STORM-STORM-STORM, rain-rain-rain !!

WOW!!!, we are enjoying the Black Hills, but this year has been something else. Some days we have had 3 storms in one day!! Hard winds and hard rain each time. Yes and HAIL also!! Each time it seems to hail a little. So far, we have been lucky and just "marble" and "nickle" size and not big or hard enough to damage anything....Thank GOD!!! Each time it starts to hail, it brings Pat and I to our knees! Back in 1995, we had $8,000.00 damage to our BRAND NEW 1 ton tow truck. It only had 6000 miles on it.......It made us sick!!! So HAIL scares the HAIL out of us!!!








This was taken on the First Day of Summer, 2008. Hail was a couple inches deep in places. Temperature that morning was 39 deg when we got up, but soon it got up to 77 . Perfect weather,,,for me,,,,,minus the HAIL!!!

The GOOD NEWS is, the Drought seems to be over. The streams, creeks and lakes are almost full. We haven't seen that for several years.........Fish HERE WE COME!!!!

PressurePro systems sold like HOT CAKES last week!!!! WOW, thanks folks!!!! Keep telling your friends and neighbors how neat it is to know the pressure in your tires at ALL TIMES. We shipped out 10 systems to addresses all over the US and Canada. Calif to NY.





Bob and Molly Pinner called and told us they were coming to our area and they wanted a PressurePro system for their Monaco Coach and toad. We had met these folks at Nick's Gypsy Journal Rally in Casa Grande, AZ last Feb. They had decided to get a system from us at the RV-Dreams rally in Branson, MO. this month and we weren't able to be there. So they came on up here to get it. When you come to us, let me tell you we will bring it to you and SHOW YOU how to install it. It was great meeting and spending some time with these neat folks. They are just starting the Full timing thing and having a ball. They also got a contract on their house while they were in the area.....CONGRATULATION'S guys, lets hope it goes through!! They were impressed with the Black Hills,,, hope they come back soon.....they are on their way to the Escapade....Enjoy that new PressurePro system!!
Here is Bob and Molly's Blog


We received another PressurePro order yesterday that will go out Monday, from our good friends and fellow HDT'ers and Retama Village neighbors Jim and Hazel Brumfield. (HOGRYDR on the SKP forum) Jim has had the Smart Tire pressure monitoring system for a while and decided to go with the BEST !!! What a NICE order that was,,,,,,,,Jim has 16 tires to monitor. Thanks MUCH Jim, you will enjoy the system and we will be right here 24/7 for any problems, help or assistance you might need..........Mighty nice talking to you....

Here is: Jim's Photo Album Looking forward to seeing you at the HDT rally, Jim & Hazel.

Molly and Bob Pinner came out to see our little spot on the hill while they were here and they loved the view. Molly suggested I stand in my Teton doorway and take a picture of it and put it on the Blog. So here it is Molly!! The view is much better than the picture.


Click on picture to enlarge it....

Most of you know that I was raised on my folks cattle ranch just 140 miles south of here. During my younger years, I used to get up here once in a while and it was always my dream to have a little spot up here and live on it... This is a DREAM come true!!! The Lord has been good to me!

This is probably the GREATEST place we could be. Especially right now during this hard and trying time. I used to dream of Scott owning this property one day and sitting here just as I am, enjoying it. I had discussed that with him....

Well I believe he is already here. I talk to him many times a day. I know he is in a better place now and enjoying it, I just miss him and it's so hard to believe he is gone. Sometimes I break up or choke up, but I understand that's part of the natural process of grieving a loved one. Time will help, but if I choke up when talking with you, don't be surprised and don't feel bad about it. I need to talk about him and it comforts me/us when you give us your support and understanding. Thank you all so much!!

It's been a GREAT WEEK !!!!!

Travel Safe. Stop and see us!!!!

See ya next week!
Mike

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Ms Terry Russell of the Gypsy Journal ! I know another guy that has a birthday on this very same DAY!!! His name is Mike,,,,,,,, ;-) . June 22, a GREAT day !!

A lot to be THANKFUL for !

I wish I had a way with words like my friend Nick Russell, who publishes the GYPSY JOURNAL http://www.gypsyjournal.net/NicksBlog.htm

But I don't and I'm really at a loss for words today. Last week I couldn't even think and I simply published Scott's obituary. It was a tough past few weeks, but my memories of Scott keep telling me that I know he would want us to carry on. So, we will do our best to do that.

Yesterday, as I drove for 4 hours West from Lincoln to North Platte on our way to our place in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I was thinking. .......I have a LOT to be thankful for.

I'm thankful I had the privilege of knowing Scott for nearly 47 years !

I'm thankful we decided to go to Lincoln and visit with him this last few weeks... truly God's Blessing. Pat and I were right there by his side during all of this unexpected terrible turn for the worse....and there by his side when he left us for a better place.

I'm thankful I have Pat to help me through this. She loved Scott as one of her own, and Scott loved her like a Mom.

I'm thankful I have my two other boys, Mikel and Patrick.

I'm just so thankful of so many things, I could go on for hours. But one thing that I'm especially thankful for is all our friends and family.......Wow !!! , I want to thank each and every one of you from my heart. The emails, cards, calls, flowers, contributions, and super support was really something.........Thank you all very much, it means so much to us.

We want to get an early start this morning, so we can get on up to the beautiful Black Hills....They have been getting lots of moisture and I understand that the hills are extra green and real pretty!!!

Come on up and see us !!!

It was a GREAT (thankful) DAY!!!!

God Bless,
Mike

Goodbye Scott, We love you!

Scott A. "Scooter" McFall

Scott A. "Scooter" McFall 46, Lincoln, lost his battle with Leukemia Thursday (06/05/08). Born June 28, 1961 at York. Scott was the youngest of threes sons born to Mike McFall and Jean (Johnson) Krull. Scott attended Lincoln East High School; Southeast Community College; University of Utah; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Concordia University and Bellevue University. As an Information Technology professional, Scott worked for the State of Nebraska, Dept. of Roads, State Patrol, Dept. on Aging, and Natural Resources Commission. Member, St. Joseph's Catholic Church; former member, St. Mark's United Methodist Church; former member, Lincoln Jaycees; State Troopers Assn. of Nebraska; former member, International Chief's of Police; Great Plains Trails, and a Lifetime Achievement (27 gallon) Community Blood Bank Donor. Scott enjoyed running his side business, PM-WebWorx; being with friends and family,; remodeling the house; working in the yard, bike riding; RV'ing; exercise and life. Those left to cherish his memory: wife, Ann (Youngberg) McFall; father and step-mom, Mike and Pat McFall; mother, Jean Krull; brothers, sisters-in-law and families, Michael and Karen McFall; Pat and Michelle McFall; uncle and aunt Larry and Judie Johnson; cousins; good friends and co-workers. Preceded in death by his step-father, Chuck Krull; grandparents, Fred and Esther McFall; and Martin and Lucille Johnson. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday (06/10/08), St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th St., Lincoln. Internment: Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Wake and Rosary: 7 p.m. Monday (06/09/08)at the funeral home, 4040 "A" St., Lincoln. Visitation: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.Sunday (06/08/08); and 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Monday. Memorials in care of the family. Condolences at http://www.bmlfh.com/. Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, Lincoln, is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Lincoln Journal Star from 6/7/2008 - 6/8/2008.
Guest Book • Flowers • Charities

Pancake Feed--------Great day!!!

Yesterday was the BIG Pancake feed. It was a SUPER success!!! We were at the church at 5:30 am and the weather was perfect. It wasn't long until we had the coffee pots perking and the BIG Pancake Grill heating....We're in Business!!


Here is the grill we picked up the day before and got it all set up at the church. It's HEAVY!!! They loaded it in the pickup with at fork loader, no problem.

Now UNLOADING it and reloading it was something else!!! Here is Larry Johnson, Scott's uncle who has been gallantly involved in setting up this affair. The grill guy told us "two guys can handle it"!! Ya, I'd like to see those TWO guys, it certainly wasn't Larry and I. That round turntable is solid steel and about an inch thick. UGH!!! Larry says "We need help"! I agree!!!

Help soon appeared and it wasn't long until we had it unloaded and carried about 75 yards into the kitchen of the church. Here it is all set up. Neat deal!!

Time to light the fire!!!

It wasn't long until it was up and running. After a few practice runs, we had it figured out. We think! ?,,,,,,, Here we have from left to right, Jan Clark, Ms Pat, Larry Johnson, Shannon Patrick and Bob Patrick. I hadn't seen Jan, Shannon or Bob for probably 30 years or more. Shannon, Bob and Jan's son, was just a small boy last I knew. What a fine young gentlemen now,,,,,,My, my,,,life does fly by!! Bob was a Game Warden and a good friend.......We had fun remembering the good ole days!!



Lots and lots of Scott and Ann's friends came.......The pancakes were GOOD, the sausages were GREAT and the coffee and orange juice was excellent.

There were a TON of items up for silent auction and folks were bidding like wild!!!




There were Footballs, Basketballs, Baseballs,

Volley Balls and MUCH, MUCH more!!!


GREAT NEWS was recieved early the morning of the Pancake Feed and the announcement was made and signs were posted:

The Insurance Co. had approved the second Transplant.... CHEERS went up all around the room!!! Hallelujah!!!!! What GOOD news!

Now all they have to do is get him well enough for it to happen....





This is Karen Fish and Pat after we were all done and things cleaned up. Great Job!!!! It took a LOT of coordination and HARD work, but we all enjoyed it!!! Karen and I were co-workers at Dairyland Ins CO. for 14 years. We have a LOT of great (and a few not so great) memories that we share together. She was a great co-worker and is a good friend.... It was so good to see her again.

I think we all went home "dog" tired, but happy of the success!!! WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!

We sure wish Scott and Ann could have been there, but that wasn't going to happen. Scott continued to have a tough week and Thursday he was hospitalized in Omaha. Something was wrong and the Dr wanted to find out what it was. They scheduled a Colonoscopy but after running some pre-op tests, they found out Scott's blood platelets were VERY LOW....they were down to 15 and should be in the 50 range. They can't do any kind of surgical procedure until the platelets are normal.

We talked to Scott and Ann after the Pancake Feed and it sounds like the diagnosis now is "Graft vs Host". I will try to explain it with the info I have but it is complicated and I may not have all the details correct. "Graft vs Host" means that Scott has a war going on inside. The stem cells he received from his older brother Michael in the bone marrow transplant are fighting to take over Scott's DNA, blood type and immune system but it's not working as fast as they hoped it would. That is the reason he needs the second bone marrow transplant to get more "warriors" to help win the battle. They are treating Scott with steroids to try to get everything under control so we can proceed with the second transplant. Like I told you, this is complicated and I hope I haven't totally messed this up but it's the best I can do with my limited medical knowledge.

We can't make any plans to bring Michael up here for the second transplant until Scott is ready for it so everything is on hold for now. Ann thinks they will get to come home from the hospital around the middle of next week so maybe we will have more news by then. Scott doesn't have his computer with him so he doesn't have any way to update his CaringBridge journal but please continue to send him words of encouragement. Your comments, support and prayers are what keep him going.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall

We can't thank all the fine folks enough that assisted with and came to the Pancake Feed in Scotts honor. Thank You, Thank you!!!! God Bless all that have contributed to his extreme out of pocket expenses, they are staggering.

Until next time,,,,,,It was a GREAT DAY!!!!!

Mike

Not GOOD NEWS !

This has been SOME week !!!


This is Scott and Ann's place, taken last Sept when we visited. It was just a few days later when the Leukemia was discovered. Its been a LONG HARD 8 months for them.......


As you know we are in Lincoln, Nebraska visiting Son Scott and Ann. Shortly after we got here, it was discovered that the DREADED Cancer was back!!!! We were all devastated, what a shock! Scott has been extremely sick, terrible stomach cramps, diarrhea, and can not keep anything down. Not even his meds. He certainly did not want to have to take any more Chemo. However, that was his only option at this point. Thursday afternoon they began giving him the heavy doses of the drug, plus running several other tests. He will get 4 sessions of treatments that each take 2-4 hours. He was so dehydrated that they had to give him double doses of saline. This chemo, of course, made him even sicker.

Here is Scott's latest post from his Caringbridge web site, posted yesterday:
**********************************************************************
*(quote)*
The results came back positive that the cancer has returned. They started me on more chemo almost immediately. The last several days I have been extremely ill with vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. In fact I was so dehydrated they had to give me fluids before they could start my chemo. They tested me for the return of c-def but it came back negative and they are still looking for the cause. I am going through my fifth round of chemo everyday through the weekend at the hospital. I have to be there tonight (Saturday) and then again first thing in the morning (Sunday). I am allowed home at night, thank goodness.The next steps will entail having my brother return from Arizona to donate more cells. Not stem cells this time but more adult cells to assist in eliminating my original immune system and have his take over. We have to wait on the insurance to approve the procedure and once again they have denied it as of late Friday afternoon. The appeal process has been started but obviously it will be at least next week after the long weekend before anything happens. The logistics of getting my brother here on short notice will be difficult and we can’t set anything up until we get the insurance company’s approval. So we wait and have faith.
Scott and Ann
************************************************************************************ I am so glad we are here during this most difficult time and can offer in some way our support and assistance, although I feel TOTALLY helpless in the situation. It's sure hard to watch someone you love so much go through this. With Scott and Ann's strong faith, they will come through it. It's quite a shock since he seemed to be doing so well.

We contacted his older brother in Tucson, AZ yesterday to begin making arrangements for him to return to Omaha for another type of stem cell donation as soon as the doctors are ready.

Please keep them in your prayers!!!

NEXT SATURDAY is the big pancake feed !!! We are expecting hundreds of people and some of these people I have not seen for years and years. Tuesday I went with Larry Johnson, Scott's Uncle, to the University of Nebraska campus and the BIG RED coliseum. Gee, this place has grown since I lived here!!! Man, what money will buy!! We obtained several footballs, volleyballs, basketballs and baseballs from the respective athletic departments that have all been personally signed by the coaches and some star players. These treasures will be auctioned off at the Pancake feed. Larry's daughter, Christy was one of the Volleyball stars here just a few years ago and is now the HEAD Volleyball coach at the University of Iowa. We are all very proud of her. Scott was one of Christy's BIGGEST fans and watched many of the games she played in.

This has also been a terrible week for storms. Tornado's and flooding all around us!! The winds and thunderstorms kept us up 2 nights in a row. The wind blew so hard, it shook this big TETON and blew over our satellite dish. Luckily, it didn't break the dish....just a small crack...so we managed to get it back up and running. Last night, things remained pretty calm but they say we may be in for another round of storms tonight.
Visit Scott's CaringBridge web site and say hi to him at:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall
Keep him and Ann in your prayers. We are so thankful for all our friends support and prayers, that words cannot describe it. THANK YOU !!

Next week is going to be a GREAT WEEK !!!!!!!!

Mike

Boot Hill and Gunsmoke Territory

We have been to Tombstone territory and we are now in Boot Hill territory!!!!

Early afternoon we pulled into the Gunsmoke RV Park in Dodge City, KS. We had been on the road for 3 fairly long days and it was time for a little break, plus we wanted to see the famous BOOT HILL. We also wanted to meet up with the Marshall MATT DILLON. Matt ranked right up there with John Wayne as one of my "idols".

Entrance to the Campground. See the PISTOL and the SMOKE.....

I thought that Six Shooter was NEAT!!! The campsite was plenty large enough for our rig and made it easy to pull in. We had a PressurePro system to pack up and get to the post office, so we took care of that first thing. http://www.pressureprosystem.com/ Then we came back and settled in to get a little R&R so we would be ready for BOOT HILL tomorrow. The wind was blowing like crazy, so it was good to be off the road!

BOOTHILL is right downtown Dodge City and you can walk through the graveyard and read the headstones (made of wood) of all the BAD guys and other unfortunate ones that didn't survive the early day lawlessness and were gunned down back in the 1870s/1880s.

Back in my younger days, I hung out in lots of bars, but I always wanted to make this one!! THE FAMOUS LONGBRANCH SALOON!! The bartender even gave us a "shot" on the house!!!! NEAT !!

This is the rest of Front Street in Dodge City. You can browse through all the old stores and businesses that were reproduced to an exact duplicate of the originals.....FIREARM's are not allowed in this area, as per Wyatt Earp!!!! So we had to "check our guns".

For more pictures that I took of the area go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/wb4pdo/DodgeCityKSGunsmoke

For more info about the area go to:

http://www.skyways.org/orgs/fordco/dodgecity.html

We were crushed to find out that Matt Dillon was just a "fictional" TV character!!!! Wyatt Earp and "Bat" Masterson were the guys that organized a "Peace Commission" and introduced some Law and Order to the area. Very interesting stuff!!! I probably wouldn't have survived back in those days!!! I surely would have been SHOT or HANGED!!!! :-(

The following day we continued on and finished our trip in to Lincoln, NE where Son Scott and his wife Ann live. We were very anxious to see them....and we are now busy helping them catch up on some chores that needed to be done. As most of you know, Scott was diagnosed with Leukemia in Oct, 07. It has been an extremely hard winter for both of them. He is doing well, but MAN, I was surprised to see how much he has changed. He has lost over 60 lbs, all his hair and is very pale. He is coming along OK, but still has quite a ways to go and fights continuous ongoing problems daily! He is very weak and unsteady on his feet, has no appetite and is nauseous a lot of the time. We went with him Friday to the hospital where he received 2 units of blood, which took a total of 4 hours. This is normal stuff to him; he has been struggling with this for 7-1/2 months!!! It really has to be overwhelming and tiring for him. Ann had to leave her work and be at his side almost continually as they do not want him to be left alone at any time.

Their strong faith and dedication, along with everyone's support and prayers is what has kept them going......and continues to do so.....PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!!!!!! We thank you very much!!

It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!

We are glad to be here and hope we can help the kids a little.......

Just 2 weeks until the Pancake feed!!!!!! Please come!

Take care and travel safe...

Mike

On the ROAD again!!!!

We finally got everything put away and ready to head North for the summer. But first, one last ride in the desert with our GREAT friends and neighbors, Paul and Nancy Wilson. What a nice ride!! Paul and Nancy know the BLM desert surrounding North Ranch quite well. It's always such a treat to go with the "pro's". They have been around the ranch for around 10 + - years.


This is the "Fearsome Foursome". Taken just after we completed our last ride for the season. We are all a little dusty, thirsty and tired. We will sure miss these fine folks!!!

Yesterday morning we departed North Ranch at 8:30 am, headed North and East. Destination: Lincoln, Nebraska where Son Scott and daughter-in-law Ann live. It was a nice day and the wind wasn't blowing untill we hit Flagstaff. Surprisingly, it was blowing just the way we were going!!! That doesn't happen much. The BIG ole' Volvo just purred along. I set the cruise on 63 mph and it maintained that speed in easy fashion. Traffic was the usual Interstate BUSY, but it was moving nicely. About 8 hours and 400 miles later, we decided the Bar "S" RV park in Grants, NM would be our home for the night.


This is the office of Bar "S" RV Park. It's a nice, clean park and the young gentleman that greeted us was very friendly and my type of guy. The sights were large and the roads were wide. They advertise that they are "BIG RIG FRIENDLY" and they REALLY ARE!!! Many say "no RV is too big for us". Well, we always call them and warn them of our size. We find it better to warn them than to SURPRISE them!! However, it seems to be a challenge with these RV parks and they normally all say "sure we can handle you, come on in!!!! "

The sites are gravel and they are LONG!! We didn't even have to unhook the Honda. We just shut it off, plugged in the electric, put out 2 of the 3 slides and turned on the computers. Then we sat back and took care of business... Pat had received 2 orders for PressurePro systems as we drove down the road. She wrote them up and I prepared them for shipping. Plus, there was a bunch of email questions. First thing you know, it was 9 pm. I was BEAT!!!

Well, I did stick out a little further than the others,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe "quite" a little!!!! But there was plenty of road left for vehicles to pass.

I knew this place looked "familiar" as we pulled in. Finally, when we got settled in I remembered it. As soon as I heard the first TRAIN blow it's whistle,,,,,,,,,ah, yes, I remember this place!!! BOY, that train is close!! We stayed here 5-6 years ago. So if trains and whistles all night long bother you, this place is NOT where you want to stop. But we were quite tired and it didn't shake us at all!!! We would stop here again.... it's easy to get at and the price with our SKP (Escapee) discount was $14.08. Not bad!!!


We will be up and OUT of here tomorrow morning around 8am. We are 75 miles West of Albuquerque. We'll go through there about 9-10am, so it shouldn't be busy. We plan on going on East to Tucumcari. Thats about 300 miles; plus, we have to fuel up at the Flying J in Tucumcari. UGH,,,,,,don't enjoy that!!! It's well over $4.00 per gal,,,,and I need right at 150-160 gal.:-(

We should be in Lincoln by Wednesday or Thursday. I'll see you all again next week. Thanks for stopping by....

Its was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!

Mike

If you care to follow our daily travels, along with a map of our trail, I put it on this web site:

Where we are.

North Ranch is EMPTY!!

I do believe we are about the only ones still here.


For you that have been here to North Ranch RV Park near Congress, AZ., you will recognize this campground. This is about as empty as I've ever seen it. Just a week or so ago, it was FULL to the brim.

Folks have sure begun to head for their Summer places. Some a little early maybe,,,,,,,like those in Rapid City, SD right now, where they got 12" + of SNOW last week end. From what I hear it was quite a blizzard! Blowing, blinding snow, I-90 was CLOSED. Big snow drifts all over the place.......... NO THANKS!!!! We have been enjoying 50-60 deg nights and 75-85 days. Now why would anyone want to leave that??? That's near perfect weather....

We will be here about another week. Lots to do before we leave. It's quite a job getting things all buttoned up before we can hit the road. More than you would think. For the first 5-6 years of our RV'ing, we could pick up and leave any place in a heart beat! But when you have a lot, with a storage shed, an extra refrigerator to clean out, things including an ATV to prepare for storage, it takes a while. Of course, we don't move as fast as we used to!!! Wonder why that is??

We're anxious to get to Scott and Ann's place in Lincoln, NE. It will be so GOOD to see them and help with some of the spring work they have. They have had a tough winter!!!! Scott's a real trooper or he wouldn't have made it. He is still having problems with the battle that Leukemia dealt him. But he keeps up the long, hard fight. It's been over 7 months now that his world was shattered. His life has been totally changed. It suddenly became a fight to survive. He took it on day by day and with his great companion and loving wife Ann, they have come a long, long way. I know it's been a long and tough battle. Not over yet, but I am real proud of the progress he has made.

Keep up with Scott's progress at this Caringbridge web site:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall

Help us keep cheering him on,,,leave him a note. Tell him I sent you!!! Did I mention I am VERY proud of him!!!! There will be a Pancake feed in his Honor in Lincoln on May 31st. I'll be there flippin' cakes!!! If you in the area, please come!!! (Unitarian Church)

Next week we may see you from out on the road,,,somewhere. Thanks for dropping by, stop back again!!!

It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!

Mike


Friends and family of Scott and Ann invite you to a fundraiser......Saturday morning, May 31st from 7 am to 12 pm: Unitarian Church located at 6300 A Street, Lincoln. We will be hosting a pancake feed with a free will donation and silent auction to help Scott and Ann with expenses. Scott was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on October 4th, 2007. He received a bone marrow [stem cell] transplant from his oldest brother in early February. The medical expenses continue to grow at a staggering rate.
We hope Scott will feel up to joining us to meet and greet. Any questions or if you would like to help, contact Jean [Scotts' mom] at phone 402-489-2553, cell 402-440-5048 or vjkrull@neb.rr.com http://donate2scott.pm-webworx.com/

Another TEST----

Just another TEST,,,,and yes, I'll probably fail it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



But I gotta keep trying,,,,,,:-)



Here is the test................Where are we and who is that Statue behind us????

Winner gets to give me a prize of my choice!!!!
In case of a tie, tiebreaker is: Who is that picture of on my T-shirt????

Answer in Sh0ut Box.

Its a GREAT DAY!!!!!

Mike

Maps.Google.com, is Something!!!!

Google Maps is really interesting. I have been working with it for a while and it's amazing what all it will do! Here is a sample:

Where we spend most of our time:

View Larger Map

This is a map I quickly threw together to show you how it works. I have marked all the places where we have purchased RV lots. You can do an unreal amount of things with Google Maps. Click on a few things like "View Larger Map" and "Sat" on the above map for just a sample of a few things you can do.

Try it out here: http://maps.google.com/

Click on the markers on my map above and it will open a little window and tell you where the place is and something about it. You can also put pictures and/or picture albums in these pop ups.

If you go to Google Earth, you can Fly around the country at any altitude you want.


Here is another close-up of our place in Mission, TX

View Larger Map Click on the marker on this map (first click on "View larger map")and open the little box. Now you see a picture of our place in Texas. Click on the picture and it takes you to our Picture Album of the place with LOTS of pictures..... NEAT HUH????? Just think of what all YOU could do with GOOGLE MAPS!!!

Chris Guld of http://www.geeksontour.com/ does a wonderful job of teaching anyone how to use the Maps, plus a ton of other stuff. She puts out a newsletter with a world of information and I really enjoy her Tutorial Videos; they are short and informative. I have learned a lot from them. If I can do it, anybody can!!!! Check her site out and subscribe to her newsletter.

http://www.geeksontour.com/newsletters/


That's it for this week, we are still cleaning up loose ends with numerous Dr. appointments getting ready to leave. As it stands now, the (hopefully) last Dr. we have to see is on May 6TH.
But you know how that goes!!!! Meanwhile, we're just shipping out PressurePro systems all over the USA and Canada...... http://www.pressureprosystem.com/


It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!

Give us a shout!!!! shout box, email, cell phone, etc...

Mike

BEST NEWS SO FAR !!!

We were so HAPPY to receive the following news this week!!! The biopsy tests came back NO MORE LEUKEMIA !!!! Thats GREAT news!!!!!

Below is Scotts announcement from his web site.........

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008 11:09 AM, CDT
We got home from Monday's appointment in Omaha kind of late last night so I did not get this journal updated until this morning...Well we got great news, the results of the bone marrow showed no signs of leukemia what so ever.Another great thing happened when the doctor took me off another med, another pill off the long list.The good news continued when the doctor cut us loose to live at home. I will go in for blood work here in Lincoln at the Oncologist and get transfusions if I need them here in Lincoln. We don't have to go back to Omaha for 3 weeks (and about every 3 weeks after). This was pretty much unexpected but very welcome news.Yesterday was a great day filled with great news that I Praise the Lord for and thank all my family and friends for their thoughts, prayers and support.Scott and Ann

This news made our week GREAT,,,,,,nothing else compares!!!!!

This is a picture I took of Scott back in early Feb. when Mikel and I were in Omaha at the Transplant Center. He is just beginning to get his 3rd dose of very, heavy Chemo and about 10 days before the Bone Marrow Transplant. He doesn't have any hair on his head; he is wearing a cap with "hair" built into it that I brought up to him from South Texas.:-) He soon lost his chin whiskers from the Chemo.... I wish we had some current up-to-date pictures. He has come a LONG way since then!!! Thank God!!!!! Bless his heart, he has been fighting this since Oct 1st, nearly 7 months! He still has a long way to go but he gets better every day.

You can follow his progress at his web site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall

We are getting extremely anxious to go to Lincoln, NE and see him. I'm watching the weather very close. Starting to prepare things for the move. It will sure be good to see him and Ann!!!

It was a GREAT WEEK !!!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again next week. All is fine on this end.

Mike

Not a FUN WEEK !!!

We didn't do much last week, not much we can tell you about, or show you pictures of anyhow. It was a week set aside for the DREADED Colonoscopy. Ugh, not fun!!! Those that have been the route know what I'm talking about, I'm sure!!!! It's got to be done, but I dread it!!!! It sure shoots a week, for both of us to go through it. They won't let you both go through it on the same day, because one is the designated driver. You can't drive after the procedure, or at least they won't let you!!

I went on a liquid diet last Monday morning and had nothing but a little jello and some broth. I didn't want much of anything, because what goes in MUST come out!! :-) At 4pm, I began drinking the WITCHES BREW,,,,,,,,,,,,MAN,,,,,,that stuff is BAD!!!!! Why can't they make it taste like ice cream, or a smoothie? Noooo, they make it taste like some sweet crap with salt mixed it. I spent an hour drinking that first QUART,,,,,,,,,,,,,,then I got a WHOLE hour to relax before I had to start on the second QUART.....That took another hour!!! This special brew was called "MoviPrep"! Last time I went through this I had to drink a whole GALLON of "Go-Lightly" (I wonder who comes up with these names). I thought this 1/2 gal would be a piece of cake. Hum,,well not quite!!! Then, ya set around and WAIT, and WAIT,,,,,,,,,,,,Well,,,,,,you know where I spent most of the night!!!,,,,,,,,,right, in that little room!! Sure didn't get much sleep.

Up VERY early the next morning, because we have 50 miles to drive to the Clinic in Sun City West, near the Del Web Hospital and had to be there by 8:00 AM. WE were there at 7: 40!! This time they were doing BOTH an upper and a lower. So we got it from BOTH ends..... !!!

I'm happy to report that we both came out in FINE shape! Actually, the procedure is not bad at all and the anesthesia makes it go without any pain at all. Neither one of us had any "polyps" at all this time. Pat did have a stomach irritation that needs some attention. That explains why she has been having stomach pains!!!!! Dr. wants to see her in 2 weeks.

With Monday and Tuesday spent on my procedure and Wednesday and Thursday with Pats, needless to say the week was about shot!! But so were we !! But GLAD it was all over!!!!

Now wasn't that exciting??????????? NOT!!!!






This is MY FRIEND Del Holowel


Del was a SPECIAL friend and I miss him very much!!!!!

Del was my next door neighbor here at North Ranch. Del passed away in 2005. He had Prostrate Cancer. He was such a delightful guy and I always looked forward to getting back here and spending some time with him. He really enjoyed life and knew EVERYONE. This place hasn't been the same since!!! We were about the same age and had a lot in common. We spent a LOT of time talking. His dear wife Pat still lives next to us and continues to "live on" trying to fill the void left by this GREAT man. She told me that Del always looked forward to Pat and I returning; in fact, she said he missed us terribly when we were gone. Well I want you to know Del, that I know your having a good time up in that GREAT CAMPGROUND in the sky, but my friend, I miss you and think of you a lot!!!! You were one of the special guys in my life and I can see your smiling face and feel your spirit around here a lot, so I know your still here. But I sure miss our talks! LIVE ON MY MAN!!!!!!!! How's your horse doing,,,,,and are there any campsites near you. or is the place full?



We thought we would downsize a little and get a rig like this......Neat Huh????


Maybe next week will be more interesting,,,,but then again maybe not, who knows?
Anyhow, if the Lords willin', we will be here, hope you stop back.

We are STILL ALIVE and WELL,,,so it was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Son Scott is keeping up his good battle and had a Bone Marrow biopsy done Thursday. We are anxiously awaiting the results. Should hear Monday!!! We are getting extremely anxious to head up there and see them. Hopefully we can dodge the storms and floods.
Again, you can check his site at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall

Have a good week,,,and STAY HEALTHY!!!!! Maybe it's time for you to schedule your Colonoscopy!!! (-:

Mike

Our assignment: ROUND MOUNTAIN !!!

See that mountain in the center of this picture taken from the top of our rig here at North Ranch in Congress,AZ? That's ROUND MOUNTAIN. This is the area where we ride our 4 wheelers a lot. We have ridden all around this Mountain, the front side, the back side and both the left and right sides. It is a Landmark for the area and keeps us from getting lost in this vast wilderness. Isn't the openness of the area outstanding? We love it!!! When we are out riding in the dozens of washes throughout the area and become disoriented, we just get up where we can see ROUND MOUNTAIN and we immediately know where we are.

Since DAY ONE, we have had the desire to go to the TOP of ROUND MOUNTAIN......This was the day!!!!!

OFF WE GO!!


Here we are about half way there.......



We are at the base of the mountain......


At about the halfway up point, with our great friends and neighbors Paul and Nancy Wilson, we decided to hike the rest of the way. It was about 2/3 of a mile on to the top. We could have ridden on up, but we wanted to HIKE IT!!! So we parked here and started the trek UP.



As usual, Pat took the lead. Its steeper than it looks and is very rocky. It would be a challenge to ride up but we'll save that for another day... today we're HIKING!!!! We love to HIKE!!!




It wasn't long and I was chugging along, when I looked up and there Pat was ON TOP!!!!! Whew,,,, I'll be there shortly!!! Chug, chug, chug.



The 360 deg view is quite a sight. These roads are on the back side of Round Mountain.



This is a shot of North Ranch from the top. See our TETON ?



After a little reminiscing, looking and relaxing on top, it was time to start down. Pat's leading, then Nancy, then Paul, then guess who? Yep, I'm bringing up the rear!!



I get delayed a little consuming the beauty of this desert, it is especially outstanding this spring!
I must have taken 2-3 dozen pictures of the flowers, different cacti, etc. on the way down. I'll put them in my web album.


BACK HOME AT THE RANCH....


I just had to show you this beautiful Easter Cactus just a short distance from our place. NO ONE that we know, has ever seen this many Blooms on one cactus at the same time!!! It is something else!!!


People come from as far away as Los Angeles, CA. to photograph this spectactular unusual sight.

Some of you just might recognize Nick Alezakis who now lives in a little community near LA. He and Joanne are our great friends that I introduced you to last week. We worked with them in Custer State Park....


This little jewel is on our property. Its a beauty and this is the way they usually appear, one or two at a time on a plant. They bloom around Easter almost every year. They are not late, Easter was just early this year...... (click on picture to enlarge)



Pat and I enjoy shooting our pistols. Finally this week we got out to sharpen up our aim a little. That's another thing we enjoy about this area, we can find a private place to target practice. Needless to say "I ain't as good as I once was"!!!!!! :-).......I've been shooting a pistol since I was 16 and had lots of formal training while I was on the Highway Patrol and at Custer State Park. I "used" to be a pretty darn good shot. But I don't know what is happening to me!!!! I introduced Pat to Pistol shooting shortly after we met about 23 years ago. She loved it and was exceptionally good at it. In fact she almost out shot me from that first day on the range. Well, she ALMOST did this time too!!!
OH, OK,,,,,,,,,,,,I just as well tell ya, she did OUT SHOOT me this time. But not by MUCH!!!!!:-(
Maybe I better have my eyes checked again!!!!

Hey, its been another GREAT WEEK !!!!!!!
We continue to be very thankful for all we have and enjoy.......

Son Scott seems to be continuing his slow but steady progress and was even cleared to go HOME for the weekend.....HURRAY!!!!!
Read his post on his CaringBridge web site at:http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/smcfall
I'm sure he would enjoy a greeting from you if you wish to leave one. Many thanks again to all our friends that have been checking and asking about him and have left him messages. Please continue keeping him in your prayers.........

Thanks for stopping by, see you again next week!!!!

Stay SAFE!!!!!
Mike