Days in Wisconsin

The few days we had together in Wisconsin were just so good.  We are not going to stop life on account of this Covid.  Not that we aren't careful - we wash our hands.  But we can't stop living and enjoying life.

While Jill took the older girls shopping, Claire and I played with her American Girl dolls.

At the beach - which is in our plans, Lord willing, soon!

We made a pet shop and a certain dude came to buy a bird, but the shop owner was reluctant to sell it to him.

We got pampered

Claire showed me how she plays hide-n-seek with Kobi.  Kobi waits while Claire hides.  Then Jill says "Go find Claire!"

Hannah started working at Culver's so we went to eat there one evening during her shift.  Do you see Jill trying to hear what is being said?  This is one thing I have found out.  I have a very difficult time hearing what others are saying if they are wearing a mask.   

 I am terrible at taking selfies!!

Jill has no problems.

 We enjoyed the beautiful Wisconsin summer weather!

Claire wanted to go to parks every day.

At one park, they had what looked like the Razor's Edge!

My son-in-law climbed it a couple of years ago!!

We went rafting down the Wolf River.

 "In God I trust,
        I will not be afraid.
   What can man do to me?
I am under vows to You, O God;
I will present my THANK offerings to You.
    For You have delivered me from death
                  and my feet from stumbling
         that I may walk before God in the light of life."
                                            Psalm 56:11-13

Making it, despite "Wrong Way Elsie"

After a night of sleep, we had breakfast downstairs followed by a little devotion time and prayer together since we would be on the road and not go to church.  Following breakfast, we headed out.

My GPS took us in a wrong direction.  Instead of going over the usual bridge we take over the Mississippi river into Wisconsin, "Wrong Way Ellie" took us over the Highway 20 bridge into Illinois.  We figured the GPS knew a shortcut or something.  We HAD typed in our final destination.  When we realized that our kids' city was getting further away according to the time of arrival listed on the GPS, I knew we needed to turn around.

We took a nice scenic country road on Highway 80 north through Hazel Green and further.

Although "Wrong Way Elsie" had misdirected us, we did enjoy the little detour. I love these off roads and Emeri found them relaxing as well.  In life, it is important to stay on the right path, but on trips, I must say I never am sad about wrong turns!

Psalm 27:11, "Teach me Your way; lead me in a straight path".

Caught up to 151.

I showed Emeri the barn we often go by - a sort of landmark for when we are on 151.  One of these days, this barn will have collapsed.

When we arrived at my daughter's, they were home from church as well.  (They have a 7:30 outdoor service for those not ready for face-to-face meetings or for those who enjoy an early outdoor meeting, followed by an in-door service.)

We went to Gilles Frozen Custard for lunch.  

Similar to Sonic but along with those who wish to sit in their cars to eat, there are several outdoor picnic tables in a park like setting that you can eat at.  We took Kobi along...they give free treats for the dogs.

Hannah showed me her record player.  I brought her some of my records to borrow.  Old 45s and oldies from the 60's and 70's.  Beetles, Simon and Garfunkle, Bee Gees, Beach Boys along with a couple records that belonged to her mother from the 80's.

 Hannah had painted the top of her desk.  I LOVE it!

 The 3 older girls had a babysitting job that evening,

and Jill needed to study (she is working on her masters), so Adam, Claire, Kobi and I went to the park.

 

A trip with my grandddaughter

I had trouble sleeping the night before the trip.  "Father, guide me this day.  Guard my way.  Keep me alert."  As I was having my morning devotions,  I saw a great egret out my window, just gliding on the wind.  Not flapping it's wings; just hanging in the air.  It was beautiful!

"There is a fable about the way birds first got their wings.  The story goes that initially they were made without them. Then God made the wings, set them down before the wingless birds, and said to them "Take up these burdens and carry them."  When asked to pick up the burdens that lay at their feet, they hesitated at first.  Yet soon they obeyed and put them on their shoulders.  For a short time the load seemed so heavy and difficult to bear!  But when they discovered how to use them, they were carried heavenward.  Our burdens can become as wings - soar and rise to Him!  To refuse to bend our shoulders to carry a load is to miss an opportunity for growth."   J.R. Miller, Streams in the Desert

I kissed Allen goodbye and headed out for Harrisonville, Mo. where I would meet up with my son and granddaughter, Emeri.  This stop was 2 1/2 hours away from both of us so a good meeting place.  Being it was lunchtime, Emeri chose for us to eat at the DQ.  

 We transferred her luggage over to my car, said our farewells to Josh and headed for Iowa.  We came across a bad accident in Kansas City.  We prayed for the people who were being taken into an ambulance.  We had a good time talking and she also spent time watching "Downton Abbey".

As we got close to the turnoff for Cedar Rapids, the sky north was looking very wicked.  Initially, my thought was to stop at Coralville for the night and although it seemed too early to stop for the night (I was glad I hadn't made reservation) I went ahead and pulled up to the hotel I had considered to wait out the storm.

 "Emeri, those clouds are rotating."  I pulled under the awning of the hotel to check to see if there were possible rooms available and at that time ping pong ball size hail fell from the sky!  I was so glad to have the car under cover!!

 Then tornado sirens began to blare!  I told Emeri we better get inside, but then the sirens quit.  I was pretty sure the tornado, if there was one, was already south of us.  "Let's keep going, Emeri."  It was only 5:30 so we continued on.  Although I was glad I hadn't made reservations, I was glad I  had considered it so we had a safe place for awhile!



My GPS took us on a rural road to Cedar Rapids.  380 must have had construction or something.  I talked with Jill and she said that had happened to them also when they returned home a few weeks earlier.  I always love to go on off roads, preferably 2 lane and so I was happy!  Beautiful rolling hills!

 I believe God's hand was on us.  We came across field upon field of flattened corn and at one farm, some of its roof was scattered across the field. There were some downed trees.  If I had not pulled off at Coralville, we would have been smack dab in the middle of the storm!

 Then a rainbow appeared in the sky and for over 1/2 hour, we followed it into Dubuque!  I told Emeri it was just a gift!  Usually a rainbow does not last very long at all. 

 Thank You, Father, for Your hand of protection and for the beautiful gift of this  rainbow that shone down for us, displaying Your glory!

I had talked with Allen about going on to Dubuque so he called ahead to find us lodging.  He had to call 4 places before finding one that had 2 queen beds.  We stayed at a Hampton that had such comfortable beds!!  Much needed rest before continued travels into Wisconsin.