Mantyla Reunion July 2008

Carl and I traveled to Sandy Pines Resort in Dorr, Michigan to attend the Mantyla Family Reunion & celebrating a 55th Wedding Anniversary this past week-end. Married for 55 years would be Nancy and George. Congratulations to both of you! That is so great! The weather was just perfect! Just like the party - perfect!
We ate and ate, we laughed and played a game call Cornhole! What a great fun game for all of us big kids! Dave and Lori made the game and brought it so we could all play. What fun!
Nancy (my sister) and George Mantyla, have 3 children. Richard who is the oldest has 2 children, Jack and Rachel (Rachel couldn't make the party). Lori and Dave Anderson have 5 children, 2 daughter-in-laws and 1 grandchild and one on the way in October. Tom and Cathy Mantyla have 2 children, Michelle and Michael.
John (Nancy and Sally's brother) and Connie (just like a sister to us) came over Monday from Clarkston to attend the festivities. John and Connie have 4 girls and a son-in-law. The Morgan girls couldn't make the party.
Sally and Carl have 2 children, Rick and Amy. Rick arrived on Sunday to meet this cousins and second cousins again. Lori, Amber and Courtney also came along to join the festivities. Amber got to drive around in a golf cart, they even ran into some buddies they knew. Amy who lives in Brandon Florida couldn't make the trip this time, she was missed by her cousins! Rick also came back on Monday.
The party started on Saturday night at the Anderson's home and then followed on Sunday and Monday at George and Nancy's summer place at Sandy Pines Resort.
Today Richard returned to Anchorage and Jack got on a plane for Columbus,Ohio. Tom and Cathy and family will leave tomorrow for Chicago and then they fly home to California.
We all live so far away! Thank goodness for planes, trains and automobiles!
It all started with Dick and Dora Morgan. The family count is 31 and one more to arrive soon! Way to go! Wouldn't they be proud!
It was so good to be with family! That is what life is all about!!
Until we all meet again, God Bless everyone!

THE MORGAN'S RIVER HOUSE

The Front facing road

Front door facing road
River view of house
Sorry there are two pictures alike!

We traveled to Burt Lake yesterday, (July 16)met John and Connie at their new River House Property. Then we went to the "Cabin" and went on their boat to Mullet Lake. Weather was awesome! The boat ride was great!

John and Connie Morgan just celebrated their 30th anniversary on July 15, the day signed the papers for the River House! Congratulations go out to you two for at least another 30 years!

We are gearing up for our next trip to Grand Rapids this Sunday. My sister Nancy and her husband George are having a reunion this week. We have been invited to attend, we are going to see Tom and Cathy from California and their children, Richard from Anchorage and his son Jack. Lori and Dave Anderson and their growing family. They have a brand new granddaughter, that would be my great, great niece! We haven't met her yet! And rumors that they expect a new grandchild in October, Jason and Lisa are parents! Congratulations Dave and Lori

Keep coming back there will be updates!

Thanks!

Welcome Home

This is the sign we had when we got home. Artist: Kayla Kassel

THE END......9,303 Miles

We drove into Elk Rapids at 6:30 tonight. We came from Escanaba, Michigan this morning. We got a late start, plus we ate breakfast at Elmer's Restaurant. The menu said Katy's Restaurant, I really don't know about the restaurant, because when we were leaving the area there was a Elmer's Grocery Store. Go figure!
We stopped by my cousin Rick Wilson's in Naubinaway. Had a nice visit with Rick and his wife Pauline. Haven't seen my cousin in a while so the visit was a special visit. It always is with Rick.
They have a beautiful home and beautiful setting right on Lake Michigan. It is a paradise spot.
Sadie was glad to see Kayla and her friends when we arrived home. Kayla was going to surprise us with a Welcome Home done with chalk on our porch, but we arrived before they were done.
The Kassel's gave us a big welcome home along with Lily and Jackson! Sadie was excited to see everyone but really she was more excited to watch the squirrel going up their tree!
All, in all the trip was fantastic, can't believe we drove 9,303 miles! We saw so much, met so many nice people along the way, and did I mention spend a lot of money? It was so worth every penny! My only regret that we didn't do it 20 years ago when Rick and Amy were younger so they could have had the same adventure! But it didn't happen so, Rick and Amy will have to do this trip when they can!
I recommend this trip to anyone who can do it! The roads were great, oh well, there were some spots that could have been better, but we got through them alive!
Take a GPS and let her do the directing!
Time to go to bed and start a new day tomorrow!

Badland Pictures

Just a few pictures so the Badlands of South Dakota

July 9 Mt. Rushmore & Badlands

Hi from the Badlands of South Dakota.

Today was just a perfect day for perfect weather! We traveled from Deadwood to Mt. Rushmore and then to the Badlands.

Mt. Rushmore is such a magnificent place. We could walk to the base of the mountain and take pictures. Of course I got a ton of pictures. I can't wait to get home and compare my Dad's pictures of Mt. Rushmore in 1955.

Won't be the same I am sure.

Then the next stop was the Badlands. There are peaks and gullies everywhere. This land is like a mysterious elsewhere! Like what might be on the moon, or Egypt or somewhere like that. They say the time of day changes the colors of the badlands. I remember that they were really red in color. They could have been and maybe not. I was just 9 years old then.

We had a good day! Saw some interesting things and met some nice people along the way.

Next stop.......Minnesota.........then Michigan!

Until tomorrow night.....

Sweet dreams.

Pictures

Pictures of Wild Bills grave

and Calmity Janes Grave

Sally and Carl in front of Peco Bills

Motor home setting

Downtown Dead setting

That's what we did yesterday.

Have great day.

Deadwood The Town

We took a shuttle bus to downtown Deadwood. We were about to start on our 1:00 pm b to visit us tour to to the important parts of town and the boot hill cemetary where Wild Bill Hickok is buried along with Calamity Jane and it started to pour down rain. It rained through the hour long tour! I didn't get many pictures. Our tour guide was great. He told the whole story without any "ah" and "ah" he knew his story!
It rained and stormed and our pour Sadie was here in the motor home by herself. She was glad to see us. We are leaving her again because we are going into to town tonight for dinner. She will be O.K. She will be glad to get home and see Marilyn and everyone at Noble Pines. She misses Jackson, Lily, Kayla, RJ and everyone. I will be glad to see my Delaney. I miss him, but I don't think he would have liked this trip! Too many hills for him! (ha ha)
Well until tomorrow.........................
Have a good one.

Deadwood, South Dakota

North Dakota Landscapes

Having a great time!


More landscapes

Hello from Deadwood, South Dakota.'s

We arrived in town at about 6:30 pm. Drove just under 500 miles today!

The ride was fun, we saw country that we never would have seen if we wouldn't have decided to take this route. Pictures will tell you the scenery we saw. North Dakota was either badlands or farm land. Many farmers were cutting their hay. It definitely was an interesting day, from mountains to this landscape!

We came into North Dakota right over the line was a Flying J, their gas was $3.99 9 a gallon. Wow! That's cheap! And we had a great salad bar lunch/dinner!

GPS did her job today! It worked great getting into the Rapid City area,
and not Rapid City, Michigan!

We are at Deadwood KOA. This is right on a hill. It was a little scarey for me coming up these hills with the motor home! Nice park. Carl did a great job! Now we have to go down!

Our destination is Mt. Rushmore, it is still 50 miles from here. But Deadwood is a famous town goes years back maybe to the 1800's with famous people you may have heard of Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and Calamity Jane. We may stay here tomorrow. We haven't decided yet, that is the fun of not having to run back home!As stated before I was here in the area when I was 9 years old. I am so glad that I brought Carl here. The terrain of North Dakota and badlands are something to see. I can't wait to go to The Badlands.

Just a little tid bit, in Montana and North Dakota on an interstate highway the speed limit is 75 miles per hour! We were on 90 for awhile today, going through 2 states. We didn't drive 75! Gotta conserve that gas.

Coming in US 85 we saw quite a few Antelope. Carl and I thought they were sheep grazing in the fields, along side the cattle, until we looked closer. Tomorrow we will keep our eyes open better!

As of tonight we have driven 8,002 miles!

What will tomorrow bring?

JULY 6, 2008

Today we had a nice day in United States of America! We drove 340 miles on the Highway 2. Long nothings! Trains, cattle and sage brush.

The first part this morning was delightful through Glacier National Park. We stayed in West Glacier, Mt. last night. Around Glacier National Park the road has curves and steep grades! Vista views of mountains and alpine scenery! We saw two train tunnels through the mountains. There was a train going through, but I didn't get a picture. At mile marker 180 another chain up area......that means your either climbing or going down a steep grade! We have kind of had our fill of those signs on this trip!

We saw a coyote today, he ran across in front of us! He was on a mission!

There is a big sky here in Montana. You can see forever!

In Havre, Mt. gas was $4.08 a gallon. Diesel was $4.53 that will probably be our cheapest gas! Better than Canada at about $5.60 a gallon.

In Dodson, Mt., on June 9, the road was all tore up and ragged! Our motor home shook so bad, it was 6 miles of repair work! Today it was all new black top! It was a dream to drive on. We were a little nervous when we were approaching for fear it still all tore up! But it wasn't.

We stopped here in Malta, Montana. We are at a decent Motel/RV park. We have internet! It is fast too! I downloaded a lot of pics.

I think we are heading for Mt. Rushmore. I hope I am not disappointed!

I (Sally) was there in 1955! Do you think it changed? Well, we will see!

Until tomorrow night, have a great day! Miss everyone.

Sally

ATHBASCAN FALLS COLUMBIA GLACIER

THE ATHBASCAN FALLS
A GLACIER BUS
CARL??? I COULDN'T SEE THROUGH VIEW FINDER! THIS IS WHAT I GOT!
SALLY AND SADIE AT THE FALLS

SALLY AND CARL AT COLUMBIA GLACIER

Sunday July 6, 2008

Good Morning!
We are back into the USA! Feels goo to be back on my own ground!
We have covered a lot of ground in the past few days. We haven't had internet and that surely is not good news for me!
July 3 we left Dawson Creek and drove to Grand Prarie, we did not stay there. We went south on 97 towards Jasper National Park. The route was pretty and very hilly with steep inclines and declines! We made it to Grande Cashe, cute community. The incline coming up was a killer! We stayed in a municipal RV park. Was very quiet and very woodsy and no internet.
Friday July 4 was spent in the Jasper and Banff National Park. We were told by so may people that this area was a must see there were so many animals wandering around, I must say it was beautiful, the Canadian Rockies etc but the only thing we saw was a mama black bear and a cub. It was in the woods so you couldn't take pictures. That was it! We did see Athascan Falls and Columbia Glacier. I will post the pictures. That was neat.
We stayed in a park in Banff, electricity but no internet.
July 5, we decided to take the road 1A which is the most scenic and with animals we were told. On the way to that road we got lost in Banff. That wasn't fun! We were driving down the road from Bow Falls, (we got there by accident) which was a great attraction, got pictures of that, we came across a via dock that was only 8 km high! We couldn't get the motor home through it, but Carl thought we could! I had to convince him we couldn't. So, we backed up probably a 1/2 mile, there was no way you could turn around. Finally, we backed into a driveway and the way we went! On the way to this via dock we met these big tour buses, now let me tell you this road wasn't wide, it was for one car! Carl couldn't figure out how the big buses got through the via dock! Well, on this road was many hotels and resorts, these buses.were picking up people to go on tours etc. They didn't drive the full road. Now this is all in the town of Banff! Very unique town. No we didn't stop! But finally Carl got us out of that mess! When we finally found 1A the road was in great shape (people told us differently) we saw zip zero animals! We went back to Lake Louise which was another must see! ???? don't know why! Just a big touristy place with way too many people and cars for us. We left on 93 south out of Lake Louise . We drove though Kootney National Park. No animals either! I guess we were too late in the day to see animals. We traveled We drove 322 miles yesterday. It was a very trying day up and down hills and the aggravation of getting lost!
We are taking our time this morning. We will get out of here around 11:00 am and take it easy!
Haven't convince Carl to take another route to Mt. Rushmore. Maybe a different time. Not sure.
I have lots of pics to download.
We are glad to be back!
Sally

Fort Nelson back to Dawson Creek

Hello from Dawson Creek!

We are back a 0 Mile. We are leaving Dawson Creek and going to Jasper BC to the National Park. They say it is beautiful there. Then to Banff, and then heading back to Michigan.

We did see another bear yesterday! I saw 2 moose and a bear dead along the road!

The road back to here seemed to be really rough! Some steep grades to climb and down hills.

Weather was very hot, and looks like the same for today. It is cool this morning, but I know it will get hot!

More later on.........................

BEAR, STONE SHEEP AND BISON

July 1 Watson Lake to Ft. Nelson

We were leaving Watson Lake this morning and about 30 miles down the road we saw 2 bear along side the road, they were just meandering along and eating grass! That was the high light of the day! We have seen 3 or 4 bear but couldn't get their pictures!
Today was a beautiful day here in the Northwest. The dark blue sky, abundance of sun and the back ground of the green trees made for a beautiful picture.
We saw many places along the road that were closed. Like nice gas stations, restaurants, I think what has happened through the years is the people driving the Alaskan Highway now are self contained in trailers and motor homes and do not use the motels and restaurants! We are one of them!
I took pictures of tall skinny trees on top of mountain ranges. They look so funny, I don't know why they look like that.
The Liard River is a big river, at one point there are some rapids, they are called Cranberry Rapids, thinking back when the Riverboats went down the river how did they manage to get around the rapids?
Driving along the highway there was a heard of bisons. We stopped at a turn out just a few yards from where they were, Carl and I walked back and took pictures of them. We stayed across the street, none of them tried to run after us thank goodness! That was fun. A ways down the road we saw more along the road.
We saw a quite a few stone sheep and their young. The young were really young. I can't believe they live very long, they lick the minerals along the road and the big trucks and cars just go so fast! They do scatter and run the other way!
Along the way we saw an astro van with a uhaul trailer. The car was burned to a crisp! The trailer wasn't hurt as we could see.
Today from Muncho Lake we had terrible roads. We just drove them a couple weeks ago. They were winding and hilly and rough! Funny thing we didn't remember how they were when we went through before.
Muncho Lake and Summit Lakes are beautiful. The scenery is awesome.
There is this place along the road called Toad River, it has a store, restaurant, gas , motel and RV campground. We had an afternoon treat, a soft serve ice cream cone. Only one flavor, vanilla. It broke up the afternoon.
We saw an area that had flat top mountains in the back ground. There were some places that seemed to be very remote.
All in all we had a fun day, especially seeing the bears!
Tomorrow is Dawson Creek. We will take off from there and go to Jasper, BC and end up in Banff. Everyone tells us this is a beautiful drive.
Oh yea, remember I told you we were going to go through the Cassier Mts.
We got gas in Watson Lake, I asked the old gentleman behind the counter what Cassier Mt Road was like? He said it was a bloody nightmare, he had just driven it yesterday. He had to haul some hay up the Cassier Mt. Road. Just a bloody nightmare, and ole Scotty from the RV park also said he wouldn't drive it! The old guy at the gas station said it would make the motor home shake a part. Well, we couldn't have that! Tonight here at this park we were talking to another lady, she said if we drove the Top of World, the Cassier is a piece of cake! Darn! Maybe next time.
We will leave Dawson Creek and go to Jasper....that is for sure.
Good night.

June 30 Whitehorse to Watson Lake YT

Today we left Whitehorse, YT the capital of the Yukon at around noon. For some reason we were having a problem getting out of town! My GPS was giving us the right directions but we didn't want to believe it. This GPS couldn't find the stupid Walmart store I guess it must be the operators fault!
I drove the Alaskan Highway today. 224 kilometers or 138 miles. It was pretty intense, up hills, down hills, no guard rails, through narrow bridges, I did well!
We saw the backside of what we couldn't see going 2 weeks ago. Still very pretty scenery! The lakes and streams are just so beautiful. Take that dark blue water flowing and those beautiful green trees and foilage. Breath taking!
We are staying at the Downtown R.V. Park, here in Watson Lake. Carl cleaned the windshield, did maintenance work, I cleaned the inside, did laundry.
We are calling it a day.
Tomorrow we are heading down the Cassier Highway! We shall see what the Cassier has to offer! I hope a lot of animals.
Goodnight!