Along came the McGinnis' and watched with us.
Monday, September 7, 2009
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
On Wednesday afternoon, we went to lunch at the Star Restaurant at the old Star Brewery at the Port of Dubuque with Browns, Banwarts, and Ludekings. We ate on the roof patio and enjoyed our view of the Mississippi. Then we drove up to Eagle Point Park with Ludekings and watched a boat and barge go through the locks.
Along came the McGinnis' and watched with us.
Along came the McGinnis' and watched with us.
JOHN DEERE TOUR
On Wednesday morning we arrived at the Deere plant for our tour, led by Charlie Gun and his friends.
When we toured the plant in Waterloo, cameras weren't allowed. When we got toward the end, Charlie said we could take pictures, so I got a few.
This one proves our tractor driver was speeding!
Here are a few examples of the finished products.
I'm sure everyone would like to thank Charlie and the guys for doing such a wonderful job!
Since we were in the last group, our drivers had to wait for us.
I think everyone would agree-it was a very interesting morning!
When we toured the plant in Waterloo, cameras weren't allowed. When we got toward the end, Charlie said we could take pictures, so I got a few.
This one proves our tractor driver was speeding!
Here are a few examples of the finished products.
I'm sure everyone would like to thank Charlie and the guys for doing such a wonderful job!
Since we were in the last group, our drivers had to wait for us.
I think everyone would agree-it was a very interesting morning!
AZ/IA GET TOGETHER
By two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, all the campers were settled in, and others started to arrive, and sat on the porch of the barn.
When the porch was full, we moved to the Holstein Room, which has more cows than some of those big lots in Arizona!
After some serious chatter, we attacked the potluck table, and enjoyed the delicious dishes of our fantastic cooks. Our only problem was choosing how many of the nine desserts we could handle, after all the other goodies! Isn't life rough?
BREITBACHS
Willie and Karen Brown arrived at the campground early, so we went to the new Breitbachs Restaurant for dinner. It's had two fires in its recent past, but is open again, and has a beer garden also.
Inside it's decorated nicely and the food is great as usual!
Afterward, we enjoyed the scenery and took a little ride around Dubuque, showing them a few highlights. It was a nice evening.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
MORE REUNION PICTURES
Some of the guys are from Don's old neighborhood and all went to elementary school together at Sacred Heart. Dave Howe is in the black shirt and Denny Baumhover is in red. They're part of the "old gang". The blond haired woman is Dave's friend and Don Meyer is the other guy who is married to my cousin Joan.
We really enjoyed spending time with Roger and Sarah Smith and it was another instance of "it's a small world". As we talked, we discovered that she knew my cousin, and she stayed at her house with my godparents when her brother was born. When I remembered her maiden name, I also remembered that our brothers were friends, when they were young. It's not as though we needed things to talk about, because we're both Mercy nurses, and both worked at the hospital at one time. Actually, it was like old home week for me too-it was amazing to see how many of those Loras guys married Mercy nurses. Of course, it just proves how smart they are!
I had to put Bill Kamps' picture on-he's the cute guy with the beard. He was my partner twice playing euchre and it was an experience that is beyond description. I think he went alone with one trump and suggested I should "brush up on my euchre skills". It was a hoot! It's hard to believe he's a retired judge! (If he looks at this, I hope he can't figure out how to make a comment!)
Sorry this is fuzzy, but I was too close. Even Fr. told stories- he recently had a cornea transplant and he can't see very well yet. He told the guys they all looked good to him!
This was taken too fast, but it's the two artists from the class-being creative.
Don wasn't the only one that had a good time-they all did, including the women. First they talked about having the next one in 25 years, but as they thought about it, they decided five years might be a good idea. May they all live for their 75th!
We really enjoyed spending time with Roger and Sarah Smith and it was another instance of "it's a small world". As we talked, we discovered that she knew my cousin, and she stayed at her house with my godparents when her brother was born. When I remembered her maiden name, I also remembered that our brothers were friends, when they were young. It's not as though we needed things to talk about, because we're both Mercy nurses, and both worked at the hospital at one time. Actually, it was like old home week for me too-it was amazing to see how many of those Loras guys married Mercy nurses. Of course, it just proves how smart they are!
I had to put Bill Kamps' picture on-he's the cute guy with the beard. He was my partner twice playing euchre and it was an experience that is beyond description. I think he went alone with one trump and suggested I should "brush up on my euchre skills". It was a hoot! It's hard to believe he's a retired judge! (If he looks at this, I hope he can't figure out how to make a comment!)
Sorry this is fuzzy, but I was too close. Even Fr. told stories- he recently had a cornea transplant and he can't see very well yet. He told the guys they all looked good to him!
This was taken too fast, but it's the two artists from the class-being creative.
Don wasn't the only one that had a good time-they all did, including the women. First they talked about having the next one in 25 years, but as they thought about it, they decided five years might be a good idea. May they all live for their 75th!
LORAS ACADEMY 50TH REUNION
One of the reasons we're in Dubuque now, is for Don's 50th reunion from Loras Academy. He was in the last graduating class before it closed and Wahlert High School opened. For those of you that don't know, Loras Academy was an all boys school, and their sports teams were known as the "GUBS". Now, in my humble opinion, being a "GUB" is enough to make a guy proud for a lifetime! (Maybe Don should be writing this blog entry?) Anyway, it's kind of an infamous group of guys, and it's probably better if there exploits remain unsaid. A couple of us wives decided it's a good thing to be married to one of them, but we'll never admit it in their presence. Around 80 attended out of 169, 29 have passed away. As a group they looked pretty good. Lots of grey hair, a few bald spots, and a few extra pounds-this was all explained by one of the speakers who proclaimed them, "mature men". As usual, they had a lot of fun! On Friday, they met at Lacona Golf Club where some golfed and others played euchre. After a barbecue, they had their picture taken and then spent the evening telling stories. Here are the last of the "GUBS"-if you double click on the picture, you might be able to see them! Don's 5th from the left in the second row.
On Saturday, we had Mass at St. Joseph's Chapel in the old academy building on the Loras College campus. One of their classmates, Jim Chapell, is a priest, so he said the Mass, in memory of their deceased classmates. It's a beautiful little chapel. I'm sure the guys spent time on their knees in there-if the walls could just talk!
After Mass we went to the Grand Harbor Convention Center for dinner in this overhanging part that looks out on the Mississippi.
The view from inside.
Some of the "GUBS". (By the way-I hope someone reading this, will ask Don what a "GUB" is-it's a really dumb story!)
On Saturday, we had Mass at St. Joseph's Chapel in the old academy building on the Loras College campus. One of their classmates, Jim Chapell, is a priest, so he said the Mass, in memory of their deceased classmates. It's a beautiful little chapel. I'm sure the guys spent time on their knees in there-if the walls could just talk!
After Mass we went to the Grand Harbor Convention Center for dinner in this overhanging part that looks out on the Mississippi.
The view from inside.
Some of the "GUBS". (By the way-I hope someone reading this, will ask Don what a "GUB" is-it's a really dumb story!)
MORE OF OUR WALK
As we continued walking, we passed the old, newly remodeled, Dubuque Star Brewery, which now consists of a winery and a restaurant.
As you walk along, there are many pretty flowers along with some sculptures. Don liked this fish.
Here's another interesting piece of art.
It's easy to see the new Diamond Jo Casino in the background.
The Mississippi River Musem is the building in the background and the construction semis are there, because they're expanding to the building in the foreground. Behind all that is part of downtown, followed by our beloved bluffs. As you can see, this is an interesting place to walk.
As you walk along, there are many pretty flowers along with some sculptures. Don liked this fish.
Here's another interesting piece of art.
It's easy to see the new Diamond Jo Casino in the background.
The Mississippi River Musem is the building in the background and the construction semis are there, because they're expanding to the building in the foreground. Behind all that is part of downtown, followed by our beloved bluffs. As you can see, this is an interesting place to walk.
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