More Black Hills

 Good Monday morning to you, my friends and thank you for coming to visit me today. I have a LOT of photos for you today but it will finish off our Black Hills trip last week with Piper. I hope you enjoy them.

First is a view of some of the rock formations on the the Needles Highway. They are so impressive up close.

This one is a view at an overlook on the same highway. On a clear day you can see 50 miles away to the Badlands.

More Needles Highway views near The Cathedral Spires.

I meant to put this photo with last weeks post. As we went through one of the tunnels on the Iron Mountain Road there was a perfectly framed view of Mt. Rushmore which is miles away. A couple of the tunnels were designed with this view and it's pretty impressive, especially the first time you see it when you're not expecting it.

We went to dinner at the Ruby House saloon in Keystone one day. We took Mandy & Jamie well over 40 years ago and it looked exactly the same! It was built in the early 1900's and has the Ruby Saloon attached where there were "entertainment" girls back in the day. Today they have have reenactments of gunfights throughout the day. I just enjoyed looking at the photos on the walls and the antiques in the cabinets on on furniture around the restaurant.

I was able to show Piper the same exact table where we ate so many years ago.

One day Dennis and Piper hiked around the perimeter of Sylvan Lake and another day we drove up and they went kayaking in our double kayaking. They had a great time exploring the nooks and crannies of the rocks around the lake. My back was not cooperating for the majority of the trip so I did not get in the kayak at all. I would have never gotten back out without a crane! :-)

I sat in the truck and read my book and took pictures of them. They paddled closer to me and waved. 

Our campsite was only down the road a couple of miles from the lake and the lake is one of our favorite spots.

We drove the wildlife loop as always and although we didn't see nearly as many bison as usual, we found this one guy all by himself. We also saw a lot of prairie dogs.

There were lots of antelope scattered around the loop too. 

I thought this was a beautiful photo of the red rocks. This land borders Wind Cave National Park. 

I think I took this picture on the Wildlife Loop Road. Isn't she a sweetie? We sure do love this girl. When we got home, she asked Papa to leave the truck at her house for the afternoon. When we went back to get it, she had cleaned the entire inside. That was no easy task because Zoey's hair clings to everything. It's wiry and short and takes a LOT of effort to clean it out of cars.

This little kitty was at our last campsite on the way home. Dennis was outside hooking up the electricity and I was inside putting out the rugs, slides, etc. I kept hearing a cat and when I looked outside this little guy was on our picnic table watching me inside. I went out and sat down and he immediately climbed up on my lap and fell asleep. I sat there petting and snuggling him for almost an hour! I sure miss having a cat but Piper is very allergic to them. After he wandered off, I went in and showered and washed the clothes I was wearing so I wouldn't bring the allergens into the camper. When we were getting ready to leave the next morning, he came back to say goodbye. He must live there at the campground although we've never seen him before and we stay there on every trip westward.

I finished this blanket while we were gone. It's the Grace baby blanket which is free on Ravelry. I used 2 Mandala cakes in the Diagon Alley color way and an "H" hook. Zoey decided that her flamingo needed to be in the photo. :-)

I've also begun another Grace blanket using some scraps of white and a skein of variegated blue/green/white baby yarn that I have with no label. I like the way it's turning out.

I haven't been crocheting as much because my best friend Jenny from Spokane was here on Wednesday, just a couple of hours after we got home. She stayed until Saturday before leaving early in the morning and arriving in Maryland yesterday evening. She's on a 28 day road trip by herself that will have well over 9000 miles driven by the time she gets back home. She is visiting as many National Parks and relatives as she can fit in. Her southernmost point will be Key West, Florida before starting her journey back home to Spokane. She is quite an adventurer. She loves driving alone across the country. She retired last year and wanted to do this trip before she turns 70 next spring.

I hope you're all having a wonderful June so far. I apologize for such a long post but I wanted to finish off the Black Hills photos. Before we left there we made reservations for another week in August at the same campground and even the same site. We will go there on our way to Spokane for our annual visit. We'll also be stopping in Helena, MT for a few nights to see our son and grandkids there. Of course, all of this depends on whether diesel fuel is available for the truck. 

Our oldest granddaughter, Kyleigh, is flying to London next week to spend 10 days with our son's, (her uncle), family and meet her two youngest cousins. Kyleigh just finished her third year of college in Bozeman, MT. We're excited that she will meet our two youngest grandchildren and she is too.

I'll be back soon.

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME

by:  Philip P. Bliss

1

I am so glad that our Father in heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

 

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
  Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
    Jesus loves even me.

2

Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”

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

Tulip or Stem Festival?

We returned from our camping trip and I tried to catch up with your blogs last night after catching up on laundry and other necessities. We had a great time. The days were warm and the nights were cool, down to 41F the third night! As the blog title says, we missed prime tulip time. Most of what were left was stems in the flower beds. Apparently the peak bloom was about 3-4 weeks ago. We had such a warm spring and you just can't plan on that can you? The actual Tulip Festival, with a craft fair, parade and all kinds of events started Thursday and goes all weekend. I think there will be a lot of disappointed people in Pella, Iowa this weekend. 

It didn't affect us much. We all had a great time. There are lots of great shops, restaurants, bakeries, meat & cheese shops, etc. Pella is in southeast Iowa and I can't believe I had never been there. It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive each way for us, pulling the camper.

In the photo below from left to right, Curt & Barb, Terri & Phillip, Angie & Jeff, Dennis & I and Zoey. Yes, we have a dog stroller. It's our first time using it and she loved it. There were a lot of people there and it was much better than a leash.

Curt & Phillip are both Dennis's cousins. Phillip has had a LOT of health issues and is waiting for a heart transplant. He and Terri stayed in a hotel and spent the daytimes with us.

This was the only bed of tulips still blooming and even those were starting to droop a lot. This sculpture is a sundial and was very accurate.

Outside the visitor kiosk were a pair of wooden shoes. Unfortunately they didn't fit very well. Ha!

This was the view from our camper door. No close neighbors. I have to say, I think it was the most peaceful and beautiful campground we've stayed in. The spots were huge. We had bluebirds flying all around us the entire time. So much birdsong. There is an eagle sanctuary right across the DesMoines River from the campground.

Sitting around the campfire, but I missed taking a photo of the actual campfire! Such peaceful evening and so fun. We played a bunch of different trivia games, boys against the girls. We didn't keep score but I'm pretty sure the girls won.

This is such a cool sculpture by the river. It's shows all of the birds of the area and how large their wingspan is. I wish I could have gotten enough detail to show the writing on each bird. Our campground was called Howell's Station, but there used to be a river ferry crossing here years ago called Horn's Ferry.

These were the original ferry prices for traffic crossing the river. 

Then a bridge was built to replace it. I hope you can enlarge this and read it. The portion left of the bridge is from the river bank on the left to the supports on the right of the photo below. The rest of it collapsed into the river in 1992. We were able to walk out on the bridge to that spot. A bit scary because of the plank floor. You could see the river between the planks but it was still fun. From there we watched 5 adult eagles soaring through the sky and a baby across the river in it's nest.

We certainly had a wonderful time. Although my back prevented me from joining in, most of the others went kayaking, biking and hiking. It was so relaxing and although the diesel fuel prices weren't fun, we still thought it was worth it. It's a corps of engineers campground and with our America the Beautiful pass we only paid $12.00 per night! Most places are $75-$120 per night now, although we try to find deals where we can.

Yesterday I went to a Mother's Day luncheon at a community center here in Omaha. I've gone for the past three years with these same three friends that I've known for over 50 years! The speaker yesterday told the history of the Durham Centennial Museum that was originally the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Every year they have fantastic speakers. The first year I went it was about influential women from Omaha. Last year was about Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 

From left to right, Jaleena, Barb, Sheryl and yours truly. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed salads, chicken croissant sandwiches and brownies for dessert. I always enjoy the company of these three ladies. We've been through a lot together, even with me living so far away for so long. 

Dennis went to Piper's Taekwondo testing this morning and she advanced another belt. She's been doing so well and moving up steadily. Tomorrow we're going out to lunch with them and Brad's family. We like a restaurant in a tiny, tiny town called Malmo in farm country Nebraska. Really good food and very nice people. I'm looking forward to visiting with Brad's parents, we haven't seen them for a few months.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you as well!

I hope all is well with you all. 

Blessings and love,

Betsy

The Churches One Foundation

Text: Samuel J. Stone

Music: Samuel Wesley

1

The Church’s one foundation
  Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
  By water and the Word:
From heav’n He came and sought her
  To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
  And for her life He died.

2

Elect from every nation,
  Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation,
  One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
  Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
  With every grace endued.

3

’Mid toil and tribulation,
  And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
  Of peace for evermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
  Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
  Shall be the Church at rest.

4

Yet she on earth hath union
  With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
  With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
  Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
  In love may dwell with Thee.