Threatening skies for the past two nights, all the weather to the west and north. Arrived in Laughlin, NV around noon. Plenty of time to play the slots and video poker. Surprisingly, did not lose much money. Bea hit 4 of a kind several times and broke even on several machines. Consistently left money behind on the slots. When it was all done and finished must have lost between $15 and $25 Dollars. Not bad for several hours of entertainment. Had a good nights rest and left for Willow, CA. Nearly ran out of gas so stopped a few miles before Willow and paid $2.69 per gal. Surprised when I reached Willow and it was $2.19 per gal. I was also glad I had only put in $5.00 worth previously. Could not update last night because we had driven over 600 miles so we could arrive home today. Reached Grants Pass at 11 AM 10 June 2005. Trip lasted 32 days and 6685 miles. We had a wonderful time and visits. Glad to be home and maybe will go again later this year. Maybe to the Olympic area in upstate Washington. Hope everyone had a good time reviewing my blog and kept up with us on the trip.

Called Ronald and we got together for some old memories and what has happened since I last saw him 57 years ago. Ron and I went to school together. We shared many hunting and fishing experiences besides working at the newspaper and going out on week-ends. Four of us that ran around together all joined the Air Force. He had an exciting AF career and is enjoying life to the fullest. Drove up highway 83 to the cross at Groom and stopped this time to visit the grounds. Tomorrow we will go I-40 to Laughllin, NV. A couple of days or three to get there. As you can see, our destination changes at will depending on how we feel in the morning and our desires for the day. Thunderstorms outside tonight. Hope there is no hail. This area had golf size last night.

We left at 08:35 and drove 500 miles at 70 miles per hour most of the day. Stopped for lunch at noon and ate at a Golden Corral. Best catfish I have had on this trip. So was the watermelon, collard greens, steak, etc., Another bite and I would have had to stop for the day. Will make Abilene early tomorrow and hope I can look up Ron Houllihan, former schoolmate and friend I joined the service with. He retired from the Air Force also. Plan to follow I-20 to I-5 and end up home. About 2100 miles to go. Doppler radar is showing many cells of storms near Abilene. Some with golf ball size hail and some with nickel size hail. Some land spouts have been reported also. They are tornados that are not associated with storm cells.

Visited Millie McQuinn for a few hours and took her out to dinner. Bill passed away last year. Afterwards drove to Navarre, where Bea's brother and his family lives. The old highway 98 used to be Gulf, sand and trees for a hundred miles but now there is nothing but Condos, hotels, motels for the entire trip. We arrived after 4 bumper to bumper hours. Speed limits 45 to 35 and everyone was going 55 to 65 except us. Had two wonderful days, It seemed we were doing nothing but going out to eat Went to lunch in a 35 foot Limousine. Clint our nephew owns it and leases it out to Shane (our driver). The four of us had a ball. Bob has had 17 or so going out to a party or family doings. Shane did a great job of maneurving that monster in and out of traffic and parking. Decided to start on the return trip this morning. Bea has been having some trouble with her ankle swelling and we are not able to do sightseeing that requires any long walking. Staying at the Jameson Inn at Lafayette, LA

Stayed at Columbus, Mississippi Air Force Base lodging. Arrived at 1400 and had a restful night. All the housing lights went out at 2150 not to come back on until around 2:30. Never did find out what the problem was. Drove to Oxford and arrived at 11:30. Janet came home at 12:30 we went to the motel and registered then took all the laundry for the past 20 days to a laundryette (used it the last time here) and picked it up today the 28th of May, folded and on hangers for $6.50. Beats doing it ourselves. Will be here until Tuesday and Bea has not made up her mind whether to go to Navarre, FL to visit her brother or not. Will call him tomorrow and see if he has any plans to be away. Gas is $1.899, not as expensive as it is in Oregon. Navarre is about 5 hours away. We are both getting along OK, the antibiotics have made me feel much better and Bea outside of a weak ankle (using a support) is doing fine.

Leaving Thursday for Oxford,AL have had a wonderful visit with my brother and his family. Been eating southern, collared greens, hush puppies and catfish. Went to the doctor and he wrote a prescription for antibiotics to rid me of an infection. Otherwise, trip going very well. Have not thought about returning as of yet. Will see if we go to Florida after seeing Janet and her family.

Went pass the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on I-40 exit 112. The 190 foot cross weighs 2.5 million pounds and is visible up to 20 miles away also on the grounds are the replica of the Shroud of Turin and 14 bronze stations of the cross. Have not been able to update prior to today because of the lack of internet available. Stayed in Broken Arrow, OK Thursday through Saturday. We had a wonderful visit with Bea's sisters, nephews, nieces and their families. Departed Sunday for Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Arrived at Noon and had lunch with my brother and his wife. We are having a great time and have not decided to return as of yet.

Left Colorado Springs at 8:15 and arrived at Dalhart, Texas around 3:00 after changing to Central time. Gas is down to 2.06 and I hear it is 1.98 at Amarillo.
Beautiful day and lots of pretty scenery. Counted 12 separate groups of antelope comprising around 30 or more and several sets of individual or up to 5 meandering in the fields. Got a Tex Mex Supreme Burrito (it was huge, filled the whole plate and then covered with additional sauce, lettuce, cheese and taco chips) very good!!
Hope to get some sleep tonight but in a Best Western across the tracks and then the highway. Whistle has blown every 15 minutes since we entered the room. Dalhart has 7000 population so all the businesses follow next to the highway and reailroad tracks.l

Arrived in Colorado Springs Thursday after going over Monarch pass, a little over 11000 feet. Went past the Royal Gorge and skyline drive at Canon City. Been to both previously. Reservations at the AF Academy thru Sunday and will depart for Broken Arrow. OK via Raton pass and Dalhart, Texas. Have had wonderful visit with our son and his family and daughter living here. Nice sunshine with a few clouds, temperature in the 60's. A drastic change from the past week.

Left Salina this morning at 9:40. Had a very nice drive to Grand Junction,CO. Some of the scenery was spectactular. Rained as usual but not too bad. Traffic was infrequent in both directions. Arrived at 12:30 and spent the next hour and a half hunting for our motel. Grand Junction has streets numbered such as 28 and 1/2 or 27 mixed with names with no rhyme or reason. Resting the remainded of the day for our arrivall in Colorado Springs tomorrow. Checking to see if the AF Academy has lodging available for our stay.