Fort Morgan, Colorado is a small prairie City and it had a Best Western and a nice Sport�s Bar so it was a fine choice � until the morning. During the night, the storm we feared from the previous day but had outrun, dumped some freezing rain and light snow on Fort Morgan. It�s been years since I�ve driven in winter conditions and as I moved out on to the highway, a cup of hot coffee in hand, I hit the most dangerous conditions possible � �black ice�. I immediately slid into a 180� skid. Fortunately we were still in town, driving 20 mph and on a divided road so there was little danger of a serious collision. When we got on the interstate, the ice was patchy and often covered with snow which meant we had to drive around 40 mph to be safe. Exacerbating the situation, large semi-trailer trucks went by us at 65-70 mph, blowing the light snow up so we couldn�t see. Equally dangerous, were the civilian drivers who did not slow down and blew by us at over 65 mph, endangering us as well as themselves. I question the sanity and over-confidence of these idiots. I had forgotten how stupid people can be when they get behind the wheel of their automobile or pick-up truck. I don�t excuse myself either. A couple times later in the trip, I passed trucks on a snowy road and ended up not being able to see where I was going in the mini snow storm raised by the truck. One time I almost drove off into the ditch in the center of the interstate. The storm stayed with us all through Nebraska and Iowa. We spent the night in an old, frigid motel in Shelby, Iowa and watched the NCAA championship football game while eating a greasy cheeseburger from a nearby caf� and drinking half frozen beer from our cooler � �Life on the road - 'aint' it wonderful?� We finally got clear of the storm just about the time we hit the Minnesota state line Wednesday afternoon.
The Beautiful
Driving through Southern Minnesota into Western Wisconsin brought back many memories. Years ago, I had spent a lot of time in these parts, so to speak. I hadn�t been back in over 30 years. I had forgotten how beautiful the rolling hills and the evergreen trees against a snowy backdrop could be, especially from the comfort of a warm vehicle. I also forgot how basically good the people are. When we arrived in Menomonie, Mary Ann�s brother, Don, and his wife Nona had made reservations for us, took care of all the preliminary planning and had basically cleared their calendar for the four days we were there. The desk clerk, who had gone to High School with Mary Ann, offered his sincere condolences as did dozens of people, most of whom hadn�t seen Mary Ann in over 40 years. I didn�t know what to expect, having not seen my ex-in-laws for so many years, but they were very warm and welcoming and made it clear they were happy to see me again and were sad that our relationship ended when Mary Ann and I got divorced. I thought it would be inappropriate for me to be part of planning the funeral arrangements. Fortunately, Don accompanied Michael to the funeral home and the cemetery which eased my worries that the Funeral Home people would try to take advantage of him when selling their services. Nona helped out with the minister. Michael�s cousin, Judy, was supportive and helpful even though she teaches full-time. I could add more examples, especially concerning Mary Ann�s life-long friends, Gail and Judy, but I will save those for my detailed account to be published on my web site later this year. We socialized every night and even attended a hockey game featuring Judy�s son.
The Memorial Service was well done. The Funeral Home people were helpful but unobtrusive. Gail had prepared a collage of Mary Ann�s life made up mostly of photograph�s Mary Ann herself had taken. It must have taken Gail days to do it. Some of Mary Ann�s relatives and friends showed up, many of whom hadn�t seen her since she left to go to college when she was 18. One guy, who had married into the clan showed up with his research of the family�s genealogy, even including Michael�s daughter who lives in the Philippines. Blew my mind. The service was short and Mary Ann�s friends, Gail and Judy, spoke as did Michael, who took the opportunity to thank everyone who had been so supportive both during her illness and in the aftermath of her passing. The Minister was low key. The burial service at a small cemetery in the hamlet of Irvington outside of Menomonie, was short but moving. The post service reception at a small restaurant was anticlimactic but actually enjoyable. We ended the evening with a visit Don and Nona�s house along with Michael�s cousin Beth and her family. I don�t know how things could have gone any better.
(Continued)