update Oct-Dec 2013 Travels with Gary and Kay

October 2013,  we left for Minnesota to be with Gary’s brother, Michael and attend his exchange of vows with his partner, Chuck Crank.  We also got to see my brother, Darwin, his wife Sharon and their children Nichole and Troy.  Troy has a new baby girl, Eleanor who was born Aug 2013, Troy & his wife, KaraLynn have an older daughter, Evelyn Grace and all 4 of them were at Darwin’s house to.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Nichole’s 3 little daughters, could be we may need to do another Minnesota trip.  (so now we have 3 of the 4 Hemmer babies visited)…it may be next winter before we see the 4^th  new Hemmer baby, LUCY,  in Missoula, MT born to Travis and Jolene Linneman;  Travis is my sister, Michele’s son and her hubby Dennis). 

In Minnesota my two cousins, Vonnie and Lois, reside close to Mpls too, & we scheduled a nice afternoon visit.  These girls are Aunt Jen & Uncle Vearl’s daughters, both have passed away.  Jen was one of my dad’s sisters.  We had a nice memory trip with Vonnie and Lois and got reacquainted with their family and lives.  They are cousins my sister, Sandy & I would stay Uncle Vearl & Aunt Jen as per a ‘vacation’ when we wanted to get ‘off the farm’ I guess, and we always had a lot of fun times hanging out with them. Next time to Minnesota we need to visit with 2 more nephews, & 3 nieces.  We also need to do the St Paul STATE CAPITAL. 

The weather is promising to turn cold so ON THE ROAD AGAIN…this time a STATE CAPITAL in Madison, Wisconsin and on the way thru we stopped at a ‘HOUSE OF THE ROCKS’ attraction.  What a talented man, Alex Jordan, was architecturally, along with his musical ability & then there is his eclectic collections.  Onto to the Springfield, Illinois area to tour the STATE CAPITAL, & the LINCOLN PRESIDENTAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM & the LINCOLN HOME that he and his wife, Mary Todd, & their children lived for 17 years & just before he lived in the White House.   We walked the streets where his Law Office was in the downtown area.  Springfield has done a great job of preserving history, so a Historical Walking Tour was grand, it is one of favorite touring treats.  ABE LINCOLN’S TOMBSTONE, with his wife, is a huge sphere granite monument with an Arkansas Marble Hallway that leads to the enclosed VAULT of Lincoln’s Body, in the Springfield, IL cemetery.  It is massive long hallway into the area where LINCOLN’S VAULT is, and his wife and children have their burial vaults too, they just have plain limestone slabs, and then around the corner another long hallway to get out (like a horseshoe walkway).

Next is Indianapolis, Indiana & another STATE CAPITAL off the bucket list, the next STATE CAPITAL is in Frankfort, Kentucky, in Frankfort we also toured the BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY and learned how they make the good, better, & best levels of BOURBON. They never use the same OAK BARRELL Twice, like I assume other distilleries do.  The bourbon taste is acquired from whatever the temperature of that batch is, and the 3 concoctions are determine by the 3 price levels.  Since Gary and I are not bourbon drinkers, we were kind of surprised how tasty this bourbon was.  Nice tour for us as we have only toured a Coors Beer Brewery in Golden, Colorado.  Hey there is a Budweiser Distillery here in Jacksonville, we might have to think about.

Next STATE CAPITAL is in KNOXVILLE, TN where we also enjoyed another Historical Walking Tour, & where we entered the WVDX Radio Station at the Visitor Center and saw and heard local bands performing for this radio station, which is something called the Blue Plate Special that occurs weekly. We were privileged to have heard two bands, one was superb.  In 1982 the World’s Fair was held in Knoxville, so we continued our walking tour from the city market streets to view the remnants of this Park. There is a huge GOLDEN GLOBE with an elevator,that was part of this World’s here was the history posters of the World’s Fair & where you could view the town of Knoxville from this Globe.  We were lucky to be here during a most attractive Fall Foliage view once again, as through our entire drive we have enjoyed the fall foliage as driving south the weather gets a bit warmer too.

 

In the Smokey Mountain area & by touring this most magnificent Museum the Mountain Museum of Appalachia’, we learned a lot about the most talented mountain pioneers of the 1800’s. The best part was the preservation of cabins dating back to the 1800’s, and has grown into a collection of historical musical instruments and clothing items or tools that were hand made by the mountain families, that also date back to the 1800’s.  The pioneers even made musical instruments & etc. out of gourds. They were the most talented people of any Era in my eyes, and many thanks to

Those who preserved these items. Many musical artists I had never heard of were here, but the many displays let you know of their musical talents…UNCLE DAVE MACON ‘grandfather of Country Music’.(1872-1952), his motto…”only a Gibson is good enough”...was one of 100’s of them.  Couldn’t help think how much my Dad would have so enjoyed that quote, and all of the instruments displayed.   It is also a museum of the various artists of the 1900-2000 era too, to which their instruments and clothing articles are displayed. Many cabins are preserved here, and some collected from around the mountainous area of this 3-5 state region.  There is the dirt floor cabin that belonged to Daniel Boone, and also some fine 2 story cabins with verandas, along with the work buildings of the blacksmith, loom making, dairy barns, school and church cabins also.  Like I said it is a very historical & magnificent site to see and a must see to you all, Sandy and Wayne will attest to this fact.  It is in Norris, TN.

 On the Road Again to Pigeon Forge, TN to see a grand Christmas Musical, great and talented performers, with a variety of routines, & they used live animals (camels, donkeys ,birds) also.  A local Pigeon Forge couple sat next to us, and said it is the best Christmas or Smokey Mountain Opry of them all, and they have never miss it since they moved there 11 years ago.  We were near Gatlinburg, TN & so got to do another historical walking tour, which took us to a site where the Moonshine is made, you can actually belly up to the bar to try the many flavors (besides White Lightening) that are concocted on this site.  Of course, we had to purchase some to share with all of you when we get back to SD to our family & friends. There were live & talented mountain music bands, they even had about 50-75 rocking chairs to sit on in this outdoor theatre. Farther down the road was an entire 5 block area of Art & Craft shops.  Got to see a fella carve a Dulcimer, and thought of my friend, Sherril, who owns & plays a couple of them.  I had never heard of them, until I was at her house & she showed us what they were. If we had not seen her dulcimer’s we would not have known what those instruments were in the Appalachia Museum.  The fella who was making them, demonstrated the difference between a $300 to a $1500 one also.

On the Road Again to North Carolina, to view the Blue Ridge Mountains, and go to Asheville to tour the BILTMORE ESTATE.  It is probably more grandeur than the White House or Vatican, it is an American Masterpiece.  It is built in the Blue Ridge Mtns just right, so you can wander from room to room to view those mountains, with a variety of height-colors-trees-waterways. George Vanderbilt family loved to travel, and has treasures on display from England, Italy, France, & Asia.  The first Christmas Eve was 1895, & since Mr. Vanderbilt took pride in showing his home to others, he entertained many famous artists & even the neighborhood children.  His great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr. says “guests remain a central part of the estate today, and thus keep alive the pleasure of entertaining, and the preservation of the historical mountains and land as a working private plantation estate & enterprise”.  As a tourist, we are so glad they have these open house events, and because of its massive size and grandeur, I assume it is the only way dollar wise to preserve it too.

 It was at this time, we decided we wanted to go to Myrtle Beach, SC so that meant we would not be driving north to tour the State Capital in Raleigh, NC. (We have yet to tour the far NE area, or as per Virginia, Washington DC, & New York… so we may have to plan to do it then)

Next STATE CAPITAL is in Columbia, SC, across from it is a Trinity Episcopal Church built in 1812, and we attended mass at the ST PETER’S Catholic Church, built in 1824.  Now in our travels since Sept 2011, we have viewed many artistically magnificent catholic churches, but I must mention that this one had the most fabulous Stations of the Cross.  They have an Opera Theatre in Columbia, and the Choir performed just like an Opera House performance…it was more than AWESOME!!!  Columbia also has the State Museum, which fortunately for us had an Exhibit of King Tut replicas from the Smithsonian Institute, sadly they would not let us take photos or videos of this. 

Myrtle Beach is typical of most beach areas, except it has theatres for musical performers to entertain, when Gary was in basic training at Ft Bragg, NC they took the soldiers to Myrtle Beach and they were able to see the Righteous Brothers.  It was one of the reasons why we had decided on touring the area, of course, all has changed so much, never verified the exact area, where he saw them.  The weather was too chilly for beach enjoyment, but the sun was out and with jackets on and off we did enjoy our long walks on the boardwalks, especially Barefoot Landing, which connected to our RV Park.  No theatre shows because we had spent our money on shows at Pigeon Forge.

In the Southern areas of NC, SC, & GA we toured many of the Museum, Historic Sites, Military Forts, Missions, & Railroad depots/museums & learned more about mountain life of pioneers, Slavery, & Plantation life that allowed those owners of slaves to build marvelous plantation homes.  Learned more in depth history of the American Revolution & Civil Wars, how the coastal towns had to defend themselves with Military Forts from coastal invaders.  Each museum, fort, missions, or railroad depots display some of each or one in particular more than others.  We learned that you cannot assume just because you saw one you have seen enough, each of them are displayed differently, and it is worth touring as many as you can to develop a different opinion of our past histories or learn something completely different .  Some of it what has been preserved or collected in those different areas by prominent citizens or historical figures, or salvaged the items that were not destroyed in the wars or pillages of towns.  Preservation is best, so if enough citizens and money are available it makes a difference. 

At Charleston, SC we toured a planation for the first time in the USA, it was the Boone Hall Plantation. Even though we had viewed many videos, and read lots of historical facts in the museums all through the southern states, about slavery, this plantation was a walking tour of the slave history with individual cabins each had video and posters of explanation of the different part of hardship of daily life as a slave family & how they coped with it thru religion & music.  The plantation home tour was presented by different characters dressed in the attire of that era, and we toured the fields, as they are today, because this is a working farm yet.  (We couldn’t help but remember the planation tour we took in Jamaica a large mansion for the owner, & an open wagon tour thru the plantation fields).

 
The Charleston, SC area is very friendly, but hard to drive around in, because of the long lines of heavy traffic (we think they need new highway revitalization). The Savannah, Georgia area is beautiful, as it is along the Savannah River, and the historical district is along that river...but you actually drove on un-level cobblestone roads, which usually had one way traffic to drive down to the River District, and one way traffic to drive up out of the River District area…worth it as they have a Boardwalk to enjoy the historical sites and the Savannah River-Boat Traffic too. We liked this area & were lucky enough to see large ships with cargo containers getting loaded or unloaded.  Because we were there for the Christmas Seasons, many areas were brightly lit up, they even had a Boat Christmas parade on the River in the River District area.  In the upper town of Savannah it is easier to get around, as the streets are laid out in districts (22 of them with a Park in Each of the Districts) each district tells the history of Savannah, and you can see the many antebellum homes, most still used for businesses or office buildings.  I actually didn’t want to leave Savannah.

Time to get to the warmer weather of Florida, we drove to Jacksonville, and toured the historic towns of St Augustine & Amelia Island.  We will stay here a month or Jan 5^th, then go to Silver Springs, we had been driving & touring daily since Oct 20^th, we are getting old so tire easily, so stay longer in the Florida RV sites to catch up on rest.  We have not toured much as of yet, as it has been time consuming preparing  my Christmas Gift cards to family, this END OF THE YEAR HISTORICAL LETTER, which is sort of like a ‘blog’ should be. 

Our 4 daughters and their families had the Shafer Christmas Gathering, on Dec. 21^st, and all of our Grandchildren were present too, as Nathan flew home from Phoenix, and Amber, who now lives in Rapid City made the trip also.  Brianna is completing her Associate degree in Omaha yet, (graduates June 2014), and made the drive also.  Ashlee is on break from SDSU, and glad those finals are done, she gets a little homesick, and that seems to be her biggest battle with attending college (good she is only a few minutes from home).  Josh is making a career change, resigned from his manager job at K-Mart in Huron, sold his house and is continuing his Business Master Degree in the Sioux Falls area. Angie made a big move from Custer to Brandon/Sioux Falls area, she lives with Dawn & her girls, and got her old job back at the MedVantx in Sioux Falls, and has already been promoted to Inventory Assistant, which of course she likes as they liked her well enough to hire her back & promote her too.  Dawn had a successful hysterectomy in Oct, and has gone back to full time work, still exhausted.  We told her that may last 3-6 months, busy at work, and a busy single mom is exhausting.  Gary and I worry less as Angie and Dawn live together and have each other.  We feel blessed that our four daughters get along so well to make our entire Shafer Family so enjoyable…& a big thanks to their children too… as they do gather together ‘often’ to stay close…special thanks to Rick & Russell for always being there for all 4 of our daughters

posted on Jan 1, 2014   HAPPY NEW YEARS... MAY GOD SHINE HIS ETERNAL LIGHT ON EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU, SO THAT YOU ARE OPEN TO HIM ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME.  MAY EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU HAVE GREAT HEALTH, LOVE TO SHARE, AND A SMILE FOR ALL YOU MEET IN YOUR DAILY LIFE ADVENTURES.    Kay Shafer

 

UPDATE OF OUR TRAVELS...Jan 2013 to Oct 2013 I hope to do a better job of entries on this blog in a more timely matter)

update of Jan-Oct 2013 posted this Jan 1, 2014    I shall try to keep more up to date

We were in the Nashville, TN area about Christmas time in 2012, but when the weather report turned to SNOW & ICE, we left quite briskly to avoid it. At least we were there long enough to attend the Grand Old Opry show and tour its Auditorium/Museum, and to see some of the Christmas lights.  We got to Cartersville, GA (about an hour from Atlanta, GA), but the rain & FOG kept us there for almost an entire week.  When we left Cartersville, we made arrangements to see our nephew, Austin Hemmer (Ron & Laurie’s son), it was short but sweet visit with him and he graciously made time for us to have lunch with him.  He is a busy lawyer, and we gave him such a short notice.  We were able to get one more STATE CAPITAL tour in at Atlanta.  (We just need to do Atlanta again...more to see, and this time give Austin a better notice for an extended visit).

We were so ready for sunshine & so drove way down to Clermont, FL near Orlando.  Toured the Epcot Center, and the Animal Kingdom, & the Kennedy Space Center.  Everyone needs to go to Kennedy Space Center…it will WOW you, on a personal basis liked it better than Disneyworld.   

Our time in Venice, FL as was so beautiful there…especially Sarasota & Longboat Keys area.  We had a reservation for one month at Ft Myers, FL., which we had set up in August, as at that time we were not sure how driving into an RV site without a reservation would work.  It seems the Snow-Bird Season here is slower than the hot summer months.  Basically 10-20 days’ notice to about any RV Park is not a problem, or any of the other states we drove thru to get to FL.  Good for us as then we can bargain hunt, yet don’t have to be at a certain place at a certain time either.  It gives us time to really enjoy each area we like as long as we want, and to get a heads up on certain historical sites that are more important to tour or that we favor more, and rest along the way to enjoy ourselves and not be rushed.

While in the Ft Myers area, we saw Manatee in the Wild, (some mother’s with their babies swimming right by the). And the Edison-Ford Winter Estate. Thomas Edison & Henry Ford had acquired a friendship in about 1911, and when Edison built a winter home with a Laboratory, seemed logical to the two fella’s that Ford should too.  So their houses are next to each other, and they share the beauty of an Ocean site back yard area.  Thomas Edison’s Laboratory looks like he just left it & in the middle of some kind of project.  And the Edison Museum was large, and held many of the items he invented, and it was  knowledgeable too.  The furniture in the winter homes were exact or replicas. 

Gary’s sister, Beckie Beeners & her hubby Keith joined us when we toured the Edison-Ford Winter Estate and we took them to the same site to see the Manatees and got to see more baby ones this time. We learned the Manatee are an endangered species, and part of the eco system, because they are bottom feeders and clean up the waterways.  One of the reasons we stayed in Ft Myers, is because Beckie & Keith have been staying a couple months in the Naples area.  So we ventured to Naples to meet some of their Sioux Falls friends who live in Naples now, and to see their tourist sites also.  We spent our Valentine Day/Evening with them also, & their gracious friends, and enjoyed eating Fresh Fish meals.

Ft Myers and Naples have beautiful beaches, and you can Island hop too. Sanibel Island was the best, as the ocean waves are at your feet & you just bend over to scoop up a variety of seashells, other Islands we toured never compared to Sanibel.  Per<Pine Island, Captiva, and Marco Island>

When we left Ft Myers we drove south to Key West, where we could have drove over some 30-40 causeways (highways over the waterways).  About halfway over them, I was ready to stop.  However, causeways are an amazing ‘Highway to the Seas’ drive to Key West.   Key West had the best of the best SUNSETS right on the harbor area & in a city park called MALLORY SQUARE.  It was here we not only enjoyed a SUNSET like no other (better than my Golden Wall Sunsets of Cedar Resort in Chamberlain), because when this Sunset ‘ Was Done’, everyone stood up and CHEERED’.  And I got it all on my Video Camera, was an awesome feeling and sight.

Key West is where Ernest Hemingway lived for a few years, his studio was part of his home and we toured them both.  The area of Key West has been hit with hurricanes many times, but not this house.  The architect was a ship captain too, & he had the 16” thick Limestone Blocks dug out of the ground right under where the house was built.  You can see part of house in the movie “License to Kill” with James Bond (or google it).  Hemingway had or liked cats, and a lot of them are still roaming this property today (6 toed cats he catered to the most). They even have a veterinarian come in each Wed. to tend to them.  Ready for a cute story of how practical Hemingway was?  He was married to a lady that was the Editor of Vogue or such magazine, she took all the fans out of the home and replaced them with beautiful chandeliers…obviously fans in the hot humid air of FL would be a must.  Then one time when Hemingway was gone to the East part of USA on business, she had a pool installed for approximately $20,000, (lots of money for 1930’s) it was because they had to dig into the coral beds.  His wife tried to surprise him, only it turned out she was ‘The ONE WHO WAS SURPRISED’.  He told her how ridiculous it was to spend money that way, so he gave ’Her His Last Penny’, which he had installed into the cement edge of the pool.  He divorced her then he lived in Cuba and Ketchum, Idaho after that.  After his wife, Pauline, died, Hemingway did return to the home in winter months to avoid the Idaho winters. In Key West you can walk along beautiful Waterfront & Boardwalk areas.

From Key West (yes we had to drive back over all of those 20-30 some bridges) we drove to TALLAHASSEE to meet Josh Swank, who was driving from Huron, SD to meet us there. The three of us toured Two State Capitals, the old one is actually a Museum now…looks more like most State Capitals that imitate the Presidential Capital with a dome.  The new State Capital is more like our modern churches, which are mostly metal or resin products…very little limestone or granite or brick products. 

At Tallahassee, FL there was a Mission called San Luis, which transports you back to 1703. It is where the Appalachia Indians and the newcomers from Spain lived together. There are people demonstrating the way of pioneer life, per blacksmith, fire makers, basket weavers, etc. etc. At the fort they have there is where the military people lived, we (Josh-Gary & I) got to do an Archery Practice.  Now Grandpa and Grandma understand why Samantha wanted an Archery Bow-Arrows for her Birthday Last year.  (However, it could be some of the new movies who inspired Sammie).

Next is Pensacola, FL…and because we stayed at the RV Park on Gulf Breeze island, we again drove on causeways, and a 17 mile stretch of white sand/beaches.  Josh’s first question was ‘who wants to do a Sunrise on the white sand beach’?  Grandma Kay did, and Grandpa Gary stayed in bed as he knew he could later view the beautiful photos and videos we had acquired. While Josh is still here we toured the National Naval Aviation Museum, which was established close to 1955 at 8500 square foot, was so well appreciated by the public, and in several phases through the years it is currently a 291,000 square foot building full of historical planes, some have been salvaged, and it gives you the knowledge of planes that take off on ships decks, plus a background of Space ships.  The museum is considered to be the leading tourist attraction between Orlando and & New Orleans, it is said to inspire the aviation careers for those in this field.  Pensacola is also home to the Blue Angels, which we did see once from a distance only.  

We also have a niece, Jennifer Theriot (my sister, Marlene Mennenga’s daughter) & her family who live in Pensacola. Jen is married to Donnie and they have a son, Daniel & a daughter Angelle.  We met Donnie’s parents, who are very cordial & treat Jen like a daughter, and participate in playful games with the grandkids.  We were lucky to attend one of Daniel’s baseball games, Daniel is a quite a talented Pitcher.  We believe he could make a career of it, or at least vie for a scholarship in his future.

Onto New Orleans before heading home to our SD family & friends. At this RV site they had a shuttle bus that took us to the downtown French Quarters, & brought us back too.  So we went almost every day when the weather was good enough to walk around.  A Horse & Carriage tour was quite informative & enjoyable, and of course, I had my video camera on to take it all in.  The St Louis Cathedral was oh so ‘grand’, now we have seen many grand churches in our travels, but this particular one had a balcony all around the church and paintings on the ceiling above each balcony division, plus they had preserved more of the original Altar area of the past than most of our updated churches have.  In New Orleans the Louisiana State Museum resides next to the Cathedral, and outside there are always musicians sharing their talents, and people actually do dance in the street too…cute ones were the children.  We didn’t quite get the 2^nd building of the State Museum toured, as it was time to board the shuttle bus.  The entire time we were at New Orleans, Kim kept texting us to say that more snow was predicted for SD, so we stayed longer than planned…just so much to see in New Orleans, so not a problem.  Jen & Don have a condo right in the French Quarters area…so maybe we can get some of our friends or relatives to return with us next time. 

On the way home to SD we had planned to go to Vicksburg, MS to tour the Civil War Site, but a flooded river up north sent enough water that the barges in St Louis floated down and knocked out the Vicksburg bridge.  So our trip home was now through the Kansas & Nebraska way.  Don’t know what happened to my mind, I completely forgot that we had a niece, Myssi Gerber (my brother, Warren & Deb’s daughter) living in Kansas, so I messed up and didn’t get to visit with them.  Sorry, Myssi, Brady, Maddie & Aurora, you can bet that will never happen again.  I sort of believe we had missed our SD family and friends so much, couldn’t drive fast enough to get home to them.  Besides State Capital’s we have intensions to visit with as many of our ‘nieces, nephews, and cousins & siblings’ as we travel…you could say that is most of our bucket list.

The Shafer Easter Celebration was held at Tammy & Russell’s house, and Gram Norma Shafer could be there too.  We did a Skype with her and the kids too.  Norma was ‘so cute’ as she kept getting closer and closer to Tammy’s computer screen as if she couldn’t see Gary, and I thought she might be having troubles seeing us so I got closer, and she asked me ‘to get away’.  Norma got close to the screen because she wanted to give Gary a ‘kiss’.  Gosh it warmed our hearts and a tear of love appears.  It was at this time I could see our daughters move away from the screen so we couldn’t see those happy tears, and she told Gary he was so dark he looked like a Black Man.  Now we all had a LOL moment.  Yup and the big kids still have egg hunts too.

So what was left of April, thru to the end of September, we basically stayed in the Sioux Falls/Brandon & Mitchell area, but did our usual camping and boating at Chamberlain (another home away from home). 

In June we drove our Motorhome to Jessica Hemmer’s & Craig Harney’s Wedding in Loveland, Colorado.  We took our friend, Carol Krcil, with us, as she has a son and family who live in the Denver area.  The 12 Hemmer siblings were all in attendance, so the Wedding Rehearsal was at Bruce and Denise’s house, & we were all able to be together that afternoon & evening. Thanks Bruce & Denise for entertaining us, it was so nice to all be together, and especially to be with your children and grandchildren.  You are all blessed to have those instant 3 grandkids of Craig’s too.  Also to reacquaint ourselves with Shannon & Tonia’s grandchildren also. The Wedding the next day was an outdoor one for both the ceremony & dance too, & at an area where you could see the mountains in the background, plus the weather could not have been better.  Got to spend more quality time with them this time too. We all had a super time, and especially when we had a couple of wedding `crashers’…Pam, Brenda & Jay, & to see our brother, Denny dance almost all the dances was very rewarding…too thanks Denny.   

Summertime at Chamberlain’s Cedar Resort campground is still an ongoing place we spend as much time there as we can so our 4 daughters and their family can come and go often, thus why my reference to ‘home away from home’.  We always do our Hart Ranch Black Hills stay, this time Bies’s (Tammy-Russell-Brianna) decided to do vacation with us too, and so did Josh Swank. We also go to Brandon’s RV Park, as 3 of our daughters live in that area along with being closer to Gary’s Mom, Norma, who is in assisted living in the Tea area. In Sept we had a Special Weekend with our 4 daughters so we could have Gram Norma with us at the RV Park.  We celebrated Dawn’s Birthday and Our Wedding Anniversary at the same time. My sister, Sandy & her hubby, Wayne were there to be with us.   My baby brother, Jim is a new grandpa, so Jim and his daughter, Ally with her baby girl, Natally Rose, stopped by to be with us too.  Well Sandy and I still had a new Hemmer baby to see, Dusty & Anna Walraven, son Baby Leo (Dusty is the son of my baby sister, JoAnn-hubby Don) live in the Sioux Falls area, and yes we got to see them also.  (2013 Four Hemmer babies were born in 2013…so now have 2 out of 4 off our bucket list).  It was a memorable weekend for sure.  SEPTEMBER 2013 TRAVELS...WATCH FOR MORE...NEXT POST   by Kay Shafer

update of Dec 2012

In December 2012, we were in the Memphis area tours of Elvis Presley’s, Graceland, Beale Street, a Rock n Soul Museum, & a Pink Palace Museum, also allowed for us to be with a special high school classmate and her hubby a couple of times, Sherril (Hohn) Blair & Jim. They live in the cute town Germantown where we parked our RV thanks to Jim who located it for us.  They said it was much safer to stay at this RV instead of inside the Memphis area.  What a large & beautiful home they have too, and since there is about anything in the way of shopping and excitement in Germantown/Collierville, we now understand why Sherril says they hardly ever go outside their zip code area in Tennessee.

 

As I had mentioned we are in the Nashville area, an RV Park in Goodlettsville, TN & plan to be here thru the Christmas Day or so.

Dec 2012 on the Road Again with Gary & Kay Shafer

Dec 8, 2012 We arrived near Memphis, at Germantown...a bit southeast of Memphis about 20 some minutes.  We shall be here at least a week.  We were advised by our friends, Sherril (Hohn) Blair, & her hubby, Jim Not to Stay in the Graceland RV park even though it was gated and had security guards.  We don't usually roam too much in the evenings, unless it is a show or such, but we were warned by them and some other RV's here at this park to not wander after dark in Memphis...to dangerous.  Guess the beggars come out in droves...even keep security guards in their Pizza Restuarants Nick Jefferis told us.  Oh Dear.!!!  However evryone thus far have said to do our touring and consider it safe

Will keep you posted.   Be sure to acknowledge if you go on site so I know that this is working.   Kay

Shafer's Dec 4, 2012 in Little Rock, Arkansas

12-4-12

It seems I am getting slower at my Blog entries....haven't entered any newsy updates since Dec 2011, when we had left for Chandler, AZ for Nathan Bies's graduation from The Virginia Golf Academy.  If I tried to clarify where we have been since then...it would be pages....(so won't yet...maybe some in my historical Christmas letter)

Nov 19, 2012 Jeremy Swank married Hannah Beaton in Mitchell, SD.  Jeremy is the 2nd son of Kim (Shafer) and Rick Swank.  It was a beautiful wedding....Kim has entered facebook wedding photos if yu wish to view.

We left Mitchell Nov 20, 2012 and drove to Branson, Missouri....attended one show The Haygoods in the RDTV Theatre.  Went to the Stone Hill Winery and learned a bit about how they prepare the wine, the best part was when they showed us how they cork the spumante as the bubbles would cause it to explode if they didn't put the wire rack on it.  They showed both..and then drank samples of wine.  It was all free, and we enjoyed viewing the demonstration of the Old 100 Year Old OVAL Barrels..AS THIS SITE they manufacture some of their wines grown in the Missouri area fields. 

from there we drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas on the Scenic Hwy 7 thru the Ozark Mountains, and the Quapaw Mountains.  It was similar to a zigzag mountain area for miles and what we view in the Black Hills in the Fall when the leaves fall off the Trees.  There are Evergreens and Red Oak Trees  with their goldish/red leaves still on their trees...more leafless trees.  I will say...with the Motorhome...& car in tow...wouldn't do it again...possibly could have seen enough of the Ozark/Quapaw Mtns on the main highways/interstate.

Hot Springs was very Historical and we enjoyed it.  They have preseved the Bathhouse Row with Hot Springs Mineral baths and we found the Quapaw Bathhouse our choice...it had a large whirlpool tub....  It was nice, but the best part was the Mountain Oberservation Tower up at 1296 feet, which overlooked all of Hot Springs, and gave a tribute the the fact that Bill Clinton attended high school there and graduated in 1964...same year as Gary and I did.  We had eaten at McClards Rib Shack...(shack it was...we almost didn't go in...so quaint), but it was great place to eat Ribs and had been highly rated.  It was at this Observatory that we learned it was THE PLACE THAT CLINTON ALWAYS ATE AT...when he was in town.  He even had his favorite waitress...wished we had known we would have looked for her.  It was then we remembered the signed 8x10 of Clinton on the wall...

We drove to Eureka Springs,  AR the best of the best historical towns in this area.  We toured an Historical CRESCENT Motel..ALL 5 Stories...on top of a hill, walked thru the main historical district...drove the narrow streets to view large Victorian Home.  Beckie (Shafer) Beeners, and Keith recommended this to us...we would also recommend it to everyone who ventures near.

We then drove to Little Rock, Arkansas will head for Memphis on Friday Dec 7th, 2012  . They have an Eric Church concert here so we decided to get tickets and go on Thurs nite. 

Our RV Park is beautiful right by the Arkansas River...6 bridges. We walk across the bridges (1100 steps..yes we have a pedometer)...each day we Total about 7000 steps as we walk from her to tour at the River Market area and visit Museums.  It some ways it reminds us of Cedar Shore RV resort in Chamberlain, SD...water and evening lighting across the water...just more buildings..tall ones too. 

Yesterday we saw the Clinton Presidental Library...awesome. Margaret told me that she and Bill had been there and enjoyed it too. they were in a bus on the way to New Orleans last year.

We have enjoyed their Historical Museum...plan to go view the Old State Museum where Bill Clinton announced he would vye for the Democratic Presidental Candiacy.

We plan to see the State Capital, and the building that educates us on the 1957 school segregation where the 9 students portray what they went thru and such. they built a building in 2007 dedicated to the cause...and all 9 students were there...so they have video in their own voices what it was like. Margaret told me that there are 9 statues of these students and she and Bill were impressed by what they learned here too.

We are going to try and visit all State Capital Building of each state as we pass thru, we didn't get to Jefferson City, Missouri however as we wanted to go thru the Ozark/Quapaw Mtns...so will do on the way back from Florida in the Spring, unless we go to the East Coast to tour New York & Washington DC. 

Besides Elvis in Tennesee...I want to tour a Pencil company at Shelbyville, TN and see my high school/college friend Sherril Hohn Blair and hubby Jim in Germantowne, TN.

I hope to keep more up to date on My Blog...On The Road Again....Kay (Hemmer) Shafer


 

GARY & KAY SHAFER "ON THE ROAD AGAIN"..Oct 2011 Full Timer's Now

GARY & KAY SHAFER ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
October lst, 2011 (late afternoon) (mileage on the coach was about 48,000 miles.
 Left Mitchell for Rapid City, met Angie, Mark, & Tyler in the Cabala’s Parking lot so they could pick up the 32” Long WALLEYE that was mounted at our home in the Dining Room since it was mounted. Mark now has it mounted in his new home for safe keeping and enjoyment as we begin our Full Time Retirement in our Gulf Stream 40 ft Crescendo Motorhome.  Rapid City was our first time to Boon Dock, and it was fine…noise didn’t disturb our sleep after many weeks of long hours working to clear our books and pack away all the belongings we placed in storage bldg or in the coach.  The Moving/Garage Sale was over…our girls took most of our personal furniture belongs…that way we get to see them on and off as we come and go thru their homes during the summer months.
 The plan now was to drive thru Montana & get to IDAHO/WASHINGTON a.s.a.p.; next stop was White Sulpher Springs, MT.  Then it was Ponderosa Falls, RV Resort in Cheney, WA where we stayed Oct 3rd thru the 9th; it was a Coast to Coast Park so the cost was at the $10 per night.  Then we could tour with the Jeep in the Wallace & Coeur d Alene, IDAHO area, & not have to worry about a large area to park both the Coach and Jeep, plus it also allowed us to drive in certain areas that would not be advisable for the Coach. 
On Oct 10th thru the 13th we were in the Mt Rainier area, and stayed at the Cascade Park Rv Resort.  Mt Rainer had an elevation of over 14,000 ft and it was good we only took the Jeep.  Winding Roads and so many massive trees and greenery growing up and around the trees, it reminded us of The “Road to Hana” in Maui, especially when we came upon all the waterfalls.  As we drove thru the mountain area we experienced rain and snow and sunshine, and read that up to about 126 inches of rain can fall in this area in a year.  It is understandable as we view all the green vegetation and the really Tall Trees…lots of Red Cedar Trees.
Oct 14th & 15th we were in the Mt St Helens area, where we stayed at Castle Rock, WA while we toured the mountain.  This mountain wasn’t as tall as Mt Rainier, but had its own beauty and did they ever preserve this area magnificently since the 1980 eruption.  They saved the area where the mudslides and lava knocked over the trees as it made its way down the mountain thru the Toutle Valley area.  The Johnson Observatory was the best in depicting the event itself and then to also show us how Mother Nature had survived it all, and once again you could see the beauty and return of the lush trees and vegetations.  They also told us that the animal life had also returned as well. 
Oct 16th thru 18th we were at Corbett, Oregon to stay at the Crown Point RV Park, where we toured Mt Hood, which was rather blah after viewing Mt Rainier, which was so tall and massive, and Mt St Helen that was so well preserved.  Mt Hood was a bit plain and was mostly a Skiing Resort Area, until we saw the history of the Timberline Lodge.  It was a WPA program under Pres. Teddy Roosevelt.  The furniture pieces, and the Blacksmith designs, all designed by Government Employees at the lodge.  Even the cloth was weaved at the lodge area and sewn and designed by those in the WPA program.  The best part was the massive pieces of furniture, the wrought iron pieces, and the curtains were so well made and so well preserved yet today or some replicated too.
It was admirable to enjoy the beauty created during such traumatic times, and to realize how many people were involved way back in 1925 designing the Lodge, but mostly how well preserved it was & to keep it all in such good working condition.  The Restaurant we ate at had window seating so we could enjoy a glass of wine and have a nice lunch, & look right at Mt Hood outside the window too.  We were lucky that day to have had a sunny warm day to make it a perfect visit.
The next day we toured the Colombia River Gorge area and the Oregon Scenic Hyway with all of its many many Waterfalls.  The most massive one was called Multinomah Falls, which measured at a 632 ft. drop.  We have some really nice photos of the Falls and with Gary & I in them too.
In Boneville, Oregon we toured a Salmon Fish Hatchery, & saw a 70 year old Sturgeon that was 10 ft long.  I found that more exhilarating than the ponds with the tiny fish & their fish food.  Now that I have seen a Hatchery, don’t need to do that again.  Also along Highway 101 we stopped at Fruit Stands for Fresh Fruit Selections: Pears, Apples, Nectarines, & some Wild Berry Preserves.
Oct 19th thru the 27th of Oct was the drive to the famous Highway 101 along the Oregon Coastal Beach area. Our First RV Park was at Neskowin Creek, OREGON, which was full of more greenery, but just around the corner was the OCEAN BEACH.  In this area we could hear & see the loud crashing ocean waves, see the tall granite/volcano rocks sticking out of the ocean area everywhere (they called them haystacks). We found a lot of Sea Lions in the wild, we didn’t have to pay to go thru a cavern to hear and see them either...we were lucky to hear them first…then see them.  I couldn’t get enough of viewing all the Crashing Ocean Waves, hitting the rock walls…mesmerizing to me over and over again.  Our only disappointment was lots of Fog, Rain, and a chill in the air most of our touring.  Needless to say we didn’t walk on the sandy beaches, just enjoyed the view most of the time.
At Newport, Oregon we toured Our First Lighthouse (might be our last) it was Yaquina Head, which is to be the tallest at 93 ft in the Oregon area.  We got pins to wear that said, “I Survived the Climb!”.
We drove up to Tillamook, Oregon to tour a Cheese Factory & saw how the cheese was prepared, ate the samples and purchased almost every one we tasted, then ate the best Ice Cream Ever…we think it was the fresh crisp homemade cones that made it ever so tastefully.  We saw lots of the prettiest Fall Colored Trees and many Cows in the pastures along the Oregon Scenic Drive.  They store the Feed for the cows in White Plastic Bags, instead of stacking up the hay or grain.
Our 2nd RV Park on Hwy 101 was at Coos Bay, OR called the Midway RV Park.  We again saw basically the same things in the Neskowin area it was just more Open or we were a bit closer to the Shore here.  We saw the most Sea Lions here along the Simpson Reef, went to Bandon to walk the Boardwalk & bought our first soveneirs.  We really like the town of Bandon a lot, very historically preserved and reminded us of Hill City and Keystone, wide streets, good parking, clean Boardwalk area with Sculptures.  We thought Coos Bay was too crowded in the downtown area, streets were narrow, not well kept either.
The 3rd RV Park on Hwy 101 was Klamath, California.  This was deep into the woods this time, but we toured more of a historical area and were able to see Whale Fins…from shore.  We were told to drive down a very rural road that followed the ocean to a WWII FARM, where our government kept a Cabin/House & Farm well hidden along the coast during WWII to watch for ships that might come to shore.  Of course, after Radar became more available and useful, didn’t need the farm crew, but now it is kept up as a Historical Site. 
At Klamath we also toured the REDWOOD trees here in Klamath there was a Tree of Mystery, which was a self guided tour that depicted Names of Trees in their special contours:  One Tree we drove thru, there was a Cathedral Tree area which looked like a Cathedral &  they played symphony music here & weddings can be held there too, or there was a tree that had over 12 tree trunks growing out of it, and _____________________________________
All in All the Oregon Scenic Byway on Highway 101 & the California Hwy 101 referred to as the Pacific Ocean Scenic Byway were awesome. Gary & I didn’t travel too many miles in a day as the winding roads and trying to view the ocean as you drive along could be exhausting…so took it slow and lazy.  The best part is to be driving along the road, then all of a sudden it opens up to the Ocean with all it’s beauty.  In some ways it reminded me a lot of “The Road to Hana” (in Maui), accept we were in our own car, instead of a bus and could stop and view whatever we wanted for as long as we wanted.  The trees had greenery mostly Ivy growing up the bark of the tree to their tops too.  Then of course every restaurant we ate at we tried to stay near the Ocean and eat Fresh Fish at each of them. Even though the weather wasn’t the most enjoyable the scenery and food sure was.
Now farther west into California we stop at Redding, to stay at this Mountain Gate RV Park & stayed some extra days as it was the first time we have been out of the Fog/Rain/chilly air.  It was 72 to 75 degrees, washed all of our clothes, and only left the campground to tour a SUNDIAL BRIDGE over the Sacramento River.  It is a one of a kind Pedestrian Bridge, it was designed by a world renowned Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava.  It is the first bridge of its kind in the U.S. and is the largest working sundial in the world!  The massive 210” pylon leans due north & functions as the gnomon of a sundial, casting its giant shadow on a garden-bordered dial plate at the bridge’s north end.  The bridge is made of glass, granite, & steel only. The tall pylon & cable stays allow the bridge to encourage the public to appreciate the Sacramento River & the salmon fishing too.  Any Engineer would have been more amazed than we were.
We were safely tucked into the Redding RV Park for Halloween, and 2 really cute kids knocked on our door for trick or treat.
In Redding we drove around Lake Shasta, but didn’t take the time to actually tour it, we had an agenda to meet cousin, Pam (Campbell) Loomis in Reno, NV.  One of the RV camping neighborns at Redding told us stay at the Grand Sierra Casino RV Park.  So we did and Pam with her husband John, & 2 daughters, Katlin & Laureen, with 2 of the cutest grandkids came to visit us.  What a Nice Family they are, we could have visited for a couple more days I am quite sure.
Now it is time to consider a visit with cousin, Tom & Sue, & Aunt Dorothy; however due to the weather & a trial date, we hit the road in time to get out of the mountains to avoid the Snow and Ice that was to soon pounce on us.  We were lucky enough to miss the Turkee Pass that was closed, had mostly gusts of wind to drive thru off and on, until we drove into Lone Pine, CA for the Boulder Creek RV Resort.  We had more warm weather, along with very dry sandy white soil. 
At Lone Pine we discovered that Old Western Movies had been made in this area referred to as Alabama Hills which are below the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and in a valley of the Inyo Mountains.  My dad would have loved this tour, and see where those old westerns were filmed…with Randolph Scott in “The Tall T’, the Lone Ranger, Robert Taylor, Tyrone Power in “Rawhide”, John Ford in “How the West Was Won”,  Audie Murphy in “Hell Bent for Leather” & “Showdown” , or Cary Grand in the famous classic movie about India “Gunga Din” , which was inspired by the Rudyard Kipling Poem.  Some of the more recent movies filmed there was “Tremors”.
The best part here was we could drive the many miles in the same area with a self guided book that showed the exact spots in some of those same movies and more.  They were even filming either another movie or a commercial the next day after we left (Nov. 9th); the crew was all around us and stayed in the same RV Park with about 7-9 Rental Camping Truck units.  That crew even cooked outside and did campfires too.
On the Road again this time a short quick jaunt to Dessert Willow RV Resort in Hespario, CA, then onto Hemet, CA for my cousin, Shirley (Hemmer) Danish RV Resort called Mt Shadows.  Shirley had us a lot to rent for the month of November, 2011, it had been purchased by her special friend, Bill Becker, who will be putting a Park Model on the lot in Jan 2012..  We spend quality time meeting many acquaintances of Shirley’s in the Park, and eating and drinking with a few of them too and Bill when he can get away from work in LA to join us retired ones.
Shirley has more plans than eating and drinking with as many people as we can with friends in the RVPark & family too.  I ate my first Fried Zuchini at Farmer Boys and was it ever wonderful…good and bad for you both I guess.  What will they fry next??
There are many fully retired people in this Park, all are nice and quite active.  They each have their own routines, walk, ride bikes, or exercise in the water swimming pool.  Some eat as early as 4:30 or as late as 8:00, then some get up as early as 5:30 and some mid morning.  Here with Shirley we eat early…as it gets dark here around 5:00, plus Shirley likes to wind down around 3:00 with the wine.
So far we have been to San Diego to tour the Midway Aircraft Carrier (much like the U.S.S. Lexington in Corpus Christi, so now we have seen two of these ships, and won’t need to do that again either.  Quite amazing they are.  At the Boardwalk we also saw a Museum of Ships…a Russian & U.S. Submarine, wooden ships, large sailing ships, and a lot of history of ships.  I like seeing the historical ships for some reason, as wouldn’t want to get on one and leave shore however, just walking in them was enough for me.  I would attend another Museum of Ships anytime.
In Hemet they have dug a Reservoir that would serve most of the southern part of California for at least 6 months, along the Diamond Lake area.  When they went to dig the Dam they discovered bones and artifacts, they had a 10,000 year old Mastedon and a Teen Queen Mammoth (teen age when it died still a big one), plus a couple of mean looking Sloth’s skeleton’s.  An excellent museum it is for sure.
We also walked the Historical Old Town of Temecula, what a fine job they have done of preserving those buildings and area.  The town was established around 1869 had many fine antique shops, to bad we didn’t need anything.  About the only Historical town of this quality we have viewed is Fredricksberg, Texas or Stillwater, Minnesota.  We shall continue to walk more Historical towns.
So now we only have maybe Palm Springs, Idyllwild, and a place called Julian, and a winery.  I wanted my first winery to be with cousin, Shirley, as we are Hemmer’s who enjoy our wine.  It was Shirley’s respite when her parents were killed years ago (1979) along that Foggy Interstate Entrance. It was then I discovered she was a wine lover.
Her daughter, Vickie is planning to have us for Thanksgiving meal, and Shirley’s friend, Bill Becker, makes Pecan and Pumpkin Pies.  He will prepare some for his daughter’s meal, and some for our Meal and be at both.  It sounds like he will have a very eventful day eating pies for a good part of his day.
Vickie has a son, Phillip who is totally disabled, a daughter, RaeAnne, and a son, Gabriel, who has spinal bifada.  Shirley says if it weren’t for Vickie Phillip would never have lived to be 24 years old.  He just got out of the hospital again for double pneumonia.  We shall meet her husband too. 
Our next trip will be to Chandler, AZ to attend Nathan Bies’s graduation from the Virginia Golf Academy on Dec 16th,  after we figure out the rest will post more newsy updates.

finally Jan 25th thru Feb 4th...events

January 25th thru Feb. 4th 2011
Sorry so slow with the last update.  We got home in Mitchell SD about 6:30 Feb 4th after stopping at Sioux Falls to visit Norma, Beckie just happened to stop by too at the same time and we got to hear about her Mexico trip also. Gary’s Mom is fine, and remembered us well…we are so grateful for that.  She was in a discussion with other residents and the nursing staff, waved us over and introduced Gary and I to the group.  It thrilled me to no end, as we assume someday it may always be that way with most Alzheimer patients.
On January 27th we were all packed up and ready to leave the Rockport TX house.  Chuck and Carol Krcil made a mad dash home for a favorite sister in law’s,  SISTER’s funeral, at Yankton that following Sat the 29th.  She had been ill and so they more or less expected her death.
Bonnie and Jerry Krcil left for Houston to visit their son, Kevin & his wife & 3 grandsons.  Bonnie & Jerry were scheduled to meet with the John & Shirley Little and head to New Orleans to travel that area. 
Sandy & Wayne headed out to tour the Goliard Mission ‘LaBahia’, which we had toured already with Krcil’s and the Little’s.  Our grandson, Josh, also toured it, when he left Rockport for San Antonio, and then home to Mitchell.  We all agreed it was better than the Alamo, because so much of the forte was still preserved you really get a good picture of a fort/mission area in those historical days. 
Gary and I headed to San Antonio to tour a Witte Museum and to then meet Sandy and Wayne on the Riverwalk.  This proved to be more of an adventure than we had imagined, as we met up with what we shall call a volunteer Veteran, who walked the legs off of us & showed us the highlights of the Historical Area of San Antonio.
One area was the Old San Antonio with LaVillita village, San Fernando Cathedral, oldest church (1731) in the U.S.  There are relics of the Alamo heroes entombed there.  Our volunteer Veteran Guide, Mr. LaRoache showed us the hole that the people went into the tunnels to be saved from the killing rampages, and how well the church itself was preserved, and updated some.  Unlike some of our local churches they saved most of the marble statuary and gold in the altar.  Do a website tour of it on the internet to really get all of the information, hopefully the tutorial tour is up and working when you do.
We ate on the veranda at a Country Line restaurant on the Riverwalk, was a fun & most enjoyable meal time & rest…it called for a Martini as we were totally exhausted.  I got my photo of Sandy and Wayne to have on my cell phone so when they call me their photos pops up, so I know who is calling at a glance.
Just before we all headed out the door at our Rockport TX house, we took photos at the in front of the large Sailfish mounted on the living room wall.  The lady of the house must have caught it as there was a photo at the house of her and this fish.  Messed up though and didn’t get a photo of Josh at the house with us. 
So the Jefferis’s and Shafer’s decided to stay at Craig and Corky Porter’s house while in San Antonio, as Gus and Virginia VanSteenBerg had offered us a 2 bedroom  apartment in their Majestic Bldg for our San Antonio visit, but since Virginia’s Sister-in-law was ill and possibly dying from a Brain Tumor, we weren’t too sure that the VanSteenBerg’s would be there during our entire 3 day stay.  Wished we had now as we were downtown on the Riverwalk area so much, would have been more convenient.
We were able to visit with Gus & Virginia a couple different times, and met their son Nick, his wife Alejandra & their son Nickky, plus their daughter, Drew, and Ginger’s sister, Felisa Kazen.  Felisa was  visiting from New York to also see the ill sister in law, who resides in Laredo.  I found Felisa Kazen was most fascinating, and she is a writer and producer in New York.  She explained a lot about the horses-cattle-culture that we viewed in the Long Horn Cattle Drive parade.  Gus and Virginia were there with us the entire duration of the Rodeo Parade, we then ate lunch with them it a very amazing historial BUCKHORN SALOON MUSEUM.  If you go there plan to spend 1.5 or more hours to view.
Virginia (Kazen) VanSteenBerg is a very accomplished woman too.  She and Gus have preserved & gutted out & refurbished the MAJESTIC THEATRE as close to the original décor as possible, and gutted out & decorated all of the offices & apartments in the huge building complex also. 
Then on top of it all, she was part of again preserving & moving THE FAIRMONT HOTEL.  It was done on a roller set up, and took 3 days to do it.  She hired a large firm out of the New York area to move the Hotel, it too can be viewed on-line: http://www.thefairmounthotel-sanantonio.com/ of it’s historical venture.  Virginia renovated this hotel too.
Their son Nick, and daughter, Drew are involved in their business properties too.  It was a honor to have been with them, and to see Virginia and Gus’s most historical home.  It should be on a website too.  I was too embarrassed to take photos of their home, but did get one of their front door area.  I ran out of battery on both our video and digital camera, after the Long Horn Cattle Parade in front of their Majestic Bldg., so didn’t get any photos of the inside of the Majestic Theatre.  It is most unbelievable & outstanding—words cannot describe it, I wished they had a website of that to view also.  Just go to http://www.themajestic.com/ to view some of these buildings.
While in San Antonio, the Jefferis’s and Shafer’s attended Sunday Mass at the Mission of San Juan, toured this mission and two others: Mission of San Jose & Mission Concepcion, which were quite well preserved.  It is amazing to view all of the marble statuary in those churches and to think they were saved also from the rampages those forts went thru.  These sites can probably be viewed on-line too.
Craig and Corky Porter were wonderful hospitable friends to stay with.  Sandy and Corky enjoyed discussions about teaching children, Corky and Craig do a lot of volunteer work at their grandsons school, and also with boy scouts.  Craig loves to cook while we all sit at his 12ft granite curved island.  He made us caramelized salmon, while we drank his wine and watched him prepare the food right in front of us.  It’s  what he requires his guest to do.  The rule is ‘Don’t cross into his kitchen work station’, it upset and aggravates him mostly.  What a great cook he is and loves to do it for guests too.  Let’s say it is his creative hobby.  He has 2 refrigerators, and 2 dishwashers, and Corky & Craig each have their own sinks.  They really did a good job when they built that house let me tell you. 
The plan was to leave San Antonio on Monday the 31st of Jan, and tour Ft Worth TX stockyard area.  When we were near Ft Worth time was getting late, and then we heard of the plans for the Super Bowl in the FtWorth/Dallas area, plus the up & coming winter storm that Porter’s had warned us about. 
We then decided to drive up north more, a mistake as got stuck in a little town of Sherman, OK and the storm hit.  We were brave the next morning, drove 30 miles North in the snow and ice to Durant OK, to a humongous ChocTaw Casino…4500 machines to play around with for 2 days to wait out the storm.  It was stupid to drive in it and a delight to be in the Casino during the ICE/SNOW STORM.  We saw cars & pickups fishtail & swerve into the ditch, trucks get stuck going up the slightest hill off the interstate exits (no chains), and people do ‘loop de loops’ in front of us.  This happened on our 30 mile treck from Sherman to Durant and then out of Durant into Kansas City.  So it didn’t make much difference waiting for a couple days, other than most of the truckers were off the road, but Oklahoma doesn’t have crews for Ice/Snow events…so didn’t seem like the driving conditions were too different waiting it out.  Those people don’t know how to drive on winter roads either, we must have guardian angels as we made it.  In hindsight we should have stayed at the Porter House when they warned us of the storm approaching, & extended their invitation for the favorable San Antonio weather.  Just thought it wouldn’t be that bad, wrong again!!!. 
The Jefferis and Shafer’s had planned to stop and see Aunt Elnora (Hemmer) Snow in Blue Springs, MO (suburbs of Kansas City), but she had an attach of the flu that day and actually made a trip to the hospital, & back to the Manor bedridden for hours.  So we drove on home instead, arrived like I said on Feb 4, 2011 about 6:30..safely.  God Blessed us that is for sure. 
Kay Shafer signing off until our next adventure:  California to see cousins, Shirley Danish, and Tom and Sue Hart, & meet with friends The Porter’s to tour San Fransciso.  It will be our first trip in Our 40ft Gulf Stream Motorhome for our Full time Retirement Traveling years, starting around the late Fall of 2011, as we sell the business to our Daughter Kim and husband Rick Swank and retire full time.