St. Louis

Went to the Truman Library and home. As with all of the presidential libraries, we are fascinated to learn of all of the things they did in their administrations. The house tour and learning about he Bess and Margaret were also very interesting.

We weren't originally going to go up in the Gateway Arch, but after entering to go to the free museum, we wanted to see the documentary on building it, so we bought a combo ticket for the ride up as well and are so glad we did. The Arch is an amazing engineering marvel and there were no construction fatalities in the 3 yr construction. The ride up in the little pod (with windows, thank goodness, because it was really small and fit 5 people)was interesting to see the inerds of the arch. We went to the St. Louis Basilica which has the most mosaic pictures in the world. We have been in several Basilica's in Europe and this one trumps them all. It was gorgeous.

Missouri

We did what we we're supposed to do in Missouri, had an amazing fried chicken dinner in Abilene and had GREAT barbeque in Kansas City last night. On our way from Abilene, where we also enjoyed The Eisenhower Museum, we traveled to Wamego, MO which apparently is where the Land of Oz now resides. We went to a really good wine tasting at the OZ Winery and bought a couple of bottles. They actually do make the wine there...who knew there was good wine in Missouri, not us. Anyway, we continued down the street to the OZ museum, which houses a great and extensive collection of memorabilia. We are now melting in Kansas City, 99 today. We went to The Steamboat Arabia Museum, a Steamboat that sunk in 1856 with a full load of general merchandise for store's along the Missouri River that wasn't delivered...fascinating. We're on our way to St. Louis...and with the sweltering weather, we are going to the arch and will continue home...We are ready !!!

Montana

Michelle's View

Our View of the Beartooth

Had exquisite weather for our 2 day riding trip. We started in Red Lodge,Montana to ride the Beartooth Hwy. Overnighted in Gardiner, the town at the North end of Yellowstone. Had a great return ride, very green, lots of farms, silos, cows and horses....the country is beautiful. Tomorrow we're on our way toward Kansas City on our way back.

Mammoth Sulfur Springs, Yellowstone

Lewiston, ID Snake River

Had a relaxing couple of days in Lewiston, ID. Got into town, walked around(not much of a walking town, did a little antiquing, then dinner. Turned Eddie on to Indian Food and amazingly he liked it ! Next day movie and Thai Food, YUM. Went on the Snake River cruise today into the gorge. We were able to see Idaho, Oregon and Washington all at the same time (well the mountains of those states) as we were traveling the river. Hit some rapids (it was an aluminum boat not raft)and had a little rain and got a little wet! Had a great time. Off to Missoula, MT and making our way home.

Walla Walla, WA

Drove through the Washington state wine country into more wine country in Walla Walla. Stopped to see "Super 8" at the movies and when we got out people we parked (tailgate style with chairs and popcorn from the theater) ready for the fireworks to begin. We had our essentials available....a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio (always at least one in the cooler) 1/2 a Reuben sandwich from lunch(which now became dinner) and Paul Newman organic Fig newtons (usual travel/snack food now transformed into tonights 4th of July dessert). GREAT fireworks show, thanx Walla Walla and now resting in our new favorite hotel....Best Western. Wine tasting tomorrow and.....we'll keep you posted.

Mt Rainier

Stayed at the best Best Western last night...great bed, jacuzzi and pool. Had our leftover dinner in the movie theatre and saw Larry Crowne...very cute...not an academy award winner, but entertaining...how can you go wrong with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts? Will post pics later of our day in Rainier.

Olympic Natl Park

Went to Port Townsend, WA great little town w/lots of good art galleries (didn't buy anything !) and then on to Port Angeles for base camp for motorcycle ride into Olympic Natl Park. Drove up to Hurricane Ridge (that's what's behind me in the picture) and had a great Thai meal that night. Next day Took the motorcycle up another way through the park to the beach and had a nice lunch on the water. Took the bike back to the hotel and did a yummy wine tasting and another yummy dinner.

Seattle

Stayed over in Bremerton, WA in a room with a harbor view. Not much going on here except the Naval shipyard, however the ferry to Seattle is just outside our hotel, so off we went. Spent the day went to Pike Place Market (so much stuff it is fun and overwhelming) and Chinatown for Chinese food, yeah ! and had a blast.

Portland, OR

WOW, visited Lori, my best friend from High School and her husband Mark and stayed at their beautiful home for a wonderful visit and YUMMY home cooked meal, just 5 miles from downtown. We went to the Portland museum (because we are museum people after all)...great car exhibit, saw a Duesenburg, Tucker, Pace Arrow to name a few. Pictured is the Plymouth Explorer, didn't even know this car existed ! Visited the famous Grilled Cheese Grill where we had, of course a grilled swiss cheese mushroom and turkey sandwich with the mandatory (if you choose to order...) cup of tomato soup (as they say....what would you dip your grilled cheese in, if not a cup of tomato soup?)Had a great time and are staying in Bremerton, OR, not the best place to stay, but we are at a Hampton Inn (really comfy beds !!!) and the ferry is just outside our hotel to Seattle. We plan to ride the motorcycle the next couple of days, weather permitting....TBA

Wine Tasting

Left Pendleton and visited a couple of wineries. 1st one was Maryhill(recommended by my best friend from High School, who we are going to visit in Portland)....beautiful, good wines and a great summer concert series that I'm bummed we won't be around to go to....Styx and YES, Michael McDonald to mention a couple. We then went to a winery I found that was rated 5 stars....What a story...we went into the mountains a ways then up a long gravel road (fearful we wouldn't be able to turn around with the motorcycle trailer once we got up there.....but alas we could. We proceeded to have a fun tasting at this funky place and I ended up bottling, corking and foiling my own bottle of Port, what a fun, unique and great experience.

Pendleton, OR moving toward Portland

Went to this town on the way to Portland....Went to an old established saloon/hotel for a great dinner. In the morning took a tour of the original Pendleton Wool Factory then, Eddie found this interesting tour called "Underground Tours" turns out there were these tunnels carved out by Chinese people under established bldgs who were hired by the merchants of the town, to stop outlaws from stealing merchandise when it arrived at the station. Anyway, totally worthy tour....very interesting and a little creepy.

Boise

Great time in Boise. Drove by this amazing oldest synagogue west of the Mississippi. Saw an amazing art exhibit at BAM (Boise Art Museum) artistic versions/interpretations of shoes....way cool. Boise is a nice town, who knew?

The synagogue's wood-shingled 1896 building blends two architecture styles popular with turn-of-the-century Jewish congregations. The exterior is in mainly in the popular Rundbogenstil style, though the tall windows flanking the large, rose window are in the form of Horseshoe arches. This Moorish Revival detail continues on the inside, where the Barrel-vaulted ceiling is supported by Horseshoe-archs. The architect described the building as designed in a modern Moorish style.[5]

from Jackson Hole, WY to Twin Falls Idaho

Wow, had a great day today ! Had breakfast and went to the few art galleries we missed the day before in Jackson Hole then drove through beautiful green expanses and mountains (still snow on them) to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho...what a fantastic hike through the volcanic rock. We could see the rolls of lava movement, now black rock.....very cool. Pretty little magenta, yellow, purple and white flowers scattered about the black volcanic rock landscape. We went on a hike which ended at a volcanic rock cave that we hiked down into and out of...WAY COOL hike !!! We will go from Twin Falls tomorrow morning and
onto Boise which looks like a cute little downtown and we understand there is a synagogue to see there (AhavathBethIsraelSynagogue5866.jpg‎)

What's up in your world....send us emails or comment on our blog and let us know how you are.

Grand Tetons/Jackson Hole, Wy

Had a beautiful ride from Yellowstone, through the Grand Tetons to just past Jackson Hole...overnighted just outside of J.H. and then spent the day going to several art galleries and stores. Went to a great local brewery for lunch......should have gone for dinner, but ventured out to another place....got one meal comped....but that's what it is traveling....not every experience is perfect. Nice weather today, so it was great to walk around. Off to Crater National park tomorrow and working our way to Portland, OR to visit my best friend from High School.

off to Jackson Hole, WY

Had beautiful weather today and took the motorcycle out for yet another wonderful ride. Off to Jackson tomorrow for the next couple of days. Really enjoyed being in West Yellowstone really cute town.

Yellowstone Natl Park

WOW, great day driving in Yellowstone. Had dinner and shopped. Enjoyed the town more than Cody,WY. On the bike tomorrow for a nice ride around.

Mr. Buffalo walking in the middle of the street, they always have the right of way, it's their turf, after all.

Cody, Wyoming

Went to The Buffalo Bill Historical Center...Amazing !!! Had many sections...Whitney museum of Indian artwork including oils, bronze sculpture and contemporary pieces too. They did a really great job on the exhibits. There are other sections dedicated to The Plains Indians and their culture, Guns from the very beginning of gun manufacturing to today, including Teddy Roosevelt's gun, in fact several presidents had guns made for them including Kennedy and Johnson, also a complete section on Buffalo Bill. We spent several hours there and had a great time. Overnighted and left for Yellowstone in the morning.

in Thermopolis, WY

overnighted in Worland, WY from Deadwood, nothing to speak of..but beds were comfy. Arrived in Thermopolis, WY....largest hot springs etc....Went to the state park for a free soak, very friendly and great pools. Also experienced the WY Dinosaur museum, which had a lot of authentic dinosaurs and great information. Then we went to see the petrogliphs....very cool..... 10,000 yrs old. Will include pics later. This 'funky' 1949 'updated' motel, called The Rainbow Motel, has kinda slow internet.

Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Beautiful clear warm weather today, perfect for our long ride from Deadwood to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. It's great to go to places I've heard of (Eddie's been) and to see them in person, up close......quite marvelous. So much history and information....pretty fascinating. Today we go to Spearfish where there are a couple of really great hikes we heard about from a local merchant.

On our way to Deadwood

Today was a driving day. We stopped in La Crosse, WI for lunch and to see the town. Drove along the Mississippi River...very big ! Stopped in a town to overnight and now we are on our way to Deadwood, S.D. The weather is rainy, looks like we are only going to be able to get on the bike in this area on Wednesday, we'll see. There are plenty of other biking opportunities coming up.

Day 5

Tomorrow we leave to go toward Deadwood, South Dakota.

Went to The House on the Rock yesterday....amazing collection of "stuff". The actual house is dark with all of these little dark alcoves for sitting. Then there's his collection housed in several rooms in 2 other buildings. The guy, Alex Jordan, was obsessed with collecting and adding to the house.

Today was Frank Lloyd Wright Day doing the estate tour (4 + hrs) touring the grounds from the children's school to the actual house. What an amazing and talented man. The house is fascinating and the style we absolutely love. The influences of Asian art is throughout the property.

We have now expanded our travel scope, in general, from museums, landmarks and presidential libraries, to now include any Frank Lloyd Wright property or commissioned property, i.e. the Johnson Wax building in Racine, WI and Taliesin West in Arizona. We will be planning another driving trip to include those and more. Back to this trip.....

Day 4 Milwaukee,WI

Left Chicago......stopped at the famous Original Walker Brother's,known for their deep dish apple pancake, yum yum ! From there we went to the Harley Davidson museum. We loved it ! Totally worth the trip there. Stayed in Madison, Wi where it rained allnight. Much cooler than the 95degree weather we had in Chicago. On our way to Spring Green,Wi to The House on the Rock and Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin. We're looking for cheese...it's very green here.
Pics will be added. Couldn't get connected to the internet last night.

Day 3 still in Chicago

Took the train to downtown Chicago and spent all day at the Art Institute. Last time I was there it went on forever and it did again, though we were in the new bldg and I didn't even realize we were in the new bldg till the end of the day. Then went to Lou Malnati famous deep dish pizza and it was worthy. Totally exhausted by the end of the day. Off to Milwaukee today to the Harley museum and then driving tonight toward Spring Green for another Frank Lloyd Wright experience.

2nd Day Chicago

We went to the Frank Lloyd Wright house/studio tour today and walked around the Oak Park neighborhood. Also went to the Unity Temple that he also designed. Having dinner in this area. Tomorrow, The Art Institute and roaming around downtown Chicago. We may do a lake/dinner boat ride, haven't decided yet.

To Chicago

Off to Chicago for 2 days to see The Art Institute and go to Oak Park to see Frank Lloyd's houseand a neighborhood of his houses.

First night in Lafayette,IN. Tomorrow we're going to work out in the morning
and then get in the car and go to The windy city to The Art Institute (Chicago).

Driving to Cinncinati then to Indianapolis.

Wanted to include a picture of my feet, manicured toesies and all,but I can't figure out how to post it from my phone.....ugh !

On The Road

We finally made it out of the house at 10 ish this morning,yeah !!! We're on the 40 going toward Knoxville,TN.

Departure Date

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NEWS FLASH ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

M & Ed leaving early morning June 6, 2011.

Stay tuned.........

 

Getting Ready

Today is Eddie's 64th Birthday yeah....and to celebrate he is installing a full  landscape drip system !
I've got stuff organized in different areas of the house getting prepared to pack it all up.  We are working on the itinerary and it looks like we'll be gone at least 6 weeks.  We're really excited.