June 19, 2013

Wow, once again I have not been good about blogging.  Lots has been going on, but I have not gotten a chance to write it all down. 

The week of 2 through 6 I spent the week at Interim Ministry Network Conference at the Sheridan Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.   I spent the week helping as the Hospitality Chair person for the conference.  I did lots of running.  Every night I was pooped when I got back to the camper.  Harris and the camper were parked in the southern part of Indianapolis.  The campground was a fish camp, but nice. 

June 6-15 - DRV Annual Rally

Thursday Harris picked me up at the hotel around 10:30 a.m.  We went back to the camper and hooked up and left for Goshen, IN. and our Annual DRV Rally.  (our brand of camper).  This is our 3rd Rally. 

Friday, June 7 - Washing!!!  We found a laundry mat and got our clothes clean.  We also began connecting with friends we met at the Rally last year.  Margie, and Paul, Marge and Bill, Bill and Jody, and Terry and Mary.  Terry and Mary had their 4 yr old granddaughter with them. 

We also met a new couple who were camping near us, Tom and Cindy. 

Our Camper next to AG and Mary Ann's

Saturday, - June 8.  Dinner at an Amish home.  There were 100 of us who enjoyed a Amish dinner, served by the Amish family who lived there. 

Sunday - June 9  - Church at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church.  Harris and I both worked at Sunnside about 15 yrs ago.  What fun to see people we have not seen in many years.  It was good being back there. 

After church we met my good friend Kathy for lunch at Panera.  It was really fun catching up with her and hearing about her family. 

Back at the campground it was time to go up to the BIG pot luck, with all our friends.  Jody and Bill's daughter and her husband brought their granddaughter to the campground so she could spend the week with Jody and Bill. 

All the DRV's

Monday - June 10 the actual Rally began.  That was the beginning of our really fun week. There were 137, Select Suites, Mobile Suites, and Elite Suites.  It was a really BIG Rally.  Since the factor is in Howe, IN (not that far from Goshen), the factor treated to many surprises.  There were many meals, served, and lots of extras.  On Friday we took a tour of the factory and they fed us lunch.  As you might guess, we ate way to much.  We also  enjoyed a lot of time with our friends, and got to know Tom and Cindy better.

Saturday - June 15 - Time to leave the Rally.  Our last goodbye was at a breakfast of wonderful donuts and coffee. 

We headed as far as Cedar Springs, MI, where we spent the night.  I had laundry to do, so I spent the afternoon doing laundry.  Shortly after we arrived at the campground, another DRV pulled in.  When we talked to them, we found out they too had been at the Rally.  We both recognized each other. 

Sunday- June 16,  We were up and ready to go shortly after breakfast.  Our destination was Otsego State Park near Gaylord, MI, were we were meeting Dave and Elaine to camp for the rest of the week.  Dave and Elaine arrived shortly before we did. 

Elaine fixed Chicken Chili and salad for dinner.  What a treat. 

Monday - June 17 We headed into Gaylord, MI to check out the town.  One of the really neat things we found was the Elk sanctuary.  The first stop by to see them, we found them resting in the tall grass.  So onto the grocery store.  Before we headed back to the camper we stopped by the Elk Sanctuary again, this time we found them feeding nearer the fence.  We got lots of really good pictures.  Since we had lunch out we decided to eat cheese and crackers fir dinner. 

Tuesday - June 18 - We headed back to Gaylord to run some errands and then head to Houghton Lake to Camping World.  Then back to the campground where we spent the afternoon chilling.  We fixed Brats, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and asparagus.  Elaine had made brownies for dessert. 

Wednesday, June 19  We had decided we wanted to spend the day at the campground just reading and enjoying the day here.  Since it was a quiet day, we got the bikes outs and took a ride, over to the store across the street to have an ice cream cone.  Elaine and Dave made dinner (Salmon, baked sweet potato's, and salad). 

Thursday - June 20  Elaine was one sick puppy.  She spent the day in bed.  Harris and I got our ironing done.  I got the barbecue roast beef ready to go into the crockpot for dinner.  After I cleaned up the mess, I made salsa.  Once again I cleaned up the mess.  This afternoon, I made a Rhubarb pie.  Our day was spent reading, and relaxing outside.  Tonight for dinner, we had barbeque beef, sweet potato fries, and broccoli.  Elaine had soup.  Harris, Dave and I had rhubarb pie. 


Until tomorrow!

Otsego State Park beach

Harris

Elaine and Dave  watching the Elk

Beach  at Otsego State Park



Elk feeding




 

June 2, 2013

Our camper in the dirveway at Don and Linda's

We left Des Moines on Friday morning heading for Beecher, IL to visit with Don and Linda who we met at Paradise RV Resort in Sun City.  We arrived at Don and Linda's house around 4:30.  We put our camper in their driveway and stayed with them. 

We had a great visit with them.  Saturday we attended their grandson and granddaughters soccer game.  The weather was cool, but sunny when we left.  The clouds rolled in shortly after we got to the field for the game.  We had more rain later that day.  We are really getting tied of rain.  It rained almost every day while we were in Des Monies and now again in Illinois.  I am thinking we may need to look for material to build that Ark again. 



Linda's garden

Saturday afternoon, we spent the afternoon looking at Don and Linda's farm.  Linda was getting ready for an art show on Sunday, so she finished up some things she wanted to take to the show.  Harris and I spent the time reading while Don and Linda did the things they needed to do. 

Linda's garden

Saturday evening, they took us to dinner at the USA American Cafe in Grant Park, IL.  It is a small town near their town.  It was fun watching them as they know everyone around.  Don grew up in the area.  They have also had a hair salon for many years. 

They have a great place.  It was fun being at their house and just relaxing. 



Linda in her workshop



Linda's craft 

Don and Linda's house

 

Pond in the back yard or Don and Linda's

 

 

 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Wow, I can't believe I have not written on the blog for such a long time.  I will try to catch up with the highlights. 

We arrived in Des Moines, IA on May 7 and checked into Prairie Flower Corp of Engineers Camp ground.  On Thursday, May 9, Vicki, Gayle and I headed to Peoria, IL for our annual Cousin weekend.  Harris stayed at the campground with the camper. 

On Thursday afternoon, my cousin Mike and his wife Barb arrived at the campground to camp across the street from us. 

Saturday, Vicki, Gayle and myself arrived back here in time to meet Mike, Barb, and Harris at our favorite pizza place in Polk City, IA. 

Mothers Day!

We spent the day at Vicki and Gary's house with the rest of the family. It was sort of a family reunion. Gayle, and her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, plus Mike and Barb at their son, and daughter, and two of her kids. It is always fun catching up with the family.

Monday, May 13 Harris and I got on an airplane going to Wilmington, NC for our annual Consultants meeting.  Our hotel was right on the water.  I took several pictures from our hotel room on the 8th floor. 


Across the bay from our Hotel

We returned from Wilingtom on Thursday late evening.  We spent Friday catching up with things around the camper. 

May 21st.  This would have been my mothers 92 birthday.  It seems like every year on her birthday, I think about her.  Sometimes, I think about her even before I look at the date. 

Tuesday, was moving day for us we had to leave Prairie Flower as our 2 weeks were.  So we made the move to Cherry Glen Corp of Engineers.



Campsite at Bob Shetler

The move to Cherry Glen was quick and easy.  We found a great campsite that we enjoyed for the 4 days we were there.  It seemed like every day we had rain.  Since we couldn't get a reservation for Memorial day weekend, we needed to move again.  It was off to Bob Shetler Corp of Engineers park, It rained all weekend.  The weather was cool and raining.  We spent a good deal of time at Vicki and Gary's house.  Because of the rain, they didn't go down to where they have their camper parked. 

On the 27th it was back to Cherry Glen site #48, which is the same site we left on Saturday. 

Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines

Harris in Des Moines



Spillway at Saylorville Dam

Bob Shetler Campsite from above on the dam

MONDAY

Shirleen and Ann

This morning we headed to Panera for breakfast before we went to Shirleen and Chuck's house.  Today was a special day.  Shirleen and I were planning to go see her Mom (Ann) at her apartment in the senior complex where she lives.  Ann is 97 yrs old.  I have not seen her for 20 yrs.  She has aged, but she still looks the same. My mom and Ann were best of friends from the time we moved here.  What fun it was to reconnect with Ann and  to see her apt.  After visiting with Ann, we headed back to Shirleen and Chuck's house for lunch.  Shirleen made grilled cheese sandwiches, chips, and cream puffs for dessert.  We have had such a good time reconnecting with them.   After lunch, we visited for awhile and then headed back to the camper. 

Tomorrow we head to Des Monies! 

Me and Ann in her kitchen

SUNDAY

Last night Harris checked the Internet to see which Presbyterian Church was closest to us for worship this morning.  We chose "Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn (outskirts of Omaha), which is about 20 minutes from the camper.  We were impressed with the church from the first minute we walked in the sanctuary..  The first person to greet us was the Pastor Dwight Williams.  He was very friendly and welcoming.  The next things we noticed was the screen up front.  This was the best blended (contemporary and Traditional) worship service I have been be in.  Dwight's sermon was a mix of 21st century and post modern.  After worship, he came up to again to talk again.  It was a good chance to get to know him better.  He old us about the history of the church.  It gave me a chance to tell him what a great worship service they have at Peace.  We also met his wife. 

Central High School

After church we went to Ihop for lunch before heading downtown to check out how things had changed around my high school.  It has been 20 yrs since we were in Omaha for any time, so when we went to see Central High School, at 20th and Dodge in Omaha, it still looks the same.  But the area around it has changed some.  Central was the Capitol building when Omaha was the Capitol of Nebraska.  This building has not changed in all the years since I graduated in 1962.  The inside has been renovated a couple of times.  I wish we could have gone inside, but it is Sunday, so not go. 

After driving by the school we headed back down Dodge to go by the house I lived in when I was in the 7th and 8th grades.  Then back to the camper.  I

By the time we got back here it was already time for dinner.  Thank goodness we had left overs from the other night. 

We have one more day here in Omaha before heading to Des Monies. 

Have a wonderful day

 

 

 

Back of Central High School

 

 

 

 

Omaha Downtown Street

 

 

 

 



Building in Omaha

THURSDAY

We got up to the sun shinning and the snow melting.  Yea we were going to leave Ogallala.  Harris had to go up on the roof and sweep off about 5 inches of snow of each of the slides before we could pull them in.  But it wasn't long until we were on the way.  Our destination as Kearney, NE for the night. We arrived at Ft. Kearney, State Recreation Area around 3:30.  Our plan had been to go see the  Pioneer museum in Minden, but since we go there so late, we decide to hold that off until another trip. 

FRIDAY

On the road again!!!  Our destination this time was Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Omaha.  We arrived here around 3:00 p.m.  I called my longest high school friend, Shirleen, as soon as we got in.  We made plans for to meet for dinner.  We met Shirleen and Chuck  at the Texas Road House.  Then we went to their house to do some catching up. 

Then back to the camper for the night.  Our camper is parked about 20 minutes from their house. 

SATURDAY

Yuck, rain this morning.  Well at least it isn't snow.  For that I am grateful.   After breakfast we headed to the post office to mail some things and then to the Walmart store.  We invited Shirleen and Chuck to our camper for lunch.  They arrived around 11:15.  We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up.  They left around 3:30

At 5:00 we headed out to EL Bees restaurant to meet my Cousin Shirley and her husband Don, plus their daughter Janice and her husband Henry, who live in Fremont, NE.  Don and Shirley are up here from Florida where they live visiting Janice and Henry.  The food was great and the conversation was even better.  I am sure the server was glad when we left, so she could turn the table over. 

We are enjoying a wonderful visit here. 
 

SUNDAY

Church at St Paul Presbyterian Church in Aurora, where we have worshiped several times before.  We really enjoy the preaching of the their interim Pastor Lynn.  After church we headed for Rob and Laurie's to change our clothes and be ready for the day.  When we arrived at their house they had decided to go to Garbanzo's for lunch.  It was a really neat Mediterranean restaurant, where we had great pita sandwiches.  After lunch we went back to the house to get ready to take Katie on a walk to the park and playground in their sub division. Katie was in awe of all the things at the park. Rob and Laurie put her in the baby swings, but she didn't like it.  Just about the time we were ready to go home, another family brought their little girl (about 1 yr old) to play.  They put her in the baby swing, where she preceded to laugh and enjoy herself.  Katie stopped in her tracks and watched the little girl swing.  Soon she walked over to the empty swing and patted the seat.  Rob put her in the swing, and Laurie began to swing her.  She began to laugh and enjoy it.  I think she just wanted to watch to see how it worked.  Once she had it figured out, she was ready to try it. 

Back home at Rob and Laurie's we hung out for awhile before having dinner.  After dinner, we headed back to the camper. 

MONDAY



Grandpa (papa) and Katie at breakfast

Up and at Rob and Laurie's house at 6:30 so we could stay with Katie while Rob and Laurie were at work.  We had a wonderful day with her.  She didn't seem to mind when her folks left for work.  Laurie said she didn't want to get up that morning, which meant she was tired.  That proved to right as she was ready for a nap by 9:00.  She crawled in Grandpa's lap and was ready to go to sleep.  I asked he if she wanted me to take her up to bed, and she said no.  Then I asked if she wanted grandpa to up to bed,  she shook her head yes.  So Harris took her up stairs. She slept about an hour.  Once up she had a snack and we went outside to play.  We were outside until lunch time.  Then we went to the park to play there for awhile.  She fell asleep on the way back home from the park.  Once home, Harris took her up to bed for another nap.  She slept an hour and half this time.  When she woke up she was not quite ready to get up, so she sat on my lap snuggling for awhile.  I loved that!!!  She was then ready for a snack.  After her snack we were back outside until Laurie came home from work. 


Katie at the park

With two naps, she was one happy little girl when her folks got home. 


Since Laurie had to go to cake decorating class and I had been there all day, I planned to cook dinner that night for Rob, Harris and myself.  I found this recipe for Taco pie that I wanted to try.  It was a hit. worth the three of us.  It is a keeper as far as I am concerned.  After dinner, we headed back to the camper to get some things done prior to leaving the next day. 

We had not planned to leave until Wednesday, but Denver weather was forecasting snow for Tuesday afternoon into evening.  Since we were heading east and north, we wanted to try to beat the storm. 

TUESDAY

Last night we got lots done toward leaving.  Our plan was to get up early, be a Weight Watchers at 9:00 for me to do my monthly weigh.  Then to Panera for a bagel and coffee.  After breakfast, we headed to get a hair cut, fuel for the truck and to "King Souper" for a few groceries.  Once we had all that we headed back to the camper to get ready to head out.  We were on the road by 12:30. 

The weather was just fine as we headed north and east.  We arrived in Ogallala, NE around 5:00 p.m.  After getting set up we headed to  the Front Street Saloon for dinner.  I had one of the best steak dinners I have had in a very long time.  I also had a wonderful baked sweet potato, and salad.  Harris also had the steak special, with mixed veggies, and pub chips.  All in all it was a wonderful meal. 

WEDNESDAY

Whoops SNOW!!  We got up this morning to 2-3 inches of snow on the grass this morning here in Ogallala, NE.   It was decision time.  Do we stay here another day or leave for Kearney?  As we watched the snow coming down and blowing, we decided it wold be best to just stay where were are.  It was warm here in the camper.  So with the decision made,  Harris fixed bacon, eggs and English muffin for our breakfast.  The rest of the day, I stayed inside watching it snow.  It was nice to just have a day to check out of things.  I caught up on some needed work on the computer. 

The snow finally stopped around 5:00 p.m.  It looks like we have close to 4-5 inches of snow on the grass.  It is not sticking on the street.  We decided it must have been bad on the roads as we had two campers come in around noon.  Usually campers do not check into a campground until dinner time. 

We are hoping to be able to leave tomorrow. 



Katie at the Park

Grandma and Katie on the slide

Katie and Grandpa  Cookies and milk

Snow at the campground

Katie at the Park