Gorgeous Weather

Happy Saturday night to each of you! We had a lovely time camping from Labor Day afternoon until Thursday afternoon. The entire park, which is huge, had pretty well emptied out from a fully packed place over the weekend. In our camping loop there were only 5-6 spots occupied and all by retirees. It made for a REALLY quiet camping trip. Just what we wanted. We only had to have the A/C on for one day so we were able to spend a lot of time outside.

The park is about 3 miles from the little town of Ashland. Dennis drove into town each morning and bought us each one donut! Very fresh donuts too and with only one donut, we couldn't over eat. :-)

The view from our camper.

All of the summer activities were over after Labor Day on Monday. Below you'll see the Owen Marina that was just down the trail from us. By Tuesday they were already taking the paddle boats out of the water and getting ready to store them.

Another marina view. There is also a huge waterpark with pools and slides, etc. Horseback riding, several zip lines, a movie theater, big lodge, dozens of fully furnished cabins and and an ice skating rink. As I said, it's a huge park and only about 20 minutes from home. I'm probably forgetting something else it has. As I said though, all except camping, the lodge and cabins are closed for the winter now.

There are hiking trails all over the park and los of wildflower gardens.

So pretty! See Dennis waiting patiently for me in the truck? We had just come back from a trip to Ashland for our morning donuts! :-)

Just past the the entrance to the State Park is this other parking lot.

It is a big Aerospace Museum. We really want to visit here, especially since Dennis was in the Air Force. We plan to go in the near future when we can leave Zoey home and not worry about her being alone in the camper for a longer length of time. She has separation anxiety and does much better at home without us than anywhere else besides Mandy's. We want to be able to take our time since we both like airplanes.

Another view of the entrance. I love all of the flags. I admit it. I'm patriotic and I love our country. I sure hope we can get back on track soon and leave all of the bickering behind us.

One more view by our spot. I loved watching the ducks and geese land on the lake and swim around.

My friend Nita in Spokane asked for a bag to wear around her neck for her phone when she takes walks. I had made myself one when we walked at the lake together before we moved. I have no idea what happened to mine, so I just improvised a pattern yesterday. It went off in the mail to her this morning. Her favorite color is the same as mine...purple of any shade!

Remember this photo from my last post? Well the blanket is finished now, but I forgot to take a photo before it was given away.  Imagine it being 30 inches square. I'm sorry I forgot to photograph it for you. 

Last year I had our kids annual Christmas tree ornaments done by the end of July. I just started this years ornaments yesterday! I have no idea why I'm so far behind. I finished the cross stitch on one this afternoon and just started the 2nd. I have seven to stitch and then make into ornaments. I also normally have all my Christmas shopping done by now too, but this year? Nope. I have a few things prepared, but I need to get busy. We always celebrate Christmas with Alex, "T" and Baby "J" when they come at Thanksgiving, so that only gives me a little over two months to get some ideas and then either make or buy their gifts. Yikes!

And finally, Dennis and I are taking another trip! We were sitting in the camper the other day and we realized that we can take more than one weeklong camping trip a year now that we're retired! So I went online right then and made reservations at our favorite place near Custer, SD and Mt. Rushmore. We're going on the 16th and need to be home by the 26 or 27th. We're staying at that campground for seven nights and will visit some of our favorite Black Hills places without so many tourists.  Summertime is insanely busy. When we were there in July we didn't do much because we were so tired, but we're looking forward to hiking around Sylvan Lake, Harney Peak and others. Driving the Iron Mountain Road and seeing the begging burros. We want to visit the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane! We're looking forward to all of this. If we have time on the way home, we'll stop in DeSmet S.D. to visit the homestead of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We're looking forward to it. 

We don't like to be gone more than a week at a time because of Mom and we only have one more camping trip of 3 days planned in October with our minister Jeff, his wife Angie and Curt and Barb. That's at the beginning of the month and unless it stays really warm, we'll probably winterize the camper after that.

I hope all is well with all of you my friends. Please remember that no matter how crazy the world can seem to be at times, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Put your hope, faith and trust in Him and life will never be the same. He is the Comforter and the Prince of Peace.

In the Garden

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I stayed in the garden with Him
Though the night all around me is falling
But He bids me go, through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
None other has ever known

Blessings and Love,

Betsy