Water......water.....Everywhere!!

Many of you may or may have not

heard about the influx of water into

the Garrison Dam Reservoir due to

the extensive rains and snow melt in Montana and Wyoming (Yes, Phyllis & Ken that rain has to go somewhere - smile) Lake Sakakawea and the Garrison Dam are both in our backyards here in ND. Hazen Bay is only 13 miles north of us!! It's hard to believe that just 3 years ago Hazen Bay was completely dry and they are no longer loading boats off the ramp - they are loading off the road and 2 of our low boat ramps are completely under water.

Linda & Randy Isbell as you know got flooded out of the Roughrider campground in Minot and decided to come down to Hazen. They are staying in the Lewis & Clark Campground not too far from our house! Tuesday, despite the cold and windy day, we decided to give them a tour of the South Shore of Lake Sakakawea and the Garrison Dam. Newell and I had been that way only a week ago and within that short time the Lake has continued to rise and it is only going to get worse by the Corp. of Engineers information. The influx from the Yellowstone River has risen from 80,000 cfs to 113,000 cfs currently and depending on rains may rise to even higher levels.

This puts pressure and a dilemna on the Garrison Dam as it is so near full that they have had to start releasing water. Last week they were releasing at 55,000 cfs and are currently up to 70,000 cfs and by Monday they will be up to 85,000 cfs. Of course this definitely effects downstream specifically Bismarck & Mandan. Flood measures are in effect for these two towns and outlying areas. The Corp. predicts by June 9 the releases will be up to 90,000 cfs and who knows by then what the influx from the Yellowstone River will be as the River there usually sees its June rise from the snow melts. This is a new scenario for the dam, never before having to release this much water. The delemna being they can't predict what will be coming for rain fall in addition to the snow melt.

The first picture on the far right depicts releases at 55,000 cfs taken on our first visit a week ago. The second picture in the middle shows the release at 70,000 cfs and was taken a week later when we visited with Linda & Randy.

The last picture is a front view as the water boils out into the Missouri River.

It's an interesting, news-worthy, and history-making event. We hope and pray for the safety of those downstream. The leaders of our municpals, counties, and state

seem to be doing a great job in protecting and informing the

public. If we were 10-15 years younger, we would be

volunteering and may get called upon yet - Newell's brother

lives in a potential flooding area!! The bad news is this will

probably continue through the summer. Most of our families are

not in the flood plain but with Mother Nature who knows what's ahead of us!! We'll keep you posted.

Dennis has a six pack - of stints that is!

Sharon called a little while ago.  Dennis went to the doc on Monday and she wasn't pleased with the outcome of some of his tests.  SO he went into surgery today and got three more stints.  (A different surgeon this time.)  He replaced the ones on the bigger arteries around the heart.  Two of the stints are close together.  He will go home tomorrow.  The kids were in Duluth with Sharon.  I don't know who all she called but she told me to put the update on the blog so here it is!! 

WY George on the road!

Good ole George called twice yesterday. The first time he said "I'm waving, can you see me?" He was going by the Air Force Academy in CO. Springs. Del is with him (the previous owner of Lakeside.) They were pulling George's horse trailer with 3 horses and a 15 day old baby who's Momma died 2 days after it was born. They stop every 4 hours to feed the baby. George as a daddy. Ah.........
The second time he called he said "We are back in the US of A." I said ah, in WY are ya? He is happy again. Reporting over and out for George!

The River Won

Saturday was evacuation day from the Roughrider Campground in Minot, ND. The dikes that had been holding the river back could not hold the rapidly rising river.

We are now in Hazen, ND and will wait to see when/if the river is going to leave the campground. We look forward to spending more time with Linda & Newell Zeller, just feel sad that it had to be under these circumstances. The young couple that own the campground are such nice folks and their home is on the property.

Randy was on a mission in his waders and when the water got too high he had to get out his tube boat to get to where he was going. Yep, there are campsites under all that water.

Sharon & Clay are here!

The Farnhams landed here about noon, in the park where we are staying in Albuquerque. It was absolutely great to see them! They're looking & feeling good, and they're going to chill out here for a month or so. They decided not to go to OR after all, the weather on the coast has been nasty and there's no guarantee they'd ever have any "summer" there after traveling all that way. And Sharon may have to go see her doc in EB in July anyway.

So I'm sorry they're not going to be sucking up oysters and clams and crab like they wanted to, but I'm selfishly delighted to see them! I asked Sharon if she was "casinoed out" after spending all this time in Nevada, and she said "HELL NO!" So I think there is some playing in my future, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Learning to be ducks in Gillette, Wyoming

We made it to Gillette Wednesday just as the rain commenced with flood warnings attached.  We are going to get a big dose of family this summer.  Daughter Whitney;s family has moved very near SIL/DIL and all of the gchildren will be here this summer plus a few.  No pictures at this time - it's raining too much.  Note to the SW folks: Cathy at Monks Cloth and More wants to have pictures of our projects to put on her web.  I'm thinking of making a Picasa web photo album of  what I have.  Please send me pictures of what else you want me to include.  Quacking right along - The Colpitts!

Raders made it to Idaho

Hi everyone! Well, here we are in Idaho with my parents. They are doing good and so happy to have us back again. Dad seems to be doing good, however, he really does not know what is going on. Probably just as well though.

We had a great time while in UT at our daughters. Life with kids is so hectic though, never a moment of quiet!! We saw both our grandsons play baseball numerous times. Was enjoyable and we felt lucky to be able to be there and see them. Our granddaughter is going to beauty school, so grandma had to have a haircut!! She actually did a very good job!

We have had lots of rain since leaving NM, wish they could get some of it down there! Hank is doing fine also. He just hangs out and is always ready for something to do! We are glad to hear that everyone is doing ok out there and really enjoy reading the blog. We love and miss all of you. Brenda

The difference one day can make.....

when you are at 8500 feet. Oh, springtime in the Rockies! Gotta go dig the fireplace out. Buuurrrrrrr.............. Dave just said "Get a picture of me shoveling snow!"
Yuck..........

News From California

Clay and Sharon found their camera, removed it from the box (it's 5 years old :)  ) and taken some pictures.  According to Clay these pictures are of:  "Tecopa Calif AKA Death Valley.  China Ranch Date Farm, neat place!"   

Great pictures Clay/Sharon.  Keep up the good work.

Friends meet in Minot, ND

It was early spring while we were yet in EB that we learned that Linda & Randy Isbell were going to be work camping in Minot, ND - excited we were to think someone from NM would actually come to ND to work camp!! Since Newell & I had some shopping to do, we decided to head for Minot instead of our usual trek to Bismarck.

There is still evidence of the flooding Souris River which encompasses the campground - Roughrider - where Linda & Randy are working. We can only imagine the beauty that awaits these 2 New Mexico campworkers as the water recedes and the trees begin to show their leaves. The grass is already a beautiful green; I'm sure Randy will be sick of mowing grass by the end of the season!! This campground shows promise and beauty; it is a beautiful setting!! Okay.......I'm ready to go camping!! (smile)


As we arrived, Linda was just leaving the office; Oh those hugs and reacquainting feels so-o good!! It had been quite awhile.....actually a whole year since last we saw each other so a lot of "catching up" to do. It is so nice to be able to just pick up where we left off - great conversation and laughs ensued.

After some conversation and laughs, our tummies were saying "it's time to eat" so we climbed into our Van and headed out for a nearby restaurant - those kind that serve good ole home-cooked meals. I'm sure it was the company that made it so special. We're so excited to have our Southwest friends in ND this summer - hopefully, this is just the beginning and we'll be able to share our great State of ND with them as well. We would be just as excited if any of you would find yourselves in ND.......we'd be elated to show you our great state!!

We miss all of you - from the morning coffees to the social hours, from the potlucks and game nights to the jeepin' adventures and beyond!!

Remember to press Orange Publish!

Folks, I went in and published all the drafts that had been saved.  I am sure you meant to publish these and pressed save instead of publish.  Hope you all enjoy your summer....love reading your posts!

Whitney

Signed in

We are signed in, lets see if it works for us.   

Campsalls reporting

Hi everyone,

First time on this, hope it works - Your comments on your travels are sure interesting - fell kind of deflated - nothing to report -

Have had miserable weather since home - lots of rain, gloommy skies - just yucky. Not much sun.

Not going to type a lot until I receive notification that you received this - do not want to type for nothing. lol Dianne

Is it spring yet?

We've waited a long time for spring to come, but if this is it - maybe we'll pass!!!

We had one humdinger of a storm on Saturday April 30 - the Granddaddy of them all with 18 inches of snow, 50 mph wind, power outages, trees blowing down, some completely uprooted, some with the tops snapped off -can't see your hand in front of your face kind of a storm. We haven't heard yet the horror stories of death loss in baby calves - they haven't all melted out of snowbanks. I know the yearling steers I can see out my window - after 3 days are still totally exhausted. These cattle and ranchers have already been stressed to the breaking point even before this storm. Seems there has been one storm right after another. BUT we have a roof over our heads and no tornados so still have much to be thankful for.

In WY seeing Jo.

We are visiting Jo in Wheatland, WY. Today we took a drive to Ayres Natural Bridge. As the flyer says.............The bridge is part of the Casper Sandstone Formation which was laid down during the Pennsylvania Age more that 280 million years ago. The brige arch above the water is 50 feet high and 100 feet long. An Indian was struck by lightning near the bridge and was killed. His people believed that an evil spirit lived beneath the bridge and had swallowed the life of this warrior. From then on, the Indians would not go near the bridge. It became a sanctuary for people fleeing the Indians. If they could make it to the bridge they would be safe.

Ayres Natural Bridge Park is located 4 miles south of I-25 and the end of County Rd. 13. The I-25 exit is 11 miles west of Douglas at exit 151.

It was a beautiful place.

Coming down off the Rockies - an educational day!

Erick and the crew tested the backup system in the night and it worked so we headed down the mountaines today for Loveland.  What a beautiful drive and such gorgeous scenery.  We took #17 to #285.  We have been thinking of new ways to get to NM and wondered if this might be a good alternate. NO!   5-7% grade for 10 miles 3000'.   BUT it was good going down.  Thus we are in Loveland for a week. 

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

And boy, do I wish we were all together sharing Margaritas!

Sharon & Dennis

We're staying near the Albuquerque Camping World, and Sharon and Dennis had to go there today to return something they'd purchased. So we met them at CW and had a great time visiting various new rigs - a MH and several 5th wheels. Sharon and I both noticed that they all seemed "homier" and less glitzy than a few years ago...earth tones, no marble floors or wall-to-wall mirrors with gold touches. It's a good thing! We had fun looking!

Then we had a nice lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant here in town, and a good gossip. They are staying at a COE park between Albuquerque and Santa Fe - Cochiti Lake - here's the link: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=L403520
They took a drive to/thru Bandelier Nat'l Monument yesterday and really enjoyed it, and they have some other day trips planned for their time there.

They're leaving Monday, and starting their trek towards home. They hope to visit Karen & Cliff, even if only for a short while. Weather permitting, of course, as all travels north seem to be this time of year!

The Point of No Return

The cold froze all the clouds out of the valley and we awoke to a beautiful day.  The San Luis Valley is long and wide.  We wandered Alamosa today looking for an electrical part.  (Gson Erick is going to rewire our 50 AMP plug in but we need one part.  Won't get it here so will wait until next week for the job completion.)  This afternoon we drove out to the Great Sand Dune where we found the Point of No Return so we turned around.  Pretty neat. 
As you drive up toward it the dune merges with the mountains to form an optical illusion.

They rent wheelchairs at the Visitor Center.  Pretty neat!

Snow a Common Denominator

Snow seems to be the common denominator for quite a few of us as we head to our "summer locations." Western ND got hit hard with 12 inches + and 66 mph winds or more. Many have been without electricity since Saturday. We at Hazen only got 3 to 4 inches of wet snow and some gusty winds but not near what western ND received. It was a good day to hunker down and finish some pod painting, watch a movie or so, dream of golfing, enjoy a good home-made bowl of vegetable soup, and wait it out!! It is pretty.......if you don't have to be out in it - smile!! We are doing fine and today (Monday) the sun shone beautifully and the snow is about gone!! We talked to Gail & Roger; they did fine and still had their sense of humor but are wondering what the toll will be on their son's cattle as they are in the process of calving. Hopefully, Gail will share some of their photos. We're hoping this is the last Spring storm in ND..........we'll take this over the tornadoes in the southeast!!

It's so-o good to see all the blog entries.....keep it up!! We enjoy knowing where everyone is at and what they're up to!! As for us, we're enjoying the kids & grandkids and their activities.....and that is why we are here in ND!! Be safe and enjoy your summer!! Linda/Newell Zeller

Pie or Thai??

We hoped to meet Brenda and Hank as they went through Pie Town on their way north today. We briefly looked at Hank's atlas before we left EB yesterday morning, and it looked do-able, so Brenda called us this morning when they hit the road. Then we looked at Google Maps, and found it was a lot farther from Albuquerque to Pie Town than it had looked, and we'd never make it in time. I was so disappointed, I was seriously looking forward to one more visit with them!

So we found a Thai restaurant - I'd been wishing for Thai food all winter, and that's where we had lunch. And then that brat Brenda texted me a picture of a great-looking piece of pie from their lunch, and it's a good thing I was already full or I'd have had to go out in search of pie!

It actually snowed on us after we made it to Albuquerque yesterday - it was cold and windy the whole day. Sweatshirt and socks weather, though it's supposed to warm up each day this week. The natives are grumbling that it's not supposed to do this here in May. Actually, I don't mind, I'll remember it fondly when it's 95 with not a cloud in sight!

Travel safely, y'all.

Missed the snow in Raton to find it in Pueblo!

The Martins and us left EB Saturday morning at 6:30.  (Yes, Deb was out of bed.)  The weather report Friday night predicted snow on Raton so we decided to head to Pueblo.  It was a good trip with us pulling up the rear and watching how true the green Honda went down the road.  We reached Pueblo Lake State Park and settled in as we watched the clouds gather darker and darker to the west.  We had pizza and beer at a great pizzeria where you could use the dance floor for a mere $5 cover charge.  :)  For the most part we were too young to dance. 
The plan this morning was to visit the Monk's Cloth store then head our separate ways. Dave and Deb called Woodland Park and they said to come on up.  (It was 22* there last night!)  Grandson Erick called and said come to Alamosa with me for the week.  He has a new Wal-Mart there that needs the power turned on.  We will be his "motel" and spend good time with him. 


On Friday him, girlfriend Whitneytoo, Dave, Deb and their friends along with Ken and I will meet in Severance for All You Can Eat Bull Balls - Yum!  Come on over.

Decisions! Decisions!  What color do I want now???

 FYI we found $3.99/gal deisel in Pueblo.    AND we got to meet Cathy with a C................
What an awesome lady.  (More about monks cloth on my blog.)  Wonder what tomorrow will bring?   Oh yes I heard through the grapevine that Wyn/Ki and Sharon/Dennis had SNOW in Albuquerque.  Heh! Heh! Heh!

May Day in Minot, ND

Here is a picture of what we had as we got up Sunday morning... yep! That is SNOW! It started raining (again) Friday and all day Saturday, turning to snow in the afternoon and by Sunday morning it was a "winter wonderland".

We are just hoping the additional rain and snow does not send the Souris River higher. At this point the dikes are doing a great job holding the river out of the park and the guys have not had to do all night "dike duty" for several nights now. YEAH!!

Thinking of all of you as you travel to your summer fun spots.