Tettagouche on the North Shore

We had a great time at Itasca but time to move on to another Minnesota favorite spot.  Arrived in Duluth about noon on Sunday and immediatly made our way to Hiway 61 and up the North Shore of Lake Superior.  We didn't have reservations anywhere but we were just hoping that there would be enough people going home after their weekend that we might find something.  Plus it was raining so maybe some people packed up early to go home.  Well, we got the last open site at Tettagouche State Park campground. Perfect!!

Hiked from the campground to "High Falls," Minnesotas highest waterfall. 

Morning mist over Lake Superior.

Palasades Overlook is so spectacular.

Biggest Luppine I have ever seen!

More of Itasca

We have really enjoyed our time here.  We did a lot of biking, as out of shape as I am we couldn't  help but enjoy the miles and miles of trails and bike routes around here.  Will did his cardio biking early in the mornings but he was more than willing to slow down for some leisurly rides with me.  We did a lot of hiking and birding too.  Had to lather on the bug spray because mosquitoes were out in force but guess that is part of northwoods in June.  Plus the buggy bogs are where we found the most Lady Slippers.  

Douglas Lodge. Stately old timber lodge with dining room, wi-fi, and wonderful wooden gliders in the shade on the porch.

Climbed to the top of an old fire tower for a birds eye view of the surrounding countryside.  We were well above the treetops.

A rare family of Trumpeter Swans.  We just happened upon them on one of our hikes.  They are huge. . .something like an 80 inch wing span!

Itasca State Park

Itasca is just like I remember.  Actually being here is very nostalgic.  I was first here as a teenager, then I remember bringing our kids here, probably several times, and enjoyed it with friends.  Lots of memories here.  Bicycle trails and hiking trails are great.  We did both today.

Here's the spot where the Mississippi first flows out of Lake Itasca. Just have to walk across on the rocks.

We came upon these beauties right along the trail.  Showy Lady Slipper is a wonderful find.  Timing was perfect as they are in bloom right now.  I was so excited to get to see them but as the day went on we came upon several patches of these orchids in marshy areas of the park.  The plant has to be something like 20 years old before they ever bloom.

 

And Loons!! We caught this happy family with two chicks.  One baby is on Mom's back.  They were both up there, but just as I got ready to take the picture, one slipped off to go it alone.  Its one way Looons protect their babies from preditors. 

Heres what I know

So here's the deal

   When Dr Jongewaard did the surgery to removed that sick appendix he noticed an anomaly that just did not look like a normal appenectomy.  He told us about it immediately but was pretty low key about it until he had a chance to study pathology report and do a little research.  Apparently he found something, a mass/growth/collection of cells.  Never used the word cancer, called it low grade, not attached to anything, not aggressive. . .diagnosed as "Low Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm."  Rare, he had only seen it once before in his practice as a surgeon.  So he wanted to refer this up a notch to have some other opinions.  Mayo Clinic at Rochester MN is only 4 hours away so, hey, why not.  Rural medicine is so connected around here that a quick phone call from his office got the ball rolling.  However, it took until yesterday to get that phone call to let me know when.  I have an appointment on July 7. . .and we will go from there.  Best scenerio is to do nothing more. Dr J. was confident he removed it all but since appendix is connected to the colon we don't know if there are implications or not.  I am not anxious or worried, curious is better word.  So we are going to continue and enjoy Minnesota as (presently) planned.  Only thing on our scedule is to fly out to New Jersey on July 16 for Aeri's big First Bithday Dol (Party.). I wont miss that.

Lake Shetek State Park

Decided it's time to move on. Slipped into Minnesota a few miles to Lake Shetek.  Beautiful hardwood forest on a lake. The birding here was phenomenal. There is a dam on this lake and we spent a long time at the spillway watching huge carp jumping back over spillway making there way into the lake. I didn't know they did that!! They leap out of the water several feet. Just like watching salmon jumping up stream. These were definitely great big carp. 

Afternoon with Pete and Alice

These folks have been Vegabons just like us for the past months, traveling from Tucson, to family and Washington state. Finally caught them home so we could spend a lovely comfortable afternoon at their home in Brandon, SD.  I miss these guys!!  Thanks for lovely lunch, Alice. 

We have taken to the easy, quiet, relaxing atmosphere here in the city park in Rock Valley.  Long walks down by the river, birding the walking paths, soaking up the summer sun in the shade of the big trees. Will has enjoyed biking the countryside and doing his PT exercises for his shoulder.  Not a lot of improvement yet but he's hopeful.  Found some agriculture history of note here.  And two really fun consignment shops in town.

But, now we are good to go.

Father's Day

Started our day with a wonderful worship service at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center.  Our plan was to have a nice Father's Day breakfast but soon realized there are NO restaurants open in Rock Valley or Sioux Center on Sunday, except fast food.  So we settled for breakfast at Hardy's.  Was just fine.  Later in the day we drove to Sioux Falls for ribs and chicken dinner at Bob's Cafe and a walk around Falls Park to see the Falls that gives the city it's name.  Calls and Father's day greetings from the kids, plus a short video from Lia rounded out a lovely day.

A day with Doc and Sharon

A nice short road trip to Omaha to spend the afternoon with the Watson's. Doc is home recovering from double knee replacement surgery so we commiserated about our recovery 's while we caught up on life. They recently moved across town to some pretty nice new "digs" so fun to see that.

Like I said, relaxing

Had a pedicure, ah, pretty nice.  Enjoyed vibrant down town, Rock Valley and it's consignment shops, and stores.  This is the best of Iowa hometown ambiance.  Took a walk on the trails down by the River.  Just a year ago they had a horrendous flood in the area, did a lot of damaged but the community has recovered very well.

Will took the opportunity to check out the walk in service at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls for his shoulder that has been troubling him for a long time.  Very pleased with attention, it was diagnosed as "simple" shoulder impingement and gave him some physical therapy and exercises to help it strengthen and heal. Both feeling better.

This will make anyone feel better

Tammy sent this perfect picture of Aeri today.  She is 11 months old.  So precious,  made my day.
      Otherwise,  I am just hanging out and taking it easy, in recovery mode. I have a follow up appt with surgeon on Friday so will be doing a whole lot of relaxing until then.  Thinking we will spend some time in Northern Minnesota once I get the ok.

Released

Still on the hospital

Sixth day in hospital recovering. Had ups and downs but always moving toward healing. Decision this morning to hang out here one more day until surgeon comfortable removing drain from andomen.  Wonderful attentive care here.

Lots of family and friends have stopped by to wish me well and that was so lovely.

Mom's Funeral

Mom's Funeral was this afternoon in Rock Valley.  Nice tribute to her. The gift of times like these are the gathering of family and this was a precious time.  Thanks for all the words of sympathy and memories everyone shared.  She lived a good life, she was 93.

Correction

If anyone using blog for reference,  I had visitation time wrong.   Viewing anytime but family will be there 6:30 -7:30.  Thanks for that catch, L.
   Body in recovery mode but still punk. Bad night but a few more drugs and adjustment of fluids helped.  Back on that spa diet and then back off that to nothing until system heals. 

Recouping

I had a great morning.  Felt amazingly good.  All hooked up to drip for antibiotics and pain meds.  Progressing well. Afternoon post surgery reality set in and felt a little less euphoric, but all good.
    Jay and Verna, Less and Helene, and Wil finished packing up and got Mom officially out of Whispering Heights. Have some errands to run together tomorrow but mostly enjoying family time together. That is gift of funerals. Grandkids start arriving tomorrow.

Visitation at Porter Funeral Home Rock Valley,  friday afternoon with family present 6:30 - 7:30

Private family internment at 11 am Saturday at Rock Valley Cemetery.

Memorial Service at Calvin Christian Reformed Church at 1:30. Lunch following

In the hospital with surgery

Hard to believe we just left Tucson a week ago today.  So much has happened, and now there is a new development!!  I am in hospital recovering from surgery in Rock Valley for a ruptured apendics. I am feeling fine,  btw, better than fine.
  After trip to Urgent Care in Calif, I was told if I wasn't better in 3 or 4 days that I needed to stop at ER somewhere and demand a CT scan.  Well, I did get better, pain hugely subsided but still never really good. Thought I was reacting to heavy meds, couldn't eat, just felt crummy.  So when we got to Rock Valley and got set up we went to Rock Valley hospital.  They quickly  took it all pretty seriously, orded that CT scan, wasn't long and a surgeon was called. 
  Had lapiscoptic prosedure done in evening and rested comfortably all night. I immediatly feel so much better. Think I will be here a few days as my system "wakes up."
  Funeral plans progressing.  Relatives arriving in town for that.
Funeral Sat at 1:30. More details later today.

Trying g to get to Rock Valley

Two more long days of driving the RV trying to get to Iowa.  Thought we would make it late tonight but ran out of steam a few hours out.  No major problems on the road but tiring. One rain and wind episode in Wyoming yesterday but was short lived. Today we had a 60 mile detour because of flooding.  Was really annoyed until we came thru the town that was impacted by floods and then decided we did not have it so bad. For a second I thought it was a town wide yard sale until it dawned on me that everyone had everything outside on lawn to either dry out or discard.
   Some road construction but no major delays.  Always grimace to have to drive RV over fresh rock and asphalt.  But we did see amazing scenery.  Lots of places we wish we'd had time to investigate more. Nevada, northern Utah,  wyoming, northern Nebraska, on hiway 20 and up into South Dakota on hiway 18. Kept looking for most direct routes as interstates take us so far south from Northern Iowa.
  We pulled into camp just as sun going down at Pickstown Dam in South Dakota.  How lovely.  Another place to return to.

Another glitch

Beautiful traveling scenery.  Unfortunately it's not what we were planning. . .
  We got word yesterday that Will's Mom passed away suddenly and we immediatly packed up and headed RV toward Iowa.  She has been having some worrisome episodes of late so we were not totally shocked when the call came.  Still, sad news.  She was 93.
  We had to get back over the Sierra Nevada mountains so we drove north to Sacramento where we hopped on I80 to head east.  Amazingly beautiful freeway, scenery and condition. Got halfway across Nevada before dark and then up early and on the road by 6am.  Lots of sagebrush, ranch land and misty mountains off in the distance this morning.
  I am noticeably better this am also.  First time I was able to eat without forcing myself.  Not over yet, though.

Merced, California

We are in the central valley of CA but can't say I am enjoying it so much.  Actually we are staying put here while I recover. Not feeling so well.  Noticed my stomach upset when we left home. . .nothing that wouldn't pass.  Except it didn't.  By third day I was experiencing severe abdominal pain like nothing I had ever felt.  Stopped at Urgent Care and diagnosed it as intestinal inflamation.  On antibiotics again.   Slowly improving.
We found an RV park out in farmland that is very quiet. Just what doctor ordered.  Will taking advantage of some bicycle time.

Moving thru California

Got as far as San Bernadino last night and stayed in a non descript RV park and on the road early this am.  Now between Barstow and Bakersfield and not much scenery to write home about. Heading toward central valley where we will slow down.

Packing the RV.

Getting ready to roll.  . .early tomorrow morning.