South Dakota or Bust!

Sometimes last-minute decisions are the best.

We turned right instead of left.

We headed west instead of south.

A last minute decision that we shall always remember.

The day before departing Springfield, Missouri to head for Waco, Texas,

Rob got a phone call from friend Brian, asking if we were coming to 

The National American Coach Assoc. Rally.

Rob made a call to see if there was a last-minute cancellation.

The answer: Yes, there was.

So off we drove toward South Dakota.

The Badlands. The Black Hills. Mount Rushmore.

And so much more.

Here are a few highlights of our South Dakota journey.

Mount Rushmore at night.
A beautiful sight.
A Patriotic and Moving ceremony,
celebrating all of our Veterans. 

Always time for a healthy lunch at
The Deadwood Social Club

Always time for a little shopping at The Pink Door Boutique
Deadwood, SC ... a great town!

The Bad Lands of South Dakota

Happy hours with friends at the Nat'l American Coach Assoc. Rally
at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort* in Spearfish, South Dakota.
*A lovely RV campground surrounded by lovely scenery.

Together again with my Florida friend, Gretchen
Mount Rushmore, SC

The beautiful Black Hills, SD

The Bad Lands, SD

I'm just a bad girl hangin' out in the Bad Lands!

Lots of mountain goats, bison, and 

Breathtaking.  Mount Rushmore, South Dakota


For me, the best part of traveling is not the delicious food or the gorgeous scenery.
My favorite part of traveling is re-connecting with old friends and meeting new friends.
Tip: I add them to my Facebook family
so I can keep in contact with them.


Blessed is the the one that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor standeth in the way of sinners,
Nor sitteth  in the seat of scoffers:

But his delight is in the law of Jehovah;
And on his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water,
that bringeth forth its fruit in its season.
Whose LEAF also doth not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalms 1:1-3

www.sharonleaf.com

Feels Like Home...Springfield, Missouri

I arrive in Springfield for the fourth time
to visit son Shawn 
and daughter-in-love Francee.
Rob and I arrive for the third year at
Route 66 KOA,
a nice family place to stay.
And a great swimming pool!

Morning and evening swims.
Part of my summer routine.

Shopping at Bass Pro where Shawn is a photographer.

The Route 66  Festival 

Over 500 classic cars

Photo by Shawn Watson Photography
(my son)
I need an updated photo for my upcoming book
LADY ON THE RUN


The Route 66 Festival almost got rained out the first night.
Thunder and lightning way too close for comfort!
But the Bass Pro Aquarium and Wildlife Museum was outstanding!

The prettiest fish I've ever seen!

World largest polar bear from Alaska!

New bestie friend.


We spent a few days together at a lovely RV park in Lebanon, MO.
Hidden Valley Outfitters RV Park (HVO)

We felt welcome from the moment we drove up!

Francee chillin' on the river

Great BBQ tri-tip.  Thanks Shawn!

There was much to do, but won't get into details.
Now we must say 'farewell' for now...the hardest part of one's visit.

Just remember, wherever you travel ...

Nature has been for me, for as long as I can remember,
a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight.


God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.
I Timothy 4:1

www.sharonleaf.com

A Most Sacred Place ... Arlington Cemetery

In the long run, the pessimist may be proved to be right,
but the optimist has a better time on the trip.

My DC bucket list was completed

when we spent time at the Arlington Cemetery.

We arrived just before dusk.

Walking up the hill to the place where they perform the

Changing of the Guards

was a breathtaking experience.

On my right, my left, in front of me, and behind me,

I was surrounded by the sacred graves
 of the men and women who

gave their lives that we may experience

FREEDOM.

God bless every one of them,

and God bless those who lost their loved ones in one of the many wars

that was fought to keep our freedom.

Before the ceremony began,

I gazed beyond the cemetery and beheld 

our nation's Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.

At 7:00 p.m. sharp, the changing of the guards began.

Not a word was spoken.

Total silence.

Except for the birds chirping above.

Changing of the Guards

I'll remember these moments forever.

Put your hope in the Lord.
Travel steadily along His path.
Psalm 37:34



GOD BLESS AMERICA!

www.sharonleaf.com

D.C. I love you

When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then.
People don't have your past to hold against you.
No yesterdays on the road.

Hello, Mr. Lincoln

June, 2018: I'm so excited! I finally visit our nation's capitol.

All the history, the architecture, the food ...

and of course all the interesting people.

In the spirit of the Fourth of July,
here are a few photos of my 'quick trip' to the capitol of the USA.
Most of you have probably been here.
For me, it was special because I'm an
American who loves my country.
No crazy politics on this blog.
I'm amazed how so many people are
absolutely crazed out on their Facebook,
blogs, and all other means of communication.
Not much love to be found in certain circles.
The hate is so evident.
Why don't y'all take some deep breaths
and instead of pounding the President,
take a few moments and pray for him.
I'm just thankful to be surrounded by
beautiful fellow Americans who love and appreciate their country
and who pray for those in office.

Now, on with the show ...

The Washington Monument.
This was a touching moment for me.
Also makes me recall my friend Forest Gump.

Oh, the books!
Library of Congress, the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States.

Oh, the books!
And look! The 'free book table'

Strolling down the avenue, reading my 'free' book...
...beats talking on my cell phone!

Love the architecture of the Library of Congress

The Senate Building

Me and my new friend Jenna in front of
The White House

Rob bought me a hat and a painting here for our
30th wedding anniversary!

The Hat Lady who makes awesome hats!
The Capitol Hill Flea Market

There's so much to see.  So little time.
I'll have more photos another time.
(Vietnam Veteran's Memorial)
Until then, I'll keep on writing and wishing you oceans of kindness.


We grow like a flower in the field.
After the wind blows, the flower is gone, and there is no sign of where it was.
But the Lord's love ... continues forever and ever.
Psalm 103:15-17

www.sharonleaf.com

On the road again to Virginia and ...

The beauty of traveling is the beautiful people.

This is why we're here.
"Bringing hope to America's families"

Main Street, Culpeper, Virginia

We've been in Culpeper, Virginia for two weeks.
What a beautiful state!
Hills and mountains galore!

We parked our motor home in the back shipping/receiving area of CIA's new facility.

I haven't had much time to explore until today.

Our home-on-wheels is in the shop, hopefully for just today.

(the engine light keeps coming on--not a good sign)
So I'm homeless.

I dropped Popcorn off at Petsmart, then

enjoyed a leisure breakfast on Main Street at Frost's Diner.

After shop-lifting ... er ... window-shopping,

I found The Raven's Nest, a darling little coffee house.

"Yay! Now I can write a quick blog!"

Well, I started this blog with good intentions
until I met the friendliest couple;

then I met two lovely ladies who mentioned in conversation that they were walkers.

SO, out comes my business cards and I introduce them

to my upcoming book, LADY on the RUN.
And I shared with them Christ In Action.

And so it goes.  I love this life on the road!

We're hangin out with the big boys (see us? way in the back!) at Camp Hope

Frost's Cafe on Main Street, Culpeper, Virginia

We'll be here until the end of July.
I'll be in training tomorrow for CIA's
"Office Support Team."
I'm also working on my last draft of LADY on the RUN!
Rob was so sweet to pack the iMac for me.
I usually type/write on my laptop.

We'll head west to Springfield, Missouri in August
to spend time with our son and daughter-in-law.
Then our next stop will be Waco, Texas
to have breakfast at Chip and JoAnne Gaines new restaurant.
Anyone care to join us?
Last stop on our "Circle of Love" journey:
 Montgomery, Alabama to visit our
three great-grandsons.

A total of 3 months of traveling in the good ol' USA!

Until the next time ...

I wish you oceans of summer blessings!

christinaction.com

sharonleaf.com

... let us run with patience the race that is set before us!
Hebrews 12:1a

P.S.: Update: I ran into the 'walking' lady in a nearby cafe the other evening. Small town.

We're back in our motor home! Moon River (her name) needed a new switch ($100.00 + labor).