Scout's Rest, North Plat, Nebraska

And a lovely rest it was. We stopped at Scout's Rest, Bill Cody's home when he was not on the road with the touring with his Wild West show, on Columbus Day, so it was closed, but walking around the quiet grounds was a very peaceful way to start the day!

Then we finally made it into Iowa and then Missouri!

Wyoming...never going back

So we had a bit of an accident in Wyoming...there we are just driving along slowly in the snowy, windy weather. We had both just gotten excited that we were about to go through a tunnel. When...slow motion....whoosh we were sliding and then turning...and then beside the concrete median turned completely (180 degrees) the wrong way on the road. Pat got out and checked the car, not a scratch, no other cars even touched. Then we pulled out in front of the slow moving wide load truck while doing a u-turn on a highway, and blam, the road slipped again and we caught the corner of the cement right edge wall with the driver's side corner of Pat's truck. We righted ourselves before the truck got all the way up to us, but it was close.

We pulled off at the next exit and miraculously found two guys who could pull out the bumper so it wasn't dragging on the tire. Then we quickly found a hotel, four hours sooner than planned and snuggled in, shell shocked, but safe.

I have to say even now that I'm all the way back in Asheville, I'm still a little shook up by the accident. In some ways I'm glad it happened, because it brought Pat and I closer, but I'm still a horrible passenger in a car. Every time a car in front of me brakes, I grab the door, whether with Pat or the people I carpool with.

This was Pat's fourth time through Wyoming and he's never had a great time there, so we may just try and avoid it in the future....there's always I70!

Utah

Goodbye to Boise

Pat's Family

While in Boise, I got to hang out several times with Pat's family. They were all extremely friendly, open, and down to earth. Pat has two older brothers, Tim and Bill. Bill is married to Gina, and they have a great family. Tim was great fun to meet for breakfast and watch football with. Pat's Aunt Marilee also just moved to town and was very fun to get to know.

I'm so glad they're willing to share Pat!

Last IRMR Images

Just a few final pictures from the ranch.

The staff costume party is a tradition after the ranch closes and the last guests leave.

Sunset volleyball after the costume party.

A goodbye kickball game in town.

Pat & I finally tried the paddleboat before we left.

Photo-Op

At the end of the season the Ranch manager wanted a couple of us to take some pictures for possible use in future publications

.... here's my contribution.....

Don't I look tough and serene at the same time?

Man of Steel

What's going on in there? I'll tell you what's going on in there- the picture to the right is the plate in Pat's wrist. It is held in place with nine (yes, 9) screws. It holds all the bones together so that he can start moving and building up his wrist. This is very exciting because before they had these handy metal plates, he would've been in a cast for six weeks and then been so stiff, it would have taken much longer to get the use of his hand back.

Down below we have a pic of his scar from the surgery.

(Or the knife fight he got into with Ed, whichever!)

Pat is doing rehab with the hand specialist twice a week and on his own several times a day. He can now swirl his thumb in a complete circle! This is exciting people!

SOLD!

Within five minutes of posting my car on Craig's list, I received four responses of interest. Then I went to the grocery store to get computer paper and a guy caught up to me, took a test drive and said he wanted to take it for his girlfriend. As of yesterday, she (my car never had a name, but she is a she) is off to new adventures with a lady reporter for the Idaho Statesman.

I have had her for ten years. Most of my time at work over the last five years was spent driving around in her. She has been a great place of solace for any tears or anger. She has also been where I bucked myself up before handing out 10-day notices or going into court for evictions. She has been with me through many relationships (perhaps it is time for a fresh start!), made a number of long trips with me, was a great place to nap and just been an all around great car.

Bon Voyage to a metal friend!

Hanging in Boise

Good news, Pat went to the Doctor this week and the healing looks good. He began hand therapy on Tuesday and is back there again this morning. It looks like we will get to come to Asheville together and he can continue rehab there!

So now we are working out all the details...renting an uhaul, changing his apartment over to his brother's name and selling my car.....yes, that's right, after ten years together it looks as though my car and I will be going on separate adventures!

Boise is a great town to hang out in. Lots to do downtown, great neighborhood to walk and run in, and oh yes, another great football game last night by Boise State University. 38-3.

Also finally watched Talledega Nights- it really is as funny as Lindsey said it was!

We drove up to Bogus Basin yesterday and had a nice walk to the top of the ski hill. I could see forever. (sorry, forgot the camera).

I have learned how to julienne an onion, however chopping the correct way is apparently harder than it looks, still working on that. Apparently though, my fried egg sandwich with hot sauce is much appreciated!