Travelogue 2

My last post told of my drive through Chicago.  When we were in Minnesota we stayed with G's nephew in Delft, MN. I was going to say "town" but it is an "unincorporated community".  No stores, post office or any other commercial establishment.

As I drove from Delft to Mountain Lake, a town of 2,104 I experienced this.

Travelogue

Gerry and I have started our two week trip visiting family and friends in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Illinois.

The first day of travel was on my birthday.  Gerry and I take turns driving. My turn is when he is tired and sleeping.  My luck of the draw was the route around Chicago.  For two hours I drove on a four lane highway with bumper to bumper traffic.  This time it was not stop and go traffic.  No, all traffic was travelling at least 15 mpg over the posted limit.  So at 60 we were going 75, at 65 it was 80.  I had no choice but to go as fast as the flow.  Once I counted numbers of semi trucks in my view.  Around 25. I wonder why my neck was so stiff!  It is a memorable birthday.

We spent two days with G's sister and husband in Hayward, Wisconsin and are now in Brooklyn Park
visiting another sister and husband.

 Here the two ELF owners spent the entire day discussing their common interest, the ELF. Not only discussing but repairing.

I just remembered I have never posted a picture of Gerry's ELF.  This is from several weeks ago when granddaughter was visiting.

Guns

As I am having my morning coffee and orange juice, I hear this soft thud sound. The wind is blowing gently. I look on the deck to see if something is blowing or falling down.  As I look through the trees I see a car in the back.  Oh, it is target practice again. Our neighbor's sons and his friends are having their target practice.  The shooting range fortunately is not directed toward our house.  Actually they are great neighbors. I don't mind the poof, poof sound.  But they have put together several bullets that make such a loud noise that I jump.  Men and their toys. Once a neighbor called to ask if our house had exploded. 

The only time I fired a gun was on the farm when I was a teenager.  For some reason I wanted to challenge my brother as to who had the best aim. We went out in the woods and I aimed a a squirrel  and killed it.  I still remember its cry.  I have never shot a gun since.  Don't remember if I had the better aim.  The death of the squirrel is what I recall.  I don't what that to be dramatic. just tell about an experience I had. 

Clear eyesight and slow driving

A week ago I had minor surgery on my eyes.  The surgery wasn't so bad.  What followed was a bit worse.  I was supposed to put ice packs on my eyes, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for three days.  I skipped nights when I was sleeping.  I slept in a recliner because I was not to lie flat.  Four times a day, Gerry put medicine in my eyes.  We called it "goop" because that was the texture.  My experience of  not be able to see well is only for a week. I am thankful that is not my everyday eyesight. When the "goop" was in everything was a blur.  I could not read or watch TV. 

 After we had the tiling done on our lawn it was full of deep ruts. Gerry has spent at least two days tilling it smooth so we can plant grass.  He has to drive very slowly with the tractor and tiller.  I wonder if it reminds him of working on the farm until he left at 18. 

Saying "Bon Voyage"

July 16 thru 24,G and I, along with the other grandparents, helped our son and family pack up all of their belongings and store it in a 10 x 10 x 10 foot storage unit.  They did sell or give away many items.

Building a shelf for the unit.

One strong and determined girl.

Loading the moving truck.

Packing dishes, very carefully.

Someone has to drive the truck.

A week later, they embarked on their "round the world" trip. 
You can follow them at goertzensonthego.com 

Visitors from CA

The grandchildren are visiting for a week.  One might guess as to what they might be doing here.

A tradition at our home is to make waffles.  Old waffle iron and my famous recipe.

K and B planned and served a dinner to eight adults.  G and I, their other grandparents and two couples we know.  They planned the menu, K went grocery shopping with me.  She was the chef and B the server. K made a menu that put to shame many a restaurant's.   

Then the riding of a variety of vehicles.  This is called an ELF.  It is G's newest toy.  It is a three wheeled bike (two wheels in the front and one in the back)

Getting a ride on the dirt bike.  In this case Grandpa  G was in control.

As usual driving the four wheeler. 

K riding in the Spitfire with the top down.  She was a passenger this time but soon will be driving it herself.

Wake up call

I have been fascinated by mockingbirds. I don't recall every seeing (or hearing) one when I was growing up in Minnesota.  We have several around our house this year.  It is fun to listen to their repertoire of various other bird's songs. But I  am becoming annoyed.  They sing all day long with a loud, almost screeching  sound. I cannot  sleep with the window open because they start at the break of day.

This morning I walked in one of our great county parks.  The park has both paved and natural paths.  I walked around this lake on the paved path as well as one and a half miles in the woods. The parks are truly a treasure and all are within 30 minutes driving distance from home.