Summer Trip - 2010 - Part 3

We arrived at our friends Pat and Pat who live in Kansas City, Missouri on Lake Lotawana late in the afternoon on Friday, July 2nd.

Amber took a photo of us having dinner at their home. From left: Emma, Ms. Pat, Mr. Pat, Wink and Wilma.

Wink and Amber getting the luggage from the car.

We took a dip in the lake in the afternoon. Emma was being a motor for Wilma, pushing her around from pier to pier.

On the 4th of July, Grandma Wilma demonstrated water-skiing for Amber and Emma. Both girls tried, but Emma was able to ski for a short while. The fireworks for Lake Lotawanna was right in front of The Pats home. We had a great time.

Thank you, Pat & Pat for a great Independence Day Weekend.

From Kansas City, MO we head toward Sioux City, Iowa. We have plans for staying at the Stoney Creek Inn. Here is a photo of the lobby. It was a fantastic visit. Our youngest granddaughter - Emma loved the western motif and we all loved the rest of the amenities.

We had an extremely large suite with a King Size Bed (for Grandma and Grandpa) and a Queen Size Pull out Sofa Bed (for Amber and Emma). The suite came with a kitchenette, eating bar, fireplace, in room Jacuzzi, large TV, and all the stuffed (real animals) you can think of. We also enjoyed the pool which was both indoor and outdoor combination. A coy pond and large property. Amber and Emma pose at the bar. Grandma went to the grocery store and came back with Chicken Pot Pies for dinner.

On our way from Sioux City, Iowas to Rapid City, South Dakota - we stopped at the 1880 Town to stretch our legs. Amber and Emma posed for their picture on an old swing. On our way into Rapid City, we drove through part of the Badlands. It was beautiful and pictures are available shortly. We stayed in Rapid City at the Ameri-Inn (it was awful and that's the nicest thing I can say about it.)

We went to Mt. Rushmore National Park where Amber and Emma started a great adventure in the Junior Ranger Program earning their first Jr. Ranger Badge.

SUMMER LAND TRIP PART 2

Days 1 & 2:

Sara the sea dog really enjoyed the grass a Wilma's son's home. She had squirrels in the back yard throwing pecans at her which made her more diligent to keep them moving. She stood guard on the porch a lot also just napping and keeping one eye on the trees.

Wink, Wilma, Amber and Emma had made plans to travel on a 3 week road trip north from Texas. Sara the sea dog was left with Wilma's son during this time.

On Thursday, July 1st, the group loaded into the car and left at 7:15 am. As we headed for Wichita, Kansas - enjoying some music from one of Amber's Cd's, we happened upon a song about seizing the day. We started talking and decided that since Amber was in charge of helping manage our summer budget and Emma was in charge of helping with the maps and directions of traveling, we should all have a job and consider it a summer business. It was Winks opinion that if we acted like it was a business and we had goals then we would probably get more out of it. After discussion - we decided our name would be: Buddies Exploring America (BEA). Wink would be the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Amber would be the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), Emma would be the CLO (Chief Logistical Officer) and Wilma would be the DO-SO (Director of Order-Security Operations) You got it! Anything else that would need to be done on this trip, Wilma would DO-SO.

We stayed our first night at Hilton Garden Inn in Wichita, KS. Although we had the reservation, we were totally surprised that our arrival was so important that they had arranged a concert by the lake for us that evening. They included fireworks as a great ending to our first day as a company and a great trip beginning - giving us exclusive seats for enjoying the evening.

Amber and her Grandpa giving Grandma a photo to remember while Emma socials with all the other kids playing chase. The Hilton also had a great pool and exercise room which the girls took advantage of during the evening. The next morning we headed west toward Kansas City, MO.

In route, we made an unscheduled stop at the Old Depot Museum in east Kansas. Before we could go in the Old Depot Museum, Amber had to check it out and determine if the price of admission was within our budget. At only $8 for the 4 of us - we were approved for the expense.

Amber approving the Old Depot Museum.

Local businesses of past era's donate some of their assets to the museum as they either modernize or go out of business. Wilma sits next to old stamp machines in an old diner setting from the local drug store.

Emma was dressed in a "ole timey" school smock (school uniform), supplied with an apple for the teacher, and a lunch pale for this photo in the "one room schoolhouse" setting.

After our visit we continued east where Amber declined an opportunity to visit another museum because it cost $35 for all of us to go into and it was 20 minutes until closing. Smart Girl! We continued on to our friends "Pat & Pat" home in Kansas City, MO. They are boater friends that have a Pilgrim 43 - M/V Salty Dawg. They live on Lake Lottawana and he's a Rear Commodore for his yacht club.