Happy Road Wanderings

Roaming around the country is fun.   You might ask, why is it fun?  Well, first I would say you have to LIKE driving.  Not sure where I got my passion for driving but I LOVE it!  I don't tire of wondering where I'll go next.   In the spring of this year I was fortunate to drive from Illinois east to Rhode Island.  South to Georgia, West to Texas and then north to Illinois.

Over the summer I enjoyed a road trip from Illinois to Colorado, north to Washington State and then east to Illinois.  I was curious about the number of miles this involved so I started to track the miles.  To my surprise, the total miles came to 11,458!  Now, the last couple of thousand miles I can't claim I drove myself, as I was sharing an RV trip.  But I was the driver part of the time.  And, regardless - can you imagine traveling 11,458 miles on the road in the first half of a year?

Well, I can - and I did.  And you know what?  I'm ready to do it again!  Yup.  Again.  The last road trip traveling from Washington state to Illinois was not a relaxing trip.  There was a schedule.  Things were waiting for me in Illinois and in Rhode Island.  I needed to get back.  And along the way in the rush to drive east, there were so many small towns that I wanted to stop and explore.  I promised myself there would be another road trip.  A trip when I wouldn't have a schedule, when I could wander thru towns, relax, travel small country roads, enjoy more local culture and history and just smell the roses!

I got side tracked here.  The point I wanted to make in this post was how much I absolutely LOVE seeing friends and family along the way when I travel.   On the road from Colorado to Washington our drive took us thru Salt Lake City.  My sister Gail's son, Jess, lives in Salt Lake City.  I never met his wife, Sarah.  And I knew Jess and Sarah had two daughters Sophie and Maya.  From the day I started thinking and planning this trip I hoped I would be able to see Jess again and meet his family.  What a thrill it was to arrive in Salt Lake City to meet them.  We met for dinner - even tho it was a little late and I know Jess and Sarah are VERY busy parents with a new baby!

Sweet baby Jonah James McCarron

Jess and me

Jess, Sarah, Maya, Sophie and baby Jonah McCarron!  Love, Love, Love!!!!

For me, this is one of the thrills of my travel. I hear the call of the open road all the time. I'm so thankful to have incredible family and friends to enjoy on my adventures!

Thank you to Jess and Sarah for a fantastic visit. I hope our paths cross again - soon! You can be sure if I travel thru Utah again you'll hear from me wondering if we can enjoy another visit!  I loved meeting Sarah and enjoyed my visit with Sophie and Maya!  

A Wedding AND visit to Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beautiful bride and her parents

The Chapel

Let the party begin!

This guy is the next groom and lovely lady is the next bride!

Arriving in to Beaver Creek

The drive from Denver to Beaver Creek on Route 70 is not a long drive - but it's going over mountains and thru tunnels and thru the Rocky Mountains.  It's an absolutely gorgeous drive!  

Paul and Diana were married in a lovely mountain chapel.  The reception was in "Beano's" Cabin, in the Beaver Creek Resort - which is accessible by the Beaver Creek shuttle.  We were escorted from hotel to church to reception and back to hotel by bus shuttles.  It was nice NOT to drive and figure out where places were and where to park.

Andrew was best man for his friend Paul, and he did an amazing job with his prepared speech.  Dancing followed dinner and a great time was had by all.  

THE Campout - W O W - Sumas, Washington

Entering a little piece of heaven!

This is a working ranch! How lucky to be invited to spend a week and enjoy the Hammer family "Campout."  Don's daughter, Geri - and her significant other, Shawn - welcomed us and helped us feel right at home with all the Hammer friends and family.  This is a yearly event in August, rain or shine.  The family plans and prepares and cooks and cleans up.  There are tents, fifth wheel trailers, pop up tents, and a few RV buses!  We had full hookups at our site, there are showers and toilets available for folks that simply arrive with a tent.  It is an absolutely gorgeous site, maintained and groomed to perfection!  We had no idea what the week would be like.  We were so excited when we drove down the driveway and saw where we would be parking for the week!  Truly, this property is a little piece of paradise!  

In our RV, we had windows open each night, lots of fresh air, sunshine and best of all - no internet or phones every day!  These pictures tell the story of our fantastic visit in the woods.  We enjoyed every minute of every day!

First morning Shawn cooked breakfast in the camp kitchen.

This is the "dining room" or picnic area on the property.

Another view of the picnic area with tables nestled all around.

Great swings for swinging to the sky!

Kiddos were well taken care of on the property with lots of choices for play areas!

Yes, a REAL boat in the play yard...adventures await!

This driveway leads up to the top of the hill, to the home of Jerry and Lurline Hammer.

Shawn and Geri (Don's daughter) will build their ranch home on this site.  This is their little cabin at the top of the hill.


This is one of the highest points at the ranch.  There actually is a cellphone signal here...and you could get in touch with someone if you really needed to.  This little building has the most incredible view of the mountains and on a clear day you can see mountain tops in Canada!

Jerry has antique tractors and vehicles along the entryway.

Welcome....

As you enter the property this is the first pond.

Many, many varieties of trees along the entry road.

Not only were there RV's, many folks arrived and set up tents in the wooded areas.

There were three of us in RV buses.

Saturday, the main day of the weekend Campout, there was a car show.  These are Jerry's cars.

Another view of the eating area.

This pond is complete with slide and rope swing.

A walk up the driveway you see pictured earlier take you to their primary residence.

Geri and I walked around the back of the property and checked out the patios.

Nice view of the Hammer home at the top of the hill.

View from the back patio.

We watched the sun go down following dinner.

More patio areas 

Saturday evening's feast...salmon and cod on the grill, all cooked by friends and family.

All family members get in the act of taking care of the property or helping.

Jerry and Lurline on Saturday afternoon.  Jerry celebrated his 80th birthday!

Wagon rides Saturday for the families.

Fun for kids of all ages! 

Geri's sons, Jordan and Ezra

Saturday afternoon was in full swing with lots of cars and folks attending the Campout.

Another view of the boat "playground"

No fires this weekend - too dry!

The family recognizes Jerry and words of welcome to all.

Shawn's Dad Jerry and his lovely wife Lurline.

Geri's oldest son Brian entertains.

No trip tot he woods would be complete without an excursion in the woods on an ATV.  Shawn escorted us into the wild...and it was an amazing adventure!