Vacation 2008

On May 18th Fran and Al began their trip by going to Lincoln, NE to visit a student doing her clinical rotation. Then it was on to Cheyenne, WY and an over night stay at the KOA campgrouund. Next morning Billings, MT was the destination for lunch at their favorite restaurant, Dos Machos. Yum Yum. Can't beat the food.

That night found them at Lethbridge, Alberta. Then it was on to Carstairs, AB to visit with Bob and Norma Disney. They have a really beautiful mobile home and a great visit and lunch followed. Thanks Bob and Norma.

The next two nights, (Wednesday and Thursday) were spent at Eva McMullen's with visits to Dad. His health is failing rapidly so this was the main reason for visiting Edmonton. Probably the last time Al will see his father alive (at least on this earth).

On Friday they headed for Vernon, BC to visit Fran's folks.

On the way to Vernon several black bears were seen. Just before this one there was a sow with two cubs. This one decided to come over to the car and was almost run over by a truck.

The place Mary and Murray are in is very nice. Murray is on the lower level since he requires more supervision while Mary lives upstairs in an apartment. Her meals, cleaning, and medical supervision are provided but she can come and go as she pleases. She is very happy there and has put back on some of the weight she had lost before moving here in January.

This is the front of the Assisted Living facility.

A view of one of the sitting areas in the home.

After spending over a week with Mary and Murray it was on to Cody, WY to meet up with Lori, Brian, Cheyenne, and Tanner Manley. A visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum is always a must whenever Cody is a stopover.

This is Al and Fran's temporary home. Actually we stayed in the KOA kabin for 7 nights and took day trips to Yellowstone Park and other areas in the bighorn basin. Lori enjoyed revisiting childhood spots.

Heart mountain is still the vocal point of the bighorn basin. We were not able to climb it this time but it is still available for the hearty.


The weather in Yellowstone was quite variable. One moment you had beautiful sunny skies the next you could be in a snow storm. We still enjoyed the two day trips we took. Not as many tourists when it is only in the lower 50's




Lori was dead set on finding the cave we had visited when she was a child. It was on the Clarks fork canyon but we were not sure exactly where. After climbing to several places we finally found it. In the background is the cave and Lori, Brian, and Tanner were the only ones with enough energy left to make it all the way in. Here they are returning to the car.

We all had a great time in the Bighorn basin and Yellowstone.

On the way home we swam in the hotsprings at Thermopolis, WY, stayed in Cheyenne, WY one night, stayed at the Malcolm Russell's over Sabbath, and visited the Omaha zoo. Due to flooding in Iowa a detour was made but we arrived home Monday evening, June 16th. Just over 4 weeks, 6500 miles, about $800.00 worth of gas, one rock on windshield, but a bunch of happy memories.