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In Memory

5/30/2016

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Today we set aside time to remember all of those who came before and sacrificed to build this country. This includes not only the brave souls who fought the wars but also those who battled for civil rights, women's rights, workers' rights, education, against child labor, and for many other improvements of the human condition.

It also includes the contributions made by each of our forebearers. Yesterday, we spent a few hours at Bishop Hill, originally settled by a group of Jansonites (followers of Erik Janson) who left Sweden in the mid-1800s and came to Central Illinois to obtain religious freedom. Their accomplishments to settle the prairie were amazing.

Our grandparents were part of that settlement. Butch's maternal grand father was born in Kansas when his parents were headed to homestead in Colorado. They eventually returned to Iowa and started what would become a Century farm. My maternal grandfather left Denmark at 18, went to Argentina and learned blacksmithing on a ranch and then came to Minnesota where he continued that trade. My paternal grandparents started in Nebraska and Missouri, lived in both the Northwest and the New York City area, and ended up in southern Minnesota to found a large independent poultry business. These people had grit.


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In summary, I want to include the charge given us is the last verse of my favorite patriotic song, America the Beautiful.

O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!


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Camping/Not Camping

5/29/2016

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Yesterday was kind of a non-camping day. We ran some errands and went to look at son Andy's recent aquisition--a CNC lathe that is part of a new business venture. It's a lovely turquoise but that's about all I can tell you about it. We came back to the campground to clean up and then headed south to Peoria for a birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant--that's probably not considered camping.

Before we left the campground, we spotted a nasty looking line of storms on the radar so proceeded to close everything up and put everything away. By the time we pulled out, the sky looked about as nasty as I've every seen it. It continued to look that way all the way to Peoria, although we only ran in to rain once.


Supper was excellent; I had a honey-roasted beet and arugula salad and butternut squash ravioli with walnuts. Afterwards we split two desserts between the six of us--a lemon tower cake and salted carmel budoni. Definitely not camping.

The rain had begun as we exited the restaurant and the sky was black, but sporting a huge double rainbow. We could see the rainbow about half the way back to Kewanee. To our surprise, the campground was dry as a bone and no sign of any wind. I don't know where it went.
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In the Pines

5/28/2016

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There's something about tall pine trees that just mesmerizes me. Here at Johnson Sauk Trail Recreation area in Illinois, part of the campground is among rows of fifty foot tall pines and we always try and get a spot in that part. You can watch the wind move as the tree tops sway in one section and then stop as the sway moves to another part. And they smell great.

The campground is full, of course, being Memorial Day Weekend, and the weather has been better than forecast. An added bonus here for us is that our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live nearby, and last night we celebrated Andy's 52nd birthday with burgers, pasta salad, fresh asparagus, and blueberry-rhubarb crisp. Today we will check out his new business venture and perhaps trek over to scenic Bishop Hill.


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Best Weekend by a Dam Site

5/23/2016

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It must be Monday morning here in the campground because I heard the dumpsters being emptied. The forecast was accurate and we have had perfect weather. Three nights of lovely campfires--just cool enough to enjoy a fire but not requiring our parkas. A full moon added to the ambience. Also, three nights of great meals and desserts.

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We tend to potluck most meals when we are with a group. Breakfast can be alone or someone feeds the group. This time, we had biscuits and gravy Saturday morning, egg casserole and hash browns on Sunday, and today I will fix pancakes and bacon.

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Late yesterday, Butch and I went in to the Coralville Library for a talk and book signing by Joe Hill. It was very entertaining and he said he was amazed that anyone came inside in such beautiful weather.  Joe is a successful writer in his own right and also happens to be the son of Stephen King.

Today we will pack up and head home for laundry duties, etc. and also try and remember to put the flyswatter in as well as batteries for the clock. It's the little things that matter.


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Testing It Out at Tailwater

5/21/2016

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Our trailer, Lucy, is back and the door opens and closes easily! Most of the other bugs are fixed, although there's still a hitch in the hitch system. I guess that's a problem when you buy a camper from one dealer and the hitch from another. We'll get it worked out. Anyway, we are loving  this new abode.

So we are at Tailwater West at Coralville Lake near Iowa City--much closer to home--for what promises to be a weekend of perfect camping weather. When we were thinking of ordering this camper and were on our month long trip in the south, we watched in vain for a Highland Ridge Light, hoping to get a tour and talk to the owners. An hour after we pulled in here, another one parked right next to us. Go figure.

The interesting thing about this campground is that it is below Coralville Dam--hence the name--and as long as the dam doesn't break, it is a great spot. Sometimes in the early morning, the local turkey vultures land on the rocky slope of the dam and spread their wings out to dry them.

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Last night, the Ottaways did lasagna in their Dutch oven and it was fabulous! As was the bread, salad, and raspberry/blueberry/angel food cake/pudding dessert. We have no plans except a little hiking and laying around.


And, by the way, if you're looking for a quick read this weekend, The Time Travel Trailer is free to day for Kindle!
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    Some random thoughts about writing, camping, and eating.

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