Visiting Helen in Iowa

by Keith

Friday, we were headed to Pat's sister's home in Omaha. We chose to go on US-30 instead of I-80. That took us to within 1 mile of Shady Oaks Campground near Marshalltown, Iowa. It would have been unthinkable to zoom right on past without stopping to see Helen.

So we did the right thing. We stopped.

She wasn't there; she had gone to town. Bummer.

But the campground owner had a solution: she gave us a tour of The Big Tree House while her daughter chased Helen down via cellphone.

Her report: "She's on the way home!"

Helen and Pat under the oak trees!

By the time we were done with the tour—given by the 92-year-old, spry, owner/manager—Helen had returned to her travelling trailer!

We were lucky, as she was planning to leave for Texas the very next morning!

She looked great, so the Iowa summer must have treated her well! And she was in a delightful small campground which was completely shaded by gorgeous oak trees.

We were only a little over an hour into our 5-hour trip and already the trip was a success!

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