Headed to Sevierville and back again....

A couple of weeks ago I had a call from my dad's office.  They wanted to dedicate a conference room in my father's memory.  I drove the 6 hours down to Sevierville (from Indy) with Ralph and Phoebe on Tuesday morning.  It was wonderful to see my Mom and hang out a couple of days.  She was thrilled to see the pups!  She misses them (oh and me!)!

The service was on Wednesday afternoon.  It was very nicely done and they had me unveil a plaque.  I cried it was very sweet!  The conference room will now be called the Schmutzer conference room (they said they already generally called it that because he spent so much time working in there).  Some people told some nice stories and their memories of my dad.  

I also got to have dinner with and see my cousins and Aunt and Uncle at the cabin (the same cabin where John and I married).  Liz and her 2 daughters Parker and Harley, Jeannie and her son Jackson, and Charles and his wife Laura and 2 girls Ava and Hazel.  It was wonderful to see family for even a short bit of time!  

I left on Thursday afternoon and drove 6 hours back up to Indy.  We left the next morning for Des Moines.   Talk about whirlwind...it was.  

The drive to Des Moines was another long trip (7.5 hours).  We completely underestimated the length...and drove in to Des Monies at midnight during a large thunderstorm...Lesson learned...again!

The place we are staying in Des Moines is called Timberline is nice.  Even though we arrived late we have a nice shaded spot.  Good.

C+J & 4 happy to be together again pups! 

Lessons Learned

1. This is not a lesson but families are wonderful and so wonderful to see! 

2.  Shorter trips car trips are better for everyone...

3.  The gnats in Southern Iowa could kill you (we are pretty sure---we were attacked by millions at a community park/rv campground on our evening dog walk...)

4.  Lightning from far away looks really cool when driving through Iowa --but not so cool when we you are in the storm with trailer and dogs in tow...