Panora, IA to Sheridan, IL – 8/20/2016 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

August 20, 2016 (Saturday)

Moving day. We decided to leave a day early as our new “home” begins today and we wanted to get settled. We left the resort in Panora around 8:00 AM, dropped off the keys at the front desk, and headed out. The drive today was about 325 miles, but we stopped in Iowa City, Iowa to visit family.

Before me, Michael was married to Renee. Renee died of cancer about five years before I met Michael. Michael has kept in contact with most of Renee’s family. Some have visited us, and we have visited some. They have opened their arms and welcomed me into the family. They are wonderful.

Today we stopped in Iowa City to visit Ruth and Richard. Ruth was Renee’s oldest sister. Ruth is now around 83 and Richard is 85. Ruth is confined to a wheelchair and Richard is the best caregiver/husband I have ever seen (other than Michael). You can just see the love they have for each other. They live in a retirement/assisted living facility. We stopped to get some Subway sandwiches to take for them. We also got to enjoy the downtown area. We noticed lots of students getting ready to start school soon. We got the Subway sandwiches then went to the facility and met up with Ruth and Richard. They both looked great and are doing well. We went to a private eating room and got to enjoy lunch while visiting. So good to catch up and know they are doing well.

The Iowa Open is being played this week at this course in Panora. We watched the results on the evening news. Still going as we leave.

We are not golf fans and wonder at the officials that wave these light swords when a player is teeing off.

This is a nice town. The University gives it a life that is palpable.

Lots of construction coming into Iowa City.

We think today is the day the incoming freshmen class arrives.

We left around 2:00 PM or so and headed East on I-80. It was raining off and on, and the skies were very dark and threatening. Lots and lots of corn fields, a few cows, and soy beans (still). We stopped for gas outside of Iowa City and then kept on until we got to Ottawa, Illinois.

We both decided we loved the white tassels on this grass.

The world's largest truck stop. We didn't stop. — The world’s largest truck stop. We didn’t stop.

Once in Ottawa we stopped at a Cracker Barrel, we said just to return the Tom Clancy tape but we both knew we’d end up eating there. We each got a bowl of chili. Yummy. After we ate (and turned in the tape), we headed over to Walmart to get some groceries. Our friend, Pepper, is coming to visit and we want to make sure we feed her well while she’s here. So looking forward to seeing her again and catching up in real time. She doesn’t want to go anywhere and just wants to visit, which sounds great to me.

We got to our new “home” and love it. We’re in a Presidential unit (sounds impressive doesn’t it?). It’s newer and nicer and has a washer and dryer!

Check in. Now that it is Holiday Inn the interior area is completely redone.

Got to our new place okay. Nice living room with fireplace and patio.

Master with nice chair, dresser, end table and TV.

The bathroom is huge, this is a two headed shower. The heads don't overlap on one person, it is pleasant for two people though. — The bathroom is huge, this is a two headed shower. The heads don’t overlap on one person, it is pleasant for two people though.

Edie loves the deep tub. It is a soaker and she is hitting it everyday she can. — Edie loves the deep tub. It is a soaker and she is hitting it every day she can.

A toilet closet with a nice light and fan.

Interesting stainless steel sinks, double vanity in the master.

Edie's favorite. She does a load every day. — Edie’s favorite. She does a load every day.

Second bedroom with little dining table, nice chair and TV.

Last time we stayed in this resort we had a lodge unit, which was very nice but was older and no washer and dryer. Also, the Presidential has internet – spotty and slow – but it has internet. Last time we had to go to the club house to work on the blog. Since we were here last time (about two years ago or so), they’ve changed hands and it is now run or owned by Holiday Inn Vacation Club. When they told us to go get our parking pass, Michael and I both looked at each other and thought “oh no.” But it was actually a parking pass. Will wonders never cease.

The unit is beautiful. It’s a two bedroom lock off. The master bathroom has the deepest bathtub ever and I’m loving it. Hope there’s no water shortage because I plan on using the heck out of that tub. The bedrooms are both huge and the unit is very spacious and modern.

We haven’t decided what we’re going to do yet, except my niece and her family live here now so we want to visit them. We were also told about “Starved Rock Park,” which we want to go see as it looks interesting. We’ve looked on Groupon to see if anything wows us (maybe the Segway tour?). Other than that, not sure, but will keep you posted.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!