The McGainey Blog

I am crazy about wind turbines and wind turbine farms … and we passed 2 such farms in northern, central Iowa today.  We got off the highway and starting taking back roads following the turbines … just to see how far they would go. 

We found at least 2 miles of them and a maintenance shop full of blades, towers, and wires.  A large turbine is about 235 feet high and has 3 blades about 85 feet long.  When spinning, the outer tips turn at about 130 mph.  

We are determined that our future home will have turbines, or a water wheel, or something that will create our power.  Fascintating!

We moved to the bottom of Minnesota yesterday, so we could go to a BBQ Cookoff in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  I was born in Minnesota and remember so many times my mother mentioning Albert Lea, Brainard, and Windom (where I was born).  We moved to Iowa when I was three, and never returned.  I wish I had paid more attention to her childhood stories when I was young. 

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We enjoyed Montana, especially the western region.  We are now in north central North Dakota, near Minot.  Each state is so very different.  ND, once we got a few miles into the state, started displaying the grasslands and farming.  Beautiful country … so very far between houses.  What happens if you get sick or injured?

 We are going east of Minot Tuesday to the geological center of North America … interesting.  We’re trying to get to Minnesota before we run out of time - have to be in Decatur, IN before the end of September.  We’re having fun; but, it’s different than being on vacation.  We’re learning to change our mindset.

This is a note about where we’ve been and where we are now.  I’m having a lot of problems with my laptop and datacard connection, so it may be a while before I’m back online.

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My son, Rich, and daughter-in-law, Erin, have been taking care of our home until it sells … at the same time as getting their own home ready to sell … and managing 3 hyper, but great kids (Jeremy 15, Mason 9, and Hailey 5) who are out of school for the summer. 

Watching over our house has not been an easy task … extra mowing, checking for new mail, checking for surprise drips or drops inside, banking … on and on … every week for the last 3 months.  Erin has been doing most of the work … she should be put in for sainthood …  Sister Erin?

Their family took the time a few days ago to not only do the weekly chores, but trim the Knock Out Rose bushes and Crepe Myrtle tree too.  I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, but I was fretting - the bushes and tree were planted just last spring and the roots were still babies.  When everything was done, they took a picture to send to us … just in case I was homesick. 

I was … I’m feeling better now … thanks, guys, very much.