Memorial Day

 We arrived at the park just as the ceremonies were ending. Folks rushed to line up for brats, hamburgers and more.

Cary had been hoping for a brat ever since we got to Wisconsin!

We love going to small town events. I am sure there was probably another Birenbaum in the crowd somewhere!

Cort and Jean left Sheila's today for the Wisconsin Dells and a sisters' get together there. She has three sisters and their spouses joining them at a time share.

We leave tomorrow for Springfield, Illinois...will see some of the Abraham Lincoln sights. After that...we have no idea!

Sunday--Rain, Clearing, a Visit

I am not sure when the rain began, but it was going at it pretty well when we got up.

Mud! It will be some time before the yard is done.

 We went to visit Herman, Cary and Cort's dad's cousin. Their home was so interesting.

Cary had me take a picture of this fire extinguisher. I hope I remember correctly; when the glass gets hot, water comes out to extinguish a fire. Hmm, that seems pretty improbable!

                                 Okay, since I live in the desert, this large mushroom caught my eye.

A view from Herman's farm, looking toward the water tower of Belgium.

                                   

I love lilacs--there were two large groupings on their property.

 The Jersey cows in the barn entertained all of us. They are really beautiful animals. Sheila really likes cows!

Don is Sheila's (and Cort's and Cary's) second cousin.

The cows really liked Jean--I don't think I was able to catch the shot of one of them licking her!

We were all thrilled that the rain stopped, the sun came out, and the temperature outside was pretty darned perfect!

Saturday--Lake Michigan, the Luxembourg Center and a Housewarming (better late than never, right?)

It was gorgeous on Saturday so we drove over to Lake Michigan.

 I just couldn't get enough blue sky!

On our second try at a selfie, Cary is getting better at it.

The Luxembourg Center is just down and across the street from Sheila in Belgium.

 Pictures of ancestors from Luxembourg adorn this tree whose theme is "Roots and Leaves."

Sarah explained some things about the country to Cary. The museum was actually closed that day, but she was there for a meeting. Sheila got to know her and is even planning a trip to Luxembourg with her in December.

I didn't want to be too intrusive with my camera, so this is the only picture I took at the housewarming. Several other cousins and spouses showed up later. I see Kathy and Jim, Joe, John and Marilyn, Joan, Betty and (I think) Debbie. And one man whose name I either heard and forgot or else, never heard at all. You can see we got lots of things cleared out of this room. I hope that when the time comes that Sheila can find where we put it all.

Getting More Done

    The cable company came Thursday, so now we have internet, a landline and TV. Here is the room arrangement. Cary is demonstrating how TV watching can be done. While the installer was here, Peter the cat hid in the basement. We had several moments of panic trying to find him.

Cort is hard at work fixing supper for all of us. We spent a good part of the day visiting with friends who are in Manitowac on their way to Montana. After supper and dishes the gang went over to a cousin's to play cards. I spent time paying bills and updating all my stuff online!

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."