There has been quite a bit of activity since my last post. I took a trip to The Lot in Colorado, Pam and Becky attended a Nordic Fest, the catio kittens are getting more active, and a few medical notes are included in this post. Let’s get started!
Pam had encouraged me to take a trip to The Lot so I could spend my birthday in the high country. While I didn’t do much work ( I did pile some brush) most of the time was spent on ATV trips on trails west of Fairplay.
I will not bore readers with multitudinous details, but the trails were pleasant. Here are a few photos taken along the way.
During the trip I made a point to visit Boreas Pass, where Pam’s Mom’s ashes were scattered years ago. Here is what the place looks like this year.
One of my outings crossed paths with a small herd of antelope.
I sat out an evening hail storm in The Box, and rose to find the ground covered with hail the next morning.
All-in-all I had a pretty good trip.
I had taken my equipment trailer along with a plan to bring home the Ford 8N tractor. I had a few problems (broken fender brace and tail light) but managed to get the tractor loaded and returned to Iowa.
I returned home on a Tuesday and had my implant front tooth installed on Wednesday. No more do I need my “social tooth” which had filled the missing tooth gap (when I remembered to put it in). I am glad that process is over.
Pam will undergo minor surgery to remove a spot of basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) from her forehead next Wednesday. Becky will watch the cats and dogs as we travel to the La Crosse/Onalaska area for the day to have the procedure done. (Cat care includes feeding the growing kittens, who are now six weeks old and weaning away from mom. That little family is well and safely secured in the catio.)
Other events of the past few days…
I mowed the lawn, which had grown very little in my absence due to a lack of rain. We are getting some moisture today which should help relieve the dry conditions. Acorns are falling like shrapnel from the oak trees; on some parts of the lawn a person can literally roll along over the tops of acorns while walking. We are gathering a quantity of acorns this fall to feed the squirrels in January and February; this was very successful last year.
I visited another antique power show and wandered around for a few hours, taking in the sights and speaking to several of the exhibitors.
For any who may be interested, here is a 6:17 video of my visit to the show.
That about wraps it up. I have other videos from the trip but did not want to overload this post with them. Possibly they will make an appearance in future posts. (You have been warned!)
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
The Decorah Nordic Fest is a fairly significant regional celebration. Sister Becky and I enjoyed this “real parade” one Saturday whilst Himself was in the high country. By real parade l mean: 1) at least one marching band, 2) floats showing intentional preparation, and 3) people in costume. Nordic Fest had it all, including one flatbed containing a men’s chorus (of various ages including high schoolers to retirees) whose music resounded superbly on the route. Very satisfying.
This is more what we expected our summers to be like in NE Iowa [before COVID hit] – attending various activities reflecting [each of] our interests, within comfortable driving distances from Elma. Even better if the activity in question is in a town with a Culver’s. Sweet.
Note to Deb: I’ll be happy to send you some Grandpa Ott seeds. I collect probably thousands from the morning glory vines in the fall. I have Tabitha’s address; I can send them there.
(Any others who ready the blog, if you’d be interested in some Grandpa Ott seeds, leave a comment.)
Happy Trails.
#1. Does the Atv ride in back of the pickup??
$2. thought you had mentioned you were going to take the chipper back too?
#3. A little taste of Fall out there already??
Craig:
Thanks for the note. To answer your questions:
1. Yes the ATV rides in the back of the pickup. I have 4 tie-down points in the bed and use ratchet straps to secure the load.
2. I had thoughts of bringing the chipper back but was unable to start the tractor, had to winch it onto the trailer. Could not winch both the tractor and chipper. Next trip I will load the chipper with the ATV and bring it back with me.
3. Not much in the way of fall yet. Everything was still pretty green. I am working on a “lot walkaround” video that Pam had asked for and will post it one of these days. You will be able to judge for yourself.
Gas was expensive, $4.27 per gallon in Fairplay and a low of around $3.50 along the route. Still, I enjoyed the outings on the ATV and being in the high country again.
Thanks for checking in!
Jerry