Jun 12, 2020 - Kansas City Last Day

Fri., June 12th – It was a beautiful sunny day for a June wedding. The groom’s family came out to our campground for breakfast (13 in all) Carla and I did a quick shift from breakfast to lunch…with the help of the guys making a grocery store run. Then in rolled Robin and her family for lunch. (10 of us) The campground setting was just right for avoiding the social distancing in restaurants. We were able to meet and visit with both families before everyone made their way to Overland Park for the wedding.

Jun 11, 2020 - Kansas City - WWI Museum

Tues., June 9th – We were grateful to have just wind without the rains in our travels to Columbia, MO for our overnight stop at Cedar Creek Campground. Steve was able to wet his line in their stocked bass pond before calling it a day. Wed., June 10th – The wedding event of Bruce’s grandson was our next destination. Our campground on Longview Lake was our next stop for a 3 night stay in the outskirts of the Kansas City Metro area. Thur., June 11th – Bruce braved the “big city” traffic driving us to downtown Kansas City where we spent the...

Jun 9, 2020 - Cape Girardeau, MO

Mon., June 8th – It was a pleasant travel day to Cape Girardeau, Missouri with a stop for a more than you can eat late lunch at Lambert’s Café….famous for their “thrown” dinner rolls. Now here we are smack dab in the middle of the tropical depression that made its way up from the gulf coast. It’s Tuesday morning, the wind is howlin', the rains are comin' and goin' and we’re giving this nasty weather a chance to clear a bit before we move on toward Columbia, MO.

Nov 22, 2019 - Last Doctor Appointment

Date: November 22, 2019 Weather: rain, clouds Temperature: start 36º High 48¬º Wildlife count: White-tailed Deer Year List: 328 Birds: We left around 7:35am and found that the traffic on 65 south was much less than last week when we were there around 7:50. This was our last trip to Branson for this doctor round season. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Bob Evans then met with Rick to check the eyes. He found that both eyes were still a little swollen, but said that is normal at this stage post-op. He gave me final recommendations for...

Nov 21, 2019 - Memorial Service for Pam

Date: November 21, 2019 Weather: showers Temperature: start 46º High 60º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: We had a quick stop at McD’s for breakfast while the rain fell. John hit all the lights right on the way down Glenstone, and we arrived at Aldersgate before 9am. Everyone was helpful as we set up for Pam’s Memorial Service, and soon folks began to arrive. Almost 90 folks attended to celebrate her life and many folks share stories. Ladies of the church prepared a light lunch to allow folks to visit afterwards. Ernie asked us to...

Nov 20, 2019 - Springfield Nature Center hike

Date: November 20, 2019 Weather: mostly sunny Temperature: start 42º High 72º Wildlife count: Gray Squirrel Year List: 328 Birds: We met Ernie at Jimmy’s Egg – he had never been to one before. We shared stories then drove down to Aldersgate, that he might see the sanctuary and meet Dennis. We finalized a few logistics then he left for the airport to pick up Pam’s brother and family, and we enjoyed a good long walk at the Springfield Nature Center – we took the trail called “Long Walk.” It wound down the bluff, along the creek, over Lake...

Nov 19, 2019 - Visiting the cabin

Date: November 19, 2019 Weather: brilliant sunshine Temperature: start 40º High 67º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: Up early, we met Peggy at Aldersgate just after 8am, and worked on logistics for the memorial service – she is terrific. We were amazed at the traffic getting off 65 on the northern intersections – all we could figure was the college traffic??? Leaving Aldersgate, we enjoyed breakfast at one of John's favorite’s, Donnie’s in the Branson West Plaza. We were surprised to realize that we had spent 30 years in that area,...

Nov 18, 2019 - A new look - new front teeth

Date: November 18, 2019 Weather: cloudy, some rain Temperature: start 29º High 58º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: We arrived at the Ascend Dental office before 8am, and it was well after noon before we left. I had one crown made and installed. John was supposed to have two, but when the doc got a closer look, it was discovered that both of his front teeth and one other was in bad shape, so crowns were installed on all three. He looks wonderful! As we had only had a little snack for breakfast, we headed to Jimmy’s Egg for a good...

Nov 17, 2019 - Lovely worship - Ernie arrives

Date: November 17, 2019 Weather: mostly cloudy Temperature: start 41º High 56º Wildlife count: White-tailed Deer Year List: 328 Birds: Delightful worship this morning and went to Bass Pro to enjoy the Christmas activities. We met Ernie for brunch afterward at IHOP on the north side of town. A few chores when we arrived at home. Dinner was left-overs.

Nov 16, 2019 - Beautiful outdoors day/haircuts

Date: November 16, 2019 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 29º High 58º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: We enjoyed breakfast at the Springfield Café then walked the trails at the Botanical Gardens – it was a great day out even if a little brisk with a breeze. I got my hair cut, and we enjoyed some good hearty soup at Panera’s. We then stopped at Harter House to pick up Boston Burger to package and freeze. After the meat packaging, we opened John Ewan’s barber shop then both showered. I think we were tired from the enjoyment of...

Nov 15, 2019 - Chores day

Date: November 15, 2019 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 20º High 53º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: Red-bellied Sapsucker This was chores day – should be the last laundry here and readied our dress clothes. After a quick bite of lunch, we ran the truck through a car wash to remove the salt from the ice event this week. When we got to Bass Pro, the camp chairs that we wanted for our Odyssey were out of stock – bummer. Hopefully they will still be in stock in Harlingen when we get down there – it will give us a good excuse for a...

Nov 14, 2019 - Pizza lunch with Phil & Dorothy

Date: November 14, 2019 Weather: sunny Temperature: start 32º High 46º Wildlife count: Year List: 328 Birds: Neither of us felt much like a walk this morning after the toilet installation yesterday, so I worked on our travel plans much of the morning. We met Phil and Dorothy for lunch at the Pizza House in the newly revitalized area of Commercial Street. The salad and pizza were great and we talked for 3 hours – had a LOT to catch up! So good to see them and to hear about their cruises and the fun they have had. Back at the ranch,...