tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87370035240674332612024-03-05T16:01:31.362-05:00Hurley TravelsGlad you stopped in at Hurley Travels! This blog shares our journey through life; adventures, everyday happenings, smiles and frowns, trials and triumphs. We hope to hear from you along the way!Jerry and Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03451709136031477888noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-73922423665085110442016-09-09T23:22:00.000-04:002016-09-09T23:22:02.696-04:00It's No Big Deal - Just Another Day Jerry always says birthdays are "just another day." So I think it's appropriate that I take a moment for a short and sweet post on his 74th birthday. The other night we had a surprise visit from Tim who delivered this nice birthday cake along with one of his dad's favorite refreshments, Bushmills<br />
Of course, we lit the candles and poured a drink and had a few laughs. 74 is still fun.<br />
Thanks Tim. <br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-87010441266281854582016-05-22T20:45:00.003-04:002016-05-22T20:45:30.065-04:00Waking Up Hurley Travels With A Quick Recap I didn’t really break up Hurley Travels, it just took a year-long vacation. (Something close to a quote from The Eagles Reunion Tour, right?) I’ve had a hiatus to consider how, or whether, this personal corner of the world should carry on. The decision --- I’m not ready to call it quits at Hurley Travels just yet. It’s still fun to take a look back in the blog history every now and then, especially since my recollection abilities are just a little fuzzier than they used to be. If you get my drift. Time for a wake-up call!<br />
So what’s been happening? We’ve been busy with living, doing whatever happens to us retired folk. There are many distractions, from house projects to travel to hobbies to family to family history, or just foolin around. During this blogging break I did occasionally mull over the moments that I’d want to add to the blog. Some of those posts are still stuck in my head, I guess. But don’t worry…there won’t be any novelettes written in these pages. I thought I’d have some fun with a sample of the past year in photos and keep the rhetoric simple. Here goes with the high spots:<br />
<i><b> Summer 2015:</b></i><br />
<i><b> -- </b>The <b>Cleveland Irish Fest</b> </i>with our friends, Mike and Suzanne Flynn, was a super weekend in July of song, reminiscing, tattoos for the ladies, tshirts for the guys and refreshments of our choice.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6_upaep2o6E/V0I6cAnizbI/AAAAAAACd-w/4KP6T88JIfY/s1600-h/Cleveland%252520Irish%252520Fest%2525202015%252520%2525281%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cleveland Irish Fest 2015 (1)" border="0" height="165" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vbe5tcvLS-U/V0I6c7EqNBI/AAAAAAACd-0/VVYMrgdDqPg/Cleveland%252520Irish%252520Fest%2525202015%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 3px auto 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cleveland Irish Fest 2015 (1)" width="289" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7BCY6t9bSo4/V0I6d2vLK6I/AAAAAAACd-4/cqcRL9HAijE/s1600-h/Cleveland%252520Irish%252520Fest%2525202015%252520%25252838%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cleveland Irish Fest 2015 - Nancy and Suzanne take an afternoon plunge into the tattoo world!" border="0" height="166" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vo5KTtURi3Q/V0I6eSOgwSI/AAAAAAACd-8/w2ysyuBYCl4/Cleveland%252520Irish%252520Fest%2525202015%252520%25252838%252529_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cleveland Irish Fest 2015 - Nancy and Suzanne take an afternoon plunge into the tattoo world!" width="290" /></a><br />
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--- <b><i>Jerry and I went into the farming</i></b> arena last summer. Well I guess it was dipping maybe one toe into that arena. We grew two kinds of tomatoes and two kinds of peppers in containers in our back yard. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KErE8iJoqrw/V0I6fAeYReI/AAAAAAACd_A/nEZG1agBdLs/s1600-h/Hurley%252520Vegetable%252520Growing%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525285%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Hurley Vegetable Growing, 2015 (5)" border="0" height="260" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLi-swEBi74/V0I6frIquCI/AAAAAAACd_E/JKYdecOyeLE/Hurley%252520Vegetable%252520Growing%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 5px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hurley Vegetable Growing, 2015 (5)" width="251" /></a> Actually, the plants produced a good many veggies and they were delicious. We especially liked the cherry tomatoes’ juicy flavor. And we could share them since our plant was plentiful. There was also an added bonus. Marti did a fabulous job of canning the peppers and we had spicey treats for a while after.</div>
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<b> <i>Indiana State Fair, August 2015:</i></b><br />
<i><b> </b>--- </i>Krissy and I had a lot of fun lapping up all the State Fair offerings. We visited with horses, pigs, llamas, goats, rabbits and other appropriate animals. We perused the handmade quilts, clothes and artwork submissions. And it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t visit the farm equipment. And, of course, we had to try enough fried food to last us another year. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N8zmbGsKv4A/V0I6gYNqT4I/AAAAAAACd_I/eXwXcin5cM0/s1600-h/Indiana%252520State%252520Fair%25252C%252520Aug%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525285%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Indiana State Fair, Aug, 2015 - Krissy gives a treat to an adorable Pigmy goat." height="218" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Do9S_LruH9E/V0I6hIERxMI/AAAAAAACd_M/wXE3ZIozW2k/Indiana%252520State%252520Fair%25252C%252520Aug%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Indiana State Fair, Aug, 2015 - Krissy gives a treat to an adorable Pigmy goat." width="388" /></a><br />
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<i><b> Jerry’s Birthday, September 2</b></i>:<br />
--- It’s always fun for Tim to get his Dad out acting like a kid. On Jerry’s birthday Tim talked him into taking a spin on one of their ATV’s. These pics remind me of how our roles reverse as we and our children get older. Jerry made a quick trip around the yard and had us all laughing, of course.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJaUNGD9eaM/V0I6lm7YJtI/AAAAAAACd_o/q3Ox5nvyRLo/s1600-h/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525286%252529%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (6)" height="282" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4yZ97fm_FRs/V0I6mEbc7KI/AAAAAAACd_s/W5roEB2-9v8/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 6px 2px 0px;" title="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (6)" width="159" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tymGRDy2wiE/V0I6mkW5udI/AAAAAAACd_w/W9oCXQcS97s/s1600-h/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525285%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (5)" height="256" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vfoItG_keyA/V0I6nMRVMKI/AAAAAAACd_0/cc-Ml1WvNGY/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 2px 7px;" title="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (5)" width="160" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IvSU3C3Pr9s/V0I6nlSD9xI/AAAAAAACd_4/Cltj3fw53RM/s1600-h/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (2)" height="277" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s7PqP2Rkgsk/V0I6ofTh_mI/AAAAAAACd_8/kk_xdQFAHP0/Riding%252520ATVs%252520at%252520Tim%252520Hurley%252527s%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 2px;" title="Riding ATVs at Tim Hurley's (2)" width="156" /></a><br />
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<b><i>Our Wedding Anniversary, September:</i></b><br />
--- September 30th was <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fp1bX2qQZGw/V0I6o4Dd9TI/AAAAAAACeAA/SJ0okgJ1lDU/s1600-h/20150930_142118%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="20150930_142118" border="0" height="237" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2Tnuo5nikg/V0I6pj0UN4I/AAAAAAACeAE/BTVIJPIU8N8/20150930_142118_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20150930_142118" width="395" /></a>our 15th wedding anniversary. We decided to explore around home for the day, find totally new places to experience. In this picture I'm standing outside Mama Irma’s Peruvian Cafe in Fountain Square. I can’t remember our exact menu choices, but everything was tasty, fresh and fun. The waiter helped us<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eynOHvoWJp4/V0I6qbVFjPI/AAAAAAACeAI/vIgBeEbSFJc/s1600-h/20150930_133521%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="20150930_133521" border="0" height="165" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-owXDaWzQVQQ/V0I6rEdXDdI/AAAAAAACeAM/uSSQneDZ-EU/20150930_133521_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20150930_133521" width="275" /></a> to get a good sampling for our first Peruvian food.<br />
Then, with our tummies full, we took a tour of two downtown Indy spots. The art gallery in an old branch bank was new to us and we saw some interesting local artists’ work. Then, we also roamed through the Midland Antique Mall for a dose of old treasures.<br />
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<b><i>November in the Southwest, 2015:</i></b><br />
<b><i> --- </i></b>What can I say about the chance to visit our good friends, Jerry and Dee Thomas and Mary Jo Wallen. We decided to make this trip to the Southwest by car, taking our time and stopping at a few old favorite places. Besides, Jerry wanted to see Lucas, Kansas, again – the Grassroots Art Center of the world. (In our minds anyway!)<br />
We did notice the difference on this trip in hotels rather than in a motorhome, with your own bed and your stuff. But we found good stopover places, especially our three days in Santa Fe. One very important stop was in Albuquerque, New Mexico to see Mary Jo. We’ve been friends for soooooo long and it’s always good to get some face-to-face time. <br />
Then, we arrived at our November spot with Jerry and Dee, and special four-legged buddy, Jaxon, in Congress, Arizona. We had about three weeks of doing whatever; sometimes just looking at the beautiful desert scenery out our back door. The evenings were filled with laughing and sharing. Always a treat to have time with these nice people and other special RVing friends there at North Ranch. I have somehow missplaced the photos from New Mexico-Arizona 2015. So I’m going to do some flashbacks. These oldies are fun anyway! <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lyya2o2C04I/V0I6rlds4sI/AAAAAAACeAQ/NrG6lPNYYbA/s1600-h/Visiting%252520Mary%252520Jo%25252C%252520New%252520Mexico%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Nancy and Mary Jo, New Mexico, 2012" height="221" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EvaSqDnb51U/V0I6sdeA83I/AAAAAAACeAU/bFsQ_KvuD9U/Visiting%252520Mary%252520Jo%25252C%252520New%252520Mexico_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nancy and Mary Jo, New Mexico, 2012" width="294" /></a><br />
<b><i><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t5683MGhMN8/V0I6s9C8JjI/AAAAAAACeAY/vpZyZAmuW5A/s1600-h/Jaxon%252520Christmas%2525202012%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jerry Thomas with Jaxon, Christmas out in the desert, 2012." height="265" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qoyi8o6LbrQ/V0I6tZq5kBI/AAAAAAACeAc/mQNYuThoBEY/Jaxon%252520Christmas%2525202012_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 2px;" title="Jerry Thomas with Jaxon, Christmas out in the desert, 2012" width="199" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--N7mho9e5QM/V0I6u_dgjYI/AAAAAAACeAg/h_Awa878sR8/s1600-h/Wickenburg%25252C%252520AZ%252520Dee%252520Jerry%252520%2525281%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dee Thomas and Jerry Hurley taking a break while on a four-wheeling adventure, Wickenburg, AZ, 2013" height="202" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ngmjnLSOLk/V0I6vcdEIMI/AAAAAAACeAk/xqRteuiGMJc/Wickenburg%25252C%252520AZ%252520Dee%252520Jerry%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 4px;" title="Dee Thomas and Jerry Hurley taking a break while on a four-wheeling adventure, Wickenburg, AZ, 2013" width="270" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CVPmNjMJBuA/V0I6wDDqlCI/AAAAAAACeAo/4xzgFNvBgU8/s1600-h/Wickenburg%25252C%252520AZ%25252C%252520Trail%252520Jan%2525202013%252520%2525281%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Trail Fun near Wickenburg, AZ, Jan 2013, Bill and Barb, Jerry and Dee, Jerry and Nancy " height="210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O8saznqXoJE/V0I6wsljp6I/AAAAAAACeAs/R7ahuLhCy6Q/Wickenburg%25252C%252520AZ%25252C%252520Trail%252520Jan%2525202013%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Trail Fun near Wickenburg, AZ, Jan 2013, Bill and Barb, Jerry and Dee, Jerry and Nancy " width="280" /></a></i></b><br />
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<b><i> </i></b> <b><i>Christmas, 2015</i></b></div>
<b><i> --- </i></b>We
enjoyed having family and friends at our home at Christmas time! Below
are a few of those smiles that add joy to this time of year. First,
Granddaughter Caroline with her cousins, Lila, Jude and Ava Chamberlain
gathered to create this beautiful moment. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2UuhNKCJB70/V0I6hwhuuLI/AAAAAAACd_Q/bPRPcg5Ofbs/s1600-h/Hurley%252520Christmas%2525202015%252520%2525288%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hurley Christmas 2015:Caroline Fairfax, Lila Chamberlain, Jude Chamberlain, Ava Chamberlain" border="0" height="222" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_Dai8me2DY/V0I6iZluGoI/AAAAAAACd_U/lJamXcA00IU/Hurley%252520Christmas%2525202015%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hurley Christmas 2015: Caroline Fairfax, Lila Chamberlain, Jude Chamberlain, Ava Chamberlain" width="394" /></a><br />
--- Then I'm adding a totally clowning, jiggly pic from the other
Christmas event. Captured below are my nephew Alan with Krissy (adult
cousins in the back), and a few of the youngsters in the Niehaus clan.
In the front are my sister Linda’s grandchildren: Eli Marcum, Madison
May, Annabelle Marcum and Madelyn Marcum. <br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IlKIGc5SmJ4/V0I6jMOexmI/AAAAAAACd_Y/7tn6aEqJELk/s1600-h/Niehaus%252520Christmas%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525283%252529%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niehaus Christmas, 2015 (3)" border="0" height="227" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-adaDUs2n5ag/V0I6jop64PI/AAAAAAACd_c/827uJsW7VnA/Niehaus%252520Christmas%25252C%2525202015%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niehaus Christmas, 2015 (3)" width="404" /></a><br />
--- Lastly for the holiday photos: My sisters and I - Nancy Hurley,
Linda May and Marti Fleetwood. We ate to our hearts content, played
cards, shared stories and presents and loved our family time.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ePshl0_4_lY/V0I6kYlHQ2I/AAAAAAACd_g/OQMMUE0sw6k/s1600-h/Niehaus%252520Christmas%25252C%2525202015%252520%25252830%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niehaus Christmas, 2015: Sisters, Nancy Hurley, Linda May, Marti Fleetwood" border="0" height="251" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dLZtTuw643M/V0I6k6lrVYI/AAAAAAACd_k/fCrIgo-WBrg/Niehaus%252520Christmas%25252C%2525202015%252520%25252830%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 3px auto 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niehaus Christmas, 2015: Sisters, Nancy Hurley, Linda May, Marti Fleetwood" width="335" /></a><br />
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<b><i> Caribbean Cruise with My Sis, January, 2016:</i></b><br />
--- Lin and I took a seven-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, Belize City and Roatan, Honduras in January. Saw beautiful undersea sites snorkeling, road a submarine 100 feet down, and toured the fascinating Mayan Ruins. The Caribbean Princess food was fantastic and we had a fabulous time on our sisters cruise. Even played some bingo and musical trivial pursuit on the ship!<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t2E-_Z0Wsq4/V0I6xcZBzOI/AAAAAAACeAw/iSg7JvIc7uc/s1600-h/2%25252C%252520Aboard%252520the%252520Caribbean%252520Princess%252520%25252825%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lin and Nancy on the deck of the Caribbean Princess, leaving the dock in Houston in style." height="199" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xF0X0qhpJHM/V0I6yz2PTsI/AAAAAAACeA0/1RzkNYUip_Q/2%25252C%252520Aboard%252520the%252520Caribbean%252520Princess%252520%25252825%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lin and Nancy on the deck of the Caribbean Princess, leaving the dock in Houston in style." width="354" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aGL2Ro4GsH4/V0I6zo01n-I/AAAAAAACeA4/tS8sAQJ10YQ/s1600-h/Roatan%25252C%252520Honduras%252520%25252822%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Roatan, Honduras while we were on our snorkeling trip. " height="262" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u-I2lgqiusI/V0I60IckxuI/AAAAAAACeA8/d3vz11KqbXo/Roatan%25252C%252520Honduras%252520%25252822%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto 0px;" title="Roatan, Honduras while we were on our snorkeling trip. " width="349" /></a><br />
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<b>Sunny February Visits in Florida:</b><br />
<b> --- <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FcasWlPjsbc/V0I60jEeMJI/AAAAAAACeBA/nLLldIkMNnQ/s1600-h/20160210_171705%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Margie Hurley and Nancy Hurley, having some time together in her new home near Orlando, FL." border="0" height="188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUM5n6iExcg/V0I62DW4wVI/AAAAAAACeBE/_GyIxCgPHD0/20160210_171705_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Margie Hurley and Nancy Hurley, having some time together in her new home near Orlando, FL" width="320" /></a> </b>We escaped the cold for a couple of weeks in February. It was nice to visit Margie (Hurley) in her new home near Orlando. We got to meet her special friend, George and let them show us around their local area. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cLbW6ftKG4o/V0I6582ZFNI/AAAAAAACeBI/ipsMPTqh55E/s1600-h/20160217_164950%25255B28%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Nancy and Karen on the beach in Clearwater, Florida, February 2016. We enjoyed music, drinks, snacks and great conversation at a spot on the beach where we have gone in times past." border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VAGUdQeriMg/V0I66gRGmDI/AAAAAAACeBM/JuMP5BCp1Is/20160217_164950_thumb%25255B25%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy and Karen on the beach in Clearwater, Florida, February 2016. We enjoyed music, drinks, snacks and great conversation at a spot on the beach where we have gone in times past" width="243" /></a></div>
Then we made our way west to the gulf coast to see Karen again in Clearwater. We were just in time to help Karen adjust to her retirement. In fact we were there for her first Monday away. And I think she got into it very quickly! She's now excited to have more time for biking, walking and movies with her Dad.<br />
This Florida escape had another special ingredient. Jerry escorted all of us ladies wherever we chose to go, to good restaurants, for drinks at waterview spots, to shop in quaint places, listen to music or walk on the beach. <br />
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<b><i>March through May, 2016, More Momentos:</i></b><br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90W9qBg3PPM/V0I67IfxLqI/AAAAAAACeBQ/0VVs6LzvPdE/s1600-h/IMG_0559%25255B10%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" alt="Krissy Underwood and Darrell Bragg, Sweet!" border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ru0fl0QvrHA/V0I67szJgXI/AAAAAAACeBU/TnPSUM3dC_0/IMG_0559_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 37px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Krissy Underwood and Darrell Bragg, Sweet!" width="246" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZE5H2P2Pe5Y/V0I68dUCkGI/AAAAAAACeBY/yZcGjZZufSM/s1600-h/IMG_0554%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> --- I’ll bring this year-long post to a conclusion with comments
on a pleasant birthday I had in March. Krissy and Darrell (her special
friend) created a fantastic meal of baked Tilapia, asparagus with
hollandaise sauce and rice with almonds and served Jerry and I at Krissy's place. There was even a special creamy
birthday tart with berries.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZE5H2P2Pe5Y/V0I68dUCkGI/AAAAAAACeBY/yZcGjZZufSM/s1600-h/IMG_0554%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" alt="Cream cheese tart with raspberries and blackberries for Nancy's Birthday, March 19, 2016." border="0" height="152" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-srZ2SYuCsJ4/V0I682cCLKI/AAAAAAACeBc/mfbL0FwkJho/IMG_0554_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 44px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cream cheese tart with raspberries and blackberries for Nancy's Birthday, March 19, 2016" width="200" /></a> Krissy and I are still enjoying her gift of yoga lessons together. Mother’s Day and Krissy’s May birthday would be worthy
additions to this year’s recap. They all go into our memories vault forever. <br />
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Well, that’s enough for one helping of Hurley Travels. I have to go check on Jerry now to see what he might have up his sleeve. There may be some surprises here in the future. Hello to everyone from both of us. Thanks for taking the time to stop by Hurley Travels. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"> <i><b><span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Comic Sans MS;"> Nancy Hurley</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Copyright (c) 2016, Nancy Hurley</span></span><b><span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Comic Sans MS;"> </span></b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-61487684340109296052015-05-22T00:14:00.000-04:002015-05-22T00:14:56.989-04:00Friends and Family History Fun -- From Indy to St. Charles How<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-58CwU8gao9s/VV6fw7Q8X7I/AAAAAAAB5cw/PLKnZoC9-5o/s1600-h/Moore%2525201%25255B32%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Girls: Jan Moore and Nancy Hurley; Guys: Chuck Moore and Jerry Hurley." border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yWLWkYrb5o0/VV6fxuwMowI/AAAAAAAB5c4/EAmDhJzu8ak/Moore%2525201_thumb%25255B26%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 3px 12px 3px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Girls: Jan Moore and Nancy Hurley; Guys: Chuck Moore and Jerry Hurley. Nice to have these friends visiting. May 11, 2015." width="193" /></a> fortunate we are to keep our old friends and to make new ones. Jerry and I enjoyed both these past two weeks. We were glad that it worked out for our RVing friends, Chuck and Jan Moore, to stop overnight as they traveled through Indiana. Their motorhome nestled perfectly on the street alongside our house as we all enjoyed an afternoon, evening and morning of talk, laughter, meals and libations. The four of us are Midwesterners, turned RV wanderers who met in the Southwest about six years ago. Somewhere along the road we discovered that not only did we have exploring in our RVs in common, but we were mutually involved in family history research. This visit included time reminiscing a little about RVing and getting caught up on family and friends. After all, we're still interested in who's on-the-road, who's got a new rig, where everyone's been boon docking, what the Boomers are up to and who's decided to buy some additional type of "home,"and where's the next stop. <br />
That evening, after sharing a scrumptious chicken casserole that Krissy made as a surprise, complimented by Chuck's homemade sour dough bread and Jan's yummy carrot cake, we got our brains fired up on genealogy research. There are always stories to share of those ancestors that are tough to unlock and those that we've gotten to know better lately. And the latest news is that Chuck's getting closer to publishing a history for their grandchildren. So, Jerry and I were interested to see the draft of his ideas. But wait just a minute, now Chuck and Jan are getting deeper into ancestry.com. The discoveries of more censuses and marriages and all kinds of connections are growing. I'm sure the story will jell soon though. And it'll be the right time to publish. Meanwhile, it helps to brainstorm with friends on how to create a story that appeals to everyone in our families. Something they'll read beyond the introduction and the conclusion. You know….the story has to have some zing!<br />
The time flew by. Since I was leaving the next morning for a family history conference in St. Charles, MO., the four of us made the most of our time. Of course, in the morning we enjoyed another chat<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8USvmmAUgU/VV6fyYTgkqI/AAAAAAAB5dA/IiP_dLXwcrc/s1600-h/20150514_191012%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Daniel Boone sculpture in St. Charles, Missouri, by Harry Weber." border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vPiu1iH8A3w/VV6fy-AU0gI/AAAAAAAB5dI/GSvfXWlIvL0/20150514_191012_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="316" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 3px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy Hurley with Daniel Boone sculpture in St. Charles, Missouri, by Harry Weber. May 14, 2015." width="180" /></a> over coffee and sour dough toast. The Moores headed to the Cincinnati area to explore a few family connections there and visit more friends. (They had a serendipity occurrence - <a href="http://cjmoorenews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read it here.)</a><br />
I took I-70 West toward Missouri, on a jaunt toward improving my research skills. My five days at the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference were interesting and fun, too. I still haven't sorted through all of my notes from the 16 programs I chose - a wide selection - from German Digital Libraries to What Is "Reasonably Exhaustive Research?" I'm now a little better at digging deeper and proving those family ties though. A valuable part of the conference for me were the 30-minute breaks between sessions. It seemed that these longer breaks sparked conversations as we waited for the speaker. Someone sitting next to me would comment about the last <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cuDD_ceuSwA/VV6fz-EknQI/AAAAAAAB5dQ/kWBrHzGVszI/s1600-h/20150514_190554%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Louis Blanchette home, St. Charles, Missouri." border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qiUoEPc5r0/VV6f0svzM4I/AAAAAAAB5dY/3hxY87787W0/20150514_190554_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="181" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 3px 8px 3px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Louis Blanchette home, St. Charles, Missouri." width="320" /></a>session they attended and we'd end up sharing a tip or two, or a website or discussing some research experience. <br />
Another bonus for me was that I met some new friends who are willing to help and listen and laugh all the while. These historians came from every state, California to Iowa to Virginia to Tennessee and, of course, Indiana. One especially nice friend, Marsha, invited me to tag along with her for dinner and whatever. Three or four of us sampled restaurants and roamed in the historic old section of St. Charles, or relaxed in the hotel for happy hour and dinner. In the photo above I'm listening to Daniel Boone, a local favorite, during one of our explorations into St. Charles. (By the way, this sculpture is by Harry Weber - no relation to my Harry Webers, but isn't that ironic!). Lewis & Clark were abundantly celebrated here, of course, as it was an important stop on their Expedition. The park in their honor is on the Missouri River running through St. Charles. This little town was founded by Louis Blanchette, a French fur trader, in 1769 and the tiny house in the photo above is his. A local told me that this is the original house,<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJRZMr0IMdU/VV6rno1dsEI/AAAAAAAB5d4/LItrvz0A-Js/s1600-h/20150516_132657%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Robert and Marsha as we said so long on the last day of the NGS conference, May 16, 2015." border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1J_ekyw5Rw/VV6ropBCMcI/AAAAAAAB5eA/i01CHDNRuyI/20150516_132657_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="181" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 3px 36px 3px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Robert and Marsha as we said so long on the last day of the NGS conference, May 16, 2015." width="320" /></a> with a few repairs. It's among many historic homes that line the cobblestone streets.<br />
Well, my story here started with nice people in Indianapolis, taking time to share our latest experiences with Jan and Chuck. And I'll end it with a couple of newer friends, also sharing camaraderie. Here are Robert and Marsha, from Tennessee and Virginia. None of us knew each other before the NGS conference, but we hit it off right away and found commonalities in life that kept us engaged during our time in St. Charles. <br />
<span style="color: #9b00d3; font-family: DejaVu Serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Thanks for spending your time here at Hurley Travels.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #9b00d3; font-family: DejaVu Serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Nancy</b></i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Copyright 2015 © Nancy Niehaus Hurley</span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-14948344175912722302015-05-10T19:15:00.000-04:002015-05-10T21:37:46.627-04:00Spring Celebrations <b><i>Krissy's Birthday: </i></b>What's better to kick off spring but a gardening show! Since Krissy is totally into sprucing up the outside of her new home, I thought she might like that idea. An event at Heritage Park in Fishers fell right into our plans for celebrating her birthday this past Sunday. Being in a nice garden is a great start and if we learned to be better growers, that would be a bonus. <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DiqmxZMF7k/VU7IBJ2Ea4I/AAAAAAAB5XY/Uzpz6Xbu9Z8/s1600-h/20150503_134609%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="20150503_134609" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UrD8hgw9LbQ/VU7IB254wHI/AAAAAAAB5Xg/jkVYV3PLa6g/20150503_134609_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="348" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 3px 18px 3px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20150503_134609" width="297" /></a> But what we weren't interested in was a lecture-type event. So we decided we'd check it out first, thinking we could reject the idea at the last minute if we didn't get the warm fuzzies.<br />
Fortunately, as soon as we got out of our car we saw people leisurely hanging out on the grounds of this historic home in casual conversations. And we seemed to have great timing, too, because the master gardener we met at the entrance was a lovely person. Shirley greeted us in her pleasant British accent, with a huge smile. She asked if we had anything specific we'd like to know about gardening. From there on, Shirley walked and talked with just the two of us, giving ideas and demos as we came to various shrubs, trees and flowers. She showed us how to plant and prune and position. And she gave Krissy some tips to keep her just-planted, acidic-loving bushes happy. Very laid back, but informative! <br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LCPamL7VJ8w/VU2cDbQ9iSI/AAAAAAAB5XA/XD2IoMRi45A/s1600-h/Andromeda%2525204%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Andromeda at Heritage Park , Fishers, IN, 2015." border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gfd8tCWu6pE/VU2cEHJSH-I/AAAAAAAB5XI/RNnuKPhOrZg/Andromeda%2525204_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="363" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 3px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Andromeda at Heritage Park , Fishers, IN, 2015." width="414" /></a> Thinking about the variety of plants we saw along our path, my top choice for the afternoon would be this Andromeda. Maybe you can see in the picture how the bright crimson leaves spray out of the layers of green under them. Each one of the limbs of this small shrub has its own green and red bottle-brush of leaves. They are beautiful! And Shirley explained that there are flowers earlier in the spring that drape in long fronds out of the center of those red leaves. <br />
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But....we also had an ironic experience during our visit with Shirley in the gardens. We were about half way through our sunny tour when we heard a loud rumbling somewhere overhead. Everyone looked up to see a formation of about 12 historic airplanes flying over our heads. After they were passed, Shirley remarked that it reminded her of when she was young, living near London during World War II during the Blitz. She described darkening their windows and the warnings they received if they left a crack of light. She remembers that even though they lived miles outside London they had to be ready to be hit. If there were bombs left after hitting the assigned targets, the bombers might just drop them anywhere.<br />
Just as she was describing how the bombers made the first fly over to scout their target and the second to drop their bombs, the array of airplanes roared overhead again going back to wherever. It was a unique coincidence that just at that point in time we were standing there with her to hear her stories. Very interesting! <br />
We did squeeze some shopping into our birthday afternoon, too. On the route home to meet Jerry for dinner was a consignment/estate sale barn that called to us. The place was packed with furniture, art, jewelry, etc. Krissy found a sleek, mahogany, arts & craftsy-type coffee table that was meant to be hers. (After measuring at home, she made the return trip to grab it.) At the end of our escapades, we were starved. We let Jerry take us out for an early dinner, enjoying the rest of this nice spring day on the patio at a local restaurant. <br />
<b><i>Mother's Day: </i></b>Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies who are mothers of any kind. I hope you had a pleasant day. Mine was fantastic! Krissy prepared a delicious brunch of ham frittata, fennel salad and lemon pound cake with raspberry glaze. The three of us toasted motherhood with mimosas and enjoyed an excellent meal and our time together. There were a few spring showers today, but they didn't dampen anything going on inside.<br />
To top off this Mother's Day, I've chosen to dig up a couple of generational photos for some flashback fun. Here's my mom, Rosemary (Weber) Niehaus with her mom, Tillie (Kuhn) Weber and me, Nancy (Niehaus) Hurley with my daughter, Krissy Underwood. <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CKNB1eMEzE4/VU7IFY6jEuI/AAAAAAAB5X4/OGgio6ITQd8/s1600-h/1937%252520Mom%252520%252526%252520Grandma%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1937 Mom & Grandma" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MfdC1GjK86c/VU7IF1eRHVI/AAAAAAAB5YA/7XYMtFoY6gk/1937%252520Mom%252520%252526%252520Grandma_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 2px auto;" title="1937 Mom & Grandma" width="190" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2H6z9tLQRi4/VU7IHObdHSI/AAAAAAAB5YI/8u2Yvi4alAQ/s1600-h/Underwood%25252C%252520Nancy%252520Krissy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Underwood, Nancy Krissy" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V0a_RBPol3A/VU7IH4gUxMI/AAAAAAAB5YQ/GHe93viZ0U0/Underwood%25252C%252520Nancy%252520Krissy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="260" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 2px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Underwood, Nancy Krissy" width="211" /></a><br />
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<i><span style="color: #9b00d3; font-family: Palatino Linotype;"><b>Have a beautiful Spring! Thanks for staying with us here on Hurley Travels.</b></span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-42113346832038096852015-03-25T23:35:00.001-04:002015-03-26T00:02:40.849-04:00March Developments<p>     March usually does bring a few surprises, or maybe I should say developments.  Regardless, we've marched through it and the crocuses are sprouting in our front yard.  I'm energized and ready to bring things up to date on Hurley Travels. There is a bit more to say here than I usually do in one post.  You know how life goes….one thing after another. No time to write the Hurley Travels blog. (Insert smirk or smile.) But anyway, let's march on. </p> <p>    The contrasts in the photos I'm posting below are typical of the "in like a lion, out like a lamb" unpredictability of March in Indiana - sunny and 70 degrees - then snowing and 30 degrees the next day. Having friendly family shovelers and hiring the neighborhood teenager with a snow blower helped so much during this winter's weather.  At this stage in life we have become excellent supervisors.   This month has had several of those ins and outs of climate.  The two scenes below are within a few days of each other:   <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K8DMbZETK-M/VRN-Z-5BFeI/AAAAAAAB5Gg/1pOBxlJKqLE/s1600-h/20150301_140935%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img title="Our yard was a winter wonderland as the snow came down hard and heavy. We found the local teen who did a great job of clearing a path." style="float: none; margin: 2px auto; display: block" alt="Our yard was a winter wonderland as the snow came down hard and heavy. We found the local teen who did a great job of clearing a path." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JqtpTDUWQWY/VRN-aRJ6SCI/AAAAAAAB5Go/kXbdUPVlzWU/20150301_140935_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="201" /></a>Eight inches of snow covered our suburban Fishers landscape with the beautiful white pillows of snow.  And just a few days later we were relaxing in Tim's yard with a cold refreshment <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l4a8nzmz8dk/VRN-bN6NhvI/AAAAAAAB5Gw/rt5yAXSolqs/s1600-h/20150316_191837%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tim and Jamie got busy cutting down the ornamental grass around the pool. The boys stacked it all deep on the trailer to be hauled away" style="float: none; margin: 2px auto; display: block" alt="Tim and Jamie got busy cutting down the ornamental grass around the pool. The boys stacked it all deep on the trailer to be hauled away." src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9vkci7NQ_dQ/VRN-bhbHQzI/AAAAAAAB5G4/Mv8HJ8CPEew/20150316_191837_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="179" /></a>observing Tim and Jamie and Luke and Eland preparing the backyard landscaping around the pool.  There was only a small mound of snow left as evidence. That was a warm, fun afternoon. When the kids had to leave for homework and sports, Tim, Jerry and I relaxed for a little conversation. Then one of Tim's long-time friends, Dan, stopped by.  From there it was more stories…you know how that goes. I had to snap a shot of these three characters.  Just a little reminiscing and laughter going on there!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nWZ5csKNlQI/VRN-ca_8RKI/AAAAAAAB5HA/NfwFKuZ3gWk/s1600-h/20150316_192018%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tim Hurley, Jerry Hurley and Dan Nelson enjoy visiting." style="float: none; margin: 2px auto; display: block" alt="Tim Hurley, Jerry Hurley and Dan Nelson enjoy visiting." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0qpQeHIJWXQ/VRN-dCTD8OI/AAAAAAAB5HI/1qizjgGjZSc/20150316_192018_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="235" /></a></p> <p>     Then, there's that other day in March …it seems to keep popping up too quickly.  My birthday wishes from friends and family around the country did give me the warm fuzzies though!  Marti and I hung out for a long sisterly birthday afternoon, that I talked about on the other blog, <a href="http://www.indianaties.com/" target="_blank">Indiana Ties</a><em>. </em>  My hubby asked, <em>"what would you like to do? "   I thought about a trip to Germany or Jamaica.  But that would take too much packing and I just did all that to move.  So….I say, "how about we take a day trip to northern Indiana???"  </em></p> <p><em>     </em>We somehow selected the small town of Markle, about 90 miles away. Maybe because we could get there in an hour or two, or we were able to stay completely off interstates…OR just because we hadn't been there.   And where to go to eat is always a decision too, right?  This time we agreed we would look for a restaurant on the way, also something new, where we would stop for dinner on our way back.  </p> <p>     First, a few miles from home we took a quick side trip.  It just happened that way.  I got to see where Ferd, the Foretravel motorhome, and Ole Yeller, our old jeep, now live.  The family that owns them is from Fortville, Indiana.  Rob's in the stone business and owns the local grain elevator and surrounding buildings and property.  You can see the structure at the<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cVDyJbGxIpA/VRN-eKULa2I/AAAAAAAB5HQ/SweMtj22YtA/s1600-h/IMG_0187%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img title="Fortville, IN - where the Foretravel we used to own now has a home. " style="float: none; margin: 1px auto 2px; display: block" alt="Fortville, IN - where the Foretravel we used to own now has a home. " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_5OKat0uIV8/VRN-em3vYWI/AAAAAAAB5HY/QPrp2i5LQs4/IMG_0187_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="259" /></a> back of this photo where Ferd is now parked inside. The family took some motorhome trips last summer.  We ran into Rob as he was preparing that morning to take Ole Yeller to the Indiana Flower & Patio Show to setup his exhibit.  These old pals of ours are having a pretty good life!   </p> <p>    As we wondered through the towns, I lost track of the route that day, since I was just being a passenger.  But I know we were traveling north, taking mostly highways 36 and 3.  I was being lazy, looking at little towns and watching people.  Part of the fun of one of these types of trips is not knowing what to expect, right?  Soon we meandered our way into Markle.   We took a quick tour through the quiet, clean town with the Wabash River running along its south side.  When we saw this small park with a sign next to an old mill stone we thought that would be a nice place to take a few minutes and stretch our legs.  It seems like there is usually some point of interest, or unusual spot, in every town along the road that you choose to stop and look.   Here's what the sign says where I'm standing:  </p> <p align="center">Indian Mill Stone</p> <p align="center">This stone is from the first Grist Mill constructed by the U. S. Government, circa 1833, for the use of the Miami Indians in this locality. It was built on Rock Creek, 1/4 of a mile up stream from the Wabash River.  Presented to the Markle Historical Society on June 1, 1983, by the Geiger family who have owned the land since 1864.      </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2hJOHeAtI10/VRN-fg1Zg2I/AAAAAAAB5Fs/6GJefePSwpA/s1600-h/IMG_0193%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="Nancy Hurley in Markle, Indiana, at the site of an old grist mill stone on the Wabash River." style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Nancy Hurley in Markle, Indiana, at the site of an old grist mill stone on the Wabash River." src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BPgaQ0XA4Kg/VRN-gbR1qsI/AAAAAAAB5F0/wSAXI00aZio/IMG_0193_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="232" /></a></p> <p>     Then, there was more excitement for my birthday!  Our car found the way to a huge antique mall just on the outskirts of Markle.  Oh, and there was a lot to explore.  Jerry and I split up after the first few booths and agreed that we would keep in touch by text.  A couple of hours later and a few more treasures for Nancy they locked the doors.  And Jerry even did some hunting himself.  </p> <p>     Remember that we were thinking and looking along the road for a restaurant?  Well, we did see one that we both thought looked interesting and remarked that it would be easy to retrace and stop on the way home.  It was called the Iron Kettle and seemed to be popular at midday when we passed it. No problem, we'll find it easily.  Wellllllllll, who knows what happened to that place.  Our route back didn't seem to pass it.   But we did end up our birthday exploring day with a delicious dinner at Maggiano's just a few miles from home.  The lasagna and wine tasted fantastic after all that traveling and sightseeing and hunting for antique deals.</p> <p>     But there's still one more story: On the weekend Krissy decided as her gift she would prepare a meal and bring it to our house.  She made these unique deviled eggs that are seasoned with hot sauce and other yummy ingredients. (Sorry, Krissy, I don't remember, but I loved it all.)<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3sbVBRJksDM/VRN-hNDAjKI/AAAAAAAB5Hg/TRiVu-DVL1w/s1600-h/20150322_113117%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="A new slant on deviled eggs - just enough extra spark to be different and good as an appetizer for the meal. " style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="A new slant on deviled eggs - just enough extra spark." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dGZ2lEJGsns/VRN-htUVYcI/AAAAAAAB5Ho/6ts0lU--m9s/20150322_113117_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="163" height="290" /></a>      Then there was a fantastic chicken dish that I wish I knew the name of - with spices, olives, lemons and cashews - served over couscous. The crunchy salad of snap peas, radishes and feta cheese with sumac dressing was a great compliment.  And for the perfect ending -  decadent Guinness Brownies - scrumptious!?%#!  We all were very content that evening. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tgRQ4Z1h-Rc/VRN-iPHrHBI/AAAAAAAB5Hw/SHKQKB8olbc/s1600-h/20150321_195948%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="The wine and brownies topped off a fabulous meal. Rich, smooth, chocolate with a hint of salt - yum" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="The wine and brownies topped off a fabulous meal. Rich, smooth, chocolate with a hint of salt - yum!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vodcEK8iVzE/VRN-ir74RwI/AAAAAAAB5H4/ADIfWRIaybE/20150321_195948_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Yes, this was more wordy and photo-populated than my usual post.  But actually, I could add other happenings…gifts from MJ…visits from C…furniture purchases…etc., etc.  But I'm going to call it quits right now.</p> <p> <font color="#8000ff" face="Segoe Script">Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Stay well.</font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff" face="Segoe Script">Nancy</font></p> <p> </p> <p>copyright © Nancy Hurley</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-53902835456291102022015-03-12T23:14:00.001-04:002015-03-12T23:34:36.704-04:00Outstanding Palo Duro Canyon - Flashback Friday<p>     I'm traveling back to a beautiful piece of country we were surprised to find.  This canyon is estimated to have been inhabited by humans for 12,000 years.   But these two Hurleys can be recorded there  only ten years ago.  We are glad, however, to have left our footprints in Palo Duro Canyon.  It remains one <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l4-P9SP55Pw/VQJV85ICvbI/AAAAAAAB4-I/XuAZV3q7eyY/s1600-h/Canyon2%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Road leading to Palo Duro Canyon State Park campground. We stayed at the bottom of the canyon for a few days. Thoroughly enjoyed our surroundings." style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 2px 6px 2px 3px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Road leading to Palo Duro Canyon State Park campground." align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_oO5leZucyM/VQJV9yqfA5I/AAAAAAAB4-Q/X-XoKNRw7H4/Canyon2_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="279" /></a>of the most pleasant surprises in our RVing.</p> <p>      As we explored the Texas Panhandle in March of 2004, early in our fulltiming lifestyle, we came across this state park with a stupendous terrain.   We were traveling through a stretch of dus<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nEBlEamr4B0/VQJV-ajbtvI/AAAAAAAB4_M/2-PzXY2LT1o/s1600-h/IM001055%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="Jerry soaking up the sites, firing up the grill." style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 3px 8px 3px 3px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Jerry soaking up the sites, firing up the grill." align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O7mCOXFNDps/VQJV_IuNynI/AAAAAAAB4_U/sg2JQ2YqxfI/IM001055_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="341" /></a>ty and flat northern Texas hoping to find a nice spot to settle overnight.  What we found needed more than overnight attention.  It seemed as though the ground suddenly opened up to Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo.  As soon as we started our drive down the winding, rapidly descending road we knew we'd situate the fifth wheel in this campground a little while.  (This photo shows a view from above the road leading to the campground in the bottom of the canyon.)  We had a colorful few days surrounded by the ruggedness and beauty of nature. I remember we rambled down the many roads throughout the park, finding several picturesque picnic lunch spots.  We also learned about the centuries of inhabitants, southern Plains Indians, ranchers and the CCC who built structures in the 1930s for us to enjoy today.  And as the sun set and the array of colors shifted, we'd relax at our site to watch the wild turkeys roam the campground, visiting with everyone.</p> <p>     It's nice to reflect back on these unique experiences! Some of them occurred before our Hurley Travels blog, so they're receiving their first mention at this late date.  Now Palo Duro Canyon has a place here with many more interesting times.  I think it would be good though if I stop talking now and let a few extra photos tell the story this time.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XI20MFNl5D0/VQJXSin8WZI/AAAAAAAB4-Y/HyUydU5RihM/s1600-h/IM001037%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="A sample of the shades of Palo Duro Canyon, TX, Mar 2004." style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 3px auto 2px; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="A sample of the shades of Palo Duro Canyon, TX, Mar 2004." src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ckpT5n6CuYU/VQJV_rb5odI/AAAAAAAB4-g/ZuRhvpVLwV0/IM001037_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RF9LmEdxpNc/VQJWAZ_JD0I/AAAAAAAB4-o/EeKzVlDO7RE/s1600-h/IM001040%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="IM001040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 3px 0px 2px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IM001040" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ehEOBU-utMs/VQJWBP9zhuI/AAAAAAAB4-w/nECryFCA-_E/IM001040_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="311" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-En2Y3NhartU/VQJWB30DugI/AAAAAAAB4-4/X9VOatVtQlU/s1600-h/Canyon7%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Scenery around us as we parked at the campground in Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas." style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Scenery around us as we parked at the campground in Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas." align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eltJ1yVvXvs/VQJWD15IlqI/AAAAAAAB4_A/RTM3SRV1rW4/Canyon7_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="275" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aqji3OYkJII/VQJWFAm71pI/AAAAAAAB4_c/R9dxZtNl5D8/s1600-h/IM001028%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wild turkeys traveled the campground at Palo Duro Canyon Park near Amarillo, Texas, in March 2004. We were starting our ten-year escapade with a real dose of nature." style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Wild turkeys traveled the campground at Palo Duro Canyon Park near Amarillo, Texas, in March 2004. We were starting our ten-year escapade with a real dose of nature." src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6f2uEOruni4/VQJWFz4AV4I/AAAAAAAB4_k/SG4GGex03aA/IM001028_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="264" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels. Be Safe.</p> <p> </p> <p>And here's a link to more information on this outstanding surprise: <a title="http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon" href="http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon">http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon</a></p> <p>copyright 2015 © Nancy Hurley</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-37313219199205734762015-02-06T01:16:00.001-05:002015-02-06T01:16:02.105-05:00The Test Trip of 2004 - Flashback FridayNo, Hurley Travels isn't closed down just yet. Not ready to let this old friend be silent - just took a short break. But, let's kick it back on by a Flashback Friday. <br />
I've been filtering out photo files on the computer and I'm coming across some I've almost forgotten about. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nv8MX_7kpCA/VNRUKCkk7rI/AAAAAAAB42s/G7X_iiH4Q94/s1600-h/TN%25252012Jan04%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Jerry sets up at our spot in Raccoon Valley Escapees Park, Jan 2004." border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NUExj1G03kg/VNRUKnigC_I/AAAAAAAB420/twflN6wA9V8/TN%25252012Jan04_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="309" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 3px 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jerry's getting our home setup in Raccoon Valley RV Park, Tennessee, for our first night on the RV Fulltiming Test Trip, Jan 12, 2004." width="400" /></a>Of course, then it's mandatory to stop to dwell on a memory or two. And some of those recollections take me a while. <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X1hTBBm8PuA/VNRULcG1jNI/AAAAAAAB428/4-zJs80rFAg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
<br />
Anyway, I was hanging around in 2004 and realized I actually have a couple of photos of the first day of our RV Fulltiming Test Trip - Jan 12, 2004. That would be when we closed up our condo in Indy and went out to make our decision whether we could and would live for whatever time frame in our new Sunnybrook fifth wheel. <br />
Thankfully there wasn't snow and ice on the roads as we traveled south on I-65 that January. Jerry and I planned that we'd stop overnight in Haskell, Tennessee, at an Escapees RV Park. A nice distance to travel and still be in daylight, so that we could clean out the antifreeze that we had in the lines from winterizing the trailer. We pulled into the park in time to get one of the two last spots available. Everything was cool! Electric hooked up, water lines cleaned out, before it got dark. In fact we were watching TV when a park employee knocked on the door. It was nice of him to walk around the campground alerting us all that the forecast was in the teens that night and we shouldn't leave our water lines connected. Wouldn't want to have frozen lines! No problem. Jerry took care of adding water in <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wXXYFKAK69g/VNRUMU-2bRI/AAAAAAAB43E/-DiCyVrCy-I/s1600-h/TN%2525205%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Nancy as we're ready to get down the road RVing, Jan 2004." border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bcuI7sgC8ec/VNRUNGXLJhI/AAAAAAAB43M/6id-Kjqdzj8/TN%2525205_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="309" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 3px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy at the exit from our first night of the Fulltime RVing test trip, Raccoon Valley Escapees RV Park, Haskell, TN, Jan 12, 2004." width="400" /></a>our holding tank and disconnected the line. We were cozy for the night.<br />
But…..actually, we laughed the next morning when we both realized how silly it was that we didn't roll up our hose and store it away so that it didn't freeze in the extended position. LOL! We had to wait a while in the morning for the sun to heat it up so that we could bend it enough to store it. No harm done. And it was good for a smile as we shared the story down the road at happy hour with RV friends. <br />
Oh yeah, the test trip proved positive. Those four months resulted in the decision to sell our condo and live on the road. And the rest was an adventure that took us to unbeatable places, people and events for ten years. <br />
Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels. Stay safe.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">copyright © Nancy Hurley</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-62603648243968457072014-11-14T01:43:00.000-05:002014-11-14T01:43:34.228-05:00Travels In Our New Hurley Situation Our adjustment to the new Hurley Life Situation -- without a home on wheels -- is going well. We've managed to squeeze in a couple of short excursions in the past couple of months, during breaks from the new house projects. Our newest transport, Vinny the CRV, is proving to be a comfortable ride to wherever. In keeping with the history here at Hurley Travels blog, here's an update:<br />
<b><i>Celebrating a Special Birthday with Friends</i></b> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OsnQ-PN_LAE/VGWcUloNz5I/AAAAAAAByVQ/gwo-Vp9cxCU/s1600-h/IMG_531114.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Tim Payne and Stella " border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4XjI3iSIUl8/VGWcVQ1Q2bI/AAAAAAAByVY/0ohZXCyda6U/IMG_5311_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" height="251" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tim shows lovely little Stella his birthday presents." width="320" /></a>-- We enjoyed very much being a part of Tim Payne's 50th birthday celebration in early September at Summit Lake State Park, east of Pendleton, Indiana. Becky's parents provided a fabulous meal of bbq ribs, chicken, fantastic potato salad and more goodies; friends and family shared libations,<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W2wwydTGjeQ/VGWcXWaLvoI/AAAAAAAByVw/MoyHwFlAiHA/s1600-h/IMG_531510.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Jamie Savage and Becky Payne" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z0TX6cWfgWA/VGWcYG5GleI/AAAAAAAByV4/Mua5sabvjHM/IMG_5315_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" height="252" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The ladies, Jamie and Becky, were having a great time celebrating." width="320" /></a> games and just plain old hanging out. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aiYu_TRIr5s/VGWcWOHmU_I/AAAAAAAByVg/vo3LDPUgVE8/s1600-h/IMG_5296.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Happy 50th Birthday Tim" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-48OmIM6P8ns/VGWcWkFpCxI/AAAAAAAByVo/tnpLGc9GGpo/IMG_5296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="288" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="This huge birthday sign was a depiction of Tim's helicopter. " width="230" /></a> This was our first occasion spending any time in a campground in the past ten years minus a home on wheels. We couldn't have had a nicer group to break that tradition with. The park and the people were both enjoyable. Here are a few of those birthday memories (above): The birthday sign created by Becky's brother gave the perfect atmosphere at the camp site. Tim loved Stella's help opening his birthday cards. And Jamie and Becky accommodated my photo-taking while enjoying some girlfriend time. <br />
<i><b>Our First Hotel Trip in Vinny</b></i> -- Wisconsin is one state where we've spent very little time during our RVing life. So, when it was time to take a break from our home projects in late September, we loaded Vinny and headed for cheese and beer country. Besides, there would surely be some great spot along the way where we could celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary on September 30. The only plans we had were to find some sharp cheddar, cheese curds, Wisconsin beer and see a few new places - new to us, that is. After taking a route through small towns and countryside for two days, we paused in Fond du Lac, at the south end of Lake Winnebago -- because it seemed like the right place to stop. We found a pleasant hotel room at Country Suites; then asked the desk clerk about a good local spot to have a beer. She recommended Fat Joe's, downtown. The place was just what we wanted, like Cheers. The chatter at the bar was fun with locals and others passing through like us. On the bartender's suggestion, we tried a beer brewed and sold only in Wisconsin called Spotted Cow. It has a crisp lager-like taste - brewed by New Glarus Brewing Company. Well, we had to have a second one. And before we left the state we purchased some to bring home. <br />
More local recommendations led to interesting places over our next few days in the area. For instance, the unexpected sitings in a small town south of Fond du Lac named Waupun.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLPGKBJ-AcY4VDzIU4Xmcy4uAX0S13NPCJJypJ65N_kGTaM4-GtNf_EKQqEnKwNZyg9YSooWDRIYhM-UnB-o7lAgygy376GoRZhMvydhL7jTrgC7GLEyujRx_tPDQ8ECiEe3hlTcq0dc/s1600-h/DSCN0289%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="End of The Trail sculpture in Waupun, WI." border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OGgIVU2Trao/VGWcZSwqQrI/AAAAAAAByWI/vtD17T3yi3U/DSCN0289_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 2px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="End of The Trail sculpture in Waupun, WI." width="237" /></a> We were surprised to learn that this town of 11,000 people has a beautiful collection of outdoor sculptures. In fact, it is called the City of Sculpture. The benefactor of these art pieces was a local successful industrialist, Clarence Shaler, who wanted to give back to his hometown. He commissioned a bronze replica of the famous "The End Of The Trail" sculpture by James Earl Fraser that is a National Historic Landmark in Waupun. (above) Shaler was a sculptor himself, donating his work. The two photos below are among the sculptures by Clarence Shaler on display in and around the town. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8t1gqUit7do/VGWcaDZJNuI/AAAAAAAByWQ/PYavqFRYGRE/s1600-h/DSCN0315%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pioneer Woman sculpture by Charles Shaler." border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gi8D-0qnovY/VGWcaocb4oI/AAAAAAAByWU/LRK51uMU6Rs/DSCN0315_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pioneer Woman sculpture by Charles Shaler." width="146" /></a> "Who Sows Believes In God" is a young peasant woman and "Dawn of Day" is an American Indian woman casting off her garments, Shaler's first piece. This photo I took from the back because I thought it showed the textures in her hair and the clothing she's holding, against the beautiful autumn tree.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE8PXl7Q0YGuTYzj3ZAsZuERb7EDtBflJ8y3W0Yu9XW3JZCRQUEj6enmrtD_hTx-MSIge-gbMhOmyrklx4BTZVmRjppxV8VTuVI3ss5cPby6eYPDQsqnqVHyL3uz1zORMOYCpLOttGTc/s1600-h/DSCN0279%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sculpture by Charles Shaler, Waupun, WI." border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jAbnEeis7i0/VGWcb7auH2I/AAAAAAAByWo/dzWjnXpLopc/DSCN0279_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sculpture by Charles Shaler, Waupun, WI." width="210" /></a> Mr. Shaler didn't begin his sculpting until he was 70 years old, after a productive, inventive career. He, obviously, had many talents.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7UKDmnEK5Fs/VGWccX9m5zI/AAAAAAAByWw/u4E98PY9rKA/s1600-h/IMG_54677.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Horicon, WI" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9uaQypaN_q0/VGWcc5RZ5pI/AAAAAAAByW4/Rh0ilEBXers/IMG_5467_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" height="302" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="There were nice views of the changing leaves and the marsh on this trail, suspended over the water." width="400" /></a> A short drive east of Waupun is the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, where we spent a few pleasant hours relaxing and enjoying nature. The drive around the loop is peaceful and scenic. And there's a one mile walking trail that includes a wooden path winding over a part of the marsh. The leaves were just beginning to turn, enhancing the views at the refuge. <br />
And, of course, during our travels in Wisconsin, we also visited two cheese factories. We found some interesting, squeaky cheese curds and a fantastic sharp cheddar. And since we had a cooler in the back of Vinny, we could make some cheese purchases for snacking in the evening and taking home to share. <br />
When we left Indiana we were thinking we would probably end up in Door County, Wisconsin. There's so much said about the beauty of that peninsula into Lake Michigan. But…..we were on our way further north when we took a look at the weather forecast. It was looking pretty gloomy, rainy and cold. We stopped briefly on our way out of Fond du Lac to consider if there might be a better direction to go. I can't remember exactly how it happened but we decided we would make a left turn and go southwest toward Iowa. We could miss some of the rainy stuff. And, there was one place that was still on our bucket list in that state - "Field of Dreams."<br />
<i><b>Baseball & Museum & Sushi Make For A Great Anniversary</b></i>: We had less than 200 miles to the new destination, Dyersville, Iowa. But the obvious place to find a resting place was about 26 miles east in Dubuque. I'm sure most everyone remembers that the Field of Dreams is in the cornfields, not an area where you'd find a hotel. So anyway, using our new hotels app, we located another Country Suites in Dubuque, since we had a good experience the few days before in Wisconsin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX4yctPi4D4Yebb-d2-yRbhveWz63Qs1A65M2omZ3FF1xd_hpb4J8DJymiLVXoKeX3UC6mmKfIr9ozpMldj8VG0oL1Ps3xggLtGIzUO9k8qA26_tawJhkH9EEjuKEK0SCwI_VimjyZIU/s1600-h/IMG_5521%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="J. R. Hurley on first base, Dyersville, Iowa, Field of Dreams." border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IgvLaOppS3Q/VGWceh1G-LI/AAAAAAAByXE/DXnuBcieBNg/IMG_5521_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 3px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="J. R. Hurley on first base, Dyersville, Iowa, Field of Dreams" width="400" /></a> The next morning we set the GPS and found our way to the Field of Dreams site. Our first impression approaching the site, was that the ambiance was preserved by the noticeable lack of commercial advertising. How nice! This site couldn't be more authentic to the actual family home and baseball field used in the movie. The minimizing of the commercialization carries forward all around the grounds. So far, the setting is preserved as it was when it was the site of the movie in 1985. There is a small gift shop and a display that gives the history of the property, the farmers who owned the property and the making of the movie. It seemed so peaceful there. We walked around for a while, standing on each base and the pitchers mound, listening at the cornfield and sitting on the team benches. A few other people arrived while we were there and did similarly. But mostly, it felt like we were alone. You could have your own time to think about tradition, family, dream<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D2dMon0md4s/VGWcfg8x54I/AAAAAAAByXQ/HzuD8K2B7S4/s1600-h/IMG_5516%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Jerry walks to the pitcher's mound at Field of Dreams." border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dGJjgj3NQVo/VGWcgK90_cI/AAAAAAAByXU/wf0WvQ1DzX8/IMG_5516_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 3px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jerry walks to the pitcher's mound at Field of Dreams" width="400" /></a>s...or whatever the movie represents to you. We were happy that we finally took this road to this place.<br />
As we were finding our way earlier through the city of Dubuque, Iowa, taking yet another look at the Mississippi River that we crossed often in other travels, we noticed a large structure alongside the river. It turned out to be the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. This was another pleasant surprise full of interesting exhibits on the river, the people involved with it, the industry, the animals, and more. Of course, Mark Twain was thoroughly embedded in the stories and there is a paddle wheel boat ride available. There are also at least a dozen different aquariums with all sorts of wildlife - otters, frogs, turtles, beavers and many huge fish found in these waterways. <br />
To complete this little trip, we tried to come up with an appropriate restaurant to have dinner on our 14th wedding anniversary. Nothing exotic or formal, just a nice meal and, if possible, some place a little different. Yelp and Urban Spoon didn't seem to bring up any good prospects. Then, I remembered that we had passed an Ichiban sushi restaurant in our driving around the area. Since we had recently learned that sushi is much more than raw fish, we decided to give the place a try. We enjoyed sharing three dishes that we chose pretty much blindly, from the ingredients in the menu descriptions. Two of them were very creatively displayed, with avocados and other food forming various shapes. Everything was delicious! And we now know that we are fans of pickled ginger. <br />
That's the story on our new life situation at this point. There are plans for more episodes on-the-road. But…..who knows where or when.<br />
<i>Thanks for visiting with us at Hurley Travels.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>Copyright © Nancy Hurley 2014</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-53414527017548138382014-10-04T01:15:00.001-04:002014-10-04T01:44:27.453-04:00Making More Transitions<p>     When last I wrote for the Hurley Travels blog I talked about being fluid, exploring a different phase in life for Jerry and me.   Well, quite a bit of that changing and flowing has happened in the last four months.  Also, I took some time to consider whether our Hurley Travels blog should have its last chapter.   If we were ceasing our life on the road, did I want to also cease writing here about our life???   It took me a few months, but I've decided there are still episodes to record. We are planning to keep on exploring in various ways.   So, here I am moving along into the next mode for Hurley Travels.</p> <p>     But first, it just wouldn't be right if we didn't say a few words about turning this corner away from RVing.  Jerry and I absolutely loved our ten years of being on the road.  There are volumes of wonderful memories that we couldn't have experienced without the culture that is available among RVers.  We appreciate the people everywhere along that road that are the special ingredients.  There are so many unique, interesting and indescribable facets of those ten years that make us smile all the time.   </p> <p>     This past winter was quite a moment in time for us.  We had the feelings of uncertainty last fall about how many more roads we would travel in Ferd.  But neither one of us was ready to say yet.  Regardless of where the next spring would take us, we began our travels in November with repairs on Ferd and also had him polished up nicely in Nacogdoches at our favorite facility, Motohomes of Texas. That 1995, 36-foot, no-slide, Foretravel diesel pusher was feeling and looking good.  It turned out to be a very nice last winter in Texas and Alabama.  After considering a trip to Florida, it seemed best for us to make the winter stop in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  While settled in our spot at the Gulf Shores State Park we contemplated how much longer we'd be traveling as RVers.  We had some time to discuss and vacillate about what our next steps would be.  We came to the conclusion we would end our RVing adventure.   But I have to say we'll miss those desert gatherings and stops along our route to see old friends. Those times can't be matched.  Thanks friends!  You know who you are.  There will be other ways, I hope, to stay in touch and visit occasionally.</p> <p>     Once we <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XU1GaXUXSfM/VC-CS0kYlJI/AAAAAAABtE8/hdu5UR_VtQk/s1600-h/20140508_203247%25255B24%25255D.jpg"><img title="Our Jeep, Ole Yeller, took us on many a good 4wheeling trail and served us well as our towed and transport too. Now we'll see where the new trails go in Vinny." style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px; display: inline" alt="Jerry takes a little time to contemplate the great times in Ole Yeller and the coming trips we plan in our new car." align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uwqhmiq9S94/VC-CT_7DD1I/AAAAAAABtFM/PnwfDFn_FqU/20140508_203247_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="267" /></a>adjusted to our decision to sell Ferd, we started making plans for the change.  The story isn't quite this simple, but to keep it short and sweet,  we returned to Indy, found a buyer and turned over ownership in a matter of a couple of months.  We did hold onto Ole Yeller (the loyal towed Jeep) for a while.  It was hard to cut that final string.   But actually, the good result was that the same young family owns both the motorhome and our Jeep.  We're glad to see them enjoying the fun that connects them.</p> <p>     It will take some getting used to this new phase in our lives.   But…onward we go.  Pretty quickly we made more plans. We're thinking we'll still travel… to those places we missed in the motorhome, right?  So we need a "highway car" that's roomier and more comfortable for those trips when we'll now be  staying in hotels.    Anyway, we took that step, too.   Here's a shot of Jerry making the transition from Ole Yeller to Vinny (the new CRV).  </p> <p>     Speaking of transitions, we made a major one in mid-July. We purchased our new home, just a few miles northeast, in Fishers, Indiana.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XomRAhPAtDc/VC-CUw3P1TI/AAAAAAABtFc/ZcIsYmgPACk/s1600-h/20140719_163944%252520%2525282%252529%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="The hibiscus trees had lots of beautiful blooms this summer." style="float: right; margin: 3px 20px 3px 9px; display: inline" alt="We have a pink and a white hibiscus." align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6lk6YlFeUFo/VC-CVt0ZM4I/AAAAAAABtFo/BBSJuC_hldo/20140719_163944%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="349" /></a>Our little condo was just right for the time we were on-the-road, but we were looking for more space now that we didn't have our home on wheels.  Usually older folks downsize, but these two went the other direction!  We now have a home with a big garage that has space for the cars, a motorcycle, a workbench for Jerry and the extra refrigerator.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wdNsDX37iR0/VC-CWeLDs4I/AAAAAAABtF0/xOcscsrlU9Q/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />   And we have more room inside for visitors and to store those things we're accumulating again.   Besides, we're also pleased that Krissy bought our cute little condo.  It's perfect for her!  So now I should post a pic of the front of  the house,  right? Instead of one of those, I think I'll insert one of the flowers on our hibiscus tree that is among several flowering plants, bushes and trees we are enjoying at our new place.     </p> <p>     I could also write many happy words about this summer's activities that didn't involve the chore of moving. We've had more than our share of good times.   For instance, there were super visits with old friends that came through Indianapolis, fun family reunions, several special birthday celebrations, helping with our grand dogs, hanging out on our new deck, setting food on fire on the grill <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yTwDKlcBP2E/VC-CXEvNjfI/AAAAAAABtGE/bzryL-Z6ipU/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> and meeting new neighbors.   I won't try to describe those experiences,  just keep doing more.  This short story will have to suffice as the catch-up on Hurley Travels for now.  The leaves are falling and it's time to move on.  </p> <p>     Thanks for sharing some time with me.  Check in here at Hurley Travels again as we see where this path leads us.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-38992421700333793432014-04-23T01:07:00.000-04:002014-04-23T01:07:20.584-04:00Keeping Up On Phases in LifeThe blog-writing has had some interruptions lately. Some of those time-robbers have been very pleasant and planned….others were not so welcomed. <br />
Winter hit our condo in Indianapolis with a staggering punch! But there’s recovery in this story. Our ice maker on the refrigerator decided to go nuts and spray water everywhere while we were wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Tim came to the rescue when he found the disaster. He got the water shut off, brought in the guys to tear up the flooring and stabilized things until it warmed up enough for us to get back with the motorhome. There’s not much use crying about it now. The homeowners insurance kicked in and we got things livable as quickly as possible. We’re once again settled in on Cape Drive in Indy. <br />
Meanwhile, during the repairs, we had our old parking spot for Ferd at Tim’s house. Somehow this situation seemed appropriate, depending on Ferd the Foretravel as our home again for a spell. So, things were very comfortable when they could have been treacherous.<br />
We arrived in Indianapolis, and were all setup a day or two in advance of the March celebrations. To start off right, we joined a few family and friends at the neighborhood Murphy’s restaurant on St. Patty’s Day. It was fun to tip a few and chow down on corned beef and cabbage, while catching up with our peeps who had weathered the long, frigid winter in Indy.<br />
Two days later I was treated to my birthday lunch and a really cool time at the Indianapolis Museum of Art by Krissy. Here I am inside the bamboo exhibit in the three-story lobby. This is one art exhibit that you can touch. Imagine these reeds hanging from about 50 feet(??) up, just a few inches apart, in a huge circular design that you can walk through. Oh well, it's hard to explain. The photo doesn’t do it justice!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aneduWBLQwc/U1dD0668aeI/AAAAAAABnHs/7S0LrZ6R1hk/s1600-h/20140319_134334%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Nancy at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, lobby exhibit of bamboo art." border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7A-D3fF4O34/U1dD1qjxq1I/AAAAAAABnH0/h4RSZ4jIpo4/20140319_134334_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="422" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy Hurley on her birthday at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, lobby exhibit of bamboo art." width="318" /></a>What a fantastic mother/daughter day we had. Krissy found a small, white-table-cloth restaurant for us to try with great food and nice atmosphere. We saved our birthday brownie deserts for later when we knew we’d have restored our appetites after walking the museum. The featured exhibit currently is Robert Indiana, “the Hoosier state’s most famous living artist.” The exhibit includes his most iconic works, such as, the Love statue and his Numbers pieces. There’s a good deal of background from interviews with him that bring some light to the motivations for his work. It’s very interesting to learn about his history and what influenced the pieces he created. We used the audio tour to walk through while we heard all about Robert Indiana. Plus, we roamed through more of the creations on other floors in the museum before our feet were beat. For instance, look at this unusual piece of artwork - it’s actually wearable! Want to try to order a McDonalds wearing this?! Krissy and I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday browsing both contemporary and ancient works of art. <a href="http://www.imamuseum.org/" title="http://www.imamuseum.org/">http://www.imamuseum.org/</a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NgYPJBX8JnE/U1dD2SMSwCI/AAAAAAABnH8/A8XETDxeJGo/s1600-h/20140319_151735.jpg"><img alt="Indianapolis Museum of Art " border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uwdko7eJysU/U1dD2_tYHOI/AAAAAAABnIE/FsgjXx-Cgw4/20140319_151735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="437" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 3px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wearable art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, March 2014." width="328" /></a> <br />
About the time we got settled back into our condo at Cape Cod Village, April started out with a treat. Mary Jo (friend since high school) came to visit from New Mexico. Of course, she has other folks to see besides me. But I was lucky enough to have some time with her on three occasions during her week in Indiana. Thankfully, we never lose touch. Between visits on our travels, her occasional trips back to Indy, email and phone calls, we keep each other up-to-date pretty well. But these times when we can just talk together like old times are the best. We had a super time <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MuEQ4kszfk8/U1dD38u1-CI/AAAAAAABnIM/ZOaTCPWvozE/s1600-h/MJ%252520Nashville%252520%2525284%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Nancy DeLullo and Mary Jo Wallen in Nashville, IN." border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZNdD6WXOWU0/U1dD4nrsaaI/AAAAAAABnIU/UhJr2vf5f88/MJ%252520Nashville%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="328" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 3px auto 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy DeLullo (Mary Jo's cousin) and Mary Jo Wallen enjoying the shops in Nashville, IN, April, 2014." width="437" /></a>on our day in Nashville, IN, with her cousin, Nancy, (great gal). It was a blast for the three of us to make the trip to Brown County, cruise around the state park we all love, and then browse for the afternoon in the shops in Nashville. Here are Nancy and Mary Jo with a furry stuffed friend we found outside a local establishment. And I had to stop to say hello to Abe at the woodcarver’s shop, too. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DYFAMHVveWs/U1dD5YZOl_I/AAAAAAABnIc/PFEEbe18Na4/s1600-h/MJ%252520Nashville%252520%25252811%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Nancy in Nashville, IN." border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dcn4L0NgYCs/U1dD6F3KRQI/AAAAAAABnIk/4Tbdz2C28L8/MJ%252520Nashville%252520%25252811%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="460" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 6px auto 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy at the woodcarver's shop in Nashville, Indiana, April, 2014." width="346" /></a><br />
The latest celebration was just a few days ago with Grandson Ben. He’s 19! It seems incredible that he’s grown from that little boy drawing pictures in our living room to this 6-foot-something young<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K2A4FDg6WCk/U1dD7D4IXhI/AAAAAAABnIs/piTHFtuJ-6g/s1600-h/20140414_200440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ben Fairfax and Jerry Hurley, Grandson and Gramps." border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iu5gzK7Zrkg/U1dD8O4YzcI/AAAAAAABnI0/hmYVAvRsF8c/20140414_200440_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="443" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ben Fairfax and Jerry Hurley, Grandson and Gramps, April, 2014." width="334" /></a> man on the road to being an electrician. We sure enjoyed having a birthday evening at Applebee’s with Ben and his sister, Caroline. Here’s Ben and Gramps having one of those special moments. <br />
Our lives seem pretty fluid right now. We’ve given Ferd the last sprucing up. He’s awaiting the anticipated transfer to a new owner. We’re just moving into a new phase in our lives -- whatever it turns out to be. For sure, we plan to roam some more. Who knows where, when or how. Keeps life interesting!<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-34221530767034497232014-03-11T01:20:00.001-04:002014-03-11T01:20:12.271-04:00Last Hurrah in Alabama and More<p>The winter weather in the north is finally finishing up  -- taking its sweet time!  We’re enjoying the last few days of temps in the 60s and 70s in Alabama while the weather in Indiana keeps improving. We’ll be <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ENR3WKeocVg/Ux6c7pWD4PI/AAAAAAABmaQ/ZIX8xJrsGgw/s1600-h/20140308_171019%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 10px 3px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="We've owned Ferd the Foretravel for seven years. Before the motorhome, there was our Sunnybrook fifthwheel. The experience of living the RV lifestyle has been fantastic!" border="0" alt="Ferd in Gulf Shores, Alabama" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oPcujO9R4p0/Ux6c9w7skDI/AAAAAAABmaY/5-j5SXI7sJo/20140308_171019_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="276" /></a>winding our way back home soon.  So, I thought I’d write the “Last Hurrah in Alabama.”  </p> <p>We’ve enjoyed being in the community of Gulf Shores, becoming used to the surroundings as you do over a three-month stretch.  There have been many sunny, 60-deg. days, but also some tremendously wet days. A few days the rain pounded so hard on our roof it hurt our ears.  I’ve written about some of our days when we checked out the beach, the parks, and the various goings on. (See Alabama link on right)  We even made it to a movie - American Hustle was a great surprise!  We’ve had some good times trying out the local cuisine, the seafood and sausage dishes are great.  I’ve walked the routes around the 496-site campground many times, observing the array of license plates from Alabama to Ontario.  Many of the people we’ve been parked with in the monthly-section here have made this their winter home for a number of years.  They reserve their spot for next year as soon as reservations open.  You see gatherings of old friends everywhere along the roads as you are coming in or out of the campground.  We are surrounded by folks from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, as well as from Florida and Alabama, and the many Canadians.  They all agree that this winter has been colder than usual.  But, it’s a very nice place to be.</p> <p>I do have one more food story.  In our exploring of the great seafood in the Gulf Shores area we noticed that there are “Reds” on the menus.  Since we haven’t spent any time in this area we weren’t really sure what this was. Red snapper first came to mind, but they wouldn’t call it that, right?  So, we googled it. We learned that these are a special kind of shrimp found in the deepest areas of the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. They’re very popular for their lobstery taste.  The other day we decided it was about time to try them. We were planning to share an appetizer of a pound of Royal Reds that we found on the menu at Mikee’s, one of our favorite spots.  Then, we inquired about how they were served.  And you know how Jerry doesn’t like to “work on his food,” unless he’s the chef.  When<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EYhRIcfCYRQ/Ux6c_Xba5UI/AAAAAAABmag/F6mm_A-GRp4/s1600-h/20140301_154649%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Walking on the beach at Gulf Shores." border="0" alt="Nancy at Gulf Shores, March 2014." align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sXcyvrhrJrk/Ux6dA8VedpI/AAAAAAABmao/0GKqc4jOovQ/20140301_154649_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="331" /></a> the waiter explained that the “Royal Reds” were served whole, with heads, tails and shells, Jerry said “never mind for me.”  Well, I decided they sounded too good not to try them. I ordered the pound as my meal and got busy pulling off the heads and peeling the shells. Yes, they are pretty messy.  But, Oh My My!!   They do taste like lobster, mild and juicy.  And they are served with the melted butter, too. Yummy, yummy.  I think the waiter was surprised I ate them all.  But I thoroughly enjoyed my feast!</p> <p>To wrap up my Last Hurrah I wanted to post my video of the ocean, lapping away at the shore.   It’s really beautiful - spectacular! (LOL)  But, for some reason I can’t get YouTube to upload it.  Tried it from my phone and from my laptop…no luck.  It’s frustrating.  I’ll figure it out later.  (Instead I guess I’ll post my selfie at the beach!)</p> <p>As we’re making plans to sell Ferd soon, we’ve been talking quite a bit about how fortunate we’ve been.  These years on-the-road in the RVing lifestyle have been tremendous for us.  The fun experiences, the fabulous people, the beautiful scenery and unique places - they’ll never leave us.  Thanks to everyone who shared with us and made our time special.  And thanks to our families who encouraged us to enjoy ourselves!  We’re winding up this phase of our lives, but not Hurley Travels.  There are more travels to come, just a different type. </p> <p>We could never choose the best of all those memorable stops, people and events. Many of them are in our posts for this blog in the right column, all fixed up with a title and attached photos.  Some of them we have to remind each other about.  Then we can smile again, sometimes even there’s a cringe,  while we describe what we each think we recall.  But, just for fun, here’s a brief photographic sampling of the last ten years at Hurley Travels:</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:60f38ba3-3bb8-4048-9f02-35a0eeaa0f59" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:410px;border-collapse:collapse;'><tbody><tr><td style='margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:auto'><a style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;" target="_blank" href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c8831a5304986ebb&page=play&resid=C8831A5304986EBB!28176&parid=C8831A5304986EBB!105&type=5&authkey=!AFTA-3aaMbj7iO4&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" alt="View album" title="View album" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gG72S5xtLN0/Ux6dCA3zCLI/AAAAAAABmas/wOeawM-ydVI/Hurley%252520Travels%252520Memories%25255B22%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style='width:410px;text-align:center;overflow:visible;padding:0px;margin:0px;'> <div style='width:410px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c8831a5304986ebb&page=browse&resid=C8831A5304986EBB!28176&parid=C8831A5304986EBB!105&type=5&authkey=!AFTA-3aaMbj7iO4&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:410px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">Hurley Travels Memories</span></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;padding:9px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="text-align:center;width:auto;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 12px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c8831a5304986ebb&page=play&resid=C8831A5304986EBB!28176&parid=C8831A5304986EBB!105&type=5&authkey=!AFTA-3aaMbj7iO4&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c8831a5304986ebb&page=downloadphotos&resid=C8831A5304986EBB!28176&parid=C8831A5304986EBB!105&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AFTA-3aaMbj7iO4" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p>Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Be safe.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-52937975520314612712014-02-23T17:46:00.001-05:002014-02-23T18:30:13.265-05:00What’s Happening In Alabama?<p>Since we made the decision to <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G4GYGExt2YQ/Uwp6FndG9YI/AAAAAAABmDg/l-NBw8mqBNU/s1600-h/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520003%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 10px 3px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="January 28, 2014, Gulf Shores State Park ice storm. This melted away within 24 hours but it sure was cold and messy that day." border="0" alt="Gulf Shores State Park, Alabama, in the ice storm, 28 Jan 2014." align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tGWzUiewiTg/Uwp6Hb4e9dI/AAAAAAABmDo/heapp1-7p8E/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520003_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="397" /></a>stay put this winter here at the Gulf Shores State Park, you could say we’ve settled in to our Alabama home.  We’re getting familiar with local sites, the people, the sounds, smells, tastes. </p> <p>Similar to much of the northern and eastern areas of the country, the weather has been colder than normal.  We even had a few days in the 20s overnight!.  One day the ice was actually wilting the trees around us.  And, wow!, the thunderstorms these past few days are as loud as I’ve heard in my life.  Mostly though, the sunny 50s and 60s is very nice compared to the snow, ice and single digit temps up north.  There’s another part of the weather story that I won’t dwell on that involves our condo in Indy and a bad icemaker and electrical outage.  Thanks again Tim, for running interference for a while. </p> <p>On those nice days here in Alabama we’ve been exploring the area at our leisure.  We visited the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the local farmers market and local <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_v3ZRoREYng/UwqD-7VhXFI/AAAAAAABmE8/tpmTi3v0NdU/s1600-h/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520047%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Canon used to defend Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay in Alabama." border="0" alt="Jerry at the canon in Fort Morgan, Alabama." align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JDGEISBZcNk/UwqEBAOUXrI/AAAAAAABmFE/0MRqTw8fwcM/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520047_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="346" /></a>artist gallery.  Oh yeah, the gallery was closed the day we went.  Have to get back there.  We had an interesting afternoon exploring Fort Morgan, the fortress built in 1823 to defend Mobile Bay.  This fort is well known for the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War when Confederate Navy Admiral Farragut is quoted as giving the command:  “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead.”  Fort Morgan provided protection and served as a temporary training ground until it was finally abandoned by the U. S. Army in 1950. The signs of each era of coastal defense are there to see and touch. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.  </p> <p>The local food continues to bring more good flavors. Our newest favorite restaurant is King Neptune’s. Jerry’s found a creole Andouille sausage dish that’s become a repeat. Some of the other delicious menu items are the catfish, seafood gumbo and the Greek salad with grilled shrimp. (I won’t post those food pics since it annoys Jer!)  And add to the good food, the 1/2 price happy hour Monday through Friday from 11 am to closing. The Yuengling is cracklin cold on draft and $1.75 can’t be beat. The ambiance is extreme casual and the wait staff is super friendly. What more is needed!</p> <p>We’ve also explored the back roads and beach routes that <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QEZSQ07FvAc/Uwp6NRc6XII/AAAAAAABmEA/pfbUhxwURXU/s1600-h/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520067%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Regardless of the colder temps than usual, people still walk the beaches in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Feb 2014." border="0" alt="Beautiful sand beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama." align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FwgO3MctUzY/Uwp6Qm8JxhI/AAAAAAABmEI/aMNMeBMXDQU/Gulf%252520Shores%25252C%252520AL%252520067_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="425" /></a>lead around the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach communities, scoping out the homes, restaurants, movies, shopping and just plain being nosy.  (Who knows when we may want info on a rental, or something.) In addition to the high-rises, there are the rows of beachfront two or three-story properties stretching out on the peninsula, most perched on skinny stilt legs and painted a pastel color.  Of course, there’s always the fun of walking in the sand or finding a bench along the shore to watch the ocean and people. Then, one day we drove over to Pensacola, about 35 miles east, to get supplies from Sam’s Club. What? 35 miles? Sure, why not.  </p> <p>Since a favorite part of this ten-year lifestyle is remembering our unexpected, or extemporaneous, events that happen as we move along the road, it’s time to write a few more down. You know how you’re out doing the usual, grocery shopping or filling up with gas or pausing to look at the ocean, when you exchange a few casual words with a stranger or see an unusual site.  Or maybe you’re just settling in at your chosen spot in the desert when someone knocks on the door. (<a href="http://www.hurleytravels.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-cant-judge-book-by-its-cover.html" target="_blank">Remember Grateful Ted?!#)</a>  Well, these are those kinds of everyday encounters.</p> <p>These latest events have happened when each of us was out somewhere on our own. Jerry has started a new practice that usually elicits at the very least a smile, and sometimes an appreciative comment.  He’s concluded that since he’s become a guy in his 70s he has a new-found acceptance.  He says that the reactions of women change when you’re “an old guy.”  “They will smile back at you and sometimes even strike up  a conversation. Because it’s safe now, I guess.”  Since he’s “harmless” now, he’s decided to spread a little joy.  When he sees an attractive lady he’ll try to improve her day with a comment.  The other day he was at WalMart getting the ingredients for a crock pot chicken recipe he wanted to try. (Turned out great, BTW.)  Well, in the parking lot he saw a lady loading her groceries in the car next to him.  He said: “You have great hair!”  She responded, looking so pleased: “Oh, that’s so nice of you.  I’m taking chemotherapy. This is a wig.”   He wished her good luck and she thanked him again.</p> <p>Another day Jerry  was grocery shopping again, waiting for a middle-aged mother and her two sons to move so he could grab a dozen eggs.  All of a sudden she realized he was waiting.  She apologized and said: “Oh, I’m sorry to be in your way.”  Based on his premise that “Now that I’m in my <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Javk6yanRJc/UwqCU-t6npI/AAAAAAABmEo/51xoCBMX_nI/s1600-h/20140201_162849%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Illinois man hauling a Mustang full of oranges from Ocala to Flora, IL, Feb 2014." border="0" alt="Mustang full of oranges, Gulf Shores, Alabama" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-arYYxeAFfm0/UwqCXRsHQCI/AAAAAAABmEw/XtjMhWsu8Uk/20140201_162849_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="325" /></a>70s I can say this,” he replies: “A pretty woman is never in my way.”   Jerry says that she just glowed, gave him a big smile and told him “You made my day.”   I wonder what will happen to him next.</p> <p>I had my own peculiar, but heartwarming, happening while out on my own.  I was on the way back to our home after visiting a bead shop and a local art fair when I decided I would stop at the beach for a little while to soak up some ocean views.  I found my parking spot and was walking the short distance to the beach  when I noticed a bright red mustang with the convertible top down.  Then, I saw the rest!  There were bags of oranges completely filling the backseat and the passenger seat.  I mean they were piled high from the floorboards to above the sides of the car.  I didn’t see anyone around.  But you know I had to snap a photo.  As soon as I pulled out my phone a man walked up  to the car and put something in the trunk.  He smiled. So I asked if I could take a picture for my  blog.  And I  also had  to ask why so many oranges.  The explanation might be a little quirky, but I love it!  He was happy to share his story: “I’m taking them back home to Flora, Illinois, from Ocala, Florida.  Every year I drive down and pack up my car with oranges from the same place.  Everyone loves them in Flora.  That’s F – L – O – R – A, Illinois.”   I’m sure he didn’t make it too far up the road before he had to put the top up and change from his shorts and sandals.  But, think about the juicy aroma all the way home. He sure made me smile.  What a nice guy!   </p> <p>I know everyone has a story to tell. What’s happening in your life lately?   Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels!  Be safe.</p> <p><font size="1">copyright © Nancy Hurley</font></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-49062922843188354742014-01-09T17:47:00.001-05:002014-01-09T18:00:07.516-05:00Sticking Around in Gulf Shores, Alabama<p>Why not hang around when you have a comfortable and interesting place to be?!#%  That’s what we decided about the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54Wbxp4hFOx48bWhnD_AG6R1VfKGpnl0Bx__3zuGwXvT4o76HOaqu5cGeE-KnDXRiESVwIhkPE6SGvDKzoJS3qG24BES6ym6mYzj6E7HvtkfjiBhgPtSOvoNwxbHTcN_bhVqB7clHEgs/s1600-h/1%252520Gulf%252520Shores%252520alligators%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 3px 5px 3px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="There are warnings of the alligators along the shores of the canals in Gulf State Park, but I haven't seen any yet!!" border="0" alt="Gulf Shores alligators sign in Gulf State Park." align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pwib5wUckO0/Us8mw7pydkI/AAAAAAABl2E/ZZOHEC4rdpM/1%252520Gulf%252520Shores%252520alligators_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="213" /></a>So, we moved out of our short term spot, #474, into a monthly spot, #262. It’s obvious here that there’s a good-sized group of snowbirds.  On our drives through we see many Midwest license plates; Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan are plentiful. Although, there’s also no lack of folks from Canada, Tennessee, Missouri, etc.  We’re only a few roads away from our first spot, but the differences in our new neighborhood are obvious.  From day one, about a week ago, we noticed that people wave at each other, stop on their walks or cross the road from one parking spot to another to visit.  A brief conversation with a few of our fellow winter residents informed us that there are many who come here year after year, making friends, acquiring repeat parking spots and living alongside one another while they escape the cold.  It’s not too surprising since one can reserve a spot for $475 a month, inclusive of electric. </p> <p>But, why here for us?  First, we’re also dodging the weather.  As it turns out we’re missing the horrendous blizzard that’s going on up north right now.  Indianapolis is frozen in, with temps in the teens and at least<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsMSSkEPCno/Us8nTuZ7NCI/AAAAAAABl28/Bwt4VTAqLnI/s1600-h/1%252520Gulf%252520Shores%252520Nexus%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px 8px 5px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="His latest techie addition is a Nexus 7 tablet and Jer's becoming fond of it. Named: Lizzie!" border="0" alt="Jerry has a new techie toy for amusement." align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSic-t9XCKmIIHOZame8EBUBqQTOqoMOVbBCrYn6ZokMxEEi7gnPuluOJqmcBL4nLwqpme9W6IiePmKNxiKYaCin-ysPRhC-DBGkFZXKLKABjheGB8w4N8gwmv9t2udMdfSz38t9DT9g/?imgmax=800" width="227" height="259" /></a> a foot of snow and ice. Hang on, you guys, it will be over soon! Since just about the entire country is experiencing the cold snap, staying here in the colder than normal conditions for a brief time, 40s in the day and 20s at night, was acceptable.  We’ve been a little less active for a while, waiting for nicer weather.  But meanwhile, we got comfortable. We’ve started by searching out local restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. The shrimp, seafood gumbo, fried pickles, fried meatloaf and even the Tasso in my omelet, all were excellent.  Some of those restaurants, for the record, are: Wintzells, Zen, The Hangout, GooRoo’s Grill, Mikee’s Seafood and Brick & Spoon. (Especially for my cousins who plan a vacation in Gulf Shores this year.)</p> <p>While we’ve had a little down time with cooler temps, there’s been no lack of ways to entertain ourselves. Besides sampling our share of local food, there’s football games, reading, walks in the park and on the beach, cooking, movies, Book TV, writing blogs, crocheting, jewelry-making, family history and of course, the Internet in general.  I’ll let you guess which of those activities are assigned to each, or both, of us.  Walking on the beach isn’t quite as much fun in cooler temps, but some of us still do.  Here’s a glimpse of the folks by the ocean in December, warmly-dressed families, one metal-detecting guy and a lone surfer in his wet suit at the right.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CvG2Ei3a2m0/Us8pLbuondI/AAAAAAABl3Q/r92Ok6CvS94/s1600-h/1%252520Gulf%252520Shores%252520beach%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="There weren't many people populating the sandy beach. A few warmly-dressed families walked along looking for shells or built a quick sand castle, one guy was using his metal detector and one brave soul was surfing." border="0" alt=" Gulf Shores beach" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Zri4KHeAlE/Us8pNVVboTI/AAAAAAABl3Y/esYidNBashc/1%252520Gulf%252520Shores%252520beach_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="301" /></a></p> <p>For instance,<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WJDPyuum_Oo/Us8m4t1gfFI/AAAAAAABl2s/5RyllM9OHbE/s1600-h/1%252520Gulf%252520shores%252520computing%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="One of our common scenarios: Me at my computer station behind Jer in his chair. We can both watch TV and compute all we want too." border="0" alt="Gulf Shores computing" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wEyHxJmU5bg/Us8m59gdmzI/AAAAAAABl20/UBYdEiwL9b0/1%252520Gulf%252520shores%252520computing_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="328" /></a> since we’re in the middle of seafood heaven, we (both of us) tried our hand at cooking our own seafood gumbo with the fresh shrimp, crab and scallops from Blalock’s Seafood Market.  And learned about file powder (accent over the e in file), the sassafras leaves seasoning that most people in these parts use in their gumbo that adds a nice distinctive flavor.  The recipe was judged a success by the two of us.  Also, Jerry’s got a new toy – his Nexus 7 tablet – that he’s putting to the test every day with his surfing, streaming and inquiries.   So far, this new technological addition is fitting in well.  His iPad is being neglected for a faster, lighter-weight, smaller-screened friend.  Here’s a photo on the left that  he slyly snapped on his new tablet while I was completely unaware!   The only complaint I’ve heard is that there’s no Flash Player, so one of the sites he reads won’t load.  But there’s probably a fix on the way for that ~ surely~</p> <p>What now?  Well, since the temperature is moving on up, we’re planning to have a few day excursions into the areas surrounding us.  Then, we’ll meander over to Florida. Hope everyone is staying safe and warm.  Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-7640609919141518272013-12-24T02:40:00.000-05:002013-12-24T02:40:17.875-05:00Merry Christmas from AlabamaYou just don’t know<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooyjEP8DnnhuSUHVUY0ROHL2edMY_t8tjapCtWYLzfDPLtsVwSE63A6jQf8CQrEXz7vz8TARpUYDPmE4mlk1rtxX5Ib1l1EewyhRpc_na8OXqSTsMK1zEDNlyjLTzmPJEk3VAPnY_AtE/s1600-h/Dec%2525202013%252520064%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="CocaCola Christmas Truck, Beaux Bridge, LA" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r2X58Y-NFXU/Urk1X7y9RwI/AAAAAAABlaI/9BWKs2vnO2k/Dec%2525202013%252520064_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 8px 4px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="This CocaCola Santa truck was an immediate attraction, not only the children wanting to talk to Santa, but the adults who were taking photos of this strange sleigh." width="389" /></a> what might pop up along the road. For instance, on one of our overnight stops in a WalMart in Louisiana, we noticed on our walk back from dinner at Wendy’s that there was commotion and bright lights at the front of the store. Curiosity and caution made us check it out. If we hadn’t been in this place at this time we would have missed this unique Santa transport provided by Coca Cola….Not the traditional Santa sleigh, right?. In this photo, Santa is talking to children in front of the folks you see standing. -- Nice surprise! <br />
So anyway, our last stop was when we were having Ferd spruced up in Texas. A
little poorer, but ready to move on, we quickly found the shortest route to Gulf
Shores, Alabama.. Now we have a comfortable spot for Christmas and New Years at the Gulf State Park. This park has 496 sites that are mostly occupied with long term, snowbirds, for the winter months. We are in one of the 50 sites that during the winter are reserved for short-term visitors. It’s a very nice park with large, paved sites, reasonable rates for a resort area, and a laundry and mail receiving service. The Internet is good mostly, too.<br />
There’s still a lot of nosing around for us to do in this area. But, so far, we’ve found some great seafood gumbo and creole <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-19f97gaB79w/Urk1Z5bIjvI/AAAAAAABlaQ/OejBJtMlqtU/s1600-h/Alabama%252520Christmas%2525202013%252520009%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Alligators at Nature Center, Gulf State Park" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-osVywJQUgzI/Urk1bYjVynI/AAAAAAABlaY/F17Mh-9jy7w/Alabama%252520Christmas%2525202013%252520009_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="These baby alligators are about a foot long, tip to tip. They were happy to be getting their dinner, squeaking away." width="346" /></a>omelets at local restaurants. <br />
For now, we’re relaxing a while, finding good seafood, playing with a new tablet, watching football, learning our way around, etc.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ubpzVtJSYJ0/Urk1dId2r-I/AAAAAAABlag/cKoXw4x5rJo/s1600-h/Alabama%252520Christmas%2525202013%252520007%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Baby alligator at Gulf State Park Nature Center" border="0" height="288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lcv_FYe32tU/Urk1egvYj-I/AAAAAAABlao/-PjPnAgSGwY/Alabama%252520Christmas%2525202013%252520007_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="He seems to be checking me out, hoping to get big enough to get his jaws on me." width="339" /></a> I’ve covered almost all of the park on my walks, including the Nature Center, where these baby alligators live, along with snakes, turtles and other creatures.<br />
I’m told these little ones are offspring of “Lefty” who lives in the canal running through the park, just across from our place. (Haven’t seen him yet and don’t really want to!)<br />
The noise the alligators make sounds almost like a frog. They were very active, chomping away at their dinner. But this one seemed pretty interested in me also. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TKJlaBSOIwI/Urk1hHVPlJI/AAAAAAABlaw/Ccj0JGxJ5j4/s1600-h/2013%252520December%252520Alabama%2525200%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Hurley Christmas 2013" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rKgIhnU3C2U/Urk1invXS6I/AAAAAAABla4/OOkQVdvBoKo/2013%252520December%252520Alabama%2525200_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 2px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ferd needs some decoration as well. Merry Christmas to all!!!" width="350" /></a>I’ve had fun during my walks around the park seeing how people have decorated their homes for Christmas. Thought you might enjoy seeing some of these creative exhibits. So, I’m posting an album. Click below to take a look.<br />
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy, Safe and Prosperous 2014!!!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-22261848484650785992013-12-12T16:05:00.001-05:002013-12-12T16:10:34.209-05:00Taking Time for Ferd in Texas<p>Just like any home, Ferd needs upkeep and updates.  That’s where we are for a few days – Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches.  Our northwest travels from Gulf Shores, Alabama, included a few days in Livingston, Texas, at the Rainbow’s End Escapees Park, our “headquarters.”  But after picking up our mail at our box and making our appointment for the motorhome, we meandered north about 75 miles to have the necessary Ferd enhancements.  </p> <p>Our good experiences over the years with MOT bring us back when we can reasonably work it into our path.  So, now it’s time again for watching and waiting while the work gets done.  Let’s see….broken windshield, generator has a broken support bar, brakes need repairs and engine needs service….and then, on the road coming up here our alternator decided to bite the dust!  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jN0lvjx7p_o/Uqok7gEF6lI/AAAAAAABkv0/rfANsS2qh4w/s1600-h/IMG_4789%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 4px 12px 2px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="This morning we are positioned for a while to let the new windshield setup. Then, Manuel will move Ferd over to the area where he starts the day and a half of cleaning and deep buffing." border="0" alt="Ferd wait to enter the bay at Motorhomes of Texas." align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9T-N1bchm0Q/Uqok9U_V34I/AAAAAAABkwE/rUwCDbN7ig4/IMG_4789_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="205" /></a>The repairs list keeps growing.  </p> <p>Oh yeah, we’re also sprucing up the finish on poor old Ferd.  You know, he’s about 19 years old now and he’s pretty dull. There’s a deep polish we can get to bring back some of the original luster.   It took some consideration and contemplation on this elective stuff.  We talked with two or three people here about the benefits and results.  After discussing the budget, etc, we decided to get ‘er done!  Can’t erase all the years of wear with just this fix, or revive the cracks in the decals. But Ferd will have a bigger smile, a nicer finish.  Kindof like me having a Botox treatment, but keeping the cellulite and gray hair – noticeable improvement, while keeping a few badges of time!<img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fdhKEHBFR5M/Uqok-qXlJeI/AAAAAAABkwQ/qaL-pC5axqY/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile2.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>So for now, we’re settled in. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs8Ps75sw3L0pKXpb_as5A-xeJZoeHNdHgFFjs3LxJ7FGdi0MYPY8LTDhEuVu4olS1TjuyXooHZDBtMIgfyPr8vxIfUW6veYear_BqF_GG7l3atJE-b4RZL1kr7Cd1TeiItSRVkYK0sY/s1600-h/20131210_130546%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 4px 8px 2px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="This is the sitting area of the customers lounge at Motorhomes of Texas. Next to this area is a nice table where I'm using the internet with my laptop to make this post." border="0" alt="Motorhomes of Texas, Nacogdoches" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O-kCSmYRJeQ/UqolDerB0LI/AAAAAAABkw4/_AShx0L8UOY/20131210_130546_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="225" /></a>Comfortable... using the pleasant surroundings in the customers lounge, free coffee and internet and tv...and living in Ferd when the employees move us outside for the night’s stay. Of course, as soon as they position us inside the bay in the a.m. for the day’s work, we’re off to a breakfast spot. We’re on our second night parked here and expect to be here two more. If you have to spend the time and money, MOT is our choice of the place to do business.  The people are straight with you on what’s involved, do a professional job and are extremely pleasant.  We hear so many “yes Ma’ams and Sirs” and “ya’ll need anythings?” from these courteous Texans that you just have to feel welcome.  The guys on the work crew make sure we have electricity and answer any questions before locking the gate in the evening.  (we have the code!)</p> <p>These maintenance trips are among the ingredients of this lifestyle that aren’t the most favorite times, that’s for sure.  But, just as other activities/toys/hobbies that any of us choose, we have to keep it up to enjoy it.   Whether you have a yacht, a cabin, a pop-up camper or a bicycle….there’s always something to do.  Right?  Please say yes!  <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-steamingmad" alt="Steaming mad" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7F_T0jYi4xw/UqolEqJ4yJI/AAAAAAABkxE/B8d9X3ije9Y/wlEmoticon-steamingmad%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>We’ll soon be taking roads to warmer places again.  And our home on wheels will be purring along much smoother and shinier. </p> <p>Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  See you down the road!  Be safe.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-54588495392272004572013-12-05T00:13:00.001-05:002013-12-05T00:36:27.597-05:00Goin Up Around The Bend -- Indiana to Alabama<p>There’s a place up ahead and I’m goin’…..Come along, come along with me………</p> <p>We’ve had fun over these past nine years of travels goin up around the bend with this CCR song. This one just fits – and there are plenty of memories connected.  So now there’s another place up ahead.  We’re on another winter road trip, south from Indiana to Alabama….so far that is.</p> <p>This trip starte<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jz4PsPbRQCY/UqALSPfeAKI/AAAAAAABkOs/0GIivSPpthE/s1600-h/I465%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px 10px 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Which way to Go??? How about I-465 South to I-65 South." border="0" alt="Starting our 2013-14 winter trip from Indianapolis, I-465." align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mOGHIuwD_B4/UqALU0sRpeI/AAAAAAABkO0/qFVTg2hWbaA/I465_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="244" /></a>d a little differently.  We were both indecisive in the weeks leading up to our late-November departure about our destinations and which roads we wanted to take to those places.  We gave ourselves options……Texas or Alabama or Florida, or maybe all three.   So, we just headed south from Indianapolis on I-65,  with our first night’s stop chosen  - Nashville, Tennessee.   </p> <p>As we hit Nashville, the reports started coming in about the huge winter storm heading east that could cause highway concerns. So, it was easy then to decide to take the shortest route to warmer temps in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama.  The ride through Tennessee and Alabama was smooth and mostly sunny.  </p> <p>No matter how many times we travel the same road, though, there’s usually something new, to us anyway.  You know how you aren’t always looking at the details?  I know I’ve been there, but this time I paid attention to the rocket at the welcome center as we came into Alabama.  Actually, it’s a Saturn 1B and it’s located in Elkmont, Alabama<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UuO228XRh5Q/UqALXp2OYYI/AAAAAAABkO8/vx1r7uAHoHE/s1600-h/Saturn%252520Rocket%252520in%252520Alabama%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px 8px 4px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Traveling along I-65 into Alabama, this Saturn rocket greets you at the Welcome Center." border="0" alt="Saturn Rocket in Alabama" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BVPEAH8b9vA/UqALZrhye-I/AAAAAAABkPE/mPqWk8_HMg4/Saturn%252520Rocket%252520in%252520Alabama_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="256" /></a>.  This is just right there along the highway.   And just because, here are a few details I found:</p> <p><em>Installed in 1979, the 224 foot tall Saturn 1B was a forerunner of the Saturn 5 launch vehicle for NASA missions. It boosted unmanned Apollo modules and a few orbital trips.</em></p> <p><em>In the late 1990s, you could stop at this Alabama border Welcome Center, stand under the engines and imagine how the blast of takeoff would feel (like Alabama in August?). Renovations to the exhibit since then prevent strolling under the rocket</em>.</p> <p>Anyway, after a leisurely two-and-a-half-day ride from Indy, we arrived on Monday, November 25, at the Rainbow Plantation Escapees Park in Summerdale.  The park <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MsI4F1rWJp4/UqALbHWgbnI/AAAAAAABkPM/UKpRo3yT3Us/s1600-h/shrimp-etouffee-plate%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 4px 11px 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shrimp-etouffee-plate" border="0" alt="shrimp-etouffee-plate" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s3vGYAiaddE/UqALcroCMqI/AAAAAAABkPU/i9QN0eEpnNE/shrimp-etouffee-plate_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="193" /></a>makes a nice stopover spot, comfortable parking on grass in a quiet area.  Although we don’t like the slow Internet much. But, since we were both still recovering from coughs and colds, it was nice to just settle for a while.  And we also were thinking it would help to find some of the good shrimp etouffee we remember from our other visits.  </p> <p>We’ve had a nice time checking on the ocean at Gulf Shores, exploring a future parking spot at the Gulf State Park and eating fish/seafood. Oh yeah, we had a quiet Thanksgiving dinner in our little home, steak, mashed potatoes, salad and chocolate crumb cake.  And the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn fans are very evident in this region, to put it lightly.  They’ve been preparing for the excitement of that big game, decorating their cars and getting ready for the huge event last Saturday.  Well, if you didn’t see the last few seconds of that one, I can’t begin to describe It!!!</p> <p>Meanwhile, there’s another project that was on our planning list; Ferd needs some maintenance and repairs.  So, now we’re making phone calls, pricing and planning for that.  If possible, we prefer to have maintenance done in Nacogdoches, Texas, home of Foretravel.  Besides, we haven’t visited Livingston in a while, our “rving home,” that’s along the way between Alabama and Nacogdoches.  So, we’ll be taking a northwesterly route to do some necessary stuff.  We’ll look for a few new turns in the road through southern Louisiana and Mississippi as we go.  See you later.   </p> <p><em><strong><u>Goin Up Around the Bend</u></strong></em></p> <p>Songwriter: JOHN FOGERTY</p> <p>There's a place up ahead and I'm goin' <br />Just as fast as my feet can fly <br />Come away, come away if you're goin', <br />Leave the sinkin' ship behind. <br />CHORUS: <br />Come on the risin' wind, <br />We're goin' up around the bend. <br />Ooh! <br />Bring a song and a smile for the banjo, <br />Better get while the gettin's good, <br />Hitch a ride to the end of the highway <br />Where the neons turn to wood. <br />[CHORUS] <br />Ooh! <br />You can ponder perpetual motion, <br />Fix your mind on a crystal day, <br />Always time for a good conversation, <br />There's an ear for what you say. <br />[CHORUS] <br />Yeah! <br />Ooh! <br />Catch a ride to the end of the highway <br />And we'll meet by the big red tree, <br />There's a place up ahead and I'm goin' <br />Come along, come along with me. <br />[CHORUS] </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-23917696740355875592013-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-31T08:00:02.856-04:00Conjuring Up Creatures Through the YearsI’ve been sorting and scanning old photos again. Then, it just happens! All kinds of blog post ideas start emerging. So now...I can’t resist gathering these generations of goblins together for Hurley Travels. Here’s some time travel from the 1940s through 2000s.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6mF11e53KeY/Um3dy99qIWI/AAAAAAABUaY/XfN0lZP4ZGM/s1600-h/Cousins%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Cousins" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RxyVrjscwtU/Um3dzoJmK0I/AAAAAAABUag/vwoKLwbQ-rg/Cousins_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cousins" width="252" /></a> This first Halloween step back is a group of cousins that were gathering at
Grandma Weber’s house in 1947. Don’t look all that happy about
trick-or-treating, do they?! These youngsters are from two to five years of
age: At the top on the landing is my brother, Donny Niehaus. The girl
standing just one step down from him is my sister, Martha, with my cousin, Bill
Niehaus, next to her. In front of Bill is his sister, Marilyn. And in the
front of them all is our cousin, Janet Weber.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-060j7x1iGFY/Um3fImwKZWI/AAAAAAABUbg/FkRfHTzMHgA/s1600-h/Nan%252520Marti%252520Halloween%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Nancy Carole and Martha Niehaus" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q8gOvoeJd8A/Um3fJC9Vu-I/AAAAAAABUbo/hRZVLTZ2uZg/Nan%252520Marti%252520Halloween_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="margin: 4px 17px 4px 7px;" title="Nancy Carole and Martha Niehaus, about 1952." width="201" /></a> The theme here seems to be hats; four out of five have
some facsimile. <br />
<br />
The gals in the next black and white photo from 1952 are incognito ~ Me (Nancy) and my "older" sis, Martha. These costumes and masks don’t necessarily match. But, as I remember, ours were usually random outfits in those days. We <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlunT2j10C8/Um3d117_AjI/AAAAAAABUa4/aPOzxEHHjZ0/s1600-h/Halloween%252520Krissy%252520Bum%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Halloween Krissy Bum" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-be3W2lJIR1Y/Um3d2oDOOzI/AAAAAAABUbA/jo31CzmGpgA/Halloween%252520Krissy%252520Bum_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween Krissy Bum" width="193" /></a>had a big box of costume paraphernalia carried over from year to year that we put together in various ways. There was one really scary rubber devil mask that might be worn with anything. You never knew what might come out of the box or be left after the other siblings got theirs.<br />
Then, the photos move through the generations to about 1986. The bum on the left is Krissy. Take a look at the weird mask. Not really sure what it is. And she’s wearing one of my jackets and scarves. Whose hat is that?! Oh, and that’s a candy cigar, BTW! Creating a costume out of old clothing became a tradition, I guess. Krissy and her friends kept that up for years.<br />
<br />
That brings me <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--YoAx8KcpjI/Um3d3ppg6mI/AAAAAAABUbI/mWsbLbHhdZQ/s1600-h/Halloween%252520B%252520and%252520C%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Halloween Ben and Caroline, about 2002" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yPwX1ZKvjXE/Um3d4dB9krI/AAAAAAABUbQ/IsS1qtHQrd8/Halloween%252520B%252520and%252520C_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween Ben and Caroline" width="230" /></a>to the early 2000 era. These darling grandchildren!!! First we have the cutest leopard ever, Caroline, with her painted face and black cat ears. Her brother, Ben, looks pretty horrid as some sort of ugly zombie hanging on her side. <br />
And lastly, here’s C as an Indian girl (I think), with her buddy, Nicole, the
green-faced something. These two grew up on the same street, spending time at each other’s homes, sharing the fun of Halloween, birthdays and just being friends. They look back on those days fondly as they are going into their adulthood today.<img alt="Halloween C and Nicole" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G8yX72g1jow/Um3d42d-5XI/AAAAAAABUbY/Rd8-JJe3aDw/Halloween%252520C%252520and%252520Nicole_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Halloween C and Nicole" width="221" /><br />
Using imagination to become another being for a few hours is a lot of fun!!! All of these costumed folks are beyond that phase now. But I hope those following along in their footsteps enjoy their own Halloween times and can dig up some interesting creations for posting here in the future. C’mon Eland, Luke, Ava, Lila, Jude, Chase, Madison, Annabelle, Madelyn, Eli,..........Let’s see what you've got!<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-65355845139510211292013-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-25T08:00:01.054-04:00Flashback Friday - Black SmokeThis Hurley Trav<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ioU5yyy_MZk/UmiwvP46caI/AAAAAAABUXA/X3NtpXwhlXg/s1600-h/JRH1969%252520001%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Jerry Hurley at Indianapolis Fire Station #22 in 1969." height="249" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kN-Qiqh2LoE/UmiwwAXezfI/AAAAAAABUXI/o-FKS2Je5d0/JRH1969%252520001_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 10px 5px 15px;" title="Jerry at work, Fire Station #22, in 1969." width="310" /></a>els post flashes back over 40 years in Jerry’s life. I haven’t had the chance to talk about his days with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Those years are long before I was in his life, but he shares some of the experiences with me occasionally. After our 14 years of history together, I’m learning the lingo and I think I might even understand the lifestyle to some degree. So, now that I have this unique opportunity, this is one episode I just have to include in this journey on Hurley Travels.<br />
There’s a story that Jerry told me (Nancy) a while ago about a video of his crew at the 22s (Indianapolis fire station #22) that aired way back when on a local Indianapolis TV station. He explained that the man from the TV station who was involved with creating this video was interested in the dynamics of firefighting and the men who chose to do that. (No women at that time.) Jerry never knew of anyone who had a copy of that video. Or if there was a way that it coul<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-un4davIXjyg/Umiwxdh5F_I/AAAAAAABUXQ/5GzkF5gLayA/s1600-h/Firemen%252520%2525281%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Jerry on top, with some of his fellow firemen." height="272" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TCM9HtL6wgs/UmiwyF9LbAI/AAAAAAABUXY/EXA2ReXmW8o/Firemen%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 25px 5px 6px;" title="Crew members from the 22s in about 1970. Jerry is standing above." width="405" /></a>d be obtained from the archives of the TV station. We talked about it a few times, but then life just went on. <br />
Well, lo and behold, the other day this video appeared on the Facebook page of the Indianapolis Fire Department Museum. The young man singing is a new fireman at the time, a “sub.” His name is Bob "Footsie" Arthur. He wrote the song that describes the smoke, the 22s crew and other aspects of “rolling on.”<br />
If you are watching for Jerry, here are a couple of the places you’ll see him: he steps into the smoke through a window at about 1:36 and another place he’s coming up the sidewalk onto a front porch at about 2:06 of the video. As far as we can determine, this production was in 1972. Just 41 years ago!<br />
I want to thank the folks at the IFD Museum who are continually posting interesting documentation on the Facebook page. Thanks to them, Jerry was able to find this piece of his past.<br />
If you’d like to view the “Black Smoke” video, click here:<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/X7AhEL3OZTc">http://youtu.be/X7AhEL3OZTc</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels. Stay safe.<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/16uCEZN" title="http://bit.ly/16uCEZN"><br /></a>
<a href="http://bit.ly/16uCEZN" title="http://bit.ly/16uCEZN"><br /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-52905247934057653292013-10-16T02:09:00.000-04:002013-10-25T15:36:14.535-04:00Hoosier Outdoors and Hurley Rides AgainThese past 30 days have included the usual happenings, but also a few unique ones. For instance, our <a href="http://www.indianaties.com/search/label/Family%3A%20Hurley" target="_blank">13th wedding anniversary</a>, our <a href="http://www.indianaties.com/2013/09/niehaus-reunion-another-page-in-family.html" target="_blank">Niehaus family reunion</a>, some good and bad recipes in Jerry’s smoker, and visiting with a friend that I haven’t seen in way too many years. (Good to see you, Melissa!) And even though I don’t have details here on everything, those memories are cataloged in special places.<br />
So, I'm doing my usual overview on the space here at Hurley Travels with two of our newsy pieces. We've been enjoying the Hoosier Outdoor Experience and Jerry’s new toy, Bruno.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EF44mX_GptM/Ul4thybSKyI/AAAAAAABT3w/N9zbDvb9Myw/s1600-h/20130921_103410%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Krissy has a treat for her friend." border="0" height="357" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J9Uzhhuh5CA/Ul4tikYg-oI/AAAAAAABT34/crhCmk8j3x8/20130921_103410_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 10px 4px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Krissy and Chief became good friends during their time together, Sept, 2013." width="319" /></a><br />
On September 21 Krissy and I had a very pleasant, sunny day of volunteering and roaming at our local state park. This is one of those roundabout happenings. My girlhood (really really longtime) friend Mary Jo, who now lives in New Mexico, forwarded an email to Krissy from the Hoosier Back Country Horsemen. Mary Jo’s a former member. They were looking for volunteers during the Hoosier Outdoor Experience at Fort Harrison State Park, just around the corner from our house. We both, of course, enjoy getting out into nature. And since Krissy has never lost her horse-loving spirit since the days she spent her free time riding and grooming Snaz (her favorite horse), we both were happy to take part. Turns out the Hoosier Outdoor Experience is two days of learning and doing everything outdoors, from fishing to gold panning and off-roading to tree dogs. Volunteering for us meant acquainting people with information on the riding trails in Indiana, showing them the Dutch Oven cooking and making sure kids didn’t put their hands in the horses mouths. Some young people<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFSsboMa3oY/Ul4tjtcXFhI/AAAAAAABT4A/XSO5oVRT76s/s1600-h/IMG_4205%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Sally demonstrates cleaning her horse's hoof." border="0" height="272" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R-e7ITHZsyg/Ul4tkgKppRI/AAAAAAABT4I/tN-3NuNr_5k/IMG_4205_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 6px 18px 4px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="A couple of fascinated young ladies watch as Sally shows them how to clean the horse's hoof." width="361" /></a> learned to saddle the horses, clean hooves, etc. Susan, one of the horse owners, taught visitors how to tie knots and do knot tricks. <br />
One of the highlights of having some time with the Hoosier Back Country Horsemen group was that we both got the chance to visit with a friend, Yvette Rollins,<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AsjpvE5AZBs/Ul4tltOh_XI/AAAAAAABT4Q/qWBTc0Izp6Q/s1600-h/IMG_4206%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Connie and Yvette making strawberry dessert and chili in the dutch oven." border="0" height="277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y9mHxLaiSgA/Ul4tmR9N4qI/AAAAAAABT4Y/2pYTdOaRF-8/IMG_4206_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Yvette, on the right, is a fabulous horse woman and a lot of fun! She and Connie shared the strawberry cake and tasty chili prepared in the dutch ovens." width="368" /></a> that we knew years ago from riding trails. Horses are a primary part of her life. Many people understand that. There sure were lots of folks enjoying the horses here. Yvette and other members of the group taught everyone about how they conserve the outdoors, whether it’s cooking without scorching the ground or leaving no trace with their special mats for the horses. We learned about cooking in a volcano Dutch oven that circulates the heat, while stacking the cast iron pots with various types of food, one on top of the other. They shared some delicious chili and cinnamon coffee cake and other goodies with everyone passing through! <br />
Then, after our few hours of volunteering, we hopped on a shuttle bus to experience a little more around the park. There were families everywhere, canoeing, shooting, fishing and learning about trees, birds, dogs and on and on. For instance, strolling through the many exhibits we chose to spend some time watching the demonstrations of the tree dogs. Very fun to watch them focus, focus, focus! After some time at the lake and feasting on a huge hot dog and <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E-_irv9Xksc/Ul4tnpvzR6I/AAAAAAABT4g/AysP8N5BPbI/s1600-h/20131004_131237%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Bruno and Jerry taking another excursion, Oct, 2013." border="0" height="261" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1LyYEC79hxc/Ul4todtdNcI/AAAAAAABT4o/dedn1-_IjM4/20131004_131237_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 10px 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bruno, the Suzuki Burgman 400, has been providing enjoyment galore!" width="346" /></a>elephant ear, we took the bus back to our car for a short ride home. What a great day!<br />
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But what else have we been up to at the Hurley household?! Just another addition in the Hurley garage! Bruno, the Suzuki Burgman 400, joined the group about three weeks ago. He’s getting along pretty well with Ole Yeller, Ruby and Ferd so far. Of course, Jerry contemplated, researched, calculated and reviewed before deciding that it was time and the Burgman was the choice. Oh yeah, first he did the appropriate shopping and debating. Tim helped, too. When Jerry found what appeared to be the best deal, age, color, and so on, Tim was ready with his trailer hooked to the pickup -- they made the trip to southern Indiana. The father/son trip was a special part of this story, too. (Yes, guys, I think so!) Wish I had a better pic of the two of them in the garage after they unloaded it in the rain. But Tim didn’t stop cleaning the bike long enough. So, here I h<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R_H4MAFEPT0/Ul4xNJEKagI/AAAAAAABT4w/3gYD7J-aptE/s1600-h/IMG_4187%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Tim and Jerry take a look at the details of the new Burgman 400." border="0" height="316" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u98NTplHtAk/Ul4xNrbG2dI/AAAAAAABT40/NhkrWy5i5Ro/IMG_4187_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 12px 4px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tim was right there to help his Dad bring home the new Burgman. They took time as soon as it was unloaded to look over all of the features. It rained that day so the first ride had to be the next day." width="238" /></a>ave the top of their heads as they investigate another doohickey!<br />
Without going into a great deal more explanation or description, here’s the new means of transportation at the Hurley place. Yes, he says he’s come full circle: At 17 years old he had a Vespa that he attempted to ride from Indianapolis to Phoenix. (That’s a story for another day.) About ten years ago we had a Harley, before our fulltime RVing days. There were some good times on “Cherry” too. And today, Bruno is getting Jerry around town, to the post office, hardware store, and the long way around to wherever he decides to go. <br />
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Lastly, for those wondering, we are getting ready to make our exit from the cold climate in mid November. Ferd is waiting patiently for us to load clothes, supplies and fuel for the trip. Things are different now that we have a stick home to button up. You know, storing the grill and the flower pots and turning off the Internet and TV services, etc., etc. But we’ll be watching the weather as November moves along. There are roads to the south that are holding more experiences for us. <br />
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Thanks for visiting us at Hurley Travels. Stay safe. <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-72303866399575114352013-09-18T19:55:00.000-04:002013-09-18T19:57:17.304-04:00Not So Much Labor, But A Lot of BirthdayThis year Labor Day fell exactly on Jerry’s Birthday! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sj57vp5lPoU/Ujo4qdIwEvI/AAAAAAABTlM/hofN9Al7lBE/s1600-h/IMG_4086%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_4086" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mZjJI_G43IQZPclYKK6gXYEgCWUfhI2M7_N760D3RlvxKN9Q7pvHBk0j47XyHq5cWyGtDWhCaIv8tFmaNHHSuaOR4HkyA_2hVYkpZcjzAoLd7SRo50Jua_BDMTE42cunnED1OZYqsGc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 6px 8px 6px 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4086" width="184" /></a>Thanks to Tim and Jamie, we had a super celebration with no labor. Jamie cooked some delicious grilled carrots, pineapple and shrimp to start off our feast. Caroline provided her usual beautiful granddaughter ingredients. Friends arrived at various times throughout the afternoon and evening. Swimming was interspersed, whenever anyone felt like it. The laughs spread generously. Then, there were steaks grilled to perfection. What more is there to say, except that by the time we got <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-prxBkASxxG8/Ujo4sK2QEyI/AAAAAAABTlc/2OC_7dgWGVE/s1600-h/IMG_4064%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_4064" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GrY5OUmTQ-4/Ujo4syyrIyI/AAAAAAABTlk/NSSiWHxzkpc/IMG_4064_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 6px 12px 6px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4064" width="244" /></a>to the birthday cake it was really dark in the Hurley backyard. But still, that cake was soooooo good!<br />
And, you know how sometimes the photos for some kind of special event just generally suck?! Well, this <i>wasn’t </i>one of those days. I managed to take a few good ones. So, instead of a lot of conversation about Jerry’s Birthday, I’m posting a few more photos here…… <br />
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P.S. Yes, other things have been going on in our lives. For instance, two family reunions and visits with sisters, aunts and other kin. I’ve made a few updates in that regard over at <a href="http://www.indianaties.com/">www.indianaties.com</a>. (I know, I’m blog nuts!! <img alt="Nyah-Nyah" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-nyahnyah" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8a6YirZ4FmSJFuq6wmhwZ0wWm8uBr-M_j9NUth0w51olq9UKqolMMVo0xRX0rn411ppKvMvAK4x7-1zb41fOZjlkIwcPH1kmgkHfeiuD4hSz-P2M-qM_QbFsvbjY0effYMhNNuIFur4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> )<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-86130618601640952662013-09-12T21:54:00.000-04:002013-09-12T21:54:39.380-04:00How Far Can This 2nd Grader Travel?The latest travel adventure in this neck of the woods involves a special 2nd grader in our family, Eland. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hA-mit5TTpk/UjJqzGHXJRI/AAAAAAABLJ4/qOo6Q3SpVXo/s1600-h/Eland-Banner-for-FB%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Eland's Elementary School Class Project" border="0" height="218" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-23Opo-ASwW0/UjJq0NpOIuI/AAAAAAABLKA/OyrP0S3L8FQ/Eland-Banner-for-FB_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall when these young people get to read their postcards from everywhere in their classroom!" width="576" /></a>He has a class project with the aim of learning about geography and travel. The kids are asking everyone they know who <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R7AQCPn5QW4/UjJq1PLEHcI/AAAAAAABLKI/LuoOqAeVAXk/s1600-h/2009%252520Eland%252520and%252520Pops%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="2009 Eland and Pops" border="0" height="246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EdbHWmTJ9Yw/UjJq1-y28JI/AAAAAAABLKM/-kBm5PXocG4/2009%252520Eland%252520and%252520Pops_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Eland and Jerry visiting. Yes, he can capture your heart." width="186" /></a>might be traveling, or who lives in another state from Indiana, to send them a postcard from that state with a few words about what it’s like there or something unique. Eland will have the opportunity to read each card he receives to the class. Now is that cool, or what!<br />
So, I thought I would help out by posting the information about his project here on Hurley Travels. If anyone has an extra postcard and would like to give this young man a chance to learn about your home state or somewhere you’re traveling, the mailing information is on the banner posted here. I’ll update the blog as I learn how the class is doing. <br />
Below is a section of the project information, in case it isn’t legible on the other piece: <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a5-4-lX9QNM/UjJtXF0FTII/AAAAAAABLKY/5aCvs1c-PI0/s1600-h/Eland%252520Class%252520Project%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Eland Class Project" border="0" height="346" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dhKHl_VISmE/UjJtX0x4m_I/AAAAAAABLKg/rG3XZO11m4I/Eland%252520Class%252520Project_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Eland Class Project" width="400" /></a><br />
As far as other happenings in the Hurley camp, we’ve been relatively involved, so to speak. I will be coming up with a rundown soon.<br />
Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels. Stay safe.<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-15607915890468509822013-08-15T15:54:00.002-04:002013-08-15T15:54:37.669-04:00Fair and Family Backyard FunSummers are super! The State Fair brings food and animal fun! Hanging out on the patio and in the pool is cool! Tenting and a campfire in the backyard is good times!<br />
Krissy and I ate our way through the fried tomatoes and pickles and various other specialties of the State Fair. We roamed through the barns getting our fill of the dog drill teams, baby pigs, pygmy goats and Percherons. We even viewed the two-ton Indiana cheddar cheese sculpture. (below) It was a lovely day at the State Fair. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U7rWtGaaTig/Ug0s-tf6hoI/AAAAAAABJyc/1vw_Ks_Unfw/s1600-h/IMG_4026%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Luke, Mandy, Addie, Jamie and Eland." border="0" height="261" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5W33sgoodU8/Ug0s_UnJ-LI/AAAAAAABJyk/OOP2EuH_saQ/IMG_4026_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Getting ready for a campout in the backyard are Luke, Mandy, Addie, Jamie and Eland." width="347" /></a></div>
To top off that day, there was another backyard extravaganza at Tim and Jamie’s. Friends were visiting, eating and having a lot of laughs. Jamie’s very fun sisters, Emily and Mandy, and their children, put up the tent for the boys to sleep out (photo) after all the kids had their fill of swimming in the pool. Below, cute little Sage is really becoming a water bug. And Luke put his hand to making a fire the old fashioned way, but he eventually said “I took Tim’s way.” There was a big blaze in the fire pit in no time and the kids were enjoying their hot dogs and smores.<br />
What more needs to be said:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lUOEiTyhRvg/Ug0s0WercvI/AAAAAAABJwM/-8Pc88EBkbA/s1600-h/IMG_3977%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dog drill team from Boone County shows off." border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NAX43sIO5Vw/Ug0s1YX8NaI/AAAAAAABJwU/HB9ZQQ-kF3o/IMG_3977_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The dogs in the Boone County Drill Team are doing their stuff with pizzazz!" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sw8rrZqpmMM/Ug0s2Q2bPII/AAAAAAABJwc/e9CRlzl1OfA/s1600-h/IMG_3983%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Champion Momma pig and her piglets." border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V4tzRtcQmhU/Ug0s3B29dUI/AAAAAAABJwk/MwZLKHsg-qs/IMG_3983_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The piglets go after their lunch while Champion Momma sleeps away!" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ixN_SrVo-l0/Ug0s4KPKMUI/AAAAAAABJws/wMW13l-evY0/s1600-h/IMG_3984%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Loveable baby pig." border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kTRSlc_NX94/Ug0s4xd7JJI/AAAAAAABJw0/qK9rVpVCoJM/IMG_3984_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="One of the piglets got a tummy full and went off for a nap." width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-trn8Ly_qdhc/Ug0s565aGwI/AAAAAAABJw8/ZiByUkWWGZw/s1600-h/IMG_3995%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Friendly pygmy goat." border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FWxD60Nv3bU/Ug0s6q8vdVI/AAAAAAABJxE/9QtV-NxUUBQ/IMG_3995_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="One of the highlights for Krissy and me on our State Fair day was the pygmy goats. We watched them compete and then visited in the pens." width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K9QDD8cegjs/Ug0s7Ta8-jI/AAAAAAABJxM/h1MLXKhsIdc/s1600-h/IMG_4016%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Young man gets a birds-eye view of the Percheron." border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UwDSbvqBQOo/Ug0s8HtXkRI/AAAAAAABJxU/AjK-CU3C2tw/IMG_4016_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dad gives his little son a chance to pet the Percheron at the State Fair. What a memory!" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hRdB5gcjBfQ/Ug0s9FvMCEI/AAAAAAABJxc/EeGtcrjChNg/s1600-h/IMG_4023%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cheese sculpture looks yummy!" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cMG8jzomvXs/Ug0s9-s7o0I/AAAAAAABJxk/t2B9efkL18o/IMG_4023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cheese sculpture at the State Fair. Lots of Cheddar!" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ptj0XyZ0ui8/Ug0tAVROo2I/AAAAAAABJys/4ewaH9bd4_s/s1600-h/IMG_4030%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sage enjoys the pool." border="0" height="241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EoqF6pFBxeI/Ug0tBOWEfsI/AAAAAAABJy0/v4KaeS22aPU/IMG_4030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="She's 3 1/2 and just learning to swim. Sage is taking very well to the whole thing." width="320" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aeEk8IWEUl0/Ug0tBwVFesI/AAAAAAABJy8/9WO7i0hfyE0/s1600-h/IMG_4032%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Luke strikes it up." border="0" height="263" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lTixPtNNZXQ/Ug0tCSROw-I/AAAAAAABJzE/ffy9zaZWXmw/IMG_4032_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Luke tried very hard to get the fire going. Oh well, next time." width="198" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-75657182046767810962013-08-04T11:03:00.002-04:002013-08-04T11:03:38.067-04:00Hiking Among the Trees and the Art<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-heAoPC-3144/Uf3iBWUAKJI/AAAAAAABJsE/qFwlE6149DM/s1600-h/20130802_122723%25255B11%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" alt="Krissy and Emma enjoying Ft. Harrison State Park." border="0" height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VPaX9rzIGLw/Uf3iCMMCRsI/AAAAAAABJsM/LKRflPEeJDg/20130802_122723_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 4px 11px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="We walked the Lawrence Creek trail at Fort Harrison State Park. The temperature was mild and the day sunny. We couldn't have asked for a nicer Indiana summer day." width="240" /></a>Exercise is good for me, right?! Krissy and I (Nancy) chose a day of her vacation week to go for a four-mile hike in the woods and a three-hour walk through the art museum. Emma was along for our hike and loved every minute of sniffing the trail, watching the squirrels and wading in the creek. But laying down in the creek wasn't for her at all! She sprang right back up and wouldn't even sit after that. Just toooo cold on her belly!<br />
Fort Harrison State Park is only a couple of miles from our house - a beautiful place to spend a 70s summer day.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPQcKzgP5abdMg7y1DGikKyB4G1Z9-oT0UlI6vXB5syPHPYNKxztWRJ-UH3qWzWc-o7itvSG4G-9Fi1UDatoHPj-WlZaCmkS-4irMFn7gHhxUHMtpKoMRbjdGf3K1qz3BBZX3e3Tg7-0/s1600/20130802_134613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Emma tries out the water." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPQcKzgP5abdMg7y1DGikKyB4G1Z9-oT0UlI6vXB5syPHPYNKxztWRJ-UH3qWzWc-o7itvSG4G-9Fi1UDatoHPj-WlZaCmkS-4irMFn7gHhxUHMtpKoMRbjdGf3K1qz3BBZX3e3Tg7-0/s320/20130802_134613.jpg" title="Emma headed straight for the water when we got close to the creek." width="320" /></a><br />
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Oh yes, we also stopped after our hike to walk through an old cemetery located in the Fort, dating to the early 1800s. We both like just poking around, looking at the old tombstones.<br />
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Then, after cleaning up a little and leaving the dog at home to nap, we headed for a favorite Greek restaurant. Some spicy feta and a Greek salad revved us up again with energy for exploring the Indianapolis Museum of Art. We roamed through the American and European paintings and sculptures, the ancient and decorative art and some interesting prints and drawings. There was much more we didn’t get to, two floors in fact. But we were happy with our dose of art and ready to call it a day. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rN2jYX-0oXo/Uf3iC_Jf3eI/AAAAAAABJsU/zS35bhN3Ahw/s1600-h/IMG_3820%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="right" alt="Krissy's new car." border="0" height="227" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wNIVirxuwt4/Uf3iDmGYy9I/AAAAAAABJsc/0ZzOsiXIYkk/IMG_3820_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 20px 4px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Krissy just purchased her new Honda Fit the day before we went for our hike. Jerry and I had a chance to look it over in the morning before we had our mother/daughter outing." width="320" /></a></div>
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Part of the fun of the day was the transportation for our activities around the city, Krissy’s new Honda Fit, just one day in her possession. Great ride! <br />
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My legs were only a little sore after all the miles we covered by foot. What a fun day! <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-51172721078810294462013-07-25T15:44:00.001-04:002013-07-25T15:44:32.399-04:00More of This Summer with the HurleysWell, there it went! Another month of our summer passed right by. Life just happens so quickly! When I decide to put my mind to this blog, whether it’s after one week or six weeks, I’m often amazed at all that has happened. Sometimes I begin a post thinking there’s really not much to say. Then it starts… checking the camera and the phone to jumpstart my memory….glancing at the calendar for notes, staring out the window hoping to get the old brain cranked up. By the time I decide to end a post, I’ve conjured up more than it makes any sense to include here. What to leave out??? It’s easy to cross off the dentist and doctor appointments and illnesses. No need to say more! I usually begin choosing my topics by sorting pics, eliminating those nasty out-of-focus ones, or the embarrassing ones. Yes, I have them! The photos that make the cut give me the kick in the butt….I can start rolling. Before I know it, we’ve got another page in Hurley Travels. <br />
So, I'll give it another try....<br />
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My inclination on Hurley Travels is to leave out the melancholy parts. After all, who wants to look back on those. But occasionally some event just begs to be here. This is one of those. For this post I decided to include a comment about the tragedy at the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30. This little town is a place we have enjoyed visiting when we are staying in Congress, AZ. We were happy to have a chance to spend a good deal of time with our friends in Congress this past winter. Some may remember the <a href="http://www.hurleytravels.blogspot.com/2013/01/holidays-fiestas-and-foolin-around-in.html" target="_blank">posts I made about those fun times in Arizona.</a> When we make this area a winter home, one highlight is the times we go as a group on the ten-mile trip up the mountain to Yarnell or Peeples Valley, to one of the local restaurants. In fact, in late February Jerry and Dee took us on a 4wheeling trail through the countryside that led us to the Ranch House Restaurant in Yarnell where we sampled their fabulous food and friendly atmosphere. Luckily, the restaurant was unharmed by the June wildfire that took the lives of 19 Hotshots from Prescott. Along with so many other people, we have great sadness for the families of those firefighters, as well as sympathy for those who lost their homes. There are folks from Congress that are pitching in to help in whatever way they can. Some are donating space in an RV, some give of their time to help the many who are in need of supplies and shelter. Jerry and Dee returned early from their summer travels in Colorado to do what they could to help out. Now they are volunteering six days a week, helping to distribute clothes, make home repairs and whatever they are asked to do. We are keeping everyone in our prayers as they all pull together. <a href="http://azstarnet.com/news/state-and-regional/charities-raise-estimated-m-after-yarnell-fire/article_6060c9ae-d141-5de4-b321-43ff915273f0.html" target="_blank">(Here’s a site with a bit of the latest information.)</a> <br />
Meanwhile, we are also following the explorations of several of our RVing friends around the country this summer. There are those taking in New York City, Pennsylvania and D. C., and points north and south on the east coast. We have stories and great photos from travelers in Montana and Wyoming. The beauty of the west coast, Oregon and Washington, is also being explored. And then there’s the group of about 12 having a blast up in Alaska. Keep enjoying yourselves! We’re watching.<br />
As far as the Hurleys in Indianapolis, we’re celebrating birthdays, holidays and exploring new cooking devices. In late June, granddaughter Caroline turned 20. Wow! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IPbMBjK2WVA/UfF4gqMomAI/AAAAAAABIyw/BNeONH7egxk/s1600-h/20130623_210234%2525280%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-60hhrceMOdg/UfF4hSQxOrI/AAAAAAABIy4/eypJNJ3ArR0/20130623_210234%2525280%252529_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Caroline gives some hot air for her 20th." border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-60hhrceMOdg/UfF4hSQxOrI/AAAAAAABIy4/eypJNJ3ArR0/20130623_210234%2525280%252529_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; margin-top: 6px;" title="Here's Caroline making her 20th birthday wish." width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjScjCAJ_RDFcwi6uZroviLW_5A80VRkX2cMClRmpoMc6kzgtmMg32zdcI4AKgeHJx0GVU7Dxx-eYbDNyWtIwXtHZN3eDX0Aqlz1hDSoJ1jvEwl_u43O6PffYODphty7sG3E5ql0g8HJ0/s1600/Caroline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Caroline" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjScjCAJ_RDFcwi6uZroviLW_5A80VRkX2cMClRmpoMc6kzgtmMg32zdcI4AKgeHJx0GVU7Dxx-eYbDNyWtIwXtHZN3eDX0Aqlz1hDSoJ1jvEwl_u43O6PffYODphty7sG3E5ql0g8HJ0/s320/Caroline.jpg" title="Caroline" width="204" /></a></div>
How could that be?! We are happy to be watching her grow into a young lady, even if it is going so fast. She is working at “Play It Again Sports” and getting her college education. Of course, enjoying country music concerts and hanging out at the pool are priorities as well. It was fun being with her friend, Kelly, and Jamie and Tim for a backyard birthday. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CPUrRJLH74A/UfF4ifUoadI/AAAAAAABIzA/XNCLDmBgAbw/s1600-h/20130623_195715%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Caroline, Jamie, Tim" height="299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cdeS8F1VoHI/UfF4i3a_WnI/AAAAAAABIzI/4zzaNNnRjdk/20130623_195715_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 6px auto;" title="Caroline, with Jamie and Tim, having a birthday bash on Jamie and Tim's patio." width="400" /></a><br />
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Our 4th of July festivities were relatively quiet, but still a great day. Can’t believe I didn’t take any pictures of Jerry grilling, or Caroline eating, or Krissy’s dessert, or of me and K with our sparklers. Oh well, next year.<br />
One of the best happenings in this household over the past month was Jerry’s newest culinary exploration. He studied, and considered, and read recipes and recommendations. And then he used our new Amazon Prime account to order his new SMOKER! First he tried some chicken legs, thinking that it would be a cheaper experiment, in case he had <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ruN4MpK3mLM/UfF4j6FbJFI/AAAAAAABIzQ/Ff_B4ZhiiUg/s1600-h/20130629_160158%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jerry's new smoker." height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bkhQypRHeAc/UfF4kbdHM0I/AAAAAAABIzY/3kxX8KI_cKI/20130629_160158_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto;" title="Exploring the new smoker has been a fun time for Jerry and good eating for me." width="300" /></a>to throw it away. But, we enjoyed those smokey legs….a lot! <br />
Then he moved on to the pork shoulder. Somewhere he learned about rubbing it first with mustard. Then he covered it with the rub he purchased and wrapped it in Saran wrap overnight. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oP60kMWBp5g/UfF4lIM8KTI/AAAAAAABIzg/QQ1wC6mL2fs/s1600-h/IMG_3755%25255B27%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jerry and his pulled pork." height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qp0xoHaZ0VE/UfF4l4vGwBI/AAAAAAABIzo/vbhmDJmkzbo/IMG_3755_thumb%25255B21%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto 5px;" title="Jerry had to examine the pork carefully before we tasted his new recipe. It was delicious!" width="299" /></a> Well, whatever his secrets were, we had scrumptious pulled pork! Can’t wait for the brisket and more smokin' goodness. <br />
Don’t say this family doesn’t know how to live it up! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zNDf8Vq9XpQ/UfF4mCgKrBI/AAAAAAABIzw/t7p1_dymxRo/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> A week or so later, Tim and Jamie called to invite us to join them at a fishing lake a few miles north of Indianapolis. They had decided on the spur of the moment to take their motorhome for an overnight. It didn’t take us long to throw the folding chairs in the back of the Jeep and head that way. Besides, this was another chance for a birthday, this time Jamie’s. I did take photos of Jamie with her gifts, of the grandkids, Ben and Caroline, fishing and building a fire and visiting with their Gramps, Tim roasting hot dogs, etc. I know I did. But where are they? Can’t seem to find them in the camera, the computer, anywhere. So this episode will have to be imaginative.<br />
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And speaking of food....a bonus for us recently is that Krissy walks, or runs, on what is called the Monon Trail near her apartment almost every day. Sometimes she finds blackberries growing wild and comes prepared to pick them. This last trip she found enough berries for two blackberry tarts. And guess who received one of them?! But I forgot to snap a shot of the creation before we gobbled it down to the last bite. Yummy! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Z4mG7GH91Q/UfF4m1JZjkI/AAAAAAABIz4/4d5t5fCfGx0/s1600-h/20130701_113805%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Krissy's blackberry tart." height="320" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-th0L2WnK_L8/UfF4nX2mXOI/AAAAAAABI0A/UrimFiSYyfg/20130701_113805_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 2px auto;" title="The blackberry tart had a cream cheese filling and a delicious crust!" width="240" /></a><br />
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I’ll conclude this Hurley story with an impromptu visit from Tim and Jamie while they were out for a Sunday Harley ride. Thanks kids! Love seeing you anytime. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TDs5U7ET8EI/UfF4oHl7gMI/AAAAAAABI0I/Si5ppYeZhE4/s1600-h/20130721_200204%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="20130721_200204" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLjPS3bME5vh6xoIecKQ4Nkn3QrQ06chK-3KRVIYMSf28FklnmAD-LcrTjQk9fOe_OlRyStqWnTB8j_lCwhyphenhyphenNLC1TqT9zs-1dyK9RXSUc3QwDMhQDNAiC3Dj-vmpynasHcqjs4FecoNo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20130721_200204" width="400" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w3jhTvVrwbw/UfF4pkMGvhI/AAAAAAABI0Y/ySy9wZmH9Z4/s1600-h/20130721_201234%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="20130721_201234" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sWztFEe1ERo/UfF4qerEtUI/AAAAAAABI0g/g5r5-ywYcPE/20130721_201234_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20130721_201234" width="354" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jB2wPrArYh4/UfF4rFGn5gI/AAAAAAABI0o/z8a9pITp8mU/s1600-h/20130721_201232%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="20130721_201232" border="0" height="269" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yxW2mFCUIQ0/UfF4rwg6hjI/AAAAAAABI0w/_aXtyO90apE/20130721_201232_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 4px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20130721_201232" width="359" /></a><br />
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Thanks for visiting on Hurley Travels. Have fun and be safe!<div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8737003524067433261.post-1655812027910320242013-07-04T12:05:00.001-04:002013-07-04T12:05:32.520-04:00Happy Independence Day!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0INHMiAjR2s/UdWdSJzW3ZI/AAAAAAABIcc/0S8HwYjHH3w/s1600-h/20130704_113712%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="20130704_113712" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20130704_113712" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YuQVVZ_OsvE/UdWdS-1RtDI/AAAAAAABIck/wHekfLr02xc/20130704_113712_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="326" /></a></p> <p>We celebrate our freedoms today and every day.  </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">hurleytravels.blogspot.com</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0