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The last two days have been spent traveling. We weren't so driven, however, that we couldn't stop for the unexpected surprise or attraction. On Saturday, we left from Sterling Colorado and traveled on I-80 until Dubuque Iowa. It was much the same mile after mile but it was so beautiful. As we slid back into the familiar types of trees and the familiar crops in the field, I took a mental step back and reminded myself that we live in beautiful country. We saw the mountains and they were breathtaking. I want to visit them again. But the beauty of green grass along the highway and the row after row of recently tasseled corn so perfectly spaced was such a rich sight. While the mountains and plains provide much meat for us, the midwest certainly is the grain provider. It was obvious that Nebraska had had adequate rain. As I recall Nebraska can be very dry at this time of year and generally sports dried grass and weeds but this time, the plants of all kinds were lush with green vibrance.

Around dinner time, we were in the Amana Colonies. I was there once before and got there just before the shops were closing. It was the same experience this time. We had about twenty minutes to fly through a couple of shops. We got to the chocolate chop about a minute after it closed. That was truly disappointing. We ate at one of their famous family style dinner places. By that time I was so weary of restaurant food. Nothing sounded good. The rest had chicken and seemed to enjoy the meal. I enjoyed a piece of rasberry pie and called it a meal.

When we were on the road again, we began to calculate how many more hours it would take for us to reach Randoph, Wisconsin where my brother and wife live. We decided that if we drove on, we would probably arrive around midnight. We decided to safe the cost and time of a hotel and go on. We drove through Madison, Wisconsin and purposefully drove into town to see their capitol building at night. It was fashioned after the capitol in DC and at night it's beauty is captivating as the lighting makes it appear so dignified.

We did arrive in Randolph around midnight and it felt so good to be in a familiar surroundings. We dragged our weary bodies to the bed we slept in the night before we left on our trip and sleep several peaceful hours.

Sunday morning Jim and I were up early as usual and we went to church together leaving Sue at home to get things back together and leaving our driver in bed. He woke with a splitting headache and asked for pain reliever. It was best to let him lie. He had driven all but around four hours for the 6,500 miles we traveled. We feel so blest for the safety we enjoyed, the majesty and beauty we witnessed and the fellowship that was so sweet.

Around four o'clock, we said our goodbyes and headed toward Racine, Wisconsin where we attended the wake of a brother of a friend of ours. He passed away after a difficult five years of debilating brain disfunction. We praise the Lord for taking him to eternal rest and lift His family to the Father for comfort.

Arrived at home around ten o'clock and were reunited with our family here. Today, we will see the rest of the loved ones in our area and enjoy their precious personalities and characters.

Home is so sweet.