Branson to Beaumont, KS, on to Holcomb, KS, Just outside of Gunnison, CO.

 We left Branson about 1030 on Wednesday morning. We had a nice travel day and ended up in near Beaumont, Kansas. The ride through Wichita was an easy going day! Ken was able to do 70 miles an hour no problem. 

Our spot at Ozark Country Campground 

Just out of Branson, the tallest cross in North America
it stands 218 foot tall! Beautiful. 

Wichita, don't think we've been here since 2001 to visit my
aunt and uncle. 

We spent the night at a really nice rest area there on Highway 400. It's just out of Beaumont, KS. Great parking for a lot of rigs. Ken had to air up our truck tires as they all showed low, so that was a perfect place. Our wifi was great along with television stations running our generator. 

Rest Area just out of Beaumont, KS. on highway 400

Thursday morning we were greeted with lots of wind. Didn't stop all day and of course it was a crosswind. The winds averaged 30 to 40 miles an hour. 

We made it from Beaumont to Holdcomb, Kansas just out of Garden City. We did stop at Walmart along the way to stock up on a few things. You can buy beer in Walmart but no wine or hard alcohol in Kansas😱 

We found a Love's truck stop and got the best site there. We were on the end of back up sites so we were able to put the slide and steps out, no problem. Of course, no picture. :(

We started the generator and were able to watch tv and enjoyed the evening with Happy Hour. We could have let the generator run all night if we wanted as the truck next to us was running. Honestly, we like the white noise of their motors running. 

This morning we sat the alarm for 0530. Got ourselves up and running and got out of there just a few minutes after 0830. Yep, we like to take our time in the am. 😁

Got on the road and enjoyed the drive. We were headed towards Pueblo, Colorado but found a road that was a little longer but not as congested. We took CO highway 10 out of La Junta and then to Highway 69 to Highway 50. Beautiful scenic highway. 

Highway 10 out of La Junta, CO

Community Center for the town. We had lunch in the Mansion, 
they have a huge parking lot. :)

Nice pit toilets, if you so choose. Just a great site! 

There she flies in all her glory!

Once we hit 50 we were able to find a liquor store in Poncha Springs. Stocked up and away we went. Then we followed the highway up Monarch Pass to Gunnison. We are in a pull off the highway for the night. We tried a dispersed campground, but the road up was scary so we moved on. We will try that one when we bring the car. 

Colorado mountains and colors are gorgeous!

Got set up, heater on because it's definitely needed. Happy Hour and a delicious turkey burger, fingerling potatoes (thanks Dana, my hubby is now spoiled with them) and green beans. Some old tv shows and now it's time to hit the hay. We'll see where we end up tomorrow! 

Oh one last thing! 

Not the best picture, but our oldest 
grandson, Adam working an event for
the National Forest Service. When I
worked as Crime Prevention for the 
Sheriff's Department this one of my
most favorite things to do. Work an 
event and meet with the community.
Now my grandson does the same, 
along with other duties too, just as
I did💙

Welcome home Jacob! An emotional morning! Historic Branson, The Runaway Coaster and Heroe's for linner!

I had to post this first! Welcome home Jacob!!💙
Allissa sent me this as I was getting ready to post this blog! 

 We woke up this morning knowing today was the day our grandson, Jacob was coming into port in San Diego. I started looking on the webcam about 0600 their time (of course it was dark). He's been on the USS Theordore Roosevelt for the last 9 months (extended deployment because of problems in the Middle East). 

I got a message from Allissa and brought the webcam up. We were hooked after that! Pretty amazing to watch without being there! Of course I'm thinking about Russell, Lori and Allissa being there watching and waiting for the ship to come in and for Jacob to get off that ship! Yeah, pretty emotional morning! 😊😭 

Ken's brother Don sent me this pictures from the webcam. Thank you! 💙

I am so proud of that boy and all the other Sailors and Marines that serve our country! 💙

I did hear from Russell that they got him off the ship! 💙

So once we knew the ship was in port we got ourselves ready to head to downtown Branson and a little window shopping. It's a busy little place! WE walked around and into stores (pretty much the same stuff). Went into Dave's 5 and 10 store. We did get a new ornament for our tree. 

Busy busy busy!! 

Around 1330 we headed for the Runaway Coaster. Paid our money (20.00 a person) and got on our little coasters. 5 min trip to the top of the mountain and then you are in control of your little cart on the rails. Woohoo! Downhill and thrilling! I don't need to do it again though! Some parts were scary as you think you need to slow down, but then you feel like you're going to fall out of the cart, so you have to speed up! LOL. We both enjoyed it! 

Don't have any pictures, as they want you to buy theirs. 

After that we headed to Heroes Family Restaurant Tastes and Taps. We loved the name and what it represented. Tributes to our Heroes! Does it get any better!? 

There was a Navy section, but I didn't want to make the people 
move LOL. Just kidding. So no pictures of that. 

I wanted a couple of beer glasses but none for sale :(

Service was great and food was awesome! For a touristy place not bad priced either! 

We're back at the campground for Happy Hour. Tomorrow we'll start heading home. Not a bad place to be either!

Today I am so PROUD to be an American! So proud of our grandson Jacob! It was amazing to see the ship come in and to see all those service men and women manning the rails coming into port. Reminds me so much of when Russell came in in 98 and 2000. Those memories never leave you. I am so happy for Russell, Lori and Allissa getting to spend some time with him. Welcome home Jacob! We love you! 💙💙

AMERICA!! 💖

Have a wonderful night! 

Time with Bryan and Cheryl, on to TN and a little time with Don, Dana and Jennifer, back to Bryan's and now Branson, MO. Special gifts

 

A special gift from Bryan and Cheryl 💙
Their neighbor Mike used to make and sell these. 
Bryan had him make this for us 💗 More gifts too. 
We are spoiled! 

Mike sent this over to us earlier in the week! Yes, he made 
this too! 💅

We spent Friday October 4th at the Welcome Center in Arkansas. Took our time getting ready and got to Bryan's house early afternoon on Saturday. Just enjoyed our afternoon and evening chatting and doing a lot of front porch sitting! Cheryl made an amazing dinner that's our favorite so that was great! 

The girls are always looking for treats! 

When they bought last year the house was all white, Cheryl
painted and Bryan made the shutters! 

Raider, he's such a sweetie! 

Cheryl's plants are just flourishing!! 

Sunday was another day of relaxing. Enjoyed the warmth and some more front porch sitting, along with our Champagne Sunday 🥂🍾 We did go see my sister Wendy's house. She probably won't be there until August but it was nice to see in person. It's adorable and I hope she'll be happy there! Very glad it's in the same town as Bryan and Cheryl! 

Monday was a day of work for Ken and Bryan until about 1530 and then Happy Hour. The stove pipe was coming along. 

Tuesday, Cheryl and I ran to the local consignment store that I really like. Didn't spend much but got some nice wine glasses for fall. 4 for $5.00 sold. 

When we got back Ken was on the roof of the porch cutting the hole in for the stove pipe! Bottom line, at the end of the day the wood stove and piping was done. Looks great, can't wait for them to have a fire! 

Cheryl handing Ken some tools he needed 

The stove pipe is finished! 

Finished on the inside! 

Thursday morning we left Bryan's and headed for Ken's brother Don's  house in Tennessee. We left Saturday morning after a great time. Friday we  were able to visit with our niece Jennifer and see the home she bought a few years ago. 

So much food and sooo delicious! 

Jennifer's truck Bo! Eric named it. RAM BO..lol. 

Her back deck...

From left, Jenn's daughter Bella, her friend Sadie, Jennifer,
Uncle Ken and her dad Don 💙

Jenn has the best front porch!! 

Don and Dana have 70 beautiful acres in Middle Tennessee

All too soon it was time to say goodbye on Saturday. we stopped in Forrest City, Arkansas about 1600 and had a great early dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Got back to Bryan's about 1830. 

This plate was huge! Leftovers for dinner tonight! 

Sunday of course was Champagne Sunday which Ken and I enjoyed. We made cauliflower pizza in the Mansion and it turned out awesome! The oven does a great job! 

Ken had oysters and olives, I had turkey lunch meat and 
green chiles so yum! 

Cheers!! 

This morning after breakfast we said our goodbyes and plan on seeing them again in April of 2025. Hopefully we'll be moving my sister out on that visit! 

We had about a 150 mile drive today to Branson, Missouri where we're at Ozark Country Campground. It's a Passport America camp and it's really nice! We're here for 2 nights. There are several PA campgrounds, but this is the only one that allows campers for October. Would definitely stay here again! 

We got set up and then took a drive into town. Busy place and of course touristy. Tomorrow we'll head for the historic district and play tourist. 

There she is! 💗

Downtown Branson 

Russell and Lori left for San Diego this morning. Grandson Jacob comes back from a 9 month deployment soon! I know they are excited for that to happen as we all are! I know Allissa is so excited to start their life together!  We're hoping to watch it on the San Diego webcam! 💗 So PROUD of you Jacob! 

Well, it's time to wrap this up. Have a great evening! 🍺🍷