On Monday July 5th we spent about 6 hours driving across Nebraska. Nebraska is pretty farm country but there is not much to vary the scenery after awhile!! Corn field after corn field, hay field after hay field!
Here are some photo’s I took while Mike was driving – we did have some interesting clouds to look at.
we left Indian Cave State Park around 9AM and beat the rain out of the park but shortly after it started to rain. Then after an hour or so it just looked like this! Really neat looking clouds
a little further down the road and it still looked like this!
by late morning the clouds where breaking up and the sky was blue in patches with pretty white clouds. Here is one of those hay fields!
another field 
Now this is one interesting site to see. You are driving down the interstate at Kearney, Nebraska and here is this arch across the interstate. About 3 years ago Mike had heard about it and we did stop to see it then. This is a museum and over look. You can walk across the arch on the inside and there are port holes that over look the interstate – they also have radar detectors stationed at each so you can see who is speeding and who isn’t! Cute. Here is a link to a site that tells you all about it. We didn’t stop this time but last time we did take about a 2 1/2 hour rest stop by touring the museum and seeing all that they had. Great history of the area and all about the Pioneers trip to the West through this country.
Great Platte River Road Archway Memorial- museum and overlook
We had intended to camp two nights at a campground near by while visiting with Mike’s family but the campground didn’t look very nice and the campsites were so sandy we thought we might get stuck so we drove to Mike’s dads house instead to find out where else to camp. He has a wide drive way with a shade tree right next to it and he said there was plenty of room so we are parked in the driveway hooked up with electricity and spending most of our time visiting anyhow so this is working out ok for two nights. This is a very small country town and no one minds about a camper parked in someone’s driveway!
We leave tomorrow (I am writing this Tuesday evening) in the early afternoon to continue our trip west – we are only driving a couple hours (or less?) to a state park by a lake. We have been there before and it is nice with big shade trees. We will be there for two days – I do not know if we will have a cell signal so if you do not hear from me for a couple days that is why.
I have been working on one applique block and maybe I will have something to show at the end of the week? We will see – I have not gotten much done since we left our house for sure.
On Saturday we started our days drive from Joplin Missouri. For our lunch time break we found this prairie rest stop in Kansas. There was a short trail to walk and it had numerous signs along the way with historic happenings listed. Also if you looked closely you could spot all the different kinds of wild flowers that grow. There was plenty of them.
This rest stop is 29 miles from Fort Scott, Kansas – it is part of a designated national wild life refuge. At the end of the little trail that we walked here is a pond that looked like it never goes dry and there was a lot of plant life and supposed to be a lot of birds and what not although we didn’t really see much. That is our motor home in the parking lot there all by itself – we almost had the place to ourselves. One big semi truck in the parking lot and one or two cars up in the upper level where the cars park.
This is some type of mimosa plant, the leaves are the same as on other varieties of that plant I have seen but the flowers look different, the blossoms were larger and had a kind of reddish center in them.
I don’t know what these are – some kind of poppy maybe? I know I have seen this when we travel to the west but I don’t have my book handy. I will need to get the flower/plant book out and start looking through it once again to get familiar with names of the plants once again.
This is the rest stop building, fairly new and nice design. We have found that a lot of places over the last 5 or 10 years have spent more time building new buildings and updating rest stops to make them nicer for tourist.
We had no internet connection on Saturday or Sunday so I will be posting this blog post when I can. You will find this trip that what I post at times will be several days after the fact. I’m not sure when I will have internet service this trip so I will be scheduling some posts in advance to post on certain days.
Here we are at our first stop along our journey. We did not travel far today and are barely out of our home state of Arkansas. Tomorrow’s drive will be about the same distance, slightly longer and we will be further from Arkansas and camping the weekend in southeastern Nebraska. It was very hot when we got here as expected and little shade for the camper. We turned the A/C on after we got set up and then went to find some air conditioning for a walk. We are on the outer edges of Joplin Missouri. It was too hot and sunny to really do anything so we just found a mall and walked two miles inside it. This evening we will probably walk around the campground a little and look it over.
Malls are not something I enjoy all that much anymore. There was a time when I did a lot of mall shopping – now I tend to only shop when I need something. But malls do come in handy on hot days when you have traveled for a good part of the day and just want to walk and stretch after sitting for long spells. Ok — it was only a 5 hour trip today including the stop for lunch but that is long for me. I do not like to sit for hours on end in the vehicles. I am constantly up and down all day normally – sitting for hours is not what I like.
When we first moved to Arkansas – in the central part of the state it was a long drive to NW Arkansas to visit my family. The interstate 540 was not there then. We would drive on old highway 71 which is known as scenic – but very twisty and curvy up through the Boston Mountains. (serpentine curves) After the interstate went in it cut the 3 to 4 hour drive down to 2 hours and 20 minutes nice! Seeing as we used to enjoy parts of the highway we decided today as we were on no schedule to cut over to the highway after we were well up into the mountains. There is a rest area that is quite pretty and would be just right for lunch. Then we would drive the 20 miles through the tiny towns back to the interstate 540.
The old rest area was given a face lift and we were pleased with what we found. Now there is a loop trail – only 1/3 mile but nice for a walk after lunch. There is an area where you can cut down to the river and walk along side of it.
I didn't think to take my camera when we started the loop trail so Mike took these with his phone.
some of the water - we got our feet wet when crossing sections. It felt good!!
the trees are so pretty the way they overhang the river. This river is called the West Fork of the White River. The water was very low today but still enjoyable.
These benches are now scattered throughout the park.
It was really nice seeing this old rest area again and it really looked more like a picnic ground than a rest area. It used to be packed with the big semi-trucks – which is the reason it took so long to travel the road (besides the steep curves of course) – there would be so much truck traffic that it made it not enjoyable to drive this route – now that we have driven a few sections of it over the years we might just do the whole highway next time we go to visit the family.
I did get a little applique done today – I will post a photo in a day or two after some progress is made – now I am going to get my shoes on and see about a walk around the campground.
It has been hot for about 3 weeks and now the heat from the valley has gotten up here on the ridge too. We had been – last week in the high 80’s while the valley was in the 90’s now today we hit 95 and it was like that all weekend too – and it is supposed to continue through the rest of the month! I hate it when it gets this hot.
I am still preparing for our trip and keeping busy. After thinking things over I thought I could use a little more quilting items to take on our 8 week trip. I know I have a crib quilt to quilt and 3 applique blocks should keep me busy – but one never knows so I thought instead of machine piecing the medallion blocks this week I will keep cutting and stacking the pieces up and put them in a ziplock bag or two and stick them somewhere also – doesn’t take up much room right – toss in the thread that is needed and I am set. Half the time depending on the size of the blocks with hand piecing you don’t even need pins. When I originally tried hand piecing those blocks at first I had a problem with stretch but now that I know the problem I can be more careful so it won’t happen. Now I will probably come home with the quilt only half quilted and 2 blocks appliqued and only some of the quilt blocks pieced – but I won’t be bored in the down time at the campground!
The organized stack of quilting bags - zipper bag with crib quilt/thread and the hoop on top of it. The other bag has 3 applique blocks, the pencil tin has all of the thread needed for those blocks, I have 3 instruction DVD's to watch on applique (and maybe learn something new?) I will stick a large cosmetic bag in that zipper bag with all the necessary hand tools - needles, thimble, pencil, chalk, scissors ect.
I will look for one more zipper bag to put the hand piecing blocks in and if I can’t find one they will go in one or two large zip locks. I will possibly take one of my project boxes instead but it isn’t flexible like bags are and I can fit the bags into smaller spaces if necessary.
some of the blocks cut
the pattern for it
As you can tell I am getting excited of getting back on the road. We tend to get a little antsy if we stay home all the time. We have been taking vacations as long as I can remember – and most of those vacations were camping – way back when it was always tent camping and then it went to a little camper, then motels for awhile but we didn’t like that as much and now comfortable with the motorhome – not as comfortable as your house of course but then you might just as well stay at home if you want that! I have been getting my check lists ready and checking things off – we will be really busy this last week so I might not be on here as much but will still try to blog every other day or so – then it will be as often as I can after that when we hit the road.
I made this quilt top last year and had it put aside until I got caught up on other hand quilting projects. I knew that my border was a little ruffly but I didn’t think it was as bad as what it was when I took it out to start getting it ready for quilting. I took off the 5 inch border that was the same color as the background fabric of the quilt and replace it with a two inch pale pink batik. The batik doesn’t have the tiny bit of stretch that the yellow has so I thought that would be better for it. It still has a little but of ruffle so it was the large half square triangles that were the problem. Yet when there is no border on it – it appeared to lay flat – go figure. The pattern blocks are designed by Fat Cat Patterns a BOM that was free last year and I see after looking at the site that it was offered free once again as it was so popular. There are 12 blocks given, I used six for this quilt and have the patterns saved to make another quilt with a different color scheme with the ones left over.
The quilt - 47 inches x 70 inches - crib size.
one of the two blocks that I put a feathered wreath in .
a Corner feather
a side feather
the backing fabric
The quilt is now pin basted and folded with the thread that I will use (a bright yellow King Tut thread) and put in a zippered plastic bag ready to take on the camping trip this summer. Don’t you just love those zippered bags that sheets and things come in now! I have quite a few gathered up for projects.
Next to get ready for the trip is the Red and Green Traditional Applique blocks – I am going to try for 3 or 4 – this should be way more than I will get to, but I would rather have more than less and run out of down time quilting. Daytime we will be busy with sightseeing and hiking but with 8 weeks there will be days here and there when we need a break and will be just relaxing I’m sure!
Thanks for all the compliments on the red/cream Dear Jane blocks/rows. The border will be the traditional Dear Jane border. The pieced blocks using the same fabric as the blocks and the plain triangles and the scallops will be the butter cream fabric.
I had wanted to open my windows today for fresh air but CJ (lives nearby) from “From My Studio – Created by CJ” has warned me she did and now has pollen all over her house so I will heed the warning and keep my windows closed – yuk pollen –when will it go away? I am getting caught up on laundry and feeling kind of crappy today. Mike got a cold half way through the week and I do believe he has given it to me as I feel really “off” and have since yesterday afternoon.
A few more photos from Paducah on Saturday in between rain storms. We spent the afternoon in the town so we wouldn’t be in the camper in case of tornadoes – luckily it was just rain and no branches down in the campground.
The skies near Paducah on Saturday. We had rain off and on but the really bad storms missed the area.
the big white temporary "tent" like building in the storm. It kind of blends right in with the sky. I heard that there are people interested in building two hotels on either end of the convention center so maybe in a couple years something will be here to replace this.
A historical museum in the historic area of the town, we spent time here passing off one storm in the dry inside. A very interesting array of items here.
the baby quilt in progress - I did not get as much done as I had planned to - it will get done though in the next couple weeks I hope. About 3/4's finished? The top 1/4 has to be quilted still besides the little bits on the side where the hoop is. My backing fabric wasn't quite wide enough and I didn't feel like sewing another strip onto one edge what I plan to do is I am quilting to about 2 inches of the long sides and then I will trim the edges, add the binding and then if any little bits need some quilting on the end of the lines I will add it then.
A new block for the Little Brown Bird quilt. Flowers will be scattered over this block like they were on the first block for this quilt that I had made some months back. I have some uneven places here and there - how did that happen? I didn't cut carefully enough I guess - no matter the flowers will conveniently take care of the bad spots. I need to do a bit of needle turn still on this one and will get back to it next week maybe - I want to get the baby quilt finished first.
I got one Dear Jane block finished also but forgot to take a photo so I will do that tomorrow.
Too many photos today I have been busy the last 3 days working on “So Charming” and pleased to say I am done with the top!! I started it on August 30th I think and finished it September 26th – less than a month to hand piece while on vacation in between hikes and sight seeing and now this past week in between taking care of the grandchildren and doing things with them.
I ran back over to the quilt shop today with the grandchildren after karate practice and McDonald's. I realized I had forgotten to get the backing for the quilt. I found this white with black polka dots that I thought would go with it well. I must say the kids enjoyed the shop really well and were very well behaved. They have always showed such an interest in quilting that they were asking questions and wanting to feel some of the fabric (they had clean hands). They loved the feel of the flannel. They were even looking at patterns and pointing out different ones that they though maybe I should make for them! Kids - they think I can whip these out quickly - Utah even told me I shouldn't be working on so many at one time and then I could finish faster - wise kid. They really don't need more quilts right now - they both have 4 already.
the kids.
karate sparring practice where for a little while they were sparring partners. Ciera really enjoyed that as shortly before her partner was quite a bit larger than her and she looked uncomfortable. Sparring with Utah put a smile on her face.
More sparring and I won't make you endure any more "grandma's pride and joy" photos I think I took about 20 of them at practice and at least as many again last night.
Mesa Verde, Colorado - Knife's Edge Hiking Trail -- where the rattlesnake was!
Scenery from that hiking trail. You can see that in places it brought us close to the edge of the mountain side.
The trail goes behind that mountain peak - the rocky part at the top is the Knife's Edge - The trail goes to the rocky area on the back side from what is shown - that is where the rattlesnake was close to.
Continue reading about Quilt Top, Vacation Photo’s & Grandkids
While the kids have been in school I have been busy piecing the quilt top “So Charming”. Only problem is now that I have it pieced – except for the black polka dotted border I see that I have two red dotted squares fairly close to each other. I’m wondering if I will pick that out and maybe just turn that section of three rows around (bottom row to the 4th row if you know what I mean). Why is it you can stand back and look at something numerous times and not catch that – maybe because I laid it out on the bed in the camper and not on a design wall?
See what I mean - the red polka dotted squares in Row 4 and then again at the beginning of Row 5. So what do you all think take the row off at 4 and 5 - turn the bottom 3 rows around and then sew it back to row 4? Or leave it?
It has been rain here off and on all day. I’m so glad I got a walk in around the neighborhood this morning around 10 as it started to rain shortly after I got back. I only did 30 minutes before a light mist started so I headed back – I did get in a good 40 minutes or so.
We are making cookies tonight – peanut butter chocolate chip.
I made it today over to Millhouse Quilts today in Waunakee. It is always so much fun wandering through that shop and I never leave empty handed. I was very good though — I did not get even one pattern or book — I am really trying hard not to get any more of them for awhile as I have plenty — really. Also as the grand-kids were in school today I was able to get some accomplished on the “So Charming” quilt that I started to hand piece on vacation. I thought this jelly roll of Moda fabric so nice. I don’t have it right here beside me right now – it is already in the suitcase for the flight home but I think it was the Chocolate line, but I could be mistaken.
Two different colors for the leaves on the "Little Brown Bird" quilt that I haven't even started yet but plan to soon. I now have all the fabric that I need -- I think! I did get a couple more items but they are for my Dear Jane Secret Pal - I am in a monthly exchange group -- we do not know who our secret pal is but we send them a surprise package every month. I found my secret pal her Christmas gift that I will put aside for a little while. I can't show them here just in case she looks at this blog - I hope she hasn't figured out who her pal is.
Four rows of "So Charming" put together. I do have the other 3 rows of blocks sewed, but I need to put the white sashing on and sew them on.
the grandchildren accompanying me on a walk this early evening (they were wearing the helmets but took them off for the photo)
another
Ciera
Utah
big brother annoying little sister
I have been enjoying my time here with the kids. We had a good day today and have two more days before their mom and dad get home.
What was supposed to be a short flight was delayed somewhat! I was suppose to leave at 7 PM from Memphis and didn’t leave until after 9. They kept delaying it by a half an hour then finally announced that we were going to the other end of the airport to board a different plane – the one I was supposed to be on had a nose gear problem – sure glad they knew about it before we left the only nice thing about it was I got to talking with another woman waiting for the same plane and after talking for a half hour realized we would be seated next to each other. That was nice as we continue talking all the way to the other plane on the other end of the airport and chatted all the way to Madison – it was a nice way to pass the time.
Have spent the day familiarizing myself with the layout of the town and where I need to be and when for the grand-kids activities. I’m not sure if I will go to Millhouse Quilts tomorrow or Friday – but I will go for sure!
Mike has gotten more photos ready so I will post some photos from the Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde.
cliff dwellings and the round area is what is called a "Kiva" - these no longer have roofs on them of course as they collasped many, many years ago. Kiva's are different sizes but these at Mesa Verde all seem to be about the same size. We have seen some larger in other places.
another view of a Kiva
Me inside of a Kiva - you climb down the ladder - this Kiva is so that you can see what it would have been like with the roof enclosed and it has the same style roof on it that it would have had many years ago.
a lizard of that area of southwest Colorado
a cliff dwelling - I think this one is Spruce Tree House
part of another dwelling
Continue reading about Flight delays but arrived — and more photos
