A Happy Surprise

When last we saw the Happy Wanderers they had tried unsuccessfully to locate fellow co-worker, George Aldrich's mother at her farm in rural Wisconsin. Not sure how they were going to connect with her, the Wanderers decided to locate a KOA for the night and puzzle out the problem in the morning.

Low and behold, we had only just thrown off the covers this morning and stumbled out to make the coffee when the phone rang. Who should be calling but Rachel, George's missing mom. It turned out that not only were we going to get to see her, but she was only minutes away from knocking on our door.

Just in time for breakfast, Rachel soon pulled up outside and we spent a very pleasant hour over oatmeal, homemade cranberry bread (courtesy Rachel), and some wonderfully strong Peet's coffee (George's favorite). We were thrilled to find out that Rachel was farming/ranching sixty acres in rural Wisconsin, just down the road from the cranberry bogs. We could see from the drive that she has ample room for gardening. I suspect she has just a half dozen acres cleared for the homestead. Most of the rest is in hardwood and softwood forest. Speaking of forests, Rachel even chops her own wood, which we saw neatly piled behind the house. A more pleasant setting you would never find.

Anyway, thanks again to Rachel for the visit, the cranberry bread, and for making possible some forty-four years ago our association with one George Aldrich, computer tech extraordinaire and good friend. And George, Concetta and I liked your mom immediately and extended our invitation to come visit us (and you) anytime she feels like it. The guest room has her name on it whenever she's in town.

The balance of the day the Wanderers spent listening to one FABULOUS book on tape by a favorite author, Jack Higgins, rolling down the road in the direction of Chicago, and enjoying the scenery. We stopped for a very pleasant lunch in a state park off I39 called Lake Kegonza. The day was rather overcast and the light not very good for taking photos so, unfortunately, no scenics today. But for your viewing pleasure I include a shot of Rachel's old-time Aermotor windmill. I just love those things and would love to have one on our property.

I hope the sun's shining tomorrow. Word has it that there's a railroad museum just down the road from where we're camped off I90 above Chicago. However, my main thrust tomorrow is to introduce Concetta to the Field Museum on Chicago's lakeshore so that's where the Wanderers are headed next.

Stay tuned.