Sunday, October 26, 2014

ANNA'S AWESOME ADVENTURE

Good Morning, Class of '64
Valley of Fire, Nevada
To travel is to live.
Hans Christian Andersen,
The Fairy Tale of My Life:
An Autobiography


After our 50th Class Reunion, Anna Grace (Casto) Huston began an amazing adventure with her husband, Brent. They have been traveling throughout the western part of the United States in their RV and enjoying each marvelous day of their trip. 

From time to time, when she has an internet connection, Anna posts a description of their travels on her Facebook page. She has consented to sharing her adventure with us on our Tygarts Valley High School Class of 1964 blog. 

Starting at the beginning, here is Anna with her unique writing style as she has told her story on Facebook. Come along as an armchair traveler with Anna.


July 11, 2014

Well, big news coming your way! I am one of the most happy people on this planet today. I am sure that most of you have noticed that I have not been on face book much lately. There is a big reason. 

Most of you know that I have talked about selling my place here but did not know where I wanted to move to. Well, the best part of my news is that I said yes to the proposal I got from my Idaho Cowboy yesterday. Brent Huston is the best thing that has happened in my life right underneath the acceptance of Jesus in my life. 

My children mean the world to me but they have their own lives. I met Brent while he was here visiting his daughter and her family. He is from Idaho and is a real singing cowboy. He has brought the music back into my life. 

He is a Vietnam Vet with all of his history in helicopters and aviation. He is one of a kind, and I praise God that he chose me. My house is on the market and Brent and I will be taking off as soon as possible (takes a while to get rid of the junk), and we are going to do nothing except travel in our RV all over the country. 

He has seen all of our great country but it has been from the air, and he wants to see it with his feet on the ground. As most of you know I am an adventurous person and love to see and experience new things, and I have a once in a life time chance to find all the adventure I want. I love him and his view on life and what our Lord has in store for us, and it makes me hardly unable to wait to see this world and our lives through his eyes.

Yes, I love him and God took the perfect man from my mind and gave him to me wrapped in Brent's skin. So, it will take a while to get everything done but want to be on the road as soon as possible, hopefully starting at going to the 50th high school reunion after all. God is so good and I am so very, very blessed.

Tony Bennett
The Second Time Around

 July 14, 2014

Good news, my friends, Brent and I have set the date, and it is July 26th at 2:00pm. Small western and will be wed by my pastor. Jubilation is in the air, and I am floating in that same. Cannot wait to be Mrs. Huston!!! Giddy as a 17 year old. 

He has made me a happy woman so far, and it will only get better as time goes on as this place sales, and we hit the road for good! Pray for us please, we will need it, and we will not lose touch for at night when we are parked for the night, I will be on to talk to all my friends.

I owe all of you so much! All of my face book friends was what helped me keep my sanity when I was here alone. There is one very special person, and you know who you are, that was a rock for me. Thank you and may God give you a special blessing. Hoping one day to meet you for you are a friend indeed!

I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy
Mitzi Gaynor
South Pacific (1958)

July 25, 2014

The BIG day tomorrow and the Lord is really working for Brent and I. My house sold yesterday, and it was under 2 weeks on the listing. Closing around the middle of next month and FREEDOM will be heading down the road. Wide open spaces and anywhere is the name of the game. 

I am so BLESSED and have to watch myself for as my sweet daughter reminded me yesterday, I do not want to brag but just state the facts. The facts all themselves are amazing to me, and I think has even amazed Brent with the way God is working in opening the doors ahead of us and shutting them behind us. 

I will be out of touch for awhile but will be back soon. Will see a lot of my friends at the reunion and am really looking forward to that. Love you all and talk to you soon! Pray for us as we will be praying for all of our friends on facebook!!!  

Judy Garland & Gene Kelly
For Me And My Gal

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly
recorded "For Me and My Gal"
for the film of the same name.
It was Judy's first film as an adult (19 years old).
She received top billing in the credits.

September 11, 2014 

OK, made it to Buffalo, WY yesterday and woke up this morning to 4 inches of snow. To say I am dismayed is not the word for it. Winter clothing was not high on my list of things since we are planning to be in warmer climates before long. Mother Nature likes to play jokes on us for sure.

We have been in 10 states in the last month, and today we plan on making it 11 since we are about 45 minutes from Montana. 

Had a great visit with my daughter in Rapid City, SD and hated to leave her but dreams are made to live and Brent and I are sure doing that. Can't seem to get over the cold or flu or whatever the stuff was, can't get rid of the cough. 

Oddly enough, I love living in an RV and Brent is spoiling me by doing most of the work that is done. He sure has been and am sure will continue to be my knight in shining armor. Will update you again later. Love you my friends!

Buffalo, Wyoming
September Snow in Wyoming

September 19, 2014

Sitting in a beautiful camping site in Coeur d Alene right now and the fall is beautiful here. Earlier also, I must say. 

You cannot even imagine the fun that we have been having on the road. Camping in National Forest and seeing sights that I always read about and wondered about but never saw until now. 

I have seen where Brent grew up and went to school. He and I had such different backgrounds but he can't help that he was a city boy! He says he wasn't but compared to me he was.

WV will always be back home but the trip I am on now makes the whole US home and I am even more willing to defend her freedoms with my life if needed. 

Today is POW and MIA recognition day. Brent and I feel that we need a KIA on our flag to go along with the POW and MIA so I am going to sew it on the flag with the others. Love having our countries flags out when we park. 

Being in Brent's back yard is so different from what I am used to but this adventure will continue on and continue to be fun. Oh, everyone keeps saying I have an accent. Wonder where that comes from. LOL I would invite you to come visit but have no idea where we will be this time next week. Love it! More later!!

 
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene is known as the "Lake City"
The name Cœur d'Alène translated into English means Heart of an Awl, a reflection of the perception of the tribe's traders as very tough businessmen.
 
September 24, 2014 

Well, about 200 miles out of Coeur d Alene today. Going to Boise in the next few few days, Going to stop at a hot springs first for some nice mineral water soaking. I sure feel like I could use it. Then it will be on to NV and to see what I can see.

I was on two different Indian Reservations today. The Coeur d Alene and the Nez Perce, both were very much larger than the ones in SD and ND that I was used to. 

Enjoying myself so much and learning a lot. Will keep you posted on what is going to happen next! We do not always camp where we have wi fi so cannot get on some days and miss you all and love you!

Boise, Idaho
 

 September 27, 2014

Well, spent two nights at the hot springs right outside of Riggens, ID. Was in the water once and it sure dried out my skin. Not so healthy but it was sure nice and warm.

Last night was so cold, windy that we moved out right nicely this morning to head further south. I can't take the cold and with the wind shaking the RV it is time to get to where it does not get cold. Sitting in a beautiful little RV park now and will drive and discover more tomorrow.

The plains here are amazing. One of the biggest ranches I have ever heard of also. The fall coloring on the edges of the pines and fir forests is beautiful. Such different sights and I try and compare them to somewhere I have lived before but it just does not work. Things are really different here. 

The further south we get the more pricey the gas. $3.70 most everywhere. When we left SC, we could find it for $2.99. Still worth the trip. 

Our second month wedding anniversary was yesterday and it just seems like yesterday in the great scheme of things. God has really blessed us with a beautiful country. The lakes, forests and other scenery is breath taking.

While we were at the springs, there was 4 helicopters working with the forest service there and really enjoyed watching them with Brent explaining everything they were doing to me. He says he does not miss the work at all and I can understand why after watching them. I am glad he is no longer working on the fires myself. 

Wish I had all the words and intelligence to explain all the new and beautiful things, but for me there are no words to describe it. Love ya, my friends.

 Listing of Hot Springs in Idaho


September 29, 2014

Ok, have gone through so many time changes now that it is good that I no longer wear a watch. Mountain Time, Central Time, etc. My body is so messed up with the sleeping thing that if I was not so curious of the newness around me I would probably just sleep all the time. lol

We are now in Nevada and wondering which way we should go. Keep on going south in NV or head for Utah and see some of the sights there. I do know that sooner or later I DO want to go travel the Alien Hwy and to stay near the A LE IN a couple of days. 

Brent was stationed there for awhile so he is not interested so much but for me he will go again. lol Just have to see if there are any touchy feelie stuff coming from Area 51. How many of you out there agree with me that something has got to be there? Brent says there is nothing there and I say it is because he escaped already. That is why he doesn't want to go back. lol 

I broke my next to last reading glasses this evening and have decided that I am having Walmart withdrawal. He thinks that is hilarious. There are not so many large stores around the small towns we have been in. Where these people get their clothing and groceries from is a mystery that challenges Area 51. 

We are going to stay here for a couple of days and see what we can see and then move on as usual. Where ever we land I will let you know as soon as we get wi fi. That is almost as scare as the Walmarts out here in the plains. 

I have seen so many things that are alien to me. The buttes and canyons are incredible. You can see for miles and see where the rain is falling and where it is not. I would not like to have been one of the early settlers. What courage and self-control they must have had. I envy them in a way but love my comforts to well. Love riding in my home to pull off anywhere and fix a meal or nap. 

I wish I could share all of this with you through pictures but this chrome of ours does not do anything like that and I cannot share with words for there is not enough in the English language for me to tell you about it. I am not so good at describing things. Love to all of you!


Area 51
(The origin of the Area 51 name is unclear.)
Area 51 is located in the southern portion of Nevada.
Its secretive nature and undoubted connection to classified aircraft research, together with reports of unusual phenomena, have led Area 51 to become a focus of modern UFO and conspiracy theories.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51

Dying Senior Scientist Reveals 
Insider Truth About 
Area 51, Aliens, UFO’s and Anti-Gravity

Shortly before Boyd Bushman passed away on August 7, 2014, he was video recorded candidly speaking about his personal experiences with Area 51, UFOs, aliens and anti-gravity ideas. Boyd was a retired Senior Scientist
for Lockheed Martin. His career spanned over forty years, was awarded many patents, and included work with defense contractors Hughes Aircraft, General Dynamics, Texas Instruments, and Lockheed Martin.


 
 
October 2, 2014
Well, it seems as if a lot has happened since I was on here last. Nights and days seems to run together and I have no idea how long it has been since I was on last. 

We spent the night in a National Forest Campground last night right outside of Ely, NV and I finally got to call some family members. It got down to 26 degrees at 3:00am and the batteries quit running the heater so up we were turning the coach on and getting warmed up. 

We drove over 240 miles today just to head south and the warm air. We are now sitting in Vegas and the air is so nice and warm and it promises to continue that way. 

We decided to skip the Lil A LE INN for now and try to find a hidey hole around here somewhere. It will be out in the country for we want to get a couple of horses and a shop to work on the inside of the coach. Dreaming of different colors, tile and carpet. lol 

The scenery has changed so much today that I can't even take it in myself so it would be almost impossible to explain. We stopped along the road and took pictures of cactus that I have no idea what they were but they were very sharp!! If you know me, you will know how I found out! lol 

Wave after wave of mountains, one layer after another and then miles and miles of sage again. The Nevada Great Basin is so very very large. No one could see all the different things, different colors and not believe in God. What his hands have made is glorious. 

Rocks hundreds of feet high that look as if they were placed by hand one on top of another and it is my guess that it was God's hands that did it. 

As I was told in all the Zane Grey books that I read, the mountains were made by glaciers and the rocks that seemed stacked was drug from under the earth. Marvelous!! 

The sky is the most beautiful shade of blue and it goes on forever. Will be looking for a Walmart store or something similar tomorrow to get a few things. Walmart withdrawal!!! Who would have guessed? 

I have been out of my brand of coffee for days now and so has Brent. How spoiled we are!! Brent has gone to bed and is asleep and I guess I will not be far behind him. He has spoiled me rotten over the last weeks. He is a marvelous husband and God could have not blessed us more than he already has. 

My thoughts are with you even when I do not see your posts. Good night and God Bless you all, my friends.
 
 

October 5, 2014 

The last couple of days we spent in a park in Arizona. Talk about hot. We were dry camping so no air conditioner and was ready to move on today. 


We are in Utah now. I have forgotten just how many states we have been in now, it's either 15 or 16 but time to stop counting. Going back to AZ next. Don't think that much of Utah. We wanted to go through Zion National but since we are towing the car they wouldn't let us so phooey on them!! 

The scenery has been marvelous! This part of the United States is so different than what I imagined it to be.The great mountains and the peaks peaking from behind other peaks is fascinating. It looks not unlike what Zane Grey wrote of it but even a writer of his caliber could not describe it as it should have been so I know there is no hope for me. 

Sitting at camp and watching the creeping shade of the sunset over the peaks is quite the show. Brent likes the sun rises but of course that is when I get my best sleep.

One peak had 7 different colors of rocks in it. One had 8 different rock slides. It would take years to describe all the scenery that I have seen. 

Birds and little things that remind me of rats that are so fast on their feet that are not afraid of humans but afraid of the hunter from the skies. We have seen the birds of prey as well as the ground grouse which makes such a funny noise that you want to laugh right along with them. Crows that are as big as the turkeys that we have back in WV. Very very large and just as noisy as the little ones. 

Nothing but pine and fir trees in the mountains and nothing but sage and cactus on the plains. Miles and miles of sage. It grows taller than I am and so do a few of the cactus. 

I love the miles and miles we go without all the concrete and steel that some of the larger cities have in them. Las Vegas I could not get out of fast enough. So many homeless people and so many buildings that I was wishing for the plains again when just that day I was so tired of them. 

St. George in Utah is the same and I am longing for the plains again. Desert time is fun also. No buildings for miles and miles and you would think it would be lonely but when your companion is God and the man you love, than the miles go right fast. 

We may leave here tomorrow or stay and do laundry. Do not know for sure. It is nice to not make plans ahead of time but to discover the amazing things that your husband has planned out for your pleasure to see and do. He always makes sure that is what I want before we begin but it is nice to know that he knows his way around with a compass and a map! I would be totally lost from the first minute for I cannot tell east from west. 

He has taught me to look to see where all the Dish network and all the dishes face. Did you know they all face south? So now I can find my way north. lol 

Love you guys and will talk to you later!! Good night! Oh, got my Walmart fix in at one of the cities we came through. No more withdrawal but if I don't find a Walgreen’s soon it might be other things I am withdrawing from. LOL


 St. George, Utah



 
October 6, 2014

Ok, seems we are staying a few nights in the RV park in Utah. I got some laundry done today and we are waiting for some mail to catch up with us.

I really enjoyed being able to stay on FB for awhile today and read just what everyone has written. I wrote on something that Cookie wrote about no electric and happened to think that when we are dry camping I have no contact with friends because they have yet to discover FB without the internet. 

Wouldn't it be a great thing if someone did that? I am not smart enough but surely someone out there could do it. I know, I know wishful thinking but someone could get as rich as the guy who started this. Right? 

I do miss you guys when I cannot talk to you so know that even if you do not hear from me you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all. Good night!

UTAH IN RED
Dry Camping  
Dry Camping (parking anywhere without 
or with limited amenities) 
(An old RV camping story about asking "permission" to park. An RoVer asks a security guard at a mall if it's OK to park overnight. The guard says no. The RoVer asks how about all the other RVs parked there. The guard says they didn't ask.)

October 24, 2014

Okay, I have had so many people ask where I was hiding and what I have been up to that now that I will have WiFi for a couple of days I will let you know as much as possible about where I have been and what I have been up to. 

I have been up to the altitude of 9721 feet above sea level and don't like it or should I say my body does not like it. Makes me hurt. 

I have been hiding in the National Forest in Payson, AZ where there is no WiFi no phone service to speak of but seeing some wonderful things. I saw my first roadrunner bird. Funny little thing, saw ravens that I thought were crows which are so big the sound of their wings in flight is astonishing. Wild pigs, so many different kinds of trees, bushes, weeds etc.

Have been on 6 different Indian Reservations and it is so good to talk to people and find out what life is really like for them instead of reading about them. The Hopi Reservation is amazing and is so large. The jewelry that they make and sell along the road is beautiful. Seeing the women dressed in their velvet blouses and their long skirts is a beautiful bunch of colors. They are poor but rich in spirit and traditions.

The big buttes, mountains of rocks with their colors from black,yellow, purple,blue and grey is something that a person cannot even describe. I have seen the deserts and they were very different from what I expected to see. The life there is something that I did not expect to see.

God made so many beautiful things that if you do not travel you will never see what it really like. The media will put on programs and magazines will show pictures but it is not what you really see when you are there. I keep pinching myself to make sure that I am really doing this. And doing it with someone you love and who loves you cannot be beaten.
 
Brent and I have Bible studies and pray every morning and add God's creation to that makes me so much closer to God than I have ever been before....I miss my friends and miss talking to all of you on face book and wish all of you well and pray for you each day. I wish that you could be sharing this with me. 

From being born in the mountains I did not know that in the Rockies and some of the other mountains that I would have a fear and get sick from the turns, no matter how slow Brent drives them. Heights and I seem so have become unfriendly of late. Most of the mountains here do not even have guard rails on them and the fact that you can see for miles when going around a turn is daunting. I guess I have become a chicken in my old age. LOL I will take the plains any day.

Pray for us and we will continue to pray for you. Love you all my friends.

Oh, it will be 18 states in 3 months when we hit New Mexico. WOW


Payson, Arizona
http://www.paysonaz.gov/


butte
byo͞ot/
noun
North American technical
plural noun: buttes
 
October 25, 2014
 
Taking off again this morning from Springerille, AZ. Hope to be in NM this morning and who knows where from then. We have a big decision to make here soon so pray for us that God will show us what we should do. Even on the road of adventure and happiness there are things that come up that must be taken care of. 

We are going down down down from this altitude and hope to find a home base soon. We will know it as soon as we see it I am sure. 

Don’t know for sure where we will be parking for the next few days so don't know for sure if I will have Wi-Fi or not. As they say, No news is good news, so those of you who say you worry about me, please don't. God and Brent are taking very good care of me and I do not worry at all about anything. God keeps opening doors in front of us and closing them behind us so all is well. Love you all. LATER
Springerville, AZ
 
 
Travel and change of place 
impart new vigor to the mind.
Seneca
 

1 comment: