The last day of Heather’s sabbatical in 2026. This blog entry was intended to highlight our favorite parts of this wonderful journey. We found it very difficult in picking out favorites. So these pictures will show in order of start to finish of our journey. Mind you we took way too many pics and videos…

A few outtakes or bloopers! Oops, “we have been lost here before!” This was a phrase we coined for our many unintentional detours and or directional changes. Most memorable was in the VW Tiguan we rented in Quebec City that had a sudden drop in tire pressure on September 29, 2026. I could barely get…

Early morning rise. Heather and I had doctor’s appointments and then a breakfast date at our favorite pancake restaurant. The Pancake Station babies! The coffee is amazingly flavorful and the breakfast was delicious as always. What a windy day today. I am clearing my garden preparing for tonight’s freeze. I got 4 bell peppers, one…

Whoops! The Rhyder has taken over the house! His pleasant smile and contagious positive demeanor has Nonie wrapped around his pinky finger. Okay she’s counted to Two a few dozen times and he stops smiles and waddles on to his next endeavor. He loves our kitchen cabinets! There’s a trail of Cheerios outlining his favorite…

Did you say pancakes? Ohh yeah! Light and fluffy with peanut butter and some pure maple syrup direct from Canada! Yum… Today got away from us pretty quickly. I had a lot of mud in my driveway caused by the heavy rains while we were traveling. Our neighbors yard uphill leached mud onto my driveway.…

Was a busy day with yard work and office cleaning. We had to Rhyder proof the house as a young man who is spending Wednesday night with his Nonie and Monkey. Mom and Dad made it home at about 2:50 a.m. and all is good. Hope you’re having a great day! A genie 🧞 granted…

My money is on the squirrels—they see everything from the trees and they’ve got way too much nervous energy. Never mind their hoarding abilities! It’s just Nuts!!! Just sayin’… Today was a full morning of running around. We shopped at Sam’s Club and as usual spent too much money. We picked up Sam’s Club, Kay’s…

Rhyder Pics!!! All is well in Dadeville Alabama for the Fab Five Reunion. 21 in attendance and Dad was the Grand Champion in Hand in Foot and Five Crowns! Congrats to recent winners streak but Heather plans on continuing her success! Have a beautiful and blessed day! Have you ever been so rudely interrupted in…

If anything the Amish have been laughing at us for years. Especially when they go clicky clacking right past us at the gas station. Just sayin’ … Our long awaited return to home is now complete. Lots to do around here getting caught up. We have a small mountain of mail to go through. Groceries…

Early morning greetings from Bozeman Montana. It’s a 3:30 a.m. start. Our Uber was supposed to be here at 4:15 and we had a no show. Then our backup plan was to use the hotel shuttle and that driver was a no show as well. As I was talking with Heather I saw the hotels…

Did you know the fastest persons ever recorded are all toddlers when you ask them “What do you got in your mouth?” Testify… Breakfast this morning was pretty good. We were all packed up and loaded and headed into Yellowstone for the last time this trip. The West Gate was really busy this morning. We…

Ta da! It’s Hummp Dayyy! Our last full day here in this majestic place. Breakfast was delicious and the coffee hot. We were out the parking lot and in the West Park Gate by 9:00 a.m. Today’s goal is to drive the entire lower Grand Loop Road which is 96 miles long and takes about…

Do you think bears can smell umm, let’s say a breakfast burrito with picante sauce and a cup of joe on one’s breath? Just wondering? Guess I shouldn’t be paranoid about what “ifs” I did ask a librarian once about books on paranoia. She leaned towards me and whispered “They are right behind you!” Today…

Okay people, did the entire world decide to wait till the end of the season to crowd into Yellowstone National Park. Traffic was busy. Heather and I decided on a 9 a.m. start and the line of cars was long. Our first adventure for the day was to drive through the original North Gate to…

Ohh what dreams, the smell of that dark roast brewing, counting the eggs out for some soft scrambled while making sure to leave enough for the brownies requested for tonight’s dinner dessert. Then the sudden urge to potty at 3 a.m. ruins everything. No coffee, no soft scrambled eggs! Just the realization that there were…

The early worm 🪱 gets used as bait! Only fishermen and donut makers should ever be up at this time. Our Lift driver Said was right on time at 5:30 a.m. We arrived at Vancouver Central Pacific Train Station and was standing in line from 5:45 to 6:20 before being herded to US Customs. We…

Our last full day in Canada. It has been on my bucket list for years to take the train across Canada. We modified our plans and I am so excited that we got to drive across instead. We definitely made more stops and experienced more people and places. The views will be with us for…

Today is the official first day that snow tires are required in the mountains of Canada. We squeezed by without being caught, and temperatures in the 40’s with no snow on the roads! We are now in our suite here in Northern Vancouver! The last 80 miles were the hardest. The slow traffic getting into…

I checked the car out this morning and the oil level is clean and a little over the full range. No leaks found so I believe we’ll be okay driving. Greetings and salutations from the town of Nelson in British Columbia, Canada. Today is a National Holiday Truth and Reconciliation Day. A lot of places…

Canadian Rocky’s Mountains are holding the rain in between the peaks. Very cool and light drizzle. We went to McDonalds this morning. Heather was wanting a biscuit but we found out they don’t do biscuits in Canada. lol Anywho, we drove down the road a bit to a roadside stop and ate our McDonalds takeout.…

Heather has requested that I make it perfectly clear that “She did not try to feed me to the Bears, Moose, and especially the Coyotes!” “Nor did she push, shove, or impede me at any point of our time together in the wilderness!” “I am making all these statements under no duress and of my…

Burrrr! Definitely big coat weather today. We had our canned Starbucks Coffee and croissants for breakfast with some 3% milk. Yep! It’s 3%. Like American 2% only 1% better, lol. We packed our lunch with some peanut butter sandwiches, some snack mix, water and a couple of Tim Horton’s cookies. We picked up a map…

We are just 4 hours away from the Rocky Mountains and Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada. We are at the transition from prairies to mountains. It’s going to be extremely scenic for the rest of our journey through Canada. Meet Pinto MacBean. We stopped took some pictures and ate Tim Horton’s breakfast in the…

You kicked the cow patty didn’t you? Our hotel was exceptional. Quiet, roomy and the bed was just right. Breakfast had plenty of selection and everything was prepared well. I thought about having bangers and beans, just for a second until I spotted the crispy bacon and delicious scrambled eggs. With our bellies satisfied we…

Head ’em up, move ’em out! Remember never to kick a cow patty on a hot day or anytime you’re wearing slippers! Just sayin’… Today is a long drive day of 372 miles or 600 kilometers. We changed time zones again. They don’t call it mountain time since it’s in the middle of the wide…

Hello from Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada! Today is another hummmp dayyy! 🐫🐪🐫 We will start out with some great pictures fitting of today. Well you probably know that we spent the day at the zoo. Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg. The zoo has many beautiful animals Heather and I have never seen before. We learned a lot…

We are in Kenora Ontario, Canada leaving for Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada. Another Province checked off our list. First stop was? Yeppers, Tim Horton’s! Picked up breakfast items and Heather tried something new. A scrambled egg and sausage with cheese in a box. I stayed with the usual. We both had the coffee that tasted a…

Breakfast at Thunder Bay and finally I had a cup of coffee! Yippee! Heather and I are rested (not arrested) and ready for today’s adventure with a drive time of five hours. Our first stop was another Provincial Park Kakabeka Falls, Canada. The park and Falls were magnificent. Super clean and well maintained. The boardwalks…

It’s Sunday morning here in Sault Ste Marie and it is time to be driving onward. We have a long drive day planned heading to Thunder Bay Canada. It’s 8 hours driving. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I went to the washroom before our drive. While I was gone, Heather checked us out of…

Another crisp morning. This morning was much earlier. With Tim Horton’s coffee we went in search of a train station. We arrived where GPS had instructed us to go and we found the train and a whole lot of tracks. We were in the wrong place. Heather the brains of our operation was ready with…

As I walked outside into the crisp morning air, it dawned on me that I should have put my hoodie on. Instantly woke me up! Yes I’m in Canada people. The chill is real. Heather and I loaded our luggage into the car and off for today’s ventures. So our first stop was at an…

On the road again! Today was a drive day leaving after breakfast in Ottawa. Our first stop was in Arnprior, which means Where the rivers meet. Heather found us a get out of the car and walk around spot called Gillies Grove Nature Reserve. It’s a beautiful place full of giant white pine trees and…

It’s hummp dayyy! 🐫🐪🐫 Yes we had the tradition Canada breakfast. Timbits and coffee from none other than Tim Horton’s. The selection of donut holes is amazing. Some are even filled. Heather’s favorite is the chocolate with caramel filling….😋 They have the best coffee in Canada. We got a good night sleep until 4 a.m.…

Crazy is as crazy does! Today we start our drive. First we had breakfast at a place open 24 hours called Normandin. The waitress was happy to see us two Texans and seemed to enjoy practicing her English on us. She spoke very well with short sentences. Heather is getting better remembering some basic French.…

I would be amiss if I didn’t mention how nice it is to have a shower that you don’t have to soap the walls first and spin. Okay I borrowed that from comedian Gary Delena. I actually cleaned my armpits instead of washing under some chicken wings. Now that one is mine! Bawk, bawk! Our…

Welcome to Quebec City, Canada! We are saddened that our pampered lifestyle has come to an end. However, we are so grateful to be here in this historic city. We have way too much stuff! Backpacks are 2 tons and counting. Got to send some more stuff home. Trying to send our underwear home is…

It’s our last full day on the ship. They call it disembarking. I call it, kicking us off the boat! Grab your stuff and git! (Texas drawl implied) We are packing up this morning most of our stuff. We will make many trial and error corrections in the way we make things fit. We are…

Today starts with a Prayer for Remembrance and Healing. Words from Reverend Heather Reed. Today as we reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we also acknowledge all of the other times in our lives that have made a profound impact and changed us in different ways. Mike and I took the chance to go…

It’s up and at em time! Got to be at the Wheelhouse Bar for our excursion by 8 a.m. Breakfast will be fast and easy. Scrambled eggs again. We hope everyone takes the time to vote for our grandson as baby of the year! Of course the voting is over today. They did not tell…

Okay family and friends. Take a moment and vote for Rhyder. Yes we are partial in our hearts. He is one bright, happy, loving young man. https://babyoftheyear.org/2026/rhyder-219d

Greetings from Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, Canada! We are in port for two days! Lots to see and do. We got a late start but made it to breakfast. I wanted an omelette for breakfast but the long line to order detered me. One person was giving multiple orders so I settled for the usual…

Hello Sydney, NS CA! Wow after a late night we are chillin like villains. 🦹 My legs and back are hurting from the stair master we were on yesterday. The tunnels had a lot of steps and the steep inclines on the hillsides. My knees are bothering me too. I am feeling old today. This…

Monday in the Bay of Fundy. We made it to port in Halifax, NB Canada. We hit something about 3 a.m. and kept going. Heather slept through it but I was wide awake. Not because we killed a whale or hit a speed bump. Just because of old man bladder. We had breakfast at the…

Today is our first real sea day. We woke up and had breakfast delivered to our room. Was really nice. The ship was smoothly moving along and I had to screw it all up. I said “Heather it has been so nice in the back of the ship.” “We have barely felt anything.” Then it…

The memories of our family outings continue to be a source of immense strength for me. I vividly recall us all piling into the car, though I can’t recall the make or model. We embarked on long drives, with our destination always uncertain. Along the way, we passed by trees and possibly some road signs.…

We had to set our clocks up another hour to accommodate our new time zone. We are two hours ahead of central time. We are now in Saint John, New Brunswick. Finally got our pic of our Terminal Friends. Our tour guide is a 70 year old Mary Ellen who is very friendly and flighty…

So early, we woke up at 6 a.m. and I peeked out of curtains thinking I would see us docked but we were still moving. Heather and I waited with anticipation for a breakfast that would never come. It seems we didn’t put our request outside on our door handle last night. Duh! We went…

Today was an incredible day. I’m so grateful for all the amazing people here in Boston. Only half of you honked, yelled, or gave me the finger. Despite the challenges, I managed to navigate through the traffic safely and successfully returned Ole Gray the Sante Fe. It was a decent car, but it definitely needs…

You don’t know Boston until you come to bean town. It is a bustling city with a noticeably younger and diverse population. Boston has over 50 accredited colleges with student attendance of over 250 thousand. This doesn’t include Harvard or Cambridge Universities because they are not in the Boston proper. We messed up by going…

Ta da! The rain poured down relentlessly, so we bundled up in our rain gear and loaded up the car. We drove a mile up the road and stopped at the Cracked Egg, a place we’ve heard great things about. However, we were in for a surprise. Heather ordered a sausage patty, scrambled eggs (the…

Well, it’s the last day of the month, and payday. We’ve been traveling for quite some time now. Heather and I are quite excited about going downtown Boston today. Parking in this city is quite expensive due to high demand and to encourage people to use public transportation. We have to go downtown to pick…

Wow! America the Beautiful! We drove out of Vermont, winding up and down the roads, enjoying some of the most breathtaking views. On Sunday morning, Vermont’s State Troopers were out in force, working like a small army of speed enforcement teams. These Texans have never seen anything like it. Each direction of travel was covered…

Last night, we finally got some good sleep. Our room at the Hampton Inn in Niagara Falls was clean and quiet. It was on the first floor, close to the lobby. The only downside was the breakfast. The dining area was crowded, and the food was mediocre. We grabbed coffee and yogurt and headed back…

We went to bed early again because we had to drive back from the concert. We needed to get gas and battle the fog. The fog in the hills and turns, combined with the native wildlife, made for a nightmare. The deer in this part of New York State are enormous! We managed to make…

Ever stay up all night and forget why? Then it dawned on me…just saying. Ohh the eclipse, it’s a several nights event. We certainly had a busy day ahead. We started early and loaded the car. Our first stop was an emotional and somber experience at the Flight 93 National Memorial. On September 11, 2026,…

Early to rise, I found myself sipping a cup of Joe, the fog enveloping the camp in a mystical embrace. This place is truly special. Heather, having slept in a bit, joined me with her own cup of Joe. Time to get busy! Heather meticulously organized our receipts, and I meticulously plotted our route using…

Breakfast and check-out at our hotel in Georgetown, Delaware, were quick. It felt like I had been driving for hours, navigating through numerous turns and encountering State Troopers at every corner. I glanced at the clock, and it seemed to be moving backward. Along the way, I marveled at the scenic views and historic towns.…

Heather and I are truly fortunate to be Disciples of Christ and on this journey of discovery. Crossing the lower Chesapeake Bay on US Route 13 takes you across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia. This 17.6-mile marvel of engineering costs $16.00 one-way for passenger vehicles, features a mix of low-level trestles and two underwater tunnels, and takes about…

Believe that the call of the sea or ocean has to be heard by the thousands! As I opened my eyes, I could see the sun beginning to rise, and I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to witness this beach with the sun rising above the ocean, devoid of people? No way! Even as the…

We had planned to visit Camp Caroline, another camp in North Carolina. However, due to the distance, financial constraints, and delayed responses to our emails, we’ve decided to change our plans and travel to Virginia Beach instead. Virginia Beach is on our route to the Norfolk area before we head to Camp Bethany Beach in…

As we found our spot to meet for the comedy bus tour, I struck up a conversation with the security guard working at this bustling collection of restaurants. His name is Jessie, and he works this job only once a week. He mentioned that it’s just a way to supplement his income. He also shared…

The night was filled with thunder and lightning. Granny was at it throwing more strikes as the rumbling continued for quite some time. I peered out between the curtains of our hotel window to see if our rental car was still there. The rain was coming down in sheets and local flash flooding could be…

Waking up without a cup of joe should be a crime against humanity. Then again a hot shower and a cool morning breeze made things better. This is a great place to be. We did our own self guided tour and learned a lot about how Camp Christmount came into existence. The Denominational Conference Center…

Thank you, Drury Inn of Bowling Green, for providing us with a wonderful stay. The breakfast and appetizers were delicious. After enjoying our early breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed to our first destination, which happened to be a Buc-ee’s! We fueled up the buggy and drove to Beverly. Not really! We drove…

Today began with a delightful cup of coffee, two creamers, and two sweet and lows. This indulgent indulgence was merely a prelude to the scrumptious breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage gravy served on a warm biscuit. As we savored our meal in quiet contemplation, a woman and her husband made their way out of…

Early to bed and early to rise makes Heather and I tired with drooping eyes! The besties met for breakfast, and I tagged along. These two chatted until it was time to reluctantly part. There were a few tears as expected. After a short 1.5-hour drive, we arrived at Camp #2, nestled on 40 acres…

Started our day in the Tennessee heat. No, not the BBQ sauce, or the Christ-centered athletic organization based in Mount Juliet and Wilson County, Tennessee. Just hot! Humid, sticky sweat, dripping from your eye-balls and change your underwear type hot. We left our room at noon and headed to a Taco Bell. Unlike the typical…

What a wonderful day it was! Heather and I decided to sleep in this time, and we truly enjoyed catching up on some much-needed rest. Heather is struggling with her allergies, and the near 100-degree temperatures and extremely sticky humidity are making it difficult for her. Our first stop was to fill up the car…

This is the story of Nolan, Gabby, and friends. Our house has five bur oak trees that are beautiful, providing plenty of shade, but are so messy with their huge acorns. Each fall season, these trees drop thousands of acorns, which provide an abundance of food for the local rodent population. Scotty, our son, as…

Traveling by car across America with today’s technology isn’t as simple as it seems. First, one has to know how to attach this thingy that we use to make phone calls. Then you have to erase every known user of the rental car before you so it can connect to the vehicle. Once you figure…

What a great day not to be working! That’s what she said. Heather, that is! I say it all day, every day. Glad to be a part-time “Chauffeur” and “Traveler” with my beautiful wife as my compadre in crime. We escaped from Thackerville, Oklahoma, and drove to Durant, Oklahoma, for a buffet lunch. With a…

Breakfast of champions, pancakes for all. Heather had peanut butter with hers, and I had blueberries with sugar-free syrup. We dined at the Terrace Cafe with a great view. After coffee, we wandered back to our room to change into our swimming gear. Nope, no snorkeling gear allowed. We did, however, pack the sunscreen. The…

Last night, Heather and I tossed and turned, up and down, sleep evaded us at every turn. Somehow, we managed to get up and finish our necessary packing before heading to the airport to pick up our rental car. They gave us a Hyundai Santa Fe. We started our trip with 20,434 miles on the…

What an early riser Mr. Rhyder is. Probably the conditioning of having two working parents and a need for clean diapers and clothes before a busy day at daycare. He has been happy, sad, fed, changed, and very, very, mad at Nonie. He doesn’t like the word “No!” Especially when used with his name “No!…

I like to say thanks to my backyard squirrels Gabby and Chuck for leaving me a lone ripe cherry tomato. Heather says there are several green ones, so I feel the squirrels will have to take ownership of any remaining tomatoes. Our time at home seems rushed. Packing for the seasonal changes, formal nights times…

What a great day today knowing we are celebrating Rhyder’s first birthday. His birthday is actually tomorrow. We are using the youth center at FCC Amarillo to hold the masses of people expected to attend. The turnout was fantastic for this event with 32 loving friends and family all celebrating his birthday. First thing was…

Yippee! We got some much-needed rain early this morning. The clouds were rumbling with rolling thunder. Granny was bowling strikes in a perfect game. Heather and I were up and down, passing in the night. I went to get a drink of water, and Heather had been checking on the rain. Back to bed went…

Today is Doctor’s Day! Both Heather and I have dual appointments at Creek Stone Integrated Medical Chiropractic, then at West Texas Family Care Clinic. The staff and doctors at Creek Stone have helped me on my path to recovery. They truly care about improving the lives of everyone they care for. I am also grateful…

There’s no place like home… sometimes Heather and I forget the familiar comforts of our sheets, pillows, and bed. We like traveling and exploring with the few items from home. For me, it’s my squishy pillow and the boys’ favorite toys. Heather travels with the gamut of things, trying to prepare for every situation. Sometimes…

Today is our last day in San Francisco. We miss our pillows, the recliners of our couch, and of course, family. We will miss the noise of emergency vehicles and the constant traffic, but not the great food and views of eclectic architecture. Okay, that’s reversed. Our luggage is going to strain the airlines’ fuel…

It’s Monday in the beautiful Bay City of San Francisco. I’m certain it’s Monday wherever you are, assuming we don’t have any world travelers reading our blog. I appreciate the presence of police cars and officers on every other block. Despite the City of Amarillo’s investment in the latest new SUVs every few years, the…

As technology advances and so does my age, I have wanted to ride in an autonomous car. I didn’t know Heather’s and my first would be in a Jaguar! WAYMO cars in San Francisco, they are everywhere and blend in with a vast array of transportation options. Bikes, electric bikes, peddle cars, peddle rickshaws, electric…

Good morning from San Francisco! What beautiful weather today, and plenty of sunshine. Even though I tried my best to find shade, the medications I’m taking aided in my lobster-esque color. You know it’s true that we are what we eat. Look out, SpongeBob, for I am the Crusty Crab! We started this fine day…

We woke early today being congested from our ever changing environment. The sun was no longer my nemesis and waited longer to make its appearance. The Ruby Princess docked early and the sign outside reminded us we were back in San Francisco. Our last breakfast on the ship was pretty good. I put fresh pears…

Heather and I did not know we took opposite pictures of each other until we posted our photos. The double shot of Carmel Macchiato was truly an eye-opener, especially after skipping breakfast. We had lunch at the buffet and it was hard to find a table, but were able to travel vast distances with plates…

One last day at Sea Again we slept in late. Almost to 9am. Whew. Then it was time to start packing luggage and sorting what we need the rest of day and tomorrow morning. They pick up all of our luggage tonight to have them on the docks first thing in the morning. It is…

Awrrrr, as in pirate, just hanging with my sea mate, Heather. Full day on the Pacific Ocean heading towards San Francisco. We slept in past 6 a.m.and headed to an early breakfast. Was a nice night to catch up on some sleep on the rocking ship. Yep, lots of Dramamine for yours truly. And later…

Today is the last day for us to stop at a port. Today’s port was Prince Rupert in Canada. We were only there for 5 hours so made for a really quick port. It was overcast but not cold and we did tons of walking. not a whole lot to see or do here so…

When we pulled out to sea heading to Prince Rupert Island, I noticed some unusual patterns of movement in the water. Once I zeroed in on the anomaly, I could see what I thought were dolphins. I could see a group of them seemingly playing a good distance from our ship. With the help of…

Our bus driver, Randy, is a true Alaskan native. He holds multiple jobs and is an active member of his community. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in the region. Notably, one of his ancestors was the second oldest recovered cadaver found and subsequently DNA tested from the melting glaciers. The knowledge of his…

Another exciting excursion day…..except we had to get up super early. 5:30 am with the idea of being downstairs around 6:10 to fight hundreds of people for coffee, did not thrill us but room service did not start until 6:30 and that was to late since we had to be at the theatre to get…

You Know Juneau in July A beautiful day yesterday with a temperature about 60 degrees fahrenheit and a cool rain. Sorry Amarillo peeps expected temperatures above 100. We slept in and were up by 7 a.m. again enjoying our delivery of our cup of joe. Nice view from our extended balcony as we were docking…

The Three Bears and a Golden Ring… A knock at the door came way too fast. The sky barely dimmed and again was making a bright comeback. Breakfast coffee on a tray delivered by a perky steward and away she went. Heather was sound asleep until her driver/husband woke her to our cabin filled with…

Relaxing Days at Sea: Food and Fun and Relaxing Today Friday the 24th we woke up to a misty morning with a definite chill in the air. Coffee arrived right at 7a.m. And helped my struggling eyes still not used to moving back two full hours from our time zone only to realize we would…

Today was our first full day at sea. We have had full day of great programs, great shows, and all kinds of food and laziness. We just enjoyed our down time, had breakfast delivered to our room and were able to causally cruise the ship. We listened to Nick Jan’s talk about a wonderful wolf,…

IT IS CRUISE DAY!!!! We caught an uber this morning down to Pier 27. The Princess pier in San Francisco. Another intense driver but one that did not scare us and was very capable to navigate that crazy San Francisco cruise port traffic. It was insane!! We got to the Princess Ruby and got ready…

Well we got off to the airport, thanks to my parents, Thank you Mom and Dad for taking us. And we got on our plane and headed to San Francisco. Flights were smooth and great. We flew first class this time on American and I don’t know how we will ever go back. The attention…