Tuesday June 12- Well this morning it was really foggy and misty out. I had a mission today, to try and finish up the valances. Recovering them is the easy part, taking the old stuff off and removing the staples now that's work. It took quite a bit of time but I did get them all done. Tomorrow we are going on a road trip with the grand kids. I made some cookies to take with. I also got everything together that I could get ready.
Wednesday June 13- Early morning, wanted to check on the shower house before picking up the kids. We told them we would be there at 7:30. We loaded everything up and headed to pick up the kiddos. We got super lucky with the weather. It was a perfect day. Warm but not hot, not humid or windy. The bugs weren't even that bad. We hit the road heading for Backbone State Park. Iowa's oldest state park, dedicated in 1919. Located in the valley of the Maquoketa River. We were ready for some fun.
When we arrived the first thing we did was scope out a fishing spot. After setting up and getting the kids pole baited up and in the water we did some fishing. Well, we fished not caught. The water was a bit dirtier than usual because of all the rain. Even though we didn't catch I think everyone had fun.
They tried hard at fishing. They moved around hunting for them. We saw some caught, so we know that they are in there. We quit fishing and had lunch that we packed. They had worked up quite an appetite. They tried fishing a bit more. Then we went to explore the park a little closer. We camped up here once before, but it was quite a while ago. We found the Richmond Spring to check out. The kids thought that was pretty neat. We even spotted some fish in the water. Then the kids found a great big old rock they needed to climb. Grammy got pictures. They made me a bit nervous.
Our next stop was the cave. The kids practically ran up those steps to check it out.
After the cave adventure we wanted to take a hike. Backbone has 21 miles of hiking and multi-use trails. You can hike along trails winding through old twisted and wind blown cedars and up rough, rocky staircases to one the the highest points in northwest Iowa, the "Devil's Backbone". I had on flip flops so wasn't really dressed for a big hike, but we did make our way up the devils backbone. It was really pretty views. I think the kids enjoyed it too. We could hardly keep up with them. Again they made me nervous.
We made our way back down and back to the car for the ride home. Jeff and I was tired and by the looks of things I think the kids were too.
We got the kids home and then we made our way back to the campground. Must have had lots of hummingbirds today because the feeders are empty. Had to fill them up because we don't want them to move on to the next feeder.
Thursday June 14- Today I needed to go in and get Hailey to her gymnastics at 9 a.m. I go early to get my laundry started before taking her. I also get to do lots of errands while I'm there.Today I was rushing to get everything done before the rain showed up. I usually stay and watch a little to start. Then I leave and get the things done I need to do. I try to get back to watch at least an hour of her session. She really likes us to watch.
After her gymnastics we headed back, I made them some lunch and we cleaned up Hailey's room. I came back home and got my laundry put away. A quick supper and Jeff went to Palo to jam tonight.
Friday June 15- After cleaning the shower house for the weekend crowd I took Miss Ruby for a walk before it gets to hot. She seems to behave a lot better if she gets a couple walks each day. I also get my steps accomplished. We even got to sit outside in our new lounge chair. I like it and I think Miss Ruby does too.
We headed in to Justin and Molly's, Justin has a show tonight and Jeff will be attending. I will be spending the evening with Maddyn. She is pretty good company. Most of the time she is a very happy baby. She also is a great snuggler. After playing a bit and having some sweet potatoes it was bed time.
We had a fun night, her and I. While I was sitting there Judy gave me a call so the rest of the evening really went fast.
Saturday June 16- It is very hot today. We cleaned super early because we are going to the Cedar Rapids farmers market. Thought if we got there early that we could avoid all the crowds and the heat. Well we got to the market but it was crowded and hot. I did manage to get me a beautiful flower. That was my main reason for going. Jeff got his breakfast pizza so he was happy too. We took Miss Ruby with us. She likes going but I think all the people made her nervous to walk so we carried her.
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| The ride to the Farmers Market |
We came home and pretty much stayed inside because it is SO hot. Then Seth called and invited us over for supper. BLT's and corn on the cob, early dinner for fathers day. Oh we said yes, put away our meat and headed over. The dinner was really good and I didn't have to cook or clean up....win win.
Sunday June 17- Happy Fathers Day everyone. We went to church, and had to arrive early to greet. After church we came back home. It is crazy hot again. We stayed inside most of the day. Jeff went over to Justin's after lunch to play guitars. I stayed here. When he got home we made supper and that was our fathers day.
Monday June 18- Another scorcher.... I was just bragging about our camp loop not that busy during the week and today that wasn't the case. When they left yesterday afternoon, they rolled in that evening. We had a camper stop by to see about 6 camp sites. They didn't have reservations and the walk in sites that are available aren't enough. They are just staying during the week so they lucked out. Jeff and I decided to go look at Sears, which is closing. What is up with all these stores closing? We are going to have to purchase everything off the internet or at Walmart. We were still in town at lunch time so we went to Biaggi's Italian Restaurant. We have been before but quite a while ago. We both had a great choice. Jeff enjoyed a crab cake slider with a salad, me I had a pepperoni pizza. Both very good. For supper BLT's, they tasted so good the other night we thought we would enjoy them again. Tomorrow is a big day for Miss Ruby, she is getting her teeth removed.
Tuesday June 19- We got up early, needed to have Ruby at the vet by 7:30, it's about 1/2 hour drive over there. It was hard to leave her but we both agree we trust this place way more than the one in Florida. She will be having 7 or 8 teeth removed. After dropping her off, we continued our road trip. We went to Cedar Falls and visited the Camping World there. We have a light bulb we purchased a while back and it didn't work. While there we thought we would look at campers. We had to go through quite the ordeal to see them. First we talked to a salesman, he was new. Jeff told them we weren't really shopping for a new one. Just seeing what was available in case something ever happens to ours. Well he had to call in his sales manager next. After telling him the same thing we told the other guy, he told us they didn't have anything we would be interested in...really? Well the 1st guy took us out and let us look at them. We just looked at 5th wheels that had front living rooms. We both agree that they have really improved those layouts. Well we went to lunch next and looked at a few stores. Then we drove to Waterloo and found the Isle Casino. Not my favorite place to go but Jeff wanted to stop. We did not get lucky. A funny thing, when you go on a Tuesday afternoon you see a lot of older folks. They just have a great time playing the penny slots. I visited with a few as they rolled out to there van ride back. She said she didn't win but had a great time. I thought, how nice that they bring them in to have a fun day.
After leaving the casino we drove towards the little city where the vet was located. We spotted this ice cream place, Tootsie's. We thought it was just the cutest thing. We got a chocolate malt, which was really good. When they give you your ice cream everyone gets a tootsie roll. This is such as old school place, we loved it. They had a huge menu too. Not only did they have lots of ice cream treats they had lots of food too.
The weather was starting to get a bit sketchy so we headed back to Vinton. It wasn't time to pick up Ruby so we walked around the downtown looking at some of the unique shops. We went and got her at 4 o'clock. She was super excited to see us. She also seemed to be a bit upset with us. Doc told us they removed 8 teeth and she now has the correct number of teeth. We headed home to see if we could get her something to eat because she hasn't had any food since Monday at supper time.
Wednesday June 20- We planned on hanging around here today to keep a close eye on Ruby. I gave her a bathe because she needed it. I got her out for a walk because she seems to be back to her self. After lunch we got rain and lots of it. Lenny had called to see if we had spots available. He was going to bring up his grandson for the night. Well after lunch and before Lenny arrived it started raining. They arrived about the time it was pouring. I don't think I have ever see it rain so much so fast. I thought maybe Lenny camper was going to float away. It rained so fast that it couldn't soak up. The ditch was filling up and heading towards there camper. It didn't bother it but I hadn't seen the ditches filled before.
Thursday June 21- Another day of gymnastics. Jeff stayed here and I went in did laundry and took Sis to gymnastics. Before heading back I made them lunch. I watched they weather before leaving them
to go home. We had some rain but missed the storms. The rain has seemed to cool off the temperatures though. Jeff went down to Palo to play his guitar.
Friday June 22- All the rain we got has practically ruined my big beautiful plant. The hummingbirds have seem to left my area. I still get a few but nothing like before. I guess they really did love that tree. We went to downtown Cedar Rapids, first we stopped to see our son Justin's new office. Then we went to the bike shop that was good enough to order in a bike that Jeff would be interested in. He was under no obligation to purchase it but after test driving it he did buy it. We brought it home. Before long it was time to head back in to town. We picked up sandwiches first then to Justin's. They are going to a Kernel's baseball game and we are watching Maddyn. We had fun playing with her, feeding her and just watching her.
Saturday June 23- Today we hung around the park all day long. We even got our new camp ground host shirts. We walked around the campground. When I got back I made a cheesecake, and chessy potatoes for lunch. Justin, Molly and Maddyn came out to eat. Our lunch was really good and so was the weather. We visited some, then Justin and Molly left to go golfing. We watched Maddyn. They brought her stroller out so we walked her around and introduced her. She was very happy. It warmed up while we were walking. We got to sit outside some. Just had fun spending time together.
The kids came back to pick her up. We visited some more before they packed up and left.
We have a very full park this weekend. It seems way more busy too. I guess you can expect that when you finally get decent weather.
Sunday June 24- We went early for church to greet. Then found out about VBS tonight. After church we went for breakfast at Perkins. This becoming a new habit. Went to the store before coming back. We had a lot of campers leave but we had others come in and fill up our walk in sites already. Spent the day in the park. Fixed an early supper because tonight is VBS. I have never volunteered here so not sure what to expect. I arrived early to get instructions. The kids seemed to have a fun night so.....success!!
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