*THU AUG 22* *Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) to Moscow, IA* The directions to Moscow were emailed. The route had us going on a road past a sign that said No Through Traffic. There were also traffic barriers. It sprinkled on the way, but didn’t rain with intensity. The campsite was a small park with an amphitheater. We set up cooking and had a camp meeting in the amphitheater because of the chance of rain. One of the major topics at the meeting was the nomination of candidates for the village council. Early in September the Mayor, Council, Judicial Panel, and representatives for the Board of the non-profit will be elected for the final term. Moscow is a tiny town; no public facilities. Several of us put our sleeping gear out in the amphitheatre. Since the ‘kitchen’ was in the amphitheatre it was easy to be wakened the next morning. *FRI AUG 23* *Moscow to Walcott, IA* By the time the stoves were no longer in use, I packed them in the Kitchen Truck. I checked my email for directions to Walcott. The directions were down numerous gravel roads so once I left camp, I stopped and asked for directions along the way. When I reached Durant I only had 7 miles to go. It started to sprinkle so I put my raincoat on. Then there was lightening, thunder and a torrential downpour. I kept riding so I could make it to the campsite and be out of the rain. (The next day someone said it had rained 3” of rain in 1 hour.). It scaled back to sprinkles by the time I reached Walcott. I found the campsite. I was sweating so I was wet underneath my raincoat. My bike backpack and my pants were soaking wet. The thermometer on the Casey’s filling station said 68º. I was chilly! The campsite was an elementary school. Since it was Saturday there were no classes. The school indicated that they would open the gym in the afternoon so we could take showers, but close it at 5pm. I had already arranged with Doug and Pat Druckenmiller to do my Home-stay with them. I decided the best plan was to check with Druckenmillers to see if I could come a day early. I phoned them and got permission. Pat indicated that there was room for 2 people so I could bring another person. Doug said he’d come out with his truck so I could bring my bike back to their house. While I was getting my gear off the truck Izzy rode in on his bike. I asked him if he’d like to go to a Home-stay a day early. He said “Yes”. We informed the Gear truck driver (whose name is also Doug) that we would be going to Home-stay early. Shortly after that Doug D. arrived. We loaded our gear in his pick-up and went to Davenport. When we got there we changed into some dry clothes. It was delightful to be inside and not have to worry about the rain. Doug and Pat were marvelous hosts. We did some reminiscing. We established 1967 as the year we first met: that’s only 47 years ago! Izzy and I were ‘in heaven’. Doug and Pat made dinner—we had grilled chicken and salad from the backyard garden. After dinner Izzy and Doug played some music on the guitars. Then Doug played some music that he and Pat sang. They have delightful voices and make a marvelous duet. -- Peace, David