Start at the bottom
I've broken up all the posts about our vacation so in order to start from the beginning you will have to scroll down to...."The Arrival".
Adventureland
This day was pure perfection. There was a lot of wind, a little sun and a ton a fun!
Josh's first ride was the Teacups. To see the excitement on his face was...well, it almost brought me to tears. To be able to give your child the experience of pure joy like that is more rewarding than anything I've ever done before.
Then him and I rode on the balloons. It started off great...
Is that picture the greatest?
But by the time we got off he said, "Mom...my tummy is really, really angry." I just laughed and one funnel cake later everything was fine again.
Josh's first ride was the Teacups. To see the excitement on his face was...well, it almost brought me to tears. To be able to give your child the experience of pure joy like that is more rewarding than anything I've ever done before.
Then him and I rode on the balloons. It started off great...
Is that picture the greatest?
But by the time we got off he said, "Mom...my tummy is really, really angry." I just laughed and one funnel cake later everything was fine again.
The zoo.
Friday we went to the zoo in the morning. The weather finally cooperated with us and we ended up having a great time. Lauren's reaction to every animal was the same. At first she laughed and then she stared. You could tell she was trying to figure out what the heck she was looking at and watching her marvel was amazing. Josh had a ball and was thrilled to get the chance to feed the giraffes.
Another Bust.
Thursday had originally been our day at Adventureland. However, the weather made a change in the plans.
We decided to go shopping at Jordan Creek Mall and let the kids play on the indoor playground. In the meantime, I was able to get in a little shopping. God knows I earned it!
Lauren was all about walking. She wanted nothing to do with the stroller and, more importantly, wanted nothing to do with a helping hand.
Let me just say...I'm training her well. Because that girl flocked to sales like a trained professional.
By the afternoon the skies began to clear and when we returned to our campground we got our first good view of the lake from our site.
The campground was very nice and we had a perfect spot: close to the restrooms and close to the playground. That meant both Dustin and the kids were happy. :-)
We went out for dinner and returned for some ice cream before bedtime.
Then at about 12:30 our friends arrived. And while setting up in rain is not fun; setting up in pure darkness is no walk in the park either.
We decided to go shopping at Jordan Creek Mall and let the kids play on the indoor playground. In the meantime, I was able to get in a little shopping. God knows I earned it!
Lauren was all about walking. She wanted nothing to do with the stroller and, more importantly, wanted nothing to do with a helping hand.
Let me just say...I'm training her well. Because that girl flocked to sales like a trained professional.
By the afternoon the skies began to clear and when we returned to our campground we got our first good view of the lake from our site.
The campground was very nice and we had a perfect spot: close to the restrooms and close to the playground. That meant both Dustin and the kids were happy. :-)
We went out for dinner and returned for some ice cream before bedtime.
Then at about 12:30 our friends arrived. And while setting up in rain is not fun; setting up in pure darkness is no walk in the park either.
The Setup
It hadn't taken long for Dustin to realize that this trip had turned into a disaster in a matter of 20 minutes.
Upon our arrival at the campground Dustin hopped out and got our registration and graciously offered to stand outside while he filled our holding tank with water.
About the time he got back in the truck I realized that my turn in the downpour was coming. We pulled up to the site and he looked back at me (squished between the kids) and said, "Ya ready?"
If I were thinking I would have said, "No." But like the wonderful wife and mother I am I told him I was ready.
He got out and I climbed into the front seat. The dog was sitting in the front seat and was completely overcome with excitement thereby making the climb into the front not an easy one. The rain was so loud that it took me a few minutes to realize that my butt was honking the horn. By far one of my prouder moments.
For some stupid reason I thought an umbrella was going to provide me with some level of protection. However, when it rains as hard as it was, my poor umbrella could not keep up and the rain just came through the fabric. I quickly threw that to the side and figured "What the hell!"
After everything was said and done there were a few cuss words exchanged and hysterical laughter. I mean honestly at a moment like that...what else is there to do but laugh.
It took our clothes 2 days to dry.
Upon our arrival at the campground Dustin hopped out and got our registration and graciously offered to stand outside while he filled our holding tank with water.
About the time he got back in the truck I realized that my turn in the downpour was coming. We pulled up to the site and he looked back at me (squished between the kids) and said, "Ya ready?"
If I were thinking I would have said, "No." But like the wonderful wife and mother I am I told him I was ready.
He got out and I climbed into the front seat. The dog was sitting in the front seat and was completely overcome with excitement thereby making the climb into the front not an easy one. The rain was so loud that it took me a few minutes to realize that my butt was honking the horn. By far one of my prouder moments.
For some stupid reason I thought an umbrella was going to provide me with some level of protection. However, when it rains as hard as it was, my poor umbrella could not keep up and the rain just came through the fabric. I quickly threw that to the side and figured "What the hell!"
After everything was said and done there were a few cuss words exchanged and hysterical laughter. I mean honestly at a moment like that...what else is there to do but laugh.
It took our clothes 2 days to dry.
The Arrival
We ended up leaving Wednesday night for a camping vacation in Des Moines. As soon as I got off of work I changed clothes and hopped into the truck. Things started very smoothly. We stopped in Tama for supper and headed off into the sunset towards our much needed vacation spot.
It pretty much turned to crap from there.
About 40 minutes outside of Des Moines it started turning gray and we could see rain in the distance. Thankfully, Larry let us borrow his GPS system so we felt comfortable in that even with reduced visibility we would be able to find our way to the campground.
Ten minutes outside of Des Moines the heavens opened. I mean...God must have been dumping buckets out of his window to make the rain come down that hard. Dustin immediately started to tense up because "Lola" (the GPS lady) had started to announce the merge on to I-80. That interstate seems to be a death trap anyway and given the fact that we had an 8,000 pound weight on our tail and unfavorable weather I completely understood Dustin's hesitation.
We made it on to I-80 and followed "Lola's" directions. We got off on the exit she told us and about that time it started hailing. There we were...stuck in a truck, with a huge camper attached, with two screaming kids, a spastic dog, unable to see anything, getting more and more panicked by the second.
We slowly turned corners and faithfully did as "Lola" said. Just about the time we started to relax "Lola" says, "Turn right in .2 miles" That just about the time the ROAD CLOSED sign appeared. There we were stuck on a two way street, in the middle of no where blocking traffic with this huge piece of machinery behind us.
Dustin hopped out of the truck and ran to the camper to grab our information packet from the campground. In the meantime, people were honking and the hail continued. Finally a Sheriff pulled up to see what the problem was. While Dustin spoke with the Sheriff, I called the campground only to find out that "Lola" was given the wrong address and we were completely on the wrong side of the lake.
A Sheriff escort, a mile long bridge and a mild panic attack later we were at the campground.
It pretty much turned to crap from there.
About 40 minutes outside of Des Moines it started turning gray and we could see rain in the distance. Thankfully, Larry let us borrow his GPS system so we felt comfortable in that even with reduced visibility we would be able to find our way to the campground.
Ten minutes outside of Des Moines the heavens opened. I mean...God must have been dumping buckets out of his window to make the rain come down that hard. Dustin immediately started to tense up because "Lola" (the GPS lady) had started to announce the merge on to I-80. That interstate seems to be a death trap anyway and given the fact that we had an 8,000 pound weight on our tail and unfavorable weather I completely understood Dustin's hesitation.
We made it on to I-80 and followed "Lola's" directions. We got off on the exit she told us and about that time it started hailing. There we were...stuck in a truck, with a huge camper attached, with two screaming kids, a spastic dog, unable to see anything, getting more and more panicked by the second.
We slowly turned corners and faithfully did as "Lola" said. Just about the time we started to relax "Lola" says, "Turn right in .2 miles" That just about the time the ROAD CLOSED sign appeared. There we were stuck on a two way street, in the middle of no where blocking traffic with this huge piece of machinery behind us.
Dustin hopped out of the truck and ran to the camper to grab our information packet from the campground. In the meantime, people were honking and the hail continued. Finally a Sheriff pulled up to see what the problem was. While Dustin spoke with the Sheriff, I called the campground only to find out that "Lola" was given the wrong address and we were completely on the wrong side of the lake.
A Sheriff escort, a mile long bridge and a mild panic attack later we were at the campground.
Sorry...no post.
We're busy getting ready for vacation and I haven't had the time to post a blog. So....you'll have to wait for next week and hopefully it will be a doozey!!
The Aftermath
Last night I had the depressing honor of removing all confidential materials from James T. Brems, PC last night. One flood, eleven years of work and an empty semi trailer later and the files were all gone.
Remarkably everyone is looking forward and not back. Tomorrow will be our first day back at work and I'm sure there will be some lengthy meetings but I genuinely believe that Jim will pull through.
Remarkably everyone is looking forward and not back. Tomorrow will be our first day back at work and I'm sure there will be some lengthy meetings but I genuinely believe that Jim will pull through.
Traffic Jam
I figured that since it took me over an hour to get from daycare to work today (normally a 15-20 minute route) all because people were gawking at the flood waters, or lack thereof, I could take the time to get a few shots.
What else is there to do when it's just you in the car and bad morning radio?
What goes up...must come down. I honestly can't believe how much it has gone down. I mean...you can see the bridges downtown again and nearly all the streets are dry.
They are hoping the Cedar River to be below flood stage by Saturday. Let's all cross our fingers!
What else is there to do when it's just you in the car and bad morning radio?
What goes up...must come down. I honestly can't believe how much it has gone down. I mean...you can see the bridges downtown again and nearly all the streets are dry.
They are hoping the Cedar River to be below flood stage by Saturday. Let's all cross our fingers!
Blue skies...smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see.
I've been humming Irving Berlin's song, Blue Skies, in my head for a few days now. And considering what the city of Cedar Rapids has been through in the last few days, I'd say it's quite fitting.
It seems the flood waters weren't enough and God decided that a few more inches of fresh rain would really make things interesting. We had not one, not two, but three severe thunderstorms this weekend. I only got a picture of the down pour from two storms because the other one was at 3:30 in the morning and looking for my camera was not my #1 priority.
Storm #1
Seriously...can you see the downpour?
Storm #2
Out of these rain storms came two good things, though. Starting Thursday, the city of Cedar Rapids had to restrict the use of water to drinking only and that meant no dishes, no laundry and definitely no bathing. So when the heavens opened up on Saturday people grabbed their swimsuits and shampoo and went outside for a bath!!
The other good thing was that after the storms passed they left some beautiful skies behind.
Against my better judgment, I agreed to take the camper out this weekend. Dustin began his pouting around Wednesday afternoon and by the time Thursday came around he was in full "toddler tantrum mode". I know how disappointed he's been with how little we've been able to go out lately but COME ON!
I was sick (physically) and extremely upset about everything happening with my place of work. So a part of me thought that getting away from the television for awhile would help me and if, in the meantime, it changed Dustin's mood...well, then all the better.
Long story short...I should have listened to my inner voice and stayed home. The whole weekend was one disaster after another. Between the storms, the power outages, the water being out, my severe sickness and the overall lack of a good time I couldn't wait for Sunday to come around. There's something about being cooped up with two kids, a large dog and husband when you're sick that makes you appreciate personal space.
I do have to give Dustin some credit, though. I haven't been this sick in a looonnggg time and I took enough antibiotics and pain medication to knock out a horse. So much like my Mother's Day, his Father's Day was a bust. What goes around comes around, wouldn't you say?
I do believe, however, that I have done my selfless act for the year. Through my misery the children did have a good time and Dustin was just happy to be in the camper. Josh got to look at the moon with Grandpa Larry and play on the playground. Lauren got to eat Oreos and sit in her Little Mermaid chair. So really, if only mom is miserable then I guess it's just a case of majority rules.
Happy Father's day to all the fathers out there!!!
It seems the flood waters weren't enough and God decided that a few more inches of fresh rain would really make things interesting. We had not one, not two, but three severe thunderstorms this weekend. I only got a picture of the down pour from two storms because the other one was at 3:30 in the morning and looking for my camera was not my #1 priority.
Storm #1
Seriously...can you see the downpour?
Storm #2
Out of these rain storms came two good things, though. Starting Thursday, the city of Cedar Rapids had to restrict the use of water to drinking only and that meant no dishes, no laundry and definitely no bathing. So when the heavens opened up on Saturday people grabbed their swimsuits and shampoo and went outside for a bath!!
The other good thing was that after the storms passed they left some beautiful skies behind.
Against my better judgment, I agreed to take the camper out this weekend. Dustin began his pouting around Wednesday afternoon and by the time Thursday came around he was in full "toddler tantrum mode". I know how disappointed he's been with how little we've been able to go out lately but COME ON!
I was sick (physically) and extremely upset about everything happening with my place of work. So a part of me thought that getting away from the television for awhile would help me and if, in the meantime, it changed Dustin's mood...well, then all the better.
Long story short...I should have listened to my inner voice and stayed home. The whole weekend was one disaster after another. Between the storms, the power outages, the water being out, my severe sickness and the overall lack of a good time I couldn't wait for Sunday to come around. There's something about being cooped up with two kids, a large dog and husband when you're sick that makes you appreciate personal space.
I do have to give Dustin some credit, though. I haven't been this sick in a looonnggg time and I took enough antibiotics and pain medication to knock out a horse. So much like my Mother's Day, his Father's Day was a bust. What goes around comes around, wouldn't you say?
I do believe, however, that I have done my selfless act for the year. Through my misery the children did have a good time and Dustin was just happy to be in the camper. Josh got to look at the moon with Grandpa Larry and play on the playground. Lauren got to eat Oreos and sit in her Little Mermaid chair. So really, if only mom is miserable then I guess it's just a case of majority rules.
Happy Father's day to all the fathers out there!!!
Utter devastation
I don't even know where to begin. Yesterday was a day of reckoning in Cedar Rapids. I went to work and, due to all the bridge closings, I-380 was bumper to bumper. I didn't have my camera but did get a shot with my cell phone.
Shortly after I got to work I was sent home so that people who live North of the river didn't get stuck. I quickly ran to pick up the kids and shortly after I got home they closed down Hwy 30 and Hwy 13. For anyone who doesn't know the area, that means that the only mode of transportation from one side of the town to the other is I-380.
Last night I saw some footage from our local tv station and it showed my office building. The windows were busted in due to the current of the river and the water level was above head level. I'm quite sure the pictures of my office from my previous post are the last of that office in any working order.
Once we got our Internet back, I went online and found some AP photos of the intersection I walk across every day to get to Jim's. This is looking down 2nd Street at the intersection with 1st Avenue. The brown building in the bottom right-hand corner is Wells Fargo. My office is even closer to the river than this photo: we are at the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street.
You can see I-380 in this aerial shot. The river is way at the top of this photo.
And I even found one of Josh's preschool teacher's daughters sandbagging.
There truly are no words.
Shortly after I got to work I was sent home so that people who live North of the river didn't get stuck. I quickly ran to pick up the kids and shortly after I got home they closed down Hwy 30 and Hwy 13. For anyone who doesn't know the area, that means that the only mode of transportation from one side of the town to the other is I-380.
Last night I saw some footage from our local tv station and it showed my office building. The windows were busted in due to the current of the river and the water level was above head level. I'm quite sure the pictures of my office from my previous post are the last of that office in any working order.
Once we got our Internet back, I went online and found some AP photos of the intersection I walk across every day to get to Jim's. This is looking down 2nd Street at the intersection with 1st Avenue. The brown building in the bottom right-hand corner is Wells Fargo. My office is even closer to the river than this photo: we are at the corner of 1st Avenue and 1st Street.
You can see I-380 in this aerial shot. The river is way at the top of this photo.
And I even found one of Josh's preschool teacher's daughters sandbagging.
There truly are no words.
