The document recounts a memorable road trip in August-September 2011, covering 18 states and 5874 miles to attend Roger and Nikki’s wedding at Cannon Beach, Oregon. The trip included visits to multiple national parks, historical sites, and family gatherings, capturing precious memories along the way. Upon returning home, the pets had some health issues, but the family reunited happily after their adventure.

1. We decided to take a little road trip in Aug-Sep 2011 4 weeks Roger & Nikki’s wedding 18 states 5874 miles time spent with relatives & friends 8 National Parks & Monuments Memories to last us forever : Priceless

3. We took the pets to the “ Calvin & Abby Hotel” The big blue tote on the left side is full of Roger’s baseball cards – now we only have only 4 remaining in our shed Tobacco fields in West Virginia

4. We left the morning of Hurricane Irene as it hit the entire East Coast. We saw 48 bucket trucks in the first 3 hours – all coming from Indiana and headed towards the East Coast. Lots of horse trailers in Kentucky

5. Lincoln Boyhood Home - Indiana Lincoln’s Mother Is buried here We love the National Parks and have visited most of the big ones. This trip we wanted to see some different historical places – I was able to get lots of stamps for my Nat’l Parks Passport book.

6. Split rail fence Split-rail fence Replica of the house

7. St. Louis, Missouri

8. Harry S. Truman Visitor Center And home Independence, Missouri

9. Abilene, Kansas

10. Old West buildings In Abilene Sorghum fields in Kansas

13. Utah

14. Skyline Arch Utah

15. Arches Nat’l Park

16. Idaho School that Roger attended in Meridian, Idaho - the truck he had to drive for his CDL license

17. Tyler is a BIG (100+ lbs) dog – and Ziggy is a BIG Cat!

18. Cousin Linda Smith Drove down from DuVall (near Seattle) For my birthday

19. The master chef: Beer- Butt chicken Plank Salmon Tyler got into the bucket of applewood chips

20. Roger and Nikki’s wedding was at Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was a beautiful day on the beach and a beautiful wedding. We were so happy we could make the trip to be a part of it. Nikki and her Dad In the hotel lobby

22. Nikki’s Mom Laurie & step-Dad Darrin Nikki’s Dad Gary & step-Mom Cheryl Nikki’s brother & sisters & families

23. Haystack Rock

26. Now we’re headed back east. We had lunch in Spokane with my childhood friend Rebekah. Ah, the peaceful Pals’ cabin in Montana

27. My brother Dave and his wife Karen.

28. Dad and Mom started building this cabin in the 1970’s. Now it’s passed on down to our generation and Dave and Karen have added so much to make it an even more beautiful peaceful place.

29. Dave and Karen trying to get cell phone reception at the cabin. Back to Billings: Jake getting some coaching help from Dad Joe Updated pix: Jake with new jersey with his name on it!

30. The whole gang

31. The guys beat the pants off the gals at marbles – we’ll have to get’m next time! Saying goodbye at Dave & Karen’s house

32. Wyoming

33. Corn Palace – Mitchell, SD

34. Pretty unique McDonald’s in Iowa – the Hawkeye state – antlers for the lights and a beautiful carved wood hawk. Now who else do you know that takes pictures of McDonald’s on their vacation??!!

35. Okay, this is the cool piece of driftwood from the cabin that Dave found and wrapped up for us. We somehow managed to fit it into the already fully loaded car and brought it home. It’s now on the entertainment center, and you can see that it will work nicely into any of my seasonal decorating motifs (Halloween is coming!) This is in the empty car!

36. Calvin and Abby were so glad to get back to their own home, after being in the kennel for a month. But alas, a few days after we got home Calvin developed a hematoma in his ear and had to have surgery to remove it. These pictures are right after he came home from the vet. He is not a happy camper with his lampshade collar. Notice the cute bandage wrap on his leg from the IV.

37. We’re all now back to normal – Abby had a play date with her good friend Jada (who had a pretty big growth spurt while we were gone) and that evening she was tucked away in her bed ready for sleep. Next she has an afternoon planned with her other good friend Buddy. Abby is so happy to be back home! THE END