May 11 is "National Eat What You Want Day." I wish I could say I waited all year for this!🤣

The green was so intense.

Whereas I'm really NOT looking forward to next week, it will be a good thing. Weds. I have an upper endoscopy in Lee's Summit. To add to the fun I have a" colonoscopy at the same time. Yes, my final words will be, "do the upper first, please." Not that those two procedures aren't enough fun, no, I get to come back to Ottumwa on Friday and get rid of a rather large kidney stone. After several weeks of pain, and what I've felt to be a pretty miserable existence, I spent last night in the ER and will be glad when that stone is gone. With traveling it's hard to get some things, especially unexpected ones and sometimes several of those close together, taken care of in a timely manner. Fortunately I have found some very kind doctors and staff. 

If you've ever had a kidney stone they describe the pain as very intense (an understatement). It can last 20 mins., an hour or longer, occurring in waves. The pain may be days apart or merely hours. It can take a week, two, or longer to pass a stone, if it does. Despite not caring about much of anything Tues. night, I managed to find it ironic that I had this shirt on the day I ended up in the ER. There was no "happiness" though and I didn't think life was good at the time!

Sally drove us to some sites at Lacy-Keosauqua State Park.

The Gatehouse was constructed in 1935 by the CCC.

Next to the Gatehouse is a memorial to the CCC.

The Lodge is the largest building in the park. It is located across the street from what used to be the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Golf Course. The course is now forested land but we were standing in the area where the tee for hole one had been located. 

Several buildings and picnic shelters.

We're parked to the right of Sally and Mike at Lacey-Keosauqua.

On Sunday we were able to follow along with Josh on his first marathon in Providence, RI. We were cheering him across the finish line. Zia, Cyrus and Samira ran with him for a few minutes near the end. 

Sally and Mike have provided us with a spot to boondock while we are in Ott. They've generously opened their home to us for anything we might need, showers, laundry, etc.

Pat got out the grill Sunday.

Where are the Piepers now? Lacey-Keosauqua S. P.