Busy Home Time~

 

8-31-2026 Butch is Home!

Butch stopped at Nationwide for Maverick's oil change & tune-up before continuing home.  The cloud cover made it look cooler than it was.  It's been so hot & humid it's like being in a sauna full time.  Maverick made the trailer look small!  We went to dinner & discussed what our plans were for trailer interior.

9-1 First slide~

9 -1 Both far slides out~

Butch was busy doing a thorough inspection of the rig.  He was over it, under & all through it.  By afternoon, we drove back to Council Bluffs to visit the Camping World Service Department.  Butch had quite a discussion with the Service Manager about inspecting the trailers before they're delivered.

9-3-2026 A busy place~

By 9 a.m. on the third, Technician's from Camping World & the driver who'd made the delivery were here.  The brakes on the rear axle hadn't been connected.  The new F-250 the delivery driver used to tow, should have shown an error message regarding the brakes.

9-6 Looking up from the trail~

We had all the faux leather furniture, seating area table, chairs & bedroom mattress taken out at the dealer.  I ordered a good love seat & will be using mom's antique table & chairs.  Many thanks to Mike & Dwaine for their help moving super awkward, heavy items into the trailer!

My favorite wall tapestry found a spot over our bed.  Family heirlooms & our art will be shipped out & go into storage in WA for now.  I've been looking at all the things we've collected over almost 44 years of marriage.  Then, there's all the items I'd saved from dad's estate in 2012 & moms in 2016.  It's somewhat overwhelming. 

We'll be traveling lighter & I'll have a lot less work to do!  We're purchasing a membership at Port Susan.  Jentry has done all of the leg work for us, driving around to find a spot we liked.  I'm so looking forward to having my husband home again!  I won't miss the constant worry when he's on the road.  We've put in so much time here - both inside & out.  We're ready to be done with it all.  My injury was the catalyst, that started the ball rolling.  Now, we're waiting for the sale to be complete.

Movin' On~

Change is one constant of life.  When we moved to Iowa from WA almost ten-years ago now, our plan was to stay.  It was a tough move, leaving the kids & grandkids was the hardest part.  We made it work; they came to visit & we made a few trips up there.  As time went on, we missed them more & more.

Our new Home~

Butch started driving OTR five years ago.  He's only been home half of the time we've lived here.  We made a plan - Butch would again drive a school bus.  Unexpectedly though, that plan fell through & he's back OTR.

Then, there was my accident the first of May.  The injury has resulted in a much longer recovery than I'd anticipated, making it impossible for me to continue to take the kind of care of our home I demand of myself.  Trying to hire the landscaping out, I've been unable to find anyone, who takes pride in the job they're paid to do. 

8-26 Evening~

We were sitting in the office one night, almost ten-years to the day from when we decided to sell the Homestead.  We looked at each other & said; "Lets sell out!"  Our priorities have changed yet again & age is finally catching up to us both.  We're ready to kick back, slow down & move back to WA. We spoke to the girls & had to laugh as they both said; "Well if you downsize now, we won't have it to do!"  They both pitched in with suggestions as to how we should proceed.

Butch started sending me floor plans for travel trailers!  It wasn't something I'd thought of, but after some on-line shopping & visit to Camping World in Council Bluffs, I could certainly see the benefit!  Courtney & her husband purchased a very nice one a year or so ago & we stayed in Jentry's last time we were in WA.  

Jentry mentioned a retirement community up north.  It's near our old stomping grounds, we can buy a membership that includes a wooded lot, full hookups, private beach & resort type amenities.  The best part - it's far enough from Seattle, close to Jentry's home on Camano Island & not far from daughter Courtney. 

The Home Place~

Finally, one of the sentinel trees we'd brought with us from WA, died.  I called an arborist who managed to find the cause, spray all the others & save the one that's left.  We listed the house - and are in no hurry.  The consensus among our friends has been unanimous - it was meant to be.  Living in IA again has given me the opportunity to re-connect with so many wonderful people from my early years in Greenfield. The friends we've both made here are priceless to us~

After our last trip to Washington though, we both were very sad to leave.  It's time to return & enjoy seeing the grandchildren becoming young adults.  There's something too - about the mountains, ocean & fresh breezes we've both missed so much.