HOME SWEET HOME

We have safely arrived, by the grace of God.

Our trip was a kaleidoscope of events and people, just like this last dish rag is made up of the remnants of yarns, with mostly bright colors and a few dark ones.

In summary, we thank God for: (no order)

-sweet fellowship with fellow believers & many uplifting church experiences

-a truck service station when and where we needed it

-safety, even when the wind blew us into the other lane (there was no traffic)

-free sewage dumps just when we needed them

-parking spots near our kids

-almost perfect weather (minus wind and a few severe rain/hail storms)

-a beautiful country we have thoroughly enjoyed traveling through

-new friends made

-old friendships renewed

-hospitable strangers

We arrived home to find our house immaculately cleaned! The yard has never looked so good. And there are lots of things planted, blooming and growing. Thanks so much, Earl and Janet. You are welcome here anytime!!

Now we have to get to work, cleaning and preparing Miss Winnie for new owners. And picking up our lives where we left off almost 3 months and 12,000 miles ago.

Last leg of the journey home

Leaving Laurel, MT, we traveled up and over the Continental Divide. It wasn’t far from there to Drummond, MT, where Heather’s cousin Judy runs a restaurant and motel. Cousin Karen works there, too. We enjoyed fellowship over lunch.

Drummond’s population is 338. Be sure to stop at the Wagon Wheel when you are passing through on I-90.

We traveled on to Post Falls, ID, where we spent the night – at Walmart!

Our two best friends away from home – Walmart and McDonalds!!

Independence Day

Monday morning saw Roger and Alan off to do some shooting together. Alan is the one who first got Roger into this! They had a good time.

Heather, Galina and Zoey went to Storybook Land.

Zoey loved going down the slide.

She also loves to make noise, so in the hollow pumpkin her yelling really echoed.

We all joined together to feast on Pizza Hut’s lunch buffet.

Then we left for HOME. The winds across WY were treacherous and there were warnings. But God enabled us to make it safely to Laurel, MT. In case you didn’t realize, Laurel is home to the most marvelous fireworks in the Northwest (their claim). The pre-show skies were beautiful.

They went on for 2 hours or more. We went to watch them for about an hour, then left to park at Walmart for the night. I fell asleep at midnight to the sounds of fireworks still going on.

Zoey, hail and fireworks!

Zoey is a cute busy 2 year old. She keeps her mother hopping! While somewhat shy at first, she has warmed up a little to us. She’s not saying many words, but loves to babble very expressively to herself and to anyone in her hearing.

She’ll put her finger to her lips, lower her head and shyly say “shh” while looking up to see if someone is watching!! When I sing to her she is totally engaged.

A friend gave Alan a 21’ fishing boat that needed work. When we arrived, he was frantically putting on some finishing touches so we could go out in it. On Friday evening, he launched it and Rog & I each had a “ride”.

Saturday was spent on the lake with many friends and friends of friends. The boat couldn’t hold us all, so Rog & I sat on the shore (we were on the boat initially until others arrived). Roger even went swimming in the clear, clean lake! The next day he had sore shoulders and neck!

Sunday we enjoyed worshiping at Parkview Evangelical Free Church. Zoey loved the nursery and was most unhappy to have to leave!! We hope she’ll be back soon.

In the afternoon we had 2 hail storms. The hail was the size of lima beans and came fast and furiously. It bounced on the grass and everywhere else. The T.V. kept issuing warnings about severe weather. However, we came through it o.k. and the sun came out later.

In the evening we watched fireworks. Zoey thought they were great. One loud boom caused her to move closer to her folks, but she immediately recovered!! She’s a gem.

Shortly after we got home, the rain started again. God was gracious to give us a beautiful evening for the fireworks.

Sioux Falls, SD, falls

Rochester, MN, is famous for its medical facilities. Now they’ve also had us spend a night there!

We passed through Amish country and made a quick stop on the way.

Cousin Sharon was expecting us and we were glad to renew acquaintance! 2 of her sons and a nephew were also there, so we enjoyed a lasagna meal together.

After dinner she drove us to the Sioux Falls, SD, falls – for which the city is named. 

That night there were at least 3 rain storms, but by morning all was cleared up again.

Our last longer visit will be with Alan and Galina with Zoey in Rapid City, SD.