1532 Miles

Somehow in today’s world, we are encumbered with so many time-saving devices, it is difficult to find time for each other. When we are in a car, we are in our own world. Therefore I found the trip to Prairie du Chien intriguing. Although Ed no longer ‘travels well’, it is a time for enjoying life together.

On July 19th, we left at 6:15 pm, just 15 minutes late. Not bad for us! Not much room in our car after we packed for seven days away. Lisa Li, our Chinese friend, brought us some Chinese food and teas to ward off colds, hunger, etc. The containers were decorated with Chinese characters.

Ed is not familiar with our digital camera, but decided to take pictures of several places as I drove. The camera was on ‘show’, and Ed decided it needed batteries. Changing two AA batteries while driving isn’t easy, and of course, the batteries soon fell out on their own, taking their own trip. When we stopped at Wendy’s for a lunch salad, I flicked one switch and took a picture of Ed. Now he was ready to go.

As we traveled across Iowa we were astonished by the fields of corn — lush green stalks of corn — so many shades of green. God really knows a good color when he used green on green on green.

As we zoomed across the landscape at 70 mph makes the changing scenes kaleidoscope at a dizzying speed. We watched the temperature zoom up from 79 to 100 degrees by the time we reached Kansas City. It was a bit tricky to find 435 at Kansas City, and move on to Des Moines. Trucks whizzed by us until several times we were encircled, like a wagon train, by red, white and blue trucks. Walmart, Fed Ex and Keane Thummel and others. The car drove well, such a blessing to ‘almost’ own an easy to drive car. We kept an eye on gas prices. The most – in Wisconsin – topped $3.07 and the least was on the way back at $2.77 at Bolivar, MO.

We stayed at LaQuinta near Des Moines. We were so thankful for a place to stay and for safe travel. Even though the traffic was a bit difficult near Des Moines, we knew prayers undergirded our travel.

We left on July 20th at 8:40. Soon we were on the road to Gutenberg, IA. Such a beautiful little town on the banks of the Mississippi. The curves gave way to scene after scene of lush green, mammoth weeping willow trees, and more.

Soon we stopped at Marquette at the post office. Ed told the postmaster he was the postal inspector of bathrooms. So the postmaster let us in, and I hugged the postmaster. It was so good to see our son!

After checking in — we drove to see our grandkids and Carolyn. Ahhh! Such a good time.
After the wedding festivities — we said goodbye to our son Tim, and his family — and the next day left. It was difficult to say goodbye to our WI family, too. At Bolivar MO, we said hello to Ed’s sister, and were home by 2:45 pm.

It is wonderful to go, but even more wonderful to be at home!

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