July 1 David got up early this morning hoping it wouldn’t be as hot. It was cooler but in the bright sun it was still miserable to be out long. He got everything undone while I put things away and closed up the trailer, walked the dogs and got ready to hitch up the trailer. As they say in New Jersey, bada bing, bada boom we were hooked up and on the road to Columbia MO, about 300 miles. We were on I-70 the whole way except for last 8 miles in Colombia turning North to our campground. Just as we were leaving on David’s last walk around the trailer he notice some scallop like indentations on the trailer tire, passenger side front. He was quite concerned but said we’d monitor it today and he’d change ... read more

June 29 We woke today to more heat. It seems it would only be a degree or two cooler today and the heat advisory was still in effect. Our granddaughter arrived around 10:30 am. Courtney is the oldest of our grandchildren and the only one we’ve spent extensive time with alone. As a young girl and later as a teenager, Courtney frequently spent time with us, a week or two during the summer. We have taken her to all sorts of historical places over the years: Washington DC, Vermont, Philadelphia, New York City and all over New Jersey. She stayed with us in California too where we had a grand time in Monterey, San Francisco, and the Redwoods. After our retirement she was grown and on her own so we have not seen her much for ... read more

June 26 This morning we had another fun walk down the road and thankfully most of the mud had dried up from yesterday’s hot weather. We met two ladies on the walk with two dogs and two young girls, one about 8-9 was bawling her eyes out complaining of having to walk. Seems mother’s remedy was to walk off and leave the bawling child behind about 100 ft. We were sympathetic to the mother and glad to see her generation letting her daughter understand the harsh realities of life. Yes it is hot outside! Since we had to put Red and Dottie back on leash it was a shorter walk than normal, just too noisy. LOL. It was a quiet afternoon, took a nap and did some chores. Late afternoon we started fishing. Yesterday, we only ... read more

June 24 Oh the dogs woke us up early this morning 6:30. I could hear Dottie scratching at her crate. She rarely gets up before Red but then he went out about midnight last night. I got up and put my robe on telling both the dogs and David I’m going to go back to bed. It was a quick trip for them and I had Dot go right back to her crate. Red followed as did David shortly thereafter. I was asleep I’m sure by 6:45. When I finally woke up it was 8:16 and everyone was still asleep. I got the dogs and just put my cloths on and closed the bedroom door as David was still fast asleep. The dogs and I went outside and there it was, the most glorious, warm sunshiny ... read more

June 21-22 Friday morning Ty and family arrived back in town just before noon. Shortly afterward Ty had the camper pulled in next door and the whole gang worked to get it set back up. It was windy and cool but dry at this point. Gene and Nan had invited the whole bunch of us, including Jerry and Karen to their house for a cookout, hamburgers and hotdogs. They also invite our nephew Jon and his family, who live in Wheatland Wyoming. It was so good to see everyone. Unfortunately, the weather was bad, rain and wind and really cold, but Gene’s garage, where the refrigerator is, was all set up with tables and the heater was running!! Red and Dottie were beside themselves. I think Dottie sat in every lap, and climbed across the table ... read more