The morning we set out on a trip is so busy with last-minute chores to be done to ready the van and the house. Not to mention catching two cats, one of whom is savvy enough (Primrose) to know something is up and now is the time to hide and perhaps tell her sister (Catnip) to do the same. We did close off most hiding places beforehand; Primrose spent most of the morning under the couch and Catnip climbed up on top of the kitchen cabinets when things started to look serious. Catnip’s namesake herb is her Achilles heel, so she was the first to go out to Usain. After all of this effort it is very nice to have a short drive on the first day of our trip to Door County.

It is also very nice to visit with long-time friends, Paul and Roxann at their home in Belmond, Iowa. We played cards, ate at the new Mexican food restaurant, and walked on the town’s glow rocks path after sunset.

Did we think to take pictures of any of this fun? Nope, so enjoy this picture from earlier this year when we were top dogs at trivia in Texas.

The following morning we took advantage of our hosts’ proximity to Belmond’s walking path to get in a power walk before leaving town. Roxann stopped so I could take a picture of a shrew, but her “don’t make me look at it” remark makes clear that dead critters are at the top of her ick list. I loved the shape of the shrew’s nose.

In closing, I’ll add in our annual bike path picture taken the day before we left. Each year we stop in the same farm field spot for photos on the High Trestle Trail out of Ankeny. This was our first bike ride of the summer due to my surgeries and recovery.

We would highly recommend this stay in Belmond — 30-amp power, level parking, attentive hosts, and super clean bathroom!