Meeting the Schenkevelds
Meeting the Schenkevelds
As July reared her hot head, our Dutch friends flew into Iowa’s humidity for a week of family fun in Cedar Falls and reuniting with the Howards. Over traditional American meals, a splendid fireworks show, and strolling through Hartman, eating gooseberries and black raspberries, we got caught up on news and events in Holland and Europe.
Astrid and Toon delighted us with stories and political conversations. It was fascinating to get a real-life view of the US through such educated eyes.
The children were a special treat, and they had a lot of fun in Iowa. Rick got to swim to his heart’s content at Lost Island water park, shoot a .22 at the firing range at Black Hawk county park, ride a lawn tractor, and climb the rock wall at the UNI Rec Center. Suz loved the water park and indulged in American costume jewelry shopping. She also played with Julie the cat, who didn’t quite understand the small Dutch whirlwind who chased her up two flights of stairs. A particular highlight was that both children found riches in America, the proverbial streets paved in gold came true. Rick found a hundred dollar bill in a McDonald’s parking lot, and Suz found Aaron’s penny jar; she proceeded to toss the money into the air and shout, “Ik ben rijk!!!” My five years of German helped me translate that, but it was obvious with the way she let her fingers run through the coins, a universal gesture of wealth.
After their week of fun and relaxing in Cedar Falls, they left for Denver, a bit expanded from “good American food,” to rent their RV and begin their epic tour of the North American West, beginning in Rocky Mountain National Park. We met up with them at Yellowstone and shared a few more adventures there.
I can’t wait to go to Holland and see the green houses and canals, and I might even try the herring, since Aaron had it when he visited last year. With its beginning almost fifteen years ago with Astrid coming over as an exchange student, this cross the pond relationship has deepened with the passage of time and the addition of family members.
(pics to come later)
