Author: Keith g Shafer

Devils Tower and Sundance

Ilene and I left Ellsworth AFB around 1130 since we only had about an hour and a half drive to Sundance, WY.

One of the places on our bucket list to visit was Devils Tower in WY so we based out of Mountain View RV Park & Campgrounds just outside of town. While we didn’t have a view of Devils Tower we did have a great view of the Northwestern Black Hills and the smell of the buffalo grass was, well, amazing!

This park is kept in immaculate condition and the owners and staff are friendly and helpful. How can you not like a place that has fresh-baked cookies for us humans and dog biscuits for Bella when you arrive? Continue reading Devils Tower and Sundance

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone with the Barkers

After brief overnight stops in Elko, NV and Ogden, UT we met up with Hoss and Janet at Colter Bay Campground in Grand Teton National Park. We hadn’t seen them since we left Texas back in February and were glad to spend time with them again.

It was drizzly and rainy for much of the trip but that didn’t stop us from sightseeing in Jackson Hole. The first day we traveled North to Old Faithful and the southern loop around the park.

We watched Old Faithful erupt just in time to wander over to Old Faithful Lodge for lunch. We all decided to order off the menu rather than have the buffet…oops, that was a mistake. Continue reading Grand Tetons and Yellowstone with the Barkers

Reno with the Shafers

Late April found us back in Reno at the Bordertown RV Park. Bordertown was a smaller park than the KOA in Verdi but the people were friendlier, the park was very well maintained, and it was a lot closer to the kids.

The highlight of our trips to Reno is spending time with the kids and grandkids and his was no exception. We managed to take in a Reno Aces game where they beat our team the Tacoma Rainiers but it was still a lot of fun. Rose and Audrey did a great job and we’re pretty sure they had a great time as well. Continue reading Reno with the Shafers

Las Vegas with the Shafers

The cruise was over and it was time to get ready for the upcoming wedding of Sam Shafer and Susan Miller.

It was our pleasure to welcome Susan and Kevin into our family on the 29th of March 2018. After a couple of hiccups, the wedding was conducted at Susan’s church followed by a reception.

It was fun spending time with the new couple and we’re excited about their future together.

Dan and Juan came all the way from Washington and Adam drove in from Reno for the wedding. It was great spending time with them as well!

Before leaving Las Vegas for Reno, Susan invited us over for a tasty dinner of chicken cordon bleu. MMMMmmmmm!

We’ll be keeping in touch and sending Kevin postcards of our travels so he can keep up with us.

 

 

Honolulu-Where It All Began 43 Years Ago

It was 43 years ago that my Army buddy Steve Sawyer convinced me to go to Hawaii and spend a week there with him at his dad’s place at Pearl Harbor. On a trip from Pearl to Waikiki Steve’s brother asked a couple of girls in the car next to us if they were lost…they were.

The rest, is history, and I may tell the full story someday for those who haven’t heard it, but for now suffice it to say Waikiki has a warm spot in our hearts. Continue reading Honolulu-Where It All Began 43 Years Ago

The Big Island and Volcanoes

The first stop in Hawaii was Hawaii, the big island!

We booked a bus tour that would take us to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Needless to say Ilene got her National Park Passport stamped and we had the opportunity to see an active volcano (which began erupting in May!) and learn how the volcanoes were such a part of Hawaiian native history and culture.

The beauty of this island comes from volcanoes and we were in awe of the flowers and vegetation wherever we went…remember, we’re from the desert! Continue reading The Big Island and Volcanoes

Four Days at Sea

What do you do when you’re out at sea for four straight days? The answer is: Stay Busy!

The Star Princess offered a number of activities, restaurants, entertainment, and hang outs.

One of the highlights of this cruise is the talks given by Mark Harris. A naturalist who has worked around the world with National Geographic and a number of scientific groups. His daily talks on the way to Hawaii prepared us by featuring the flora and fauna of the four islands we would visit with a few sightseeing tips thrown in. Continue reading Four Days at Sea

Hawaii Cruise from San Pedro, CA

The morning after the Buzzard Reunion…did I say morning? I meant VERY early the next morning, Ilene and I jumped on Southwest Airlines and flew into LAX for our 15-day cruise to Hawaii.

We decided not to travel light on this one since we’d be spending a total of 9 days at sea so we each dragged a bag as well as a backpack filled with goodies to keep us occupied on the Star Princess.

It’s a 40 minute bus ride from the airport to the seaport and fortunately it was on a Sunday so traffic wasn’t too hectic.

Greeting us as we pulled into the port area was the USS Iowa and well-appointed and well-organized terminal.

It wasn’t long before we were onboard and exploring the ship and prepping for a four days at sea. Continue reading Hawaii Cruise from San Pedro, CA

Las Vegas Reunion

The first part of our trip to Las Vegas was filled with reunions. First we had the opportunity to see Sam and meet his fiancee Susan and her son Kevin.

We had a pleasant lunch at Olive Garden and came away feeling blessed that Susan and Kevin would soon become part of our family.

Las Vegas was the home for the 510th Fighter Squadron 75th Reunion. We served in the “Buzzards” when we first arrived at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge in 1987 and after a short time with the 78th Fighter Squadron (Bushmasters), I served with them until the were moved to Germany after Bentwaters/Woodbridge closed in 1993.

It was nice catching up with old friends like Bill “Senator” Rial, “Coach” Allison, Rodger Flotta, and Tom. Needless to say a few toasts were made, a few whiskies were had, and most of all it was great seeing the traditions of the A-10 Buzzards are still around with the F-16 Buzzards now stationed in Aviano, Italy.