Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A delightful find at Jamestown, ND

2009-08-13 - MN - On the Road-3 Back on the road, we were passing through farmlands, when we began seeing fields of sunflowers, acres and acres of golden blooms.

The grass grows so abundantly in North Dakota that even the right of ways are baled after mowing.2009-08-13 - ND - On the Road-2

2009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-20We stopped for the night in Jamestown at the Frontier Village Campground.  The combination office, gift shop and bar looks like it could have been located on the original Route 66.

A sign proclaimed “Feed the Buffalo Out Back – 50 cents”.  The attendant told us of a wildlife museum ‘out back’ also – ‘Free’.  With the outside temperature at 95 degrees, we decided to wait until later to explore the wonders ‘out back’.

When we did walk around after dinner, we were surprised at the work that had gone into the Wildlife Museum.  The displays were quite well done.2009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-232009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-24 2009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-25 2009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-29 We then decided to venture on to the “Frontier Village” a few blocks up the street.  At 7 p.m., we knew they would not be open, but thought the walk would be good for us.  To our surprise, the Village was not only open, but was hosting a live concert. (The music turned out to be rock, and would have appealed more to our grandchildren, so we didn’t listen long before moving on into the village.2009-08-13 - ND, Jamestown - Frontier Village-34 The museum village was amazing and a tribute to the town’s people.  The buildings were all furnished, many of them completely open to the public with no barriers.  We were amazed that they don’t seem concerned with theft.  We spent quite a while browsing the various buildings, and wishing we had gone earlier (attendants in period costumes roam the village during daytime hours).

Also in the village is the world’s largest buffalo, standing 26 feet high and measuring 46 feet long (he was erected in 1959).  At the end of the village is the National Buffalo Museum (also closed by the time we got there).  The adjoining field and ravine houses a herd of 30 or so bison, famous for its three albinos.  A white buffalo is quite a rarity, and is considered sacred by the Native Americans.  The day was still so warm, none of the bison were roaming about, but as we sat and watched, we caught a glimpse of the largest white buffalo, White Cloud.

For a slideshow of the village, click on the photo:slideshow start

Jamestown

For more on Jamestown, ND, CLICK HERE

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