Summer 2008--We Arrive Home!

[Sunday evening, 13 July 2008; Seattle WA]-- The Grand Mother and Grumpy arrived back home after this Summer 2008 Auto Tour throught the Midwest. We drove a total of 5269 miles, according to the Garmin Lady. Overall miles per gallon was 34.06. Driving at a speed of 65 miles per hour (sometimes less, and infrequently and for very short periods up to 70-80 mph in order to safely pass) seemed to pay off handsomely. Grumpy might try it again sometime!

The total expenditures due to travel by private automobile, were significantly less than would have been the case had we taken the Travel Trailer (about triple the cost for gasoline) or flown to Minneapolis and rented a car to use while visiting the several places in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota (the premium charged by most car rental places for "dropping off" a rental car in other than the point of pick-up, is onerous to say the least! And it is this ridiculous rental car charge that really put that mode out of consideration; airline fare, and the deletion of five or six days' motel costs, was very attractive!).

We hope the readers enjoyed hearing our tales of travel. And we look forward to another trip soon (maybe even next year!).

Summer 2008--A Day with the Great Grandsons and the STP

[Saturday, 12 July 2008; Amboy WA and Portland OR]--After a HUGE complimentary breakfast at the Vancouver La Quinta motel, of which Grumpy has not seen exceeded in any motel/hotel except in Brazil, the Grand Mother and Grumpy ventured out to the little village of Amboy. We found a shady spot beside the main highway in "downtown Amboy" where Grumpy had been told the Amboy Centennial Days parade would pass. Unfortunately, by the time the parade started coming past us about two-plus hours later, the shade had moved about two car-lengths away from where we were parked. Since white hair does not produce shade like his formerly black hair, Grumpy got a noticeable sunburn on top of his head.

We thought our Great Grandsons were going to be in the parade; it was not to be. Some of the sights we enjoyed were some antique automobiles, a fierce-looking head mount of a Bull elk, a person wearing a Sasquatch outfit, another person wearing Smokey the Bear costume and the usual fire engines and political candidates for local offices.

The antique automobiles included this very rare 1928 Chevrolet convertible coupe with a "rumble seat". [The car the Grand Mother and Grumpy started out our married life some 60years and 25 days ago, was a 1928 Chevrolet chassis refitted with a 1929 -30 Essex coupe body. The Essex (a predecessor to the Hudson automobile) had a rumble seat, a great place to ride on a decent day -- especially for teenagers!!]

Marching bands are a staple of any parade, of course, but this one was especially unusual; they used highly-polished metal garbage cans -- except the "cymbals", using the garbage can lids, of course!

The day was only beginning when the parade was over at about 11 a.m. Recessing to the Straw House, the Grand Mother and Great Grumpy enjoyed playing and/or listening the fascinating stories told by the resident pair of tow-headed Great Grandsons, Jamey G. & Arthur. Shown is one of many interesting activities in which Arthur became engaged: writing a love note? Grumpy will never tell!

Shortly, after a spirited game with the Great Grand Mother, Jamey G. enquired of the Great Grumpy if he wanted to jump on the trampoline. Great Grumpy "misunderstood" the query -- he thought he was asked if he wanted to watch them jump on the trampoline. They insisted, so Grumpy was soon on this fine trampoline jumping up and down in time with the two little boys. Yep, that's right-- all three of us on the trampoline at the same time!! Grumpy had forgotten how quickly tiring jumping on a trampoline can be!! Within less than 20 jumps, Grumpy was exhausted and had to beg out of any more of this vigorous exercise.

The Grand Chef, James, and the Mistress of the House, Heidi, prepared a delicious lunch comprised of toasted cheese sandwiches on a special grainey bread, followed by the Grand Chef's special "Thai Glutinous Rice" dish, using genuine Mangoes for fruit. This is a recommended delicacy any time you can talk James into preparing it for you! [James wisely set aside two large helpings that he intended to take to Portland to feed the "Butt-sore Bikers" at the STP finish line. James also graciously "forgot" how many were having lunch. This "unfortunate" result was that James and Grumpy "had to" share the extra helping!]

After some visiting between the adults and more games by and with the Great Grandsons, we caravaned in two cars to Lloyd's Center in downtown Portland to await the arrival of the two Jim's: Jim C and Jim Z. Margy kept us informed of their progress as Jim C cell-phoned his bride, Margy, with the progress of these two Jim's. At approximately 3 pm they were 50 miles out; estimated speed between 15 and 16 miles per hour, ETA about 7 pm. Frankly, Grumpy was concerned that his second son would be able to make this tortuous trip at all, with the air temperature along the route hovering between the high 80's to 92 degrees Fahrenheit; Grumpy was surprised (and really proud!) that Jim had made it this far!!

When 7:30 pm rolled around and still no sign of the Butt-sore Pair, the Welcoming Committee, consisting of Heidi, Arthur, Jamey G, the Grand Mother, James and Grumpy (taking the photo), became concerned that there had been trouble of some sort. Our eyes strained as we looked toward the late sun, examining each approaching group of riders to see if our pair was among them.

Finally, at 8:03 pm, our heroic pair was caught on Grumpy's digital camera as they slowed before crossing the finish line! What a welcome sight!!
After going through the formalities of receiving their "One Day" certificates the two Conquerors were feted by the delicacy dished up by the Grand Chef: the Thai Glutinous Rice!

The Grand Mother and Grumpy realized a major defect in our "bunch of shopping": we had no room left in our car and thus would not be able to take a passenger with us when we return to Seattle in the morning. It would have been our pleasure to have had Jim ride with us on this last leg of our Summer 2008 journey.

Summer 2008--Shopping in Portland

[Friday, 11 July 2008; Woodburn to Portland]--After yesterday, when we visited Elynor's cousin, Bill and his wife, Marvel, in Mount Angel, today was a dullish day with the short drive from Woodburn where we "enjoyed" another screw-up at the Super 8 the evening before. It seems that they didn't have our reservations -- they had us listed as "noshows" for the night before! So Grumpy had to be his true self: Grumpy!! [Grr-r-r-r!!!]. Ultimately we got a room satisfactory to our specifications, and at the before agreed-to rate -- and with the promise that "the manager will probably refund the guaranteed payment" due to the alleged noshow the previous night.

As I said in the above paragraph, today was a dullish day, or would have been except that we did a bunch of shopping at a nearby Wal*Mart store. "Bunch of shopping" is hereby defined as $502.54 worth!! This may be a record for Grumpy and the Grand Mother in one shopping trip where nothing larger than a 24-roll package of toilet paper is purchased. The excitement came when we took the two(!) shopping cart-fulls out and tried to fit them in our Accord. The trunk having been pretty well filled at the outset of our trip -- and further "stuffed" with more "stuff" that we bought along the way -- so Grumpy had the challenge of repacking/rearranging the luggage and souvenirs so that the roughly two cubic yards of Wal*Mart purchases could be loaded. Eventually all was onboard and we felt rather victorious -- until later, as you shall learn in the next (Saturday's) posting.

Summer 2008--Across the Cascades; Visit & Dinner with Bill & Marvel

[Thursday, 10 July 2008--Mount Angel OR]-- This day we crossed the Cascades in beautiful Pine and Douglas Fir covered mountains. The floor of the Ponderosa forest on the East side was dominated by rather recent lava protrusions. The lava plains also had evidence of ridge uplifts that seemed to have occurred later through cracks formed in the more ancient lava flows that formed the basic plains.As we approached the mountains we had wide vistas of the lava plains, which occupy the area East of the Cascades, and of the mounains themselves, highlighted by the snow-capped Three Sisters, Mt Jefferson and others. Unfortunately, as we got near the foothills (which rise rather abruptly from the plain to the crest) the tallest peaks became hidden from our view. So the best photos were like this one -- Three Sisters and Mt Jefferson in the distance (sort of like the Mountain Goat picture I took near Lake Crescent).

Before arriving in Mt Angel, the Grand Mother and Grumpy had lunch in Detroit OR, a village on the West side, moved from it's original town site when a hydroelectric dam was constructed, inundating the original town site. A sign in the restaurant, which was replete with many antiques (before Grumpy got there!), had a sign that read, "Children left unattended will be sold as Slaves". The hostess (and our waitress) opined that that meant, "Children of all ages!" -- was she referring to my child bride-- the First Wife?

Bill and Marvel moved into an excellent apartment in "The Towers". The Towers is a retirement facility in Mount Anger originally developed by a priest from the local parish of St Mary's Catholic Church. Bill and Marvel looked as good as ever.
And they seemed still to be a pair of young lover's.

Summer 2008--Day 19, The Malheur Gorge and Wildlife Reserve

[Burns OR--Wednesday, 10 July 2008]--We left Ontario OR later than unusual (8:00 o'clock a.m.). Driving up the Malheur River we admired the rugged canyon walls -- mindful of a miniature Columbia River gorge upstream of Portland OR.

The varied geology, which appeared in many places, puzzled Grumpy who was once a student of Geology. There was the obvious lava layers and one cliff of a jumble of rocks seemingly cemented together by some heat and pressure, but not enough to create amorphous rock. And then there was a distinctive white outcropping that did not support vegetation of any kind. Finally, we came upon an outcropping next to the highway. Grumpy "screeched to a stop" to get some photos. In one place, the white material seemed to be running down the slope -- obviously a very soft material. Grumpy crumbled some between his fingers and tasted it on his tongue. Hmm-m! Tastes just like Poi! Grumpy's "professional" opinion is that it is a very fine, white clay. Kaolin? I don't think so -- still... ? Someone who knows how to fire clay might like to try some of this!

Arriving at Burns OR, our motel for the night, Grumpy and the Grand Mother decided (well Grumpy decided and Grand Mother spoiled him by agreeing to it!) to go on the 42-mile loop tour of the Malheur Wildlife Reserve. We saw very few birds and no other animals. The most birds we saw were vultures and a few ducks. However, after we left the reserve, we spotted a curlew flying fast at an altitude of about 50-75 feet. Since it was flying an intercept course to ours, we got a fairly good closeup look at its distinctive long, curved beak and sleek body and wings. Regrettably, no photo though.

The buildings at the reserve headquarters were interesting: native sandstone walls and multi-colored clay tile roofs. The museum had hundreds of taxidermied birds, samples of their eggs and some archaeological specimens from the American Indians that lived in the area in prehistoric times. A duck toy (or maybe a decoy?!), handmade using tulle reeds and other natural-colored materials was pictured; it was about 2000 years old!

The most disgusting thing that we found after coming back to our motel in Burns was this "Dusty Rocket". The Grand Mother insisted that we get her washed before we could have supper!

Summer 2008--Days 17 & 18, The Links and MPG

[Ogden UT and Ontario OR -- Monday and Tuesday, 7 & 8 July 2008]--This post covers two days. First of all because nothing that happened on the 8th was worth talking about except that Grumpy was able to put almost 600 miles on one tank of gasoline. It took 14.212 gallons, which means he could have easily exceed 600 miles, but the Grand Mother became nervous after an hour or so with the "Low Gas" light on! MPG on that tank? 39.76!!

Overall for the trip (34.862 mpg over 4325 miles). The two lowest MPG numbers were 29 & 32.5, due to in-town driving and a strong headwind, respectively. The two highest were 38-plus and 39-plus. Grumpy is satisfied that the Grand Mother's urgent "suggestion" that, on this trip we be able to count telephone poles as we drive, is an economic benefit.

The highlight of these two days occurred on Day 17, Monday, the 7th of July. We drove the "Fastest Route" from Lander to Ogden where we visited the afternoon with old and dear friends Hap and Gladys. Hap & Gladys were our next-door neighbors when we lived in McLaughlin SD. Their oldest daughter, Sandy, was born 7 June 1952, in the same McLaughlin Community Hospital in which Susan was born four days earlier!

Grumpy had called Gladys a day or so before, warning her that we were coming for a visit and to take them out to dinner; their choice of venue. We joked back and forth about whether it be a cheap place or a fancy place. I told her, "Nice place." And then I joked, "Nothing over $5.00!"

After a few hours of visiting, which included a discussion of how long each of us had been married (They: 59 years in August; We: 60 years in June), we got ready to go have dinner. Gladys suggested the "Market", which is a "nice" restaurant at a truck stop near their home. I opined that, since we were each celebrating our anniversaries, we should go to a "fancy" place. They suggested a few names of places, but one sounded so interesting that Grumpy suggested we go there: Ye Lion's Den. Gladys said that it was "kind of expensive", but Grumpy insisted that he "was hungry for zebra".

Gladys called for reservations and they asked if there was a "special occasion" involved. I told her to tell them that we two couples were celebrating our 119th anniversary.

The Lion's Den was located in a nondescript building in an unlikely neighborhood of mini-strip malls and auto repair shops. Also, it was down stairs, with the front entrance up several steep steps to the "ground level" of the building. We didn't see what occupied the ground level space because, since the Grand Mother could have had exceeding difficulty and pain negotiating those stairs, we entered via the "Disabled Entrance". It was down a long ramp, through a door that reminded Grumpy of the "Knock and say Joe sent me" kind of door. Upon entering the door, we angled through the Lion's Den office and into the dining area. The waitresses were dressed in medieval skirts and blouses.

The food was excellent and priced somewhere between Black Angus and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. The meals however were inclusive of an appetizer, soup or salad, main course and dessert. And then, after we were served with our choices of dessert, the waitress gave each of the two ladies a beautiful red rose with its cut end sealed in a small vial of water. Grumpy did not flinch when the bill was given to him.

A most pleasant visit and evening with these long-time friends. We promised another visit next time we are near Ogden.

Summer 2008: Day 16, The Goses

[Lander WY, 6 July 2008]--Today, after a good breakfast in Greybull's very smoke-filled "Uptown Cafe" (we almost walked out before ordering our meal!), we headed for Lander. First wife suggested (Grumpy always follows FW's "suggestions"!) that, if it wasn't too much out of the way, we drive by Uncle Leonard's home and see if he was there.

Grumpy had a "marker" in the Garmin (GPS) where he thought Uncle Leonard's house was located -- on a county road a few miles east of Otto WY.

The Garmin said it was 12.5 miles via "shortest route". Shortest route turned out to be a poorly maintained (washboarded) gravel road, which we were on quickly. The First Wife suggested that Grumpy drive at a speed somewhat below our standard cruise control speed of 65 miles per hour. Grumpy wisely agreed!

Unfortunately, when the Lady Garmin announced, "Arriving at Destination!" it was not Uncle Leonard's house. In fact it was out in the middle of nowhere (a place of which Wyoming has plenty!). It turned out worse than Grumpy had thought when he decided to go West and South to the supposed location of Uncle Leonard's house -- Lander was also West and South of Greybull. Unfortunately, the roads (gravel and otherwise) from the supposed site back to the "fastest route" to Lander resulted in a net "out-of-the-way" of about 21 miles -- not quite the worst potentially 25 miles!
Re-programming Garmin to "Go To" Lander via fastest route, First Wife noticed two rabbits in the middle of the road to the right of the intersection at which we had just stopped. This almost made the side trip worth it.

However, even more interesting was the fact that neither rabbit hurried to get out of the way as we turned right and drove within 2-3 feet of the smaller rabbit (a cottontail?) that was closest to the center of the road. In my rearview mirror I saw some lethargic movement after we drove past! That shade must have felt awfully good!!

We arrived in Lander about lunch time, each of us having a hamburger at the Oxbow Restaurant next door to our motel. It being Sunday, we had to wait while numerous patrons ahead of us were seated. Instead of waiting, we chose to sit at the lunch counter where the harried cashier/waitress waited on us between interruptions.

We called the Gose residence, announcing our wish to visit this afternoon, a wish happily granted. We found Neil and Dyllis reasonably well, with son-in-law John providing medicines and meals to Neil who had had a health setback since our visit a year ago. His good humor and occasional contribution to the conversations a welcome assurance of better days ahead. John's wife, Dulcinda and daughter, , had left around midnight to catch a flight to San Francisco enroute to a youth adventure in Australia.

The Australian sheepdog, Shadow, and numerous cats greeted us -- only one or two did so willingly, including "Mama Cat", pictured. The now fully-grown kitten ("Tigger") of which Ramiro had made such an excellent pencil drawing when we visited three years ago, was totally freaked out by strangers in the house and never made an appearance, even when all the other cats heard the food being dished out.

Summer 2008: Day 15, Greybull WY

[Saturday, 5 July 2008, Greybull WY]--Today was to be a scenic trip over the Big Horn mountains to Greybull WY; we had hoped to see Uncle Leonard. However, several tries on the cell phone got only his message machine; noone returned my calls. We would try again after we got to Greybull.

After saying our goodbyes to Bob & Adelaide (they were going to take off to fly back to Huntsville), we left Spearfish and headed out for the Big Horns. Which pass would it be -- the North pass (Granite Pass), or the South pass (Powder River Pass)? The GPS told Grumpy that the South Pass was the shortest/fastest route between Spearfish to Greybull. Being aware that Powder River was the higher of the two passes (9,868 ft.), Grumpy worried that there might be snow on the highway. Such turned out to be a needless worry.

Grumpy also remembered that Powder River Pass was the route taken when he and Rachel made their midwest tour in 2005. The flowers then were spectacular; in Summer 2008 they were even more so! One patch of purple Lupine on the roadside was a deep sky blue color! Oh how Grumpy regrets not stopping to get a photograph. Grumpy also regrets that he didn't slow down to 30-40 miles per hour so the Grand Mother could have focused on the fields of Lupine and other, golden flowers.

In Greybull, when we checked in to our motel, we were given free-drink coupons good for "one each at Dutchies" and told that it was "a pretty good place to eat". Dutchies, we found out, was located inside the entrance to a KOA campground -- an unlikely site if there ever was one, for a "good" restaurant. The parking was practically nonexistent and once inside the door, we found almost every seat taken. A huge blond man met us as we entered and showed us an empty table by a window. As soon as he spoke, we had to assume that this was none other than "Dutchie" by his thick Holland accent.

After surveying the menu and noting, "Prime Rib, our specialty", we enquired of our waiter (who else other than Dutchie!) if we could order the 12 ounce prime rib and split it between the two of us. "Uf coorse!" he replied in his most friendly voice. And so we ordered.

The evening meal in this most unlikely spot in the most unlikely town of Greybull WY, was the highlight of our stay. The prime rib was the most flavorful and tender that Grumpy has ever tasted! I think the First Wife would agree as well. Unfortunately, we never heard back from Uncle Leonard and so didn't get to see him.

Summer 2008: Day 14, Noble Nephews 4th of July Barbeque

[Friday, 4th of July 2008, Rapid City]--This day was to be one of surprises and relief from responsibility. The explanation of each of these are contained in the story that follows.

We arrived in Rapid at mid-morning, driving down from our lodgings in Spearfish (less expensive and much better accommodations than the Super 8 in Rapid!), and quickly found Aunt Francis' home in South Rapid. As we arrived, no activity was noted inside the house, so the Grand Mother and Grumpy continued to listen to the "Book-on-CD" that we had been listening to on the way down to Rapid. Soon we noticed Aunt Francis come out of her house and load some things in her car. Grumpy got out of the Red Rocket, parked at the curb on the street, and hailed Francis -- she hadn't notice the "strange" car parked in front of her house.

Of course she invited us in and asked us if we wished anything to drink. I think both of us asked just for water. Later, when she had come back from delivering the goodies to Gary & Cindy's house, she asked again if she could provide us anything; Grumpy eagerly asked for some coffee! Then we sat around her living room visiting, Francis bringing the Grand Mother up-to-date with the Noble gang; the Grand Mother reciprocated, telling what the Zimmerman tribe is up to. Grumpy showed Francis some of the photos that had been taken so far on this trip.

Going over to Gary & Cindy's house at about 12:00 o'clock, we found a fairly large crowd already there. The big, pleasant surprise was finding that the Cortez family from Texas were there! Allesha Cortez is Gary & Cindy's oldest "child"; their three (or four) children are Francis' great grandchildren! Their oldest girl, Hailey, is now 11 years old -- and had a mouthful of braces, confirming her advancement toward the age of teenhood! She welcomed us, just as she had done the ear before, and then proudly announced to Grumpy that she had her "own e-mail address"!

Much visiting followed until the host and hostess announced, "Burgers, Brats and Hot Dogs are ready!" There was finger food galore and of course Chef Gary's inimitable barbecued meats. Grumpy chose a Brat, his favorite, and also chose some things for his First Wife, including a bottle of lightly-sugared green tea. We wish we had noted the brand as First Wife commented afterward how delicious and refreshing it was.

The day was quite hot -- especially for the moss-backs from the Pacific Northwest! Soon the children (ages 3 to 11) started dipping water glasses of water from the inflatable pool and pouring it on themselves -- and each other! Grumpy watched with envy; the year before he had become an instigator and, ultimately, a victim of a water fight that involved water guns, including a pump model that could shoot an accurate stream of water as much as 25-30 feet!! Grumpy was hoping -- yes, hoping -- that some kid would "accidentally" splash some water into the adult crowd sitting on the patio, just as they did last year. Then Grumpy would have the excuse he wanted to allow him to enter into the damp fray; it would be nice to be water-wet and cool, rather than sweaty-wet and hot just sitting there.

Then, without any such provocation, a gentleman (he objected to my calling him "Sir!", insisting that it almost gave him a heart attack) ventured out onto the field of battle, seeming to plead with the children for calm. Such futile hope! Soon he found himself attempting to defend himself using only a water glass and the same bottomless source of cool water that the children had been using. Alas, two against one! Realizing he didn't have a chance, he retreated after being dunked with a full glass of cool water down the back of his neck!! Grumpy both pitied him and envied him. This was the relief from a "responsibility" that Grumpy had foreseen as his to fulfill.

Gary & Cindy's back yard where the picnic was held was beautifully landscaped with these two gorgeous Climatis; one pink and the other a deep blue.

Later, the conflict succumbed to a bunch of wet kids wrapped in towels, sitting in any available warm place such as the uncooled garage. It was at that point that Larry (grandpa and great uncle of most if not all of the kids present) showed a characteristic likened (in Grumpy's mind) to BoPop. Pictured here he is monitoring the small ones playing on the plastic climbing, sliding and crawling playground toy.

Summer 2008: Day 13, Spearfish Cousin Party

[Spearfish SD, July 3rd]--We (including Bob and Adelaide) took a drive up Spearfish Canyon. We saw Bridal Veil Falls in greater glory than I have ever seen it, and Roughlock Falls, where there were numerous beaver dams, one after another making the valley a virtual swamp from the edge of the road on one side over to the edge of the Pine and Spruce forest on the other.

We arrived back in town at Bitsy's place just at noon, finding Jack & Ann, Lorraine, Roy, Jimmy, and Larry already in attendance. Pictured at left are Kay, Adelaide, Lorraine and Bob. Roy was sitting on the opposite side of the room visiting with the Grand Mother -- Grumpy did not get any good pictures of their discussions.

It being a mild day, some of the men chose to sit out on the deck. Pictured at the left are: Grumpy, Jack and Larry. There was no record of what these guys talked about; it must be presumed that religion and politics were not on the agenda as no bloody noses or black eyes were in evidence.

The ladies prepared a delicious lunch of meat sandwiches, potato salads and wild berry jelly on your choice of bread.

One of the primary hostesses, Bitsy in whose home this cousin party was held, is shown at left, busy in the cozy kitchen making the final preparations. Cousin Ann was also present but a second photo (on the right) was necessary to obtain her approval, at which time Bitsy had her ead buried in the refrigerator. [Bad as trying to get a good picture of two kids at the same time!]

The men (Jimmy, Grumpy, Jack, Larry, Roy and Bob) chose to sit out on the deck to eat their lunch -- it was a warm day and at the beginning of the lunch the sun was shielded by some clouds. When the main course was finished and dessert was announced however, the deck became suddenly vacant. The photographer simply turned 180 degrees and found the group seated below, in the shade.

All in all, it was a perfect day, with perfect company and a perfect experience of visiting and renewing close friendships while remembering youthful days and mischiefs of long ago.

Final goodbyes are always hard to say, and this one was no exception. However, the Good Lord willing and if the creeks don't flood, we will do this again in 2009.

Summer 2008: Day 12, Surprises and Old Friends

Last evening just before retiring to bed in Kadoka, Grumpy received a call on his cell phone. It was Bob, the Physics Prof from AL/Brazil.

"Where are you?" inquired Grumpy.

"In Kadoka!" responded the Prof. "Where are you?"

A delightfully surprised Grumpy said, "We are in Kadoka also; we are at our motel."

The Prof advised that they were at a motel on the opposite end of Kadoka (translation: about 1/2 mile away!). "How about getting together for breakfast?"

And so it was that the Grand Mother and Grumpy had breakfast with the Prof and his lovely wife, Adelaide (also a Physics Prof). The two of them had flown from AL up to Des Moines, where they visited Aunt Hazel and Paul for a couple of days before continuing up to Kadoka where they anticipated intercepting us.

They had to drive back to Philip where they had landed the Mooney (refuelling available there but not at Kadoka airstrip), to fly on to Spearfish where we would again meet preparatory for the Big Cousin Picnic tomorrow.

On our way from Kadoka to Spearfish, we encountered very heavy rain just east of Wall. The rain came down so hard that there were streams of water running down the traffic lanes so deep that the Red Rocket hydroplaned occasionally. Grumpy happily slowed down from his Cruise-Control speed of 65 mph to a safer, manually-controlled speed which varied as the hydroplaning tendency was occasionally felt on the steering wheel.

Just North of Rapid, we stopped to see our old friends from McLaughlin, Emil and Irene Jundt. After a short visit and a cup of coffee at their home in Black Hawk, we took them to lunch at the Millstone restaurant in West Rapid. Emil is 89 and Irene is 87; both of them still drive and both look very hale and hearty.

Visits with old friends are opportunities that one should not pass up! We will do it again next summer, God willing.

Summer 2008: Day 10, 60 years 13 days after a Honeymoon

Today, the 30th of June, we had intended to have lunch with Grumpy's cousin, Marvin and Gaylene in Arnold Nebraska. Sadly, their daughter recently died rather unexpectedly so they are understandably occupied with other matters and our visit will have to wait for another time.

This post is from the great (little) city (town--pop. 1302) of Valentine Nebraska, where the First Wife and Grumpy had planned to spend our honeymoon night. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we fell (literally! -- dead tired at 2 o'clock in the morning of the 18th) into bed in Mission SD, about 33 miles from here. Why I didn't drive the extra 33 miles, I will never know.

Anyway, with much planning, and not a little malice aforethought, Grumpy arranged reservations for the Trade Winds motel ("Valentine's Finest!") for this leg of our return trip wandering around the Midwest this summer of 2008. We scouted the town from south to north (our historic route) and from east to west trying to see if any old memories were triggered. Then we just had to go find the old bridge across the Niobrara, traveled so many pleasant and memorable years ago. Unbeknownst to Grumpy, this bridge is historic in many ways! Not only did these two ancestors of our joint family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren cross this bridge 60-plus years ago, but now we find that it is on the National Register of Historic Bridges and is the only one of its type in the United States. It was designed by a (then) young Civil Engineer from Russia who had graduated from the University of Nebraska some few years before he got the task of designing it!

Well, we had to take some photographs of the happy citizens who crossed it 60 years 12 days ago, and then recrossed it on their return trip from visiting Grandpa Zierlein, 60 years and 11 days ago. The Bride (aka, First Wife, alias the Grand Mother) stands near the approach to the southbound traffic.

A return trip was necessary now as it was then. Now the road simply blends into the new highway US-20 eastbound; then it was necessary for the Bride and Groom to hurry back to the Black Hills where they were employed at the Petrified Forest in Piedmont (north of Rapid City). Hence, the photo of the car coming back across the bridge -- with the Bride intact inside the nicely air conditioned car. The "historic" car was a 1938 Chevrolet Deluxe 85 four-door sedan. The "85" stood for the theoretical brake horsepower of the engine, a value not experienced by the time the power arrived at the rear tires, and especially if the car was driven at the speeds for which it was best suited, namely 45-50 mph, where the RPM was less than half that required to obtain that famously-advertised horsepower.

We celebrated this nostalgic return with a delicious dinner at Cedar Canyon Steak House, in downtown Valentine. The First Wife had her favorite, prime rib, and Grumpy growled down a "medium-well" filet mignon, which was actually what I would call "medium rare"!! The menu told what their definitions were, and I asked for the medium well, but got just about what I wanted -- it could have had the branding iron held on it a little longer. It bellowed mildly when I poked my fork into it.