Laura Ingalls starts a journal

[Laura Ingalls]

On a more positive note it is my favorite time of year to be here. Walking around the lilac park with DH atm. Walked around the tulip park with my Mom yesterday. Wandered around my most productive morel spot the day before that. DS’s went fishing together yesterday after work. DH put up the oriel feeder and instantly a pair appeared

[Laura Ingalls]

Accommodation log

1 night at my aunt’s
6 nights at a pet sit
17 days day in Ingall’s Hillbilly Hellhole

The too long not gonna write version. My family is crazy. My mom is regressing to the stage that you do whatever the person you like the best wants no matter how toxic, unfair, or nonsensical it is.

I am so over it. We got a storage unit. We are getting a mailbox service and escaping state income taxes in addition to mental distress. We are GTFO. I love my mom, my sons’, chill brother and his crew. I probably even love my shady brother but I am not voluntarily interacting with him.

Positive things.

The petsit was in a modern loft building in the think of the little downtown area. It was walkable but too noisy (construction, trains, commercial and military aircraft).I am pretty sure DH does not need to be directly across the street from a quality steak house (unless he gets a corporate gig with a generous expense account and clients to entertain). The stay was nice but did really clarify that we still have more wandering to do and a lease right now is not for us. Our host was an astronaut and had interesting books around too.

We have had a lot of day trips from here interspersed between sorting and culling our possessions yet again. We finally mental maxed out on getting rid of stuff and rented a 5x15 storage unit. DH was not ready to get rid of his kayak. He did get a nice paddle in yesterday.

I talked to a friend and she lent be a book about caring for people with Alzheimer’s. It did point out why some of my “strategies” haven’t worked very well. I was happy for the support and the chance to get a better insight on the situation.

Next adventures.
A few weeks in Northern Iowa camping
A return engagement to our doodle friends in the Black Hills
Tentatively planned a repositioning cruise to Japan and a winter in Asia.

[Henry]

My mom is regressing to the stage that you do whatever the person you like the best wants no matter how toxic, unfair, or nonsensical it is...Our host was an astronaut and had interesting books around too.

Maybe he's got something on how to navigate black holes.

[Scordatura]

Since you're escaping, do you have a state in mind for home base?

Other than Iowa, my picks would be Tennessee or Wyoming for the no state income tax, though there are others. Curious what you're thinking.

On the note of beautiful midwestern places to potentially camp, the Dubuque area of Iowa on into Wisconsin is stunning.

[Laura Ingalls]

South Dakota

I can sign up for healthcare from a mailbox service. We have lived in that area previously and know a few providers and have a social network to ask other people.

We might post up in Dubuque and/or Decorah sometime this summer. They are a couple of our favorites.

[Laura Ingalls]

Accommodation log
6 days at homestead
6 days camping
1 day at my aunt’s
15 at Black Hills housesit
3 hotel nights

We are working on the residence change. Got the mailbox and working on the ID and healthcare pieces.

We rolled into Rapid City and I felt almost giddy about the fun to be had. It delivered. The reunion was nice, more hikes both new and favorites from last year. I just feel really peaceful in the Black Hills.

I have been in regular communication with all my peeps except for shady bro. I text with my mom most days. Sharing what we are up to and hear what she is doing. Dementia be damn she is doing stuff. Offspring doing well despite younger son’s semi-homeless situation.

[Stasher]

I would like to experience the Black Hills again but on hikes and human powered adventure. The times I have gone was ArenaCross racing in Rapid City and sportbike group trips in summer. It is a nice oasis emerging from the grasslands of the Prairies, we would travel down when I lived in Saskatchewan.

[Laura Ingalls]

@Stasher

When you are ready to visit the US plan a visit (avoid the Rally). There is a long lovely bike path. Another nice feature of the area is the microclimates. If you are in a spot that is too hot or too cold you can always just drive 30 minutes find better weather.

Currently in the Teddy Roosevelt NP which is nice too.

[Stasher]

Both trips we did intentionally avoid the rally, we were there to enjoy riding and the beautiful twisty roads amongst beautiful landscape. Would be nice to hike the Needles rather than roll through it as one place that stood out in my mind. It was like 120f the one trip down and stopped at the lake there to jump in for a don't wanna melt and die from the heat cool down. Great to know there is no bike infrastructure and a route to explore for cycling trips.