Camping trip

 Gerry and I have started on a three week trip with our camper.  The camper is almost new.  But we are pulling it with a 98 van with about 220 thousand miles. It has been quite an adventure.  We were driving on the first leg of the trip and heard a noise of something rubbing or hitting something under the van.  We made it the 350 miles to Kankakee, Ill where we visited friends.  Gerry took the van to a mechanic.  His car lifts were being used but he crawled under the van and reported that a strap holding the fuel tank had broken and was rubbing on the drive shaft.  Gerry found material to replace it, and of course did the repair himself.

He drove it up on a curb so he could get under the car.   A friends was helpful in holding the light.

We are staying in an Iowa State Campground.  It has all the amenities we want except WiFi. But the local library came to the rescue. 

Mowing the Lawn

 

From here

For several years almost every time I would mow the lawn, Gerry would be on call to make repairs.  Usually not as extreme as repairing the engine.  

To here

I have a smile on my face but even after mowing  a couple times my jaw hurt from clenching it so hard.

Smiling under mask

 

Yesterday Gerry received his first COVID vaccine.  It was documented   by the Medina Gazette.  I don't know for sure if he was smiling or not.  But knowing him he was.    I received mine the day before.  Yesterday 85% of the teachers in the whole county received theirs.  Students were given the day off. They said that the next one will be on a Friday because you don't feel as well.  That way the teachers have the weekend to recover.  It is wonderful that the staff is so responsible.  

Getting what you wish for

 

Our family has a spreadsheet where we each give suggestions of what we would like for a Christmas gift.  Gerry asked for an XL tee shirt with quotes.  This is what he got.  Good job, granddaughter.

For our dinner, lasagna with home made noodles.We would expect nothing less from daughter.

The wind sock Gerry received was well packed. 

Getting ready to fly

G has search for a runway that has a hanger for his ultralight. As he could find none nearby he decided to make his own.  He marked out an area from the field and started working on it.  He disked over it for many hours to make it smooth.  I should say as smooth as possible.  He hopes grass will grow over it so he can land smoothly.  He is storing the ultralight in the shop so he can taxi to the runway.

When he left his dad's farm at 18 he vowed to never be a farmer.  Well, it looks a bit like he is again.  But it is for his pleasure.  As soon as his new prop arrives he will be ready to go.

Getting our exercise

 

We do not have a wood burning fireplace, but have a  stove with a glass front in the basement.  In the winter I enjoy sitting down there looking at the fire.

We have burnt all of the wood so needed to replenish it.  Several dead Ash trees had fallen across the paths so we, Gerry that is, cut them up.  My part is yet to come.  

These need to be split.  A neighbor has a wood splitter and will loan it to us.  The plan is for Gerry will put the large pieces in the splitter, the neighbor will  operate the splitter, and I will load the trailer.  Next all needs to be unloaded into the basement.

A Birthday gift

 As a birthday gift Gerry made a path in the woods.  I now can walk or ride the four wheeler.  Thanks, Hon

Before

After

 

Fun