Trip around the USA
I’ve had the pleasure to be on a road trip the past few weeks both to visit our children (and new grand daughter Willa and her big sister Violet in Denver) and to experience this great Country and all it’s wonderful landscapes.
We left Grand Rapids two weeks ago and drove cross-country to Lincoln, Nebraska – where we spent our first night. Lincoln is the capital on Neberaska – so we drove downtown and took a look at the beautiful Capital building and the Governor’s mansion across the street. The capital itself was lovely – but the downtown area seemed a little seedy with a lot of empty buildings (reminded us of Lansing, MI). We had dinner at the local landmark – Valentino’s – where my friend Karen spent many an evening while going to the U of Nebraska (their local hangout – all you can eat for $8.95).
We arrived in Denver (Wheat Ridge to be exact) and had a great opportunity to hold Willa and Violet and enjoy their company along with their Mom and Dad – Jesi and Jon Josten. We visited with long time friends – Mary Wolf, Kay and Skip Watson, Katie and Ron Myles, Donna and Pete Van Elderen and Uncle Jack Thomasma. It seems that their real estate market is still going strong. While talking with the local Realtors – they think they have hit the bottom and are well on their way to a strong real estate market this year.
Jesi and Jon had just bought a retro-50s ranch in Wheat Ridge and are loving the solid construction and 50s touches while lamenting the lack of maintenance the past 20 years. It was exciting to see some vintage rose bushes push their way up our of the brambles and produce lovely flowers!
Our drive to Bozeman, MT was a LONG one – especially since we stopped at Little Big Horn to get a brief history lesson on the conflict between the Indians and the Calvary. There were beautiful vistas and a lovely thunderstorm to cap off the stop.
Bozeman is Gorgeous – there is not much else you can say. The snow capped mountains all around the valley – the green fieldss – the flowing (really fast) rivers. We hung out with son Brett and girlfriend Kelly - fished the Big Hole and the Madison Rivers – even caught a few trout!! We had a chance to go look at houses in Livingston, MT – where Brett and Kelly are thinking of relocating. Amazing the prices here! Compared to Grand Rapids the prices are probably double – and I’m told they have come down a lot. More to come on my real estate thoughts around the country…
The landscapes and the beauty of the drive was overwhelming – from the plains – to the foothills – to the mountains – we loved looking at whatever was just around the corner. While driving, I was remined many times to “keep my eyes on the road” since the scenery was wonderful.
The weather was a shocker on this trip! Huge thunderstorms through Nebraska on the way out - Hail storms and tornados in Denver – 30’s one night in Montana – Fly fishing on the Big Hole River in Montana in thunderstorms and snow – 95 plus degrees on the drive from Montana to Minneapolis with thunderheads and lightening following us along – blue skys and the 70s on and off all along the way! Isn’t this a great county?
