Well I hope everyone enjoyed our last stop! It looks like we landed in another fun place to visit... Newton, Iowa! heres a couple pictures of our cool little stop http://pics4.city-data.com/cpic/ufiles1420.jpg http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicv/vfiles7622.jpg (not a big "mall" but I probably need a shopping break anyway ) The population is over 15,000 people! Matt Chatham of the 2005 New England Patriots was born here and the largest businesses are Iowa Telecommunications Services and Maytag Corp. The tourist attractions here are the: International Wrestling Institute & Museum http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/ Jasper County Historical Museum http://www.jaspercountymuseum.net/ Amboy Trail Ranch (anyone up for a hay ride??) http://www.amboyranch.com/ Iowa Speedway http://www.iowaspeedway.com/ and......... Diamondjake Ballooning (lets go up in a hot air balloon!! ) http://diamondjake.com/index.html Its a perfect weekend to be here, this weekend the Sugar Grove Vineyards and Gathering Place is hosting a dinner and show Saturday night! Four course meal, maybe we all can split 1! http://sugargrove.com./index.php The Ghouls Next Door - ALL-NEW SHOW! About Dinner By Ghostlight 2007: Expect surprising and delightful musical and comedic twists inspired by great works by Robert Louis Stevenson and Poe. Set in a 1920s country English estate, The Ghouls Next Door gives a whole new meaning to being neighborly! New to this year's cast is another superb Newton comedic player, Steve McKinstry and the maiden "broadcast" of the Overactive Radio Theatre Company. Never a dull moment! Name That Spooky Tune and win a prize! Your Elegant English Country Cuisine Menu: (Includes one complimentary glass of Sugar Grove wine of your choice, and coffee) Appetizer: Gourmet cheeses, crackers and fresh fruit Salad: Romaine Salad topped with Confit of Goose, Herbs and Harvest Home White Wine Entrée: English Round of Carved Beef accompanied by Smoked Cod Timbale, Root Vegetable Medley and Fresh House-Made Honey Wheat Bread with Butter Dessert: English Trifle Torte (raspberry) Sounds like an exciting weeked for us in Iowa, lets enjoy it! Look at how far we've come Marchers, we're really moving along!! http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1609/9234421/16931981/286005410.jpg the little balloons indicate stops 1, 2, 3 and our newest stop

Laura, Thank you for sharing your courage and humor with us. I am so glad you have a trip to look forward to. It will be so good for you to see your kids. Take care, Rick

Hi All, Not the best of walking for me this week.....these darn chemo treatments are getting in my way!!!. I'll sure be glad when it's over. Although this week I have felt a little better because I've been getting Neupogen injections every day to help with the blood counts. I only had 15.25 miles on my pedometer this week. My good news is I'm going to celebrate Thanksgiving in Hawaii with my kids Kathleen and Austin. My oncologist has given me the OK to travel as long as I'm careful to stay away from germs and sick poeple. I leave on the 20th. I'm really looking forward to the trip.....but hoping I don't scare them with my appearance.....I look very different than I did in August when they left for school. They of course have seen me with no hair....but now I have no eyebrows or eyelashes!!!! (If I still had all my weight....I'd make an excellent Uncle Fester tomorrow night!!! hahaha) In the end this expierence will be a distant memory as I go on to lead a VERY healthy long life!!!!! Happy walking everyone....

Di De, If you have to get hooked on something, walking and counting is a great thing. It's such a good feeling to see them add up. Have a great day, Rick

I'm glad I have never been a shopper. I'm not sure if it is a good thing that my wife is the dedicated shopper or not? The good thing about resolutions is that you can always start over if you need to. Take care, Rick