HEADED TO CANADA

Well, yesterday, we went back to Bronner's so Don could see Santa, and tell him that he's behaving (?). Actually, we did some Christmas shopping. I took more pictures, and had to include one more for Kathy Fitzgerald. She left a comment about coming to the store, so I knew she'd want to know where the Irish ornaments are. I also took one of a guy with a hat that had antlers with Christmas lights, but there were just to many "things" around him, so you can't see it! We went back in the evening to see the outdoor lights, but my pictures aren't very good.

We finally got our insurance cards today, so will head into Canada tomorrow, providing we make it through customs. We don't have pets (Don doesn't count!), and we've eaten all the meat that isn't in a well-marked grocery package-and we know we should only answer what they ask. So, cross your fingers, that we make it. We'll probably stay one night, and then go to Niagra Falls. We'll have the phone and aircard off, but you can still e-mail. Don is already praying for wi-fi!

MICHIGAN THUMB

Yesterday we took a ride around the "thumb" of Michigan, and were somewhat disappointed. It wasn't as great as the tourist information claims. We expected it to have small towns on the water with neat shops like the western side of MI. We went for many, many miles before we saw the water, and finally found some nice houses and marinas. We did stop at a "Larry Wilson type tavern/restaurant" for a good perch sandwich, and then found an ice cream place in another town.

There were some nice views of both Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.

SILENT NIGHT MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Wally Bronner was looking for an idea of a way to thank God for his success, when he visited a chapel in Oberndorf/ Salzburg, Austria. He was given permission to build a replica of their Silent Night Chapel, and it's on the grounds of Bronner's.

BRONNER'S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

We had a unique experience in Frankenmuth, when we wandered through the delightful maze known as Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. It's impossible to get an outdoor view of the building, because you need an aerial picture. (They have one in their advertising from Santa's sleigh!) The building is the size of 5 1/2 football fields. Thank God, they have chairs every so often along the way! It would be interesting to know how many tour buses they get in a year-at our entrance, there were three, and one more that just went to park. The town estimates they get over two million visitors a year, and I'm sure Bronner's is the main draw. We haven't been there at night yet, but every night they light over 100'000 lights and displays on their 27 acres until 11 pm.

http://www.bronners.com


Inside, it's incredible-things are grouped in sections-santa's, snowmen, etc.-and are in order. There are areas for villages, figurines, store displays (up high), trees (over 250 are trimmed), ornaments from all over the world, and even an area with 5 women personalizing ornaments for you free. There are three film presentations and a snack room. It's hard to describe, but it's fun, and truly amazing! (Mulert was going to come in "for a little while", and 3 hours later, he was still there-and he wasn't griping!)

LUNCH IN FRANKENMUTH

We had lunch at Zehnder's huge restaurant in Frankenmuth, so Don got to have his brat-I had soup. This family owns half the town, but started with this restaurant, which can hold 1,500 people, and is famous for it's family style chicken dinners. It includes many shops and an amazing bakery-we looked, but didn't buy! Quite a place!

FRANKENMUTH, MI

About 3 miles down the road from our wooded campground, is the town of Frankenmuth, which is a town of 4,900 people who take pride in preserving their German heritage. The Bavarian architecture, winding river and covered bridge and thousands of beautiful flowers, made us feel like we were back in Germany. The shopping was fun and prices were reasonable for a tourist area. It's a neat place to visit!

Two soldiers-which one is the toy?

Maypole sculpture/fountain in front of building. I tried, but there was no way to take a picture without including the lovely garbage can!

FALL REPORT

Along the road we're noticing some color changes, sometimes hard to get from the RV window in a hurry. Some beans in the fields are brown and about ready to harvest. "Farmer Fred "(my name for my brother-in-law, Jerry White, who is my favorite farmer, and the only one in the family) might be interested to know that they already are taking corn out of the fields and we've passed many trucks on the way to the elevators. Time sure passes fast!

UPDATE FROM THE ROAD

We headed out Monday morning and made it to Rock Creek State Park, right outside of Grinnell. We stopped to see Heidi and Lucas, and then went to a Mexican restaurant with Wilsons and Fitzgeralds, and then back to Wilsons to chat and solve the world problems. As you can see, we didn't do very well-but enjoyed their friendship. On Tuesday, we made it to Utica, IL, and did laundry all evening. Wednesday we stopped in Elkhart, IN, RV capitol of the nation, right in the heart of Amish country. We took a short trip over to Middlebury and stopped at the bakery and restaurant at Das Dutch Essenhaus, and had a lovely meal. Mulert was happy because it included a piece of pie-you had your choice of 30 kinds-for Mulert that's like being in Heaven! They were out of his first choice of peach, so he had blueberry. (Note to Barb Wilkes-they didn't have grape-and yours is still his favorite.) I'm glad he was happy-I spent the whole night in misery. I don't know if it was the rich food or if Russ gave me his flu bug. Felt awful all day yesterday, but we still traveled to Birch Run, MI. It's close to Frankenmuth, where the huge Christmas store is. We plan on staying the weekend and touring the "thumb of Michigan". So far I feel better, so am raring to go.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN TOMORROW

We've had a great time with the family, and will be calling to get scores and see how the grandkids do in their various things. My pictures from Friday's game didn't turn out very well, except for the parents, grandparents and friends eating before the game at the Gridiron fundraiser.




We enjoyed the game and watching Dan and Jake play in the band, and Jake, the last couple minutes, play in the game. We missed Jake's game yesterday morning, but were proud of the great block Dan made at his. Hope they all keep up the good work while we're gone!


We don't have to be back here to the dentist until November 20th, so will head east tomorrow. Thought we'd share one more lake picture of some of the sailboats we saw this morning.

49ers finally!

Well, we finally got to one of Brian's games-once we were held up at his brothers game waiting for ambulances, and the other was rained out. It was also his father's first game as coach-it's hard to tell who was more nervous. They won in overtime, and everyone was thrilled! Brian had several tackles and carried the ball for several yards, so he was happier than he looks in his picture. He's #1.


The coach!



In action, but of course, not one of his good plays!

BLACK SQUIRRELS

Sometimes we forget to mention the things we've become used to. Here at Lake Manawa, a day doesn't go by without seeing several deer, wild turkeys, herron, gulls, and black squirrels. There are also brown squirrels, but Council Bluffs is known for the black ones. They even have a city ordinance "which makes it illegal to annoy, worry, maim, injure or kill a black squirrel". Here's one of our furry little friends.

DUMBEST PLACE

Even today, if you ask our kids where the dumbest place is that Don took us, I'm sure they'll answer the same thing-the Golden Spike Monument! Well, since we haven't been anywhere exciting lately as far as sightseeing, I humored Don, and we checked it out one more time. Words can not describe my glee! It's still the same-and the neighborhood hasn't changed either. Mulert tells me that it's the terminus of the Union Pacific railroad. I have several railroad men in my family tree, but still don't get excited. In other words, this is not one I'd recommend!

CATCH UP

Since I've recently given a couple of fellow bloggers a rough time for not keeping their blogs up to date, I'd better listen to my own advice! It took a couple of days to feel "normal" again after all those drugs they gave me, and to get my blood sugars back in control after the IV dextrose. We've spent most of the week taking it easy and catching up on things. I actually cleaned this morning! In between, we've been to many volleyball and football games, including homecoming at Burke High School, where the Bulldogs won 59-14, and Jake got to play 4th quarter. We bought new rain gear and were able to use it. Jake made one mistake. The ref put the ball in a puddle of water, so Jake picked it up to clean it off-he found out that was a no-no, and they got a 5 yard penalty. Another learning experience! Otherwise, he did well!

This time we'll share pictures of Jenna-#14, ready to serve.

BACK IN OMAHA

Monday morning we went on to Omaha. Russ brought the kids home Monday night, so we shuttled kids to help him, and went to Jenna's volleyball game and Dan's football game-both won. Today was the big dental procedure. It started with three sticks for the IV, but went well for the next four hours. I feel pretty good tonight and am glad to have it over. The dentist was pleased with the results. so-so far,so good. More volleyball tomorrow and homecoming Friday night.

BREAKFAST IN GRINNELL

We stopped in Dubuque just long enough to visit Grandma, and then went on to Tama. Sunday morning we drove to Grinnell to go to church and see old friends. Afterwards, we went out for breakfast with our daughter, Heidi, and grandson, Lucas, and Scot, Colette and Larry Wilson.

Afterwards we went over to Wilsons and watched Larry put a TV cabinet together , the wrong way, until Don helped him. It was finally finished and the new flatscreen TV put on top. Now we can't tease them about the old console TV anymore!

Later in the day, we drove to Waterloo and attended the wake of our daughter-in-law's step-father, Ron. At one time he played cornet for Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. He was a very nice guy and he will be missed.

NATIONAL BREWERY MUSEUM

We stopped in Potosi, WI, at the National Brewery Museum, which has only been open a short time. It's not hard to find- Potosi only has one very long street.

Along with the museum, is a restaurant and an eating area outside beside the bluff gardens.

They also have a micro-brewery and brew five different kinds of beer. They use the old cave as a cooler.

The museum part is filled with displays of things from breweries all across the nation, including five in Dubuque, and the old Potosi brewery. There was a poster about the Cincinnati Cooper Company, that made kegs and barrels. My great great-grandfather was a cooper in Cincinnati and possibly could have worked there.

PULPIT ROCK CAMPGROUND

Wherever we go, we encourage people to spend time in Decorah at the city park campground. It's cheap, beautiful, has large spots, pretty trees clean shower rooms and a trout stream running through it. I took a couple pictures to show our fellow campers before we left on Friday.

OUR ANNIVERSARY

Thursday was our 43rd anniversary, and as usual, was an exciting (?) day! By afternoon, the only highlight, was the mess I made putting the groceries away. The lid on the flour container came off, and flour flew everywhere. My Aunt Weenie was the queen of messes-she would have been proud of me! Don was nice enough to help me clean up. Later we did enjoy going to Albert's in the Winneshiek Hotel in Decorah for dinner with Karen and Willie Brown.