I guess I have some catching up to do, haven't posted since May.
After leaving Nashville, we headed north and spent a week visiting with some friends we met in Florida in 2005 -2007. They live in Aurora, IN and we did a lot of eating out while there. We then pushed north again, staying in Indiana and met up with Dick & Darlene, then Larry and Brenda to attend a FMCA rally. Had a great time, I went to two different seminars on Satellite TV and after the second one, we decided to do away with all the stress we have in setting up our DirectTV satellite. We had a roof dish installed that will hunt for satellite after pushing just one button. Boy is it nice, we have been using it ever since and I must say............it was money well spent. Where we are right now, among the trees, I really thought we wouldn't get a signal, but we have one. :) I guess the best buy at the rally was the great patio mat I got for $40. Yes, you are reading it right. I saw it at the new RV display and asked if they sold them? They said no, but they had them at their dealership. I then asked if they would sell that one, it was just the color I wanted. The guy looked at his boss asked and boss asked him what they sold for at the shop. He said $140 ..............boss then said to me.....how about $40. SOLD. Love it, it is 20 foot long and just fits under our awning. It rained on our last day there, I didn't sleep well all night worrying if we were going to get out of our spot. Here is a photo of our motor home, surrounded by ankle deep water.
We made it to Cedar Rapids just in time for me to attended the retirement party were I use to work, for all those retiring this year. It was good to see some of my old friends again. Can't say I miss the work, but I do miss seeing my friends, they were like a second family.
Granddaughter, Emily's gradation was next. It is just so hard to believe that these grand kids are all growing up and it just makes one feel so much older. She had a nice party at the park, it was cold and rainy but we all had a good time.
June brought some more activities, met with the "Iowa people" from our park in Mission. (Valley View Estates). We met at the Riverside Casino and had a great meal and conversation. Won't be long and we will all be down there again doing our potlucks. A couple days later was my birthday and we were camping at West Overlook by Iowa City. Family and friends came to campground to say hi. My three daughters and my great hubby went together and paid for me to take a hot air balloon ride. Roger was going to go with me. We decided to wait awhile till the weather got better before doing it. I would have to call for reservations. Fathers day we were still at West Overlook, so made arrangements for the family to meet us in Coralville and go to a Chinese restaurant for diner. Had a good time there.
Later in the month of June, we decided to head North to Mason City/Clear Lake area. Our good friends Tom and Sharon, offered their yard for us to park our motor home in. What a great place to stay, so quite there and watching the birds right outside our window was really nice. Tom and Sharon were great host, had us over to eat at there place and we went out many times. Sure wish we could of stayed longer, but one does not want to wear out there welcome. We sure are going to miss them and Max (there little Maltese that looks just like our Keota)
Over the 4th of July weekend we were very busy, as I am sure everyone is. We had a family picnic in Hampton on the 3rd. It was for Roger's mother side of family and there was a cousin from Denmark visiting so got to meet them. Had a great turn out and with me into working on family tree, I also learned a little more about the family.
On the 4th we headed out with our car for Davenport, about a 4 hour drive to attend a surprise birthday diner for Roger's cousin Peggy. It sure was good to see all the Trafford's and get to visit with them. We were given some old pictures of the Shook - Harding families and Peggy helped by naming some of the people in the pictures. Of course Peggy had many stories to add to some of the pictures. Only wish I had taken a tape recorded with me. I made up Peggy a book with all the Shook - Harding family tree information I had at that point. Sure hope she and family enjoy reading all the family history.
We spent the night of the 4th in Cedar Rapids at daughter Sandra's house. On our way home, I asked Roger if he wanted to stop in Charles City and check out a cemetery where his 3rd great grandfather was laid to rest. I had found a picture of the grave marker on Ancestry and sent a message asking where it was. Got an email back with directions. We found it and that got Roger excited about looking for others. While in Mason City and Clear Lake we went to three different cemeteries and found many graves. I took pictures of 61 grave markers, I wasn't sure if some of them were related, but took the pictures anyway. I shot anything with Shook, Harding, Nielsen, or Theilen on it. After getting back to RV and going through my Family Tree Maker program, I found many of them were related, I think there were only a couple that weren't and who knows, I may find them after more research.
On the 12th of July, we left Tom and Sharon's and headed for Galena, IL for our balloon ride on the 13th. The morning of the13th, that was yesterday, we headed out to find where we were suppose to be that night, then back into town. Decided to take the trolley ride around town and learn a little more about it. It was an hour ride and very informative. I will never remember all that man told us, but nice anyway. You will have to check out my web albums to see all the old homes and downtown. I did not know that U.S.Grant was from Galena.
We had to be at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa by 6:45pm. Left the campground at 6 and headed out that way. After everyone arrived, they started to blow up the balloon. They did this with 3 large fans. It didn't take them long, as soon as it had all the air in it, they removed the fans and started the burner and blowing heat into the balloon. At this point the basket was laying on it's side, but as soon as the balloon got enough hot air, it turned the basket over and it was time to get in. I must admit, this was the part I was dreading the most. I am not too good at climbing into anything let alone a basket that is chest high. They had step stools to climb on, but getting my leg over the edge was a challenge. I gave Roger instructions, not to take my picture getting in. The flight was GREAT, and so glad we went. It was something I have been wanting to do for years. It was like floating and so peaceful. We ended up going just a little over 5 miles in 47 min. The balloon got up above some clouds and we were up to 6000 feet. We ended up landing in a cow pasture. The landing and getting out of the basket was my next worry and I must say, that was easier then the getting in. The basket landed on it's side and we were on our back, holding onto some ropes. I had to wait till the people on the other side of basket got out then the ones next to me and then I just rolled out and sat on edge and feet on ground. Afterward we walked to the awaiting van and they had champagne, Sprite, and chocolate for all of us with a toast for the safe ride. What a great birthday gift................thank-you Kim, Janis, Sandra and Roger. I LOVED IT and will have this memory for a very long time.
Be sure to click on any of the pictures to view all of the photo's in my Photo Albums.
That catches you up on our adventures, we will be in Iowa till we head to Madison for another FMCA rally in August, then our 25th wedding anniversary, and back to Texas.
