Homeward Bound

 Good Morning to all of you! It is 9:05 mountain time and we are leaving the Black Hills. Boo-hoo. We are currently driving through Custer, SD. We will stay tonight in Mitchell, SD and be home tomorrow afternoon. My best friend Jenny from Spokane will be at our condo tomorrow night. She's currently in Teddy Roosevelt National Park. She started a 9000 mile solo driving trip across the country and back to see all of the National Parks that she can. We'll just miss her here. She's planning to be within 20 miles of where we were camped by this afternoon her way to Wind Cave Nat. Park and Rushmore. But she'll spend three days with us, from tomorrow till Saturday and I'm so looking forward to it. It's been a year since we were together to gab and chat like teenagers. One time we drove all the way from Spokane to Portland, OR when we moved Mandy years ago. The guys were in the moving truck and we were in my car. Mandy was sandwiched in between in her car. The guys didn't talk much, (they're best friends too). Meanwhile we couldn't believe it when we got there. We talked the entire trip! To say I'm looking forward to seeing her would be an understatement.

And now back to the Black Hills. I have just a few photos today and more next time. I didn't want to make it too long. This is the Needles Eye Tunnel on the Needles Highway. (obviously). There are three more tunnels like this on the highway. Our big truck barely fits through.

We had to wait in the middle of this tunnel until the goat decided to stop eating. :-)

Then it joined the rest of the family outside the tunnel. They weren't bothered by the traffic at all. The baby was so cute. Piper was enthralled.

Papa and Piper went to Mt. Rushmore. My back was NOT happy and spasming so I stayed at the camper and did laundry. I've been there many, many times so it didn't bother me too much, but the night lighting never ceases to raise every patriotic feeling you've ever had. 

Two of my favorite people.

Beautiful.

Just a bit of the beautiful drive through Custer State Park.

We always enjoy driving the Pigtail Bridges. It's hard to get a good photo because of the many trees but you go round and round on log bridges. The begging burros used to be on this road, (Iron Mountain Road) years ago when our kids were small. Now they have migrated to the Wildlife Loop Road. Here's a little information on the bridges if you're interested.

And around we go!!

The engineering is amazing on these bridges.

I have lots more photos of the Wildlife Loop Road that I'll show next time. We had such a fun week with Piper. Yesterday we hung out around the campsite and just had a great time. Piper made a music video with Papa and I. She had us doing things all over the campground. Dancing, holding hands etc. It was lots of fun. We ate leftovers for dinner and then watched The Princess Bride and Ever After. Lots of thunderstorms throughout the last two days we were there and during the night last night. Hail, lots and lots of hail. Dennis checked the solar panels this morning because it was BIG hail during the night last night. All is well. The camper hooked up perfectly and now we're beginning our journey home. 

I finished one baby blanket and started another, read 6 books late at night. (Christian Intrigue Romances, don't judge me.) :-) They are light reading and yet leave you guessing who did it. Perfect for vacation. Piper snuggled with me every day. I love that girl. She loves her Papa and me too. She and Papa went to Evans Plunge twice and had such a great time. It's a mineral hot spring indoor pool with water slides and water basketball. Again my back had me staying behind but since I'm not much of a water girl, that was fine. They had a blast. At 70, Papa still does all of the things with her. Waterslides, rings, hiking, etc. She's a lucky girl to have him. 

I lost a few photos that I uploaded and now I have no internet available as we drive so I have no Bible meme for you. I'll share my Mom's favorite Bible verse instead.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. He who watches over you will not slumber or sleep." Psalm 121:1-3

I'll see you all soon.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

(We're now in Rapid City with internet so I'm going to try to send this. Fingers crossed.)

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Verse 1]
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 2]
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 3]
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Black Hills

We made it here to Ft. Welikit in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After miles and miles across South Dakota with this view, we arrived yesterday afternoon. It is gorgeous here. Low humidity, temperatures in the low 70's. Perfection. All three of us slept like logs last night and we're very happy to be together.

Last night we took a walk and ended up at the playground where Piper challenged Papa to a game of tetherball. My photos are out of order, that one is below the next one. While they were playing, a group of little kids gathered round asking Piper to play with them. She's just like her Uncle Alex, he's the Pied Piper of little kids and always has little ones following him around. He's always been like that. He was a great elementary school teacher in Japan before he moved to London. Piper seems to have inherited that gift of being great with little kids.

She ended up playing with them for over an hour, organizing games of tetherball and volleyball. They all yelled, "same time tomorrow," as they left for their campsites!

Here she is with Papa. They played several games and I think they both won several. You can see her laughing like crazy for some reason at Papa in this picture.

Here's the view outside our camper door this morning. We love this place. I really think it's my favorite place to camp of anywhere we've been. We have a flat top grill that you see on the picnic table. It's used a LOT when we're camping. Last night Papa made burgers when we got here. Tonight is spaghetti and meatballs, (but not on the grill). Ha!

The reality of life in a camper with a teenager! This is the sofa that makes into a queen size bed. We've put a memory foam topper on top of the sofa cushions for her and she says it's really comfortable after two nights.

I'm in the process of doing a load of laundry as I type this. I have to say, this was an amazing and wonderful addition to the camper. Who would have thought I would be so excited over a washer/dryer? No more trying to find enough quarters to wash and dry clothes. Not to mention lugging them to the laundry room. This machine does both, wash and dry. I love having it.

I didn't go with Papa and Piper today. They're heading to Wind Cave for a cave tour and then to Evans Plunge, in Hot Springs to swim. It's an indoor natural hot spring pool. Lots of fun for everyone. Except me. I woke up to back spasms this morning before I even got out of bed. I think I tweaked it yesterday when I got out of the truck at one stop. I opted to stay at the camper rather than put a damper on their day of fun. I don't mind. I have my yarn, books, laundry to do and a recliner as well as that beautiful scenery to sit outside and look at. They both seemed disappointed, although I think with me and my issues, they should be used to me disappointing them. 

Meanwhile, Zoey stayed home at Piper's house with her sister, Lizzie. She doesn't seem too upset does she?  Look at those cushy blankets those babies get to sleep on. This is in Mandy's office while she works. They want to be with her. Mandy said Zoey did spend quite awhile sitting on the back of the sofa when we left her, staring at the door waiting for us to come back. I know how much she loves it there though and being with Lizzie so I don't feel too bad. We do miss her. Dennis and I both find ourselves looking for her here in the camper. Both Brad and Mandy work from home so the puppies have lots of attention and company.

Take care. I'm trying to comment on blogs while we're here as the internet seems pretty good this year. They must have installed upgraded WiFi. I hope you're all well and enjoying the end of May. I'll be back soon! We have a visit to Mt. Rushmore planned for tomorrow. We're letting Piper choose the activities she wants to do and she asked for a return visit there. We always enjoy it and it's pretty impressive to see.

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

The Unclouded Day 

Words and music by Josiah K. Alwood

Verse 1
O they tell me of a home Far beyond the skies
They tell me
Of a home far away
O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Chorus
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Verse 2
Well they tell me that He smiles On His children there
And His smile
Drives their sorrow all away And they tell me
That no tears ever come again In that lovely land
Of unclouded day

Chorus
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Repeat chorus

Tornado Warning Weekend

 I can't believe that it's Tuesday already. The days are flying by. Completely crazy. As to the title of this post, it has been a rip-roaring Saturday, Sunday and Monday weather wise around here. There were tornado watches all three nights and although there were warnings all around us, the only time we actually had a warning was Sunday night, although there were other ones very close by. We jumped in the truck with Zoey and went to Curt & Barb's basement as they're only about 2 blocks away and Mandy & Brad's house is much farther.  We hung out in their basement for about an hour or so and had a great time visiting while we listened with half an ear to the weather radio. 

This, my friends, was the main reason I was happy to move to Spokane all those years ago. Tornado's. I've lived through a couple of very close calls, including seeing the proverbial cow flying through the air. Yes. I saw that when I was about 13-14 years old and have never forgotten it. Then a BIG one in 1975 that flattened a big part of Omaha when I was 15. Dennis's Mom barely missed being in the middle of that one. I was at work at the nursing home getting people out of beds and into hallways. There is no real warning with tornadoes. Although forecasting is much better than it used to be, one can literally drop out of the clouds right above you with no warning. Although I don't get as scared as I used to, I still do not like them.

A house a few blocks from Mandy's did get struck by lightening and they had hail, otherwise they were fine too. We have a tornado shelter here at the condo, but it's just a building built with bricks instead of wood and it's at the front of the complex. We would have been soaked trying to run there because the rain was pelting down. I think we would be just as safe in our garage as we would be there. But we know how to get into Curt & Barb's even if they aren't home and that's what we'll do if we have enough warning. Today was COLD compared to the last week and no rain forecast for awhile. Thank goodness.

And now onto much nicer things. A lady at church brought two huge bouquets of peonies to church on Sunday. After church we could take some home if we wanted as they would just be left there otherwise. I brought just one and let me tell you, it has made the condo smell SO good. I love peonies and have had them at all of our houses. I do miss them. And do you see the sweet Mother's Day card I got from Miss Piper? I love hedgehogs and it was the most wonderful card. It says I'm one of her favorite people and believe me, she's one of my favorites too.

Dennis went out kayaking with our camping buddies last Thursday before the wild weekend weather hit. This is our two person inflatable kayak and it wasn't the easiest by himself. I really need to try to go with him sometime. I don't swim and with my back I'm not sure I can even climb in, but I know he would love it if I tried. He called me when they were done and I met them at Culver's for some frozen yogurt.

I finished two more prayer shawls for the Med. Center and took them, along with 3 others, to my sister on Sunday and she delivered them when she went to rock babies in the NICU last night.

The first one is a simple granny square shawl. It's 18 x 70 inches and perfect for someone in a hospital bed or wheelchair.

I played a game of yarn chicken as I made it. I had exactly 5 1/2 inches left of white when I finished it. I am completely out of worsted weight white and cream. I have been trying not to buy yarn this year, but I do need to have white and cream on hand so I think I've going to have to break down and buy some. 

This one used the last of my stash of cream. It wasn't even a full skein.

Now I've started another "Grace" baby blanket using Mandela Baby in the Diagon Alley color way.

We leave on Monday for the Black Hills with Piper. Hopefully the internet will work while we're there. It has worked at that campground in the past, but not fast by any stretch of the imagination. We're looking forward to it for sure. It's our favorite place to camp, (in the summer.) In the winter there is waaaay to much snow. :-)

Thank you for asking about the skin biopsies. Although they were both considered pre-cancerous, they were benign and now they're gone. It's weird because both were in places that the sun doesn't ever touch. I'm just glad they are now gone and I have no worries about them anymore.

Take care my friends. I'll be back soon and will be visiting with all of you on your blogs. Continuing to pray for the world and all of those who don't know the love of Jesus. Without Him I would be nothing.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

WITHOUT HIM

By: Mylone R. LeFevre

Without Him, I could do nothing
Without Him, I'd surely fail
Without Him, I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail

Without Him, I would be dying
Without Him, I'd be enslaved
Without Him, life would be worthless
But with Jesus, thank God I'm saved

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today?
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him, how lost I would be
Without Him, how lost I would be