40th Anniversary - but not ours

Paul in his girl glasses - so cute! 

It's not what you think - though Paul and I are coming up on our 38th in a few weeks. This July 4, 2020, was the 40th anniversary of a very important Independence Day in my life. It was the start of a tradition that cemented friendships that began with young students at Iowa State University. And thanks, in part, to that 4th of July 40 years ago, many of those friendships have stood the test of time. Who would have imagined one trip to the Apple River could do all that? And, perhaps help me fall a little bit more in love with my honey.  

Paul with Joyce - rainy year

I doubt our host Mike Huston and his parents Clark and Joyce ever considered that one invitation would stretch into 15+ years of young people and later families traipsing to their place. Over the course of those years, many of us married and became parents - bringing another generation to the joys of Ridgeland. Happy memories.  

That first year, 1980, I was living and working in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For the trip, I met my fellow travelers, who were coming from the south, in Albert Lea, MN - right along I-35 just past the Iowa border. We started drinking beer along the way and somebody (not me) threw up before we even before our appointed destination - a tiny town in NW Wisconsin. A key attraction for the invitee was that it was not far from the Apple River - a place one could rent an inner tube and float while drinking massive amounts of beer. As I write this blog, Paul, lifting weights and in a fog of memories, just put our old Alabama LP on the turntable. I remember singing "Dixieland Delight" driving up to Ridgeland that first time. It was our anthem. 

In 1980, Mike didn't just invite a couple friends to his parents' rural escape. He asked around 20! He must have caught his parents at a weak time. What were they thinking? Besides Mike they have four other children - so heck, the more the merrier? C'mon up to a place with no running water and a two-seater outhouse. Bring a sleeping bag. Hustons set up a giant tent that slept lot of people. I swear it had several rooms. 

What a time we had - partying at the bars in the cozy burg of Ridgeland. The Flying Dutchman was one - a typical local bar, cold beer, and their Friday night fish fry was awesome. You couldn't beat the beer prices. When we left, we got some ice and Leinenkugels to go. We needed some for the river float and for the bonfire.

You can still tube the Apple River today. Check out - Rivers Edge. I'm sure it's fun - but nothing like the non-regulated crazy times we had in the early 1980's. Get this - there was no recycling then. Even then I just knew something wasn't right with that.

Vic, Jane and Les - around 1981

 

The Apple Rive had a system to toss empty cans towards giant targets along the river, hoping they'd fall into the containers below. One year my pal Jane swears she drank the same beer the whole ride - because she kept dunking it in the water. Ick! Talk about recycling....Anyway - people were winging beercans through the air and you always had to be ready. We lashed tubes together with twine, floating happily while we enjoyed each others' company. What sunscreen? (me then) Now - I need shade! 

That first year we had great weather and had our fill of beer by the end of the river. Nobody prepared us (Paul - who is not really a swimmer) for the rapids (small ones) at the end. Surprise! He flipped his tube and lost his glasses. Can you say blind man walking? And I sliced my ankle on something. Beer can? I'm lucky I didn't get Tetanus, but the cut likely got washed out by an alcohol swirlie. Paul was fortunate that Mike's sis Lori had similar glasses and wore contacts so he was able to wear hers until he could get new glasses. 😏 He looked adorable in those chunky 80's frames! 

It wasn't like we needed more alcohol, but in between the river and Ridgeland, there was a tiny bar called Theresa's that we'd stop at. It was filled with locals who'd look at us like - "what are you doing here?" when we'd walk in. Later, when we had kids, we were sure to take them there. We always played that classic bar song. "F'ing Jerk. Get on My Nerves" They had a PG version with whistles and beeps for kids. I wish we could have purchased "My First Dive Bar" t-shirts for our children. So proud! It's trips like going to Ridgeland that helped us raise our children with Vic and Fred's and Moose and Kay's kids - making them kinda like cousins. Shared memories. 

Tubing was fun, but my favorite part of staying at the Huston Ridgeland place was hanging out with Clark and Joyce sitting around the campfire. Their whole family was so nice - Mike was the oldest on down - Jeff, Lori, Kris and Karla - the youngest at about 11 when we first started going. Looking back, Clark and Joyce were only in their 40's when we started going to Ridgeland. Wow - so young! They were great role models - active younger having fun with their kids.  

Clark had lived in the Ridgeland house with his dad Russell when he was growing up. We were fortunate enough to meet Russell those first couple of years we visited. He and I shared a birthday so he remembered me each year. Around the campfire we'd tell Lena and Ollie jokes, become Turtles (One Red Hen), tell ghost stories, and just chat. Most of us were in our first real job, so it was nice to hear about how others were coping. Mike and Tom were in various stages of Vet School. Some years we went even when Mike couldn't go. Vets have such tough hours! 

Clark and Joyce put on quite a spread of food each year. Breakfasts were awesome - the old house had electricity so they'd cook up pancakes and bacon. While we ate they'd have water heating over the campfire to do dishes in the sink. At night they'd grill. Everyone helped with chores. Of course, we'd make S'mores at night. Fred had a big stick that he'd use to stir the fire - each year he'd record the date. He still has it. 

At dark, we'd drag out the fireworks my dad supplied each year from his trip through Missouri on my folks' trip home from Florida. One year Hauser supplied Moose and himself with hardhats. We had Roman candles and tanks and even a helicopter. There was a firework battleship to put in the horse tank.

Amy in the antique playpen - baby behind bars! She never recovered. haha

That first year - 40 years ago - fresh from college - I was figuring out what I wanted in life. I felt fortunate to land a job - even if it was all the way over in Sioux Falls. I had dated Paul my senior year but wasn't sure if he was "the one". After graduation, we got to know each other better without the distractions of college life. He called, he visited, and even wrote me letters. Sigh! During those trips to Ridgeland and other short trips we took together, I began to understand what a kind and giving person he is. He had wonderful friends - a good sign too. My pals are pretty wonderful too. 

Jud's First Ridgeland

Paul and I melded our two college friend groups together - seamlessly. Some of them were intertwined in that Iowa way - they knew each other before I knew him. The rest is history! Now that we are empty nesters it's easier to get together again and we are doing that. I was so proud when my kids could have their first Ridgeland bath. 

Jud in front of Huston barn

Yes, I'm being a sentimental old woman this pandemic 4th of July. Paul and I had a nice quiet day - kayaking early to beat the heat and crowd. As we paddled, I took a walk down memory lane and realized it was the 40th anniversary of our first Ridgeland Adventure. 

I texted our friend group - many of us just got together on a ski trip in CO just before the country shut down in March. Some of us had seen each other at an ISU football game last fall. After years of raising children and selflessness, it's been nice to have time to put ourselves first once again - just like those early Ridgeland years and get together for fun!  

I was a happy gal, sitting in my boat interacting with my pals - even sending pics. Heart full! We are blessed with fabulous friends. 

Amy roasts a marshmallow at Ridgeland

Hawaiian year

The Somewhat Calm Before...

In such a short time, how our world has changed. Just last week, Paul and I were on vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado with four couples - college friends. We knew Covid 19 was spreading, but only a couple cases had popped up in Colorado. We took along hand sanitizer and washed our hands frequently. As we left Colorado last Saturday, we received notice that we should self-quarantine as several more cases of the virus had appeared in the resort area during the week.

Now we are laying low at home - venturing out for essentials. Just like many of you! So I'm writing this blog, filling time - and I'm waiting for my next turn at painting our walk-in closet. Paul is taking out shelving right now. Such fun!

The trip seems so long ago already! We drove out to Denver on Friday, March, 6 - handwashing and elbow door opening our way across Nebraska. Destination - Amy and Corey's place! We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving. So it was great to get together at their place near downtown Denver. The weather was fabulous - upper 60's and sunny. I got a dog fix - hanging with the kiddos' pups Franklin and Eros.

Aunt Marty and me

Amy and Corey had a friend's baby shower to attend on Saturday and we took the opportunity to visit my Aunt Marty (she says she's 87 years old but is not elderly) and my cousin Amy Brownlee and husband Tom. We love catching up with them, hearing about their family and great trip to Hawaii just after Christmas.

After that, we headed back to the Park place. Paul and I enjoy walking in Amy and Corey's neighborhood - a mix of new development and quaint updated older homes, with restaurants and some retail within walking distance. We had lunch at a place called Root Down where I had the best Eggs Benedict ever. That afternoon we joined at Kansas State pal of Amy's at an Iowa State bar near the Coors Field to watch KSU blast Iowa State in Men's basketball. Great Cyclone crowd and the bar owner was fun to talk to - helping take away the sting of an awful hoops season. That night it was Chinese takeout, just enjoying our time with our kids.

Post brunch pic with Jordan and Jill

On Sunday we met my niece Jordan and wife Jill for brunch. So nice to see them! They recently went to Lake Chapala, Mexico to visit my sis Susi and husband Jim as that is where they winter. Visiting Denver affords us a great opportunity to see so many loved ones.

Our college pals arrived mid-afternoon Sunday. Moose and Kay drove from the Chicago area and picked up Vicki and Fred at the airport. It was nice they got to spend some time with Amy and especially Corey as they'd never really been around him except for their wedding - which didn't allow for much quality time. We went to a place called Milk Market - many vendors under one roof.

Milk Market grub

On Monday we headed up the big hill to Breckenridge - checking into a nice "ski-in" condo that Fred found. Two more couples - Tom and Shirley and Mike and Paula (from Paul's side of the college friend tree) had reserved their own condo - and it was just around the corner from ours!

A few of the skiers

The birthday girl had a sash! 

Did I mention this is the 40th anniversary of a spring break trip to Breckenridge? It was my senior year of college - 1980. Paul, Vicki, Fred, Mike, and Tom were there as we packed into a huge condo along with about 15 other people. It was a blast! This time we were a bit more sedate! And I haven't skied for close to 20 years, so it wasn't on my list of things to do. Paul and some others skied 3 days - and we heard a bit about everyone's aches and pains (even from me - a non-skier haha).

We had a ball! Just hanging out with this gang is fun. In our condo is the group that went to Alaska together last summer - good memories there. It was Paula's birthday on Wednesday so we went to their place for a big party (lasted until 9 PM) that night. Did I mention how nice it is to be with friends we've known for 40 plus years? Tom and Shirley live in New York, Mike and Paula near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Moose and Kay live just north of Chicago and Vicki and Fred live south of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Yep, we're the only Iowans.

Breckenridge Distillery

Up to Peak 9

During the week, we visited a distillery, shopped, and rode up the Gondola. On Thursday we all met at a barbecue in downtown Breckenridge. On Friday the whole group drove up to Vail to visit my sister Cindy and eat at my nephew Colby's restaurant, El Sabor in Lion's Head. Vicki has known Cindo since spring break our Freshman year when we slept on her fold-out bed and skied Vail. We reminisced about that trip on Friday - what knuckleheads we were - dragging out hanging clothes, for a ski trip, riding on shuttles. Did we think we'd be going to discos? Vic and I skied every spring break when we were in college.

Delish lunch with friends at El Sabor - Colby treated us right

Paul and I were excited to stay at Cindy's Friday night - since we missed our usual Christmas get-together due to health issues. That night we went to our friends Bonnie and Eric's for supper - just like Christmas without the prime rib! Bonnie did make a yummy shrimp salad. I had fun playing catch with their dog Dodger. It was nice to catch up with them. Their son Byron is getting married this summer...just the other day he was a high school senior..haha. On Saturday, Vail shut down the mountain - including food service that Eric is in charge of. Now Colby's restaurant is closed too - after that, Iowa followed, shutting schools and eat in restaurants. 

Dodger wants to play fetch!

Our trip home Saturday was uneventful. Now, just like you - we are living in a different world, praying for good health for all. And for our medical professionals. Our April Florida trip is canceled and a sister trip to France planned for May is not likely to take place. Not really that important compared to health and people's livelihoods. Still, disappointing. The uncertainty is the worst part - will it be weeks, months? Will we all end up getting it? Nobody knows.

Sending good thoughts and karma to all. Cherishing my time with family and friends. Will try to stay in touch in all the ways I can. I hope you will too. We need each other! 

Here's The Deal

I heart this group

I scoffed at all of you who shed tears when your little ones went off to Kindergarten. When you told me you cried all the way home from dropping your young 'en off for their big college adventure, I was secretly smug. What's the big deal? Sure, I found it a bit unsettling when I no longer needed to purchase Pop-Tarts at Fareway after Jud left for ISU. Still, my steely heart didn't crack. I enjoyed my newfound empty nest status. I went off to an exciting new job in Des Moines.

Our kids were doing what they were supposed to - growing up.  Much like my own mother, I have not allowed myself to be very sentimental when our children hit those milestones. Happy for them and for me. Amy and Jud were ready for new challenges, and I didn't miss trying to keep them entertained at home. Win, win.

Imagine my surprise when the funk recently hit! Yep, I'm having my Kindergarten moment now. Each child is married and they are off on their own life's path. They have been heading that way for a long time - so I don't know why it's just hitting me now. Amy's marriage? All of their general good career paths? Home purchases? Turning 60? I'm not sure if there is any one thing that has set me off.

I guess I have some work to do. I'm asking myself - what is my purpose now? I'm still working and enjoy what I do, but am not exactly in the rising star portion of my career. It's somewhat freeing! I'm looking for volunteer opportunities. I'll write more about that later after I pass all my entrance exams. I'm on the lookout for more hobbies. Writing this blog is one outlet, my word jones. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

I'll work through my funk - just like you all did on that Kindergarten thing! Just wanted to share.

On to other things:
We had quite a weekend October 14th! It was a wet and soggy ISU victory over Kansas with our longtime (notice I didn't say old) friends. What a great crew! Paul met Mike and Tom in his first months of being a college student. Paul was a farm kid who didn't have many close hometown friends. He bonded with those two from the start. All these years later, their annual pheasant hunting trips have strengthened their bond.

Peace Tree - East Village

I enjoyed getting to know their wives Paula and Shirley better on that Friday night as we ventured downtown to visit the East Village - Peace Tree Brewery and the Republic bar overlooking DSM. Hustons live outside of LaCrosse and Sullivans in the NYC area. It's fun showing off our city!

Mike, Shirley, Tom, Paula

On Saturday, the rain came down early - so we delayed heading to Ames and ate our breakfast burritos right in our kitchen. Our friends Moose and Kay stopped by, so we had a house full, along with our overnight guests. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. Our friends prepared like former scouts with rain gear for the ISU game. Once there, we were joined by our usual tailgating pals plus Behrs and Jaime Wilt and fiance Mike. We were able to swig down a beer before heading into the game.

Tents are a good thing! 

We don't care about no stinkin' rain delay! 

The rain stopped during the game. Mostly. Thanks, Paul Goldsmith for loaning me your camo rain pants.In keeping with tradition, wineskins made the game go by quickly. The Cyclones didn't give us cause for sorrowful drinks! I like this new, improved team. Post-game rain drove us to the motel where our pal Jane Flack appeared. Yay!

We took over the motel kitchen nook watched football games and chatted. When you meet friends in college, you don't have an idea just what political persuasion everyone will be. Hell, as I've stated before, I didn't even know what I would be. It was interesting discussing topics of the day and hearing areas of agreement and disagreement - without a civil war breaking out. Several of our friends own small businesses, so they have a different perspective than someone like me who has worked for others all of my life and most recently as a public servant.

I wish more people could step beyond their safety zones and exchange thoughts and ideas on these topics in mixed company. I believe we'd find that we have many shared goals - unlike what politicians and some of the media would like us to believe. Labels (liberal - which many use as almost as a slur, and conservative the same on the other side) are easy to slap on someone or a group, but do a disservice. I'm much more complicated than one label. I bet you are too.

On Sunday, a few of us took a spin through campus to reminisce and note how many new buildings ISU is putting up to meet today's student's needs. I love my university - and hope the new president is a great one! We even drove by 230 Campus Avenue - that fateful apartment where Paul and I met. Good memories. No Ames trip is complete without a meal at Hickory Park, with ice cream. The whole weekend had a cherry on it.

Food selection at Hickory Park is important work