Day 40 Road Trip 2015!

I am way behind again...haven't had good service or internet for a bunch of the time. And some days I was just too tired.

After leaving Spearfish we drive to Mitchell, South Dakota to the Corn Palace then on to Sioux Falls and spent the night. The next morning we drove to my sister's in Elkton, South Dakota and spent several days there.

We toured some local Parks and I cooked some pizza and made homemade cannoli's for the family. We had a great visit and it was good to see everyone again.

After leaving there we headed towards Lake Michigan. We have never been up to the Great Lake's area!

Driving through Minnesota was a lot longer than anticipated due to stop and go traffic on the interstate for about three hours...what fun that was...lol!

By the time we hit Wisconsin and got through about 3/4's of the state it started getting dark. So needless to say we missed some of the scenery and stops at the cheese houses.

As soon as we got in Michigan, we got a motel for the night. It was around 12:00 pm when we got settled I think!

We then drove up the coastline of Lake Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge. We crossed the bridge and headed south on Interstate 75 south.

Today we went to Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield, Ohio and then drove down Kentucky where we are staying in a KOA for the night.  Next stop????

Thank You all for reading and God bless! Thoughts and prayers...Mike!

Day 33 Road Trip 2015

Today we drove through Speardish Canyon on route 14A. Stopped to see some of the falls on out way to Deadwood.

We walked the Historic Main Street of Deadwood and went to Mt. Moriah Cemetary where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. Also hiked up to outside of the cemetary where the first Sheriff of Deadwood was buried.

Then we drove down to Wind Cave National Park and Custard State Park.

Pics are on my fb page...sorry for being short today, but I am not feeling well.

God bless and thanks for reading...Mike!

Day 32-Road Trip. 2015

We got up and left Glendive in the morning. We drive into North Dakota and oit first stop was the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, N.D.

We spent about three to four hours driving to the different stops in the park...hiking around some and taking pictures.

Got some really good pics of several different herds of bison and finally after three trips out west...I got some pics of a rattlesnake! At least I didn't step on it...or it didn't get me first...lol! We also got several pics of some prairie dogs!

After doing the park and taking tons of pics....we headed down to Spearfish, South Dakota to the KOA there. We got a cabin for two nights. Tomorrow we will take a scenic drive through Spearfish Canyon and make our way into Deadwood. If we have time, we might visit Custer State Park and the Wind Cave National Park. We will have to see what we have time for.

My wife did our laundry while I worked on my pics. Thanks dear!

That's about it...it is now 11:25 and time for bed. Will post pics to my fb page when I have time and a good signal.

God bless you all, and thanks for reading...Mike!

Day 31 - Road Trip 2015

We packed up and left Kalispell at 9:30 am and drove all the way to Glendive, Montana.

We stopped in Hungry Horse and had breakfast..so we actually got a late start.  We left Hungry Horse around 11:15 or so! We got to our motel in Glendive around 10:45 pm.

Today was basically just a driving day. Tomorrow we will head into North Dakota to ride through the Teddy Roosevelt National Park, then maybe work our way down to Deadwood, South Dakota.

That's all for now...god bless and take care! Blessings, Mike!

Day 30 Road Trip 2015

Got behind again...imagine that!
We had a great ride back to Kalispell from Eureka.

Our rental hosts there suggested we go back 37 which follows the reservoir to the town of Libby. We stopped at Libby dam for some pictures...then went into the town of Libby for breakfast at the Libby Cafe. We got into Kalispell just in time to meet our friends at West Glacier, where we joined them for a ride back up to Logan's Pass.

We then followed them to Whitefish, where they had invited us to have dinner with them at the Kandahar Lodge. Thank you so much J and R for the fabulous dinner.

We got back to our stay in Kalispell between 11-12 that night. We met up with them again in West Glacier the next morning and drove to Apgar Village to look around. Around noonish, they had to head west to continue their trip...and we drove from Apgar Village the back way to Kalispell. Part of the way was like 10 miles of washboard dirts roads. Someone was not very happy about that....but remained pretty quiet about that! Thank you someone!

Today, our last day in this area...we drove back down to Lakeside, Montana and did a boat ride/tour of Flathead Lake. Now we are back in Kalispell getting ready to head out in the morning. We will start making our way back towards the east.

Thanks for reading...and stayed tuned for the rest of the story. Oh and we met another nice couple from N.J. on the boat. Small world!

God bless! Mike! Pics will be on my fb page as they have been. To hard to post on the blog with my mobile phone!  ;-)

Day 27 Road Trip 2015!

Today our awesome rental hosts took us around the Eureka and surrounding areas for some sightseeing tours!

First they drove us out to The Ten Lakes recreational area...where we checked out several of the lakes. They had even packed a picnic lunch for us all...told you they were awesome!

After a little hiking and viewing, they then drove us to the top of Mount Marston. Talk about views...wow! It almost reminded me of the views from Pike's Peak. Absolutely beautiful!

On our way down the mountain we were honored with a front flat tire. Wow, can it get any better than that I ask!

After changing out the tire, they then drove us over to Stryker, Montana to see Sunday Falls.

Thank you W and E for your outstanding hospitality and generosity! God bless!

Tomorrow...Tuesday, is our checkout from this fantastic apartment, and from the town of Eureka! It will feel strange to leave..it feels like leaving family or life long friends! We were truly blessed to have met up and cross paths with such wonderful people!

As always...pics are posted to my footcruisingamerica facebook page!

God bless you all...and thanks for reading! Mike

Day 26 Road Trip 2015

Well, I guess I got behind again! Since leaving Wyoming we stopped in Bozeman and visited our niece for a few hours.  We were planning on staying at the Bozeman KOA but it was full. The motels were to expensive there, so we cut our visit short. The only place we could find, was a cabin at a KOA in Missoula. So we went there for the night. We had stayed at that same KOA back in 2010.

The next day we went to Safety Lite and had our cracked windshield fixed...yes a victim of a stone back in Colorado!

Then we headed up to Kalispell and Whitefish. We could not afford a room in either town that wasn't already booked. We stopped at the Whitefish/Kalispell KOA and they were out of cabins...but then told my wife, we have a honeymoon cabin we can rent you...but I will show it to you first to see if you want it...humm!

It was actually kind of cute...rustic...but cute. It was almost half the size of their regular cabin...but it had a bed and a roof.. so we stayed there for the night. It was pretty nice. The restrooms/showers were clean and they even gave a complimentary breakfast. It was nicer than we have gotten from most motels for sure.

We found a nice apt. In Eureka, Montana, not far from the Canandian border, over top of a garage/shop on airb&b for a great price. It was private and had all the amenities you would need. The host's are superb to say the least. The apt. Is very neat and clean...and the mountain views...AWESOME! It is so peaceful and quiet...located on top of a large hill/mountain over looking the town...which is only about two miles to the grocery store.

We have the apt. till Tuesday morning checkout..then we will head back down to Kalispell where we had found a travel trailer set up in a private yard for rent.

We will be meeting our friends, Judi and Randal from Ruston, La. there. We will be there for three days...then start heading east to who knows where for now!

We drove the Going to the sun road in West Glacier National Park the morning after the KOA cabin in Whitefish/Kalispell, before heading up to Eureka. Pictures do not, I repeat, do not do it any justice. Absolutely a beautiful drive.

After our first night staying in Eureka, we drove to a National Forest to see an area they call Ten Lakes...and of course we used our GPS and ended up going through two National Forests and traveling about 60 miles of forest roads bringing us about 35 miles south of where we started...never finding what we set out for! It was an awesome drive with some nice mountain, lake, and river views though. The only drawback was the stone, gravel and dirt roads that took us five hours to navigate...the car, nor the wife were very happy about that. But hey, we made it out alive and in one piece!

Last night our hosts offered to drive us to the Ten Lakes for a sightseeing trip in their Jeep! They are absolutely wonderful people. God surely blessed us with this stay for sure!

That's about it for now...you have been updated. Hopefully I can stay caught up! God bless...and thanks for reading my post....pics are on my facebook page (footcruisingamerica). Prayers and blessings...Mike!

Day 22 Road Trip 2015!

We left Douglas Wyoming this morning and made our way into Montana.  We traveled up Interstate 25, then in Sheridan, we took 14 west to Cody. From there we took Chief Joseph Hwy to Beartooth scenic byways into Red Lodge, Montana where we are at another KOA. Took lots of pictures, mostly from the car on the way here. Most of 14 went through the Big Horn National Forest.

We also went through Shell, Wyoming..which has a wonderful water fall and canyon.  Well worth the stop to see. It is right off of 14. No hiking to get to it!

Met a really nice person in the laundry room at the KOA. She and her husband work kamp there. It was a pleasure and a blessing to talk with her. We talked about my walk...mental health....and how God has blessed me in the past year.  I feel sorry for her...I bet her ears are still ringing...lol! I told her I felt like I needed to pay her for her time, I talked her ear off...but not to worry..I picked it up and handed it back to her! All is good!

Well it is late..actually after midnight...I really need my beauty sleep, so God bless you all and have a good night. Will post my pics on fb hopefully tomorrow! Blessings,  Mike!

Day 21 road Trip 2015!

Today was a lite and easy day! We kept our sightseeing close by! We did so because we will be back on the road heading northwest towards Glacier National Parks with several stops in between.

If you have been checking my fb page pictures on (footsruisingamerica) and noticed hazy backgrounds in some pictures...according to the weather channel, it is from forest fires in Alaska! Wow!

Today we went to Ayers Natural Bridge to look around and take pictures. What a nice place to pack a lunch and have a picnic. Beautiful and peaceful scenery and playground areas for kids. Lots of picnic tables also! If you pass by Douglas going up Interstate 25 take exit 151. It is about 5 miles from the interstate.

We then drove up to Bill, Wyoming and drove through some of the open grassland. They also have some looooong trains full of coal going out of that area!

Well that's about it for today..God bless you all. Have a blessed night, Mike!

Day 20 Road Trop 2015!

We stayed in Douglas in the morning, going to the Chamber of Commerce to see the train exhibit there and the infamous Jackalope! Douglas is where the story of the Jackolope got it's start!

Then off to the Pioneer museum it was. It was interesting and full of so much memorabilia of the pioneer days and many military artifacts from the pioneer era..world war one, and world war two! If you go through Douglas,  who should stop and check it out...and it is free!

We then drove to the town square stopping to take a few pics. They had a Jackolope statue down there also! Had breakfast and heaed back to the KOA for a few minutes...after getting lost for an hour first. My sense of direction was way off yesterday!

We then drove to Guernsey, Wyoming...the hub of the Oregan trail. We went to see the tracks from the wagons that were wore into the stone along the trail. Took a bunch of pics...loved the scenery!

Then we drove over to Register Cliffs. That was a cliff of course, where some of the pioneers who travel the trail signed their names. Of course over the years...people without respect of the significance of the cliff had to etch their names in it also...down grading the historical value of it. But interesting just the same. The pioneers had dug out a cave in the cliff where they used to store food such as potatoes for the travels.  That helped keep the food at a cool temperature!

We finsihed touring that around 5:30 and had an hour and a half ride back to the KOA. I was completely wore out after all that.

Thanks for reading...God bless, Mike! Type at you all later!

Day 20...2015

To tired to blog..will catch up tomorrow!  God bless!

Day 19 - 2015 Road Trip!

We left Fountain, Colorado this morning and headed up towards Casper, Wyoming!

We stopped at a place called Johnson's Corner to have breakfast. It was a huge truck-car stop with a very popular and huge restaurant. They are known for their huge cinnamon Buns...and yes they are huge. They even have a family sized on that fits a 9" cake server!

The only other stop we made today was the Wyoming welcome center!

We decided to stop in Douglas about 50 or so miles from Casper. We are staying at another KOA cabin there. I am thinking about staying 2-3 nights here to sight see a little in this area.

That is about all today really. We arrived around 2:30 or so this afternoon and are just chillin. Speaking of chillin, I had to put my hoodie on...lol! Pics on fb page!

Thanks for reading...God bless, Mike!

Day 18 Road Trip 2015!

Today was the 4th of July! Happy Independence Day to you all. May God bless those who fought, and to those who are still serving our country so we may keep our freedom..making it possible for us to have the life we have today. Blessings to all and their families! A BIG THANK YOU!

Today we took a ride out to Cripple Creek and did the railroad tour! It was a coal fired locomotive. It was about a 4 mile tour that took us out and showed us some of the mines that are still operating...also old sites that are no longer being worked. As well as a lot of history about the area and the mines!

After that we headed back to our KOA in Colorado Springs, stopping at Red Rock Canyon in Manitou Springs. My wife sat in the car while I did about an hour or so hike. It was absolutely beautiful...as was the scenery at Cripple Creek, and on the drives. God sure gave us some beautiful places in this country!

I think I over did it today...got real tired and am now I am sore! But I sure did have a wonderful and blessed day!

Any one interested in pics from today please go to my footcruisingamerica fb page!

Thank you all, blessings, Mike!

Heavenly Father, we come before you through the blood of Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. Father, we thank you for the day today. We thank you for all the blessings we have recieved in your name, and ask that we may be used to bless others in your name. And Father, for all those suffering from a mental health problem or a physical illness, we ask that you bring healing, comfort, and peace to them, that they may be a testimony to you and your love, if it be thy will! Again Father, thank you and please guide us so we may walk the path you chose for us, send the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the wisdom and knowledge to do your will Lord. In Jesus's name I pray! Amen!

Day 17 2015 road Trip!

Hello again! Another day...what a blessing! Today we drive up to Denver...then headed west to Evergreen, Colorado. We went to Evergreen Lake where we stopped to walk around the lake to get some exercise in! Of course I had to take pictures also!

After leaving Evergreen, we headed towards Breckenridge to look around for a while. Until we hit miles of backup traffic. All of a sudden Breckenridge didn't sound so good...lol! So we turned around and headed back to Colorado Springs to our cabin for the night.

On the way I saw a sign that said historic attraction, so I turned off not knowing what to find! We came to a little attraction that is a hundred years old...Tiny town Railroad. It was something to do and another chance to take pictures!

After that we headed back to the KOA in Colorado Springs stopping at Wal-mart for some dinner items.

The traffic was terrible, I guess because of the holiday. Everything including our campground is fully booked!

On the way back I pulled into a scenic overlook to check it out. I met someone there who was biking across the US with 3-4 others for WorthwhileWear. It is an organization to raise awareness to human trafficking and to engage the community at large and help them become part of the solution. Check out their website and if you feel led to send a gift...please do so.

I have to apologize...but I forgot the gentlemen's name. I will blame it on Chemo brain!  But here is his pic! If you see him on the road, help him out with a drink, or treat him to lunch. He was a great person to talk to! May God bless his journey. They are heading to San Antonio from Minnesota!

Day 16 2015 Road Trip!

We got up and left Lubbock, Tx. this morning! It felt like a long drive to get out of Texas, but we finally made it to New Mexico.

Loved coming into New Mexico from this side.  The last time we entered New Mexico it was from the east. The scenery from the South was much better looking compared to coming in from the east.

The ride through New Mexico didn't seem so bad. Like I said..nice scenery and pretty smooth sailing.

From New Mexico to our stop at the KOA in Colorado Springs was only about 2 1/2 hours if I remember right. We will stay hear for three nights or so...then make our way into Wyoming!

Again, I posted the pics from today on the fb footcruisingamerica page. It is easier to post them on fb than on my mobile app for blogger!

God bless and thanks for reading! Blessings...Mike!

Day 15 Road Trio 2015

Not to much to report tonight. I am very tired. Got up around 7:30...got dressed and packed by 8:30.

We headed to the laundromat the next block up from where we stayed in San Antonio. Did a weeks worth of laundry, then headed to north west San Antonio to have lunch with an old friend of my wife from high school.

We finished up around 2:00 p.m. then headed to Lubbock where we are staying the night at the Lubbock KOA! We got here around 8:30....now to get some sleep!

God bless and thanks for checking up on us! Blessings your way, Mike!

Day 14 Road Trip 2015

We had a  busy day taking in some of the sites of San Antonio! First we went down to River Walk. Then we did the boat tour on the river.

After that we went to The River Mall and had a Starbucks coffee and looked around a little.

Then it was off to the Alamo Historic District to walk through the Alamo and tour the grounds.

Afterwords we headed off on a walk through the Convention Center to get to the Tower of the America's! We took the tour to the top and took some pics...of course!

It was sunny and hot all day but as we finished the tower...it started clouding up. So we headed to Denny's for an early dinner before the rain hit.

Shortly after we finished we walked over to the transit bus stop to catch a bus. It was just a sprinkle by then. As we boarded and started on our way..the rain had stopped. Our stay for the night was only 1/2 a block away from where we were let off.

That's about it for today...and I am tired...lol! I posted all the pics from today on my footcruisingamerica facebook page. If you check them out feel free to like my page.

God bless you all and thanks for following my journey...Mike!

Lucky day 13 2015 Road Trip!

After arriving at our motel last night, I could not find my phone. After searching and searching Val called it. It had fallen down my overnight bag...okay!

Then this morning I get up and can't find my wallet. Search everywhere with no luck. The only place I remember having it out after checking in was Wendy's the night before. So at 8:15 a.m. we called and the girl that answered said she would look...and there it was on the counter, opened and sitting in front of the register where I guess I left it. I went to pick it up and everything was still inside, including the cash! Thank you Jesus!

After finding everything...lol, we packed up and headed to San Antonio. On our way to our next stay we stopped and had lunch at Denny's!

After leaving there, we headed over to The Natural Bridge Caverns and took a tour. It was a pretty good tour. Then we headed to our destination for the night.

I guess we will probably do the River Walk tomorrow! God bless you all and thanks for reading!

Hears some pics from today for your viewing pleasure!

Day 12 (2015) Road Trip

Several days have gone by since I last posted...my bad! I had a day or two where I was pretty tired and couldn't bring myself to blog!

On the 26th we went to the rodeo with our hosts Judi and Randal and their grandchildren. We only stayed about an hour and a half. It was very hot and steamy in there that night and the Kids were getting tired, so we decided to leave around 9:30. 

The next day was the 27th and my wife and I volunteered to help out at the peach festival. My wife and our host Judi worked the food coupon table and I was put at the music venue gate. All in all we had a good time doing our part and met some more of the good people from Ruston. 

The Guinness Record for the largest peach cobbler. Yea!

The cobbler oven!

my gate where I was stationed!

Then today, the 28th, we attended the Ruston First Baptist Church with Judi and Randal. Afterwards they treated us to lunch ... and then we headed west and then south in Texas. We stopped for the night in Temple, Tx. In the morning we will head to Austin and then on to San Antonio where we will spend a few nights before heading north.

Day 9 Road Trip 2015!

Today I drove to Arcadia, Louisiana. That was the next stop I would have gone to after Ruston. My sister had sent me more business cards there about my walk. As most of you know I was not able to make it there...having to have the surgery on my colon to remove the tumor.

My sister contacted the Arcadia Post Office and explained our situation and the young woman said she was by herself and would call her back. That she did..and not only that...but she drive them to Ruston and waited for someone to pick them up for me. What a wonderful and God loving person she was! It meant so much to me for her to do that...I had to thank her personally. She remembered about it when I showed her my card and immediately asked how I was doing! Thank you so very much! God bless you L for all that you have done.  Blessings and prayers your way!

After getting back to Ruston Val and I went to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger to lunch. Mandy was our waitress and a great one at that. Very pleasant and hard working. She even was able to put up with my sense of humor...or at least that is what I call it! Thank you Mandy, bless you!

Okay, enough chit chat for now! Blessings your way. Thank you all for reading and following my blog!

Day 8 Road Trip 2015

Hello everyone! We left the motel in Vicksburg and made our first stop at the Old Vicksburg Bridge. I wanted to stop by and say hello to Herman and Warren who were so kind and helpful to me on my walk, but Herman was not there today and Warren was working on the other side of the bridge. Just wanted to thank you again! God bless you both for your kindness!

As we headed toward Ruston, La. (where my cancer was discovered and where I had surgery to remove the tumor) we took my walking route most of the way. I could remember going through each area and what was coming up next. It almost has me wanting to do it again. But because of the tumors in the liver, I don't think I will attempt it right now! 

When we arrived in Ruston, we first stopped at the Northern Louisiana Hospital and visited Melba...one of the nurses that found great enjoyment in giving me needles, even though I told her I was allergic to them....lol...just kidding Melba! Carmen and Ashley were off so I didn't see them. I did get to see and talk to Dr. Mariano though. Dr. Osafo was out to lunch and Dr. Byrnes was in surgery!

We also visited with Dana who worked in the eligibility screening department. She worked hard on my case and got me approved for assistance with almost all the Medical Bills. She also filed for my Social Security. She went above and beyond in helping me during my stay at the hospital and even after being discharged. Thank you Dana..God bless!

Then we were off to Judi and Randals house. They were kind enough to put us up again during our visit to Ruston. They took us out for a wonderful lunch..then to a peach orchard (Mitchams) for some fresh peaches. And did it stop there..I think not. They also took us to a blueberry farm (Pop's Blueberry Patch) for fresh picked blueberries. Then over to the Chamber Of Commerce so we could volunteer to help with the Peach Festival! And did it stop there...I think not. They also cooked us a truly wonderful dinner. I think they are going to have to force us out now.. lol! I must say they are truly warm, thoughtful and caring people. I am very lucky God put them on my path. Not to mention Judi was the one responsible for having a check up done on me...which led to them finding my cancer! God is awesome!

I am going to call it a night. Thank you all again for reading my blog. I pray that God watches over you all...and for anyone who is going through a rough time or illness I ask God to bring peace, comfort and healing in Jesus's name....Amen and God bless!