Day 2 at Smith Lake

 

I woke up at 5 AM today. I’m unsure why I keep waking early, but I sleep through the night. I let Shelley sleep and worked on yesterday’s blog post on the back deck. I also reviewed my blood work, which is both frustrating and challenging to interpret.

At 7:00 AM, Sue, Paul, and Gail came out and started a great conversation about a coffee cup.  They always find something unique to talk about.  It made the weekend enjoyable to have them join us!

I had a sausage and egg bake for breakfast, along with fruit and English muffins. After breakfast, I went to get paper towels and a ribeye steak. I wanted to add some red meat to our diet, as most of our food has been fresh but low in iron.

While I was in town, Shelley contacted me to say that people were anxious to get on the boat. I told them to go ahead without me, assuring them it wasn’t a big deal. It gave me time to relax, as I am tired and the anemia continues to drain me.

It’s ironic that I stopped for gas in town and saw the owner eating at the small table inside the store.

They returned around noon to swim near the dock and have lunch. Around 2 o’clock, they put Jack down for a nap, and Sue and Paul stayed behind while the rest of us took the kids tubing. I practiced manual focus on my Tamron 150-600. I dropped this lens and now the autofocus doesn’t work. I’m considering upgrading to the newer $2,100 180-600 mm Z-mount lens for my Nikon Z7 II, but I might not need to since the images are still sharp with manual focus.

 

After returning, I spent two hours reviewing and updating photos. We had chicken and burger sliders, asparagus, and salad for dinner. After cleaning up, they prepared for a sunset boat ride. Feeling unwell, I stayed behind to edit photos and work on a blog post. They returned before 7:30 p.m. and started a fire. I decided to rest indoors.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

First full day at Smith Lake

Waking up early has become a habit. I got up at 5:15 AM and let Shelley sleep. I relaxed and read about Lewis Smith Lake. Many towns and farms are at the lake’s bottom, along the original Clear Creek.

As usual, Faye woke up at 6:15 AM, got ready, and showed her energy. By 7:45 AM, Allison and the kids played games while waiting for breakfast. They served eggs, fruits, and muffins, and I warmed up pecan cinnamon rolls from Buc-ees.

After breakfast, Vera and I picked up groceries, sunglasses for Eric, boat registration numbers, and an eye mask in Jasper. We bought watermelon since they didn’t have any at the lake. We also needed new sunglasses for Eric, who dropped his in the lake. We got the numbers for the Jet Ski.

While watching the Bison game, the group returned on the boat to pick up Vera. The game was close in the first quarter, but the Bison connected more effectively. It was dull, so I worked on my mom’s financial report while watching. Later, everyone went out on the boat, but I had to skip it because I was feeling unwell and tired. I rested the rest of the afternoon.

I’m experiencing the effects of low iron. After three infusions, I’ve only seen minor improvements. I’ll keep trying until this is resolved. The day passed quickly, but Shelley enjoyed spending time at the lake and around the campfire with the kids and family. I turned in early. 

Carry on my friends, carry on!

To the lake we go!

I woke up at 5:30 AM feeling restless. I cleaned up the past blog posts in the living room while Shelley slept. Around 6:30 AM, Faye greeted me with a cheerful “Good morning!” and went back upstairs. She stayed until 7:15 when Allison and others came downstairs. They prepared the kids for school and saw them off. Shelley and Allison took Jack to school. They walked in a local park and returned home around 9:45 AM.

I ensured the bike rack would fit on Shelley’s car. I couldn’t find the key or anchor bolt, but they weren’t needed to mount the rack. Since Jordan won’t be riding, I won’t need to pick up the bike when we meet him next week.

I packed and prepared for the day. When Shelley returned, we relaxed briefly. By 11:45, we began our trip. We stopped at a large C-Store (Buc-ees), which Shelley had never visited before.

Tennessee traffic eased up near the Alabama border. We arrived at Buc-ees around 1:00 PM and found it larger than expected. We refilled the gas tank and went inside for lunch and snacks. Shelley found it overwhelming when exiting the restroom. I agree—their arrangement is distinctive.

I ordered the barbecue brisket sandwich, the Shelley’s pulled pork sandwich, and a side of barbecue sauce. The brisket sandwich was the best I’ve ever had. After lunch, we drove to the lake, taking a scenic route that was 10 minutes quicker. The drive was eye-opening, with narrow roads and depressed properties.

We arrived at the lake at 3:40, 10 minutes before Allison. The lake cabin has an entrance gate from the road and a long, narrow driveway. We quickly unloaded the car and parked in a distant lot so Allison could park at the entrance. Our timing was perfect, as I was parking when Allison arrived. We unpacked, assigned rooms, and headed to the dock for a pontoon ride around the lake.

For dinner, they prepared a spicy taco bar, but it was too hot for me, so I had leftover pizza. We gathered at the fire pit, made s’mores, and relaxed. By 8:00 PM, I was tired and called it a night. I worked on a blog post in my bedroom and went to sleep. It was a long day, and I’m ready to rest.

 

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Arrived in Nashville!

I woke up at 5:45 AM and headed to the cafeteria, letting Shelley sleep in. She arrived around 7:30 AM, and we decided what to eat. She had a pre-made veggie omelet, sausage, Raisin Bran, and diluted cranberry juice. At the same time, I chose biscuits and gravy, potatoes with gravy, the same omelet, sausage, and pure cranberry juice.

After breakfast, I showered and we packed up. We left for Nashville just before 9:00 AM. I bought sunglasses at Walmart for $49, though I preferred darker ones. Shelley found a better pair she liked more. We were on the road by 9:45 AM. I drove and let Shelley rest, as the grandkids would drain her energy at Allison’s.

We encountered road construction delays and a single accident, but arrived at the Pilot Travel Center in West Paducah, Kentucky, around 12:30 PM. The car’s fuel gauge showed only 30 miles left, so we waited. Gas was $0.45 more expensive in Illinois, saving us over $6.00 on a full tank. We should remember Illinois’s higher gas prices when driving back.

Shelley planned to drive the last 150 miles after lunch, but I suggested I take over during rush hour while she ate in the car. We agreed, and I’m glad we did. We encountered early rush hour traffic in Nashville at 3:15 PM, navigating stop-and-go traffic and frequent lane changes.

We arrived at Allison’s by 3:45 PM after a smooth ride. Sue and Jack (2-year-old grandson) were already there. Jack didn’t recognize Shelley, though she doesn’t see him often, and he’s too young for the Grammy iPad games. I managed to warm him up. We built block structures, knocked them down.

The bus with Maeve, Vera, and Faye arrived around 4:00. They ran from the bus stop, two blocks away, to the house when they saw Grammy. Shelley was playing with them all for a while. Vera worked on her written background for the Student Council election. I tried to help her with the wording, but I accidentally upset her, so I let Grammy finish.

Allison made a yummy chicken sausage and pasta dinner with a Caesar Salad. I purchased magnesium citrate at Whole Foods to address my stomach issues. The drive back was unusual, with many turns getting us out of the neighborhood. Vera beat me in a game of Pig before we watched the Nebraska game with Shelley. We hoped for a good night’s sleep so we could be rested for tomorrow’s drive. 

Carry on my friends, carry on!

On the way to Nashville

I woke up at 6:15 AM and got ready for the day. The plan was to pack and leave mid-morning, driving partway to Nashville. Shelley woke up at 7:30, and we took our time packing. Since Shelley needed to handle an issue with the Artistry account, I finished packing. We left around 10:30 AM.

Shelley chose to drive the initial stretch of our trip along a more scenic route, which added two hours to the trip compared to the fastest way. Because Highway 52 south of Rochester, MN, was closed, we took a minor detour. Shelley appreciated the scenic views and the numerous horse farms. A highlight was passing through Amish country, where she spotted an Amish buggy with a flat-brimmed hat, making it a memorable part of the day..

We stopped in Dyersville, Iowa, for fuel and a driver change. The cool, cloudy day offered welcome relief from the hot weather. We continued smoothly, reaching Illinois and considering Springfield as an overnight stop. Shelley checked hotel options, but most were priced at $300 or more, possibly due to an event or high rates.

We swapped drivers near Morton, Illinois, and found a Holiday Inn and Suites in Litchfield, IL. We arrived at the hotel by 7:00 PM, checked in, and then searched for a suitable dinner spot. We decided on Nancy’s Pizza, a Chicago-born deep-dish pizza chain. The 9-inch pizza was excellent, but we were only able to finish half of it. Shelley enjoyed a Caesar Salad with arugula, Purshoto, and an elusive spice.

We arrived at the hotel by 8:30 PM, unloaded, and prepared to relax. Shelley attempted to make a reservation for Chattanooga, but the attempt failed, so she spent time resolving the issue.

We have 6 hours of driving tomorrow and hope it goes smoothly. 

Carry on my feriends, carry on!

Over 60 miles riding!

 The firm bed at the Best Western led to poor sleep, causing Shelley to have a headache. I woke up at 6:40 AM to thick fog due to high humidity and a significant overnight temperature drop to 56 degrees. I went to the bistro to work on the blog while Shelley rested.

The breakfast at the bistro was typical of other motels, featuring premade omelets, French toast sticks, hash, muffins, bagels, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, and homemade waffles. I ate a small meal while waiting for Shelley.

Around 8:15 AM, Shelley joined me. She had slept poorly and reviewed the food options. We enjoyed breakfast before packing for the day. We changed our plan from Sparta to Tunnel #3 to the Lacrosse River Trail from Sparta to West Salem (15 miles). Shelley would pick me up there, and we’d do the Great River State Trail along the Mississippi River.

At 10:30 AM, I started on the trail near the Visitors Center in Sparta. Shelley visited the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce, which also serves as a trailhead. The first 5 miles of the trail were well-maintained, but the quality declined after reaching New Salem. Weeds had grown, making it more difficult.

We arrived in New Salem at 11:30 AM, and Shelley arrived 5 minutes earlier, so we timed our arrival well. We loaded the bike and headed west to the Great River Trail. Unfortunately, a major bridge, the  Tank Green Bridge, had burned, closing the trail halfway. We hadn’t planned to ride the entire trail, so it didn’t affect us. Initially, we planned to ride from the Great River Landing in Onalaska north, but the Sparta Convention Center staff advised Shelley to ride from Marshland South for a more scenic route.

West Salem Depot

We arrived at Marshland at 12:15 PM, excited to ride. However, the first few miles were a bumpy road and loose gravel. The trail was flooded and closed due to flooding. We regretted taking the Sparta trailhead staff’s advice and had a miserable 7-mile ride.

Returning to Marshland, another cyclist suggested the newly built Flyway Trail Connector, a 6-mile trail to Winona. Shelley grabbed snacks, and we headed west. The first three miles paralleled the road before entering the marsh. A large bridge spanned the railroad tracks and marsh, leading to Aghaming Park and a bridge over the Mississippi River and Latsch Island Park. Tired, we took a rest and snack break on large rocks, enjoying the scenery.

As the sun rose and the heat increased, we decided to return to the car. While the last ride wasn’t scenic, it concluded our two days of riding on a high note. We took scenic Highway 61 home, arriving at 6:00 PM, unloaded, and were ready for rest.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Off to Sparta

Our plan was to leave town by 8:30 a.m. after waking up at 7:30 a.m. However, there was a problem with the sprinkler timer for the new sod that took some time to resolve. I also noticed it had been a while since I last cleaned and lubricated my chain, and when I checked, I realized it was close to needing a replacement. However, with the tight schedule, I couldn't get to it then and will tackle it after I return.

We left town around 9:30 a.m. and headed toward Norwalk, Wisconsin, which is near the center of the Sparta Bicycle Trail. We planned to ride 11 miles along the Sparta Trail toward Elroy, giving us the chance to see two of the three tunnels on the trail. The drive was smooth, and we stopped for fuel about halfway. Once we reached Sparta, Shelley stopped for ice before continuing to the trailhead.

We arrived at 12:25 p.m. There were only four cars in the lot, so the trail shouldn't be crowded. An advantage of being retired! By 12:45 PM, we were on the trail. Immediately, we passed a set of bleachers and what looked like a tractor pull field. I found out they hold a National Tractor Pull competition here every year. This year, it was August 8-10.

 

Within the first half-mile, we crossed the first of many small bridges. The trail was slightly uphill for three miles until we reached Tunnel #2. The tunnels are numbered from east to west. Tunnels 1 and 2 are about a quarter mile long, while Tunnel #3 is three-quarters of a mile long. Shelley was in heaven, surrounded by pristine wildflowers and the pastoral countryside landscape. Then we arrived at the dark, dingy tunnel.

Tunnel #1 Description

Ready for tunnel 2

Shelley began walking through the tunnel following the signs. The walls seem to get narrower the farther in you go, and the dripping water, along with the jagged edges from blasting, give it a creepy vibe. On both sides of the tunnel, there is a small drainage channel. This made the ride feel very eerie. Because of the very poor lighting (I gave Shelley the best light I had and used a headlamp meant for reading), I decided to ride slowly through without any issues. Shelley mounted her bike and rode the last half of the tunnel. She said that the dark walls, running water, and poor surface increased her fear. So, 3.25 miles in, Shelley already wanted to cut part of the trail.

The next three miles gently slope downhill toward the Village of Wilton. I was able to coast most of the way. When we reached Wilton, they had a great trailhead with a caboose, restrooms, a bike repair station, and a nice spot to sit and relax. We spent 20 minutes taking a few pictures and enjoying the area.

The next six miles involved a gentle climb to Tunnel #1. Previous reports indicated that the trail through Tunnel #1 was more challenging than the one through Tunnel #2. One report mentioned it took 50 percent longer to walk through Tunnel #1 than Tunnel #2. Once we arrived, we took a break to read the signs and prepare Shelley for the trip through the tunnel. 

Tunnel #2 Description

Shelley walked through the tunnel as I rode again without trouble. At the tunnel’s end, she was almost in tears from fear. The dark walls, strange sounds, rivers flowing on either side, and the darkness itself overwhelmed her. She doubted turning back, but there was no choice. We’d gone 11 miles and decided to turn around here instead of continuing to the trail’s end in Elroy.

Survived the tunnel	Long exposure image of the dark tunnel
Wilton photo opportunity	Gained confidence to enter Tunnel 1

After encouraging her to start, I rode behind her to boost her confidence. The fear in her voice echoed as we entered the tunnel. Shelley looked on the brink of a nervous breakdown, having survived something terrifying. We had one more tunnel before returning to the car in Norwalk. After a 15-minute rest, she was calm and ready to continue.

We finished the six-mile downhill ride to Wilton without problems. Upon arrival, we rested to boost Shelley’s confidence for the next tunnel. We ate snacks on a shaded bench, looking northeast at Wilton.

It was only two miles of a gradual incline to tunnel #2, and Shelley was not looking forward to it. I reminded Shelley of the mental training I had from my college tennis days—some advice from Dennis Waitley. I have used his training many times in my life. The following excerpt from the training is what I told Shelley.

  Suppose I put $1,000 at the end of a three-foot-wide, solid metal, 100-foot-long beam on the floor. I ask you to walk from one end to the other, pick up the $1,000, and walk back. This is an easy activity. You would NEVER fail if it is on the ground. I've now installed the metal beam 250 feet in the air. It is in a controlled environment, no wind, only a change in height. I ask you to cross and retrieve $10,000 and return. Fear sets in and takes a task you could do without any difficulty on the ground, and now you might crawl on your hands and knees or not retrieve the money at all. The only change is the self-induced fear.

Upon arrival, we immediately entered the tunnel. I wanted Shelley to move quickly and avoid fear. She slowly made her way through. Relief washed over her as she emerged from the dreadful tunnels.

On the way from Tunnel #2 to Norwalk, Shelley stopped to admire the flowers and relax. The gentle downhill made for a pleasant end to the day. However, she said it’s only three miles to the last tunnel, and if I wanted to ride it, she’d like to do the ride to the tunnel but not into it! On to tunnel three we went!

Tunnel #3, the longest and trickiest, was pitch black and damp. Unlike the others, it lacked a light at the end. Thick fog obscured the walls, making it difficult to see even with Shelley’s bright light. Rain continuously fell, creating ruts and puddles. The waterways on either side were twice as wide as the others. Eerie sounds echoed through the tunnel, intensifying the fear of claustrophobia and the dark. 

Tunnel #3 description

Despite my 750-lumen headlamp, the creepy atmosphere, dripping water, and jagged walls made it a terrifying experience. Shelley waited anxiously at the other end.

Trail blocked - just enough room to proceed

Prepare for Tunnel 3

We took a quick break to rest and dry off before heading back to the car and calling it a day. Shelley noticed the sign indicating that Tunnel #3 was dug beneath natural springs, and water is dripping down everywhere.

Our ride back was smooth, with Shelley stopping to snap a few more amazing photos. By the time she reached the end, she was happy with the trip and feeling calm. We loaded up the bikes and headed to the Best Western in Sparta. We arrived and checked in by 6:00 PM. We looked into some local spots to eat and decided on Sparta Family Restaurant. Our food arrived in under five minutes! We made a great call – Shelley had a cheeseburger and I had chicken and dumplings. Both were fantastic. We were so satisfied that we skipped dessert.

Shelley craved ice cream, but options were scarce. We visited Dairy Queen, which was unsatisfying and reminded me why I hadn’t been there in a while. Our last stop was the Sparta Trailhead (Ben Bikin' Information Center) and the famous bike.

Exhausted, we returned to the hotel, relaxed, and worked on this blog post. Then, we settled in for much-needed sleep.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Hard work, nice results

Hey, guess what? Shelley and I tackled a massive project this week! Seriously, the iron infusions were a lifesaver—I wouldn’t have made it without them! For over a decade, the north side of the backyard was a total jungle. The old rock wall was buried under tons of erosion, and overgrown bushes mostly hid the grass path. The other side of the path was hard-packed dirt where grass couldn’t even grow. We tried adding mulch to the tough soil to spruce things up, but it just turned into a muddy mess that eroded even faster.

Shelley, lacking strength, focused on removing underbrush up the hill while I dug rocks and rebuilt the wall. After clearing, we found several small buckthorn and other plants that required effort to pull out by the roots to prevent regrowth in the rocky soil.

Removing the old shrubs created a six-foot-wide walkway, gaining 3 feet. This space allows us to establish natural turf. We chose shade sod from Gertens loosened the soil, added new topsoil, and laid the sod. Despite the 90-degree heat and humidity, we persevered. Each day, my clothes were drenched in sweat. We hope the new landscaping thrives and remains vibrant. The backyard now looks inviting, rather than unkempt. It was nice to finish the landscaping on Friday.

Original mess - rocks buried in the ground	Rocks were removed from the hill and placed
Another view of the rocks and hill clean up	Finished product

 

The new walkway and wall/hill in the background

It was nice to finish on Friday; the Minnesota Amateur Baseball layoffs have started, marking the end of another season.  I really enjoy town ball and attended some games in Prior Lake, which were very enjoyable. I was also able to review a few more fields. To date, I have reviewed 14 ballfields, with approximately 240 to go!

With the iron infusions, I’ve noticed improvements in my sleep, breathing, and overall mood. I feel more relaxed and less anxious and edgy. It’s great to feel closer to my usual self. However, I wish I could see the hematologist sooner, but I have to wait until November.

It's hard to believe I am only 34 days away from turning 63! Time goes faster each year. 

Until next time, carry on my friends, carry on!

Infusion boredom

This post is a follow-up to my previous posts and more. My anemia is still being treated, going on 9 years with no known cause. I am currently undergoing another round of Venofer infusions. 

I remain confused by the insurance company's decision. They approved nine Venofer infusions over 4.5 years (three rounds every 18 months), compared to three Injectafer infusions in 2017, which lasted over four years. They approved the lower-cost Venofer ($825 per dose), which is 80 percent cheaper per unit. However, the clinic infusion fee makes the overall costs similar, with about $15,625 for Venofer and $15,348 for Injectafer. I assume they consider that I have to pay the deductible each year, and they pay less?  As I have always heard, Medical insurers are more concerned with profit than with our health.

I asked insurance if they would cover the lower-cost treatment and if I would pay for the Injectifer difference; would that be acceptable? Then I found out that the cost of the Injectifer increased by 530 percent because the insurance wouldn't cover it! What a racket.  

I also uncovered an insurance scam in 2017 involving prescription medications. As shown above, the insurance-covered RX cost was $17.04. However, the formula changed, and it no longer covered the refill. It then skyrocketed by 1,431 percent to $243.99! No wonder the uninsured can’t afford to get sick.

I also uncovered an insurance scam in 2017 involving prescription medications. As shown above, the insurance-covered RX cost was $17.04. However, the formula changed, and it no longer covered the refill. It then skyrocketed by 1,431 percent to $243.99! No wonder the uninsured can’t afford to get sick.

I went to a baseball game on Saturday and took some photos. I was testing the Tamron 150-600 f-mount lens as when I accidentally dropped it, and the autofocus stopped working. Since it's on my Nikon Z7ii, I also used the Nikon FTZ II mount. For the needs (Shelley's grandkids and sports), I think I can focus manually and avoid buying the Nikon 180-600 $2,100 replacement.  

Shelley and I are super excited about our third retirement adventure! Since she retired, our trips have been limited because she had to take care of her dad. But now, we’re planning a fun trip to Nashville, and then we’ll head to her daughter’s lake cabin in Alabama, near Jasper on Smith Lake, for three or four nights. After that, we’ll chill in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a night, and then spend a few nights in the Smoky Mountains with Jordan and Kira. We will head back to Nashville for an NDSU football game before heading home.  I’m really hoping this trip is a relaxing escape, not a stressful one!

Until next time, carry on my friends, carry on!