We are in Hutchinson!!

Actually,we got here on Monday and have been busy getting set up and ready for the HDT rally. It is nice to watch other people pull in and everybody gathers for hugs and greetings. We had our first happy hour two days ago and of course I forgot to take a picture, so I took a couple last night.

The weather has been beautiful and we are looking forward to getting together with a lot of our friends by the end of the week. Doug took the truck to a truck wash yesterday, since we will be line up with all the other big trucks this year for the picture and we wanted to have the truck look really good. :-)

As you must have noticed, it has been a while since I last posted, but between getting sick about two weeks before we stopped working and starting to move again, I just have not felt up to it. So let me get you caught up on what has been happening.

Our last working day was Sunday, September 26th, and we had planned on leaving Tuesday morning to go to a campground north of Topeka. Monday afternoon came around and I was still not feeling so good and we decided to stay another day, especially since we don't have to pay any campground fees until October 1st in Altoona. Next to the campground is a casino and Doug wanted to play in their Tuesday poker tournament since we got here in April. So far it was not possible, since his physical therapy had been on Tuesday mornings, but since he is done now and it also was his birthday, he decided to give it a shot. He left about 9:30 am and made it all the way to the last round, which started at 1 pm. Out of 120 people he came in 6th place, won $100 and I was pretty impressed with him. We went back to the casino in the afternoon to cash in our points and Doug hit a quarter machine for $375. It was a great birthday present from the casino, he cashed out and we decided that it was time to leave Iowa.

We left the campground Wednesday morning to drive 280 miles to our next stop. We have set all summer and I was a little bit apprehensive about driving that far the first day on the road again. I have to say, it was a breeze. We pretty much drove the whole way on the interstate and my new car is sooooo comfortable. I got out in the afternoon and neither my hip or back was hurting. What a nice surprise!! We set up camp that afternoon and decided to take it easy the next day. We had some amazing sushi in Topeka two years ago so we went back to the same place for dinner on Thursday.

It was not as good as I remembered, but for some strange reason it never is, is it? It was still pretty tasty and I am glad we came back.

Friday came around and we decided to go to Kansas speedway, since Nascar was there for the weekend. It sure was a long walk from the parking lot to the speedway.

There were vendors for all the different drivers and Doug got himself a Mark Martin hat, Unfortunately, Mark Martin had engine problems and we never saw him practice.


We still managed to have a great day and got home safe Friday evening. The weekend sure ended up being much colder and we watched the race on Sunday in the comfort of our home.

So now I am all caught up (I think) and will try to post more often again.