The Way West~

 We were making this trip to attend Grandson Mason's Celebration of life.  The gathering would be held on August 11th - what would have been his 23rd birthday.  We discussed flying out, but both of us felt like traveling cross-country. 

8-7 Crossing the Missouri River at Chamberlin, SD

We left bright & early Wednesday morning the 7th.  Butch had made it home a couple days early, so we had plenty of time to plan & pack the Explorer.  We'd sent both the girls our itinerary & maps of our planned daily drive.  This drive is now more familiar to Butch than it is to me.  My last time was going the opposite direction when we made the move to IA from WA. 

Rain, passing Sheridan, WY

We'd planned our first nights stop for Rapid City, but The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was in full swing & room rates were outrageous.  We decided to drive 620-miles to Sundance, WY.  We think it was Finn's first time at a motel, but he was so good!    

8-8 We ended our drive with a cool one~

The following day, Thursday the 8th, we finished another big drive of 636-miles stopping in Missoula, MT for the night.  We put Finn's bed in a quiet spot & fed him dinner before we left for ours.  When we returned, he was waiting patiently & very happy to see us!

The following morning, our goal was within reach!  Camano Island, WA where our youngest daughter & her family live.  Things greened up as we crossed into ID & WA.  Spokane traffic had tripled since my last time through.  It was our first real slow-down of the trip.

The Columbia River at Vantage, 2:19 p.m. ~

Once we crossed the river, we made a stop at the fruit stand just outside Cle Elum. Smoke was thick in the air & had been off & on the further west we drove.  

We'd be coming down Snoqualmie Pass & into Seattle during the Friday afternoon rush hour.  I-90 jammed up early on. Both the exits for the back roads we used to take to go north, were backed up for miles. 

I-90 West Bound, 4:38 p.m.

Taking the exit ramp off I-90 & finally going north on I-405, I was amazed at how Bellevue had changed!  More high-rise buildings & cranes in the air!  I'd commuted to my office in Bellevue from the Homestead for several years.  In those days, it had taken under an hour each way.    

I-405 northbound - Bellevue, 4:52 p.m. 

The highway was undergoing yet another widening as we approached downtown.  After merging onto I-5 near Lynnwood, it took us 40-minutes just to pass the Bothell exit.

Bothell 5:28 p.m. ~

Rather than continue to sit in standstill traffic, we decided the state could send us a bill & took the HOV lane.  If you enlarge the photo above, you will notice the fine for violating the HOV lane is $536. There were other signs stating that if you had two occupants or more & didn't have a pre-pass, you'd receive a bill in the mail.

North Broadway, Everett - 6:07 p.m.

I finally asked Butch to take the Everett exit so we could take a potty break!  I was hopeful we'd be able to follow Broadway north, cross the Snohomish River Bridge & return to I-5. Plenty of people had the same idea.  The other thing we didn't expect - was to find the bridge closed down to one side, only one lane each direction due to construction.

Our camp!

Jentry had messaged me & sent the above photo of our camp!  She had left work, gone home for her trailer & set it up at the campground!  It looked so inviting & kept us motivated to finish the 540-mile drive that was taking hours longer than it should have.  

As we took the Stanwood exit, we left the traffic behind.  We stopped to pick up a few things at the store, before crossing over to the island.  What a relief it was to pull into our camp site!  It was about 7 p.m. & dusk.  Jentry, Ben, Skyla & Josie drove over to welcome us!  Finn was ever so happy to meet our family!  The hugs were the Best!  After the kids left, we sat outside for a while to enjoy the peace & quiet.  We'd missed the fresh, clean air of the Pacific Northwest.

Goodby July!

 The month seemed to never end.  After my third visit to Ortho NE on the 17th, with still no relief, I switched providers.  (I was coming up on two weeks of being unable to walk.)  I called MD West One & they managed to fit me in on the 19th.  (I don't know what I would have done without the help of my friends!)  The Doctor had pulled my x-rays from Ortho NE.  He drained my knee of a terrific amount of fluid & injected it.  The relief was almost instantaneous.  I could put weight on the leg immediately after the procedure & was walking three days later!  

Garden Phlox blooming~

I was so happy to be able to get outside & check things out.  The weeds were trying to take over, I had to close my eyes to that.  Seeing all the flowers doing so well, even without any care these past weeks was great.

White blooming Phlox~

My friend Doris is the one who told me how much she enjoys white blooming flowers, especially the way they can light up areas of shade.

Sharkey's Revenge~

The daylilies put on quite a show.  Sharkey must have bloomed at least ten times!  It's so brilliant against the greens.

Mighty Chestnut~

The copper-colored Mighty Chestnut I bought from Menards several years ago & now have starts from it in at least a dozen places.  Even the newest transplants are blooming.

Zinnias~ 

The Zinnias I planted from seed in April all along the east fence - are the showstoppers!  I'd planted marigolds along here for several years, but last year they didn't do as well as I'd hoped.  I decided to try Zinnias.  I planted two different varieties.  One a shorter height & another medium.  I didn't want to try anything too tall, as I worried the winds would break them down.  They look fantastic from the deck.  The butterflies & bees are on them constantly.

Naturalized Naked Ladies~

I spent hours last year, moving Naked Lady bulbs from all the places I didn't want them, out into the woods.  I planted them in batches.  A couple on the hillside & several more places along an old log further down the hill.  They have become quite the highlight!  Especially when the late afternoon sun shines through their pale pink pedals.

A huge wind & rainstorm blew through about 5:40 p.m. The day went from hot, humid & still, to straight line 80 mph wind & torrential rain.  I'd just come in from the Cabin when I heard a big bang!  I opened the front door to see a limb from the Walnut had broken off & hit the roof of the porch.

Walnut limb down~

I couldn't see any damage & it missed both my good trees & pots of flowers.  We ended up with well over a half inch of badly needed rain & kept power.  Omaha was hit much worse & over 200,000 homes are without power.  They're warning homeowners that it could be a week or more until all power is restored.

Every day, I'm improving.  No thanks at all to Ortho NE & many thanks to MD West One.  After three days of staying off my leg & icing my knee, Monday the 22nd, I took my first step in over two weeks.  I made a goal for each day.  Day one - was to walk to the Cabin.  Day two - was to drive & visit Doris.  Day three - I drove myself to mat making!  Day four - to the grocery store, etc.  This week, I started the power mower & managed to mow around the cabin!  It was all I could do to finish, but it still felt so good!  I never thought I'd say that about mowing!  

Butch will be home soon & we'll be on our way west. Grandson Mason's Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been his 23rd birthday.  It's been almost three-years since my last visit.  Thankfully, Jentry & the girls came to see us last summer.  We plan to drive & Finn is coming with us.  We will be splitting our time between the girl's homes.  It's great to have them both in WA.

Many, many thanks to Joyce for watering all my plants, Kathy for driving me to the far reaches of Omaha!  Karen for bringing me the best ice pack ever & Doris for the moral support!  I'm blessed beyond measure to have such wonderful friends.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly~

 Butch having a week of home time was grand!  The first afternoon, he loaded Finn's little cart & we drove to Silver City to ride the trail.  The following day, July first, Butch left to pick up his trailer & make a delivery to Omaha.  When he returned home, we went to lunch & shopping for taller stems for our bike handlebars.  The day had gone from cool & cloudy to sunshine by afternoon.

July first, Cabin & flowers~

After Butch had ridden the trail, he decided that his handlebars were too low.  Neither of our bikes had an adjustment to raise them to a higher position.  When he mentioned it, I realized I had been more hunched over the bars than I liked.  I too, would end up with sore shoulders by the end of a ride.

Old angle, lower ~

After doing some research, we ended up at Bike & Trike Outlet of Omaha.  They were the only bike shop we called with stem extenders in stock.  We took the last two.  Since the shop was so close to Nebraska Furniture, we walked through electronics & furniture before heading home.

July 5th, Trail to the Missouri from Lake Manawa~

From the 2nd to the morning of the 3rd, rain moved in.  We received a whopping 4.40"!  (More on that later.)  Butch installed the new stems on both bikes.  We ended up taking his bike back to the outlet to have a longer hydraulic brake line installed.  With the handlebars higher, the original line was too short.  Butch managed to make it work for a test ride at Lake Manawa.  It was a gorgeous afternoon.  We'd planned to ride down to see the Missouri, but the access road had flooded.  There was too much mud & we didn't want to try riding through it.  On the way home Doozies ice cream was too good to pass up!

Saturday, our good times came to a flying halt.  We were getting ready to leave for town to pick up items for more projects.  I got in the Explorer, realized I'd forgotten my list & went to jump out.  Big mistake.  My right foot caught on the strap of my purse & I fell.  My right kneecap hit the concrete as hard as it possibly could have.

After a sleepless night for us both, Butch found Ortho Nebraska had an ER that was open in Omaha.  We made the drive.  The Dr. was surprised that the x-ray didn't show anything broken.  They sent me home with pain medication, ice packs & a new knee wrap.  I was to follow up the first of the week at the Council Bluffs clinic.

Finn not happy with my walker in his space!

Butch had been scheduled to leave on Monday, but instead stayed home.  He took me to the appointment I made for the first opening on Tuesday.  After the exam, the PA didn't see any serious damage. I was instructed to use the R.I.C.E method & return in a week.  When I asked how long my recovery period would be - he said I would probably be able to drive to the appointment.  

My little nurse~

I was surprised, since the pain was still very bad.  I told Butch to go ahead & leave which he did on Wed. morning.  After he was gone, I realized how long it took to do the simplest of chores, like feeding Finn his dinner!

7-10-2024 - Keeping my knee warm~

Finn has been very concerned & taken responsibility for my care seriously.  He follows my every move with the walker.  My friend Joyce has been kind enough to come by & water my outside flowers.  With temperatures hovering in the upper 90's & humidity in the 70's, it's a task...   

The pain has not resolved & I've had very little improvement in mobility.  I was unable to find a ride to the appointment I'd scheduled for this Tue.  I know if I still can't walk, I sure can't drive.  I made a call to the ER last evening & was told to call the Council Bluff's office & schedule an MRI this coming week.  My friend Kathy is coming to the rescue & offered to get me to where I need to be.  I can't have an MRI, because of the implants already in my legs.  I'll wait to see what their next suggestion is... 

I'm so mad at myself...  I'd managed to go almost four years without a major injury & had hoped to continue the streak!  

A Ride with Butch & Finn!

 I expected Butch would pull in this week; he ended up getting dispatched home a couple days earlier than I'd expected!  He'd driven in from Iowa-80 this morning, dropped his trailer at Nationwide & came home.

Butch pulls in!

Finn & I waited on the front porch.  It was just a beautiful day.  After all the heat & humidity of the last week, it was the second day of fine early summer weather.  Finn is always so excited to see the big blue truck pull in, he ran to Butch & the two of them walked around the property enjoying the results of my two days of mowing!  

Walking the Marsh with Finn~

Mason's tree, to the right in the above photo has grown a second set of leaves.  It was leafed out when it arrived, but those leaves were eaten by something...  I sprayed it for bugs & it helped!

Butch asked; "Are we going riding?"  I'd mentioned it but wasn't sure he'd want to after driving across the state.  After lunch, he loaded our bikes & we drove over to Malvern.  It wasn't long until we were on the trail.

On the trail~

It was a cool enough day, Finnigan could ride along.  He was happy to be going with us! :-)

Silver Creek Trestle~

Leaving from the park, we rode north to Silver City & stopped on the trestle for a short break.  Finn likes to get out now & then to do some sniffing around.  Mari Jo keeps Happy Trails freezer stocked with ice cream & that was our goal!

Ready to leave Happy Trails~

The AC in the shop felt good too!  We had our treats & bought a couple items for our bike bags.  Mari Jo always has plenty of useful gadgets in stock.  Finn jumped both out of & back in his trailer!  He does enjoy barking at every person we pass on the trail!

After a short break!

Heading back south, we stopped again for a short break.  Finn actually made this ride sitting instead of standing all the way like he had the first time he rode with us.  He's decided his trailer can be very comfortable.

We made great time heading back & enjoyed our ride!  Finn & I are very happy to have Butch home for almost a week!  The longest time in quite a while.  We've made lots of plans for him! :-)

300,000 Miles!

 June 17th, Butch passed another OTR milestone - 300,000 miles!  He accomplished those miles in 28.5 months from the first time he took the driver's seat February 1, 2022.  Maverick has been his steady ride since November 1st. of last year.  From then, until now, he's driven Maverick 81,231 miles.  It's taken from August 23rd of 2023 to accumulate his third 100,000.  This time, he's only driven two trucks, Traveler & now Maverick.

Butch & Maverick~

I've been keeping record of Butch's drives from the beginning.  I use Google maps & plot his dispatches from when he stops each day or night - as it may be - to the next.  When I realized how close he was getting, I reminded him to watch the odometer.  His GPS had stopped working for a few days earlier this year, then reset itself.  I was so happy he'd been taking photos of the odometers of the semi's both when he took keys & when he surrendered them.  Using Maverick's - we still had an accurate accounting of his miles.

6-17-2024 - 300,000 - Crossing the state line, Ohio to Indiana~

Nationwide Transportation in business since 1982, has been a solid company to drive for.  Based in Omaha, Butch gets more opportunities for overnight stops at home now.  Reminiscent of when he was driving for Blake Scott.  

6-14-2024 - Maverick, Near Pleasanton, KS

His routes now include SD, MI, MN, WI, OH, IL, IN, NE, MO, KS, AR, KY, TN, TX & of course IA.  

He carries the usual wide variety of items - from refrigerated loads of food products to massive rolls of colored paper!

6-13-2024 Colorful Delivery~

Life on the road hasn't become any easier.  Pulling in behind a truck at the fuel island, after quite a wait, Butch walked up to see what was going on, only to find the driver at his mid-day prayers.  Later, he came up on the same truck going 60-mph in a 70-mph zone.  As he passed, he could see the driver paying more attention to his cell phone than the road.  As he gave a short blast of Maverick's 130 decibel horn, the driver jumped in his seat!

6-15-2024 Loves Travel Stop, St. Joseph, MO

Mechanically, besides repairs to Maverick's AC the semi has been very reliable.  The truck also received a new set of tires!  Trailers too are kept in good repair & issue free.

3-8-2034 - The I-80 Slip & Slide through IA~

The weather was, as usual, weather.  Driving the central U.S. is as challenging as anywhere else & Butch witnessed the usual interstate mishaps.  He managed to skirt some of the worst of the storms that rolled through.

Maverick's favorite view~

Home Time happens regularly, usually about every three-weeks.  Butch has been able to get home for holidays & appointments.  Getting back on the road is always quick too, which he appreciates.  Soon, it will be three years since Butch left for Joplin.  

Traffic in the cities, long waits at some warehouses, lines at the fuel islands & the sometimes-impossible task of finding a place to park at the end of a drive are the main challenges.  I'm thankful every evening when the phone rings & I know my husband has stopped & safely completed another day's drive!   

First 100,000~

200,000 miles~

Summer Begins~

 Forecast as the coolest day of the next week - the temperature was 84 degrees; humidity 73% & feels like 92.  Mari Jo had sent me a message asking if I'd ride this week.  I'd spent yesterday working outside, so today was the day. 

Our weather forecast going into the summer months sounds challenging.  With Ragbrai coming the 20th of July, a few more people are using the trail.  It's not a ride I'd have done, even a few years ago.  Held during the hottest & most humid time of year, it doesn't sound at all like fun to me. 

South from Silver City

My poor knee is still giving me fits, after almost three-weeks.  Whether a bone bruise or whatever, I'm still limping.  I found out the first time I stopped; it still didn't want to give me the support I needed to put my foot on the ground.  I slow down, apply both brakes evenly & hold them until I'm off the bike.

Into the Walnut trees~

The trail surface had several soft/damp spots.  I took the track that looked to be firm, but I could feel the rear tire slide a few times. The birds were in full song & a stiff wind helped keep the humidity at bay.  The trees along the trail offer shade, but in exchange hold in the humidity.

Good flow in Silver Creek~

I stopped at the Trestle, it's such a relief to see so much water flowing.  The rains we've received this spring are forecast to continue through much of the summer months.  I wouldn't complain & wouldn't miss moving all the hoses & all the watering.

 Growing on the Malvern Depot Arch~

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii 'Elegans'.  The stunning leaves of this vine are impressive.  I stop under the Arch to make a note of the time it's taken me to reach this spot.  It's interesting to see the difference temperature, wind etc. make in each ride.

Boehner pond~

After my usual circuit of town, I was looking forward to stopping at the pond.  The breeze off the water actually felt cool, even on such a humid day.  Only one RV camping & no one around today.

Shadow & a Mulberry Tree~

On the way back, Shadow decided to stop at this mulberry tree.  I spend quite a while picking & eating all the ripe berries I could reach!  My fingertips were purple before I decided it was time to move on.

Elderberry under the Walnut trees~

Elderberry look so brilliantly white in the shade of the Walnuts.  Soon they'll be covered with berries too.  No wonder the birds are so happy with all the native berries available.

A few miles further down the trail & I saw some type of animal/animals ahead in the center of the trail.  At first, I thought they might be woodchucks, but as I got closer, I recognized a large racoon.  With her, were four kits!  As I rode closer, she hustled the little ones off the trail & into the bushes.  Passing the spot, I watched & sure enough I was being watched by one of kits!  So darn cute!

The trail back~

I can't lie, it's enjoyable to be able to gear Shadow's torque-based PAS.  It makes riding so much easier on my knees & bad leg.  I've been averaging 11-mph on my rides, without pushing & staying at level one eco.  After 18-miles, I was still soaked with sweat by the time I was back to Happy Trails & the Explorer. 

Once home, I had the task of washing all the smashed & splattered mulberries off Shadow.   The battery was down one bar, (out of five) but that's after 35-miles of riding & today's stiff wind gusts.  It was my first time washing the e-bike & I was careful to stay clear of the motor.  I left the bike in the off position when I put it away.   When a cool day does come again, I may take Smokey out, curious if riding an e-bike keeps me fit enough to self-pedal the same distance.  We'll see, I'm pretty spoiled now!

By Springs End ~

 We've had an amazing spring.  I use the word amazing because we've received the rain we've needed so badly for three-years!  The weather was moderate, up & until the tornado's arrived in May.  Iowa has seen 91 tornado's so far this year, with 38 tornado related deaths...

3-19-2024  First full day of spring~

Since this year is a leap year, March 19th marked the vernal equinox for the northern hemisphere.  This is the earliest date for the beginning of Spring since 1896!  Here at home, I was happy to see the first signs of green & the bright yellow of daffodils!

My second generation of Red Germanium's~

The germanium Courtney sent for me last October - from my original plants - had by now started two more!  All three were doing great!  

4-16-2024 Tulips & Violets~

The yellow tulips I planted in the woods a few years ago, are next to bloom, after the daffodils. The bright spots of yellow are so welcome.  The violets too, have emerged & are in bloom.  In the woods, they work well as a ground cover.

5-19-024 First bloom~

The second generation of my red germaniums have become five!  All are growing, starting to bloom & will be spending the summer on the deck. 

5-25-2024 Mason's Redbud to the left~

With the gifted funds from our friends at mat making, we ordered a Redbud tree to celebrate Grandson Mason's life.  It arrived in good shape & thankfully all the rain will help it to establish.

6-1-2024 Behind the Cabin~

The Hosta's above, I planted on this little hill after it was cleared of the rubbish & debris.  Butch had hauled everything away we couldn't burn. In those days, I did a lot of burning with no issues.  I'm thankful I was able to get it done.  Always living in the county, I didn't even think about being located at the edge of town. The trail down to the woods begins here & it's become one of my favorite spots.

6-9-2024

Last year, when I was searching everywhere for anyone who might have starts of the red germanium, I found a nursery who said they'd be receiving a few of the pink variety this spring.  I ordered one & it arrived in May.  The shipping container kept it almost as fresh as if it had just been potted.  

Appleblossom Germanium~ 

Instead of the usual marigolds, I decided to try planting the entire row with Zinnia seeds.  Butch was here to get the dirt loosened for me.  I planted about 12 envelopes of seeds.  About half the Lilliput variety & the other half a medium size of mixed colors.  It seemed to take forever for them to sprout. Now, with all the recent rains, blooms are appearing!  

6-15-2024 - Zinnia's~

Color will be next!  A few volunteer marigolds have sprouted too & I've left them.  I don't quite have the room, before the hill drops off - for two rows.  All the rain has invigorated the bugs though.  I've never seen so many ants & I've had to spray the Zinnia's twice so far. 

Tomorrow, summer will arrive!  We've already had quite a run of heat & humidity, with a warm & humid summer forecast.  At least the rains have revived the landscape.  We've enjoyed some of the nicest spring weather I can remember since we moved here.  Bye spring - Hello summer!