17,000+

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We arrived in OB Wednesday afternoon and, after four days of decompression, we're ready to go on the road again.  Hang on, Lydia isn't about to be going on another trip this soon.  Oh well. 
     We put just over 17,000 miles on the odometer of "The Bus" in our wanderings from mid-May to mid-October.  We have unpacked and put most things away for next time.  Now, we're trying to remember where we stashed things we knew we'd need when we got back.
     It almost feels strange to have a lot of room to move around in after living in what could pass for a very small submarine.  But no matter where we are the conversations seem to run along the same line:  remembering all the neat things we did and all the cool places we went.
    

Plantation time

Pharsalia

Cleaning an old-time apple cider press

This table was filled with implements to peel apples.

Making apple butter requires a watchful eye.

TYRO, VA --  Time for something different.  It was 'Apple Day' celebration at Pharsalia, a working plantation celebrating its 200th anniversary.  It's been a year-long celebration, but Apple Day has been a part of the plantation's annual happenings for years.  The main crop are apples and their byproducts:  cider, apple butter and apple pie.
     Another mainstay of the plantation is its use as a destination for weddings.  The main buildings have been restored and are a history lesson in how life years ago.
     (Named by it's owner, Major Thomas Massie, Pharsalia refers to an epic poem about a civil war between Julius Cesar and the Roman Senate.)

Drip, drip

Muted colors and low clouds along I64 in VA

Rain, rain

LEWISBERG, WV - - We're heading to see friends in Virginia before heading home.  Rain..and tornadoes.. have been following us.  It's too bad because the fall colors and scenery in WV has been quite nice.  We don't expect any breaks, but maybe we'll get lucky.

Iowa is famous for ???

A field of corn; a farm and the Western Skies Scenic Byway

Elk Horn's windmill center piece

The 'Danish' buffet was all you can eat.  We did.

MUSCATINE, IA - -  Nebraska morphed into Iowa this morning, more of the same only a bit hillier.  There's not much signage along I-80, but one sign did catch our eye.  It advertised the windmill in the 'Danish' town of Elk Horn.  A bit over 40 years ago the town decided it wanted/needed a windmill to make it a destination since it is 7 miles off the interstate.
     They found a windmill that fit the bill.  Only one problem: It was built in 1848 in Denmark.  A fund was raised; the windmill purchased then disassembled and brought across the Atlantic to Elk Horn where it was reassembled.  Now it's a visitors' center and fund raiser.
     Across the parking lot from the windmill was a building advertising authentic danish kringle pastry and a buffet.  It was lunch time.  No-brainer.  Plenty of good food and the kringle was great.
    

Hot elk

"Let's rumble!"

"Hey, we were pretty good"

"The youngsters still haven't got the 'horns' to challenge me."

OGALLALA, NE - - We've left the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and a crossing the long (mostly) rolling plains of Nebraska.
     A lot of the time we spent in Rocky Mountain NP we were listening to the bugling mating call of the bull elk.  This is "The Rut."  Basically the males vie to see how many hot dates they can find and entice into their 'harem.'  They fight.  They bugle their call.  They have fun.
     We've camped in RMNP before but always in the Spring.  Then it's the ladies and their offspring who are showing off.  Most males are nowhere to be seen.
     Now, back to the 'bugle boys.'  We searched two days and only found two guys hiding in the woods.  Today, once out of the park and just aafer I had muttered how bummed I was at not finding any elk to shoot we encountered at least four males and lots of harem ladies.
     The above photos made me feel a bit better

Tour anyone?

All aboard!

ESTES PARK, CO - - There are people inside what looks a lot like an animal control vehicle.  This is one of the many tour companies which operate in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We know tours.  We know 'herding sheep' one stop at a time.  Have fun, you paid for it.