HDT Rally in Hutchinson, Kansas

As I said in yesterday’s blog we were traveling east today. We finally got on the road a little before nine o’clock making our way to the Heavy Duty Truck Rally in Hutchinson, Kansas. We chose the scenic route down Highway 50 instead of I-70. We really like scenic drives because it's America at its best.

There are no fancy welcome signs on America's backroads

Anyway, everything was going well even through all of the road construction. However it turned south when the highway was shut down due to an overturned 18-wheeler. I was real hesitant about taking the detour since it was down a one-lane dirt road through the middle of all these fields. After we spoke to the sheriff deputy for a while I decided to go ahead. The directions went something like go south four or five miles then east eight or nine miles then back north four or five miles. That little detour was a huge delay for a long travel day. Once we turned back onto Highway 50 we could just barely get a glimpse of the overturned 18-wheeler.

Hopefully, the driver was alright

By this time it was after four o’clock and we knew that it would be dark by the time we could make Hutchinson, Kansas. We continued on and finally arrived at the Kansas State Fairgrounds at 8:22. Overall it was a good and safe drive. Here are a few pictures of the what we saw during our drive today.

A lone tractor chopping dried corn stalks

There was a lot of Milo in the fields

This was one of many wind farms along our drive

We ended up driving 471 miles in ten & half hours. We had our home set up pretty quick and went to bed soon thereafter.

Our children have adopted grandparents and somehow Gina and I missed Paw Paw Jack’s birthday on October 3rd. So as they say “better late than never” Happy Birthday Paw Paw Jack. We love You!!

Happy Birthday Paw Paw Jack

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Catching Up with A Great Shipmate

It’s already Monday morning where did this week go. We have enjoyed ourselves this week in Colorado Springs. However, it’s time to move east this morning toward Hutchinson, Kansas for the Heavy Duty Truck Rally. It officially started yesterday but there were just some things that Gina and I wanted to do while we were here. At the top of that list was visiting with a good friend and shipmate in Brighton, Colorado. He and his wife, Robin moved there after they retired from the Navy.

Ken & Robin

We headed out a little after twelve and drove through rain the whole way there. We finally arrived at there house around two o’clock and what a reunion we had. I had not seen them in over twelve years.

A Happy Reunion between two shipmates

After a lot of hugs were exchanged we walked inside and began getting caught up on all our happenings for the past twelve years. Ken landed a great government job while Robin works for a local school. Ken finally announced that it was time for dinner. Ken had cooked a brisket outside on the grill for dinner while Robin made a potato casserole and spinach salad. We really thank you guys for a wonderful dinner.

Ken, Robin, Chloe & Connor

They also have two children, Chloe and Connor. Today was Connor’s seventh birthday. For his birthday I took Connor for a ride in our truck and he couldn’t stop smiling as he kept saying, “I’ve never rode in a big truck before”. I’m sure he had a great time and I’m sure he’ll be telling all of his friends today of his ride in a big truck.

Look at that "SMILE"

Happy Birthday Connor

Around six o’clock we finally had to acknowledge that all good things must end. After numerous goodbye hugs & tears we got back on the road heading home. We finally made it home around 7:45 and relaxed for just a few minutes before going to bed.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Horse Ride Through the Garden of the Gods

Gina and I woke up to clear blue skies Saturday morning. After we posted our blog we were in a hurry to get dressed and get off the base. The Air Force was having a home game today and there will be no way off the base after eleven o’clock. We were in the truck and heading off the base by ten o’clock and it still took us 30 minutes but we made it off. We ran a few errands before heading to the Academy Riding Stables. We arrived there at 11:45 and our ride didn’t start until one o’clock. We walked around for a little while until it was time for us to find out the horse we would be riding. Gina was riding Sox 2 and I would be riding Indian. Soon after, we met Katy who would be our guide for the next three hours. She gave us a short safety brief and then we mounted our horses and headed out into the Garden of the Gods. We hope you enjoy the pictures. These are just a few. However, click this link for the other 70 plus pictures. online photo album

She's in the saddle

Can you tell we're having fun

I believe with views like this I could ride a horse all day

That's Pikes Peak in the middle

This is Kissing Camels

Siamese twins

After we arrived back at the stables these are the pictures that they took of us so we could remember this day for a long time to come.

Gina finally getting that horse ride on Sox 2

Myself & Indian

Gina said she had a great time and ranks up there near the top of our most memorable moments since we began our travels. She really had a great time and the scenery was just gorgeous. We rode over ten miles of trails and if you’re going to see the Garden of the Gods then we both highly recommend seeing it via horse back. It was just fantastic!! Having a good guide was a definite plus. We really thank Katy for giving us such a great trip through the Garden of the God’s.

Our guide, Katy

We arrived back home at 5:15 and after eating homemade pizza for dinner we just relaxed for the evening. We’ll be driving north of Denver today to visit with Ken & Robin. They’re friends from our Navy days. He retired from the Navy a few years ago and is now working in Denver.

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.