Merry Christmas

Hope everyone is having a Merry and Gingerbread free Christmas!

Gingerbread

We'd like to thank Yahoo for the dancing Gingerbread Person today.  Nice to see that they recognized the diverse talents of Gingerbread Persons.  We don't just make houses.

Lansing, IL

We arrived in Lansing on the 1st of December after a snowy drive from Michigan.  The roads were slick in places and there were a number of fender benders, lone cars spun off onto guardrails or ditches and the occasional slow down from an accident.  Rita got us here safe and sound.

Haven't seen if there's an actual town, all we've seen is the freeway and all the stores and restaurants along the main road. 

Friday night thru Saturday it snowed about 3-4 inches.  The rest of the week is supposed to be colder with below normal temperatures.

The ladies here at the hotel are very nice and the installation is going well.

Thanksgiving

We got to spend Thanksgiving with Rita's family.  Very low key but a very nice day.

Wahpeton, ND

So, we were home one day and then had to leave for North Dakota.  This was a last minute assignment. 

Wahpeton is a nice little town on the Red River just across from Breckenridge, MN.  They have a two year college, a zoo, low unemployment and a big downtown for about 8,000 population.  So far, eveyone has been very nice.

Toronto, Ontario

After a few days home we got to go to Toronto for a special project for Louis Vuitton.  Of course we didn't get to see much because Rita was working.  We did get to drive around to the different stores, including the two downtown while Rita did an inventory of their computers, printers, switches, etc.  It was a quick two days there and back.  Coming back we got stopped at the border for a random check and had to go into the Customs office to see if we had any outstanding warrants etc and they searched Rita's Jeep but didn't take it apart.  We didn't get back home until 9:30pm.  We did take a couple of pics so someday Rita will post them.

Warren, MI

About an hour from Rita's home was her latest job.   The shortest travel time from home.  Very nice hotel. We didn't take any pictures this time.  Also, Rita's company laptop died!  Waiting to see if they'll fix it or send her a new one.

Rita's off for a couple of days and then is going to Toronto for a special project.  Rita's been told that the next 12-14 months will be slow, not a lot of travel.

Warrenton, MO

After a few days off at Rita's brother's house we spent a week in Warrenton, MO.  It's just west of St. Louis.

The internet at the hotel was out for most of our stay so we're sorry we did post sooner. 

The weather was lovely; cool nights and warm, sunny days.  We ate once at Brewski's in downtown Warrenton and walked around the downtown. 

Pictures will be posted as soon as Rita finds the time to download them from her camera.  She's been too busy playing with her new Kindle causing us to be behind on our blogging.  What can we do?  If we complain to much she puts us in her suitcase and shuts the ldsdalfasdfk**%F4kdsfa........

Dixon, IL

Hi everyone.  We've been in Dixon since Thursday.  Looks like a nice city of about 16,000, with a nice downtown and a river.  Haven't seen much. 

Provo, Ut

It's a beautiful sunny day, not too hot or too cool.  We walked (well, Rita carried us) the block to downtown (past the temple) to have lunch at Dos Hermanos.  Not a bad Mexican restaurant - not very spicy but the food and service were good.    The trees are starting to turn but there are still lot's of flowers around the downtown area.

Provo, Utah

After Chenoa we spent a couple of lazy days at Rita's brother's house.  Fresh vegies from his garden for dinner.  Rita did some laundry and read some books and then packed up again on Tuesday and drove to Chicago. 

We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel (left the car in their parking lot) and took the shuttle over the next morning to O'hare Airport.  Rita's cellphone battery died after her wake up call and so she didn't get the message that the 7:35 am flight was going to be delayed until at least noon.  Instead she got to the airport in time to catch the 6:30am flight to Salt Lake City.  Good thing too because she would have been very grumpy sitting around the airport for hours and then getting into Provo late. 

The flight was very nice and we got some great views of the mountains, the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City itself before the plane landed.

We drove to Provo and the motel is just a block from the very pretty downtown.  We took some pictures last night and will post them soon.

Chenoa, Il

We arrived here Sunday from Vandalia.  So far this has been an easy site - hope it stays that way. 

Went to Fairbury last night (about 10 miles from here) to do some laundry and shop at Dave's Supermarket.  Great supermarket with lot's of selections.

It's hot and windy here in Chenoa.  The farmers are already harvesting corn.

Vandalia, IL

This is our second visit to Vandalia (we were here last year).  We haven't gotten a chance to see the downtown so far.  Last year the streets were torn up for improvements.  Hope to take some pictures.  The hotel and staff here are very nice.

Kempton, IL

We spent the night (last Saturday) at Rita's brothers new place outside of Kempton.  His garden supplied us with sweet strawberries, lovely cherry tomatoes, yukon gold potatoes and fresh onions.  Dinner was very good.

Michigan

We made it home today.  We get one day here and then off to see Johnny, Rita's brother in Illinois.  We'll have an evening of interesting conversation than we have to go to Vandalia (our second trip to this town) and then to Chenoa, IL.

Galesburg/Knoxville Il

We arrived here on Thursday.  We've just seen a little of Galesburg and downtown Knoxville. 

Whitehall, MI

Rita actually got to do a job in Michigan this time.  We are over on the west coast in the little town of Whitehall just across the water from Montague.  This hotel has some nice grounds to walk around. 

Rita wants to go see the Dog n Suds over in Montague.  She said she used to work at one a long, long time ago, near where she grew up.

We took some pictures but Rita hasn't downloaded them to the computer for us, yet. 

We leave on Tuesday morning to drive back home and then one day off and then we're going to Illinois.

Home Finally

Rita finally made it home on the 28th of July, after almost 6 weeks on the road.  Thank goodness she got a break because she was getting a little crabby!  She got to rest up some in between hair cuts, laundry, dental appointments, shopping for all those everyday things and of course a massage.  After five days off she was almost human again, almost.

Hancock, MD

After a nice drive from Cambridge, OH, we arrived here in Hancock. It was mostly cloudy with the occasional shower today.


Hancock is a small town, long and narrow. We had dinner at Weavers. Rita had the special; pork with sauerkraut, with whipped potatoes, baby carrots and a hugh roll. Very good.

We'll be here for week before finally going home. We'll have been gone over 5 weeks by the time we get back to Michigan.

Cambridge, OH

Forget to let you know that we were in Cambridge, OH for a week. We didn't see much but will post some pictures of downtown as soon as we can. It was a very nice place but lot's of work.

Dubuque, IA

So, we're sorry, we're behind in our blogging.  The last time we were in Dubuque we were visiting Rita's Aunt about 20 minutes away, in Wisconsin.  This time we are here and Auntee is in Michigan.

Dubuque is a nice town.  Very clean downtown with lot's of events going on.  Not that we got to go to any.

Day off in Galena, Il

Rita had to work an extra day in Ankeny (not her fault) and so only had one day off, so instead of traveling home and them traveling back to Iowa they let her stay here.  So on Monday we drove the car back to Moline (Quad Cities Airport) and picked up another car and drove along the Mississippi to Galena, Il.  After checking into a hotel and having a nice dinner at an Irish pub Rita got a good nights sleep.  The next day she took a walk in downtown Galena and spent some time at the bookstore. After lunch at One Eleven Main she went back to the hotel for a nap and then back to town for a massage and pedicure at the Clover Day Spa.  After dinner at the Italian place next store it was a nice quiet evening.  Then Wednesday morning after a short but picturesque drive we arrived back in Iowa, across the Mississippi in Dubuque.

Ankeny, IA

So, we've been here a couple of days.  Rita drove here from Davenport.  They said they weren't expecting us, a nice way to be tgreeted on our arrival!  The staff here is nice and helpful but management doesn't manage and is very disorganized.

Rita got an unexpected evening off and so we did some shopping for books and had a lovely dinner at Ranallo's On 3rd, in downtown Ankeny.  We took a picture of the front of the restaurant and wanted to take a picture of the downtown but they have so many trees that's all you see (well pavement and some cars but you can't see the fronts of the buildings until you get right on top of them).

We're here until Sunday, then we fly home and leave again on Wednesday to come back to Iowa, this time to Dubuque, then to Cambridge, OH and then Hankcock, MD before hopefully going home.  Rita's very busy.

Davenport, IA

We've been here all week and haven't gotten to see anything.  Rita never takes us anywhere.  Rita said she had a nice dinner at Biaggios the other night but mostly it's just work.  Tomorrow we're driving to Ankeny just north of Des Moines for Rita's next job.  Hope the weather is good.

Davenport, IA

We arrived yesterday morning.  We hope to see some more of the area this time.  We were in Bettendorf (right next to Davenport) awhile ago and had a nice time.

Harrison, AR

Hi, we're in Harrison, AR.  We arrived yesterday, driving down from Springfield, MO.  Harrison is about 50 miles from Mountain Home, AR where we were a few weeks ago.  We've haven't seen anything yet, maybe tomorrow.

Addison Oaks Park

Rita went "camping" with her family over the long Memorial Day Weekend.  Very relaxing for her but she won't let us out of the trailer - she said the wild animals might get us - she showed us the vultures circling over the campground so we stayed inside.

Mitchell, SD

We've been in Mitchell all week and going home tomorrow and haven't seen anything but the outside of the Corn Palace again.  We saw it the first time on the way to Huron, SD about a year and a half ago.

Corona Village the Mexican restaurant is very good, Rita says, we didn't get to go there. 

Rita says that the reason she hasn't taken us anywhere is because its been so windy here that she was afraid we'd get blown away.  There were also some bad thunderstorms a couple of nights and we hid in the closet.

Rita says she's been too busy to post the pictures she's been taking but maybe she'll have time over the holiday weekend - she's taking us camping.

Niagara Falls, NY

We found out last night that Rita was going to Niagara Falls for a couple of days for work.  We left early this morning on the ferry, going through Canada and arrived in New York about noon.  It was a gloomy day with rain off and on.  This evening there was a thunderstorm. 

Don't know if we'll have a chance to see much.  Not sure if we want to see the falls, Rita is threatening to drop us over in a tiny barrel.  She says it the traditional way to "see" the falls.  We are going to believe she's just kidding.

Mountain Home, AR

We had a lovely drive here from the NW Arkansas Regional Airport.  It was windy but sunny and warm here today.  The drive was very rolling and curving.  It's supposed to be very stormy tomorrow.  Hopefully Rita will have some time to take pictures later in the week.

Cresco, IA

The other evening, after work, Rita took us on a walk at  the Prarie's Edge park about 2 miles outside of town.  There are hiking trails, a playground and in the back a campground.  The campground looks very new and well kept.  There are good size sites, some with pull-thru's and bathrooms/showers in the center and water and electricity at each site.  The cost posted on the bulletin board was $17 per night.  Across the road there is a public boat ramp and pavillion in a very pretty setting.

Tomorrow we'll drive back to Illinois and then Monday return the rental car and drive home to Michigan.  Rita has a couple of days off and then she has to fly to Arkansas for a week.  Hopefull there will be pictures soon.

Cresco, IA

We're in Cresco tonight and staying the week. 

Decorah, IA

It was a beautiful sunny day and the temperature was great.  Rita wanted to check out the Seedsaver.org farm and giftshop.  They have heritage plants and hiking trails and lovely gift shop.  Rita bought some prarie plants for her brother and a couple of cookbooks for herself.  The plants are sitting on the motel room windowsill.  We then drove through Decorah.  It's hilly,  pretty town, with a college and a beautiful downtown.  More later.

Osage, IA

We had a very nice time in Osage.  Rita even had a couple of hours to sightsee and take pictures which we will post here soon.  Osage has lots of great houses on large lots and tree lined streets.  The houses are in very good repair and very neat.  You'll see turrets, and gingerbread and all sorts of styles.  The streets are in good repair but be careful driving on residential streets because many intersections have no stop signs, be nice and safe and pay attention.

Osage, IA

After visiting Rita's brother in Illinois and her Auntee in Wisconsin, we're now in Osage, IA so Rita can make some money.  The drive here from Wisconsin was about 3.5 hours.  It was a lovely day.  We'll be here for a week and then we'll go to the next site for a week before going back to Wisconsin and then Illinois.  Hope to see the town tomorrow.

Last night in Bracebridge, ON

Tomorrow we get to go home.  It was very sunny and nice until yesterday, then the rain came.  The huge piles of snow are disappearing and you can finally see the picnic tables and flower beds of the occasional dead stalk.  Spring is coming! 

The place is very nice and we would like to come back in the summer or fall for a vacation.

Bracebridge, ON

Well, we're in Canada, eh?  The weather has been so nice and sunny after the long winter.  Still lot's of snow on the ground but it was 15 (Canadian) today!

The town is very picturesque with nice well kept old buildings containing interesting looking shops and restaurants.  Rita went to Bo, a Thai restaurant that was very good.

We'll post some pictures soon.

Green Bay, WI

We arrived here by rental car Thursday afternoon. We had lunch at Schlotsky's and then Rita had to work a couple of hours and then she did laundry - an exciting day!  The hotel is very nice with lots of cable channels for us to watch and a window seat to watch the people coming and going.  Rita got to spend part of her lunch hour yesterday across the street at the Cook's Corner.  The signs say the largest kitchen store in the nation.  We're sure the car would be a lot fuller if we were driving home instead of flying. 

It snowed most of yesterday but the roads were fine.

We're supposed to go home on Thursday.  Don't know if we'll get time to actually see Green Bay but we'll post pics is we can.

Marshfield, WI

We've been here since last Thursday.  Only got a quick view of some of downtown the first day but haven't seen anything since.  Had a decent Mexican dinner one night.  The view out the window looks out onto farms.  Tomorrow we go to Green Bay, WI.  Will post pictures soon.

Ice on the St. Clair River at Marine City

It's a beautiful sunny day - right before the storm.  We're expecting about 10 inches tomorrow.  Here are some pictures of the ice flowing downriver at Marine City.

White River Junction, VT

It's 47 degress and rainy today.  Looks like it will be in the mid 30's the rest of the week, with 20's at night.  We're leaving Thursday before it gets colder again.

White River Junction, VT

Rita was able to see a little of the town during her lunch today.  She had breakfast for lunch at the Country Cafe - very good with homemade bread.

White River Junction, VT

It was a beautiful clear day yesterday when the plane went out over the water and gave us a great view of Boston Harbor before coming in to land at Logan Airport.  The flight wasn't full so Rita had plenty of room to stretchout in the exit aisle.

We flew Cape Air to Lebanon, NH about 10 minutes from White River Junction just across the border in Vermont.  The plane was a "puddle jumper" with room for about 8 passengers and the two pilots (like the smaller one in the picture).  They put the baggage in the wing but Rita did take us out and let us ride inside the plane. Rita took a picture of us in the cabin with her new camera. 

Everyone is very nice here and organized so Rita isn't spending 12-16 hours a day, at least so far.

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Jan 20, 2010

We're staying at a hotel near the airport.  We have a 7:15am flight out to Vermont tomorrow.

Aurora, Ontario, Canada

Jan 7 to Jan 22, 2010

We got to go to Canada!  Our first trip out of the country.  We weren't allowed out because Rita said we didn't have any identafication.  The ferry ride over took longer than usual because of the ice on the river.  We came back over the bridge because the ferry was closed because they was even more ice on the return trip.

This picture is looking back at Marine City, MI.

There were a lot of issues at this site and so Rita didn't have any time to go sightseeing or to take us out.  The people were very nice.

There was a park right behind the hotel with kids and adults playing in the snow.  There wasn't much snowfall while we were there but they'd had at least a foot before we arrived and it was pretty.  We got to watch Canadian shows, we especially liked the comedy shows. 

We got a few pictures and we'll post them as soon as we can.  The camera finally died and so we'll have a new camera on our next trip.

This is the only picture we got of Aurora and then the camera died.