July 5th - time to catch up!!

We spent a week in Cousin Judie Oien's driveway in Baltic, South Dakota. What a great time. Judie had arraigned a reunion for all the "cousins". Our family is full of great cooks. The eats were fantastic and the stories and laughter were even better.









The cousins and their spouses. What a handsome bunch!!













Some of the kids and grandkids of the cousins. At least ones we could round up for the picture.













When we left South Dakota we headed to Nebraska. I was on a hunt for the grave site of my great-great-great grandfather who homesteaded with his young family to Nebraska sometime in the 1880's. He died in 1888.

He was buried in an abandoned cemetery (Enfield Cemetery last used in 1905) outside the town of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. A gentleman and his wife were responsible for saving some of the stones and placing metal plaques to preserve the information on the stones. They cared for the place for about 10 years. Something must have happened to them as the condition of the grounds are going back to nature. We were unable to find any camping sites near there so we ended up in Grand Island. Just a round trip, in the Honda, of 170 miles. Boy, does my husband indulge me....off we went.



We found the cemetery and after trudging up the muddy hill, Lyman Hawks was the first stone we approached.















What a thrill for me to stand there and pay my respects. Judging by the condition of the place I may well be the last Hawks to visit.











Then came yesterday, Independence Day!!! Duffy hopes your 4th was glorious!!!

PS Happy Anniversary Rick and Dauna!!! See you soon!!!








Today is July 5 and we are in West Wendover, Nevada. We went to a casino but left some money in their care. We had a good time but it is very hot (near 100) here. Thank heavens for hook ups and air conditioners.

Tomorrow we head for Winnamucca, Nevada. There is a very nice campground there where we stayed when we went looking for opals.