A Yellowstone Bison - Butch and I figure they have a union and decide who has road duty for the day. This big guy was only about 20 feet from the road.

A Yellowstone Elk

Ice is Nice
(In Case of Emergency)

Paramedics and EMT (Emergency Medical Treatment) personnel know what
"ICE" means and they will immediately turn to a victim's cell phone for
clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier if
you add an entry in the CONTACTS list in your cell phone under ICE, with
the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services
should call on your behalf.

It wouldn't hurt to list more than one contact -- ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

- - -

Originally established as a nationwide campaign in the UK, ICE (In Case
of Emergency) allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a
designated relative/next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

The idea was the brainchild of East Anglian Ambulance Service paramedic
Bob Brotchie and was launched in May this year. Bob, 41, who has been a
paramedic for 13 years, said: "I was reflecting on some of the calls
I've attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile
phone contacts struggling for information on a shocked or injured
person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we'd
know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may
even know their medical history."

A campaign has now rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular
consequence of the recent terrorist attacks in London. This is a simple
move which can save lives and put the minds of loved ones at rest.

And while you're at it, put your name in or on your cell phone and your
laptop and when it is accidentally left at the airport security
checkpoint, you can be paged immediately!


--submitted by Sky Granny

Obviously, this tip is not just for seniors. Makes sense to me. And while you're at it, maybe it would be a good idea to pass this
tip along to friends, family, and neighbors. The more ICE the better, if
it helps make EMS folks' jobs a bit easier.

Butch's Mom at 18

We have had plenty of adventures the past two days. Tonight we are in a Wal Mart lot in Gillette Wyoming. Last night we stayed in a campground in Murdo SD. Made several trips around Murdo looking for the cheapest diesel fuel. Son Jason can best understand that last sentence...and then we had trouble finding a place to park for breakfast. Finally found one and asked this old lady in a pink golf cart if it was okay to park there and she said sure if we bought her a cup of coffee...so we did. Crusty old babe of 92 who has lived a full and interesting life.

Butch chatted with Zeke

...And the corn palace today

The Corn Palace in 1897

We stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell S D. Good for a break.

The ragbrai riders on Monday got soaked to the skin late in the day from Milford to Estherville. It was a downpour when I took this picture through the windsheild of the car.

Marlene has an excellent view from her kitchen window

Marlenes Raindropped Dahlia

The Kelley's driveway

Terril Iowa

Well, we arrived in Terril a little while ago. I am on Marlene's computer cuz I have no signal here. She is shopping.
We are thinking of finding a campground because it has been so bloomin' hot and we need both of our air conditioners. Now and while we were in RC we run the front one in the daytime and the back one at night. We need a 50 amp plug in to handle both at the same time. We'll see. It feels cooler up here. Amazing the difference a 100 miles can make.
I ran the GPS on the way up.That thing still amazes me. Telling me how many miles and tenths of a mile it is to the next turn and which way the turn will be and how many minutes and seconds it will be till we arrive at the turn. I am loving it!

Here is the quote for the day...I loved it too!
TODAY’S QUOTE

"Men want the same thing from women that they want from their
underwear... a little support, comfort, and freedom."

--Jerry Seinfeld

Rockwell City Iowa

On the nature trail- Rockwell City Iowa

I received this message from Karyn Juilfs about the round barn-That round barn at Twin Lakes belonged to a family from our church. (Milton and Mary Heins) They donated it to the Bible Camp two years ago and it was quite a project to see it moved the five miles to get to it's new home.
Karyn

Scott told us to not be surprised if we had deer visitors and he was correct! This morning at 7:30 AM.

Rockwell City Deer

We are in Rockwell City Iowa at the RCRV park. It is one block north off hwy 20 at eighth street. It is a wonderful little park and the price is right at $10 a night and that is with full hook up. It is listed in www.freecampgrounds.com. Clark's Grocery is less than a block away and there is a second grocery store downtown. An excellent little restaurant (Jots) is a short distance away as well. Behind the RV park is a walking/nature trail. Twin Lakes is 5 miles away. My sister Myrla lives here and has all her life so it makes a nice place to park and then visit with her and Scott. My mother lived here for years before moving to Cumberland to be near us. Today while in the grocery store a lady thought she knew me. She more than likely had my mother in mind.

These Hollyhocks are in sister Myrla and Scott's yard around her garage and the corner of her house. I asked her if she had planted them and she had not. They had a rural friend bring some dirt in to place around their foundation and the hollyhocks were an unexpected bonus the next summer.

This georgous round barn is along the bike trail at Twin Lakes

Black Iowa Soil

Rusty display along the Twin Lakes Bike Trail

It's a Roadmaster

A small covered bridge on the Twin Lakes Bike Trail

Fishermen at Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes near Rockwell City Iowa on a hot summer morning

Butch wanted to ride by the houses at Twin Lakes while I stayed on the trail.

Leo and Keri had two major projects at their house this summer and Butch was involved in both of them. There are new shingles on the roof and the sewer project and this shot shows both. Photos courtesy of Leo Brooker

Sewer project at Leo and Keri's house

Butch was the foreman...and they needed one!

Sewer project at Leo and Keri's house

Leo's new sewer hole

This years deer picture did not compare to last years. See the last one in the August 2004 archives to see what I mean.

I have been riding the trail everyday to Cooper and back which is nearly 18 miles roundtrip from the moho. It has become easy, routine but never ordinary. These three were todays special treat. I saw two others besides in other places. I also saw a raccoon and we were a big surprise to each other!!

The Depot Today

Winkelmans Switch- July 10th 1971

Taken July 10th 1971

The Depot in its heyday

Depot inside

The Greene County Arts Council changes the display about every 30 days or so.

The Depot-inside

I volunteered at the depot yesterday and it was a slow day due to heat and wind so I took photos of photos I found lying about. This is the depot a long time ago.

In Cooper there are four circles where grain bins used to be located. It looked like a perfect place for a square dance. Well for four squares anyway!

On our trail ride today I happened to catch this bird on takeoff. This photo opp is a one in a million shot...at least with my camera.

We are gearing up for a change of scenery. Next week about this time we will be heading north to see my sis Myrla and her fella Scott and of course Taz and Tippy in Rockwell City IA. RC has about 10 RV spots in town and they are quite inexpensive and that is where we plan to be for a couple of days. Soooo the mindset changes when you know you are about to be mobile again. Lots of details to remember so I am busy making lists and remembering!

FlyLady.net: Your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and home

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Butterfly Weed

Cattails

Yesterday we went to Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines with Jason and Laura to listen to Pianopalooza.

Pianopalooza with Tony Bonnenkamp and Jared Hall at Jordan Creek Mall

This little gal was drawing portraits in Jordan Creek Mall. She was either the daughter or granddaughter of the man who owns and runs the kiosk. She is already very talented.

Looking through some old pictures and ran across this one from Butch's glory days.