Made it to Monroe.
So this was to see Eve, now suddenly a widow and not just Ray’s wife as before.
I found her and her sister rummaging in the garage, loading stuff onto a truck.
Once done we went inside for a chat, and her older sister left.
Being both a nurse, and having lived through some of Rays previous cancer and health issues, Eve was dealing with all of this really well, maybe even a little mechanically.
We eventually got in the car and headed to town for a few things.
Including a late lunch.
Random photo alert.
We headed out in Madonna, Eve’s Chevy Spark they used to tow behind the 28 foot camper she was using as a travelling nurse.
Headed out, like two kids.
Town.
Eve wanted me to try their towns winning restaurant’s Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.
For the uninitiated…… think a huge slab of meat, resting on a bun and some fries on the side.
Those who are brave, add the top bun and eat it like a man……
I used a knife to cut strips and had my “SANDWICH” that way.
You need to be here to eat it but you can smell and taste the photo from there.
Eve having her happy meal.
Really interesting and amusing was the bathroom (toilets for the UK)
Note the width of the door…….
Yup, you don’t want to use it after this little sandwich.
After lunch we were in two minds…….
Ice cream, or go see the buffalo roam the prairie
Buffaloes it was then.
They are amazing creatures.
With a butt and hips like Pamela Anderson, and a chest and head like the Incredible Hulk.
Almost comical in their triangulated shape, but I would not laugh at one.
Bison, also commonly known as buffalo, are nomadic grazing herbivores and the largest surviving terrestrial mammals in North America and Europe. Once a symbol for the American Great Plains, vast herds of bison provided food, clothing and tools for the native people of the prairies. After being hunted to near extinction by settlers, the majority of bison today are raised in captivity as livestock. The typical Bison | Buffalo has an overall height of 60.0"-78.0" (1.52-1.98 m) and body length of 79.0"-138.0" (2-3.5 m). An average Bison | Buffalo weighs between 660-2,200 lb (300-1000 kg) and has a typical lifespan of 15 years (wild), 25 years (captivity).
They are reasonably shy and will let you get up to 15 meters from them.
The bull I photographed had a head about 1.3 meter or 4 foot wide.
Back home, Eve’s brother Billy came around to visit.
She has a ton of support from family
We went out around 18.30 forthe Jersey Freeze ice cream treat.
I love the way the locals get around and come for a romantic evening desert.
Again, as is the norm it seems, drive through dominates……
You can drive through for just about anything.
Even banking.
Sunset was lovely.
I also love this countries incredible eternal patriotism and showing of the flag.
After the Margarita debacle in Oklahoma, I chose a small ice cream with Reeses and Caramel minis mixed in…..
Bravely tunnelling my way through it, I discarded a hand ful of minis, never in the history of ice cream with added treats/candy have I seen this much.
Think McDonalds McFlurry but with about 7x as much of whatever treat you ask for in it.
When we got home, Eve brought out a bottle of Jack Daniels that Ray bought 27 years ago, with the express wishes that it be opened at the time of his death and close friends and family toasted his life.
So we raised a toast at home to the big guy.
Photo off the web as the bottle was nearly empty.
Back home Billy stayed till about 9.30pm and then headed home, at which time I was falling asleep in the chair.
A good night, shower and ready to rock n roll the next morning.
Duchess, Ray’s dog had attached to me, despite Eve being the Alpha pack leader.
Breakfast…….
Perfect.
Some unfinished business from Eve was to send Dennis some 1977 vintage Jim Beam whiskey decanters for his Shell Gas station.
Dennis was blown away by it.
Keeping in mind that this girl rides her own Harley, is a rocker and when driving in Madonna, you have heavy metal playing.
A yearly Sturgess attendee, the sweet smile belies the steely determination of an old rocker.
Before I left, she also gave me a T-shirt she had bought Ray for the last Bike Week they had planned on going to.
Not your everyday church shirt, but I got the sentiment.
She also gave me a collection of Rays model cars from when he had his Harley shop, for my home display cabinet.
Added to which, a model for Dennis and one for Craig.
After saying good bye around 09.00 I headed out toward the South, headed for Ottumwa where buddy Derek lived.
Planned was a visit to his wife’s company where she works.
But nothing is cast in concrete, is it.
Leaving town, I love these farm towns, and the space this country has.
Long day ahead.
Thanks for riding along.