Kirk and I had an awesome time in Wonewoc, WI at Chapparal Campground. Saying goodbye is never easy, and gets more difficult every time we have to leave. Our last day there was very busy. Kirk got his cast off his arm a little early, and to our surprise did not even have to have a brace on it. The doctor told Kirk that he wanted him to move his hand and fingers. Kirk developed lymphadema and had lost most of his gross and fine motor control with that hand. The doctor gave Kirk an order to start physical therapy for his arm and hand once we got to Dubuque (my next assignment). Also, on our last night there, we went out to eat with Tracy and Michelle Taylor. They are seasonals at the campground and have been there since we started going there, and before. We had a great evening with great food and company. Amy, my boss for the company I was working for in the Dells, dropped off a gift from the therapy staff....Wisconsin cheese, WI beer, and WI wine. What a treat. They are a great crew to work with. I will miss therm. Dennis and Dianne will be greatly missed. They are the great, awesome, adorable owners of the Chapparal, and our good friends.
Dan and Deb, Arlene and Ronnie, Dianne and Ron, and Michelle and Tracy. It's hard to stay out of trouble when you're around this group.
The cast is off...hand is "fat" but the bone is healed. PT will take care of the rest.
Went here to eat with Tracy and Michelle. This is out in the middle of the country, surrounded by farms. Why Kirk and I had never heard of this place before is beyond me. Highly recommend going here. We will definitely go back.
On 7/30/16 we arrived in Dubuque, Iowa. This was only 2 hours from Chapparal, but it seemed a lot further. Rudy and Bev were staying at an RV park in Galena exploring the area and met us at our campground, Hoot Owl Hollow in West Dubuque. We drove downtown, had supper and then said our goodbye's. They would be heading to Monmouth, Il in the next day or so.
The Dubuque Town Clock. This clock has stood over the city for over 130 years.
The Dubuque Riverwalk along the Mississippi River.
On 8/1/16, I started my new assignment at Manor Care Rehabilitation, a Skilled Nursing Facility. The therapists were wonderful to work with. Someone was always bringing "treats" to work, and I personally gained 5 pounds on that 8 week assignment. I'm finding as I age, the pounds are harder to lose :( Ady had her 13th birthday (can't believe she's a teenager) on August 8th. Robyn always has a family/friends birthday party for her. Ady has had so many people in her life supporting her and her mom through all those years. She later had a sleepover with her besties. It's always a good time to get together with all of these friends and family.
The infamous selfies in this family are just expected. We love that Kristy has become a "pro" at this art. Ady's birthday bash.
Ady opening her gifts. Thirteen years old....really!!!!!!
Ady stayed with us for two days while mom went hiking with Kristy and friends in Colorado. West Dubuque is behind us.
Ady and I rode the Fenelon Place Elevator while Kirk was in therapy for his hand. This elevator is 296 feet and is considered to be the shortest and steepest railroad in the world.
While Ady was with us, we visited Kirk's sister, Bev, and her husband, Al. It was a beautiful day for a pontoon ride. I thought this teenager would be bored, but she absolutely loved it. Al, Bev, Ady, me.
Me and Kirk on the pontoon using my selfie stick (given to me by my travel company).
I really love this pic of Ady and I. She's a beauty!
On 8/19/16 Kirk and I drove to City Point, WI to spend the night on the Marsh, and attend Bella and Isaac's dance recital the next morning. As always, we had a great time and enjoyed watching the kids dance. They were delightful.
Isaac and Bella after the recital. They did great!
The "moms" and "grandmas" after the recital. Laurie, Neva, and me.
After we left the Marsh, we couldn't drive by the campground without stopping to see our friends...Tracy, Michelle, Kurt, and Laurie.
Kirk and I drove over to Galena one Sunday and took the trolly tour to the historical sites in town. It was an adequate tour to see some beautiful sites, and learn about the history of the town.
Belvedere Mansion in Galena, IL. The finest and largest Italian mansion in Galena, built in 1857.
Downtown Galena, IL. We just parked and walked.
On 8/27, we drove to Gladbrook, IA to visit Kirk's mom. She had been home only a short time after being in the skilled nursing facility for rehab. Earlier in the summer, she had fractured some vertebrae in her back. Kirk picked up tenderloins in Beaman for all of us (they are delicious), we had dove bars, and we tried to get her laptop to work. We were not successful. She loves looking at her Facebook to see pictures of family and friends, and using her emails. I hope that eventually we can get her back on her computer. On our drive home, Kirk and I stopped at Junction 21, about 5 miles from our campground in Dubuque. We had never been there before, and now wished we had. The pizza is delicious. It's a fun, out of the way place. The next day after returning home, we drove up to Eagle Point Park in Dubuque. They charge $1 a car to enter the park. This is a very cool park. You are high atop of the city, and can see 3 states from certain sites (Wi, IA, IL). On 9/3, we drove to Monmouth, IL to visit Jim and Elena. We just went for the day. Kirk grilled out and we all had a great time just relaxing and visiting by pool. Our last night in Dubuque, we went out to eat at Catfish Charlie's with my friend Judy and her husband Charlie. The next day (10/1) we took off for our next adventure.
Lock and Dam #11 on the Mississippi seen from Eagle Point Park.
Attempt at a selfie at the entrance of Eagle Point Park in Dubuque, IA.
Our first site at Hoot Owl Hollow in West Dubuque, IA.
Kirk's new toy. He was so excited when it arrived that he put it together inside the Rv. Traeger Tailgater smoker and grill.
Our last visit with the kids, grandkids, and grand dogs before leaving for AZ.
Kirk's first brisket on the Traeger. This was absolutely delicious. Not sure he made enough :)
Ribs from the Traeger. Kirk is on a roll and I get to reap the benefits.
While in Dubuque, I met up with a former co-worker and very good friend, Judy,whom I had not seen for 40 years. Judy is awesome, and it was like we had never been apart.
Kirk and I met up with Bridget, her husband, Jason, and their kids Drew and Kinsey in Gunder, IA. Home of the famous Gunderburger. I used to work with Bridget in Decorah, Iowa 15 years ago. This girl knows how to make me laugh
Harvest is beginning on the marsh.
9/24. To Marshalltown, IA for granddaughter, Kaylee's 2nd birthday party. Charlie, Kaylee, Heather, and Damon.
Great grandma Mavis at Kaylee's party. Isn't she beautiful!
Grandson Mason, and his mom Lindsey. Sure do miss these guys!
Mason, and Grandpa Kirk. Happy Campers.
Grandpa Kirk is a happy man at this moment with Kaylee and Mason.
Picture of Beautiful mom and mother in law, Mavis at Bev and Al's.
Our 2nd site at Hoot Owl Hollow Campground in Dubuque. We moved for the last two weeks we were there. We had so much rain this summer. It was nice being on a cement pad.
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