Water Water Everywhere

DH Mr. GAIN and I went for a walk along the Des Moines River Thursday afternoon. Here is a photo of the overfull river near a local geocache (that we never found). Click on the photo and read the sign on the railroad bridge.

We also drove to Ames Thurday, and to Boone twice last week -- Sunday (not today) and Friday.
The big difference between Sunday and Friday was that standing water in the field was lower and river water was higher. Here is a picture of the Des Moines River at Highway 17 southbound -- it is almost up to the road!

The USGS link in my sidebar is pretty interesting. I think the flooding is not as bad in Des Moines as it was in 1993 because this year, only the Des Moines River has flooded. In 1993, both were flooded. The Raccoon River is high, though. You can check real-time data at the USGS site. Stay dry and safe!

Use sunscreen or sunblock

This afternoon, I'm at a ball game. No surprise. My grandparents show up. No surprise. My grandpa wraps his left forearm in a towel. Whoa. What is the towel for? During his many years driving trucks with his arm resting on the rolled down window, he now suffers from skin damage. He gets a burning sensation and pain from exposure to the sun. His skin there is thin and bruises very easily. So geocachers, learn from my grandpa and protect yourself from the sun. Even filtered through the trees, the sun's damage gathers in your body and banks up for later. Info here on choosing proper protection.

Park and Rec finds #2 and 3

We're out at the park. I am searching for terribly easy finds #2 and 3. My kids see the sand volleyball court. It's a wading pool from all the rain, but without the other kids, the concrete, the lifeguard whistle, and age restriction. It's got sand. Those park and rec people were smart in getting people to visit their parks through geocaching. I'll get a picture up here after this new camera becomes second nature to me (which may be never).