Travels with Stargazer

Remember your favorite book (for me, Cider House Rules)? Remember your favorite play (for me, American Utopia)? Remember your favorite album (for me, Mirror Ball)? They just keep getting better, and when you think the mountaintop has been reached, the skies clear and they get even better. For us Capitol Reef National Park had the same impact. After all the great National Parks we visited we thought they could not be beaten. Don’t miss CRNP! On our way to CRNP…

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After Phoenix we headed north. Our first WOW was the Red Rocks Canyon. What incredible formations and colors. The Canyon led into Sedona that was full of April tourists (the summer must be crazy) and then we started up 89A with a steep climb, but with amazing red rock views from the top of the Canyon. We spent the night in Flagstaff after first enjoying a local brewery. A fire started in the Flagstaff area right after we left, so…

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After finishing up visiting the four amazing National Parks, we rolled into Peoria, AZ (north of Phoenix) at the home of Melinda’s cousin Beth and her husband Ben. Thanks to their incredible hospitality, we had a relaxing and fun weekend. We were debating a 4 Star or 5 Star B&B Rating when Beth brought out the chocolate chip cookies. No more debate – a 5 Star B&B Rating. As part of their house, there is a separate casita that was…

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We are soooo lucky to have our National Parks, as well as our State Parks. At each park we have had a great time visiting and learning lots. The following are the four amazing National Parks we visited this past week. Amazing Park #1: Guadalupe Mountains. We drove for two hours into and out of Dog Canyon Campground in GMNP, but the trip was well worth it. There were four RV camping spots with no electric or water. The views…

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Sorry we have been out off touch. While traveling through Texas and New Mexico we had limited Internet access. By Monday we should be caught up. Last weekend, while Melinda was visiting and having a great time with with her cousin Kevin and his wife Lisa at Clear Lakes Shores north of Galveston, I was in RI running the Moses Brown School Classes of 71-72, 72-73 (the year I graduated) and 73-74 Basketball Reunion. Over 50% of the players on…

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From the quiet of rural Mississippi we traveled to New Orleans. The roads were bumpy and Otto got spooked by all the noises. In New Orleans we camped in St. Bernard State Park. St. Bernard’s Parish was one of areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. A tip of the cap (baseball season started for the Red Sox today) for the amazing work the community has done bouncing back. While in New Orleans we traveled in Stargazer to downtown. We were…

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We left Sanibel last Wednesday and do we have stories to tell!!! Story #1: From Sanibel we drove to Crystal City. When we arrived at out Harvest Host location we realized our air conditioning was not working. Why? We turned to RV Guru, Jay Kelly, and after 24 hours of troubleshooting we realized a certain member of the Stargazer Team had not plugged back in our electric line. You know that person was not Melinda! Story #2: Originally we had…

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You asked for it. Melinda has been working on this quilt for five years. She will present it to her niece, Hazel Foley, when she graduate from high school in June. Remember…Loose lips sink ships!!! More news to come in Monday’s post.

Today we wrap up our visit to Sanibel. We have had a great time with Ann and Greg and were lucky Ray and Mary-Kate could join us for a week. The weather has been spectacular. Highlights: Melinda finished a quilt she has been working on for almost five years. It is quite amazing! Greg and I recorded Tales of Peps & Gramps – some our most famous stories. Cory will handling final production. Otto got in lots of great morning…

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Sitting in the seat of President of the United States is a tough job to perform, but much easier to critique. We have had our share of great Presidents (no one is perfect), as well as bombs. Although President Joe and I may not agree on every topic/issue, I am very thankful he is our President during these turbulent times. With President Joe’s leadership there is some reason for optimism and hope. Why Optimistic???? President Joe believes in the United…

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