July 26, 2011

Several years ago, while camping/tailgaiting at an ISU football game, people next to us were telling me how they had inflatable kayaks they would take with them on vacation and find calm waters to traverse. From that moment on I wanted to kayak. Sounded like fun to me. Tonight I started my quest. The Jasper County Conservation brought canoes and kayaks to the Prairie City Rec Complex and for $5 you could go out on the small pond there. I must admit I was a little nervous. There were two young men there (looked like high schoolers) and they really gave no instructions, just get in, we'll shove you off and don't tip over. "Any advice on how not to tip over?" I asked. "No" was the answer. I never tipped over but did run into the shore about 5 times. Each time I was able to push myself off again and I was doing better all the time. The weather conditions where less than perfect and I probably would have stayed out longer if it hadn't of been so HOT. It was a good introduction for me and now I'm ready to take a class that actually teaches more basics. Now I have two new hobbies; snowshoeing in the winter and kayaking in the summer.

July 20 and 22, 2011

David and Alicia took us out on his joint-owned pontoon boat last week. Wednesday night Mary Ellen, Dalton and Mallory, Sue Ponder, Meredith and Jacob and I went to Big Creek. The water was so nice to be in the water and when returning to dock after sunset I was actually cold. That's hard to believe with record temps last week. We had so much fun that we decided to go out again on Friday night with Jim's niece and family from Minnesota when they came down a day early for the Walker picnic (see next post). I figured helping them cool off in the Iowa heat and humidity was the least I could do to show my hospitality.

Tractor Ride and Picnic

Jim participated in another tractor ride. This was started in Newton. He called me and informed me they would be driving past the Brethren Church soouth of town so I drove out to take a picture. That evening we drove to the Amanas to see The Duttons from Branson, Missouri. Yesterday we hosted an impromptu Walker family gathering so wish Jim's niece well in her move from Newton to Silsbee, TX. And with Mary Ellen's help we got a new pool up and going just in time for the Walker "kids" to enjoy cooling down in.

July, 2011

Not a lot of exciting events to write about during July. We've been doing a lot of came home to water in the basement. Later we discovered this was because part of the tile line had caved in and/or was plugged. So a new line was installed. We also went to Webster City to watch Dalton play in a baseball game. They haven't had the best win record this year but they won that night. Guess we're good luck charms. David helped Jim dig a drench as we updated our satellite dish equipment and decided to move the dish from the roof to a pole in the yard. Hopefully now if it gets a cover of ice in the winter I won't have to climb out on the roof (and risk falling off) to clean off the ice. Other than these uneventful moments in our lives, we are just trying to stay cool. Next week isn't looking so good for staying cool.

July 2011

We were going to go to the Smokey Mountains this year but because of other things decided not to go. Sunday we went to Bass Pro Shop and they had this back drop of a Lake and dock. It reminded me of our trip to Lake Tahoe. I told him we should have our picture taken in front of it and call it our vacation. I didn't realize they were taking pictures for the fun of it and you didn't have to pay for them. The photographer must have overheard me and grabbed us for this photo. FUN!

July 1, 2011

If yesterday was the hottest day of the summer then today was the 2nd hottest. Caleb helped me water the hot thirsty plants.