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Grammy Leigh and Hippity Hop's Summer Adventure - Part Three

Leaving Nebraska this morning about 7:00 am it is clear and warm-ish. Grammy, Hop and Brother Dave took a short side trip into Colorado for a bit of shopping. Though our shopping trip didn't turn out as we had hoped, lunch at the local sub sandwich shop almost made up for the lack of shopping victories. Now back on the highway and headed for Shelbyville, TN. Our trio should arrive at Grammy's relatives just before sundown tonight. This leg of the trip is relatively uneventful, so we break for a couple of hours in St. Joseph MO. for a nap, then go on to St Louis, MO.

Buchannan County Courthouse, St. Joseph, MO.

Sorry for the long delay in recounting this tail, but Grammy's journal got lost under the sofa somehow. Now on with the story.

Rested and excited to get to our first family destination, we re-enter the highway and head toward St. Louis, MO. As we get close to the heart of the town, the St. Louis Arch comes into view.

St. Louis Gateway Arch frames the Old Courthouse

From St. Louis we get on Interstate 64 and follow it to Evansville Indiana. There isn't much to look at along the road, so Grammy reads a book while Bro. Dave drives and Hop naps in his carrier.

From Evansville, Dave turns south and follows Interstate 69 through farmlands and road construction zones until it brings us to US-41 South in Scott Township. At Scott Township we take Interstate 24 into Clarksville, TN.  From Clarksville, he continues on I-24 to Murfreesboro, TN. In Murfreesboro, we take US-231 into Shelbyville, TN where they navigate the 'city streets' to Oak Street and Dave and Grammy's mother and brother's house.

Grammy Leigh's Mom and Bro. Kenn's House

After unloading the Haul-Me-Home truck, Grammy's Sister, Jerri, arrived to take Grammy and Hop Hop to her home at 203 A Buffalo Valley Drive in Shelbyville. On the way, the ladies pull through an Arby's to pick up sandwiches for their dinner. 

Sis. Jerri's apt. is just behind the car. 

Sis. Jerri lives in a nice little tri-plex across town from Grammy Leigh's Mom and Bro. Kenn. Brother Dave will stay with Mom and Bro. Kenn long enough to repair his little truck that they have towed behind the Haul-Me-Home truck. Then he will be off to stay with some friends in Maryland. Hope to see you real soon, Bro Dave.

Jerri lives in a quiet community set up for seniors and disabled persons with small incomes. The area is so lush and growing, with all kinds of wildlife teaming in the nearby trees. Did you see that deer walk by? 

No?

I am so sorry you missed him!

After eating their fast-food dinner, these sisters relax in front of the TV watching classic movies on TV. So we will bid them and Hop Hop good night. See you all again real soon

Grammy Leigh and Hippity Hop's Summer Adventure - Part Two

Sunrise over Southwestern Wyoming, 8/4/17, through the smoke of all fires in the Western States
...we lose the smoke as we cross the continental divide later today.

As the day dawns anew, Grammy Leigh, Bro. Dave and Hippity Hop roll up their sleeping bags, deflate the air mattresses and crawl into the “Haul Me Home” truck to begin another day of their journey toward Shelbyville, Tennessee.


A little later Grammy is traveling on to her Daughter's in Richmond, Kentucky … with a planned day trip down to Bowling Green, KY for an Eclipse Watching Party on August 21, 2017. But today’s leg of the journey should end up in or near Cheyenne, Wyoming. But for now, she is looking forward to spending some time with her family in Tennessee. So on to Shelbyville.



"Leigh, why don't we stop for a bite to eat in Evanston, WY before we head east once more?"

 "That sounds like a good plan, Brother. I really could use a cup of coffee and a bite of breakfast would be good, too. Maybe we can get a few carrot sticks as a treat for Hippity Hop, too."

So the first stop of today's journey is the "Little America" truck stop in Evanston and breakfast for our friends.

Once back on the road again our little band of travelers head east once more. As they journey east, Grammy Leigh noticed that their route actually crosses the Continental Divide of the Americas twice between Rock Springs and Laramie Wyoming.

As today's 500-mile goal is to be Cheyenne, Wyoming - though it is a little short, Bro. Dave decides to take a lunch and nap break at a truck stop near Rawlings, WY. When the truck is parked, Bro. Dave pulls down the picnic basket, ice chest and a couple blankets while Grammy Leigh gets Hop out of his kennel and places him on a leash with his harness. He needed a break from his confinement, too.

Lunch and a two-hour rest break over, our gang reloads the "Haul Me Home" truck and rejoins the never-ending, eastward bound caravan.

About 4:00 pm Bro. Dave says he is in need of another short rest break.

 "Hey Dave, it looks like we are just a few minutes from a geological point of interest, the 'Gangplank.' It is said to be the easiest route from the Great Plains into the mountains and onto the West Coast. We can take our afternoon road break there and maybe learn something new."

 "That is a great idea, Leigh."

So the pair, and our bunny friend, pull off the highway into the truck parking lot beside the "Gangplank." Ass our group stretches their legs and takes in the views all around them, Bro. Dave stops in front of the commemoration sign.

 "Hey Leigh, the sign says that this formation is about a Billion years old and leaves the plains behind, rising into the mountains. Even the Union Pacific Railroad uses a part of it to leave the Great Plains behind for the mountains."



 "Dave, you know I don't believe the earth is that old. I believe that the Bible bears record that it is between 10,000 and 12,000 years old. I have read many articles in Biblical Archaeology that state scientists are proving the Bible is truth more and more every day."

Satelite view of Gangplank, WY

 "OK, sis. I know your point of view, so let's just enjoy the view."

 "You're right. Brother. God is good, and He gave us many beautiful views to share on this trip. So, let's enjoy them and each other's company."

I-80 from the Gangplank Point of Interest Area

About that time lightning flashed, thunder rolled and Hippity Hop tugged on his leash in great anxiety. Then the sky broke loose with warm, summer deluge and our little trio ran to the truck and quickly crawled inside. Their rest break ended, and just a little wet for their troubles, our group re-enters the Interstate and their day's journey.

The cloud burst that started at the "Gangplank" hadn't let up when Bro. Dave and Grammy Leigh stopped in Cheyenne for dinner. Having planned to sleep under the stars throughout this road trip, the tent Bro. Dave had packed into the truck was not easily located when they stopped for dinner. So Grammy Leigh decided to get a motel room for the night. This would give them a full night's rest, some time to relax in front of the TV and a shower before they returned to their road trip. 

The first exit into Cheyenne yielded a good choice of motels, a couple fast food joints, and a small diner at the local, roadside truck stop. Grammy Leigh said that a real meal would be preferable to fast food, so they ate at the diner. 

Finding a motel room was not as easy as finding a place to eat. All of the motels that were close to the interstate had no rooms available. So Bro.Dave and Grammy Leigh decided to pull into a nearby Mc Donalds to get a soda while Grammy checked online for motel rooms. When she found one that looked good, Grammy called them:

 "Hello. Is this the Sidney Best Western? Thank you. I was just on trivago.com checking for a handicapped room in Sidney with two beds and your ad showed one available. Is it still open?"

"Thank the Lord! Can you hold it for me for a little while?"

 "Hallelujah! Are you pet-friendly? Good, I'll take it. We are in Cheyenne, WY so it will be about two hours until we get there. How much will it be?"

"Yes, my brother has an AARP card. A 10% discount sounds awesome, thanks! We'll see you soon."

Bro. Dave made his usual walk around the trucks while Grammy Leigh walked Hippity Hop on his leash to stretch his little, bunny legs. Once their walks were complete and every body was loaded in the "Haul Me Home" truck and headed down the Interstate toward the Sidney, Nebraska Best Western Hotel, and a full night's rest.

Driving the last 85 miles to the hotel took a little more than two hours. When they arrived, they quickly checked in at the front desk then walked down to their room with their suitcases and Hop in his kennel for a long, hot shower and a couple hours of  TV before drifting off to sleep.

As it continues to pour down rain, and our happy trio prepares for bed, I will leave you here in Sidney, Nebraska until we meet again.

Grammy Leigh and Hippity Hop's Summer Adventure - Part One

“Hey Everybody, Grammy Leigh is about to start on a new adventure. Gather around quickly ... here she comes. Let’s listen as she gets ready,” BoBus the hound encouraged.

“Oh good. I’m glad that you’re all here already. I have some news I want to share with you. So let’s quiet down, I don’t want to have to repeat my instructions. I have an announcement to make. I have to take a trip back east with my big brother, Dave. We are delivering some furniture to my mother in Tennessee and then I will go on to Kentucky to my daughter’s. Her oldest son, my grandson, is getting married soon and this trip is the only way for me to get there for the celebration. I will be gone from the farm for about two months, so let me tell you all what needs to be done and what I expect while I am gone.”

Grammy sat there with all of her farm hands and critters to tell them of her plans for the trip and what she needs each of them to do while she was away. When Grammy Leigh finished her talk with everybody, she went into the farmhouse to pack her suitcases.

While Grammy was sorting her clothes for the trip she saw Hippity Hop (also called Hop) hopping across the yard and into the rose garden for a nap in the shade. Grammy got to thinking about leaving Hop Hop behind while she traveled.

Grammy knew that Hop needed more personal interaction than most of her critters. So she decided that she would take him with her. So, after filling her suitcases, Grammy found the small traveling kennel for Hop to ride in the truck with her and Bro. Dave.

As Brother Dave loaded the “Haul-Me-Home” truck, Grammy made sure all of the farm chores were done in the big barn. When all was ready, Grammy put Hop in the kennel and got into her seat in the truck while Bro. Dave placed their suitcases into the truck and the picnic basket between the seats in the cab of the truck. Then crawled into his seat behind the steering wheel, ready to start the truck engine. Before Bro Dave brought the engine to life, Grammy prayed:

“Dear Lord, protect this truck and all of its contents, including the living ones. Set your angels upon each wheel, before and behind, above and beneath us as we journey across the country to visit our family. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

After her prayer, Bro. Dave started the truck engine and proceeded to drive out of the driveway of Grammy’s farm; it was about noon on August 3, 2017.

That first evening as the sun began to set Brother Dave pulled off the Interstate in Coalville, Utah to find a nice place to camp for the evening. After talking to a friendly cashier in a mini market across the street from where he parked, Dave pulled the truck around the corner and down the street about a quarter of a mile. There on the right-hand side of the road was a mown field, with a sign posted in front that read, “Summit County Fair Parking >>.” Seeing the open gate Brother Dave turned into the field and parked the “Haul-Me-Home” truck just off the driveway under the trees on the left side of the field.

As Bro. Dave looked for the best parking place, Grammy Leigh took in the scenery ‘round about the field where they were to park. Down the right side of the field ran a fence that enclosed the neighbor’s farm animals. The front pasture section held a couple of cows and their calves. But in the back pasture, there was a merry menagerie of goats, horses and their colts and a few stray sheep.

This group of four-legged friends was quite playful in the gathering darkness. Their playful ness enticed our Hippity Hop.

“Brother, I think if we place the mattresses between the trucks we will be better able to keep an eye on everything.”

“That sounds good, Leigh. Let’s do that,” Bro Dave replied.

Once the beds were down for the night, Grammy pulled out the picnic basket and they shared a dinner of sandwiches, pudding cups, and fresh peaches. Even Hop had dinner, but he had some bunny kibble and water, with a serving of Sweet Timothy Hay for dessert.

Just as Grammy Leigh and Brother Dave were falling into a restful snooze, our bunny friend escaped from his kennel to stretch his little, legs. Hippity Hop quickly made his way through the parking field to the Western end of the pasture next door. It only took him a moment to find a hole in the fencing which allowed him to hop on into the pasture. Once on the other side of the fence, Hop began to frolic with the animals living there. He ran with the colts and dodged the gopher holes with the baby goats, and other lots of other games that the residents of the pasture taught him. After about two hours of frolicking with his new friends, Hippity Hop returned to his kennel to rest before their journey across the country continued.

As our merry, little band of travelers sleep through the remainder of the night, I will let you rest also. Until next time ... be blessed of the Lord and give Him the Glory in all things! Good Bye!

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