Dad’s nursing home recently started allowing open-air visits with the residents, so I scheduled one for Kevin and I on Saturday, July 18th at 11 a.m. Although there were some chances for rain, we opted for taking the bikes since most of it was supposed to be north of our route there and hence we have decent rain gear.
We headed out at 5:30 a.m. taking Hwy 23/82 with more of a direct route to Mauston to help get us there in time, including a little speeding. When we approached the WI River we stopped on the bridge to take a photo and upon leaving noticed the sky turned quite ominous. So we picked it up even a little bit more with hopes to get to Mauston before it started raining and since I also needed gas. We noticed a vehicle approaching us flashing its headlights and we weren’t sure what that was about, if it was weather-related or what? Just as they passed us… we realized it was a State Trooper. He turned on yellow flashing lights just upon passing us. So we toned it down but thought for sure we were going to get a speeding ticket. To our good fortune he didn’t turn around to do so. We made it to the gas station just after it started to rain and it only lasted for a short time
Our luck for rain ran out after going through Wildcat Mountain and Cashton, just south of Sparta. We pulled over and put on the rain gear. It rained pretty heavy all the way to and out of Sparta with a couple lightening strikes, which was tolerable. Until just before West Salem when the wind gusts significantly picked up, pushing me to the edge of the road a couple times. This forced us to pull over until it died down and we could see the back edge of the system.
We arrived in Winona around 10 a.m. and stopped at the Perkin’s across the road from Dad’s nursing home for breakfast. After seated I noticed a text from my sister, Lori, asking me to call her at my earliest convenience. She proceeded to tell me that our Dad passed away at 9:20. He was awake before that and they said his color looked good, but he was too tired to get up for breakfast and when they checked on him after that he had passed away. I have always known this day could come at any time and I think I was completely numb to the news, yet also at peace knowing his struggles were over and he was at peace.
After breakfast we went straight to the house by Candy. The Hospice Nurse informed us only one person could see Dad at the nursing home and it was decided to be me since I also wanted to grab a couple of items I had given him over the years, including it wasn’t too wise for Candy to go to the hospital/home with her respiratory issues. Also, the funeral home (Fawcett/Junker) would allow for all of us to view him later that day. The Lake Winona Manor staff and Hospice Nurse were so kind and comforting, as always. After saying my goodbyes there I returned to the house and we stayed with Candy until it was time to check into our hotel and take a much needed rest before returning.
We were allowed to go to the funeral home at 6 p.m. and we took our turns saying our final goodbyes. Services and cremation have already been pre-paid for since our Mom passed away and they were having restricted services. However, it didn’t sound as though Candy could handle with making any arrangements, so no services will be held in Winona. Lori and I since have discussed having a celebration of life later in the year possibly at Lakeside Park.
That evening we had dinner with Candy and stayed until 9 or so before heading back to our hotel for the night. The next morning we went back to the house around 8 a.m. and I made breakfast for us with another visit before we needed to head out before it got too hot, traffic picked up and we had a pretty long route planned for home.
It was a beautiful day for the ride home on Sunday and we took more county roads this trip with a stop in Hillsboro for a break and appetizer at the Hillsboro Brewery. I also felt so much peace knowing Dad would not be lingering any more in a poor quality of life. It still hurts very much that I can not see or touch him ever again, but those are purely selfish motives on my part.
We didn’t get to do everything we wanted while we were there with such a short visit, but I will get back soon to see Candy and spend more time. I will also post Dad’s obituary later this week after it is public. Dad’s obituary.
