The Journey Continues - And How!

Gene had the van at Good News Repair promptly at 8:00

while Darlene cleaned up from breakfast.


The parts had not arrived yet so Gene just hung around chatting with Jeff and Arsinio.

Came to find out that Jeff used to be a research engineer for Lockheed which makes auto repairs a "snap." Parts arrived at around 9:30 (I think this "out-west" pace is preparing us for Zambia!) and by 10:30 the car was up and running and we were out of town by 11:00, quite a bit later than we hoped. Our delayed schedule meant a full, hard day of travel and, after driving past numerous gorgeous landscapes



which we would have loved to pause and absorb (and take pictures) we pulled into the 1st Choice Inn in Rawlings, WY at 11:00 PM, quite tired.

Next morning (Wednesday) we grabbed a bit of continental breakfast at the motel and headed off to Ogallala, Nebraska for our next stop. We planned this day a bit shorter to allow some relaxation in the afternoon. We arrived at the motel at 1:00 right on the dot for check in, changed into beachwear and headed out to Lake McConaughy - a man-made reservoir forming the largest lake in Nebraska.




After getting stuck in the sand and digging our way out, Darlene spent the next three hours swimming and relaxing on the beach while Gene took the sailboard out for several very brisk sessions of windsurfing. We planned to cook our own meal for dinner but a storm rolled in and FORCED us to have a nice, relaxing meal at a "Country Pantry," followed by viewing some of the Olympics.

We were planning on a relaxed drive to Omaha to have dinner with Beulah Jean (Rosentrater) DeWilde's family, but when we started the car, something didn't sound right so Gene switched off the engine - or tried to - and it just kept running. Here the starter refused to disengage. Well, nothing to do at this point but to call AAA which arrived within an hour and towed us East to North Platte where we had the repairs done. B.J. (Beulah) and the family graciously postponed dinner until later in the evening and we enjoyed wonderful family fellowship and a scrumptious meal - comfort food and comfort fellowship for two weary travellers.

We left Omaha at noon on Friday, and arrived in DesMoines, Iowa where we stayed with Darlene's sister, Marilyn.

Saturday we journeyed on to Ashland, Ohio, Darlene's birthplace and where Gene attended seminary. There we stayed with Darlene's cousin, Dale and Pat Dohner and had a wonderful time worshipping with the Ashland Brethren in Christ on Sunday morning.

Now we're back in E-town for a few days and furiously getting ready to leave for Zambia on Wednesday where we will be until October 6. We have no idea when we might be able to post next, but stay connected and we'll try to let you know when we've added something.