The Big Move, Part 2 (Provo to Kansas City)

On our second evening in Provo,we had a wonderful time visiting with family. Cathy had many nice visits, especially with Maddi, Devin's wife.

We got to visit with Elder Ryan Merrill (Craig and Andrea's oldest son) who had just received his call to serve in the Columbia, South Caroline Mission. It was good to see him before he left.


Here we have Diana, Stephanie and Andrea enjoying a visit with each other.

And, of course, it was good to see my mom. She recently moved into a new place called Courtyard at Jamestown. It's so close to Beth and Bruce's place that she actually walked there on Sunday afternoon. Jamestown is a very nice facility. It's alittle smaller than the Seville and mom has jammed as much stuff into her space as possible. She steadfstly believes she can't live without any of it. She's comfortable but naturally is thinking about moving again.

We got a chance to see some of the kids including Devin and Maddi's oldest son, Luke and Julie and Ralph Hinkson's daughter, Amber. Cuties each.



On Monday morning, July 21, we drove up Provo Canyon to Heber City and then took US highway 40, east. We drove through Vernal and were very impressed by all the flowers they had adorning their main street as we passed through. We got all the way to Craig, Colorado, which I remember Devin saying was one of the most boring towns he had seen while serving in that area on his mission. Seemed like a proper evaluation. We wanted to stop overnight in Craig, but when we looked into staying at a nice Best Western Hotel there, they were sold out (increased oil and natural gas efforts newly rebounding in the area). So we moved on to Steamboat Springs. Beautiful place and crowded.

The Yampa River flows through the heart of town. And there seems to be evidence of boating (the second photo is the Steamboat Springs Yacht Club).


I discovered this wooden bridge that seemed unique (to me) so I snapped a quick picture of it. While looking at the bridge, I noticed a recent landslide near the river. I'm real glad we don't own that house next to it. Pretty nerve racking I would think.

We ate dinner at a place called the Ore House (cute name if you're still in high school). The food was terrific and reasonably priced, and the view was pretty scenic.

On Tuesday morning we pressed on, stopping for lunch in a town called Kremmling, Colorado. We found a place to park without having to use the area reserved for horses. The food was edible at the Moose Cafe there.

Then we passed through Winter Park which is another scenic ski resort area, so I snapped a few pictures there.


And then we got to Kansas.

In all fairness, only the western half of Kansas was like this. One of the most sparsely inhabited areas we've ever seen and for cause. It's just flat, hot, windy and boring in July.
Once we got to Hays, home of Old Fort Hays, the landscape became actually pretty. Rolling, gentle and green mostly farmland but pleasant.
We are now a little east of Kansas City, Mo. We spent the nigh here in a Courtyard (Marriott). I forgot to mention that we spent the previous night in Goodland, Kansas, where I snapped the Kansas photo (above).
So, today, we may reach the Louisville area. It's sevento eight hours away and I'm tired of drving. Mt. Vernon, Illinois is speaking to me. Stay tuned.