omg, almost 2 weeks...number NINE!

It's summertime and the livin' is easy....

sort of.

So much has happened in the last almost 2 weeks. It is almost like yesterday's papers. Some good stuff though that I don't want to skip, so here goes-

FD, Settlers

After leaving Washington IA and the Lujano's, we drove back to the Pendry RV Park in Fort Dodge. Managed to play a game of Settlers of Catan with Alec and Charlton, which is always fun.

Erin, her moving to an apartment

This was after Erin delivered our Settlers' game that we forgot when we moved to FD. This was also the beginning of a hectic time for Erin, as she was moving out of Babb's house. Somehow we managed to help find her an apartment in Gowrie. Actually, we just fell into it as we looked at an awful house in Dayton, and on the way to Gowrie, we decided to check out Paton.

I turned in to Ace Johnson's Harcourt Bar where I had played some Texas Hold'em, and hoped maybe Mark could steer us to a possible rental. Mark's son Lance was tending bar, and lo and behold, he had a 3 bedroom apartment almost ready to be moved into. Long story short, Erin moved in this past Sun-Tue, and although it has been rough, things should work out.

Poker

I helped her pack boxes on Wed. the 16th. I then had a great poker night at Ryan Reisners, which went til 2 AM. The 7 of us played FOUR games. It was good fun, including me, Ryan, Brian McClain, B. J., Brian from Clare, Willie McGowan, and Willie Senior from Scotland. Mike Zahm popped in for a while and shared some deer sausage.

Annie, Great musical in Washington, IA

Friday we drove the rig to the Riverside Casino south of Iowa City and parked it for a free overnight as we had tickets to "Annie" in Washington, IA. Daughter Heather and granddaughter Nayra were in the community production, and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!. All aspects of the musical were super, amazingly put on by such a 'small' town as Washington. It was thrilling to see that is for sure.

Hitch problems, to Minneapolis

Saturday morning we were supposed to haul up to Minneapolis, and we were ready to go before 9 AM, but we ended up having hitch problems--the jaws would not clamp around the hitch pin of the trailer. We ended up taking the trauck to Sun and Fun RV east of Iowa City, and it was all remedied, and we were on our way by 12:15. Made for a long day, but we got there safely.

Rain at Mystic Lake

We are staying at Dakotah Meadows RV Park, run by the Indian tribe here that also runs the Mystic Lake Casino. Nice park, friendly people, and nice sites. Too much rain though---we have had 2 gully washers since getting here 4 days ago.

Matt flies in from Colombia

Ellen's son Matt arrived from Colombia via NYC on Sunday early evening, and spent a nice reunion with him and Jenn, Ben and Mica. It is always great to see Matt! Well, then Matt left Tuesday for a skydiving experience in Denver, CO. He'll return Friday.

Number Nine

What is so special about the number 9???? The Beatles did a weird tune of it (number nine...number nine...number nine), 9 innings in a ball game, a cat has 9 lives, 9 is 6 upside down, 9 baseball positions, my dad had 9 fingers after he cut one off with a saw, Beethoven's 9th symphony........

Our 9th Anniversary!

What is really special about the number 9 is that is the number of our anniversary today!!!! Ellen and I got married 9 years ago today in Fort Dodge, IA, at 1st UMC with many friends and relatives in attendance, and several friends gracing our ceremony with their music. Rev. Tompsie officiated in her last official act as pastor in FD. What a wonderful day that was, with balmy weather, a reception at the Vincent House, and an afterwards party at the then Holiday Inn, south on highway 169.

As they say, time really flies when you are having fun, and these past 9 years have zipped by! And almost one third of them have been full timing in a 5th wheel!!!!

Happy anniversary Ellen, I love ya!

University of Iowa Hospital--Rio's surgery

Yesterday we drove through torrential rain to arrive at Washington to see the Lujanos. Plus we got to watch some rehearsal of Annie---Nayra and Heather are both in the community production. Nayra is an orphan and the apple seller and Heather is a crowds person and one of the Boylan Sisters. Departed brother Tom's two Tibetan Terriers are also in the play with Brodie playing Sandy. When Nayra was finished we drove with her to Coralville to stay overnight at a Holiday Inn. It was nice to have some special time with her.

The purpose of our trip was Rio's surgery on ducts in his testicular area. Right now we are in the waiting room at the University of Iowa Hospitals Pediatrics area with Nayra. Heather and Pedro have gone back to be with Rio following his surgery. He is still 'out', but all has gone well!!!

The doctor also took care of a hernia while the surgery was going on. This is all good news. Poor Rio has had only 4 oz. of water so far today.

The real challenge will be his recuperation, as he is to not be too active for weeks following this procedure. Good luck on that one Heather and Pedro. Rio is one super active kid, with tons of energy!

We will stick around through his recovery today, spending some time with all, then drive back to Gowrie to spend our last night at Erin and Babb's place.

Birthdays at the Ballpark

Monday Night we took Mason and Ethan to the Iowa Cubs game for their birthday. Here is the Scoreboard making the announcement during the 7th inning. We were lucky to make it that far, as just when the guy started singing the Star Spangled Banner, it started raining...that led to a rain delay of almost a half hour, but after that the weather cleared.

Here's Babbs, Mason and Erin with Cubbie Bear, mascot for the Cubs

Ethan riding the big baseball

Here is Ellen and Jaiden at one of the birthday parties.

The Cubs lost 2-1....

OMG, June already

Well, two more stops to report on as the calendar says it is June already!...Our rich travel experiences have indeed 'slowed down' since hitting the midwest. I should dust off the camera sometime soon, so I can post some photos on this here blog.

Washington, IA

We left Minneapolis to spend a few days with daughter Heather's family south of Iowa City. It was great to see all again, Heather, Pedro, Nayra and Rio. They are quite busy as H and N are in a community playhouse production of Annie, and they are so busy with rehearsals. We did have a nice cookout and got to see and hear the grandkids' piano recital. Both Nayra and Rio did a great job! The kids sang a duet while Rio and Heather played the piano, a really cute song about their father snoring.

Nayra, Rio and Heather at the recital

(back to) Fort Dodge, IA

We headed back to Fort Dodge on Friday June 28, staying at Alec and Charlton Pendry's. Alec has created a 'free' RV spot for us--and it is nice to have a hookup without having to pay! We have returned to visit friends and to get some annual check ups (eyes, dental, etc.). We had a nice little get together last night to honor Marsha Storbakken, retiring 5th grade teacher who taught at our same school Fair Oaks Middle School. Had some bad storms last night, with pretty powerful lightning.