Happy Birthday Jan & Harland

If you don't know, Jan & Harland share the same birthday, this picture of them is from back in July, we traveled up the coast line of Lake Erie, stopped and went swimming for awhile then had to have an ice cream.

Harland Looking Handsome on 3rd Birthday

It was a busy day, his shirt stayed tucked in for about a half an hour

Lincoln Logs

Harland got his first set of Lincoln Logs, but I think Bob was more excited. Hey what can I say, I had just as much fun playing Hungery Hippo with Harland. Say that fast ten times, " Hungery Hippo with Harland ."

Harlands 3rd Birthday

Sept. 26th is Harlands 3rd birthday, but we ( Great Grandma Arvella, Great Grandpa Al, Aunt Patty, Jan & I ) went over to canada Sunday to Celebrate. Bob cooked a leg of lamb and the weather cooperated just enough for us to have a wonderful day !!

Back in Michigan

So after having a great time in the Black Hills, we started back east on I-90, with plans to stop off in Wisconsin at the Dells. But one thing led to another and about half way across Minnesota we decided to head south and get back to Michigan. So, we are back, our next little trip will be a day trip to Canada for our Grandsons ( Harland ) Birthday, which is the same as Jans September 26th, but we'll be going over Sunday the 24th to celebrate it early.
Hope everyone is enjoying the Blog, We're having fun doing it so far,

Al & Jan

Before leaving Deadwood

We had to stop at Boot Hill ( Mt Moriah Cemetery ) and visit Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Janes grave site

Deadwood, Still Tuesday Sept 19, 2006

After leaving Mount Rushmore we spoted Goats ( our lucky day ), then drove north to Deadwood. Deadwood is a town that rose from the Gold rush days ( and now one of my favorite TV series, on HBO ). Saloon #10 is were Wild Bill Hickok was shot while playing poker. We got there just in time to see the reinactment.

Mount Rushmore

After driving through the wildlife loop we headed north through the Mountains toward Mount Rushmore, beautiful drive. As we rounded a curve, we had to stop and honk our horn before entering a one lane tunnel. As we passed through the tunnel, WOW!!! there was Mount Rushmore off in the distance through the trees, it was really unexpected.
Once we got there, we had this guy take our picture, he happened to be a Bus driving/tour guide, he was telling us that we were there at a unique time, there were people from England that had volunteered to clean the faces ( first time ever, since it opened in 1941 ). If you look close at the head of Lincoln you can see the guys hanging from the top by rope, there to theleft of lincolns chin and under his chin.

Mount Rushmore

After driving the wildlife loop, we headed north to Mount Rushmore, it was a beautiful drive through the mountians. As we got closer, we rounded a curve, had to honk our horn to pass through a one lane tunnel. Just as we came out the other side, WOW!! there was Mount Rushmore, through the trees, off in the distance, really a cool sight, that we were not expecting.
Once we got there, we seen these guys hanging over the heads doing something to the faces. We happened to have a Tour Guide take our picture and he told us we were there at a unique time, that these people from England had volunteers to CLEAN the faces ( first time ever, since it opened in 1941 ).

Black Hill National Park/ Wildlife Loop

On Tuesday morning we hit the road in the Black Hills National Park. We followed the Wildlife Loop and seen Buffalo, Deer and Mules left over from the Back pack days

More Crazy Horse

This is a look at the portion of the rock that the Horse will be carved out of, and his arm pointing.

Crazy Horse

We got into Custer, South Dakota that afternoon and spent the rest of the day at the Crazy Horse Memorial. this is an amazing story, Korczak Ziolkowski the sculptor (after working on Mt Rushmore), won a contest in Seattle Washington in 1939, and Indian Chief Sitting Bull ask him to carve an Indian hero in the Mountains of South Dakota Like Mt Rushmore. Korczak found the Mountain and started the project in 1941, the first 7 years he worked by himself, then married and had 10 kids. He passed away at age 74, now 7 of his 10 kids are carrying on the project. It's a private project, no government money. It's amzing to see what they have accomplished. When this is finished, Crazy Horse will be sitting on his Horse pointing out over the hills, " My land is where my people are buried"

Sept. 18th 2006, Leaving Cheyenne

Leaving Cheyenne, we headed north on Interstate 25, on our way to Custer, South Dakota,, this is what we seen.............

Happy !!!!

As you can see we are trying to learn how to add text and pictures, this is keeping us busy while Al & Jessica are at work. We are really enjoying our visit out west with all the kids. When we return to Michigan we will be heading over to Canada for Harlands Birthday, He will be Three years old.
And for those of you that we have not told yet, Jessica is PREGNANT !!!!!! and is due in March, so as you can imagine, we have a lot to be excited about. Hope you all enjoy the blog, we're having fun with it. Al & Jan
Al & Jessica

Grandpa & Harland, These are picture in July when we traveled up the coast line of Lake Erie, of Harland enjoyiny the play ground and his Ice Cream

Grandpa & Mason and his new wagon out putting a few miles on it

Jan & Mason

Jan & Mason checking out the Fish.

Denver Sept 14, 2006

We are in Denver visiting Al & Jessica, after spending several days in Cheyenne with Ryan, Melissa, & Mason ( Our grandson of Seven months on the 19th ). When we leave here will be heading back to Michigan by way of South Dakota ( going to Mt Rushmore, Deadwood, & Crazy Horses Moument ), and Wisconcin ( hopeing to stop off at Wisconcin Dells ).
Anyway this is a new Blog site for us and we are just learning how to use it. Hope you enjoy!!!!!!
Al & Jan