Tribute to Jasper

We were so sad to get the news that Jasper passed away last week.  He was a dear man, lovely friend, and a spiritual mentor who lived his faith and always had a smile of encouragement for everyone he met.  He struggled with cancer and his health for last couple if years but rallied several times back to good health.

  As I was sorting and organizing pictures from our summer trip I came across this one. Our St Andrews Fellowship group met at our house the night before we left for the summer, and I took a couple if pictures of the group. That was the last chance Will and I got to see him. We laughed a lot that night, as we always do. It's a nice memory of Jasper.

Ah, Arizona! We are home

Here we are driving through Arizona on our way to Tucson. We were gone 3 months and one day! 11,500 miles on the RV. 
We came home through Salt River Canyon. Little taxing with RV but sure is pretty and always look forward to it.

Now the unpacking, the laundry, the cleaning the RV, cleaning the patio, the back yard after a summer of neglect, and getting back into life at home. 

  House and everything in good shape so all good.

On the way home

Woke up to clearing skies and lifting fog for one last look at mountains. We had furnace on in RV this morning as we were camped at 8000 ft. Have a feeling we are going to wish we had some of that cool air before we get down the road too far. 

Out of mountains and onto flat lands of New Mexico as we travel through the Navajo nation on the way to Gallup. Got to Arizona border before we called it quits. Long day of driving even if we switch off drivers.

Driving around Creede

We cruised around the area finding the most scenic and photographic sites we could find.  There are plenty around here. Most of them focus on the Rio Grand River and the valley that contains it. This is Rio Grand from up on Table Top Road.

Upper  Cascade Creek Falls

The day was beautiful until mountain showers rolled in.during the afternoon.  But that was ok because the reason we stayed for three days was to take in another play at the Creede Repertory Theater in the evening. This one was Talley's Folly. Another good one. Totally different from Sunday night's play but equally well done. In fact, Will liked this one better. I can't decide.

Eclipse day in Creede

I thought maybe my camera could catch the eclipse buy didn't work. But it was a nice sunny day for it. Guess Colorado saw about 80% of full eclipse but really if you didnt know it was happening it was hard to see the change. Didn't seem to get very dim.
I made a pinhole viewer so we could watch the progress. Worked really well. I remember that Doug and I made one when he was in elementary school. He took it to school and was the hit of the class. Guess that is last solar eclipse I remember and that had to be in the seventies.
We were hiking the Squaw Creek Trail while eclipse was happening.
Beautiful vistas from trail. It's near Rio Grand Reservoir and headwaters of Rio Grand River. 
Plenty of ripe raspberries along the trail 
And a Pika on a rocky slope. 

So we celebrated our 3 hour hike with a yummy hamburger at Fremon's. It's the place to go in Creede. Any excuse to go.

Last night we had tickets to Creede's Repertory Theater production of a new play named, The General Store. It was really unusual but really engaging and as always they do a tremendous job.  We are going to another play tomorrow night before we leave.

Creede, in Colorado

Our destination for a couple of days before we go back to warm Tucson.  Palisades campground is a National Forest campground on the Rio Grande river just out of Creede.
Downtown Crede, funky little town with a lot of mining history. 
Downtown, tucked right up to a mountain
Celebrating a great summer at the Antlers Restaurant.  Going out in style. 
Seen at last night's campground in La Vita Colorado. Pretty brazen!

That's the way it is!!!!

Now the Jons corner of Iowa

Rain finally caught up with us as we made our way across Iowa to my hometown.  Was sort of refreshing and rain always welcome in farm country. Not so fun hooking up car in downpour, however. 
The Lutheran church I grew up in is still a beautiful landmark in Arcadia. Lots of changes over the years in these small towns. Interesting to see what has survived and what is new. Had coffee with high school classmates Jay and Sue and thoroughly enjoyed catching up.
Always fun to hang out with my brother Larry and Jean. I took their picture in front of our RV but can't convince them to go RVing. We could have a great time traveling together.
And then there is the pork tenderloin sandwich at Dairy Sweet in Dunlap, Iowa.Will and I split one and this is my half which is bigger than most any single I have ever had. Hand breaded and delicious. Sweet potato fries on the side and a strawberry banana shake.
Doc and Sharon drove to Dunlap from Omaha to meet us on our way out. Happy Birthday Sharon. We lamented about our ages together!  Too short but at least we got to see them.

Drove into the evening and stopped at Alma, Nebraska. Almost to Kansas border. We are heading in the direction of home.

DeBoer family time

Parked in city park in Orange City Iowa near sister's home.
Baby brother Jay, and big sis Helene.
"The guys" in Rock Valley before the Rally-in-the-valley parade.
Had to make a trip to Lemars, Iowa to Wells Blue Bunny icecream headquarters and shop.
Another big meal at Helenes house.
Silly game if miniature golf in Okoboji.
Enjoying an afternoon on the lakes at Okoboji with Less's amazing boat!
Docked for dinner at local restaurant. Rain threatened but we got fun time in on the lake before any significant showers.

Yep, he made it up!  Pretty good show.  Jay and Will both had to give it a go. Just like riding a bike--comes right back. Maybe muscles a little more sore than younger days! Nice warm August water.

Grandchildren time

Doug brought the girls out to Minnesota for two days while we were there. Lia and Aeri were excited to sleep in the motor home with us. Worked great, thanks to Dewain and Linda's over-the-top hospitality.