A Great Adventure Always Includes Special Friends!!

   

Beth and Martie in Iowa (actually Nebraska, but we won't tell!!  Trust what the shirt says!! And it was hand painted by a woman at the Farmer's Market.

Any great and wonderful adventure is built around the place and even more so THE PEOPLE!    When I began planning this advanture and shared where I was going, the response was, "WHY?"  What I shared was that I was going to visit two very special people in my life to see where they lived and who they shared their daily adventures with.  I went with no intentions but to be open to experiences and that we had!!  I started in Iowa with Beth and her husband, Wil who everyone calls Frosty.  Yes, there is a story to that but that is for another time.  We visited Farmer's Market, Italian Festival, toured growing up spaces, took off on a pontoon boat on the Reservoir and saw so much, my head was spinning and thanks for the photos to remember many of the stories!!  I met friends, colleagues and relatives and especially grandson Clarence Pete!  He's just turned a year and is he ever a cutie!  Coming with him were Jake and Carrie and their dog Sammy.  After three days, it was time to transfer me to Nebraska and the adventures with Heather and Ivy!!  That they were and what a contrast in experiences yet all just so perfect!!  In Nebraska we drummed, ate, danced and played with 5 year olds!  I got to see Heather's near perfect new work environment and meet her new team.  It was totally a thrill to see the pleasure on people's faces as they anticipated having Heather as their Infant Toddler specialist.  I've been home for a bit more than a week and am still digesting and reflecting on a time of fun, family and no responsibilities!!  That in itself did a lot to make the adventures perfect.  More stories to come, but where do I start?  As I said in the beginning, always with the most special people!!  Thanks to all of them!!!  I will be back but next time it will be with Bill and an RV!  Just you watch!!!

Heather and Martie in Nebraska  Can you believe we finally got someone to take our picture together at the airport before I left?!?  (And boo hoo - no pictures of me with Ivy!!  Wonder how that happened?!?!?!)