Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Trip North - Sunday & Monday July 31 & Aug 1, 2016

Having said our farewells the night before, Sunday morning we again hit the road, this time heading for Mt Gilead, Ohio, to visit with Bob's sister, Gwen, his niece Julie, and her husband, Tony.  We had to travel on I-75 through Detroit and Toledo, but it wasn't too bad since it was Sunday morning.  Once we were past Toledo, we were able to take state and US highways through the farmlands.
Bob and  Gwen.  Gwen sold her home in Cocoa, Florida, last September, and moved to Mt. Gilead, where her daughter Julie lives.  Gwen bought a 3 bedroom mobile and lives in it on the 10 acre homestead that Julie and Tony, own.  
Julie & Tony graciously let us hook up to their water and power and camp on their land.
Tony and his and Julie's home in the background.  Tony is a long distance trucker who comes home on the weekends.  Julie is a nurse at the emergency and trauma center in Columbus.  She was on one of her 12  hour shifts when we got there.
Bob picking blackberries along the side of Gwen's house
Julie and Tony love 4 wheeling, and it is a great way to get around the property.  Bob went on one and Gwen and I rode on another.  It was the first time I rode on one.  It was fun.
Julie and Gwen's vegetable garden.  Gwen picked several green tomatoes, pickling cukes, green peppers, yellow squash and zucchini for us to take home.  I wanted the green tomatoes for pickling, and gave her a recipe for the pickling brine.
Tony and his mom, Jody, who lives on a five acre track next door.
Gwen's runt puppy, Princess, and her sister, Sofie, Jody's dog, chilling after a long day of play. 
The next day, Gwen, Bob & I went to some Amish general stores.  At one was a mare and her foal in a nearby field.
 On the way to another, there were cattle cooling off in a creek
I didn't know how beautiful Ohio was
 
We stopped back at Julie's to say so-long and thank her before she had to leave for her next shift.
Later, we drove over to see her dad, "Spud".  Bob and Spud met at Marine boot camp back in 1961.  Spud saw a picture of Gwen Bob had and started writing to her.  A few years later, they met and married, but later divorced.   Bob and Spud had not seen each other for at least 40 years, but it was as though no time had passed at all.
 

 

Trip North - July 29 & 30 2016

Friday, the 29th, we left Byron Center and took MI 131 to MI 66 to MI 46 to MI 53, more or  less a square U route north, east, and south, to get to Troy, which took twice as long as going straight across on the interstate, but which was much more enjoyable.  We had a two night reservation at a county park called Addison Oaks outside the town of Leonard.   The park was selected as a pig in a poke, not really knowing what would be there, but it turned out to be a very beautiful facility.  The Buhl Estate, a renowned  banquet venue, is on the property along with swimming, fishing, boating, and equestrian opportunities.  Saturday, we drove to Jeff & Kate's home in Troy, and had a wonderful visit, delicious dinner, and several competitive games of corn hole.
On MI 66, a fellow tried to get across the road on his bike, but hit the fender of a car ahead of us. He fell over in the middle of the our lane.  Thankfully Bob was able to stop the truck and travel trailer in time to avoid running over him.  Talk about heart stopping!  Bob helped the guy up and made sure he was ok.  Angels were looking over him and us.
Joe and Bev in Jeff & Kate's family room.  Kate did a great job of painting the room, especially the striped wall.  
A view of the lake from their upper deck.
Bev enjoying the view from the back of the house while Jeff grills steaks above
  
Jeff and Kate
Bob and Jeff (opposite team players).  Have to admit Brother Joe was the champion corn holer, although Jeff did quite well, too.
Kate & I enjoying a pedal around the lake.
Jeff letting Bev know she is still his  numero uno mom.