The Nomadic Butler Clan

Blog Post #80 - Written August 25, 2026 Stay: November 14, 2025 We left the Alpaca Farm and started our journey deep into Texas. It was pretty hot and sunny, so we came up with a creative window shade for the kids. Since we didn't really have an adventure planned beyond a couple of long driving days, we broke up the monotony by stopping in Lubbock, TX at the Science Spectrum science center.  It was a pretty cool place.  We wished we had some more time to explore, but we only had a couple of hours.   They had multiple floors with different themes across.  The sports area was one of our favorite, where you had to jump and see how high your vertical was by smacking a basketball.  D loved the hot air balloon ride.  Gary was determined to build this archway , but alas, he was thwarted every time haha.  We pulled into our campground in Snyder, TX at Country View RV.  We pulled in just as the sun was setting.  We set up and rested for the night...

Blog Post #79 - Written August 25, 2026 Stay: November 13, 2025 Our last stay in New Mexico was at an Alpaca Farm.  Our wonderful host was getting ready to retire from the business, so she wasn't acquiring new alpacas.  She still had around 25 alpacas that she was caring for, sending their wool to South America for homemade wool goods.  We bought a nice pair of winter socks (which I think I used for the first time in Mississippi of all places), and a wool laundry ball. My funny story from this Harvest Host was actually meeting our host.  My jaw almost dropped when I saw her, for she was a dead ringer for my childhood piano teacher/family friend!  I thought she must have been some long lost sister, except when she opened her mouth, a British accent came out (my piano teacher is a Spaniard)!  It was uncanny! We enjoyed feeding and watering the alpacas, as well as learning about how they care for the various ailments and conditions on the farm.

 Blog Post #78 - Written August 25, 2026 Stay: November 12, 2026 Our last leg out of Utah had a very sweet moment between D and Q.  Q was reading Green Eggs and Ham to D .  D later was "reading" it to herself. We pulled into Albuquerque early enough for one last trip to the science center.  We enjoyed a massive Keva Block creation, some fun giant lego builds, and one last trip to the very fun bubble room.  And we couldn't resist one last ride on the tightrope bike. Also, just another shout out to this amazing science center.  They have a puzzle section which they frequently switch which puzzles are out.  Here are just a  couple  that Gary solved (and Megan frustrated herself to no end...) They also have a fun stop motion video maker.  Here's Q's short little video . The kind family that invited us over for dinner when we first were in Albuquerque graciously allowed us to come back and stay the night with them, so we would not have to ope...

Blog Post #77 - Written August 24, 2026 Stay: November 7-11, 2025 It was a beautiful time to spend together celebrating Gary's Grumps.  The service was wonderful, full of cousins, friends, and cherished memories.   Grandpa's plot was quite a ways north, so after the service we drove a couple hours north to the graveside service.  Our GPS apparently thought that we needed some more adventure in our life, so we found ourselves down some random farm path.  Gary had to get out and open a few cattle gates along the way.  Eventually, we found the freeway again, but instead of merging onto it, Google Maps took us under it, through a tiny little service tunnel that was barely wide enough to fit our car.   We returned back to Orem to again celebrate Grumps' life with dinner and friends.  He was an incredible friend, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  It was an honor to hear stories about how he had touched the lives of so many.  We...