Home!

Roger enjoyed swimming with the grandkids until he realized he'd jumped in with his phone in his swim trunk's pocket!! It's still drying out - we hope it may work again.ng t

In MT we suddenly realized we were driving with a coolant leak. There was no indication of problems on the gauge, so it was only seeing the puddle under the R.V. that alerted Roger to issues. He couldn't buy coolant there - the nearest place was ~50 miles away - so we filled it up with water. After we were able to add coolant, we kept our eyes on the exhaust. It continued to spew white smoke showing that there was some engine damage. God allowed us to get home, but now we have to decide what move to do next.

Our last night was spent in Ellensburg at a prayer meeting. They let us spend the night there and on Thursday morning we continued home - arriving before lunch.

It was a good trip, but so glad to be home!

WB road!

Driving in WY, we realized we had the Wordless Book in sight! The road was red - certain areas have red rocks and use it in highway mixtures. The center lines were yellow, but had black alongside them. On the side of the road was the white fog line. And the grass was green. So, we had all 5 WB colors as we drove along.

SD

We arrived in SD and parked at the R.V. park in town. After Heather taught on Zoom, Alan's family came over. Shortly after they arrived, a torrential down pour ensued. We were able to eat dinner together and keep the kids somewhat happy with games. The pool is closed for the season, so we have decided to rent a motel room with a pool on hand.

The storm brought lightening for about an hour - sheet and forked without thunder! It was an amazing sight - and we could see it well on the hill that the park is located. Also looked out over the town all lit up for evening.

Friday we moved to the hotel. For 2 days the kids/g'kids came and left, enjoying the pool. Josh joined us on Saturday for a short visit, bringing his family. 

Sunday morning we moved out and left for church. Directly thereafter we drove to Sturgis. Josh found a wonderful park that we all enjoyed. First we had our Swiss Steak, potato salad, watermelon and cheese cake. Then we tried out many of the slides, swings, rides, etc. The bike park was a huge draw. Alan, Wyatt and Odin joined us for the afternoon. Galina stayed with home with Hunter and Zoey, who wasn't feeling good.

Sunday was Heather's birthday, and it was a delight to spend it with some family - a very rare occurrence.

Sunday night we plugged in at Josh's, and left Monday for home. Monday night was spent in Bozeman, MT.

Highway excitement

Traveling north on route 85 in WY, we were almost stopped as a great transport passed us going south. Two helicopters with machine guns hanging out the side guarded and flew above this transport. There were many (~6) official/police cars with flashing lights, etc., accompanying the semi that pulled a trailer. Several armored military vehicles were also in the convoy. I almost ran into the guy ahead of me as he decided to hit the brakes. The "caravan" was in the opposite double lane, but it was overwhelming. 

One local person told us they were transporting a nuclear missile warhead, since there are a lot of silos around here.  I don't like to link to outside media because I can't be sure of what else might on the site, but here's a tiktok video of pretty much what we saw. Very interesting.

This road was almost deserted, but it's a good highway between Cheyenne, WY, and Rapid City, SD.

Sometime later, as we travelled the "CanAm" highway route 85, we drove on roads that reminded us of the "wordless book". Do you recognized the colors?

 

Friends

We met with Doug and Becky G. at Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO. Doug worked there for many years. Our friendship goes back to the 80's.

Heather always wants the sundae that Whit's End offers. It's really TOO big, but it looks so yummy. We had sweet fellowship (yep) and reminisced about the years gone by - where did they go??

Focus let us spend the night in their parking lot. We had to leave by 8 and the store didn't open until 9, so we pretty much wandered around and then returned. 

On Tuesday we drove to Kendall's place in Littleton, CO. We hadn't seen them in many years, so there was lots to update. They took us to a favorite walking place by the Platte River. Kathy packed a picnic lunch for us. There were no flies or mosquitoes to ruin our time. The weather was perfect. It was a good time of encouraging one another. In the evening we played several games.

Wednesday we were back on the road. Toward late afternoon Roger started looking for a church where we could attend prayer meeting. He found one in small town Torrington, WY. It's good to meet with fellow believers. They let us spend the night on their parking lot (unpaved).

McDonald's

We spent the night in a gas station/truck stop in CO. Around dark a farm truck pulled upwind from us (think manure)! Gag me!! He didn't stay all night. Early this morning a skull stopped by for a too long visit! Several car alarms went off. But we slept well. Now we're at McDonald's again.

McDonald's has been our friend for many years. This year, with the intense heat, we have gone inside just to cool off (although the manager said the a/c couldn't keep up with the heat). I've been told a/c only cools 30 degrees below the outside temperature.

In years past, the kids and now the grandkids enjoy/ed the playland. Happy meals (or as our granddaughter called the place "Happy Donald") have always been a favorite.

We are so grateful to go to a place that doesn't sell liquor! Today we had their coffee to save on starting the generator and use their internet. It's strong enough (the internet - lol) that we can operate inside the R.V.

Thanks, McDonald!! Roger (almost) always gives them a good review.

Church

Attending Sunday School, services and Wednesday prayer meetings is a highlight of our travels.

Last Wednesday in Warrenton, MO, we were loaned a car to go to a local church. The pastor was teaching, but he's currently answering questions that various folks have submitted. One was about voting, specifically pro-life. He had a lot of good things to say to strongly encourage us all to vote as Jesus would. Other topics were tatoos - should Christians get a tatoo? What does the Bible say about sexuality?

Today in church we had a Sunday School lesson on future events. It was good to have our past knowledge reinforced. The sermon was on forgiveness - I don't think we can ever hear too much about that! We were blessed.

CEF IHQ

Sunday was spent in the church parking lot in Columbia. We enjoyed the morning Sunday School and service, but were disappointed to learn that they don't have an evening service. 

So, we watched the Zoom Good News Club taught by CYIA youth. There were children riding their bikes in the church parking lot and along the street. We told them briefly about Jesus, encouraged them to visit the church for themselves (most of them don't go to church), and gave them "Jesus loves you" cards. Be great to meet them in Heaven! It was hard to be there with Mary and Scot gone - felt like a loss of sorts.

Since we had lots of down time on saturday and Sunday...meaning the RV was not moving, we did two jigsaw puzzles.

Monday we drove to CEF and got all hooked up. That evening our R.V. neighbors, Tim and Mari Dekle, hosted a wiener roast and invited us. We brought pickles and marshmallows to add! About 10 CMI students joined us and we had a great time getting acquainted and visiting.

Tuesday and Wednesday Heather worked with housekeeping. They had had a full house, and it took 2 days to get all the bedding and towels washed and folded. But by 8 p.m. Tuesday we were done. Roger went through the entire volunteer lodge, checking the plumbing and cleaning out drains that needed attention. Then he weeded the front gardens in preparation for the International Board's arrival.

Thursday we worked together in production. That involved loading the binding/cutting machine, making boxes, and packing the books that came off production. This was the day's work!

The next day Heather finished that production. Then she worked binding books and besides some other work, made up over 400 boxes in preparation for the next print run. Roger worked in the warehouse. They were preparing a shipment for overseas.

It's been a busy 4 days, and now we are packing up, heading to CO. The sun is shining, but it's not blistering hot anymore!

Silver Dollar City (SDC)

We arrived Tuesday and hooked the R.V. up. We were in time to catch the bus and take in a few concerts. The weather was brutal - hot and humid! On Wednesday I rode the swing - several times! Roger doesn't do that one...

On Thursday we rode a number of rides together, including the sunken mine, the carousel, and the train. There's always a train robbery, but this was the funniest ever!! Kids were donating their candy to the robbers - but then someone gave them a cinnamon bread loaf that SDC is famous for. That caused the whole acting cast to crack up and tell everyone they were on break while they enjoyed the bread!! It was a great experience! We also attended Spoken4's concert in the Playhouse. Great music and lots of humor! 

Later, in the Opera House, after the concert, we were told there was an incident which closed the regular exit doors. So we all exited the entrance. This had never happened before and they are very crowd control conscious. Friday morning we found out what happened. During the concert a lady took her final trip home to Heaven! What a time and place to go. Of course, the husband and family are left to grieve.

The last concert was by Triumphant. It was very inspiring and the music was good. Up to now, at the Red Gold and Amphitheater concerts the sound was poorly managed and we had to plug our ears to make out the words. But this final one (for us) was wonderful. 2 hours before the concert, it was moved to the Opera House because of a threatening storm. But then, with less than an hour before starting time, it was moved back to Echo Hollow. Lightening had already closed the metal rides, but the rain held off until the very end and the concert ended upbeat. One of my favorite songs they do is "Why not wave that old white flag of surrender?" and they did it!

We tried out the cinnamon bread, since it was such a hit on the train ride!! And Hannah's ice cream shop is a favorite, so we stopped in there, too! I have a favorite taco chip plate that I always get when there. The hymn sing in the church is such fun - hymns by request with a very fast playing pianist!!
SDC has so much to offer - you can never take it all in.

We always like staying in SDC's campground. Roger got in a short swim on Tuesday, but the rest of the time we were at the park, enjoying the music.

Sunday and beyond

Sunday morning we were excited to attend a small church Roger found online. They had Sunday School as well as the service. When we arrived, we were welcomed - and told the pastor was on vacation. However, the Sunday School teacher was great. He's teaching through Ezekiel and as a "show and tell" brought along a sample of Ezekiel bread that God told Ezekiel to eat (Ezekiel 4:9). That bread is available at Walmart and is called Ezekiel 4:9 bread!! I'll be looking for it (frozen section). 

The substitute pastor was also very inspiring. He spoke on Hebrews - starting with chapter 2:1-4 and going back over why chapter 2 starts with "therefore" by reviewing chapter 1. All the OT references to Jesus. The question was "Who is Jesus to you?" One thing I learned was that Psalm 110:1 is the most oft quoted OT verse!

Scrabble is part of our Sunday events. The R.V. was so hot, we stopped at a rest area, took the game to a shaded part, and played outside. While there, the Blue Angels flew overhead and we enjoyed their show as a benefit.

Sunday evening we couldn't get to a church service, so we settled in a McDonald's and listened to the Zoom Good News Club being taught by past Christian Youth in Action grads. It was fun to listen in!

The heat over the past week + has been almost too much. Even McDonald's was not able to keep the place cool. It's often 100 degrees. However, nights cool very well and we've been able to sleep.

Monday morning we headed south to my (Heather's) ancestors' home grounds - NW MO. My g'g'grandparents are buried here. My g'grandparents were married here and then migrated to Canada. The g'g'grandparents were godly people. The g'grandparents left because they didn't want to be godly. In the line going back to the g'g'g'grandparents and further, they are the only break in Christianity on my mom's side that we know of going back to the 1600's.

Now we are parked at a friend's house in the country. He has about 20 goats and a dog to keep him company. The raccoons got his chickens!

Sioux Falls Water Park +

We met Alan and family in Sioux Falls for a day in the water!! Actually, they drove over for an evening wedding, but this was a great place to spend the time beforehand.

Not only does this outdoor water park have many slides - some almost suicidal!! - there are several "water falls", a zero depth pool, and many other fun things.

Wyatt loved the water bumper cars - once he went with Alan first. After that, he was on his own, repeatedly lining up to go again. There was mini-golf and go carts.

Zoey was happy to go on her own. Little Odin loved the water and has no fear of it. Roger was teaching him to put his face in the water (Roger's a good swimmer and loves the water). Baby Harry slept and watched everyone and all the activity. 

It was a good day. We're spending the night in Sioux City, IA, at Walmart! Across the road is Aldi and the Dollar Tree. What more could one wish for (except a little cooler weather!). Last night cooled so much that we covered with a blanket. Hopefully tonight will be equally cool.

Roger's looking up a church for us to attend tomorrow. A highlight of our trips!

Leaving Rapid City

We woke up to a wild turkey outside our window!

After clean-up (you know, grandkids!) and securing everything, we left Rapid City. Not far out of town, our transmission dis-engaged. That means the engine was running - brakes and steering worked, but the "D" didn't put it in drive! We coasted off ot the side and turned the engine off. Restarting it put everything back in working order THANK YOU, LORD!

The next stop was at Minuteman Missile site. We got there as they were closing!

Wall Drugs was calling, so we stopped for our 5 cent coffee!! Last time we were there, many of the workers were imported from Asia. This time I was prepared and handed out Gospels of John. The girls gladly took one. May there be some eternal fruit from this.

Walmart in Mitchel allowed overnight parking. We shopped and slept there.

Wild Turkey

We heard they were all around, but today on our morning walk, we saw one. Evidently it was used to visitors, because it didn't even move out of the way when we passed. These are the turkeys we assume the pilgrims killed for food. They don't have much fat on them, but good meat!

52+ years

That's how long it's been since the 2 of us sat by a pool (after swimming) - just the 2 of us - no kids or grandkids! It was a memory of our honeymoon!! The pool was otherwise empty. The sun was warm but not burning (like yesterday when you couldn't stand on the pavement around the pool); the wind was refreshing; the sky was blue with fluffy clouds; and the view couldn't be beat.

Earlier in the day we walked around the R.V. park. Overhead an eagle soared, making wide circles in its search for food. The park is located above the city and you can see far into the distance. At night the city is aglow. There are places here where there is a steep drop-off into deep valleys. It's very pleasant. The young couple who purchased the place not too long ago is busy upgrading and improving all the camp sites.

With some extra time we cleaned and organized 2 cabinets in the R.V. Traveling really shakes things up and it was sorely needed!

We have 3 days here; then ever onward, forward!

For now, we expect the grandkids to show anytime. It's nice to have some time with them.

Several hours later...

Bad storm moving in - pool closed - batten down the hatches! The wind is whipping the trees. The R.V. is rocking. We pray it doesn't tip over!!

Well, the storm passed over and the pool reopened - just in time for the grandkids to arrive for swim time! God is working all things together for good.

Rapid City, SD

On our way into town, we stopped at Josh's place. He wasn't home, but I "owed" our granddaughter Scarlett pistachio pudding!! So, I paid up - she was impressed that I remembered from this spring...

Once in Rapid City, we hooked up in the RV park. It didn't take too long for the grandkids to arrive - the pool was very enticing with 90+ degree temps! After a swim and dinner, Wyatt stayed with me to swim some more. Several kids were there, so there was company.

We had some quality time together - he's a very good reader for 7 years old! We have several more days here before heading south.

Roger had gone with Alan and Galina to help get their car ready for a family road trip.

A New Record

Today we drove over 660 miles in an effort to get to Rapid City earlier than planned. That is about double what we normally plan to do. Since the goal is to spend time with grandkids, and they are leaving town on Friday, we hustled to have a little more time with them. 

We were able to get a parking spot at Walmart in Gillette just as the sun was making its final showing. Since then, it's been almost non-stop sheet lightening. So far, no rain. 

The R.V. wasn't too happy about all those miles; it was dragging its feet at the end (although the slope of the hill made a difference) and finally a "check engine" light came on. Roger doesn't think it's too worrisome - it has happened before and he has a code reader. We'll see how far we get. We are at a high altitude, which may make some difference. 

Speaking of slopes - it's like there's no end to hills and mountains and passes to go over. I guess I never realized this before. The prairies still lie ahead of us... 

We slept well last night and I slept several times during the day! Guess we're enjoying vacation. I really noticed the various hill/mountain formations - sheer rock cliffs; multiple small peaks working their way upward; bare rock; and rock covered with trees. In all colors of rocks and trees (& clouds!!). God is amazing!

On the Road Again...

Ewalds are on the move again! We left home to attend church and stayed for the brunch we had afterwards. Then, it was hit the road. Once we got out of town, traffic eased and we were rolling.

The R.V. functioned great - no complaints from the engine. However, along the entire time there were periodic clunks under our feet. (Roger will check it out tomorrow.) We are pretty much over the passes - just a few more in MT. The gas was cheap ($3.29) and the parking with electricity was free! We arrived before dark.

All day the clouds were majestic with a blue sky backdrop. The small streams along the road looked inviting - the sun was hot, but the a/c worked great! A perfect weather day.

While driving, Heather listened in (when there was reception in the mountains) to the memory club reciting their verses. The youth who taught the Sunday Zoom Good News Club did an excellent job!
It was a good first day.

HOME

With the last planned visit over, we headed home. It's always fun to stop in MT at various places. In Butte, we rode the ferris wheel at Scheel's. There was a parking spot open for us at Haugan, a favorite stopping place. We can plug into electricity for free there!! We gassed up in ID before entering our expensive State! Several neighbor boys welcomed us home and helped carry in many bags...It took 2 days to get the R.V. emptied, but we are now moved back into the house and getting reacquainted with it!!

SD Family

We arrived on Tuesday and Alan’s family came out to meet and greet us! Alan brought flowers for Mother’s Day. The kids are happy to see us and very disappointed that the pool will not be open.

Odin, the 1 yo is a total charmer! He understands “no” and responds well to it. Harrison, the 4 month old just drools over us! Zoey at 10 is a little more reclusive, but she did warm up with time. Wyatt, 7, never stops! He wears us out…

The weather has been great and the kids have been able to play in the playground. There are actually 2 on the campsite, so it has worked out well.

Josh came with his family when he got off work on Friday. Scarlett, 13, is growing up too fast! She plans on a driver's license in December – SD gives licenses to TOO young kids!! Lol We like to play games together.

We have had lots of food and time to catch up. On Saturday we all went to watch and cheer Wyatt on in a bike/run race. The campsite has a fire ring, so we’ve had fires most nights, with s’mores.

SD Rest Area and Rapid City

We drove on to Sioux Falls, SD, to meet with Kyle. Had lunch with him. He's waiting to get a police job.

From there we headed west and ended up at a rest area just short of Murdo. Slept well; gained another hour on our way home - westward bound! The roads (I-90) are very smooth and straight. Great driving - only there is always some wind! (from the north - thanks, Canada!)

The rest areas are pleasant stops. I decided early on I would get out and walk each time we stopped at one. I've been quite faithful at that. In one of them a small chapel had been built. Inside were Bibles and children's Bibles; well maintained and clean. As I approached the chapel, a bright yellow bird flew up. What a great place to go for a walk!

Now we are situated at our favorite camp site in town. The pool will not be open; the weather is cool. We plan to stay until Sunday.

On to SD

Sunday morning we awoke to a violent wind storm. The R.V. just shook. Then the rain came - Roger was thinking maybe a tornado. However, it all ceased and we drove in peace to church.

Church was most enjoyable - hymns, Sunday School on Jude, and the message on Gideon, one the Biblical judges - well researched and delivered exceptionally well. We are blessed.

 

CEF HQ

We started work at 8 on Monday. The conference attendees were still arriving from all over the world. It was a meeting of the International Regional Directors and the International Board. Besides kitchen work (our main job was breakfast), we helped put together 2,000 back pack kits for Haitian kids. About 10 items per bag. The job got done!

Also, there was collating of teaching materials needing to be done. We made a small dent in that project. 

Heather's other assigned job was to iron 28 round tablecloths for a big Friday formal dinner. She got help with 4.5 - the rest were her responsibility.

Tuesday-Friday we reported to work at 6:30. They like a 6-7 work day from volunteers, so we stayed out of trouble. Truth is, we did more work. The other option was to sit in the R.V.!

The weather was pleasant - hot some days; cool some days; some rain. We didn't have a fire at night, like we have it the past.

In the kitchen, we prepared food - baked cookies, cut veggies, put out all the breakfast items, washed dishes, served the guests, etc. It was a never-ending job! What fun!! We just might be back - later this year or next year...only God knows!

Saturday we pulled out and got to Nebraska City, NE. We found a great parking for the night and got our shopping done for the next week.

Columbia, MO and CEF

We spent the night in a rest area and drove on to Columbia on Saturday. We parked in the church parking lot (by permission) and were ready for a great service (& Sunday School). That church has a lot to offer the community and they do reach out. Several great Bible teachers and an inspired preacher.

We provided lunch for Scot and Mary - who didn't have the courtesy to come to church on Mother's Day to be with me!! They had 2 guests there, but there was enough food!!

I taught the Zoom GNC from the R.V., and discovered the internet is not sufficient. I finished it outside, which may have helped a little with connections. The mosquitoes enjoyed the story, too!!

We are parked in the CEF R.V. parking lot, ready for work tomorrow morning.

IN, IL, MO

From Fort Wayne we headed to West Lafayette. Heather (a Taylor U friend) & Harlan welcomed us to their place. We have managed to keep in touch all these years. A 3rd friend has graduated to Glory. We pulled out of Heather and Harlan’s place around 10 the next morning.

In Peru, IN, we stopped to check out Grissom Air Museum. The rain let up enough for us to complete the outside tour of planes. Inside there were more videos and displays. When it was time to leave, the heavens had opened and torrential rain was coming down. We delayed leaving for several minutes, and the rain let up. By the time we had driven a few minutes, it quit! This trip has been like that - rain, but never for long.

Driving west, we went by Effingham, IL – forever in our memory as the place the R.V. quit 2 years ago. It took a month to restore it and the engine still runs well 26,000 miles later. Thankfully, even though it does stop on occasion, on its own, it always immediately restarts! Quite exciting when you’re driving along the highway… 

Based on Alexa’s recommendation, we decided to check out the St. Louis’ City Museum. There was no problem getting there, but parking was another issue. We finally pulled alongside signs that said, “parking by plate”. The parking attendant (for cars) didn’t know anything about that. After walking around the museum (& taking some pictures), we decided not to enter. It looked gloriously fun – for kids!! As we left, we noticed the parking pay machine where you enter your license plate and pay accordingly. That explained the “parking by plate” signs.

Leaving St. Louis was much more complicated. After getting on highway I-64, we realized we didn’t want to go that route. We wanted I-70. In the meantime, the gas light came on. This has only happened one other time. However, in the part of town we were there were no gas stations. Roger put “nearest gas” in his phone and also on the GPS. Every time we turned, the reaction was “you’re going the wrong way”. So, as the needle bounced on the empty mark, we wandered around town…

Finally, I just happened to glance up and saw “water works” – a car washing station – on the other side of the 6 lane road. However, in a last minute look, I also saw the word “fuel”. We made a number of turns to get there, no knowing for sure if they had gas. They did – and we thanked and praised the Lord for leading us to this “off the beaten path” gas station!

Eventually we got back on I-70 and pulled into a rest area for the night. It was a good night and we slept well. Now off to Warrenton to shop and then Columbia to park by the church we will be attending tomorrow.

95th!, Mugshots & Sammy Morris

We drove to Uncle Bill's on Monday, arriving mid-afternoon. For several hours he reminisced for us - Roger wanted to know more about his dad. Then, at 7 p.m. lots of friends showed up for his 95th birthday (on the 9th). We also enjoyed fajitas that cousin Dawn served. It was great to see them all again. Uncle Bill gets around with a walker after his stroke.

We spent the night in a Walmart parking lot - always a good place to be! Tuesday we stopped in at Trent and Wendy's place. They gave us the grand tour of their 4,000 sq ft new house - still very "unmoved into". Then they took us to "Mugshots" - the local coffee shop in Allegan, MI. Lunch was delicious!

From there we moved on to Russ and Flossie's in Fort Wayne, IN. Roger has a short list of chores to do - he likes being able to help. Flossie drove us to the cemetery where Sammy Morris' monument stands. He sure made a long, lasting impression - a man of God for sure. 

We spent a night there and the next afternoon drove to a local small church prayer meeting. Now we are in another Walmart parking lot, listening to the rain.