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This trip was like so many others I've taken in
the past, except now it is still much harder. Diann Massingill, once again,
agreed to go along and film the trip like she has always done. It had
been six years since my last trip, and I wanted to see what my new van would
do. Although the road noise and constant computer prompts were annoying,
the van performed well. Parked at Tim's House
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| Day 1 9/29/07 | We got an early start with good weather.
I called Tracy at I-20 and she told us
to meet Chris and her at McDonald's
off I-35W at Fort Worth. I got anxious and turned off too soon so
we had to drive 5 miles on city streets. When we finally arrived I
made the mistake of ordering a, "Whataburger Jr." to everyone's amusement. We pushed on to Wichita. Although the Days Inn that I had reserved was right off Kansas Tollway, we missed the entrance and drove around a while. There was no roll in shower either, something I had requested. Beh's cell phone wasn't working so we called T-Mobile and they, supposedly corrected the problem. |
Diann at McDonald's |
Ron's A-Frame 1970 |
Michael at Bowman Hall |
Talking to Uncle Ed |
| Day 2 9/30/07 | Unusually warm air was rushing northward, so we had strong cross winds all the way to Kansas City. At times it was difficult to keep the van on the road, especially passing 18-wheelers and overpasses. When we turned north at Kansas City, we had a good tailwind and made time until we ran into heavy rain in southern Minnesota. There was flooding in southeast Minnesota, and we just got by it in time. We arrived late at our Days Inn and didn't know exactly where it was, so we called them and they directed us. This time there was a roll in shower. |
Passing 18 Wheelers in Wind |
| Day 3 10/1/07 |
We started out slow and met Michael at UW-Stout.
We immediately drove west on US 29 2 miles to the A-frame that I once rented
back in 1980-81. It now sports a two-car garage and looks very good
in its hilltop location. After a brief tour of campus, we dropped
Michael off and headed for Eau Claire. Aunt Eleanor opened her fridge and
prepared us lunch while she caught us up on all the activity of her family.
Duane was at work and Janice was in Las Vegas helping her daughter so we
missed them. We also missed Brian because our cell phone wasn't working. We arrived at Ed and Marian's right on time. Ed told me about his World War II experience, that he had enlisted in 1940, and, although the Air Force transferred him many times during the war, he never saw combat. With Ed's directions, we got lost trying to find uncle night in Thorp. When we finally found him we had some difficulty communicating because he has macro degeneration of his retinas and can barely see as well as frequency hearing loss that cannot be corrected by hearing aid. His mind is still sharp and he was very interested in my van. Keith was out flying planes with friends on his beautiful RC Park. His friends were very interested in my van. Keith and Sandi have taken in four disabled people. Sandi showed Diann the dogs she is breeding, and their huge brand-new addition to the old farmhouse. From there we tried to go see Wes and Berna but I missed their turn off. When we got to the motel we tried to get Mom to go with us to eat, but she didn't hear our knock on the door and we had to wait till morning to eat breakfast with her. Diann enjoyed the Chinese buffet we found. |
Aunt Marian |
| Day 4 10/2/07 |
After breakfast with Mom, we drove north
to the town of McMillan to my old fishing spot on the Little Eau Plaine River.
On Sugarbush Lane, we stopped to see Jurustic Park, a natural wonder created
by Clyde Winya, a retired real estate lawyer turned junk metal artist with considerable skill and good
humor. His wife, Nancy, also does
craft and glasswork. After that, we toured the old neighborhood where Mom and Dad had two homes and where Judy still lives. We stopped by Judy and Paul's for supper. Andy came with Katllyn, and Matt arrived with Becky, Kora, and Monty. When we went to leave, a fierce rainstorm was raging. I was glad when I got Mom home safe that night. |
Entrance to Jurustic Park |
Clyde Wynia |
Dragonhead |
Nancy Wynia's Studio |
| Day 5 10/3/07 | After breakfast with Mom we drove to King
and surprised Jackie and Duffy Replogle. They joined us for lunch
at the King's Table. We expected John and Joyce Green as well, but
they didn't show. Without a cell phone we couldn't call them.
Later that afternoon we arrived at Pat and Roger Smith's house, but they
both were at work so we missed them. Soon after arriving at Tim's, he appeared. He told us that the girls were with their father, but, one by one, first Lexis, and then Leandra, and finally, Lindsay and Marla arrived along with Angie and her husband Andy. We had a great lasagna dinner and discussed the black sheep of the Hull family. Diann was very happy to see that our motel had a spa she could relax in. |
Ron with Duffy |
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