Summer of Fun-Chapter 3

 SAW-HEARD-DID

Saw-  While catching COVID was most probably not on anyone's summer wish list, I can say we have all seen that being vaccinated, boosted and receiving antiviral medication in a timely manner really helped shorten the course and severity of the illness.   Yeah to science!

My dad was released on a Monday (6.20) -

and with each passing day I saw him gain strength and stamina

By Wednesday he was out of 10 days of Covid-jail 

and joining his friends for Happy hour at the legion

Catching up with his neighbors

And sharing stories with Hubby..

As for Hubby-  he too was well on the way to recovery...

He helped the neighbor take down one of dad's dead trees..

and by help- we really mean he watched in awe as Buck took the tree down

with the finesse of a skilled chainsaw master...

And finally- we agreed it was time to hit the road and head back towards home..

HEARD:   I heard the silence that can be had when camping during the week.   On our way home, we stopped first at a COE spot just outside of Des Moines Iowa

Prairie Flower Rec Center- Site D117

followed by West Rolling Hills-A12- just outside of Ft. Riley Kansas

Both of these places offered us a chance to unwind and relax- with near perfect camping weather, spacious sites and what makes us both happy- quiet fellow campers.

However, as the week progressed, more campers arrived at Rolling Hills- bringing with them their love of loud music and barking unattended dogs (don't get me wrong- I love dogs-I just find it rude when folks bring their dogs, tether them outside to bark away and proceed to ignore said precious pet that had to brought along).  

Hubby and I agreed- it was time to make that final push to home

2696 miles, 32 days and 3 cases of COVID later....

Yep- 3

as Ms. Rona finally got me- 

with one last souvenir from our summer adventures..

DID:   While June provided us with some unexpected plot twists (that's an understatement!), I feel like we did a lot.   

On our return journey home...

We "marveled" at one man's talent for playing with matches..

We followed the Yellow Brick Road- where yep

it led us not only to 

but would also help us find our way back home...

All along, I joked that this was a tour of obligation- spending time with dad, connecting with him on his home court to see where assistance could be offered.    I intentionally set out to add some new experiences to this trip- hence the addition of North Dakota and some camping on the way home- to sort of balance out the family obligations of this summer adventure.

We did it...

Would we do it all again?....most likely not..

But ya know what-

While this trip certainly wasn't as perfect as I'd hoped- I had the perfect traveling companion by my side.

 Not only does Hubby  provide  a steady- high quality source of photos to claim as my own on social media (yeah, I'm THAT kind of poster) , does all the heavy lifting  (just  ask me how we got my dad out of the bathroom and ready for the ambulance crew), takes on the driving (even while recovering from COVID), humors  me when I suggest something I found on Roadside America-  he provides  me and the Things  something even more precious- Unconditional love and support...

Until next time ...I am reminded of this quote...