Leona's birthday hike around the lake .."the loop"

So, the actual 90^th birthday is today. This has been the longest birthday celebration I have been too and has been so much fun. Leona took us to another Midwestern tradition of breakfast at a nearby town ,Providence. The breakfast was in a old Hardware store and was run by volunteers of Quaker group . It was delicious, fresh made, all you can eat  and pay what ever you can. It is very much like KARMA KITCHEN . They sang happy birthday to Leona. Leona had to say bye to her sons ( her boys)  and then we came to her home for few minutes.

                                                             

 Breakfast cooked by Quaker Group

 Saying Bye to Jim and family
Leona wanted to do the "loop" around the lake. It is a 3 mile hike and a rough trail with lots of ups and downs. She had asked me if I will like to do it with her on her birthday. So, Jim and Becky , Leona and i did the LOOP. I am totally inspired by her guts, enthusiasm and love  for life. We had a wonderful time doing the loop.

 Loop around the lake

 More loop hike pictures

 Finished the loop

 The dogs back home had missed Jim and Becky fr last three days. So, when we came back, they came out for a ride in the van.

Happy Hikers

 Leona leading the pack

 Lark Toys near Rochester is the largest independent toy shop in America and when ever i am in this area , we always pay a visit here. It has a large selection of high quality educational and fun toys. It is fun to just browse through the stuff.

Ending the trip with home cooked fresh caught fish and a nice conversation. Everyone is gone to bed so it is time to end this.

  I hope I will be here and after finishing the loop trail with Leona , I will be writing the blog for her 100th birthday in 10 years. ( hopefully i will be in shape to finish it then) 

Birthday Continues in Eldora, Iowa

Morning started with the lake walk and sunrise pictures. Then we got all prettied up for the Sunday  Church service.  Leona wanted to go to the church with the family , I got included in the church service,

To my surprise the priest was a woman who had a lovely voice and colorful attire. She was quite high Tech for a small town church and used power point and video to teach the story  of the old and new testaments and just like schools , she used , “ repeat after me…” several times to get the point memorized.  All is I have to say is that it is interesting to see how our brains get programmed very early on when we are innocent enough to know any other way of life or thinking and how we are encouraged to NOT ask questions and learn to have a blind faith. 

 Morning at the lake

All dressed up for Church ( Leona,, Becky, Linda, Amy , Jim and Jim)

 The Priest

 Town hall

Back to the lodge, simple lunch was followed by the preparation of the grand party for the birthday. People started coming around 1:45 pm. Everyone came, the doctor, the dentist, the business woman, the family  with kids, the farmers , the caretakers, grand nieces, great grand nephews and nieces, sisters and brothers , grandkids, great grand kids, a friend from 85 years ago, knitting buddies, Kiwanis, Bridge buddies, Church people and the neighbors and friends. They kept on coming. There were somewhere between 130 to 140 people . Leona enjoyed every minute of it.

Not sure about her but rest of us are totally tired after the grand party. It was very nice to see how well liked she is with old and young alike. It is small town effect for sure but it is also who she is that makes her so likable. I am glad that I was part of the celebration. Time to sleep, the internet is broken so this has to wait till morning for posting.

Baby Gracy ( she has her picture with President Obama )

Leona's freinds

Leona and Cindy

Leona and Viv ( life long friend..for over 85 years)

Adam and Amy

Becky and her mom ( Leona)

Leona's Great Niece

Shierly ( sister in law) , Nephew Kurt , Nephew Jim , Monte