February 25, 2009 Grand Blanc, MI The planning goes on

Each day that passes seems to bring information to us that adds to our "to do" and "to see" lists for our great western journey. It looks like, after spending time in the Omaha area, we will pick up the beginning of The Oregon Trail, west of Omaha and following it to Fort Casper Wyoming. As deeply as we delved into Civil War historical sites a couple of years ago, it looks like we will now do it all over again in another kind of history - the story of the settlers that moved west during the Gold Rush and along the Pony Express trails. This will make travel through the plains much more interesting. It looks like it will take a month or so, once we start in mid-April to arrive near Mt. Rushmore. Since we will be towing our "condo on wheels", our Montana 5th wheel RV, home will be wherever we are spending the night(s) and weeks. When we leave South Dakota in June, we will probably head north, through Bismarck, ND and on up to US-2, which we will take all the way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It would be appreciated that if anyone with knowledge of interesting sights and/or attractions along this route would be willing to share them with us, we would really be appreciative. We may go to the Wisconsin Dells, Duluth, MN and who knows where else. COME ON APRIL!!!

February 15, 2009 Potterville, MI Joe's Gizzard City

What an experience! Today we went to Potterville, MI, south of Lansing, and had lunch at Joe's Gizzard City. This was featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on The Food Channel. They feature chicken gizzards, boiled and dipped in a "secret batter" that is suprisingly good. They also have chicken, boiled and dipped in the batter, that is so tender that it melts in the mouth. They also have a burger that is also dipped in the batter and then deep fat fried. People rave about it. Deserts are dipped in the batter and deep fat fried, including Oreo's cookies. If you are ever in the area, it is along I-69 south of Lansing, MI, stop by and be amazed. They even have a web site, http://www.gizzardcity.com/ Watch the video from The Food Channel from this site.

February 11, 2009 Grand Blanc, MI - It just gets better!

The planning just gets better. We posted an item on the Montana Owners Forum asking for suggestions for our trip and have gotten so many that we will maybe have to extend our journey. Not only are we getting suggestions for the Rapid City and Mt. Rushmore area, but also travels to and from there from Michigan. Every trip that we make seems like it will be the "Trip of the century" and this one is no different. How great is that? We will be traveling mid-April from Michigan, through Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha to Casper, WY. From there to Rapid City for the last two weeks or so in May and then finding another way back to mid-Michigan. We are accepting gratefully any and all suggestions for this time. Also, if any of you are going to be in any of these areas when we are, we would love to see you and share a cup of coffee.

February 8, 2009 Serious planning is on

We are in the midst of planning to finally "blowing this popsicle stand." Carol's recovery from her total knee replacement is coming along well and she will be able to travel in the 5th wheel soon. We are leaving mid-April or so for an extended trip to the Mt. Rushmore area. We will travel south from Michigan through Indianapolis, IN, on to St. Louis and Kansas City, up to Omaha, then to Casper, WY and then to Rapid City, SD. That should take a couple of weeks or so. We have heard about a zoo in Omaha that has "the world's largest indoor rainforest" and a large indoor desert area, both under "bubbles". We are looking for do other things to see and do along this path. Also, interesting places to eat. Since we have no timetable for travel, we will stay a night or a week as we travel to different locations. We will probably stay two weeks in Rapid City because of so many things to see there. We just hope that there are no late spring snowstorms as we get out into the foothills of the Rockies. If so, we will just have to improve our Yahtzee game, I guess. After South Dakota, we are not sure how we will travel back to Michigan. We probably won't know until we actually do it.