Monday, July 18: Mr. Karen and I hit the road heading for Illinois. We chose the more rural and scenic path for the first part of our journey, stopping for a picnic lunch in Paradise, Montana, with the view shown here. We passed through some wildfire smoke around dusk and made it to Billings for our first night.

 

Tuesday, July 19: Drove through the rest of Montana. Made a stop at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where a stiff breeze made the heat tolerable. Pushed to make it into Minnesota and stopped for the night in Fergus Falls.

 
Wednesday, July 20: On our journey from Minnesota to Illinois, we stopped in Wisconsin at my favorite cheese shop there. It hadn’t occurred to me to squeeze the cheese before, but some people must or this sign wouldn’t exist.

 
Thursday, July 21: Enjoyed some moments of calm at the house we rented to serve as a home base for the family.

 
Friday, July 22: We had the memorial service for my mother-in-law Joan. This was in the same church, the same sanctuary where Mr. Karen and I got married lo so many years ago. I think she would have enjoyed the service, which featured music from the bell and voice choirs she herself was a part of during her time in service to that church as the minister’s wife.

 
Saturday, July 23: Since we had family gathered already, we had a reunion at the rental house. Bella the dog had to stay outside since it wasn’t our house and we hadn’t paid the pet upcharge, but she seemed happy enough (she did get carried inside for the group photo).

 
Sunday, July 24: With most of the family on their way back home, had a quieter day in the rental house. I took the time to walk the grounds again, looking at things like this abandoned wooden dock/walkway by the river.

 

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On this date in 2012 to 2021: No entries
2011: Save Me From Customer Care
2010: No entry
2009: July Check-In
2006 to 2008: No entries
2005: Modern Quilt-along
2004: Magical Mushrooms
2003: No entry
2002: Surprises