We actually left and came back!  More on that in a minute.  There is quite a bit to do in Rapid City.  One of the things is Storybook Island.  It is a local park that has been turned into a fairytale of a fantasy with every book you can imagine.  It was fun to walk through and a "must do" in the city. 

Just having a fun day at Storybook Island.

I never had one of these when I was a medic in Grand Forks, ND.  This thing was pretty cool!

This is Art Alley.  Another "must see" in Rapid City.  this entire alley is covered with art. 

We took a drive to many of the neighboring cities of Rapid City because we think this may be where we end up when/if we ever stop this journey.  We went to Keystone and bought taffy.  We went to Custer and met Mrs. Connie at the YMCA.  She had all kinds of great info for us and we walked about the town and met a few more folks.  We even got fed some good ol' cast iron chili (from a Cubs fan (ick)...but the chili tasted great!  But really we had a great conversation!)  We drove through Custer State Park.  We went to Hot Springs.  We also went to Sturgis (the world's largest motorcycle rally) and had lunch.  Hung out there for a day saw the city (when there is no bike rally!)  We also went to a 4th of July parade in Deadwood and loved that place.  There is so much history in this part of the country.  Everything from dinosaurs to Native American to Cowboys...you name it...it's here!  We had a great time in Deadwood.  The kids ended up getting to know a few of the performers and things turned pretty funny.  There are free shows all day and they involved awesome history and quite a bit of humor.  We passed through a few other towns and stopped but there wasn't much to see.  It is beautiful here! 

Zachary made a new friend. 

"Uh...Caleb...put your window up."  Yes, those were my exact words as the bison walked closer and I sat in a bison jam.   

No, I wasn't kidding.  I said a bison jam. 

It might get old for you but it never gets old for me.  "Eating out" at Custer State Park.  And, of course, Kamryn is only half dressed. 

We also went to Mount Rushmore again (we were here a few years ago) but what was so neat this time was that we went on the 4th of July.  That was cool!  There was a few of the Air Force Bands there and they were set up under the faces and played well into the night.  the faces got lit up and a Native American did an anthem that was pretty cool after the National Anthem.  This makes two of our three 4th of Julys rather iconic.  We were in Boston, Massachusetts for the first 4th of July on this trip and now were under Mt Rushmore for this 4th of July...pretty cool!  The kids also earned another Jr Ranger badge here but this one was different.  They all got sworn in together.  That was pretty special.  We have learned so much history and hope that I remember even a portion of it.  The stories that go along with even Mt Rushmore are amazing.  There were originally supposed to be three presidents; Jefferson was originally carved on the left side of Washington and blown off and moved; they was supposed to be much more carved as far as necks and chests; the list goes on.  It is truly a blessing to be able to be so hands-on with all of this history.  On top of that, God continues to put so many people in our path to bless and be blessed by. 

Lighting up the faces at night. 

Getting sworn in for another Jr Ranger badge

Cool story.  We have also done bits of sign language but have really focused on it over the last few months.  The kids saw a couple of girls camping next to us in Hot Springs, SD and they were signing.  Kamryn wanted to go see them so we went outside and ended up signing just a bit with one of them.  Then, Kamryn came home with great excitement and told Caleb.  Caleb then wanted to go and so he did.  After he went and signed for a few minutes, he came back and told us about their conversation.  Zachary wanted to then go but he wanted to write them a note and invite them to breakfast the next morning.  After invading their space, my kids came back home and told me all about meeting "the girls".  Sarah and Marissa came over the next morning and made it perfect.  they came over with pen and much paper in hand but we used it all up and had to get more.  We talked about everything, we learned new signs and polished some that we knew.  We learned all about them and we shared all about us.  We didn't know how long they would put up with us but we sat for hours and shared, laughed, ate and shared some more!  They are wonderful young ladies and we were invited to see them when we go through Rochester, NY to finish off our 48 states.  needless to say that the kids are hot on learning more sign language so they can communicate with the girls if we see them and are so thankful that we were blessed enough to be a part of the trip that they have taken over the summer.  They have surely become a part of our trip!

This was a great fella that we met in Custer.  We walked into an art co-op and the laughs began.  We had so much fun that the kids wanted to go back and get a picture with him.  when we did, he was outside drawing on the door; sprucing it up.  The kids took over for him and did a fine job.  This is another fine example of the people that we get to share with and hear stories from.  You'd be amazed at how great people are when you talk with them and get to know them. 

Taken a photo break.

This is Dave just sitting back and allowing the kids to make his space a little better.  He even sent us away with a cross that he carved out of juniper.  It now sits by our counter in our RV. 

This is the AF Band paying under Mt Rushmore.  Pretty cool!

Out on a little hike...see Zachary up there?

This next picture was waited for and caught with great excitement.  This marked our second vehicle in which we completed 25,000 miles.  We have now put 50,000 miles on two different trucks with the majority of that pulling the RV.  God has made those miles safe and memory-filled with more than we could ever hope for.  We look forward to 50 or another 50,000 but will just take them 1 mile at a time. 

This may not be significant to you but it is to us. 

Sturgis, SD.

We just thought it was cool. 

On the streets of Deadwood, SD for a 4th of July parade. 

This was neat.  Wild Bill Hickok was shot here and there is also a lot of other western history here to include Calamity Jane, and the gold rush. 

Putting on a little show.

The kids are always getting involved.

This was Wild Bill.  He and Caleb got along great. 

Calamity Jane and Wild Bill with Kamryn. 

Shes loving it!  We were in a saloon and she started talking to this guy.  He stopped me and told me what a hoot she was. 

We bought a few fireworks and took them back to the base.  The kids had a blast!  (no pun intended)

Yup.  this is why I call him our Creation Kid.  This is him and a snake.

And yet another...this is #85!

Breakfast with the girls could not have been any better. 

A little time on the water. 

Again...she sleeps anywhere.  We also found her on the ground in the grass one day and also asleep on the concrete one day. 

We met a family that had a few puppies.  Our resident dog walked went to meet them.  These were some pretty cool folks.  We had some really great conversations. 

Kamryn helping mommy make some pancakes. 

Went to the drive in double feature. 

Hanging in the local library. 

This was absolutely the smallest space that I have ever driven through!  I don't know if you can tell but it gets smaller as you go. 

We camped in a place and met a really neat family.  Anyone who puts up with us for more than 10 minutes is pretty marvelous.  We hung out with them on and off and they shared their water stuff. They also saved our 2 little ones who were in our inflatable kayak that caught a large gust of wind and the kids could not make it back in. We have some great talks and the kids all had a blast!

We trapped fish and he wanted to eat one.  He did.

He did also.  he danced a bit more and yelled, "It's wiggling in the back of my throat!"  I said, "Then sallow it and quit messing around."  He continued to dance and completed the task at hand. 

At the lake with some new friends. 

So the first time we were at Ellsworth, we thought it was ok and looked forward to going to Hot Springs.  When we got to Hot Springs, we found out about a free concert in Rapid City.  So, we went back to Ellsworth AFB so we could go to this concert.  It is a free concert in the park that has been happening for 32 years now.  We wet for two days saw acts like Blanca, Crowder, Point Of Grace, Matthew West...that was just a few.  We had a great time and even met a few people there.  It was a very nice treat!

Listening and relaxing. 

My girls are dancing!

It was packed but so awesome!

So as you can see, we have been pretty busy.  This is why this post is not only a bit late, but a bit long.  If I bored you I apologize but I don't think so on this one.  We have met a ton of people in the last few weeks and what was even more fun was that after 2+ years of writing our personal info on notes, ripped pieces of paper, cardboard, arms, hands, you name it...we sat down and finally came up with business cards.  We had a lot of fun with it and the kids are loving giving them out.  We finally have graduated to be able to give people something that shows our personalities, our family verse (1Jn 3:18), and some contact info.  It says that I am the Driver/Principal. Kelly is the Navigator/Teacher.  Zachary is the Setup/Takedown Supervisor.  Caleb is the Nature Specialist.  Kamryn is the "Lover of all people/animals.  So fun!

Until next time...