I visited the web-site Nancy Snider sent to me, and I answered those questions:
Have you seen a Kansas sunset? Have you seen an Arizona rain? I answer 'yes' to both. The sunset blazing as it sets in Nevada? Aha - and how; today it was just that, and I've lived in Nevada for 8 years now.
Have you drifted down a bayou down Louisiana way? Yes, I have. Have you seen the fog in San Francisco Bay - many times. Have you heard the bird calling in the Carolinas? You betcha - both in North and South!
Have you heard the call of the Niagara Falls? More than once - and splashed with its cold mist; amazed at its power! What about that Massachusetts shore? More than once; dining on huge deep-fried clams; walking around Boston, and noticing Plymouth Rock didn't seem to be all that big.
I saw New York - more than once; amazed at the beauty of the many who co-exist in this place where Lady Liberty stands guard.
I've seen the Mississippi more than once; crossed her many times. I was born in Michigan; from the upper peninsula to the lower, I've toured every county - loved seeing Lake Huron; Ontario, Michigan - Erie, and Superior.
Going through the Rockies; driving 2630 miles from Ohio to Seattle in 3 days - I could not believe my eyes as I passed through the Dakotas; into Montana - Wyoming, then the desert of Spokane. I was relocating to marry a new husband; short of cash, and had to drive 'straight through' - 3 hours of sleep (average) each night (at a rest-stop). The good part of it all, with all the overwhelming beauty of nature along the way, it wasn't that tough to stay awake....
I drove there 3 days after Mt. St. Helens 'erupted' - I dealt with high gas prices; long distances between stops for food and gas, and had to wear a mask over my face to keep out the ash that piled like snow-drifts on the side of the roads as I neared Yakima.
I hear my heart sing - it doesn't cry out; it simply knows why I love my country so much.
Thank you to John Mitchum who reads this beautiful text; to Nancy Snider for sending me the link. It was a wonderful 4th of July - 2008
Before you 'read on', read these words spoken by John F. Kennedy, Jr. - I love them still.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.
Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Today after losing another dear friend, Jean Kreutz, I made a memory page for those we've recently lost. If you've lost a loved one, we know your pain as well. On this blog, there's spiritual music designed to comfort you; do visit it if you feel a need to find solace. http://thoseweremember.blogspot.com
A beautiful California Poppy - on our trip to the San Bernardino Mountains.
When we want to get away from the heat of the desert during the summer months, we have at least 47 different mountain sites on our list - all within 350 miles or less. As I've mentioned on previous posts, the price of gas was always on our minds when we moved here 8 years ago - we are so very glad it was; we can fill the tank, and make a round-trip visit as we head out 180 miles; then return - only $60 for the tank at $4/gallon!The Grand Canyon is 180 miles from where we live; many mountains are in between...too many to list here.Our favorite mountain-top is 60 miles from us; that's only $12 one-way for gas - many people spend that on 2 meals at a fast-food restaurant where they 'get gas' - we use gas.I don't think I have enough space allocated on this blog-site to upload all the beautiful photos I've taken of the local places we visit, and the areas we enjoy that are still easy to reach in 5 hours or less. We don't have to think about hotel costs a good deal of the time; up at 4:00 a.m. - at our destination no later than 9:00 a.m. - we've got a great 8-hour day and we're home by 10:30 p.m. to snuggle into our own comfy bed. Nice....
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