Author Archives: Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour

Yes Dorthy..We Are In Kansas

Guess What?!?!?!  The stop in Abilene, Kansas was designed for the opportunity to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Boyhood Home.  BUT – OMG – we learned that the No. 1 rated golf course in Kansas is only an hour away from Abilene!!  What else could we do but get up before the sun and head to Manhattan (not thatManhattan – but, they do refer to themselves as “The Little Apple”!!) to hit the links before it got too hot.  And, leave us time to return for the Museum visit.
Turns out, the Colbert Hills Municipal Golf Course is the home of the Kansas State University’s (located in Manhattan) Golf Team.   There ‘mark’ was evident around the course – especially on the par 3 fifth hole where the K-State Wildcats’ Royal Purple paw print protected the green;-)!!
The Kansas State University Wildcats use this Manhattan, KS municipal course as their home course.  I guess you have figured out that KSU’s team color is Royal Purple.

Quick, take the shot before the hay baler roles him up in a bale of hay!!

Manhattan proved to be that typical, vibrant university town we were happy to enjoy for the morning and would not have seen if it hadn’t been for that ‘golf urge’.
The educational components of Abilene were not neglected.  We did make it back to spend the afternoon at the Eisenhower Museum and to see his boyhood home, where he lived until he entered West Point. 

Enough said.

Ike’s childhood home – this housed 6 boys!

A tribute to Eisenhower and to all who served.

There is much to write about Ike, his career, his Presidency and the state of the world as he came ‘up the ranks’.  Since there are volumes out there on these topics, what would be written here would not do justice – so we will leave it to your reading selections.  We did enjoy our visit – but it gives one a lot to think about.
The politics of that time seemed to be so much more civil.  Which made us come away with the question – Was that possible because it was a much simpler time or has the political environment just evolved to such a combative state?  We also decided that the opening session of each new Congress should be mandatory for all members and they should be required to hear Eisenhower’s farewell address.  MAYBE they would do a little better at their job.
Tomorrow we move on to another university town – Columbia, MO – and look forward to visits with old friends there and a good old college football game. 
Feeling a bit somber about the retrospect of the day – E & G

Royal Gorge & Beyond

The last couple of days of mundane tasks such as laundry, cleaning – and driving 450 miles – were jazzed up a bit with a day trip on our favorite “Green Dot” roads to the Royal Gorge Bridge.
The Royal Gorge is perhaps the most unforgettable and most impressive part of this visit.  Its sheer red granite cliffs drop over 1,000 feet straight down to the Arkansas River, which has its beginnings just a few miles upstream!!  This feat of nature is enhanced (??) by a barrage of civil engineering feats – including aerial trams, incline railways and the impossibly delicate suspension bridge, which feels like a rickety old seaside pier!  The Bridge is one of the world’s highest suspension bridges at 956’ high and was built in 1929 at a cost of $350,000 (over $18 million in today’s dollars).   
You can look down at the river from the Bridge –

Royal Gorge & the Arkansas River.

Or take the funicular to the gorge’s bottom where you can stand alongside the river and look up at the bridge and the sheer cliffs – 
 

Rafting the Gorge.

The suspension bridge from the river – Waaaaaay up there!!

The Gorge and the Bridge were something to see, but I have to admit that I was just a bit disappointed.  It was not quite what was remembered from a visit 45 years ago – including all the commercialism that I know goes with the visit;-(  But, the clock was kinda special – 

Colorful timepiece.

BUT – as is always true – the journey there and back was our real treat.  Finding one of those outstanding “Green Dot” roads – the trip home gave us some wonderful sights and thrills.

The bird was there to welcome us.
Glad we didn’t have Magic on this stretch of road!!

A view from a scenic backroad switchback.

The drive from Colorado Springs to Abilene, Kansas (home of Eisenhower and his library) was a loooong, flaaaaaat one;-(  Magic quickly left the base of all the “Fourteeners” (mountain peeks above 14,000’) and took us through the flat lands of eastern Colorado and western Kansas along I-70.   Besides the flatness – the many miles of dead looking corn fields were quite depressing.

I (we) like Ike.

Today’s 8 hour drive.  All flat – mostly brown.  This was one of a few green patches.

Now in the middle of our country, new experiences await – which we shall report on shortly.
See you soon – Elizabeth & Gary from the Wheat Lands of Kansas

Pike’s Peak to Garden of the Gods

Another amazing day enjoying all our country has to offer. 
Once again on top of the world on the highest point you can drive to in the continental US – Pike’s Peak, the most visited mountain in North America.  A road trip destination since 1901 when the first car – a two cylinder Locomobile Steamer – made its way to the summit at 14,110’.  This exciting road – now paved – climbs nearly 7,000’ in under 20 miles with no guardrails for comfort!!  

YES – That’s the road!!

As high as you can drive in the US – It’s a miracle when you make it to the Top.

And when you do get to the top the views of Colorado Springs and beyond are stunning –

View from the top of Pikes Peak.

Hard to see the City of Colorado Springs is in the left center of this shot.

Katharine Bates visited the summit in 1893 and was so taken by the views that she wrote the words (that would later be put to music) to “America the Beautiful” – 

She must have had a clearer day than we did.

In the valley below lies Manitou Springs – a delightful old spa resort town.  The perfect place for wandering through shops, getting a bite to eat or enjoying the wild life – 
A very lucky shot from our table at lunch in Manitou Springs.

We thought we left Quackers in Arizona.

Another marvel of rock – The Garden of the Gods – also sits at the foot of Pike’s Peak.  This park is another example of the beauty, available outdoor activities and educational opportunities that our country has to offer for little or no expense.  This is a city park, run by the city of Colorado Springs, with free entrance according to the wish of Charles Elliott Perkins, whose children donated the land to the city in 1909.   The park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails, steep rock formations that attract those looking for technical rock climbing, miles of road for biking and outstanding geologic features for studying development of the area thru millions of years!!  ALL FREE!!  And, the scenery is pretty wonderful – 

Balanced Rock and Steamboat Rock in the Garden of the Gods.

Another day of stunning views and appreciation of the good old USA;-)
Love to All – AWED Elizabeth & Gary

Beat Me Up – Spit Me Out – And Make Me Want To Come Back For More!!

Colorado Springs.  Why??   Because E has always wanted to see the Broadmoor and play one of its golf courses.   (SHOOT ME!!)
The Broadmoor Hotel facility and grounds are beautiful and the service is impeccable with great attention to every detail.  The resort dates from 1891, when it began as a small hotel and casino. The current resort was built in 1918 by Spencer Penrose, a Philadelphia entrepreneur nicknamed “Spec” for his skill at speculation. Penrose amassed a fortune from miningclaims at nearby Cripple Creek (remember this for a future trip and blog posting), and after a grand tourthrough Europe’s finest hostelries, decided to build a hotel, with no expense spared. The hotel attracted a wealthy clientele in the early 20th century, drawn to the beauty of Pikes Peak, as well as to the mountain air, which aided recuperation from tuberculosis (remember Stanley from Estes Park??).  Today it provided a needed respite after our round of golf with a very nice lunch.
The Hotel now has three golf courses.  We decided to play the East Course thinking that we read somewhere that it was a ‘woman friendly’ course.  HA – HA!!!
The East Course was originally designed by Donald Ross in 1917 and when completed in 1918 was the highest golf course in the United States at 6,400’.  Today the course is a combination of the original Donald Ross design mixed with holes designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones.  However, a recent restoration process has brought the East Course back to its original bunker and mounding features from 1917!!  This course is one of only 12 North American and Caribbean golf courses to receive a five-star rating by Golf Digest – and it comes with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Hotel. 

The Broadmoor East..a beautiful setting…a very challenging (UGH) 18 holes.
Glad we had the opportunity to play it…once!

The Broadmoor East Course has been home to many major tournaments including the 1959 US Amateur, which was Jack Nicklaus’ first major win; the 1995 US Women’s Open, which was Annika Sorenstam’s first major title; the 2008 US Senior Open and the 2011 US Women’s Open.  AND LET ME TELL YOU – THE GREENS ARE STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION AS THEY MUST HAVE BEEN FOR THAT 2011 OPEN;-)!!!!!!!!   New respect for the Pros playing today at the BMW – we could NOT get our balls to stop on these greens.  THEY BEAT US UP AND SPIT US OUT!! 
(By the way – for the golfers reading this – the ‘slope’ from the forward tees was 144!!!)

Elizabeth sank this 87 foot putt for PAR on the par 5 #9 hole-the hardest handicapped hole on the course.  Go Figure?!?!?

After this beating, a little ‘easy’ sightseeing was in order – so, off to the Air Force Academy.  First stop – more of those planes Gary had to guard during his tour of duty –

Many, many years ago Gary used to guard these aircraft on Okinawa.  

Then the iconic Cadet Chapel.  Built in 1954 in a very contemporary manner raised a lot of eyebrows and garnered much criticism.  But, today it is the ‘landmark’ of the Academy.  It is constructed of aluminum as a nod to the aluminum skins of the planes flown by the Air Force in that day. 

The Cadet’s Chapel at the US Air Force Academy.

The construction design makes the effects inside is as striking as the outside – 

Awesome lighting effects from the stained glass windows.  
(A wedding rehearsal taking place inside.)

The organ and its pipes fill the rear balcony of the chapel.

Well – after being beat up on the golf course, that one incredible lucky putt makes me want to play another day.  BUT, NOT at that course – and NOT tomorrow!!
Giddy with a lucky putt – Elizabeth
                        &
Beat up at the Broadmoor  – Gary

Don’t Mess with BIG Daddy!!

Our last day in the Rocky Mountain NP – so, time to get in a round of golf at the Estes Park GC.  But, first there is a need for lunch.  What better place to “take a bite” than at the Stanley Hotel, inspiration for Stephen King’s spine-tingling thriller “The Shining”, much of which was written by the vacationing King in room 217!! 
The Hotel was built in 1909 by F. O. Stanley, who invented the Stanley Steamer automobile along with his twin brother.  Stanley moved to Estes Park to help treat his tuberculosis, fell in love with the area and built the Hotel for train passengers coming to the Park.  Of course he had a fleet of Stanley Steamer cars to get the passengers from the train depot to the Hotel.  This neoclassical-Georgian Hotel is a member of the National Register of Historic Places and is all about a gorgeous setting, rich historic ambience and sweeping views of Lake Estes and the Continental Divide.

The Stanley Hotel, est. 1909.
Lake Estes from the hotel portico.

Today’s lunchtime view provided by the Stanley Hotel.
More of the view – Estes Park – or Iron Springs, AZ??

On a full stomach, we set off for the golf course and a wonderful, relaxing afternoon.  Our playing partners were two gentlemen from Arkansas (one of whom reminded me of playing golf with my Uncle Vernon;-)!) – and they made the afternoon.  As did the views – 

Golf at 9,000 feet.

Think we finished our round just in time – as the elk in the area seem to think that the course was their evening dinning room.  Their antics provided our entertainment for almost an hour;-)  The pictures will tell the story of BIG Daddy and his family – BIG Daddy keeping all his Ladies and children in line – AND BIG Daddy letting the ‘New Young Stud’ know this is NOT his turf and he should go elsewhere to find his own Chicks!!

BIG Daddy.
The family – “Get over there!”
“I said – over there!!”
The young stud interloper.

I’ll show you who’s in charge.

What a way to end our last evening in the Rocky Mountain NP area;-)
Off to Colorado Springs and golf at the Broadmoor – which we shall report on shortly. 
Until then – Happy and Amused by the Elk – E & G

Emerald Isle, Emerald City – How About Emerald Lake??

Not sure how we do it, but it seems that we packed three days into the last 24 hours!
After getting acclimated to our new ‘camping’ spot – with FULL hook-ups – we (Gary) have discovered that the view out our front/picture window is a good one – especially at sunrise – 
Sunrise from our living room window.

Estes Park/Rocky Mountain NP is surrounded by HIGH peaks – the tallest among them being Longs Peak at 14,259’.   While we didn’t hike the tallest, we did our fair share – and had these beautiful views from Magic.
Speaking of the campground – we are staying at Elk Meadow RV Resort, which seems to border Elk territory.  Although, rumor has it that this time of year (rutting season) the Elk can be seen about anywhere – as we found to be true – 

The elk always have the right of way..even without a crosswalk.

The real treat was the herd that presented itself in Upper Beaver Meadow – BIG buck and his harem –
(This picture is only a small portion of the herd.  There were approximately 20 elk.) 

We interrupted this bull’s evening meal.

Tuesday we set off on a Ranger recommended hike from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake.  What a treat!  AND, a BIG thank you to our NFS Rangers for providing and maintaining such wonderful trails that allow us to see such beautiful sights!!!
Our adventure began at Bear Lake, which has a gentle .5 mile nature trail stroll around the lake –

Bear Lake

Then the real trek began.  Ahead were three lakes – Nymph, Dream and Emerald – and all the territory in between on the 4 miles round trip beginning at 9,475’ and toping out at about 10,000’.  The pictures will tell the story – 

On our way.

Nymph Lake – big lily pond or small lake?

Short break.

Probably a good sized waterfall during the spring melt.

Dream Lake awaits our lunch break.

The water is tooooo cold for a dip.

The view from our picnic spot – just dreamin’.

Emerald lake..approaching the tree line.  Pines are getting smaller and smaller and you can see the glacier remnants.

 “Y” – MCA

After the hike a little car ride was in order.  Many of the stops along the Trail Ridge Road were not possible in Magic due to the narrowness of the road and very limited parking areas (we still loved travelling the road in Magic;-)!!).  So we retraced our steps to the highest point on the road – 12,183’, which makes it America’s highest continuous paved road – and trekked across the Tundra.  It is written that this is the same Tundra that we experienced in Canada and Alaska.  It is also the same as in Siberia – which we have yet to experience and probably won’t in Magic!!

Views from the highest point along the Trail Ridge Road – 60 degrees and 30 mph winds!!

12,304 feet – VERY scary up here.

All of this activity made us VERY hungry.  Spotting a little BBQ place that was ‘jammed’ on our way back – thought maybe this was the place to eat.  We were not disappointed to end our active day on this note.
Good night – Elizabeth & Gary on a Rocky Mountain HIGH!!

YEAH!! BACK TO GREEN DOT ROADS;-)

The drive this morning reminded us why we do this and love this travel sooooo much!!   After being parked for three months in the same spot, the drive this morning was wonderful, beautiful, exciting – just the way we like it.
Our favorite roads to travel are the “green dot” roads – the scenic highways designated by little green dots on our atlas.  The entire trip this morning – from the time we left Steamboat Springs – was a green dot road.  Our warm up for the morning was a climb to 9,426’ through Rabbit Ears Pass –

I wonder where Rabbit Ear Pass got its name?

THEN our turn onto US Highway 34 – The Trail Ridge Road – Rocky Mountain NP’s highway to the sky!!  OMG – what an adventure.
First stop – the obligatory NP sign – 

Two old timers.

Next – our trip of 48 miles through the western side of the park – across the top of the world – and down into Estes Park on the eastern side of the park.  It is what lies in between that makes your heart stop.  And – all the wonderful photos in the world will not do the scenery justice.  But, we shall try.
The Trail Ridge Road follows an old Ute Indian Trail along the mountaintops.  It is not only a ‘Green Dot Road’ but is also one of ten of America’s Byways and a national designated All American Road.  The maximum grade of the road does not exceed 7% – but, in order to accomplish that there are a lot of hairpin turns to the next traverse.

So many hairpins they need to number them.

Eight miles of the road are above the tree line – or above 11,000’ where the park’s evergreen forests come to a halt.  After climbing to these heights, it is always fun to stop and look back down from whence one came – 

From whence we came.

Or it is fun to look up to see how much higher one is going to travel thru the tundra’s vastness – 

Still climbing up through the tundra.

Note the snow ‘sticks’ marking the road – preparing for when the snow flies.  The road is so narrow in spots that there are many of these ‘sticks’ that have been snapped in half!!  I am VERY happy to say that our mirrors did NOT snap one of these sticks;-)  Although, there were a few curves that I was not sure about?!?!?

Top of the world?? Yes – literally!! 

There were a few REALLY nerve-racking spots where the road dropped off several hundred feet – there was NO guardrail – AND the road was VERY narrow.  This picture was taken with me standing on the passenger seat while Gary was driving through one of these sections.  Still gives me vertigo just looking at the picture – 

And no guard rails!

SO – we are back on the roads we love.  Green dots, narrow, beautiful views, not too much traffic – what more could you ask for?!?!?  (Maybe to live another day to tell another tale!)
More excitement later – E & G 

Steamin’ East

Are we back in Park City?!?!?!  Guess these ski towns all look alike.  As a result – we sure feel at home here.  Just like a local.   Even (over)heard conversations about Ted Ligety and Park City at dinner!!  The only thing is that Main Street here is a LOT wider – 

Main Street Steamboat Springs

The drive east on I-40 was sure different than our drive in December to the Beaver Creek Ski World Cup.  This time of year there were LOTS of flowers that gave the trip a whole different feel – 

Flowers in full bloom in Vernal, Utah.

Arrived in Steamboat Springs on Friday, August 31stin a pouring rain storm.  We both inhaled deeply as the rain smelled so good and felt even better after the long dry summer in Park City.  

Look out Steamboat here we come.

Didn’t see any animals on the way here – which was actually a relief as E has that habit of hitting deer on the road.  But, the elk in town were sure BIG – 

A BIG, friendly guy (the elk)

Saturday we had a nice round of golf at the Haymaker Golf Course – possibly named because it sits in the middle of what might have been a hay field;-)  We were paired with a nice young couple in the process of moving from Steamboat to Salt Lake City.  Needless to say, we spent a lot of time trading information.  They gave us restaurants and hikes in the area and we discussed areas to live in SLC.   We enjoyed one of their recommendations for dinner relaxing on the banks of the Yampa River.
Sunday we ventured out on one of the hikes our golfing partners told us about.  Steamboat Lake – about 30 miles north of Steamboat – provided the setting.  The Tombstone Nature Trail gave us great views of the Lake and Hahn’s Peak.  Very interesting that the leaves have not begun changing here like they have in Park City – so not much color – but, much beauty all the same.

Nice views of Steamboat Lake from the nature trail.

Calm and color on the lake.

Hahn’s Peak

Naturally after a little hike we needed nourishment.  In the little (and we mean little) town of Hahn’s Peak Village  – Hahn’s Peak Café was calling.  A REAL locals place.  What a treat;-)!!  The food was very good and the entertainment was excellent!!  

Great lunch and music-the locals come on their ATV’s!!
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Our entertainment – you gotta listen;-)

Well – that is Steamboat for this trip.  Tonight is dinner out of the slow cooker and packing up for the move to the Rocky Mountain NP/Estes Park tomorrow.  Full hook ups at that RV park will be welcome – although the water and electric at our current location have been just fine.
HAPPY SEPTEMBER AND HAPPY LABOR DAY TO YOU ALL – E & G 

Where Has The Year Gone ???????

Not sure what has happened to the year of 2012 since we returned from our glorious trip to Vienna, World Cups, Family and Friends in Europe in January – BUT, it has sure flown by.
Immediately after returning to the states and Park City, we headed to Scottsdale in Magic to close on our new town home and ‘ready’ it for our move in (although we have downsized yet again we do have one guest room and guest bath).  It was a busy six weeks doing the remodel – but, all went on schedule and it turned out just as we were hoping!!  
Our New Kitchen/Sports Bar;-)
Dinning Room look familiar??
Living Room with Gary’s New & Improved Entertainment Center;-)
About half way thru the remodel, we sold our Park City town home – couldn’t have worked out better in terms of timing.  So – we hightailed it back up to PC to pack up, meet the movers and sign papers.  By the end of May we were totally out of PC and all settled in Scottsdale – where it was now VERY HOT!!  What else could we do but jump in Magic and head back to PC for the summer?!?!?!  Magic is ‘parked’ in a nice spot with a good view of the creek and campground below and the hills across the way – and a moose now and then (unfortunately the pictures of the moose have evaporated;-(!  )
Our View out our “Living Room Window”
The summer has brought LOTS of golf, hiking, biking, visiting with friends and family over the 4th.  But, the last couple of weeks Mother Nature has told us it is time for Fall – yes FALL already!! – and time for us to move on –  
Colors Already!!

So – this next Friday we will pack up Magic and head East with our ultimate destination of Hilton Head, SC for golf with friends.  On the way we plan to stop in Colorado at Steamboat Springs, Estes Park and Colorado Springs to golf at the Broadmoor.  Then we will head to Columbia, MO to visit with ‘old’ friends and to Williamsburg, VA to visit with family.  In between we hope to see the Mammoth Cave, Montecello and Montpelier AND GOLF at the Greenbrier.  We plan to ‘warm up’ for Hilton Head by golfing at Pinehurst, Pine Needles and Kiawa Ocean course!!

Then we look forward to ‘visiting’ our new town home in Scottsdale to see what it is like to live there and enjoy the winter in something other than snow and ice?!?!?!

Please keep checking in on us through our new adventure.  Hope all is well with all of you –

Antsy to get going – Elizabeth & Gary in Magic

Eloise Dickey Haskins
1921 – 2012

Mom passed away on July 16, 2012.  She is survived by her husband, Tom Haskins, and her sons, Gary and Ken Dickey and their families.  In accordance with her wishes, her ashes will be spread at sea where she will join her late husband, Cliff and grandson, Keith.  

Mom was born in DeLeon, Texas and spent most of her adult life in Southern California where she was very active in her church and in elder care activities.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

If Ken and I had a dollar for each time we were told “I’m going to trade you in for a yellow dog and shoot the dog”, we would be wealthy guys.