Can't believe we have already been on the road for 11 days, and haven't gotten an update posted yet.  Tonight is the first time we have had a decent wifi connection.  Oh well, we have been pretty busy so far.  Don't know when we would have had time to get on here anyhow.

Tonight (June 18) finds us in Ogallala, Ne.  Started the trip on June 7, spending the first two nights in Chanute, Ks.  This is the town where our fifth-wheel was made.  The factory has been shut down for several months, but they are going to start production in June.  Unfortunately, they hadn't started yet, so we didn't get a tour of the the production line.  Maybe next time.  It was a good place to get started, as it was half way to our next destination - Omaha, Ne.

Spent a week at Haworth Park in Bellevue, Ne - just outside of Omaha.  Nice city park, pretty good Rv facilities, good biking trails, but no wifi, as was advertised.  Some city official decided they didn't need it.  First day of visit was highighted by the traditional trip to Big Fred's for pizza with Que and Todd.  Wednesday afternoon we had a nice visit at the trailer with Vicki (Nelson) King, and her sons Rob and Daniel.  Lot of laughs and a couple of beers.  Later that evening we had dinner at the trailer with Leonard and Doreen and sister Laura.  Leonard and Doreen are leaving on Saturday, moving to Cape Coral, Fl.  Thursday Larry had a special treat - lunch with brother Leo in Lincoln.  We had a nice visit and got caught up on a lot of old news.  I am going to try to attach a picture.  Thursday night we had dinner at the trailer with Jim and Nancy Doll.  Hadn't seen them in a long time - fun evening.   Friday we stopped by Leonard's and helped with the last 2% of the truck loading.  Felt bad that we didn't have more time to help.  Friday afternoon we had a nice visit with Bob and Betty Mollner, Ralph and Darlene Gross, and Betty Kline.  Brought back lots of old memories.  Friday night was dinner at sister Laura's house.  Laura got one of the old home movies transcribed onto a DVD.  What a treat to watch!  Saturday we went to the Farmers' Market in the Old Market area of Omaha.  Lots of good fresh produce.  Met Kay's brother Rick, Vicki and Rob, and Rick's daughter Elizabeth and her daughter Layla.  Had a short visit with John and Laura at the trailer on Saturday afternoon, and then a wonderful dinner at Johnny's Cafe with Kay's cousin Dick.  Sunday we went to the nursing home for a visit with Kay's aunt Marianne.  She's still good for a few laughs, and always jokes about Larry being good looking.  Sunday evening we went to Todd and Mary's house for a really nice cookout.  Weather was just great, as it was most all week, and the company was great.  We were joined there by Que and Todd's father Al.  Monday we did a bunch of running around shopping early, and then had our traditional lunch at he Bohemian Cafe.  No more Ferd's rye bread .  Monday afternoon Todd brought Que out for a short visit and a tour of the trailer. 

It was sure great to see everybody, but Kay and I are ready to hit the road and spend some quiet time on our own.

Tuesday morning (now June 16) we got all ready to hit the road, and then we discovered that our electric waste water dump valves were not functioning properly.  Fortunately, the malfunction on the black water (yes the bad stuff) valve was that it would not open.  After some trepidation and a few incantations, we made some calls and were finally able to locate a capable and willing individual in Grand Island, Ne.  Right on the way!  He (Al Koolman) looked it over, made a recommendation, and we ordered parts.  Since the parts would not be there until Thursday, we went ahead with our plans for the visit to Pioneer Village in Minden, Ne.  Spent several hours of Wednesday on our feet looking at lots of old pioneer stuff, and about 10000 old cars.  It really is a pretty interesting place.

Today we went back to Grand Island where Al replaced both of the dump valves with more robust versions.  We really enjoyed visiting with him.  He looks and acts much like George Christopher, an old friend of mine from work.  ......and that brings us up to tonight, here in Ogallala.  Went to dinner in town, where we witnessed a nice staged shootout.  Also took a short drive to see the local version of Boot Hill, their Mansion on the Hill, and Lake McCounaghy. 

Tomorrow we head for Fort Robinson in the beautiful Pine Ridge area of northwest Nebraska. 

Back soon with the next update on the Great Western Adventure.

Here are the brothers in Lincoln after lunch.  Doesn't really look like we needed lunch, does it?



Larry and Kay