My 21st birthday party didn’t exist, so I’m taking upon myself to plan second anniversary celebration. You’re invited to attend. The event will entail approximately 90 mile trip in our British cars to a BBQ at my place.

We’ll meet on Saturday, July 9th beginning around 1:00 PM at Wyckoff Heating and Cooling parking lot right on Hwy 5 in Carlisle, departing by 1:30. The trip will take us down Hwy 5,  head north on 316, crossing the Des Moines River to Runnells, west on F70 to Monroe, and south on Hwy 14 to Lake Red Rock. We’ll pass the north side on G28 with brief stop at Cordova boat ramp where there is an elevated overlook for those who want a scenic view. Bring some quarters as it costs 50₵ per person to go up. There’s running water restrooms for those whom need a break. After pictures are taken, we’ll head east towards Pella, crossing the damn on T15, taking a nice route to Knoxville, stopping at Peace Tree Brewery before the last leg. A short jaunt north on Hwy 14, then west on G40 to Pleasantville, crossing Hwy 5 until we get on Hwy 92 heading west beyond Sandyville. Finally north on S23 to my place.

For those whom are not able to make the car drive, feel free to join the BBQ. I’m expecting to land at my place around 4:45-5:00. Address is 5153 S23 Highway (may show on your GPS as County Road S23 or CR S23), Carlisle, Iowa 50047. It’s located one mile north of Palmyra. Brown house up the hill on east side of the road.

Mom and brother Ray will help me prepare pulled pork, baby back ribs, cheesy potatoes and apple salad, but we’ll need your help too. Please bring a dish to share. Mom or Ray will gather dishes at the meeting point and take them to the house for setup upon our arrival. You could also drop off your dish prior to 1:00. Tammy and Shawn loaned me a couple table top ice coolers for dishes that need refrigeration. They’ll be plug-ins for crock-pot items too.

I’ll have bottled water, some wine, a small selection of beer, and a few non-alcoholic drinks (small selection of soda, lemonade, punch, etc.). If there’s something special you’d like to drink, please bring it. Also recommend bringing a lawn chair.

If you could RSVP in reply to this email by June 29th, it’d be great for helping me determine how much to prepare and so I can let Peace Tree Brewery know how many to expect. If you have an idea of what you’ll bring, please include that too in the response, so the other members can help decide what to bring.

Eric