Sheila's At Last!

Crossing the Mississippi

 Great wall advertising

We arrived a few minutes after Cort, Jean and Sheila. Cousin John and his wife Marilyn were there too.

Jim and Kathy showed up and neighbor Greg were the extra hands we needed.

I guess these two needed a break.

Jean and Kathy doing some heavy lifting!

Boxes went into the garage, into the basement and anywhere we could make them fit. Sheila had them pretty well marked as to their destination. This was the first time she had seen the finished house. She loved it!

Can you tell it is COLD?

The guys assembled the table that Jim and Kathy had picked up at Pier One for her.

Looks good

Cousin Joe brought an ice chest with beer, cheese curds and string cheese, so it was time for a break.

Even Peter needed a rest after his long journey!

The next day we started opening the boxes!

Sheila had wrapping paper to cover the windows for a little privacy at night.

 The basement with boxes and more

That is our ice chest; I hope I don't forget it.

The stairs going to the basement

R and R for Cary

We all slept well!

Tucumcari and Wichita and Iowa (with some repeats because I forgot what I already wrote!)

After the beautiful hotel in Winslow, we stayed here on Route 66. The window had fallen into the room, but the proprietor fixed it, after asking if we opened it! Then he came back to get our TV going, then I returned to ask about the internet. I did finally get online, but was too tired (it was a long drive) to do anything. Good night's sleep, a breakfast of waffles, etc., then on our way to Wichita.

    We arrived just as Pam was on her way to work at the golf course, so we helped ourselves to the spinach and strawberries, watched TV and read till she got home three hours later. A trip was planned for Sunday.

This is where we started to go--

The Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas. However, about 20 minutes into the ride, the rear tire separated and we came to an abrupt halt!

She called the roadside assistance she has with the local Ford company and a tow truck was dispatched.

Pam and the driver discussed the situation then all of us piled into the front seat of the cab. I got to sit on Cary's lap. Since it was Sunday, the service department was closed. We knew Walmart sold tires so he took us there and dropped off the car. Surprise, surprise, Walmart does not sell tires the size required for her hybrid!

Another tow truck was sent for, we piled in, dropped it at the Ford dealer (the sales dept. was open), then got a ride from the driver to Pam's house. Too late to drive back in our car for the chicken-fried steak Pam had promised, so we made do with cheese, crackers, grapes and wine. A new pizza place she wanted to try opened at five, so we did end up with a good meal.

Monday morning Pam biked to work and we headed into our next adventure.

I know I hinted about Dubuque, but we ended up in Cedar Rapids for the night at a Clarion Hotel. Cary found a coupon for it, so instead of the $64 we just paid $50 and it was very nice.

Roomy, wonderful hot breakfast in the morning, the TV and internet worked and it was very close to a Perkins restaurant where we had a great meal. Cary got his chicken-fried steak!

     I did find a song online by a group called Big Bang called  "Cedar Rapids Won't Let You Down."

We are still around!

We spent Friday night at the Econolodge in Tucumcari. The window had blown into the room when we first opened the door! The owner got it fixed, then had to come back and fiddle with the TV till it worked. I had a hard time with the internet access, but it finally cooperated too. It was a place to stay and the bed was comfy.

Last night (Monday) we spent here at the Clarion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Very luxurious, just $5 more than the motel in Tucumcari--we had a coupon from one of the little booklets you can pick up at rest stops or the welcome center. Free hot breakfast, internet worked, TV worked well (although I didn't care), comfortable bed, cookies in the lobby...very nice.

Between Friday and Monday, we went to Wichita to see our friend Pam. Sunday morning we attempted to see the Garden of Eden in a town about two hours away. Near Newton the tire on her car separated. Ugh.

 She called for a tow truck...

and because it was Sunday, service departments weren't open ! The driver took all of us (I saw on Cary's lap) to the Walmart because they do sell tires.

However, a second tow truck was called because Walmart does not sell the tires her hybrid requires! She discovered the sales department at the Ford dealer was open, so that driver hauled us over there where Pam got out and did the required paperwork, left her car and we all got a ride to her house. Exciting day. I have ridden in more tow trucks than I want to, but the day was saved.

We had cheese, crackers, grapes and wine at her house, then tried out a new pizza place in town for supper. Great way to end the day, regardless of the setback.

I think we are now up to date...no, wait, here is a picture of Scout, her wonderful cat.

The first thing he did was jump into Cary's lap. Very friendly, had been her bookstore cat back in Peabody.

On the Road Again! Edited with some more captions

      Our trip this year will be very different. Instead of taking the trailer, we are packing the Subaru and heading to Wisconsin by way of Winslow, Tucumcari and Wichita. A friend at the gym reminded me that each of those cities are mentioned in songs! Even Sheboygan has a song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyw0UC17QNg and I just discovered the Manhattan Transfer singing The Duke of Dubuque, another town we plan to see!


Two days into the trip before I could get online!

 Loading the car was just a little easier than getting everything into the trailer. As a side note, I wish I had packed a coat!

We had a 20-minute wait for a pilot car just south of Winkleman. Most of the saguaros for a good stretch of highway were straight. Even the arms stood up straight. This guy was an oddball.

Smoke from a fire near Globe

Rest at the Salt River Canyon. A whole lot easier than in the days my folks would take us to Hawley Lake, often waiting an hour or more for access to the road. Dirt, I think, but I could be wrong.

Outside La Posada in Winslow. What a beautiful place.

I have more pictures to add, will explain later. I am bent over my laptop so that I can reach the only available outlet and my back is sore. Great trip so far.

Our room

The shower curtain was so luxurious! (I don't get out much, I guess.)

Lots of creativity in the construction, furnishings, etc.

Lots of books around the hotel, loved having our own library in the room!

Ventilation achieved by opening the doors here.

Each room was named after a personality who stayed at the motel: presidents, movie stars and other prominent personalities.

At the top of the stairs was this hand painted desk. One of many throughout.

We went out to watch the trains behind the resort.

In Winslow, here is the famous flat-bed Ford from the song...

And Cary is takin' it easy!

My turn for a photo

I have now updated the first leg of our journey.