CLASS REUNION

CONFUSION? AND WHAT STATE ARE WE IN?
On our way to Sioux City, we made an overnight stop in Omaha, Ne. at a WalMart parking lot. It was cool enough that we didn't need any a/c and warm enough that we didn't need any heat. Because the floods had washed out some of the roads, we had to travel up the Nebraska side, crossing at Blair, Ne.

From 2011-09-26

We could see the devastation of the floods. Houses had been under water. Trees were washed away. The RV park that we had stayed in last year was closed due to flood damage. They still had not been able to replace the electrical, sewer and water systems. Hope this won't confuse you, because it did me. We stayed in a KOA in South Dakota. Allan went to school in Leeds, Iowa and the reunion took place in Nebraska. All of these areas were relatively close together, just separated by either the Missouri or Little Sioux Rivers.
MEMORIES
As Allan's sister, Janice and brother, Paul and their spouses were also in town for the reunion, we had a mini family reunion.

From 2011-09-26

They reminisced as we drove through the streets of Leeds. Several things had changed since Allan had been in high school 47 years ago. Generally speaking, the town was still the same with many familiar landmarks. It was like going back in a time machine. Most of the houses had been kept in good condition. One shocker was the church where Allan's dad was a minister. It had been converted to apartments and was almost obscured by trees.

From 2011-09-26

The old parsonage that used to stand within eight feet of the church had been moved. We did manage to locate the old house on another street. It looked almost like it did many years ago.

From 2011-09-26

The old high school has been torn down and replaced with an elementary school. Driving around Leeds brought back many memories of encounters, both bad and good. We had many laughs. Allan had an unforgettable experience. He lost his phone in Iowa somewhere. He got out of the car so many times to take pictures that there is no telling where he lost the phone. I am sure someone found it. We had the phone service turned off.
REUNION
Friday night was an informal night with hamburgers and hot dogs and all the fixings. This was an all school reunion which encompassed 33 years. The turnout was good with 540 participants. Allan's class graduated 34 with 15 attending the reunion. Seven had passed away since graduation. It is always good to see friends from school and many Allan had not seen since graduation. Saturday they had a program, dinner and dance. Allan's class has already started making plans for a 50th reunion which will be in three years.

From 2011-09-26

FAMILY DEPARTURE
We went to church on Sunday and had more family time with Allan's sister, her husband and his family. Allan's brother and wife left on Sunday to drive to the Black Hills in South Dakota in time to see the buffalo round up. We hope they have a wonderful week there.
GOWRIE MEMORIES
We are now headed for Carlinville, Illinois for the RV MAPS convention. Today we made a stop in Gowrie, Iowa where Allan lived from 3rd grade to 7th grade. He remembered the church although they have a new large addition. The house his family lived in next to the church has been changed but was recognizable. They have added an air conditioner just under the 2nd story window that Allan snuck out several times. He now wonders how he survived the drop without breaking a leg. Most of the old downtown stores were no longer in business, although he did remember the funeral home where his family spent their first night in town (very memorable) because all of their furniture, clothing and family heirlooms were burned while being transported from his dad's previous church assignment.

From 2011-09-26

From 2011-09-26

From 2011-09-26

RESTFUL
We are staying at a church retreat center tonight. It is located several miles out of town on a washboard dirt road. We are the only people here. It is beautiful.