DKB Adventures

Celebration of Dennis' Life Gathering is planned for August 1st

2009-04-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

I want to remember Dennis and all that was important to him. If you would like to write a memory or story or send a photo to help me put together a sequence of who he was, to those he touched, please send them to me at dkb1@cox.net.
We are planning a get-together on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at our home with any family and friends who are able to join us. Let me know if you will be coming.

The end of the DKB Adventures in the RV

2009-02-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

February 11, 2009 Dennis left this world to start his heavenly adventures, so this is the end of our journey around the United States in the RV.
We had a wonderful journey with many enjoyable adventures seeing people and places around the states. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. It was a trip of a lifetime for us both. May you also have many exciting adventures to share with us dear friends and relatives.
The End of our DKB Adventures.

Held up in Tallahassee, Florida

2009-01-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

We are still in Tallahassee, Florida with Derek, Roby and family. Dennis has had some serious medical problems and is currently in the hospital. We're hoping to stablize him so we can bring him back home soon. Julie, Tony, Jeanne and Gary (sisters and brothers-in-law) are here with us and are helping in many ways. Jeanne and Gary flew in from Portland, OR to help us drive the motorhome back to California. Julie and Tony came up from Fort Myers Beach to give us support and to visit us here since we didn't make it down there. Please keep Dennis in your prayers. We feel so blessed to be here with family to help us deal with these problems.

Christmas in Tallahassee with Precious Grandchildren

2009-01-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

Santa and his reindeer need a snack.

Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Christmas morning - opening packages.

Tutu and Barbie bicycle helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.

Rachel rides her new Barbie bike with flower pedals. Opps!! We forgot the helmet, etc.

Jacob can make the hoop roll.

Jared rides the wing scooter.

Holiday Preparations in Tallahassee

2008-12-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

The children loved decorating the tree with their favorite ornaments:

Decorating and eating sugar cookies became a big hit as Rachel ate as many as she decorated:

Jacob carefully decorated his creations:

Frosted sugar cookies galore:

Christmas Programs:

Rachel showing grandpa her new dress and slippery shoes:

Rachel in program.

Getting ready for concert:

Jared and Jacob with their classes in the concert:

Tallahassee, Florida

2008-11-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

Oven Park has fantastic Christmas lights:

A few shots of Jared's flag football game:

The Discovery Museum is a family favorite:
Jared and Jacob check hearing acuity and matching tones.

Levers and pulleys are always a challenge:

Jacob liked checking out the speed of throwing his ball.

Rachel liked building in the block area.

A wet ending to the Discovery Museum trip:

The Tallahassee Automobile Museum is much more than cars:

These animals are not so fierce when stuffed:

Horses took Rachel's fancy.

Jared still loves all kinds of cars.

This Elvismobile may join the museum:

Dennis remembers an old outboard motor his family used many years ago.

Gramma took Rachel to ballet class.

Grandpa and Gramma with the Tallahassee grandchildren.

The children liked the chocolate fountain more than anything.

Just one lick....

Sometimes it's fun to go all out and get involved in your work.

Thanksgiving with the family.
Jacob ate the whole drumstick himself.

A favorite park in Tallahassee:Dad and Rachel checking out the tire swing.

The rolling slide was a hit.

Rachel plays Queen of the Mountain

Daddy swings the tire way up high!

Leaf piles at home are lots of fun!

Jared studies the catalogs.

Derek and Rachel snuggle.
Jacob stopped for Gramma to take
a picture.

Rachel shows off her new fishing clothes.

Jared finishes his homework so he can play.

Jacob practices football with his team.

Dennis and Derek checking out a new camera.

Grandpa loves playing with his grandchildren.
Rachel waved in the winners with her checkered flag.
Jacob tried on his new pilot's hat.
Jared had to try out the walkie-talkie.
A walk with Roby and the grandchildren at the RV Park.

Jacksonville, FL

2008-11-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

Jacksonville, FL skyline:

The intercostal waterways go on and on along the coast:

Boy riding a dolphin statue entranced us.

The continuous white sand beaches seem to go on forever.

They even had some surfers here:

The winds were picking up in preparation for the freezing temperatures predicted for tonight. We are really feeling the coldest Florida has to offer.

St. Augustine, FL

2008-11-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

Castillo de San Marcos (This fort is one built by the Spanish with blocks of coquina after other materials in previous forts did not protect the people from intruders. This fort never was overpowered by attackers again. Changes were made through negotiations however.)

A boat trip in the Intercostal Waterways really appealed to us.

St. Augustine skyline from the water:

St. Augustine lighthouse.

Pelicans resting on a sand bar.

The bridge of lions is being reconstructed. (The lions will be returned when the new bridge is finished and then the temporary bridge will be torn down and used in some other city that needs a bridge.)

We almost missed our boat ride watching this crane pick up a concrete pumper truck off a barge and put it on the dock.
This old live oak tree is called the Old Senator.

Lightner Museum/Flagler College

There are many hotels like the Casa Monica and the former Ponce de Leon.

There are also many churches in this historic town such as the
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and
Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church

Villa Zorayda:
All the windows are different in this structure so the ghosts can't leave and find their way back into the house.

Magnolia street lined with overhanging live oak trees:

City gates: A life sized statue of pint sized Ponce de Leon.

Love tree: A palm tree entwined with a live oak.

Freestanding 208 foot stainless cross dominates the landscape here.

Savannah, GA

2008-11-14T18:51:00.001-08:00

Historic Savannah

We took a trolley tour of Historic Savannah and saw the 22 town squares and many colonial and victorian houses. The magenta house was across the border of where colors must be approved by the authorities in the historically preserved section.

Pirates house: This house had a free spirit painter:

Spanish moss hangs romantically on many trees though it isn't really a moss, but a bromeliad that grows hanging from tree branches. Little red bugs called chiggers often live in the moss especially after it touches the ground. Spanish moss has been used as stuffing for mattresses and if the chiggers were not removed they would bite those sleeping on the mattress and thus came the saying, “Sleep tight but don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Fire bell.

City Market:

Art Gallery on River Street

Cobblestone streets and brick riverwalk:

$5,000,000 gold top to the city hall:

Waving girl who waved at all the ships coming into port always looking for her sailor boyfriend who left but never returned.

Roses made from Palmetto palm fronds.

The Peacemaker was built in Brazil in 1989 and was a mixture of old and new:

Dennis at the helm:

Plush bedroom and dining room

Fort Pulaski with a moat and more cannons:

The church looks quite rustic doesn't it?

Charleston, SC

2008-11-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Fort Sumter National Monument is only accessible by boat.

Original bricks are weakening.

College sailing fleet practicing:

Central suspension Ravenel bridge over the Cooper River connects to the Atlantic ocean:

Tour boats go over to Fort Sumter

and we took the Spirit of Carolina:

Fort Sumter from the dock.

We had several trips over the Ravenel bridge from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston, SC.

View from the bridge:

Carriage ride through the historic district of Charleston:

Rooster in carriage barn.

Horse with roses in its mane.

The City Market

When the British came over to America they used stones as ballast then used them to make cobblestone streets . This is near where they once sold slaves.

Many houses have piazzas or verandas with separate entrances like this one:

Rainbow row has lots of colorfully painted houses:

Mansions in The Battery with vast piazzas, gardens and guest rooms. Some are now Bed and Breakfast Inns:

Several mansions have the his and hers steps going to the door.

Sampit River Harbor in Georgetown, SC

2008-11-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

Kaminski House on the Sampit River.

It was fun to go along the riverwalk. The sign said do not feed the alligators but we didn't even see one.

We found a little restaurant that had great Mahi Mahi and calamari. Dennis had one squid with a long tentacle.

Myrtle Beach, SC

2008-11-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

There is something for everyone at the beach.

Surf fishing at Ocean Lakes

Observation deck with long ramp for wheelchairs.

Gilbert and Lexington, SC

2008-11-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Our motorhome fit in the large driveway at Cousin Doug and Barb's beautiful home in Gilbert, SC

We visited with Aunt Marj. She really enjoys the door decoration Barb made for her and loves to pet Toby, Barb and Doug's dog.

Marj went out for lunch with Barb and Darla and said she felt like a queen.

Aunt Marj and cousin Doug Barb, Doug & Dennis

Doug let us take pictures of photos of his brother and his family. Check out Bruce with winter whiskers and Cousin Bruce with his six children

Lake Murray - earthen dam

Kudzu vines are invading some areas where it was introduced (from Japan) to help prevent soil erosion but is now out-of-control and engulfing telephone poles, trees, shrubs and grasslands.

Charlotte, NC - Visit with relatives

2008-11-04T18:44:00.001-08:00

We enjoyed a wonderful evening out in Charlotte, NC visiting with cousin Carol, her husband Robert, and with Aunt Bonnie .

Concord/Charlotte, NC - Lowe's Motor Speedway

2008-11-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Our camping spot was this close to the speedway so we had to go on the tour and feel the track.

There were 8 different tracks for various events.

Some race cars were still in the garage.

On our speedway ride up to 85 mph we experienced the 23% bank on the curve and then looked for the checkered flag but nobody was there to give us the wave. Oh well, it was fun nevertheless.

We're in the winner's circle here.

Richmond, VA and Jamestown, VA

2008-11-03T16:40:00.001-08:00

Dennis drove me around an area of Richmond, VA trying to find the Allman family house which we thought was at 810 Stuart Street. There was no such address but following are some photos of buildings in the area where we feel the house must have stood. It was a fun adventure but not as successful as we had hoped. Below is a hotel on one corner of Stuart Circle.

This is near where we think my mother used to live as a child. This is a church on Stuart Circle and Robert E. Lee in the center of Stuart Circle.

Stuart Avenue between 1800 and 1900.

We went exploring trying to find the home above that was my mother's childhood home in Richmond, VA. We couldn't find any house exactly like it but we think we found the adjacent neighborhood or a representative neighborhood with homes of similar styles like the one below. Below is as close as we came to finding the old house. This address was 1810 Park Avenue:

Stuart Street and Park Avenue met at a Y here. Our guess is that the Virginia Commonwealth University appropriated the house and land that used to be my mother's house and coverted it to University buildings. The University enveloped much of the area nearby. Stuart Street turned into Park Avenue and then the street was closed at the University in Richmond, VA.

Jamestown, VA

On the James River we inspected replicas of the three ships that brought the first English settlers to America.

Dennis peeking out of a ship's opening.

Indian Village at Jamestown.

Williamsburg, VA

2008-10-31T18:29:00.001-07:00

Folk Art Museum

Governor's Palace - note guns and swords used for decoration.

Palace framed by catalpa trees.

Well next to the govenor's bath house.

First Theater - Levingston's Play House to bring London plays to Williamsburg

Early capitol of Virginia.

Flute player performing.

Bruton Parish church

Air and Space Museum- Udvar-Hazy Center

2008-10-30T07:52:00.001-07:00

Observation tower give a great view of Dulles Airport.

Over 150 planes are displayed and more to come.

SR-71A Blackbird Reconnaissance Plane

Concord

Flying Tiger

Cockpit view

Kamikaze pilot's plane with no landing gear.

National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

2008-10-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

It was fun to watch one artist trying to emulate another as well as to study from originals of the master artists.

Washington D. C. and Arlington Cemetery

2008-10-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Dennis really froze waiting for the Tourmobile.

The capitol with all the congressmen and senators
out-of-town trying to save their jobs.

Dennis loved the Smithsonian

Aero Space Museum:

Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial were impressive from the Washington Monument

The White House is difficult to reach since security is heightened.

Washington Monument in all its glory.

We were bundled up with our Minnesota ski jackets since it was a cold and blustery day especially at the Washington Monument. This

was particularly difficult to accept when we see that it is in the 80s and 90s back home in southern California.

We paid particular attention to the the soldiers stones that form straight lines from all angles.

In Arlington Cemetery we had to wait for full military funeral to pass before completing our tour. No photos were allowed of the funeral but it was sobering and impressive.

The JFK eternal flame still burns.

Mount Vernon

2008-10-27T19:07:00.001-07:00

Potomac River behind Mount Vernon mansion

Denn with the back of the mansion behind him.

Gettysburg, PA

2008-10-23T16:46:00.003-07:00

Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address:

Musical instruments of the Civil War.

Black cannons used to shoot long distances.

Dennis pointing out remnants of gun shot holes in the bricks
Dennis is surveying the land at Little Round Top

A section of the 377 foot Cyclorama Painting restored into a 360 degree setting with 3-D effects, light and sound embellishments to make the battle almost come to life.

Diorama of the battlefields with miniatures.

Dennis warming up and resting after a busy day of checking out the battlefields of Gettysburg.

Philadelphia, PA

2008-10-21T17:36:00.001-07:00

Philadelphia skyline :

Valley Forge: Reconstructed hut for some of Washington's troops built during their winter encampment at Valley Forge

Unconcerned deer at Valley Forge

Liberty Bell

Inside Independence Hall

Row houses

Independence Hall

New Jersey Beaches: Atlantic City & Ocean City

2008-10-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

It was cold and windy on the boardwalk but we walked up and down and fortified ourselves with delicious treats such as carmel corn, taffy and chocolates.

Shriver's salt water taffy and fudge shop was a wonderful stop. It was warm inside too.

Small craft warnings were issued today.

The beaches still had the white sand remembered from years ago. The house we rented was no where to be found with all the replacements and additions over the past half century.

Atlantic City has lots of casinos. We walked through but didn't participate. They looked just like those in Las Vegas on the inside but not so smokey.

New York City, NY

2008-10-18T11:02:00.001-07:00

Taxis were everywhere and the honking fine ignored by most.

Views from the observation deck of the Empire State Bldg.

Chrysler Bldg. with chrome top.

Times Square
Times Square at dusk:

Empire State Bldg.

New York City: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

2008-10-18T10:31:00.001-07:00

Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
NYC from the ferry

Ellis Island

Lady Liberty from the front and the back.

Dennis still keeps in touch with Denny at BPP.

New Jersey Cousins and Friends

2008-10-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

We visited Sue and Bruno in Sparta.

More leaf peeping here.

Lynn, Denn & Darla visiting Teaneck, NJ

Cousins: Will, Julie, Lynn and Denn

Bar Harbor, ME Acadia National Park

2008-10-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS: Dennis found the camera between the seats in our car so we now have some photos of Bar Harbor, ME. (No camera for Plymouth Rock though)

Cadillac Mt.

Mystic, CT continued

2008-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

We had a sailboat ride out in Fisher Sound where we could see three states at one time, (RI, CT, NY).

The drawbridge raised up for tall boats to pass out the Mystic River to the ocean waters.

We enjoyed the house special Mystic Pizza.

They have lots of ways of moving boats around at Mystic Seaport. Here's one:

Printing on an old printing press was demonstrated here:

Dennis continues to show his love for all boats and anything nautical.

Maine -Conneticut

2008-10-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Mystic, CT

BAD NEWS: Took wonderful photos of Bar Harbor, ME but lost the camera so there are no photographs of this area or the wonderful lobster we ate. The clam chowder was excellent too.

GOOD NEWS: We bought a substitute camera and it is compatible with our charger and docking station so we can take more pictures:

Dennis with replica of smallest lighthouse on the east coast in the background.

Sabino steamboat ride around the area showed us the seaport village and draw bridge.
Charles W. Morgan boat getting ready to be restored. Note workers up on top of one of the masts.

Campground has some beautiful Sugar Maple trees at our site.

Vermont Adventures

2008-10-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

Maple Syrup Factory tour in St. Johnsbury, VT

Among the foliage we found Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory so had to have a taste or two.

More New York Adventures

2008-10-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Ferry Ride across Lake Champlain with RV and car from Port Kent, NY to Burlington, VT

Port KentWhiteface Mountain Ski Area

Port Kent, Port Kent, NY on Lake Champlain

P

Fall Foliage and Lake Placid, NY

2008-10-03T06:46:00.001-07:00

Views from the top of the ski jump were breathtaking.

Lake Placid, NY Olympic Jumping Complex

Ski jumping practice into the pool.

Niagara Falls, Canada

2008-09-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

Dining in the revolving restaurant in the Skylon

Tower gave terrific aerial views of the falls.

Behind the Falls

Up close to the falls in Maid of the Mist was very damp. Everyone was given a raincoat/poncho of sorts.

Maid of the Mist

Downtown Niagara Falls, Canada with the Skylon tower in view

Click on the arrow to see my attempt at a movie of the falls

Niagara Falls, NY

2008-09-18T17:53:00.001-07:00

Niagara Falls from the American side

Note the rainbow in front of Rainbow Bridge

The Henry Ford Museum and Ford Factory Tour in Dearborn, MI

2008-09-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

We jogged our memories of many things in the past.

Some exhibits were futuristic

Tour Bus to Ford Plant

The Henry Ford Greenfield Village Dearborn, MI

2008-09-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Dennis checked out all the tools and machines

Pressed flower picture

Making potato chips

Old Time Print Shop

Old Time Saw Mill
Tin Shop-making a cookie cutter

We enjoyed riding in Model T Fords

Frankenmuth, MI

2008-09-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

Bonner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth, MI where it is Christmas all year round.

Dennis loves his boats and whistles.

Bavarian Belle on the Cass River

Mackinac Island

2008-09-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

Horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the ways of travel on Mackinac Island. We took the carriage tour around the island. We visited the fort, tea room, cannon demonstration and ate our day through with fudge, carmel corn and ice cream.

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Ctr. Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

2008-09-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Bushplanes galore:

This fire tower was like a great kid's tree house.

Sault Saint Marie, Michigan/Canada

2008-09-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dennis on the Valley Camp freighter.

Darla by the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie

Dennis on walkway above Soo Lock doors
Denn at the controls
Two boats going through the locks. We went through the locks on a boat like the first boat.

Soo Locks

Locks with the International Bridge between Michigan & Canada in view.

Pictured Rocks at Munising, Michigan

2008-09-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Boat ride out of Munising, MI revealed gorgeous sandstone rock formations and colors.

Shawano Lake

2008-09-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Cottage similar to the ones rented long ago. The old marina is still there but with different owners.

New owners are running the local convenience store frequented by locals and tourists.

Shawano Lake and the bull rushes where the fish hide. County park with boat launch.

Visit with friends in Wausau, WS

2008-09-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

We saw lots of deer and wild turkeys in the woods behind us.
Ebony, the singing dog.

Wooden choir boys created long ago preserved and adapted by Paul & Sue Paul stood up at our wedding 44 years ago.

Visits with Tony & Julie

2008-09-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

Lindsey and Jessica trying on clothes.
Sunset on Upper Gresham Lake.

Tunnel from creek to Middle Gresham Lake. Brown family on a walk

Eagle's nest.

Steam rising in the morning.

On to Wisconsin

2008-09-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Opps! We got stuck in the sand near Bayfield.

Then we reached family in Wausau and Boulder Junction,WS.

Duluth, MN

2008-09-08T08:01:00.001-07:00

Brainerd, MN

2008-09-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Rice Lake with David and Bine.

Kids always help us have more fun.

2008-09-08T07:41:00.001-07:00

Matthew discovered the sprinkler game.

Ana loves to play with the hula hoop.
Isabella and Matthew played with puzzles.
Ron plays baseball with his grandsons.
Alex rode Dennis' mobility scooter like an expert.
The little guys had their own picnic.

Minneapolis

2008-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

We loved the boat rides on Lake Minnetonka.

Lake Owasso with the lily pads with pan fish. Locke Park with creek down to the Mississippi.

Logan Park in Fridley and a stop off at the Art Institute.

Boat ride on Minnetonka passing Lord Fletcher's. 35 W nearly rebuilt in downtown Mpls.

Minnesota Cousins

2008-09-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

First 3 weeks of adventures

2008-08-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

Kingsburg, CA

Sequoia National Park with Grizzly Falls and the giant sequoias.

Yosemite:

Mariposa, CA fire outside of Yosemite near our campsite.

Yosemite: El Capitan

Smoke over Mono Lake from the Mariposa fire.

Old Faithful erupting.

This bison owned the road.

Yellowstone Falls

Dragon's cauldron.

Devils Tower

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally spread into all the neighboring towns and states.

S.D. Mt. Rushmore and Custer

Mt. Rushmore and Custer, SD

Crazy Horse sculpture in S.D. and hail storm.

Hail storm prevented us from going any closer to Crazy Horse. This poor deer was startled that we were on his road.

Wall Drug in Wall, SD

The Badlands:

Mitchell, SD

Corn Palace

Indian Dig Site

Sioux Falls, SD

Grandmother's previous homes in Sioux Falls, SD.

Cousin Violet at 93 years young.

Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD

Minneapolis, MN

Dennis shares his toys with the little guys.

Alex, Chip and Matthew helping us enjoy lots of activities.

We are visiting at Ron & Dodie's home on Lake Minnetonka.

Former Glen Creek Road home in Fridley.

Former White Bear Lake home in Mahtomedi.

Dennis is checking out the view from our former home on White Bear Lake.

The first lake where our boys went fishing among the lily pads.

Oregon Trip 1-C Jeanne and Gary

2008-07-19T21:02:00.001-07:00

Gary and Jeanne thought we'd like to see Astoria via the trolley ride.

We have to check out all the harbors and boats along the way.

Dennis' favorite spot was right here.

This is wood duck haven.

Plenty of room to park the motor home.

Oregon Trip 1-B

2008-07-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

The weather challenged our thin blood but the motor home was steady on the wet roads.

Oregon's heavy winds did lots of damage that was still apparent.

We caught a glimpse of Mt. Shasta.

Snow was in the Cascade range too.

Sunsets are always relaxing.

The Oregon coast was breath taking.

We drove around the Oregon coastline.

Oregon Trip 1

2008-07-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Trial trip in the motorhome was up to Oregon to visit two sisters. We stopped off in Portland to see Sheri, Rhonda and Amy.
Sheri and girls are checking out the motorhome.

It was a cold spring in Oregon with snow, rain, hail, sleet and wind. These are a few of the flakes we experienced.

4th of July

2008-07-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Madison and Sarah had a great time with party pops.
Boats were all decorated for the 4th of July boat parade. Here's our Islamare Queen paddle wheel boat.

Welcome to our Blog

2008-05-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

We are about to start on our RV adventures. Beginning July 18, 2008 we'll start our motorhome adventures across the United States to visit family, friends and special interest spots. This blog is intended to keep our dear ones posted on our whereabouts and adventures.

Our test run for the RV was a trip to visit sisters in Portland and Warrenton, Oregon then to visit brother, Bill, in San Francisco.