Road Stories from Bill & Karen.

Hi Fellow Sandpeeps,

We finally have a good connection to the internet so we can give you an update on our road trip. First stop we picked up the Grand Kids and headed for Carlsbad Caverns.

All you can say about the Caverns is Awe inspiring.

This picture is after our first hike down through the natural entrance. You walk 1 and 1/2 Hours down a sharp incline surrounded by unbelievable works of nature, to have lunch 750 feet below the service of the earth. We rested up top for a little while then took the elevator down to the great room. Another hour and a half of amazing rock formations, pools of water and chambers so huge they are indescribable, you feel so small.

We headed up to Roswell to see the UFO museum, don't go all the way to Roswell for that museum, it was so cheesy that we all laughed until our sides hurt. WE dropped the kids off at their home in Lubbock the day before school started. We had a great visit with our son and we enjoyed the children very much.

The next day we headed for Santa Fe and met up with Nancy and Bill Gifford, thank goodness they were with us our truck's transmission failed. Even with the truck break down, we had a fabulous time in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument, amazing Churches one with a staircase that defies gravity. We tasted some amazing food, the taste that I keep tasting, and remembering Squash Blossoms deep fried and stuffed with an incredible cheese.
We were lucky enough to see folk dancers on the Plaza in Santa Fe. Attached are some pictures of the Jemez mountains that are just a short trip north of the city.

Beautiful Country More later.,
--
Karen and Bill Hazlett

Canasta!

Is there anyone left in the park who wants to play and/or learn Canasta?

Gloria and I are looking for players.

We can play any day, Mon.-Thurs., for about 2 hours in the afternoon.

If you're interested, please call

Patsy at 956-287-0860 or 210-862-1892.

(We'll play at Patsy's or Gloria's house.)
Patsy #108

Road Stories from Dave & Sandy/Bill & Laura.

Dave and Sandy stopped by for a few days, we had a nice visit.

We got a new Jeep,

so we took a ride over the the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Neb. We stopped by the Mo River near Springfield SD, across from Niobrara, Ne. to enjoy the scenery. Also stopped in Verdegre, Ne. and bought some Kolace at the bakery...Czech community.
On the return trip we stopped at the Missouri River visitor Center below Gavins Point Dam to view the Osprey restoration project which is in it's third year.

Happy Travels

Bill and Laura

More Road Stories...Pam & Bob

It's just me (Pam) with another road story.

We're sure racking up the miles this summer!

On our way out west, we made a 2 day stop in South Dakota

at a nearly empty campground.

When we visited nearby Sturgis, we saw all the merchandise tents being set up for the 70th annual motorcycle rally that was sure to fill all the campgrounds the following week.

Deadwood had some interesting sights.

It was there we saw a most unusual motorcycle
and a new use for some old mining cars.

Bob & Vicki Visit Avalon.

Bob and Vicki traveled to Avalon Resort in West Virginia for the Music Festival.

The weather was hot when we arrived on Thursday to set up

the big 10 x 20 tent in the Vendor Area.

There were 33 vendors, the most they ever had. Link for Avalon Vendors list.
http://www.avalon-resort.info/site/Vendors%20.aspx

Friday was over cast and it started to rain and drizzled most of the day.

The music was moved from the out door stage to the field house on the other side of the lodge. Saturday was another gloomy day, not as much rain and we got to hear some of the music in the vendor area. Sunday rained for about an hour and then cleared up, it then turned hot.

We saw people who attended the North East Naturist Festival at Empire Haven the weekend before and met a lot of new people.

Jim and Betty (Bee) stopped by many times to visit us. Betty was MC'ing for the Music Festival.

We talked about Sandpipers Resort and Empire Haven to everyone who asked where we were from. People from Avalon mentioned Ron and Gloria, Bill and Karen, Bob and Pam P. and Mike and Sharon and said to say hello.

Mike and Sharon visited Empire Haven while we were gone to Avalon. Lou and Alma, Ray and Tammie and Dave and Lola (who have all visited Sandpipers) made sure they were welcome.

Everyone was friendly, the food was great and there was lots of music.

We are planning on going again next year.

OHHHHH..We have a WINNER!

And guess what?

I'm not going to tell you who won...

Or who "The Lady" is..

You must develop patience and wait....

WAIT????

Yes, wait until the Nov. 1st FunBuzz to find out who won the

succulent,

deliciously drippy,

finger-lickin',

BBQ ribs.

There have been many guesses in the past 3 weeks.

I waited a while after the correct answer was contributed just to be mean.

'Cause I can.

So....We'll move on....something new will come up.

Any ideas?

Road Stories- More From Pam & Bob.

One doesn’t usually expect to find a rip roarin’ western party in eastern New York but that’s what we found when we visited Juniper Woods.

A wild west town as well as prizes for the best costume

and the best decorated “wagon” set the mood. Located not far from many interesting sights, Juniper Woods was a good launching point for exploration. The restaurants and the view at the Culinary Institute of America were fabulous. The University of New York at Albany featured a lovely campus.
Our last stop in the area was at the state capitol building.

Ribs...The Contest!

No correct answer yet on the identity of the Lady in the Cave.

IF nobody gets it, I'll put all the guessers names in a box and we'll have a drawing for the winner of the fabulous, succulent tender BBQ rib dinner with all the trimmings...for two.

So keep trying.

You haven't yet named every women at Sandpipers...tho it's getting close!

Sandpiper "North" Reunion.

If you will be in the northern Indiana area over Labor Day weekend you might just want to stop at SunnyHaven to meet up with your fellow SandPeeps.

The Third Annual Sandpiper Reunion will be going on...

mayhem will ensue...

wine will be liberated from glass enclosures...

and sun will be soaked.

Call or email Hilton/Marijanne or Jon/Donna for details.

The list of attendees right now include Jim & Sue, John & Sue, Marijanne & Hilton, Dick & Sharon, Donna & Jon, Ed & Rose, a few folks from the Sunseeker's club that Dick & Sharon belong to. And probably more that I've missed.

Check out SunnyHaven's website.

www.sunnyhaven.com

Nice place!

Armadillo Smack-down! A Patsy Report!

Shortly after 7:00 A.M., I heard the distinct sounds of gunfire

(two shots, I believe) outside my mobile.

I cautiously peeked out my front window

and saw Tony emerging from his golf cart with a gun in hand.

He strove triumphantly over to his prey--an armadillo now near death with his little legs and whole body twitching. The critter died on Rick and Kathy's driveway and was unceremoniously disposed of by Jay with a shovel and a trash bag.

I thought that the war was over

until Jay said that there was another armadillo sighted nearby.

So, Tony, The Great White (well, more Brown) Hunter, has more work to do.

Congratulations on being a sharpshooter, Tony!

Patsy #108

Bob & Bernie-Wine & Friends.

Since we have returned from our Italy trip we have had SPR friends drop by.

Tom and Ellen came for a day visit and they let Sandy and Bill know they were coming so as they were headed south themselves they also stopped.

We had a great day visiting before they all headed out again.

Then at the end of the week Dr. Bob called to say join himself and Catherine for Sunday brunch and by the way John and Sue would be there too!

Once again we had a great day eating, drinking, and visiting.

Sue and John were headed to her sisters so on Monday they stopped in Kokomo and we hit the local micro brewery for lunch.

To be sure they found it Dr. Bob and Catherine guided them.

What a fun time.

In the meantime we were asked to work, once again, at the Indy International Wine Competition that was to be held at Purdue University.

Bob would judge and I would greet just in case I got to tired to work all day.

We were getting ready to head over to Lafayette

when we got a call from Jon and Donna.

They had time to fill while their unit was being worked on--

how about lunch and visit time.

Why not!

When they got here we hit the micro brewery again (the owner went to school with our youngest son). Had a great lunch, visited there and at the house.

They headed back north to get their unit and we headed west to Purdue.

Had a busy 2 1/2 days.

There were about 2700 wines, 53 judges, and over 50 Pit Cru.

Had lots of locals stop by to see the judging taking place

which I got to describe and explain to them.

Here are some photos of the judging activities.

Photo 1 shows all of the entries ready to be opened, poured,

and delivered to the judges.

Photo 2 shows all of the awards that would be given out at the end of the competition. Photo 3 shows Bob checking out a wine he is judging.

Photo 4 shows me explaining the judging to an interested visitor.

Photo 5 shows Bob working judging one of the final wines for the major awards.

Photo 6 is one of me standing in front of the Purdue train they use at the football games and for taking people around campus on tours.

All of the workers had a chance to take a ride.

Now we are getting ready for our trip to Portugal the first week of September.

I will finish my chemo the week we get back and then go on to radiation.

Am doing well, wish my fingers were not numb but I am still keeping active.


Bernie and Bob

Pirates on Lake Powell!

I am having SERIOUS Internet problems...Canada! Upgrade!

And...as an aside..I usually avoid putting up "nude" pictures...but I've had two glasses of Pinot Grigio and I'm feeling frisky!

***********************************

Barry, Joey, David, Sandy, Donna and Lanny had a great 5 days on Lake Powell, going out of Antelope Point Marina with a 59 foot houseboat and a 26 foot deck boat in tow. *****
The first Lake Powell Invitational Volleyball Game, live from Dungeon Canyon.
The Talbott family aboard the SS Sandpipers – everyone still friends a week later! Our fearless Captain Ahab, aka Lanny
Who knew these damn fool houseboats didn’t have parking brakes?
Guess who our plumber was. Hint: He invented birds.
Did you know bare bottoms go down the slide like a greased ice cube?
Wilson was acquired at Wal-Mart. Wilma was found in the lake.
Art courtesy of Sandra and Joey.
Possible new Olympic event?
Boats want to float. Boats beached in the wind require much persuasion!! UGH!!!!
Lake Powell has about a bazillion slot canyons.
Maybe the Navajo Taco Stand is just a little farther ahead.

***********************

Fabulous! I am JEALOUS of your good times!

Animals of the Alcan...

As we slowly drift south and east, on our way back to the states, we have been spotting more wildlife along the highway.

Ravens are everywhere, as are rabbits...I must commend British Columbia for outstanding wildlife management.

A lot of training goes into teaching these animals to pose for hours along the road.Stone Sheep on the appropriately named Stone Mountain.
Then a young female moose...gotta be cold standing in that creek for hours and hours....

The Yukon did have the corner on Bison...whole herds, loan males...calves...

All posing beautifully!

Invitation From Patsy.

I love to travel and see natural and manmade wonders.

Sometimes, we overlook small wonders happening in our own backyard,

or, in my case, my front yard.

Just like last year, I am having the privilege of observing

part of the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. The caterpillars are emerging from the tiny yellow dots (eggs) on the stalks of my firespike plant. They are stripping the plant of its leaves by eating them. I know that they will form cocoons and await their metamorphosis into butterflies.

Last year, I was fortunate to actually see a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon and flying away. If you want to witness a small miracle, you can stop by #108 and see one.

Patsy

IT is an Owl!

Right you are Maria...It is an OWL!

Maria wins....

she wins....

she wins...

the admiration of Night Owls everywhere.

Let's give her a big hoot-hoot-hoot!Now...back to guessing the identity of the girl on the horse.

Contest Within a Contest...IT!

While you are mulling over who in the world is this?

(And no one has it yet!)

Take a little brain break and try on this puzzler for size.

Vicki & Bob sent this for us to guess at...

What is IT?

While traveling home late at night, we spotted IT standing in the road.

Bob slowed to a stop and IT stood there a moment

before hopping to the side of the road.

Bob backed up to shine the head lights from the truck on IT to see IT better.

We just happened to have the camera in the truck and took pictures of IT.

IT is about one foot tall and stood watching us like "What are You?"!

After a few guesses I'll put up the final picture....Very Cool!