Nov. Thanks Be To God!

Smooch mail (pop-up card)

30 Nov:  Thanks be to God!  Smooch!  Ron gets one last day of cards with Don and Ann in Illinois, and he even won a game by going out on the last hand.  Today's rides were much warmer at 50 degrees morning and evening.  And Cynthia continues Thanksgiving in Texas with Smooch mail.  How incredible to find deep love at this stage of life.  Ending November the way we began, Thanks be to God!

Cynthia's sunset at Lake Conroe

29 Nov:  Smooch! Illinois Forecast calls for another 36 degree ride at 9 am.  Yup.  Meanwhile, “good morning” from Texas, Cynthia arose early, at 3:30, searching for people, not early-bird worms. 

28 Nov, Sunday:  Smooch!  Ron apparently intends to ride his motorcycle to church in 36 degree weather and return only slightly warmer at 4:30.  Done.  Ron was even reasonably warm on his 20-minute ride at 8:30 and 36 degrees to church.  He managed to walk the length of Don's Crackerneck Road to Hank's house and back before Don and Ann returned after church.  Then we played Liverpool rummy, and Ron even won a game!!  Indeed, the ride back to Mariner's Village was just as cold, and Ron was just as warm.  Things are looking good for Wednesday to Kansas City.

27 Nov:  Smooch!  Thanksgiving, part 2, at nephew Eric’s house in Wood River, Illinois.  Denise provided a marvelous meal of salad, potato salad, jello, turkey and potatoes.  Ron is happily full.  The ride there was chilly at noon, but the return was frigid at 4 pm.  Ron was shocked upon entering the house to see everyone already seated and eating since he had understood that the agreed upon time was 2 pm and he was 3 minutes early.  Apparently he was the only one to misunderstand the agreed upon time.  Meanwhile, in Texas, in the midst of sputtering rain, chilly and getting colder by the hour, Cynthia met the loveliest angel in disguise going into Walmart.  Annie and I had a most delightful conversation.  God works in surprising ways! 

26 Nov:  Smooch!  Will the motorcycle start this frigid, 15 degrees above zero, morning?  The temp should be 30 degrees by the time Ron attempts to start the bike.  Suspense!  Drum roll! Yaaay!  Great bike!  Everyone in Carol's house awakened at 5:00+ as usual, did their morning exercise routines as usual, and Ron then packed all his possessions early enough to suggest lunch at Ruby Tuesday for all.  Bill graciously picked up the tab.  Ron then loaded everything onto the motorcycle, and it started !!  The 50-mile ride to Carlyle at 35 degree temperature was chilly but pleasant, thanks to wearing enough warm clothing in multiple layers - 6 on torso and 3 on legs.

Noah is the only great grandson this old

This cutie must be baby Blaire

Get your plate and GO

Cynthia between two grandsons, dwarfing them

25 Nov:  God of all blessings, Source of all life, giver of all grace, thank you for the gift of life, the love of family, children that delight us, and the abundance of food to sustain us, bless our food that we may be strengthened to live our lives in daily gratitude.  Thank you for Life Together.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Thank God for cold weather that has convinced Ron to NOT pull bush honeysuckle today.

24 Nov:  Ron is pulling mountains of honeysuckle at Carol’s tree farm, but he needs three full-time volunteers to help him.  The qualifications are hand strength and passionate motivation to eliminate bush honeysuckle from Carol's tree farm.  Ron and Bill enjoy morning meetings on Carol’s road as Bill returns from town and Ron walks to the mailbox and back.  Cynthia sent Thanksgiving messages to family and friends, drove to Hempstead to pick up eight pies, moved them to the second floor condo.  Whew!  That’s a half a pie apiece.

23 Nov:  Another day only slightly different from other days.  Ron pulled bush honeysuckle in the morning, and the change was that Carol, Bill and Ron drove into town and ate at Ruby Tuesday, shopped for groceries and returned early enough for Ron to pull more bush honeysuckle.  Our evening smooching was shortened when Cynthia could not stop yawning.  She housecleaned, and prepared a sweet potato and a mashed potato casserole for Thursday’s gathering of 22 people. 

22 Nov:  Our evening SmoochSmooch phone call was delayed by phone problems zzzzz. 

21 Nov, Sunday:  Ron spent the day helping Eric with his RPM coins web site.  I love you! 💕  Cynthia worshipped at Grace Lutheran Church; duly inspired, she wrote the meditation for her annual Class Christmas letter.  It awaits her favorite editor's stamp of approval. 

20 Nov: Awake, we are, Ron in Illinois and Cynthia in a Texas Town, oatmealed, exercised, smooched, and onto the day’s events.  Ron mended a zipper, pulled bush honeysuckle, moved an A/C, and researched genealogy.  Sistah Carol fed him salmon and sweet potatoes for being a good brother.   After his moonlit evening walk, it is time to sleep. 

Marilee, Cynthia and Bonnie

Cynthia’s sister sent a fun photo of the three sisters and Jim Reid. 

View of the marina from Cynthia's balcony

Adam, Noah and great grandmother Cynthia

19 Nov:  The leaves are falling; the clock is ticking, eleven days to December.  Autumn sun bathes the marina in glittery, glowing gold.  Grandchildren’s watercolors are lovely.  Cynthia enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Yacht Club, entertained by baby Noah.  Ron pulled 247 bush honeysuckle, using his left arm this time and was surprised to gain relief from previous back pains.  After hacking his way through a large stand of multiflora rose, a deer passed by 20 feet from him on the path.  Ron stood very still and the deer must have sensed his presence, but did not see him; once it even gazed directly at Ron for thirty seconds without seeing him.

18 Nov:  I love you at 6:07 AM, Texas Time.  Smooch!  Cynthia had a hearing test this morning, a challenge for OCD folks who only accept A’s.  The left ear passed the test with the recommendation to keep important people on the left side - and her talkative Smooch on the right.  That same Smooch finally discovered a Mechem descendent who matches cousin Ray.  Carol & Bill needed Booster shots, so we all drove into Litchfield and enjoyed a Ruby Tuesday salad bar lunch before searching Walmart shelves for tart pie cherries and pretzels.  The cherries were on the top shelve reserved for excess stock, but the lower shelves were bare.  Ron only walked to the mailbox and back once, this evening.  Lots of DNA today, but very little exercise.  (It was a cold, windy day.)

17 Nov:  Deep in the heart of Texas, Cynthia walked five miles!  Recommended reading: “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” a biographical novel found at Amazon, or IBooks download.  The writing is almost as good as Ron’s.  Excellent wordsmith, indeed.  Ron awakened too early and was in time to join Morning Stretch for the greater part of today's excruciating session.  After recovery and oatmeal he walked to the mailbox and return talking to his beloved WeeFee most of the way.  Since the forecast calls for afternoon showers, he spent the morning tending a fire before venturing to the edges of the property to pull bush honeysuckle.

16 Nov:  Only 15 more days in Illinois.  Ron is en route to Sistah Carol’s for ten days of pulling bush honeysuckle.  Meanwhile in Texas, Cynthia thanks God for Ron.  Beautiful weather for a motorcycle ride today in Illinois; warm and sunny with a mild breeze.  The only drawback is that the leaves have all fallen off the trees so that the scenery is less that spectacular (much less).  Ron parked the bike at the Hampton Inn and remembered that last year, when he retrieved it to ride south, he had to thread his way through patches of ice in the parking lot.  Then we went to Ruby Tuesday and were delighted to see that they are now open from 11am to 8pm daily.  After two plates of salad plus dessert salad, Ron was very happily full.  The grocery shopping that followed was anticlimactic, and Ron fell asleep just before 9pm after dinner of leftovers.

Cynthia enjoys lake views

15 Nov:  This morning at 11 AM Ron rode to Trenton for gasoline and added air to both tires en route to O'Fallon, IL where he and former classmate Dick drove to Hooters for lunch.  (Ron was disappointed that Hooters waitresses were dressed in their winter garb, and the salad wasn't very good either.)  Dick and I had a nice long conversation about our respective spouses and our mating dances.  About 2 Ron then rode to the Belleville Public Library and found a few items about James Bankston in Illinois prior to statehood.  At 5:45 he rode to Freeburg looking for Reifschneiders where he joined the BTHS class of '65 reunion committee meeting.  It was indeed a day of uninterrupted fun, thank God.  In Texas, my beloved little SmoochSmooch was delighted to receive an email captioned: Morning Smooch Revisited: I love you, you cute little SmoochSmooch. 

That very same SmoochSmooch went with Tina and Jon to a C.S. Lewis movie, her first movie in over 20 years! 

Ron at lunch, bowl of spinach, mango, peas, etc.

14 Nov, Sunday:  Praise God, we woke up !!  Time for Ron to ride over to Trenton to attend 9 AM church with Don and Ann.  Ron got to the church early and unannounced and enjoyed surprising the Cryder twins.  (They still look terrific even though they were in Ron's high school class.  Apparently they have learned how to make time stand still.)  Ron, Don and Ann played Liverpool rummy, ate lunch, and played more cards.  Meanwhile in Texas, Cynthia slept late and missed worship, so she cleaned the condo and walked to the fitness center where she pounded on the treadmill until her feet hurt.  (I never shoulda left her without adult supervision.)  She baked six healthy cookies for the dressmaker and she ate eight. 

Mama-to-be with great grandmother to be

Baby Adam

I guess that is Baby Blair looking much older than a year

13 Nov:  And a weekend day just like the last two for Ron except for 38-degree rides morning and evening.  Ron is in Illinois visiting old friends.  Thank God for dear friends, for the pearls of memories that keep them in our hearts.  In Texas, Covid Negative Cynthia is going to our granddaughter Lauren's baby shower, with a bag of bunny books and a Velveteen Rabbit.  Hilarious: Cynthia told Ron she was going to take a shower.  Thirty minutes later Ann texted Cynthia, “Ronnie arrived and said you are going to shower, send pictures!”  HAHA!  Two different showers here!  What a disappointment, Cynthia only sent pictures of the baby shower.  The baby shower was marvelous, but it was mind-boggling to see boxes upon boxes of baby items; new baby girl will have a clean outfit every fifteen minutes for two years.   Ron actually won an entire game of Liverpool rummy by going low on the final hand (knowing he never draws a joker unless he is buying every possible discard).  It is hilarious to be one of three old fogeys playing cards despite the confusions caused by memory lapses, conversational lapses, and seating changes.  AhhHaa, old fogeys are named for the fact that they are in a fog most of the time.  Ron is now convinced that he has enough warm clothing to tolerate above freezing temperatures on the motorcycle ride back to Texas.  Ron's only walk of the day started at 8:30 and ended at 9:50, walking 3+ miles across the dam and back.

12 Nov:  Another day just like yesterday (maybe). 😍 I LOVE YOU.  (Those who read our blog regularly will recognize times when Cynthia and Ron are apart from the surfeit of I love yous.)  The day was different and much colder.  The motorcycle temperature gauge read 41 degrees for Ron's return to Mariners Village at dusk.  Ron was overcome with sleepiness after cornbread and popcorn, so he called Cynthia and went to bed at 6 PM, woke up for the 9 o'clock pill alarm and slept again until midnight, then in smaller segments until arising refreshed at 6:30 AM.  Cynthia was self administering an at-home covid test in hopes of a negative that will allow her to attend Lauren's baby shower tomorrow.

11 Nov:  I love you again and again, and I'm glad that you got your vaccinations that undoubtedly blunted the covid.  AttaGirl.  I do wonder what the Dr. Peanut Butter was on the 5th.  I love you, I love you, I love you - at 6:20 am.  I win.  Little SmoochSmooch had plans to overdo exercise but got caught up into a book about Elvis.  (Imagine that !!)  She is feeling entirely recovered and well again, thank God.!!  Ron awakened at 4 am after sleeping for five hours uninterrupted.  While that long episode of sleep was very welcome, he was unable to fall back to sleep and arose at 4:45 to begin his day despite being rather tired.  The rain stopped before 9 AM and Ron "washed" the motorcycle quickly then went to Walmart for mouthwash and a covid Booster, arriving at Don and Ann's house just before 11.  After "the Waltons" and lunch, we all commenced Liverpool Rummy.  As usual, Ron was thoroughly trounced by the experts.  After a baked potato and steamed veggies dinner, he walked across the dam in rather chilly temperatures with a bracing breeze at times before "dessert" of popcorn, pretzels and cornbread.  Goodnight.

10 Nov:  I love you, you poor little sick SmoochSmooch. (Ahhh! Thank you!  She is weller!)  Apparently the Walmart here in Carlyle will give me a covid booster.  Stay tuned (as the excitement builds).  Ron finally broke free from the chains of sibling affiliation to ride down to Edwardsville en route to Carlyle.  Now his sore thumbs will have a chance to recover from severe overuse syndrome (pain).  So you haven't hear much from Ron recently because every day has been identical: arise too early (somewhere close to 5 AM), exercise, be grateful that my exercises last long enough to excuse me from Miranda's classes, eat oatmeal with blueberries (often 2 bowls), walk Carol's driveway to the mailbox (0.8 miles) and back, eat frozen mango plus frozen veggies, walk off into the woods - but the first stop is to stare into the clover patch for perhaps five minutes to find a four-leafed clover, continue into the woods to clip & poison vines and pull bush honeysuckle, return around 2 PM for a beer and a little sliver of pumpkin pie.  Back into the woods to battle vines & bush honeysuckle until 4:30 dinner bell.  Both Carol and Bill readily admit that a cooked dinner is a huge part of their relationship.  (I thoroughly enjoyed being caught up in that arrangement.)  The sunset walk to the mailbox took a turn for the worst after "Fall back" pushed the walk into darkness.  The uneven gravel surface was jarring at times, but canopy of stars was sublime.  Goodnight.

9 Nov:  In Illinois, Ron is harvesting honeysuckle, and encouraging his sister’s remodeling projects.  In Texas, the mobile monoclonal antibody team came to the condo to administer the infusion. ZZzzzz 

Get Well Grandmother

8 Nov: In Texas, Cynthia is scheduled for monoclonal antibody therapy tomorrow at noon at home; the infusion center has a mobile unit.  Seven year old granddaughter, Fyn, sent a get-well drawing. 

7 Nov, Sunday:  Smooch!  Cynthia, despite not feeling well, has been pushing herself until odd symptoms, like the smell of dirty diapers, a yukky taste and a headache propelled her to go to urgent care this morning where they gave her a fifteen minute Abbott Covid test. Yuk.  It is positive, and she is forced to rest.  A ZPak was prescribed and immediately begun.  Oxygen level is good.  Nap was good. 

6 Nov:  I love you!  Guess who won!  Meanwhile, in Texas, Cynthia was on a roll: grocery shopping, walking (5 miles) wrapping gifts for Lauren’s baby shower, creating a menu for Thanksgiving, and BOOM, just like that, she plopped down and sat mesmerized by a blue heron!  Sunlight and shadows are shimmering on the lake.  At two AM it will be time to arise and turn the clock back an hour… right?

Cynthia's view from the condo

The lion is awake and roaring against Woke!

https://www.city-journal.org/mit-caves-to-wokeness

5 Nov:  I love you!  Awake at 3:45!  Dr. P.B. Appointment at ten.  Everything is good except for four extra pounds.

Mee beloved Cynthia is the short one

4 Nov:  Smooch (he) and Smooch Smooch (she) !  She is racing around the freeways in Texas.  Smooch got points for first "I love you" of the day.  Ron's Bill alarm again went off too late for him to finish his daily exercises before Miranda was finished on PBS.  After oatmeal, he walked to the mailbox and back, enjoying the mist rising from the fields as the morning sunlight evaporated the dew and highlighted the autumn leaves. (Ahhh, beautiful imagery!)  Cynthia's trip to the dentist is done!

3 Nov:  Thanks be to God!  Another day like yesterday… Cynthia exercised, oatmealed, and prepared packages to be returned.  Ron’s shoes and Glucosamine/ Chondroitin are en route to Mariners Village.  She has an appointment with Aesthetician for manicure and pedicure.  She tried “New Green Protein powder” mixed with skim almond milk instead of water.  Eh?  It will be ok.  Several more stops to make, but the rain is H.E.A.V.Y. !  It has been a long time since she has driven in such a deluge.  Smooch must be sleeping.  Zzzzz.  (No, but he and sister were in a no call zone returning from Eric's house.)  Ron thanked Bill for his wake up call yesterday, but today it came late - at 5:30, too late for Ron to finish his exercises until Miranda was demonstrating the final excruciating moves.  Ron spent the day organizing genealogy notes on his computer, then walked in the woods for an hour or two before Carol decided it was time to deliver deer burgers to Eric's house, stopping first in Edwardsville to buy a ceiling light shade and a pillow.  Then we accompanied Eric, Denise, and Kyle to Geno's 140 Club for dinner and returned home with a belt sander.  We stopped at Bill's IGA in Staunton for pretzels, frozen mango, etc.  (Since Ron's weight is to high, he bought pretzels for Bill.  If they are Bill's pretzels, Ron won't eat them all at once.)  Bill again was quickest with the daily sudoku.  Carol and Ron stayed up late watching a documentary about the migration of the "blue stones" of Stonehenge on PBS.  Fascinating.!!

2 Nov:  Ron was awakened at 5 AM by Bill crashing into the table that he moved to straighten up for Ron's arrival.  Very thoughtful to provide a 5 AM wake up so that Ron had time for his mandatory exercises before joining Carol for Miranda's grueling workout.  Nice that Cynthia used her ipad to inform Ron (via this blog) of the reason that his calls last night were unanswered.  Carol's bathroom scale reports that Ron weighs 183 pounds.! 8 pounds too heavy.!!  This might require drastic measures, like going hungry for several hours several sequential days. - But let's not rush into this as he feels the need for a bowl of frozen mango to pep him up this morning.  He did sleep quite well from 9:30 to 2:30 after eating a bowl of cornbread with pretzels.  Then he laid awake until Bill's crash re-awakened him.

In the meantime, in Texas, Cynthia had a haircut, an audiologist appointment, redid the contract on the rental car, voted, bought groceries, paid the rent, moved several loads of contents from the storage unit to the condo, organized the closets, did laundry, put batteries in the bathroom scale being careful not to rest even a thumb on top, arranged our appointments with an ophthalmologist for 8 Dec., and organized a dinner with friends afterwards, and now the angels will bless her with sleep. 

1 Nov:  My sweetie hired a Lyft ride to get her to the plane to Texas (thereby avoiding the motorcycle ride in cold of December from St. Louis to Texas).  I will miss her dreadfully.  Sweet pumpkin!  She misses Ron already.  The flight was delayed an hour, but miraculously arrived only ten minutes late.  How funny, Roxanne and Kiira arrived at the same terminal from Minneapolis mere minutes ahead of her.  Jon was on time to pick her up, having arranged a rental car waiting at the rental dealership, and drove ahead of her to the condo.  Unfortunately, she left her phone in his car.  Maybe that is fortunately, because she thought she lost it.  Good night.

October dressed in fall finery, yellow, red, orange and green

Ron is surrounded by sumac in various reds.

Cynthia prefers the "Beatty handsome guy" to the sumac reds. Smooch!

31 Oct, Sunday:  Happy Birthday Dean!  Sunrise this morning was briefly glorious.  We celebrated your birthday with Don and Ann by going to lunch at Guzmans, and we all belted out the birthday song.  Unfortunately, the video is too big to go through email.   Cynthia returned to the hotel to finish packing while the rest enjoyed the a scenic drive to several locations around Lake Carlyle.  We even saw that quick brown fox of typing skills fame.  Granddaughter Corrie sent a cute photo of her three little ones holding pumpkins next to a very tiny little pumpkin with an announcement that a new pumpkin is in the pumpkin patch with delivery expected in July, which will be Cynthia's ninth great-grandchild.  She is sad at the thought of being apart for five weeks.  8 miles today.  Yaay, this brings our ten day mileage total to 81.6.  Hmm, only 19 more miles to 100.  We can easily do another 20 in four more days, so that’s Cynthia’s personal goal while she is in Texas.   

30 Oct:  Sat, the countdown begins... This is TWO days before departure.  We got off to a late start because eating vegetables in the evening causes Ron to awaken every hour throughout the night - so he dozed after dawn.  Two hours after Cynthia finished breakfast we walked into Carlyle to the Old 50 Cafe, another small town restaurant.  The cook did not have cooking spray, but was able to cook our egg white omelets without oil.  I'm guessing that his grill is well seasoned. Ron received an email addressed to His Lordship about his property in Scotland (a 1 square foot gift from his WeeFee).  We walked again across the dam and enjoyed a marvelous sunset of off-red fluffy clouds.  Our mileage today was an exceptional 9.0 miles.  WOW!  73.6 total. Will we reach 80 tomorrow?  

29 Oct:  AHA, We awoke to rain blessing the earth.  Fortunately by the time we were finished eating breakfast, the rain stopped so that Ron could ride to the NAPA store which accepts boxes for UPS to ship. (Cynthia’s motoccycle helmet and heated gear will ride in comfort to Texas.)  Thereafter we walked across the dam again but were disappointed that Los Amigos is closed for three days.  Towards 4 in the afternoon, Cynthia was looking for alternative places to eat with Don and Ann on Sunday and discovered that Guzman's is only a mile away, so off we went (walking) to check it out.  They agreed to our dietary restrictions and gave us good meals.  The rain, however, returned as an intermittent drizzle for our walk "home."  7.6 miles (64.6 total since ?)

Baby Blair, a cute pumpkin

Baby Noah entertaining parents

28 Oct:  The rainy forecast did not happen.  Nope, that forecast shifted to Friday, but it did rain last night, so the grass is too wet for us today.  We will have to stay on the asphalt and concrete and hope our bodies tolerate it.  Yaay!  We trekked 4.0 miles this morning.  One of the blessings of hiking is the people we meet, like delightful, effervescent Kris S. today, someone we immediately liked.  This evening we hiked the dam, now that the workmen have opened the gates.  Ron has been busy trying to understand what he has seen, and decided that the crane lifted huge bulkheads that slid down guides to block the flow of water into a spillway while the workmen inspected the spillway for damage.  WoooHoooo!  8 miles today!  Yaaay!  57.2 miles this week. 

Carlyle Lake dam and gates

27 Oct:  We did get in a quick walk to the suspension bridge before noon (3.5) before we departed towards Collinsville to meet Carol, Bill, and Lisa for a 1:30 lunch at Denny's.  We all participated in an animated conversation touching on our individual early histories and philosophies.  Eric, Denise and Kyle joined us for dinner at Los Amigos next door at 5:30 PM.  Despite eating two meals, Ron was still hungry enough to finish a bag of sourdough pretzels, and despite best intentions, he spent too much time on DNA projects to get to bed "early."

26 Oct:  Don and Ann S. will join us for lunch here at 1 pm.  Can we walk 2.5 miles before lunch?  Yes, we did!  We outdid ourselves with 3.5 miles by lunchtime and a grand total of 6.2 by eventide.  Ron and Don walked while Ann and Cynthia talked. 

25 Oct:  begins a week of walking.  Well, due to 20 MPH gentle breezes propelling brrr temps deep into our bodies, we walked only one mile this morning.  The evening walk must improve (according to Cynthia).  Aha!  The wind had indeed died down considerably so that the walk was merely cold rather than frigid.  We had a grand total of walking five.

24 Oct, Sunday:  We slept in a little late, considering that we had arranged to meet Kevin for lunch at Ruby Tuesday in Litchfield at 11:30.  Despite a full breakfast (of oatmeal), Ron was still able to down two plates of salad at Ruby Tuesday.  We enjoyed Kevin and Jennie, now Chicago residents, in a safe part of town (lower crime rates than Peoria).  Delightful duo, Kevin and Jennie!  Ron, Carol, Bill and Cynthia performed their normal conversational comedy routines to the amusement of all concerned.  We walked 4.5 miles upon our return  Yaay for us! 

23 Oct:  Our 5.1 mile morning walk was enervating. We ate a baked potato with steamed veggies for lunch, followed by frozen mango and grapes respectively.  Cynthia ate a lot of grapes, so much so, she fell asleep.  ZZZzzzzzz.  Ron discovered new DNA insights for a Bankston cousin.  Up before dark and off we go, 7.4 miles Yaay  

22 Oct:  Morning has broken, and we have good news that Brett and Family are anticipating in July.  Cynthia suggested they name him Cynthia.  We moved from the third floor, room 301, to the second, room 211, because we could not get good wifi in the previous room.  We still have a nice lake view.  We did four miles on the morning walk.  We will repeat at 4:30. Maybe.  WooHoo… 8.1 miles today! 

21 Oct:  We are awake on Thursday and surprised by the commotion two youngsters can create when indoors for breakfast, especially during piano lessons.  We were too full to walk immediately and Ron spent an hour in the motel lobby, where there is a better internet connection, to research Camblins.  Cynthia requested that our walk be limited to grassy pathways, so we were unable to walk across the dam.  Ron supplemented by walking to Walmart for frozen mango and veggies.  After another two mile walk together on grass, we dined on baked potato and veggies at the Mexican restaurant next door.   2 miles 

Moonrise over Lake Carlyle

20 Oct:  We were up early enough to leave Litchfield at 10:30, heading east on IL 16 to Hillsboro, where we turned south on IL 127.  Both of these roads were smoother than Ron remembered, so the day went by pleasantly until the winds cranked up after we passed through Greenville.  For the last 20 miles, the wind tried to push us off the road into the furthest ditch.   Cynthia has us booked into Mariner's Village in Carlyle, Illinois for 11 days until Nov 1, and it was a delight to resume acquaintanceship with our genial hosts.  After unpacking luggage, we immediately resumed riding to GNC in O'Fallon to get strawberry-flavored Isopure protein powder and melatonin.  Once we had those in hand, Cynthia revealed her true reason for accompanying me - lunch of egg white omelets at Denny's.  At sunset we walked across the dam for 5+ miles today, a good day all around.

19 Oct:  Another tomorrow is today!  We were sorta lazy until noon when Sistah Carol picked us up for a ride through rural Illinois with a re-introduction to Eric's rough, narrow, gravel driveway.  (Carol's is much longer).  Carol's mission for the afternoon was to retrieve five buckets of walnuts Eric had collected for her to plant on her tree farm.  Carol and Bill met Ron and Cynthia at Ruby Tuesday for a meal of hearty laughter, accompanied by food. 

18 Oct:  Another marvelous day in Litchfield, Illinois!  After a four mile hike on loose gravel yesterday, Cynthia opted to not go to Carol’s tree farm, but instead to walk on grass nearby.  Interesting to consider that our readers have to deal with our focus on food and feet.  We are forever foraging for food and looking for places to walk.  Ron rode the motorcycle on the loose gravel to Carol's house and back.  The only snafu was going into the ditch briefly (because he was a bit chicken to make the sharp turn off the newly graveled driveway onto the paved Panther Creek Road, also coated with recent loose gravel).  Ron and Carol walked several trails on her property, especially to see "mud slide hill."  We then ate salads at Ruby Tuesday, and Ron walked to Dollar Tree to get pretzels.  Munch, crunch, munch, crunch.

Rambo descendants all with 375th reunion tees.

Ron and sistah

17 Oct, Sunday:  Litchfield, Illinois is a small town that boasts the only Ruby Tuesdays Restaurant in all of Illinois.  Unfortunately it is now closed from 2 PM to 4 PM, which is when we are most likely to desire to eat.  This is still better than most others of that wonderful chain which are closing their doors.  Carol and Bill picked us up at 10:15 for our second breakfast at Denny’s.  Then, being too-much-over-full, we sat for an hour discussing the incredible lack of common sense in today’s world before walking four miles to test new loose gravel on the road.  It’ll do.  Carol prepared a salmon feast with fresh squash, baked sweet potatoes, and a lovely salad.  Mmmm!  Carol and Bill ferried us back to our Hampton Inn early enough that Ron was able to go for another walk to see if ALDI has frozen mango - and they do.  Goodie - - - and goodnight.

16 Oct:  Again we got on the road early, leaving Keokuk at 9:30, so we arrived at the Hampton Inn in Litchfield, Illinois at 1:59 PM, whipped by wind, but still upright.  Carol and Bill joined us for lunch at Denny’s.  We were hugely disappointed that Ruby Tuesdays is now closed between 2 and 4.  At least the Ruby Tuesdays in Litchfield is still open for business.  Cynthia’s final Lea YDNA research report is complete and is now being sent to participants.  Our route for the day utilized many smaller roads that were quite pleasant until we turned south at Jacksonville: US 136 E across the Mississippi River,  immediately south on IL 96 S to L on county road 1120, R on county road 850, L on county road 900 through Bosco to R on IL 110/ 94 S through Bowen continue US 61 S to L continuing IL 94 S to L on US 24 E through Clayton to Mt Sterling to R on IL 99/ Pittsfield Road through Versailles to L on IL 104 through Meredosia to R on US 67 S towards Jacksonville and south to L on Woodson/ Winchester Road (missed this one) to R on IL 267 S through Greenfield to L on IL 108 E through Carlinville to I-55 S to Litchfield.

15 Oct:  We left from Ottumwa early and arrived in Keosauqua to visit Ron's cousins.  Gorgeous day until it rained, unbeknownst to us, while we were visiting with cousin Scott and his wife, Nadine. Cynthia’s helmet and gloves were outside, and they got soaked. Regardless, we rode into Keosauqua and had a terrific time visiting with cousins Doris and Marvin at the 1st Street Grill. We then surprised Rex and Susie by walking a half mile from downtown to their lovely home for another cousin visit. The helmet and gloves did not fully dry out by the time we left for Keokuk before dark. The pink cotton candy clouds and golden sunset were spectacular; the wet gloves and helmet liner, not so much. Route US 34 east to Fairfield, then south on Iowa 1 into Keosauqua. Visits, then Iowa 1 south to Iowa 2 east to US 218 south to Keokuk.

14 Oct:  We got an early start out of Atlantic and took the simplest route: US highway 71 south, then US 34 east to Ottumwa, Iowa.  The cornfields and bean fields made delightful scenery at this harvest time of year.  Iowa has many, many more rolling hills than we remember.  Since we arrived early enough, Ron rode alone east on US 34 to a right on Iowa 16 through Eldon to Selma and Douds crossing the Des Moines River on highway 98 to catch a left on county road V64 all the way to Lebanon to visit cousin Ken.  Ken and I looked at dozens and dozens of old postcards addressed to great aunt Alma Mechem in Selma in 1912.  We shot a couple of baskets in his garage before Ron hustled back to Ottumwa as darkness fell.  This was the first Hampton Inn ever to not have oatmeal in the morning, but the manager did run out to buy us some as soon as we requested it.  Now that is service.!!  No wonder we like Hampton Inn. 

Leaving Elkhorn

13 Oct:  We joined Bob in Atlantic, Iowa for a noontime luncheon.  Heavy storms were forecast for the morning, but had dissipated by the time we walked ten blocks to lunch.  Our B&B is in a 122 year old mansion; the master bathroom was added 110 years ago; Cynthia was unable to turn on the ancient faucets, because the washers must be a thousand years old.  No way would she climb into the yellow-stained tub.  This spacious house, once a grand-old-lady, looks mighty tired, in need of paint, new bath appliances, and an owner not starving for someone to listen to her.   Our dinner in Anita, IA with JoNell was delightful.  

Cynthia and friends in Elkhorn.  Much fun !!

12 Oct:  We rode from Des Moines to Elk Horn, Iowa to visit Cynthia's friends for a few hours before leaving to spend the night in Atlantic, IA.  It was a marvelous, comfortable day with wonderful Iowa harvest scenery, cornfields, bean fields, cleared fields, forested streams and more hills than Ron had remembered.  The variagated scenery was quite enchanting and traffic was light.  Lots of grain haulers full of harvest or empty driving to and from elevators.  Lots of combines attended by grain haulers.  (The big ones hold enough produce to fill a semi.)  The route was I-35 from the hotel to north on Iowa 141 two miles to west on IA 44 to IA 173 south (18 bumpy miles) to Elkhorn.

11 Oct:  We enjoyed a pleasant visit all afternoon with cousin Sandy in Des Moines.  The rain paused at 10 AM long enough for us to drive the 7 miles on mostly dry pavement.  It rained off and on … all the live-long day!  Fortunately it stopped raining by 6 PM when we headed "home" to the Hilton Garden Inn for the evening.  Poor Sandy hadn't been told (oops) that we would be lodging elsewhere, so she had no idea what to do about feeding us.  Spaghetti was a wonderful choice as was fresh fruits.  We enjoyed it all.

10 Oct, Sunday:  Tanna, Melissa, Kole, and Bria came to watch Ron eat oatmeal this morning.  After entertaining them (and visa versa), we mounted the motorcycle and rode on south county road 828 to west on county K38 to US 69 south.  There are not a lot of towns on that route, and we were on fumes by the time we reached Jewell, Iowa where a Casey's convenience store was open.  Ron enjoyed being on smaller roads with virtually no traffic.  The wind from the southwest was a bit bothersome, and the sun was blindingly bright for the first 60 miles, but it hid behind clouds by the time we rode through Ames (where Ron was born) and on to the Hilton Garden Inn in the Des Moines suburb of Johnston.  Eureka, there is a Ruby Tuesdays nearby, and we are now stuffed totally full.

Photo from last year when Ron visited Carol.

9 Oct:  Upped, exercised, but no oatmeal at breakfast, so we had to use some of our private stash.  Ron is supplementing with bread that Annie baked.  9:30AM Cynthia is awaiting Jane and Dick.  Fun, fun, fun to talk with Dick and Jane - endearing because they agree with our views.  Sad to see the country going down the tubes with this "entitled to everything free" society and the self-centered "I'm right, you're wrong" divisive discourse.  We stopped to see Ann and Dale at 2:00 PM; what a relief, they look great and new meds seem to be controlling Ann's arthritis.  Misty's wedding at 4:00 PM was lovely, officiated by their years-long youth director.  We did not stay for the reception although we did enjoy seeing Penny and Paula. 

8 Oct:  And it was indeed lovely to enjoy lunch with Danny, Deanna, and Julie east of Kensett, followed by a couple of enchanting hours of conversation and photo opportunities.  Climbing the stairs to the second floor was not as risky and exciting as portrayed.  Now we are sauntering out for our evening walk towards dinner.  Maybe we can discover the location of Cynthia's ancestral Turvold farm on the road south.  Our second walk at sunset took us nearly there.  Now I know where Cynthia's incredible memory comes from.

Ron & Cynthia on the trail.

Happy couple closer.

Thanks to Tracie for photos.

7 Oct:  This morning at 10 AM Annie and Dave picked us up along with Jerry and Betty to go hiking way up north in Minnesnowda.  Connie and Tracie rode in another car to hike with us.  The trails near Albert Lea Lake were marvelously fun, and Annie surprised us by providing a snack of cookies that I can eat (nothing but smashed bananas and oatmeal).  The second big surprise came when the rain began.  Fortunately our hike and picnic were finished, but it did rain on us all the way back to the hotel - thankfully inside their car.  Jerry and Betty picked us up at 5:10 to take us to dinner at Annie and Dave's.  Boy-O-Boy is Annie ever a good cook; we are painfully over-full, and it was delicious besides being totally kosher according to our diet.  WOW !!

View of Diamond Jo's from the Holiday Inn

6 Oct:  Cousin Ray was a mere trifle late at 11:00+.  He drove to see us at the Holiday Inn and took us to lunch at the Bean and Bistro in Northwood, where they were forewarned and prepared to serve us (Cynthia and Ron) egg white veggie omelets.  Good food and good conversation were enjoyed by all.  Ron even ordered a second omelet.  At 4 PM and again just before dark we walked on the "closed" highway 105 for a total of 6.5 miles.  Ron is heartbroked that he could not find a photo of the incredible vase of flowers that Annie gave us last year.  Thanks again Annie.

Ron & Cynthia w/ Dave between

Pat & Dave with Ron between

5 Oct:  We checked out of our Hampton Inn in Eagan by 11 AM.  Isn't that a miracle?  Ron had planned a route east on Lone Oak Drive, south on Minnesota 149, southwest on Minnesota 3 to county road 9 west (and here we found our first ever stop sign at a railroad crossing !!)  We then crossed I-35 to a parallel highway, turned south and merged onto I-35.  Traffic there was fast, but not heavy, and the road surface was pleasantly smooth, so we stayed on it all the way to Diamond Jo's Casino and our Holiday Inn, arriving about 1:30 PM.  The hotel clerk had packages ready for Cynthia and remembered us.  Not only did she remember us, but as soon as she saw our name, she checked to be sure that they had adequate "Original Oatmeal" packets for our breakfast.  When I remarked about her excellent memory, she mentioned the gorgeous bouquet of flowers that Annie had delivered to us last year.  Dave and Pat arrived shortly after three, and we were elated that the Wood-fire Grille was open so that we could enjoy a salmon dinner.  A marvelous meal and great conversation constitute an excellent evening.  We posed for one photo in our Rambo teeshirts with cousin Dave and a second photo with Pat.  Ron went for a long walk after dark on the country highway adjacent to the hotel (Hwy 105).

4 Oct:  Lance called in sick for our planned walk today, so Cynthia and I walked through Eagan Central Park and around the Delta building this morning.  We are now trying to eat everything available so as to reduce bulk and weight on the motorcycle tomorrow.  Our second walk helped us reach 6.5 miles.  Gorgeous day!  Cynthia did not shut the washing machine door tight.  38 minutes later, she was puzzled when the clothes were not washed.  The desk clerk was equally mystified until we inserted another $2.25 and started the machine.  It displayed the same 38 minutes timer but made no noises until Cynthia banged the door shut.  Then the water began filling the machine.  Problem solved.

3 Oct, Sunday:  in Eagan, Minnesota, up, exercised, oatmealed, but too late to walk before Ron rides off to Hastings to see Greg & Donna again.  Because it was a bit chilly, we sat inside today, looking out, until we decided that the four little songbirds were more entertaining and turned to face their cage.  They were even more noisy and hyperactive than a three-year-old.  After three hours of feathered entertainment, we said our goodbyes, and Ron returned to the hotel, stopping at three groceries without finding suitable bananas.  In consequence, our evening walk proceeded through Eagan Central Park over to HyVee where suitable bananas were finally corralled.  The Sperry Tower was a brilliant red this evening, signifying what I do not know.

2 Oct:  Exercise, Eat, Exercise again by walking to Eagen Central Park and trimming overhanging branches from above the sidewalk.  Cynthia is responding to condolences.  The forecast is absolutely uncertain.  Half of the forecasters call for rain, the other half forecast no rain.  Since we have dinner this evening at 4 PM, it doesn't make sense for Ron to tempt fate by riding to Hastings despite the rain/ no rain forecast.  At 3:30 the color radar forecast predicted downpours to soon engulf Mendota, so we rode to Axels early and were very happy that we did because the downpours began soon after we arrived and were seated snugly inside.  Also, along the way we passed within ten feet of a couple of turkeys foraging alongside the roadway.  Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, and we thoroughly enjoyed her company.  We even answered many of her questions about bro-in-law Ron that she was too considerate to ask.

1 Oct:  Somehow getting to bed early last night backfired in that we both woke up at 3 AM unable to get back into a sound sleep.  We did doze off several times and felt fine enough to go for a long walk after breakfast (and sudoku).  Then Ron rode off to visit Greg in the nursing home.  We walked again in the evening before Ron called Lance first and Carolyn second to make arrangements for dinner Saturday and a hike along the river on Monday.  There is something about this month, about the air, the fall colors, that cries change.  An unwanted change is that Cynthia’s sister Merrilee did not recover from Covid pneumonia.
Merrilee Vold Reid, 21 Feb 1944-1 Oct 2021, RIP.  

Yes, the tree is much taller than Ron.  More colorful too.

September in Butte; Fall Foliage begins as our peripatetic pair push eastward

Cynthia and Hudson at dinner

30 Sep:  Tomorrow.  We are praying that Cynthia's sister survived the night and is recovering from her recent covid setback.  Merrilee has been hospitalized with Covid pneumonia and has been on full oxygen mask for two weeks.  She now refused the ventilator.  We intend to keep praying for her.  We found an acceptably pleasant walk from the hotel in the neighborhood, and today we discovered Eagan Central Park complete with Seniors 50+ activity center, but we didn't find the fitness center.  Tonight we have to hope that it will stay dry long enough for us to ride 4.5 miles over to Mendota (click here) to Axels (click here) for dinner with Brett, Jenn and Hudson.  Too amusing; some days we walk farther than that.  Precious how Hudson loves Ron!

29 Sep:  Eagan, Minnesota.  Much like yesterday - exercises, oatmeal, a long walk through the neighborhood, a ride on a different route to Hastings to visit Greg & Donna for a couple of hours, grocery shopping (blueberries & bananas are usually on the list) and home before 5 pm.  Ron is again eating cornbread until his weight goes back down.  Frozen mango & spinach are next.  Cynthia is munching grapes, as usual.  Time for Ron to get back to work on the Peter Gunnarsson Rambo biographical sketch for Candace and Herb.  And at sunset time for a second neighborhood walk over to the Sperry Tower (click here) - not so spectacular as yesterday.

28 Sep:  Today's plan is to ride to Hastings again to see Greg & Donna.  We did awaken early enough to get downstairs to breakfast after the usual exercises.  Ron's back has stopped complaining, so he is again enjoying a pain free body.  The 25 mile ride to Hastings is really quite pretty with lots of yellow leaves and a few red ones, lots of green fields and pastures, and not much traffic.  Greg was alert and cheerful and laughed heartily at my silliness.  (Cynthia and Donna didn't laugh quite as hard.)  We stopped for groceries on our return are are ready for the next few days.  Now, as darkness is approaching, we need to get out for a walk.  Climbing on and off the motorcycle doesn't burn enough calories to keep us svelte.  And we did walk several blocks towards the dimming sunset, then several blocks in gathering darkness on return and were quite impressed by the multicolored lights on the Sperry Tower.  Svelte, that is us.

27 Sep:  Cynthia tells me that Hudson came down the stairs this morning expecting to see us and was sad to find out that we've gone.  At our end, the Hilton Garden Inn not only disappointed us by having nothing we could eat for breakfast, but they also violated their "satisfaction guarantee" when we asked for something we could eat.  The response was "we serve only those 7 items."  No offer of any nature to satisfy us.  We complained to Hilton Corporate and moved to the much cheaper Hampton Inn that will at least have oatmeal for us.  Ron had just finished his morning Sudoku when cousin Lance and Shelley picked us up at our "new" hotel at 1 PM.  We enjoyed their company immensely, enjoyed the hike in Swede Hollow and the early dinner at Axels in Mendota, perhaps the oldest settlement in Minnesota.

26 Sep, Sunday:  and we need to get dressed, fed and ready to leave the house at 7:45 AM to watch Hudson's swimming lesson.  It was a hoot.  The instructors are simply trying to make the kids comfortable in the water.  We were able to pack up and leave without trauma after the swim and before noon.  Ron thought Hudson loved us more than that.  Our relocation to Eagan went without a hitch.  We went out exploring for a walk near the hotel, and Cynthia's feet became unbearably uncomfortable quickly even though we found a dirt trail in Rahn Park. We limped her home early enough that Ron was able to ride the 25 miles to Hastings to visit Greg & Donna for an hour - although it was a bit too dark by the time he left, and it was sobering to see a deer fleeing across the road at the edge of town (Hastings).  Greg and Donna both look good, and Greg laughed at all of Ron's wise cracks as usual.

25 Sep:  Since it is Saturday in Hudson's household, we arose "early" today as soon as we heard the pitter patter thump thump THUD with accompanying vocals overhead.  Hudson is a little live wire, a typical, normal three-year-old boy.  We did lots of playing and rebuilt the new barnyard puzzle.  Ron is puzzling himself about what Hudson sees and how he puts the puzzle together.  Interesting to wonder when the development will include pattern recognition and color matching.  Right now memorization and affinities (cows, stripes) are the strongest aids.  Edge pieces are not noticeably different yet.  Ron aired up the tires on Jenn's bicycle and took it for a test ride but had trouble changing gears.  Then we all went for a walk around the block with Hudson riding his tiny bicycle.  He didn't pedal but was able to really ride fast by just running while sitting.  He had absolutely no problems balancing on two wheels.  Six or eight other older kids were at the playground and easily allowed Hudson to join in with their play.  He was frantically active.  Jenn cooked dinner of rice and potatoes and salmon so that we could all get to bed earlier tonight.  We are grateful.

24 Sep:  is the day we WILL get exercise.  But then, Ron laid abed until 10:15 AM.   Cynthia's digestive system surprised her by pulling out all the stops to rid itself of last night's curry meal.  WELL, except for the rain we would be hiking.  WELL, because it is cold outside, Ron is now tasked with getting groceries alone.  And SURPRISE !!  It wasn't cold outside at all.  Apparently the late morning rain chilled everything to 55 degrees and two hours later it was back into the lower 60s.  After an evening walk and a puzzle with Hudson session, we all went to McCormick & Schmicks for dinner.  Strangely, their chefs didn't pay attention to the no oil stipulation of our diet and served us potatoes fried in oil instead of clean as we ordered.  The manager pleased Ron by deducting those from our ticket.  Puzzling with Hudson is very interesting since his memory is excellent but his attention to patterns hasn't yet developed.  Some pieces he remembers and immediately places them where they belong.  Others get tried every which way - here, there and everywhere.

23 Sep:  We are recovering from our motorcycling ordeal ever so slowly, slept until 8:45!  We did get out for a walk around the neighborhood at noon.  Hudson enjoys having Ron do puzzles with him.  Brett made a delicious rice curry for dinner.

The lion hunt - or was this the retreat?

22 Sep:  Medina, Minnesota, Ron rode to Minneapolis to spend an afternoon with sister-in-law Carolyn.  She also likes sudokus, but Ron forgot to tell her about the cave man cartoon AND he forgot how to get to her house (most embarrassing).  Hudson came home from school with his first, second and third questions, “Where’s Ron?”  Cynthia’s sister in Nevada is hospitalized with Covid pneumonia, but seems to be improving.  Tonight, Cynthia was back in the kitchen baking salmon and sweet potatoes, successfully.  The sweet potatoes caramelized perfectly, and everyone was surprised and delighted.  She and Hudson went on a lion hunt after dinner.  

Brett & Jenn's kitchen.

21 Sep:  We enjoyed a restful nights sleep and a warm breakfast; likely we will hike and go to the market.  That was successful, too.  Cynthia made a pot roast unsuccessfully and steamed new red potatoes just ok.  The pans were so heavy, she could not lift the pan and pull out the oven rack.  I think we are still tired.  The photo aptly describes the kitchen where Cynthia actually cooked two meals.  Ron was delighted to be spared clean-up duties.

Hudson caught on film.  Ron is bald guy.

20 Sep:  We departed from Kathy at noon!  Miraculously, we arrived dry, thanks to a restaurant stop in Sunburg, MN where they advertised Norwegian food, but only on Tuesday's.  No Taco Tuesday's in MN!  Where is Ron now?  Enjoying an abundance of warm embraces from three-year-old Hudson who remembered us from last fall.  Route: Minnesota 9 E to Sunberg, past US 71 to L on county road 33 to merge with MN 23 E, R on MN 4 to MN 55 into Medina, L on Arrowhead, immediate R on Bridgewater, immediate R on Blue Bell Trail.

19 Sep:  Leaving Webster, SD.  Wind gusts forecast to be 28 mph today.  We slept 9 hours after an exhausting day yesterday.  Cynthia was excited about egg white omelets, but refused to walk alone to the cafe, and Ron wanted to eat oatmeal and leave early.  We left at ten and we are now eating lunch in Benson, Minnesota because we cannot find Kathy's address.   Our "early" departure didn't help with the wind; it was still bad.  Route: again US 12 all day.

In the lonely shack by the railroad track
I spent my younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward bound
Made me a slave to my wanderin' ways

And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind

Oh, I met him down in the border town
He vowed we'd never part
Though he tried his best to settle down
Now I'm all alone with a broken heart

And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind

18 Sep:  Leaving Lemmon, South Dakota.  The wind worsened today, Lemmon to Webster, SD took six hours. We are exhausted. Dining in Aberdeen, I asked a little boy his age. He answered, “eight next week.” I asked, “Are you in college?” Laughing hard with his hands on his face, he said, NO!” I asked, “Are you married?” Now, red-faced, rolling his eyes, “NO!” Then he pointed his fingers at me and whispered, “I’m waiting for you!” All is good again. The meal at the Millstone Family Restaurant was not as good as remembered. As we rode out of town we espied a Ruby Tuesdays still in business. If only we had known. As expected, there was not much of interest in Webster, but we were able to walk about town for an hour. The hotel was a bit better than expected although other guests were noisy. Route: US 12 east for another whole day.

17 Sep:  Leaving Miles City.  Heidi, owner of Horton House, B&B prepared an excellent, fancy breakfast for her guests, and oatmeal with blueberries and bananas for us.  Visit the Horton House in Miles City, and Eat a huge breakfast!  Whipped by wind, but still upright. The ride from Miles City, Montana to Lemmon, South Dakota, on this, the third day of riding against brutal Winds. We are the only wildlife to see today, but I am curious about huge golden yellow fields in North Dakota. Shorter than corn, about two feet high, the golden top looked like a lily or tulip. Does fighting wind count for exercise? Maybe not, so we must get in a good walk in this town of 1200. We walked through the Petrified Wood Park (click here) tourist attraction, crossed the railroad tracks into ND, toured six more blocks of town, and enjoyed a nice visit with the new, young Roman Catholic priest. Route: US 12 east through Plevna to Lemmon, SD.

This was AFTER three pecan or cinnamon rolls.

16 Sep:  Leaving Billings. The usual activities completed, it is another one of those glorious days to be alive, just like every other day.  Our next stay is the Horton House B&B in Miles City, MT, only two plus hours northeast. Yikes!  The wind was BRUTAL! The cold was COLD!  And we were STARVED!  Miles City has several fast food places that can't feed us; Ron remembered a drug store lunch counter last year, and the owner found things we could eat for salad.  On our second pass through town, Ron accidentally parked right in front of Vintage and Rustics of Montana, with the same lovely, helpful staff and the same antique drug store lunch counter.  Ron had forgotten all the pastries that one walks by upon entry and all the antiques arranged EVERYWHERE throughout the old department store building.  Cynthia was agog over the assortment of pastries and cinnamon rolls.  Owner Vicki made large vegetable salads with turkey and toasted dry English muffins, but ... we were still hungry!  Ron remarked off hand that if Cynthia wanted to taste a pastry, he would be willing to finish it.  Never, ever, ever, has Cynthia seen such huge cinnamon or caramel pecan rolls.  Yum!  Yes, they were indeed delicious, especially since Vicki warmed them for us - all three caramel pecan and cinnamon rolls.  By now we were warm!  Having eaten all that contraband, Ron decided to splurge like old times with a quart of ice cream - three scoops each of three flavors.   If you ever plan a trip west of the Mississippi, Vintage and Rustics Montana is the best place in Miles City.  Vicki said that we made her day by breaking our long-held diet for her pastries.  This was the most brutal day of the trip, and the cold wind had rendered Ron practically unconscious by the time we arrived in Billings - justifying the dietary binge.  Route: I-90 east to I-94 to Miles City.

Goodbye Butte - until next time.

15  Sep:  Leaving Butte.  Any bets on what time we get moving?  Here is a hint: Cynthia wants to eat lunch at the Rib & Chop House before we leave, which we did!  Pam insisted that we say goodbye before leaving and was eager to take our recycling; only then did Ron remember that she did that last year too.  The ride to Billings was brutally windy but warmer than we anticipated.  We arrived in Billings at 4:30, just in time to eat cedar plank salmon at the Rib and Chop House next door to our hotel.  Once we saw them, we remembered from last year the rabbits in the parking lot of the Doubletree Hotel.  Route: I-90 Butte to Billings.

14 Sep:  Ron still needs those few stitches, receipts and recycling.  Cynthia has a full list of chores for Ron: take box to UPS, pick up cookies at bakery in town, deliver cookies to cemetery crew, added to Ron's list: air in motorcycle tires, recycling drop off, walks in cemetery.  Busy, busy, with no room to postpone much because we leave tomorrow.  Cookies picked up and delivered to a happy crew at the cemetery.  Walk #1 done, and Cynthia is now at the spa for pedicure & manicure.  Boxes delivered to UPS.  There is no recycling drop off in Butte; Ron checked two, both closed at least five years ago.  Tires got air, fuel tank got gas.  He rode through a couple of nicer neighborhoods while meandering around on the way back to the Copper King; Park Street is really quite nice.  Ron discovered that Miles City is 370 miles on the interstates - 70 miles beyond Cynthia's maximum comfortable distance.  Oops.  We might be able to do it, but it would be smarter to reschedule ALL of our reservations.  Cynthia was up to the task and had it done immediately.

13 Sep:  We begin our last two days in Butte; Wednesday we relocate to Miles City.  We woke up early, exercised (as always), and ate oatmeal (as always).  Now Ron is putting on shoes preparatory to purchasing frozen mango at Walmart (as almost always).  Then we will see if Cynthia wants to hike Maud S. one more time.  She did, and we did, although it was a struggle with legs tired from too much sitting while avoiding smoke in the last week.  It was a delight to see the fall colors expanding and brightening.  (The air quality is rated good although Our Lady and the Montana Tech "M" are not as clear as we'd like.)  Ron's goal for the day is to pack his bags once, log his receipts, sew a few stitches and rinse recycling before resuming computer projects.  Well, he did get his bags packed.  We walked the cemetery after sunset until too dark to see on the way "home."  Our Lady was crystal clear by evening.  Ron ate pretzels and cornbread in hopes of sleeping more tonight.

12 Sep:  Another beautiful morning in Butte, although there is too much smoke for us queasy types to go up the hill.  We walked in the cemetery this morning until Cynthia remembered that it is Sunday.!!  The day that she can get an omelet.!!  But at the restaurant, she opted instead for eggs Benedict.  Ron walked for frozen mango as usual and is now beginning the shivering cycle.  Our lodging is booked for Miles City at the Horton House, the Dakota Lodge in Lemmon, South Dakota, Boomers Outback Motel in Webster, SD.  Then we meet Cynthia's cousin Cathy in Benson, MN for two nights.  Cynthia’s bag is almost packed, and the box is ready to be shipped on Tuesday morning.  Ron finally finished the draft of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo biographical sketch for the next edition of The Rambo Family Tree.  Two down and one to go.  Then we walked and picked up debris at the cemetery again.  It is beginning to be hard to find debris.

11 Sep:  We awakened unusually early and were finished breakfasting by the time the pill alarm sounded at 9 AM.  It looked smoky until Ron walked to Walmart for frozen mango and noticed clear skies to the north.  Yay, the clear skies means we can hike the canyon trail.  Yay!  We did, followed by lunch at the Montana Club, followed by computer work, followed by an hour walk in the cemetery, followed by doing laundry.  The day did not pass without remembering.  We will never forget.  What irritates Ron is that all this "remembrance" of 9/11 is totally silent on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan - which is where the 9/11 plot was hatched.  So now the people who HATE America have even more reason to plot more carnage - and we have an open border in the south to give them unlimited access.  Ron is betting that there will be another savage 9/11 type carnage visiting us from ancient Persia in the next couple of years.  Any takers?  How can anyone find appealing a religion which promotes suicide to eliminate people of other religions?

10 Sep:  Apparently Ron is insensitive because, when he walked to Walmart this morning for frozen mango, he didn't even notice the smoke in the air, now rated as "unhealthy for sensitive groups."  At least we can still see the outline of the East Ridge mountains.  Now Ron is well provisioned to consume 3 pounds of frozen mango while editing his biographical sketch of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo and shivering.

9 Sep:  Let's hope for less smoke, but the forest fire reports are not reassuring.  Ouch!  The smoke is again so thick we cannot see the outline of the mountains.  We awoke at nine AM, and Cynthia rushed to eat without doing exercises, and now, way too much over full, we exercise.  Ron did all of his crunches, but still needs to do his pushups.  The air quality is approaching "unhealthy for sensitive groups" but is still moderate according to the web site.  The view outside the window tells a different story.  Regardless, Ron walked to get frozen mango after pushups, so now he is approaching shivering as he freezes his tummy.  Cynthia will probably hold out for swimming and whirlpool today.  MIT dorm-mate Joel has written a book entitled Who's My Daddy (click here).  Oh, no! Cynthia is continuing a lazy day.  We must find out the days Katie works at the Rib&Chop House and surprise her. 

8 Sep:  The heat is up to 88, and the smoke appears to also be way up!  Bummer!  We want to hike the Canyon Trail.  But air quality reads low moderate.  Speaking of bummer, Ron hasn't gotten off his duff all day. We've been up until nearly midnight too many days in a row.  Today we WILL break that pattern.  (11 PM + a few minutes)  Ron has finished the first draft of his speech.  Now he needs to find the number of words Candace wants - only 3000.  We couldn't see the East Ridge mountains at all when we walked the cemetery once, but after Cynthia's dinner of salad and potato, the air had cleared so that it didn't appear any more smoky than "usual."

7 Sep:  Will we see or be smoked out.  The 15th is getting closer.  I see only smoke and feel 85 degrees today.  Our morning cemetery walk produced one full bag of trash, plus we had a lovely visit with the cemetery superintendent (named Kenny) and secretary (named ??).  Kenny postulates that the flooding outside the office door may be due to a homeless guy he believes is camping at times in the cemetery.  

6 Sep:  Will we see or be smoked out.  The 15th is getting closer.  And smoke it is.  No rush to get out into the smoke-filled air this morning.  Cynthia is now on the treadmill while I look at the air quality.  High moderate, upper 20s.  Best was 19 at 6 AM.  Again Rib & Chop House salads followed our usual cemetery walk and pick up.  Brandy was our waitress/ asst. manager (and Steve is the manager we usually enjoy).  SURPRISE this evening when we discovered clear skies on our slightly chilly sunset walk through the cemetery.  It seemed strange today to not see the groundskeepers, but then I guess it is a holiday.  Ron is making progress through Herb's list of materials to add to his biographical sketch of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo although most of the additions are already there with different dates or places according to the documentation.

5 Sep:  Another smoke-filled day dawned here in Butte, and we walked the cemetery before lunching at the Rib & Chop House for another egg white omelet for Cynthia.  The air quality rating is still moderate although the numbers are higher.  Next project is underway, preparing a biographical sketch of ancestor Peter Gunnarsson Rambo.  Good grief !!  Here it is already 12 minutes until midnight.  Amazing how time flies when one is preoccupied.

4 Sep:  And another beautiful day dawns with smoke in the air here in Butte.  We walked three miles in the cemetery for two reasons: 1) smoke, 2) recovery from Maud S. yesterday.   Cynthia says I should tell Oke that I am gluing the second envelope inside out to send completed sudokus back to him.  I expect to mail both envelopes on Monday.  (Cynthia's note: Oke amuses Ron, so Ron wants to keep Oke amused, too.)  Cynthia enjoyed getting a haircut!  And we walked the cemetery again tonight for an additional three miles. Sunset was really quite pretty with reddish tint on the southern horizon and a clear view of Our Lady providing hope that the smoke is being pushed out of our air.

3 Sep:  Only 12 more days until departure towards Medina.  We hiked Maud S. Trail (click here) again and met a new friend, Leo, at the Vista point.  He is on the board of the East Ridge Foundation and claims to be the board member who hikes the trail most often.  We learned a lot from him and can respond that we have hiked "his" trail 9 times since August 12.  We meet the nicest people hiking!  The desert sage has blossomed full of brilliant golden flowers.  Air quality in Butte (click here) today held steady at "good" although visibility decreased significantly throughout the day as local Montana wildfire smoke flowed eastward.  After hiking, we ate (huckleberry) salad and baked potato at The Montana Club.  Cynthia is a judge for the virtual 2021 Mrs. Iowa America Pageant, having served as the 1980 Mrs. Iowa America.  Ron was "terribly" disappointed that none of the contestants wore bikinis.

2 Sep: is another slightly smoky day in Butte.  We did our morning ecumenical ministry by walking the Catholic cemetery picking up trash to the amusement of the cemetery custodian.  One of the workers said he appreciated our help after we let him know he is appreciated.  Dinner tonight was at the Rib&Chop House, with a delightful waitress named Katie.   She has a same-age adopted sister and a fraternal twin.  (Ron was hoping for identical as he thinks Katie is absolutely beautiful.)  Our second walk was at sunset, apparently just after a cool breeze improved the air quality hereabouts.

Cynthia caught Ron unaware again

1 Sep: in Butte, Montana, we rode around to the Maud S. Trail again and pushed our bodies in somewhat smokey air up to the "Vista" for another look at the valley.  Lunch was salads at the Montana Club, and Ron finished his on-line "Defensive Driving" class to attempt to remove Colorado points from his driver's license.  He converted all of his web sites to Google's new sites yesterday, but apparently a couple of the sites did not convert.  I wonder what Google expects anyone to do about that.