Barry and I left the Rocky Mountains and visited Roger and Barb Kiep in Monument, Colorado for the week. We were also excited to see Jay and Leslie Taylor on Saturday before they left to go back home. We all enjoyed soaking in the Kiep’s new hot tub.

They recently moved out west and their home is just beautiful with a great view of Pikes Peak.

Barry and I went to the Garden of the Gods and hiked to the Siamese twins rock formation.

During the week, we went to Canon City to ride the Royal Gorge Scenic train. And, then went to the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Roger and Barb took us to the top of Pikes Peak the next day. It was a little chilly at 14,115 ft. The views from the top of the mountain were beautiful.

Barb and I found a great place for hair and nails in Black Forest, Colorado. Actually, our hair stylist is from Wilmington and her husband from Lebanon, Ohio.

Her husband knows Barry’s brother Greg, Zach and Casey, our nephews. Small world for sure.

The last place we visited was Old Colorado City. Buildings with lots of history.

So, on Saturday, we said our goodbyes and off we went to South Fork, Colorado. Rio Grand National Forest.

Our last day in the Rocky Mountain Park, we were looking for wildlife and naturalization. Beautiful flowers and animals to see.

Barry drove to the Upper Beaver Meadows and took a hike through the meadows.

Then, to Moraine Park looking for wildlife. Finally, an elk.

We really wanted to see bighorn sheep. Or, a black bear. Barry saw a mama bear and 2 cubs in our campground around midnight.

Then, we left the park and headed home. Check this out!!

They were right before our campground entrance. Was very surprised seeing them.

After Bear Lake, we drove the Trail Ridge Road to the highest point in the Rockies, Alpine Visitor Center.

The mountains are incredible.

Enjoyed the day in the Rockies, breath taking.

We drove thru Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Big Thompson Canyon to get to Estes Park, Colorado.

Rocky Mountains here we come.

Since everyone has to have reservations to enter the park between 6 am to 5 pm, we rode the free shuttle into Estes Park. Of course it is tourist town, was nice to see it.

We drove around the south side of the park and stopped at Lily Lake. Hiked around the lake and to a beautiful valley.

The day was very nice for a hike and social distancing. Temperatures are between 70’s and 80’s.

Very windy at times and storms would come around 2 to 5, with hail on some days.

We can go into the park before 6 am, yesterday we got up early to hike Bear Lake, then we hiked to Nymph Lake.

We then hiked to Nymph Lake to see female elk and Waterlillies.

It is a gorgeous country we live in.

Scotts Bluff, Nebraska is a beautiful area. The bluffs are named after Hiram Scott, who died at the bottom of the bluff. He was a fur trader and his companions left him there.

Then, we visited Chimney Rock National Historical Site.

Scotts Bluff area is a part of the Oregon Trail and Old Morman Trail. Pioneers would pass by these sandstone mountains, crossing the North Platte River.

Agate Fossils National Monument was close by. We visited and walked to see some fossils. There were dinosaur fossils found and the digging sites are now abandoned.

Barry and I rode our bikes on the Mountain View Path about 12 miles to the base of the bluff.

Scott’s Bluff, Nebraska was our next stop.

On our way, we stopped at Carhedge.

This was a fun stop.

Barry and I went to a very small town, Mullen, Nebraska.

We floated on the Middle Loop River in a livestock tank.

The day was perfect and we met a lot of people

Homestead National Monument of America

The USA Homestead Act happened in many of our states. President Lincoln signed it in 1862.

In 1863, the government gave 160 acres to anyone who wanted to own their land. They had to stake a claim to the land they wanted. Then, they had to build a house on the land. These large families lived in a one room house with steps to a loft.

Sounds like a great deal!! However, to do this the USA made all the Indians move onto reservations and then broke the treaties. The Indian tribes believe the land is to be sacred. No one should own the land; it is a responsibility to care for the land God has given to us.

Daniel Freeman was the first person to file a claim for his property. His property was a T shape parcel with a creek for water and was situated 4 miles north of Beatrice, Nebraska so he could bring his crops to the railroad.

Oh, he actually was born in Preble County, Ohio!! He was in the service, traveled to claim the land and went back after signing to serve our country.

The National Monument of America was his property . This property was the very first homestead claim in the United States.

Daniel and his wife are buried on the land.

On to our next place, Mullen, Nebraska to go livestock tank floating!!

Barry and I traveled left Missouri today and drove to Kansas.

On Tuesday, we stayed the night at Casino White Cloud in White Cloud, Kansas. They had a very nice camping area. We won door prizes playing bingo.

Wednesday, we drove to Beatrice, Nebraska to visit the Homestead National Monument.

We found a very nice City Park to stay. Rode our bikes through on the trail in town.

The town had beautiful buildings.

We arrived at Cottonwood RV Park in Columbia, Missouri. We were hoping to be able to visit Warm Spring Farm.

The farm is where the Clydesdale horses are bred. We did see a mama and baby out and a few others grazing.

So, we tried.

We spent time in the pool since it was very hot and humid and in the evening we rode our bikes to a baseball park and a fairgrounds which is closed.

These storm clouds were quite unique.