tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61252861217147772902024-03-13T14:35:14.477-05:00Frerx AdventuresFrerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-2368538316061545662021-02-16T14:56:00.000-05:002021-02-16T14:56:54.547-05:00<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9vIwvpYHY8/YCwh1Lnd9EI/AAAAAAABi1s/6mu-ZLy2tBYhdakHYJkzDMGwLs8uR6utACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210216_091330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9vIwvpYHY8/YCwh1Lnd9EI/AAAAAAABi1s/6mu-ZLy2tBYhdakHYJkzDMGwLs8uR6utACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210216_091330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzBLkxzGpDU/YCwh1A4X4XI/AAAAAAABi1s/ocIuhao6cQIN1d_B22XWNFe8A5LQ4BH-QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210215_144857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzBLkxzGpDU/YCwh1A4X4XI/AAAAAAABi1s/ocIuhao6cQIN1d_B22XWNFe8A5LQ4BH-QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210215_144857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOwD3TYHKAc/YCwiEXBjDNI/AAAAAAABi1w/NmFTXDXaD8kSJLVGOVHN_elLoyNLp1M9ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210215_150206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOwD3TYHKAc/YCwiEXBjDNI/AAAAAAABi1w/NmFTXDXaD8kSJLVGOVHN_elLoyNLp1M9ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/20210215_150206.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4w_ROZHocc/YCwixiZHtnI/AAAAAAABi2E/2MIfQ1kTUEIfcTp6T5ro1PmhnSTrxex7wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201021_111614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4w_ROZHocc/YCwixiZHtnI/AAAAAAABi2E/2MIfQ1kTUEIfcTp6T5ro1PmhnSTrxex7wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20201021_111614.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xvJUtZrSow/YCwixtf_BNI/AAAAAAABi2E/qktEHxXrL5gx5K0xXWSfZY_VX2tR9HJFwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201021_111250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xvJUtZrSow/YCwixtf_BNI/AAAAAAABi2E/qktEHxXrL5gx5K0xXWSfZY_VX2tR9HJFwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20201021_111250.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNWlkmImMA4/YCwixoe9oDI/AAAAAAABi2E/JEwuI5q_F-EYKZDIOktra8ibX_C9UPNBgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201021_111059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNWlkmImMA4/YCwixoe9oDI/AAAAAAABi2E/JEwuI5q_F-EYKZDIOktra8ibX_C9UPNBgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20201021_111059.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AShs2UxSJME/YCwieSMpOLI/AAAAAAABi18/7r_tKfd7WhMVZ2mER-woeZqekqg2aq3XQCPcBGAsYHg/s2790/IMG_5235.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="2790" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AShs2UxSJME/YCwieSMpOLI/AAAAAAABi18/7r_tKfd7WhMVZ2mER-woeZqekqg2aq3XQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_5235.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br />Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-89646006033424840892021-01-02T11:58:00.000-05:002021-01-02T11:58:22.053-05:00Bye-Bye to our Home of 33 Years<p><i><u>Note</u></i>: </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>The adventure continues...</i></p><p><i>It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years since our last blog post!</i></p><p><i>For a number of different reasons, several folks have encouraged me to restart, so, please bear with me as I try to remember how to do this and learn all that has improved in blogging in the past 7 years. </i> </p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVvGl5rVTFI/X--sBJe6UJI/AAAAAAABg-Y/lqHYXEs0Gpc1iyZYC1oJLON834k4UnRdwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_5260.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVvGl5rVTFI/X--sBJe6UJI/AAAAAAABg-Y/lqHYXEs0Gpc1iyZYC1oJLON834k4UnRdwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_5260.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">With the start of 2021 we say goodbye to our home of 33 years. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Thanks to <a href="https://www.alignable.com/quincy-il/jacobson-advantage-inc-realtors" target="_blank">Lois Jacobson</a> for making the sale process so quick and easy. The weekend after we put the house on the market, here's the<a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2115-S-30th-St_Quincy_IL_62301_M73057-66634" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2115-S-30th-St_Quincy_IL_62301_M73057-66634" target="_blank">listing,</a> we had 2 offers and another buyer in the wings. We don't close officially until next Friday, January 8th, but that's pretty darn quick turnaround considering we didn't put the house on the market until Thanksgiving weekend.</p><p style="text-align: left;">What took a long time is deciding we were ready to sell. We started talking about getting rid of our 'sticks n bricks' back in 2007 as we became empty-nesters and started spending most of our time in our motorhome. I would be surprised if in the last 10 years I've spent even a quarter of my nights sleeping at the house so it was increasingly feeling a waste of a nice home. </p><p style="text-align: left;">But, for me, it was particularly hard to give up the house that Ken designed for me from scratch. . Based on the homes we loved most in North Carolina, he designed it literally with pencil and graph paper. (If interested you can see his design <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/PtYJ8dQ1kbroomod6" target="_blank">here </a>in pencil, from May, 1988.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">We toyed with selling around 2014 but we really hadn't touched the house in years and the kitchen, in particular, was far too 1980's for the price range. And, to be honest, Ken was ready to sell but my heart wasn't in it. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then, I can remember a day 5 years ago, after finishing the main floor remodel, that Ken said, "I'm not moving, I'm here for good. As far as I'm concerned you'll have to bury me in the backyard". That was after he put heart and soul in to designing and doing a good part of the work on a full main floor remodel. PS. We are NOT the folks to ever flip houses--we both get too caught up in making it just the way we want it which is not geared toward resale!</p><p style="text-align: left;">However, 3 years ago, after driving by the 'for sale' sign for a decade, Ken's dream property, 40 acres of untouched woods, at the Carlinville city limit, suddenly dropped in to our price range. He was making an offer the next day. That was the start of Curve in the Creek. But, that's for a different blog except to say that it started us down the path of finally committing to sell the Quincy house.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ken told me that a car trailer would pay for itself simply be eliminating our need for a moving truck. So this is how we moved, about 6 times between Quincy and Carlinville. Ken was very good at playing jenga with the loading and our GMC Acadia with tow package handled the loads just fine. I did feel a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies though. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnHSLqCZYuY/X--3lO3aEHI/AAAAAAABg-w/YUsyIBum2ioilUjCIrxYVKjAhubvcqsJACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_5452.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnHSLqCZYuY/X--3lO3aEHI/AAAAAAABg-w/YUsyIBum2ioilUjCIrxYVKjAhubvcqsJACPcBGAsYHg/w320-h240/IMG_5452.HEIC" title="Last Trailer Load" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Load Ready for 2 hour trip to Carlinville</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We did about 80% of the move ourselves but thanks so much to our neighbor, John Edwards, who was always showing up to help with the heavy stuff. Nephew John Gallaher and his son, Robert, also came over to help the last day of heavy lifting. Kyle and Jenni helped throughout as well, especially when it came to all the sorting and what to keep, what to give away. Jenni hauled some big loads of non-furniture items to the Crossing Thrift Store. They also always met us with the trailer on the Carlinville side to unload it in to the barn. We knew we weren't planning to have another house this size and maybe not at all so lots of things went to the Crossing. I'm thinking someone was able to furnish another whole house by the time we were finished!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi-Z1KwsAl8/X--5tM72a3I/AAAAAAABg_E/mhTw2UbtWi4aeSMnnZQhJ2E-R2MgR10gQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_5456.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi-Z1KwsAl8/X--5tM72a3I/AAAAAAABg_E/mhTw2UbtWi4aeSMnnZQhJ2E-R2MgR10gQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_5456.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Load Waiting Thrift Store Truck</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Someone reminded me recently, you may have to leave behind the house but the memories you take with you. In our 60's, for Ken and me, that's true except for the part where our memories are increasingly unreliable. For that reason, I've compiled a home tour <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/uDNhRQCGi99w4P3P9" target="_blank">here</a> that we and the kids and grands can come back to when there's a desire reminisce. <p>That's a tour of the house but maybe, more importantly, are memories of some favorite family moments at the house, always filled with family and friends. I've started that album <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/9tQ1jPgJAwjcXarW9" target="_blank">here</a>. Warning, it's a large album!) It covers mostly activities since 2007 since we haven't digitized most of the earlier photos yet. (That's 4 tubs in the barn now!) </p><p>Friday this house will start making memories for a new local family, with 3 little ones. Our wish for them is that it is the place of ever growing family warmth and happy times that it was for us. </p><p>This blog will be a place we can come back to when we want to remember. </p><p>Ok, that major move's behind us now so stay tuned for where we are headed!</p><p>Hugs, </p><p>C</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-81488180388647028382014-04-02T10:11:00.001-06:002014-04-02T10:11:07.729-06:00Saying Good-bye to our Second Family-But Just for a Little While<p>(Acworth, GA) On Sunday, Ken’s godson, Kenny, hosted a final barbeque to see us off.  We had been in NWGA, Northwest Georgia, since September, so it was the longest time we’ve got to spend with the Ellsworths since they moved to Georgia before the boys were born.  As I’ve said in past post, the timing was meant to be since Dave’s battle with cancer ended in February and we were able to be there during this difficult time.</p> <p>Our second family here…Kenny’s beautiful lady, Erin, Kenny, Donna and Brian.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LHc8-aX39ps/Uzw2UaJs_II/AAAAAAAAIQg/lg0cWOPg5GQ/s1600-h/IMG_7472%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7472" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7472" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QHQ_icWYFfE/Uzw2V65qCLI/AAAAAAAAIQk/tjxYnqvxoEg/IMG_7472_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Ken and Kenny had finished both bathrooms in Kenny’s new home.  Both now have new tile with nice baseboards with quarter-round, new stools, vanities, faucets, medicine cabinet</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sTu9MgaEPFc/Uzw2XAR7K5I/AAAAAAAAIQw/JiHZeOmzGF0/s1600-h/IMAG0487%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0487" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0487" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F0rtoFN320Q/Uzw2YIXrXdI/AAAAAAAAIQ4/fIQg2KKKl6U/IMAG0487_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="207" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ez_mbioRT0g/Uzw2ZEL4vCI/AAAAAAAAIRA/dhs--OT1jOk/s1600-h/IMAG0489%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMAG0489" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMAG0489" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rPSlLEcWrMs/Uzw2Z8MamnI/AAAAAAAAIRE/vFunJAzrWvQ/IMAG0489_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="206" /></a></p> <p>It was a beautiful day so Ken found a place to relax on Kenny’s back porch.  These chairs are some of the strangest I’ve ever seen!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cpqx8pRDWk/Uzw2a7kTmcI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/Pj9kMfi4E7Q/s1600-h/IMG_0016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r3xCsr7_v04/Uzw2boqyHZI/AAAAAAAAIRY/ssoYfPJRpAo/IMG_0016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="295" /></a></p> <p>Kenny had plenty of help on the back deck where he was grilling the chicken breasts.  He’s introduced us to a new Montreal seasoning that we really like on grilled meats.  Donna’s sister, Diane, joined us along with Diane’s son, Jason and his family. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-im5dm6oi97Q/Uzw2dHUFFzI/AAAAAAAAIRg/PYsXWQlmBlI/s1600-h/IMG_0021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BqFDscLd0MM/Uzw2eCU-7oI/AAAAAAAAIRo/5TKRuufOIx0/IMG_0021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Everyone had contributions to the meal and, as usual, we had a wonderful feast with this crew.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gIiNDqffiSI/Uzw2fh4qxQI/AAAAAAAAIRw/OlDLawxZgCg/s1600-h/IMG_0025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DFxBB48ext4/Uzw2gQyxmeI/AAAAAAAAIR0/O_5Vyi2YCCo/IMG_0025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="275" /></a></p> <p>Kenny is an engineer and has a plasma table at his work where he can design some very intricate patterns in metal.  Here’s an example of his work that really impressed us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0MLIAHo2AAA/Uzw2hGRk5tI/AAAAAAAAISA/dEiWlgISlro/s1600-h/IMG_7473%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7473" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rd2B8eEDcnI/Uzw2iJSeRxI/AAAAAAAAISI/iAyengg_dGc/IMG_7473_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="344" /></a></p> <p>As it turned out, as a ‘thank you’ for Ken’s help with his bathrooms, Kenny made one as a gift for us.  We’ll be able to put this out at our RV sites.  Ok, so Brian did a great job of photo-bombing my first shot!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pWzcP6uclRE/Uzw2jYmbWoI/AAAAAAAAISQ/4MO8qjd4dl0/s1600-h/IMG_7476%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7476" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SIDfux5Ly5k/Uzw2kDruk2I/AAAAAAAAISY/LHGn-FIW5vQ/IMG_7476_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="293" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eAieMfaVWYE/Uzw2lcXCU7I/AAAAAAAAISg/UveA9PrTtbg/s1600-h/IMG_7477%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7477" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NfgKUxkOGFM/Uzw2mfoI4tI/AAAAAAAAISk/DkkBC8okElg/IMG_7477_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="378" /></a></p> <p>We are really going to miss our second family but they usually made a trek to Quincy around time of the country fair so we’ll hope to be with them again the end of July.  Ken and I are also thinking the April and October would be great times for spending time a the nearly Corp of Engineers park, McKinney Campground.  </p> <p>Hugs, C</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-20839431288480611112014-03-28T08:58:00.000-06:002014-06-25T13:09:58.070-05:00On the Road Again!!<br />
(McKinney Campground, COE, Acworth, GA) It’s been literally years since our last post. That’s because August 1, 2011, I chose to take on some SAP project management consulting assignments. itelligence, the German-based, SAP-specific consulting company that I chose, had been a great partner for many years when I’d worked as an SAP Director at Gardner Denver. It was a good decision and the consulting company was very accomodating, placing us in assignments where Ken and I could continue our ‘RV Dream’ while I worked. We were in the motorhome 80% of the time, driving back home to Illinois periodically for family visits.<br />
My favorite work assignment was in Jacksonville, FL, not just because of the awesome winter weather but because of the awesome client. We were able to implement SAP in 26 weeks at a medical device distributor. <br />
It was lucky we were in Jacksonville because Ken had to have his fifth surgery for his Crohn’s disease and my work was only minutes from the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic where there are some well-known specialists in the field. As it turned out, the surgery did not go as well as we’d hoped. Ken had to have all but approximately 5 feet of his small intestine removed (you normally have about 22 feet). This means he really cannot have surgery again since anything less than 5 feet means you can’t absorb nutrition. Since he’s required surgery on a fairly regular cycle of every 7-10 years, we are hopeful that the next years show some breakthroughs in treatments for this disease since current non-surgical options have serious side effects and low remission success rates. When we heard this Ken and I were glad that I’d chosen to take a 3 month leave from consulting while he recuperated giving us some time to decide what next in our adventure.<br />
One addition to the family during our time in Jacksonville, was Ken’s new jeep, a ‘rock lobster’ colored Jeep JK Moab Edition. This is definitely Ken’s new toy. I’m amazed at how much money you can continue to spend on a brand new vehicle! In the picture below it has just received it’s latest additions, bigger wheels and a 1.5 inch Rock Krawler max travel lift.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dZ7Qu-e2sdk/UzXXxp-qD6I/AAAAAAAAIOo/Zx1qLgoOB-8/s1600-h/1393359295667%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1393359295667" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZkL6q9YqLjU/UzXXyXCb5-I/AAAAAAAAIOs/joP1BuDQOTE/1393359295667_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1393359295667" width="359" /></a><br />
Our two sons’ and their wives had their own very special way of filling our time. We had two new grandchildren born 3 weeks apart.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XczJuMqoiBg/UzXXy4bcNVI/AAAAAAAAIO4/-93yOzxOtwA/s1600-h/Jameo%252520and%252520crying%252520babies%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jameo and crying babies" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KTrQ_Niu3WQ/UzXXzWyqNKI/AAAAAAAAIPA/pEOuy36eg5Q/Jameo%252520and%252520crying%252520babies_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="277" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jameo and crying babies" width="426" /></a></div>
<h6 align="center">
Oldest grandson, Jameson, surrounded by babies now!</h6>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lKws8FhwSt0/UzXX0E9hebI/AAAAAAAAIPE/lvZeXr6D6jg/s1600-h/1958316_10202257721138900_1633335168_n-001%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1958316_10202257721138900_1633335168_n-001" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2X03nDEj5cc/UzXX0hpcJRI/AAAAAAAAIPM/TCDQunPhNXU/1958316_10202257721138900_1633335168_n-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1958316_10202257721138900_1633335168_n-001" width="244" /></a></div>
<h6 align="center">
Precious granddaughter, Stella.</h6>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zh6MdL2QnwY/UzXX1Rhnv3I/AAAAAAAAIPU/D3qiFUEUulk/s1600-h/1392385619639%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1392385619639" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YmHNNYwnb6Y/UzXX18y352I/AAAAAAAAIPg/NF48YTdvBuY/1392385619639_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="250" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1392385619639" width="340" /></a></div>
<h6 align="center">
Our always bright and bubbly, Henry.</h6>
In conversation near the end of my Jacksonville project, the VP of Sales made me aware of a pending new project in Rome, GA, . Once again, it felt the universe was sending us a message. We have ‘framily’ near Rome in Acworth. Dave and Donna Ellsworth were our best friends from when Ken and I first met in 1979, were best man and matron of honor when we married, and named their first son Ken, with my Ken as his godfather. A few years ago Dave was diagnosed with a combination of brain and lung cancer and despite some time in remission the ugly C was back. It made perfect sense that I volunteer for the Rome project.<br />
When we arrived in Georgia Dave was still up and about and able to go out with us to dinner and join us for some outings. Unfortunately in late November he had to go in to the hospital and was not to return home, passing away in February.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tDDgxtyOSPU/UzXX2WJ_2jI/AAAAAAAAIPo/TUOxV77Xg1o/s1600-h/1393719708502%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1393719708502" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CuqdpSI8FSM/UzXX2637ABI/AAAAAAAAIPw/EedOw_YPZuw/1393719708502_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="209" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1393719708502" width="275" /></a><br />
<h6 align="center">
Memories: Dave and Donna, Kenny and Brian came to watch Trevor play Jacksonville State</h6>
We were glad we were able to be here. In particular, Ken got to spend a lot of time with his godson, Kenny, as they worked on remodeling the bathrooms in the new home that Kenny had recently purchased. Below is the new vanity. mirror, tile and toilet they did in the master bath.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YcbcZ7p05sw/UzXX3VgakfI/AAAAAAAAIP4/BjGucUdhJtw/s1600-h/IMAG0475%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kenny's new master bath since, toilet, vanity and mirror" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j1Mo_3I-GBU/UzXX3zYethI/AAAAAAAAIQA/2nofHSRHDm0/IMAG0475_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="268" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kenny's new master bath since, toilet, vanity and mirror" width="150" /></a><br />
We also were only a few hours from the annual FMCA Rally in Perry, GA, so I scheduled vacation for that week in March. This turned out to be one more piece of synchronicity. It was one of our the best rallies ever mostly because of the two great couples we met there. Don and Laurie had a beautiful HR Navigator motorhome that parked right next to us. They, in turn, ran in to Don and JoAnne, when looking for someplace to eat on Sunday before the rally started. It was like we’d all been friends for years, just a really nice comfortable fit. Don and Laurie run their own business in Orlando so while they aren’t likely to be hitting the road full-time, they do frequent Good Sam and FMCA Rallies. So, between that and our expectation to be back in Florida again in our travels, we’ll be sure to see them down the road. Don and JoAnne had just made the decision to retire and full-time. He is a urologist who was actually doing some presentations at the rally on men’s health. JoAnne is a bit apprehensive about giving up her ‘sticks n bricks’ to hit the road. While they have been RVers, travelling the country with their 4 children over these past decades, it will be a big change for them to hit the road full-time. They have a beautiful Tourmaster motorhome but it will be a definite adjustment not to be going back to their large family home. They are such lovely people to be around that I’m sure once they are on the road and get to know the wonderful full-time RVer ‘village’, they’ll be hooked.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zKWWIDc2lJ0/UzXX4cH9lgI/AAAAAAAAIQI/e83RoSPeH94/s1600-h/fmca%2525206%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fmca 6" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wKoV3zpDTRU/UzXX5GcA5TI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/I-H4Ppt6USM/fmca%2525206_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="236" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fmca 6" width="307" /></a><br />
<h6 align="center">
Dinner at Swanson’s in Perry: Don and Laurie Burns in the front, Don and JoAnne Fuerst across from Ken and me</h6>
As for us and full-timing….well, after all these years of indecision we have our house on the market. Actually, it’s been on the market for several months but it’s difficult to sell a golf-course house when there’s snow on the ground! <br />
<img alt="2115 s 30th" src="http://www.happelrealtors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2115-s-30th.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
You can find the listing <a href="http://www.happelrealtors.com/2013/11/07/2115-s-30th-street-quincy/">here</a>. Ken’s sister is our realtor and our nephew housesits for us so we are in good hands to be on the road while waiting for the sale. <br />
I’ll fill in some more of the pieces of the past couple of year’s in later blogs but wanted to at least see if I could still remember how to post!<br />
Hugs,<br />
CFrerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-59116043375872802322012-06-13T10:05:00.001-05:002012-06-13T10:05:11.744-05:00Illinois to Georgia and back for Jenni’s First Long RV Trip!<p>Hello there, this is Jenni!  For those of you that don’t know me I am Ken and Cindy’s daughter–in-law and am married to their oldest son, Kyle. You are going to hear things from my point of view this time……you are in for a treat…..ENJOY!</p> <p>Oh, first of all, I really am 5 foot 2 inches…………….NOT 4 feet!  I am quite ok with being short; it comes with the territory, but I had to set that record straight!  Gotta hang on to what height I do have!</p> <p>This was my first long RV trip!  I have stayed and traveled in the RV before but no longer than a weekend so this was a BIG first for me………….no relation to the height thing, haha!  We were headed to Kennesaw, Georgia for Kenny Ellsworth and Jenna Reid’s wedding.  Kenny is Ken’s godson and Kenny’s parents are also really close friends to Ken and Cindy.  Since Kyle and I have been together I have had the privilege of getting to know the Ellsworths and Jenna very well.   So needless to say, I was just as excited as everyone else that they were engaged and we would be traveling to their wedding! </p> <p>We left on Tuesday, June 5, as soon as Kyle got back from work.  Ken and I had spent the afternoon loading the RV and making sure everything was ready to go by the time Kyle got back so we could just head right out of Carlinville.   Cindy would be flying into Atlanta to meet us on Thursday, leaving me with the two boys.  Oh my, what an experience that was!  </p> <p>The plan was to spend our first night at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Goreville, Illinois.  We arrived that evening in time for Kyle and I to take a hike on one of the trails.  I am sure it was a really cool trail, but unfortunately night over took us and we were more worried about the animal sounds we were hearing and watching our steps than trying to see anything else.    Luckily in the morning Ken took us to another trail and we were able to see the beautiful greenery of Ferne Clyffe!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-incBLhJ0sCg/T9iquJivhUI/AAAAAAAAHnY/n1YO40tRnZY/s1600-h/SAM_06817.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0681" border="0" alt="SAM_0681" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8EL7x4VSuPE/T9iqu6yjTcI/AAAAAAAAHng/Dvm1fyt2074/SAM_0681_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZzuF8kHZgnw/T9iqwUoBUII/AAAAAAAAHno/-zmSjEC1r-Q/s1600-h/SAM_06517.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0651" border="0" alt="SAM_0651" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AMoranSF2mI/T9iqxN74whI/AAAAAAAAHnw/tjxNcZ5U68w/SAM_0651_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AgbHJ6ULJcE/T9iqzE1rJ-I/AAAAAAAAHn4/abkaedX_hFs/s1600-h/SAM_06713.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0671" border="0" alt="SAM_0671" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K2iQ4965usk/T9iqzpKJWfI/AAAAAAAAHoA/-CG0StEVI-o/SAM_0671_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-85OgzBdwB_8/T9iq1BEiULI/AAAAAAAAHoI/t_dOJwoLZI0/s1600-h/SAM_06847.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0684" border="0" alt="SAM_0684" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0fWAc15SzuY/T9iq13eTxnI/AAAAAAAAHoQ/UAFPkI82yaQ/SAM_0684_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>From Ferne Clyffe State Park we continued our journey to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The second day was our longest day of driving on our way down with 6 hours total of driving.  I was the designated navigator while Kyle road in the back and got lots of precious reading time in…….I was really jealous of that!  </p> <p>At the end of our second day (first all-day-of-travel) we decided to stay the night at Holiday Trav-L Park .  It was a different experience for me, being so close to other campers.  I am used to the more secluded campsites that Ken and Cindy choose, but it was really nice and even the red fire ants welcomed Kyle to Tennessee!  Poor guy had little red bites all over his ankles.</p> <p>The next morning, Thursday,  we headed out on our last leg of the trip to Victoria Campground in Woodstock, Georgia.  The campground was really impressive and really beautiful!  Very wooded and part of the campground overlooked Allatoona Lake.  Our campsite did not overlook the lake but it was close enough that we could easily walk to it.  </p> <p>       <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vZAiMtpH0Ks/T9iq4LWzQJI/AAAAAAAAHoY/RdmGEyJalFA/s1600-h/IMG_537613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5376" border="0" alt="IMG_5376" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x0BVetI4PLY/T9iq4hZwIXI/AAAAAAAAHog/Cn5LQ8YEmx4/IMG_5376_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="219" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Smj_FiPtdeM/T9iq7MSdpyI/AAAAAAAAHos/yntoX5cQJhs/s1600-h/IMG_53775.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5377" border="0" alt="IMG_5377" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SDBLSUJVids/T9iq7-hmb5I/AAAAAAAAHo0/AY-7z_jZTXU/IMG_5377_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OyBXrA_w15o/T9iq-AOndcI/AAAAAAAAHo8/06DmHJJqSRg/s1600-h/IMG_53787.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5378" border="0" alt="IMG_5378" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zg2qnXpPfr4/T9iq-oRFKpI/AAAAAAAAHpE/hUpuwcw5stc/IMG_5378_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="226" /></a></p> <p>Thursday was spent relaxing in the RV since we were all really tired.  I took full advantage of the boys napping and got some of MY precious reading time in.  I am reading the 50 Shades trilogy and was on the second book at the time.  It is an interesting read to say the least and I was excited to have a chance to kick back to read.  Ken awoke and decided this was a photo opportunity.</p> <p>                                                                                           <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yFqOX9-JpRc/T9iq_4myAqI/AAAAAAAAHpM/gf-JzpflK7k/s1600-h/IMG_5375-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5375-001" border="0" alt="IMG_5375-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wz5Q1GX_1vg/T9irAHCNUOI/AAAAAAAAHpU/kMUYNnUognk/IMG_5375-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We were joined by Cindy that night, and the next morning we headed into downtown Atlanta to see the Georgia Aquarium.  We stopped first at a diner across the street from the aquarium for lunch, Johnny Rockets.  It was a really cool retro diner that took you back to the 50s and 60s.  Their food was delicious, their shakes were yummy, the music really set the scene, and the diner itself (staff dress included) really completed the time warp!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gbc9NaANX7M/T9irBwgjj5I/AAAAAAAAHpc/nOkDvk_BD6k/s1600-h/IMG_53803.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5380" border="0" alt="IMG_5380" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d6D2bu_TIlg/T9irClXu4qI/AAAAAAAAHpk/MizBfgZ6tJc/IMG_5380_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nRKSCwkrRI4/T9irERb8VYI/AAAAAAAAHps/v_A_6Wc0BKo/s1600-h/IMG_53823.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5382" border="0" alt="IMG_5382" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FVvXMlu6LPM/T9irFE0dSrI/AAAAAAAAHp0/iSf7PFqozfg/IMG_5382_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PPKM4kntg-U/T9irGIr_ipI/AAAAAAAAHp8/zLyTp4KA__Q/s1600-h/IMG_53833.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5383" border="0" alt="IMG_5383" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZcDWxyKG2wk/T9irGjJPeVI/AAAAAAAAHqE/fxdxQiLF53Y/IMG_5383_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TO5mYKvM9cQ/T9irH9REtYI/AAAAAAAAHqM/N4sSxG6fb7k/s1600-h/IMG_53843.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5384" border="0" alt="IMG_5384" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5f_qDJ250fo/T9irIebzt4I/AAAAAAAAHqU/_3SD_Isx6ns/IMG_5384_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GXtvgrSlZC4/T9irKXb1AII/AAAAAAAAHqc/EHtpDcvLfmk/s1600-h/IMG_54703.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5470" border="0" alt="IMG_5470" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K5O_vw12ad0/T9irLIyTGmI/AAAAAAAAHqk/hcH6c3q_vD8/IMG_5470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>I have only been to 2 other aquariums in my life and this Aquarium put them to shame!  Being the largest aquarium in the world will do that for you though.  It was absolutely amazing!  My favorite part was the “Dolphin Tales.” I have never seen dolphins perform and I loved it.  In fact I enjoyed it so much, that I wasn’t sure if Kyle enjoyed watching me act like a little kid more than watching the show himself.  If you ever get the chance to see this, do!  Unfortunately they didn’t allow any photography in the showroom so we don’t have pictures of this………..guess you will have to take my word on this!</p> <p>We also saw a variety of fish from different rivers and oceans world wide, big fish, small fish, eels, sea horses, and frogs!  They even swam over our heads in parts, it was too cool!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QsCW9gSfa0Y/T9irMf_hCiI/AAAAAAAAHqs/E_PA1zE0thc/s1600-h/IMG_54387.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5438" border="0" alt="IMG_5438" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iAhYD9mJ4jk/T9irM-kn9UI/AAAAAAAAHq0/eimkrsunBKs/IMG_5438_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wG0u_eR30sc/T9irOmEkZgI/AAAAAAAAHq8/BNckLVFTDA8/s1600-h/SAM_07005.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0700" border="0" alt="SAM_0700" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2n04t9l0cEw/T9irPCMZ-TI/AAAAAAAAHrE/s396HnGD0HE/SAM_0700_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uw7j5dl_Z9I/T9irQ079Q6I/AAAAAAAAHrM/YSOSiUqJY_k/s1600-h/IMG_54265.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5426" border="0" alt="IMG_5426" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R7sHQXF5qY0/T9irRUKQkzI/AAAAAAAAHrU/dCnGwlYRuZU/IMG_5426_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="187" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zl2W2sX6f5A/T9irS3Ov3JI/AAAAAAAAHrc/L8G-SdkdwkE/s1600-h/IMG_54597.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5459" border="0" alt="IMG_5459" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HhTAHMCOrL4/T9irTivQUcI/AAAAAAAAHrk/O-ZusnH8YPE/IMG_5459_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="187" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E-15e2jmwOw/T9irU1wur-I/AAAAAAAAHrs/2oGDV9gtry8/s1600-h/IMG_54485.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5448" border="0" alt="IMG_5448" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aVE1c0pEUrE/T9irVQxbEvI/AAAAAAAAHr0/fIQRyVdBqo0/IMG_5448_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0dGC1Y4NvnY/T9irXA3rWNI/AAAAAAAAHr8/IPQ5pdjOVFc/s1600-h/SAM_07305.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0730" border="0" alt="SAM_0730" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t9FiJViq5pk/T9irXuGXAyI/AAAAAAAAHsE/idoQtvmoRqM/SAM_0730_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a></p> <p>That night we made it back just in time to change and watch the beautiful bride-to- be Jenna run through the ceremony rehearsal, with her dad by her side.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v5MW0Iscc3g/T9irYQAp8II/AAAAAAAAHsM/yFJihpr0BDY/s1600-h/IMG_5474-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5474-001" border="0" alt="IMG_5474-001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jz_ZpUnQspo/T9irYjF4GkI/AAAAAAAAHsU/ihFD5YV1_PI/IMG_5474-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p>On Saturday, the wedding day, Kyle and I took advantage of some alone time and toured the Smith Gilbert Gardens in downtown Kennesaw.  This is our second week long vacation since we have been married and since we toured a garden on our honeymoon we decided this would be a perfect way to spend the afternoon before the wedding.  </p> <p>One of our favorite parts was the rose garden where there were probably close to 40 kinds of roses of different colors and breeds.  It was beautiful and we couldn’t  resist taking pictures in this beautiful area.  </p> <p>            <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G4PHGudsHoA/T9irZsooTzI/AAAAAAAAHsc/e7FeB0ciBUE/s1600-h/SAM_07553.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0755" border="0" alt="SAM_0755" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0FRNg1IKp3U/T9iraMonKHI/AAAAAAAAHsk/BYkuDqML8mw/SAM_0755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z3eR7rcwFqc/T9irb2R_NLI/AAAAAAAAHss/AfvWgnQ5Irw/s1600-h/SAM_07604.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0760" border="0" alt="SAM_0760" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z2xwLrvd_Hc/T9irccF3bHI/AAAAAAAAHs0/cVuPa5WgqMU/SAM_0760_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ZV7uOPPK5Q/T9irdufus7I/AAAAAAAAHs8/PALHusS3QIU/s1600-h/SAM_07523.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0752" border="0" alt="SAM_0752" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UL8EqU9cem8/T9irfAYtM_I/AAAAAAAAHtE/szvuUd8VaII/SAM_0752_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1UXrRKZGYw/T9irgAu2hpI/AAAAAAAAHtM/wtsHXrianIg/s1600-h/SAM_07693.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0769" border="0" alt="SAM_0769" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-naeLJ8tiakw/T9irgup1ZmI/AAAAAAAAHtU/M_uhTtRoP-0/SAM_0769_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We even found an alphabet garden.  Each letter had a plant with it that began with that letter………….so I snagged some photos that stood for each of our names, including our last name!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jAKP-Nl7bUg/T9irhnjDEdI/AAAAAAAAHtc/A2Jok6UELG0/s1600-h/SAM_0788-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0788-001" border="0" alt="SAM_0788-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vDOq7reUurk/T9iriFXUVoI/AAAAAAAAHtk/2YAe28H__sw/SAM_0788-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SW1G2lE-QOQ/T9iri0rxqHI/AAAAAAAAHts/H8SbCKedErY/s1600-h/SAM_0790-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0790-001" border="0" alt="SAM_0790-001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BlfEz7RLV2U/T9irj5U_qDI/AAAAAAAAHt0/konYGKneiiQ/SAM_0790-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ce4Kxnmype8/T9irk97-h6I/AAAAAAAAHt8/WqiKZG5Ud8k/s1600-h/SAM_0786-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0786-001" border="0" alt="SAM_0786-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hXWkrMqDP2M/T9irlptZ5gI/AAAAAAAAHuE/QpYDI2ZV_ec/SAM_0786-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0gDTHzbFIzc/T9irmoTvfgI/AAAAAAAAHuM/p_nTLWwm00I/s1600-h/SAM_0784-0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0784-001" border="0" alt="SAM_0784-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CnwQXZCkb5c/T9irnfswtYI/AAAAAAAAHuU/sfVt4sZuJAE/SAM_0784-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Finally, the wedding!  The ceremony took place at the First United Lutheran Church in Kennesaw.   Kenny’s first glance at Jenna as she walks down the aisle.  Being a bride once, I know what a special moment this was between Kenny and Jenna.  Kenny’s smile says it all!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nEKl68ykg2E/T9irog6fQiI/AAAAAAAAHuc/lS9HG06b65M/s1600-h/IMG_54953.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5495" border="0" alt="IMG_5495" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JuYhX2xWzvg/T9irpHIC61I/AAAAAAAAHuk/041bKvsHahk/IMG_5495_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The minister did something that not everyone does, a blessing over the couple.   It was a very peaceful moment especially when you see the bride and groom together with heads down in reverence.  We were also able to catch a photo of  the presentation of the couple for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Ellsworth and, of course, their first kiss as husband and wife.   </p> <p>                                       <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0kazTu-dnwY/T9irp_Zcs4I/AAAAAAAAHus/2LWpajBHisw/s1600-h/IMG_55213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5521" border="0" alt="IMG_5521" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-htScQTo5dQI/T9irqQv2HDI/AAAAAAAAHu0/OfonBc52r_I/IMG_5521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-liJibOyiuMw/T9irroPhS1I/AAAAAAAAHu8/JZRpya8QINA/s1600-h/IMG_55263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5526" border="0" alt="IMG_5526" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-awhsRs9_DOk/T9irsL8qK-I/AAAAAAAAHvE/VaJoO4KXCUU/IMG_5526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tYHUPel-AtY/T9irsp6BE6I/AAAAAAAAHvM/3zUqRL5tKUM/s1600-h/SAM_08133.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0813" border="0" alt="SAM_0813" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SZzdCXF2_HY/T9irt8s9OII/AAAAAAAAHvU/fePR37uUK5A/SAM_0813_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Kenny and Jenna with the rest of the Ellsworth family, his parents Dave and Donna and his brother, Brian. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QBA0JUXkd6o/T9irvMZq4eI/AAAAAAAAHvc/fdoLx6KU78k/s1600-h/IMG_55323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5532" border="0" alt="IMG_5532" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iVYYK-aZGz4/T9irv-nNpyI/AAAAAAAAHvk/dtkUfHHu4NM/IMG_5532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p align="left">The reception was held at the Pine Tree Country Club, also in Kennesaw.  Everything was beautiful and the party turned out to be a really good time……especially all the dancing and getting to spend some time with the newly weds before they left on their honeymoon!</p> <p>                         <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I7pAGMd--UQ/T9irxaUEa1I/AAAAAAAAHvs/8ulplpCziG0/s1600-h/IMG_55545.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5554" border="0" alt="IMG_5554" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zUpdAe86Vrw/T9irx5SHpHI/AAAAAAAAHv0/CiYESqhbH20/IMG_5554_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="187" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BmkiwHFO7fU/T9irygH8gxI/AAAAAAAAHv8/Jliji4sLA58/s1600-h/IMG_55613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5561" border="0" alt="IMG_5561" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bFqtRjaLR3s/T9irzPt_MyI/AAAAAAAAHwE/PNykuzveQm0/IMG_5561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qixlVn4IJo8/T9ir0U7aHCI/AAAAAAAAHwM/uiqKwqJEIm4/s1600-h/IMG_55895.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5589" border="0" alt="IMG_5589" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2C_VEOmbVG8/T9ir0w0VpoI/AAAAAAAAHwU/_WmA3pPEvo4/IMG_5589_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="207" /></a></p> <p>Sunday was another lazy day for us all.  You have to recuperate like that after such an awesome time the night before!  Plus it was raining so the only thing that could get us out of the RV was food.  We wanted to try this JD’s BBQ that we had passed by many times that weekend.  It turned out to be pretty yummy!</p> <p>                                                      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HrP60Qhsz5Y/T9ir2Yy8AvI/AAAAAAAAHwc/BbgYbXF2yn8/s1600-h/SAM_08293.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0829" border="0" alt="SAM_0829" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xo2G6zhpBsM/T9ir2zQkSQI/AAAAAAAAHwk/pSL_MvxP5Oo/SAM_0829_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-El13NfJLIaU/T9ir4NQ4vLI/AAAAAAAAHws/458gKD_O-Xg/s1600-h/SAM_08303.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0830" border="0" alt="SAM_0830" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O9O95ODPh2E/T9ir5Es8phI/AAAAAAAAHw0/ymQUarnZNrg/SAM_0830_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We spent the rest of the evening playing the game, Carcassonne.  Kyle had been on a winning streak that we were intent on killing!  Cindy won one of the games and then Kyle took back over, ARGH!  The next morning, Monday, was really early,  and I decided that since Kyle isn’t the sweetest morning person, that I would be the one to ride with Ken and Cindy to the airport in Atlanta at 4:40 AM.  Cindy left me alone once again with the boys, and they didn’t wait too long before they got their shenanigans started again!  </p> <p>Ken, who also got up that early, was awesome and drove us from Georgia all the way to Metropolis, Illinois!  Kyle and I were not the troopers we should have been but neither of us could keep our eyes open, so we took our turns sleeping on the couch.   We ate at Cindy’s favorite Mexican restaurant that night, El Tequila.  Too bad, Cindy wasn’t there with us though!  </p> <p>That night the boys played more Carcassonne where I believe Ken kicked Kyle’s butt in both games while I worked on writing this blog.  I also wasn’t feeling that great, especially the next morning (the beginnings of a sinus infection are not fun and usually knock me down pretty well the first few days), but I was a trooper the next morning and rode with the boys into Metropolis downtown to pose with SUPERMAN!</p> <p> </p> <p>                  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oAcKM1xjQl4/T9ir6kh5rhI/AAAAAAAAHw8/-ZziNQCEv8g/s1600-h/IMG_5634%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5634" border="0" alt="IMG_5634" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xHZeazj154s/T9ir7dQ4r_I/AAAAAAAAHxE/YTJzVIig994/IMG_5634_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="262" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KcVDqVbwt-k/T9ir-NuteLI/AAAAAAAAHxM/GA57KyxkYNg/s1600-h/IMG_5636%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5636" border="0" alt="IMG_5636" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7ll-1GFVDss/T9ir-oQEpyI/AAAAAAAAHxU/-Z5VHZ8SfbU/IMG_5636_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-07RCkORv6-U/T9ir_53A9OI/AAAAAAAAHxc/EseBbgi07sw/s1600-h/IMG_5652%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5652" border="0" alt="IMG_5652" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E82uBbf5Wts/T9isAd1Z6NI/AAAAAAAAHxk/Ot47CkHYcNA/IMG_5652_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="262" /></a></p> <p>                                   <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mbXZJx5wHQ8/T9isCGXYYjI/AAAAAAAAHxs/K-c0OkmG_0I/s1600-h/IMG_5641%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5641" border="0" alt="IMG_5641" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OB_Fws8iZKE/T9isC1E3iHI/AAAAAAAAHx0/1mAVv1JGWoA/IMG_5641_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="226" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Ss0fUDciqw/T9isE-mKF1I/AAAAAAAAHx8/93f5OEL6mig/s1600-h/IMG_5649%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5649" border="0" alt="IMG_5649" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3B7KeLNNKwo/T9isFc0bwNI/AAAAAAAAHyE/NK736miMLco/IMG_5649_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="226" /></a></p> <p>While Ken packed up the RV, Kyle and I walked through the Fort Massac Museum and grounds around the museum.  The fort overlooked the Ohio River and switched hands between the Spanish, French, British, and Americans over about  time before ending up in the American’s hands.  There was a replica built of the fort, that unfortunately was closed, but was still really cool to look at.  In the middle of what looked like the grounds for the original fort stood a statue of George Rogers Clark.   George Rogers Clark took  Fort Massac from the British in 1778.</p> <p>                                                                       <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3QFT5XwfWhM/T9isHLpIM1I/AAAAAAAAHyM/CCZvnx8Y6JQ/s1600-h/IMG_5654%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5654" border="0" alt="IMG_5654" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nBF5fSw_-TY/T9isH3zAbvI/AAAAAAAAHyU/rm0-V4o9Olc/IMG_5654_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DdExtzp87T0/T9isI4cafZI/AAAAAAAAHyc/z4kEcb0x3ls/s1600-h/IMG_5655%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5655" border="0" alt="IMG_5655" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zu8z8xEfpTY/T9isJbyk2hI/AAAAAAAAHyk/gOTx7z_QbRw/IMG_5655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We left Metropolis that morning and arrived in Carlinville around 4.  Ken worked on loading the jeep to take home to Quincy for the night.  He had a few things to do there before picking up the RV Wednesday to drive back up to Joliet for the weekend where he will pick Cindy up and visit Trevor and Leah……….and of course Jameson!  I worked on unloading our belongings from the RV and making a mess of our house that I had no intention of touching till the next day.  Kyle took off right away to pick up our puppy, Staley from the kennel.  We all said our goodbyes and I was sure to thank Ken for all he and Cindy did for us over our trip!  </p> <p>My first long RV trip was a success and I had a lot of fun!  Thank you again, Ken and Cindy, for a wonderful trip!  </p> <p>I hope you all enjoyed a new writer of the blog and I hope that I will get to do this again!</p> <p>Jenni</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-28377480665371234152012-06-05T16:19:00.001-05:002012-06-05T16:19:50.346-05:00Beaver Dam, Bathroom Remodel, and Memorial Day<p> </p> <p>May was highlighted by camping at Beaver Dam while working on Kyle and Jenni’s bathroom and a Memorial weekend in Marion Illinois.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vrqe4s67lGw/T853P3NdJUI/AAAAAAAAHhk/437SiqrTEKA/s1600-h/IMG_5299%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5299" border="0" alt="IMG_5299" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pNu1POnNRm0/T853R0-MmsI/AAAAAAAAHhs/t3GTYFJO7Xs/IMG_5299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XPRyO8mmgAU/T853TNl_rZI/AAAAAAAAHh0/l5pI88ePAv8/s1600-h/IMG_5289%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5289" border="0" alt="IMG_5289" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6r1kh6lK22Y/T853T5XH4-I/AAAAAAAAHh8/4dbgmDEgBKY/IMG_5289_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="335" /></a></p> <p>This is site 4 at Beaver Dam and my brave morning visitor.  Site 4 is behind the host site and is one of the more secluded sites.  However, because it is near the host site there are more rules to observe, so the host John and Dave were fond of telling me.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The purpose of this trip was to remodel Kyle and Jenni’s bathroom. It was more complicated than we first thought.  I had to move the sink vent and replace the sub floor under the stool before doing any other work.  Jenni and Kyle pitched in when ever they could.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BkamXOGz5TI/T853VR1wsRI/AAAAAAAAHiE/ZUlwm4lw9_k/s1600-h/IMG_5293%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5293" border="0" alt="IMG_5293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R4NGaB3WdxU/T853WQsRBgI/AAAAAAAAHiM/yTz1zVQl5uU/IMG_5293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="339" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8IQWjdF9kYQ/T853XJ6dknI/AAAAAAAAHiU/LcgZibrhKoQ/s1600-h/IMG_5297%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5297" border="0" alt="IMG_5297" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WTS3ZbxgDIM/T853XjoBI_I/AAAAAAAAHic/iJ3vW1C1Qx8/IMG_5297_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="339" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ckvQ5W1d-4/T853YmaB_PI/AAAAAAAAHik/04CVi_H1vQU/s1600-h/IMG_5298%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5298" border="0" alt="IMG_5298" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9F-_iTi_3E8/T853ZMCKuCI/AAAAAAAAHis/zd2E6mL4ZQI/IMG_5298_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="340" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p>Jenni painting trim…                                       Kyle getting ready to paint….                     Kyle and I telling Cindy “we are busy”</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fr4_-kMnb_M/T853Z4CFNLI/AAAAAAAAHi0/n3wmfFAYmcI/s1600-h/165885_548103694418_1995603803_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="165885_548103694418_1995603803_n" border="0" alt="165885_548103694418_1995603803_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XSupNKPnLJk/T853aXXg2lI/AAAAAAAAHi8/5HqQ9xF3rNg/165885_548103694418_1995603803_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="242" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KNhpPzfhVc0/T853baZeJvI/AAAAAAAAHjE/MvXA4moslEk/s1600-h/398884_548103659488_1142513739_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="398884_548103659488_1142513739_n" border="0" alt="398884_548103659488_1142513739_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xIFgrEN0l8g/T853b4yAGhI/AAAAAAAAHjM/_XHTIAOKJ8E/398884_548103659488_1142513739_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HSnfU4WDuz8/T853ch5mQCI/AAAAAAAAHjU/YZH5akfhJh0/s1600-h/535698_548103684438_1707245763_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="535698_548103684438_1707245763_n" border="0" alt="535698_548103684438_1707245763_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZJ0CJ7UTAPg/T853dGkXSII/AAAAAAAAHjc/hWOnHOe0YNk/535698_548103684438_1707245763_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hm7-7oJ6_dU/T853d3bIPtI/AAAAAAAAHjk/D04XKqCEKuc/s1600-h/550599_548103649508_1508423790_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="550599_548103649508_1508423790_n" border="0" alt="550599_548103649508_1508423790_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SB3lVTPXHlg/T853eQrcwiI/AAAAAAAAHjs/TN9TGqDTDlM/550599_548103649508_1508423790_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The finished product!  Jenni has good taste!  She picked the colors and cabinets then added nice accent pieces!  </p> <p> </p> <p>Memorial Day weekend went as a group in the RV to Marion Illinois to see Erin Casey and their new baby.   They invited us to their house for a pool party on Saturday.  Thankfully the camera was not allowed so there is no evidence of any of us being seen in bathing suits. We did have a great time visiting and cooling off in their pool! </p> <p> </p> <p>Sunday we went to part of the southern Illinois wine trail.  We only made it to two wineries before calling it a day!  The first winery was called Walkers Bluff and is so new that they are not producing wine yet.  They picked the area they did only after studying the microclimate to determine that it had a similar climate to Spain and parts of Italy.  They hope to produce wines of a similar quality as the wines produced in those European areas.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WoakwG_0b1I/T853fnoQwQI/AAAAAAAAHj0/wIRsnJmPa84/s1600-h/IMG_5304%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5304" border="0" alt="IMG_5304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_PUlT9JrQis/T853gakbKXI/AAAAAAAAHj8/4i6SOVHkZbQ/IMG_5304_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--Qio29ZeWmE/T853iGq7kWI/AAAAAAAAHkE/kWRSp6YFIOY/s1600-h/IMG_5309%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5309" border="0" alt="IMG_5309" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5L5uqUgpjgs/T853i82aGHI/AAAAAAAAHkM/ty7FaqkXS9A/IMG_5309_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gbBEOzOiBUA/T853kp7SICI/AAAAAAAAHkU/nYiGr8Vxk50/s1600-h/IMG_5311%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5311" border="0" alt="IMG_5311" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p_srX9KLFgU/T853lRa3f7I/AAAAAAAAHkc/Z5KvQJDLtq0/IMG_5311_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9G79WSIUnc8/T853nOnTaXI/AAAAAAAAHkk/l9Dv9XouV5Y/s1600-h/IMG_5321%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5321" border="0" alt="IMG_5321" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ihyR1PtJ5Vk/T853ngMLhyI/AAAAAAAAHks/a9EmnB64hlU/IMG_5321_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xiQ1h0K_Hpc/T853pA2dGpI/AAAAAAAAHk0/HJqlL00hA_Q/s1600-h/IMG_5325%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5325" border="0" alt="IMG_5325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KSUwm-XJoH4/T853phrUhXI/AAAAAAAAHk8/GBuOJ2Tev34/IMG_5325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JKg1fSRidLU/T853qzbuU5I/AAAAAAAAHlE/_A-ZI13YGuA/s1600-h/IMG_5328%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5328" border="0" alt="IMG_5328" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Afa9NVd7xkw/T853ryMrc0I/AAAAAAAAHlM/Z_qX2lUiG04/IMG_5328_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hfnshmBI-W8/T853tlvcUaI/AAAAAAAAHlU/QN7ZYUBfO3M/s1600-h/IMG_5336%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5336" border="0" alt="IMG_5336" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fi-CcedO8WY/T853uJvgUNI/AAAAAAAAHlc/j6yArARGsUs/IMG_5336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wa7RwHhHh5o/T853vhAPnDI/AAAAAAAAHlk/FLdF6WP47EA/s1600-h/IMG_5341%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5341" border="0" alt="IMG_5341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ERb0H41arIM/T853wBEfpyI/AAAAAAAAHls/sEEWqmJfEkk/IMG_5341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Walkers Bluff is very nicely done.  They have a 4 star restaurant plans for a 4 star hotel, the winery, and an outdoor concert area.  The concert area is booking big names like Sheryl Crow and Charlie Daniels Band.  They have dug their own wine caves for storage and for entertaining.  They have spent big bucks in the middle of nowhere trying to do it right! I hope they are successful.  </p> <p> </p> <p>The second winery we went to was called Blue Sky.   We ate a mid afternoon lunch here with a couple of bottles of wine.  They had won several awards for their wines.   </p> <p>Also you can tell from the pictures below that we enjoyed are time here!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FUrSJqwKwJQ/T853xljHFqI/AAAAAAAAHl0/u6eBeF4j6LY/s1600-h/IMG_5351%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5351" border="0" alt="IMG_5351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YSjR9Svof6E/T853yY8wnaI/AAAAAAAAHl8/zB3N71ao3YM/IMG_5351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QS0Z3Cy-8x4/T853z8Jh6CI/AAAAAAAAHmE/TiDgPsDJryE/s1600-h/IMG_5353%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5353" border="0" alt="IMG_5353" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cKnxRTLn6-Y/T8530QTocVI/AAAAAAAAHmM/-PMPbj9r16o/IMG_5353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i9XcC6tasEc/T85319D4QwI/AAAAAAAAHmU/d2zpCqJTgWI/s1600-h/IMG_5356%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5356" border="0" alt="IMG_5356" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DTEcwLrWUsY/T8532XsGFhI/AAAAAAAAHmc/cwR25IuZOg8/IMG_5356_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mV_RzzT8qoc/T8534cmEA1I/AAAAAAAAHmk/6w2zYYH01X8/s1600-h/IMG_5348%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5348" border="0" alt="IMG_5348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ZRufL2m-U4/T85343nobkI/AAAAAAAAHms/9e_0D6iS27c/IMG_5348_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="197" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>These wineries are remote as you can tell from the picture of the road back to Marion and dinner!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l0U-0iinfQE/T8536u6DbAI/AAAAAAAAHm0/XKDl6nXGSAU/s1600-h/IMG_5362%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5362" border="0" alt="IMG_5362" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T2jUSQ36doY/T8537MYum1I/AAAAAAAAHm8/3vS_rtUCr8o/IMG_5362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>One last picture!   Stahley is watching Kyle’s plate to make sure she gets any leftovers!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WCwC6OiFr5g/T8538myd_hI/AAAAAAAAHnE/NnnVn9fyuYQ/s1600-h/IMG_5368%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5368" border="0" alt="IMG_5368" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ko8X0tQbhTE/T8539KDHB0I/AAAAAAAAHnM/gwvZu8D_HPI/IMG_5368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-34301819850728871962012-05-21T12:32:00.001-05:002012-05-21T12:49:27.381-05:00April and May 2012<p>2012,  the year the Mayan Calendar ends and the year of the start of a new age…..  Some believe it is the end of the world as we know it.  Me, I think the little guy got tired of writing and found a good place to stop. Too many good things are happening to have a bad ending.  We had visits from friends and family, the roses are blooming, and we are back in the RV. </p> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mBvHOS91VIA/T7p7aKQ5h0I/AAAAAAAAHcw/-LKw3reXur4/s1600-h/IMG_51723.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5172" border="0" alt="IMG_5172" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IcElyM4Q5lw/T7p7azuLhyI/AAAAAAAAHc4/JJljyYhmocE/IMG_5172_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J2XX9w9Qr2Y/T7p7cUu6lQI/AAAAAAAAHc8/iudXOABEtfs/s1600-h/IMG_51794.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5179" border="0" alt="IMG_5179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L-tayi8bZL8/T7p7dVnPR2I/AAAAAAAAHdI/kh-6DsC9skU/IMG_5179_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="234" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IvzmiXbDtxI/T7p7enkc-GI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/JxBkCkD58Lw/s1600-h/IMG_51743.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5174" border="0" alt="IMG_5174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wlP1mIS2_vg/T7p7fQ4oQKI/AAAAAAAAHdY/SeZ8V_sRS8M/IMG_5174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <p>In late April, Jim and Dee were in the St Louis area and made the drive to Hannibal to visit Ed and Marilyn.  They invited me to visit also.  The first picture is Ed and Marilyn’s new rig.  As most of you know,  they had a fire that destroyed their previous one.  They were unscathed but their rig was a total loss.  Happily, Ed had bought good insurance and they were able to replace the old rig with this new one. That’s Ed and Marilyn in the middle picture followed by Dee and her mom in the last picture.  I had appointments that day, so before lunch was finished, I had to leave.  But the next day both Cindy and I were able to get together with Jim and Dee and Dee’s mom.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cjto-x3EfpY/T7p7gzeGRMI/AAAAAAAAHdg/0EXt5hKVb9I/s1600-h/IMG_51836.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5183" border="0" alt="IMG_5183" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LM300MK2xdw/T7p7hvqK15I/AAAAAAAAHdo/NWEFGSOyJnw/IMG_5183_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="253" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MDy3O1P6JSM/T7p7jLkSUUI/AAAAAAAAHdw/ZDAU1L4wSKQ/s1600-h/IMG_51867.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5186" border="0" alt="IMG_5186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-invZszamx6g/T7p7j_xYQcI/AAAAAAAAHd4/wuRW3fYd258/IMG_5186_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="253" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3MM2NLBRMjk/T7p7kzRJorI/AAAAAAAAHeA/NbdfPJNDQVM/s1600-h/IMG_51804.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5180" border="0" alt="IMG_5180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a_SQk_jlw64/T7p7m92EqoI/AAAAAAAAHeI/2PymEI3AauY/IMG_5180_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" height="249" /></a></p> <p>We met Jim and Dee and Mom in Bowling Green MO. as it was half way for both of us.  After a long lunch with lots of fun and talk, we discovered a store in Bowling Green that makes it’s own chocolates.  Bankhead Chocolates has a huge variety of chocolates displayed in cabinets that run the length of one wall wrapping around the corner to run a good distance down the back wall.  We bought lots of chocolate!!!  Good for me as Cindy was leaving again for work the next day.  Lucky me, I had them all to myself and, showing great restraint, I made them last, saving a few pieces for Cindy when she got home. (Just a few, too much chocolate is bad for you so I had to eat them to get them out of the house before Cindy got there).     </p> <p>A visit from Trevor Leah and Jameson for Campbell,s baptism!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-exsNB4Q2kAo/T7p7oK6RrFI/AAAAAAAAHeQ/W4WqAdVPpT0/s1600-h/IMG_51895.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5189" border="0" alt="IMG_5189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bxRQwp9zr_c/T7p7pDPdGoI/AAAAAAAAHeY/AJB11QFDAqk/IMG_5189_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="331" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Djw-K4AQOD4/T7p7rkMCrDI/AAAAAAAAHeg/tArKrLDcVhk/s1600-h/IMG_51934.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5193" border="0" alt="IMG_5193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I-nlWU4FxbM/T7p7sbYQxiI/AAAAAAAAHeo/rQ739JRHY4k/IMG_5193_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="329" /></a></p> <p>Since Trevor and Leah got in late Jameson was asleep when they got to our house.  Grandma had to wait to see and hold him until morning.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qs3Gk7wbH34/T7p7t_nP62I/AAAAAAAAHew/n4yZs63hLLA/s1600-h/IMG_52215.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5221" border="0" alt="IMG_5221" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4BJTdrU7_zM/T7p7unJa_tI/AAAAAAAAHe4/ObyKNnKzUiU/IMG_5221_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="301" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fMrapbzUOWw/T7p7v--DoHI/AAAAAAAAHfA/xIW7O3Enk5E/s1600-h/IMG_52336.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5233" border="0" alt="IMG_5233" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xEb4xXVRtm0/T7p7wpKeB-I/AAAAAAAAHfI/DQYwl_onaZc/IMG_5233_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="302" /></a></p> <p>The Baptism and then photos.  Proud parents Erin and Casey with baby Campbell!  Erin is the daughter we never had and is my niece.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YK5ex56j954/T7p7yPnZExI/AAAAAAAAHfQ/YQxaybuokVU/s1600-h/IMG_52255.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5225" border="0" alt="IMG_5225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hbNW33o7taU/T7p7zM5e_BI/AAAAAAAAHfY/9hjXIFW-G90/IMG_5225_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="279" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aF9CVgC3Q1s/T7p70rxW7MI/AAAAAAAAHfg/JSmTDpXx65I/s1600-h/IMG_52465.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5246" border="0" alt="IMG_5246" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lCadQ1doWD4/T7p71a71XRI/AAAAAAAAHfo/ig-jLDrqtzE/IMG_5246_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="277" /></a></p> <p>BJ (Erin’s brother) my nephew was one of the godparents.  Erin introduces Campbell to Jameson and Leah.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I0bwH4N0xgM/T7p72fjZ7DI/AAAAAAAAHfw/1jvGNBs-7CI/s1600-h/IMG_52314.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5231" border="0" alt="IMG_5231" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hqn7nJpwz7s/T7p73IGS3rI/AAAAAAAAHf4/rtn5Ur_410E/IMG_5231_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="430" /></a></p> <p>With all the pictures of Jameson I feel that we seem to neglect Leah and Trevor!  Leah and Trevor are great parents doing a fantastic job raising Jameson and creating a happy home.</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCdzf0doa2o/T7p75Lv0fkI/AAAAAAAAHgA/69U77xytVvc/s1600-h/IMG_52604.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5260" border="0" alt="IMG_5260" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xNfWe-GCzq0/T7p76MRfXcI/AAAAAAAAHgI/VHCyNpHR81Y/IMG_5260_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="356" /></a></p> <p>On the day that they left, Jameson joined me on the patio to drink coffee and listen to the birds while Mommy and Daddy got ready for the day.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y0dLiCfb_mY/T7p771BaL7I/AAAAAAAAHgQ/mjqsiN7cFbI/s1600-h/IMG_52764.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5276" border="0" alt="IMG_5276" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oKmISGoVqIY/T7p783l1MGI/AAAAAAAAHgY/NQU_bzzFJpA/IMG_5276_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="430" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HCcrtoR1J6I/T7p8ALQtIoI/AAAAAAAAHgg/QEYwEAqlanM/s1600-h/IMG_52775.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5277" border="0" alt="IMG_5277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SeC3WHWoj9c/T7p8BF4C-uI/AAAAAAAAHgo/eauwgdngfYg/IMG_5277_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="428" /></a></p> <p>Last blog I mentioned that I cleaned up the rose area of the yard, now the roses are starting to bloom.  They look good now but I saw the start of leaf blight and began spraying.  However, I will not be home for a month so I might lose them again.</p> <p>Last but not least,  we celebrated Mothers Day.  Kyle and Jenni came for a visit bearing flowers.  Trevor and Leah gave Cindy Vera Bradley bags.  I bought a new grill and Cindy claimed it!  We also went to “the hills”,  where my family has celebrated Mothers Day for more than forty years.  Attendance has greatly declined this year with the death of my mother, but it was still a good time.   </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w-Z2o4uiybk/T7p8CatlRXI/AAAAAAAAHgw/WqaWAKXZCFg/s1600-h/IMG_52863.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5286" border="0" alt="IMG_5286" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8c0H3_b0g84/T7p8DYI5Y1I/AAAAAAAAHg4/m91invJwq44/IMG_5286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0MDopTP-Lng/T7p8E2p6c6I/AAAAAAAAHhA/14vTWq8131U/s1600-h/IMG_52873.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5287" border="0" alt="IMG_5287" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zKO25x98F-w/T7p8Fbdy3XI/AAAAAAAAHhI/gisBteXDVkg/IMG_5287_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l9igHJhSc7c/T7p8GnrxsCI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/qVYotzLL28U/s1600-h/IMG_52883.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5288" border="0" alt="IMG_5288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZBbMcXbeHSk/T7p8HEUtBRI/AAAAAAAAHhY/7rfyRQZ7dRE/IMG_5288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Nice grill Cindy!</p> <p>Now I have the RV in Carlinville while remodeling Kyle and Jenni’s bathroom.   It is nice to be back in a state park amongst the trees! We are a hour closer to St Louis here so it is easier for Cindy to get here on weekends!</p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-30119683804971961862012-04-17T20:23:00.001-05:002012-04-17T20:23:00.612-05:00Time to catch up …. End of February, March and part of April<p> </p> <p>When we last saw our heroes in January there was a car wreck and a death in the family.  February and March were not much better. One of my best friends died plus a friend that I played ball with for many years died, and we learned of the death of and RV friend and also Fillmore. </p> <p>  While I will miss them and think of them from time to time…It is time to move on!!</p> <p>Let’s celebrate life with babies, flowers and the satisfaction you get from fixing things!</p> <p>A Baby Shower! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q2TeKMsu5-s/T44XH7Q9aoI/AAAAAAAAHVI/q12vq8lHrSw/s1600-h/IMG_4979%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4979" border="0" alt="IMG_4979" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j407_I475OE/T44XIEhmt1I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/qtezEYXdWUw/IMG_4979_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="505" /></a></p> <p>The baby shower was for Erin and yet to be named baby on Feb 11.  Yet to be named because the future parents agreed that they did not  want to know the sex of the baby until it arrived.  While parents are happy with either sex when the baby arrives that joy and surprise can be take from us if the doctors tell us the sex in advance. Good choice Erin and Casey!  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kKh66vECbIk/T44XIcinJ3I/AAAAAAAAHVY/dYGvJR702xE/s1600-h/IMG_4987%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4987" border="0" alt="IMG_4987" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ewmm2ZAcYo/T44XJW_UfNI/AAAAAAAAHVg/EEtK_yoRYao/IMG_4987_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="374" /></a></p> <p>That a cake?  Looks like a pillow! If I understand correctly, this beautiful cake was a collaboration between my daughter in law Jenni and one of her friends.  Amazing!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X6CC5LysDko/T44XJzOwoaI/AAAAAAAAHVo/t_dVITAWvkM/s1600-h/IMG_4995%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4995" border="0" alt="IMG_4995" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6YxzrXJyAbw/T44XKa3gBlI/AAAAAAAAHVw/egcJeCTrpfY/IMG_4995_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L1ntydTwp5A/T44XKmSFkXI/AAAAAAAAHV4/kR5Ecvpg4mA/s1600-h/IMG_4999%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4999" border="0" alt="IMG_4999" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qVyYS1T3ssc/T44XK1uNd5I/AAAAAAAAHWA/jDWWIvxrDu0/IMG_4999_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0MaYH79A8U0/T44XLW2wHrI/AAAAAAAAHWI/C0eeXrUwRsk/s1600-h/IMG_5022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5022" border="0" alt="IMG_5022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7GHcYEND3z0/T44XLqJILbI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/6D99gix4KAM/IMG_5022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">My grandson Jameson and Leah made the long journey from the Chicago area with the help of her friend who is also named Erin.Then there is the ever bubbly Erin the mom to be opening presents with Jenni. And at the end of the shower they allowed me to enter to help carry presents, but I spent my time carrying Jameson!</p> <p align="left">The baby was born March 25 and is named Campbell John Kline!!  He was 8lbs 14oz and 21 1/2 inches long! The labor was long and had a lot of us worried but everyone is fine and doing well! </p> <p> </p> <p>People ask what I do while Cindy is away.  Well one thing is to go to high school sporting events like watching the son of Cindy’s nephew play.  I was at his game on senior night when they gave him an award for scoring 1000 points during his high school career.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dm0YetP_7sw/T44XMDstp_I/AAAAAAAAHWY/QWvz95Eh1FU/s1600-h/IMG_0428%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0428" border="0" alt="IMG_0428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NDpI9J5kfg8/T44XMVP0-dI/AAAAAAAAHWg/UEX9cc4qCNs/IMG_0428_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="418" /></a></p> <p>Sorry for the picture quality … phone camera zoomed as far as it would go.  This is Matthew and his mom and dad on senior night.  They lost on this night by one point but later beat this same opponent on their home court to win the regional championship.  They later lost in the first round of the sectionals after coming back from a very large deficit (20 plus point deficit) to lose by one.  Very exciting year!</p> <p> </p> <p>When we travel in the motorhome to the Detroit Area we usually stop in the Chicago area as our half way point so we can stop to see Leah, Trevor and Jameson.  Jameson is now nine months old and getting quite active.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-psMhtnJhnmk/T44XM1dIcNI/AAAAAAAAHWo/lfT7LF3cj3A/s1600-h/IMG_0464%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0464" border="0" alt="IMG_0464" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e71EkYaba74/T44XNNAp7GI/AAAAAAAAHWs/QzJ-luR721E/IMG_0464_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x6O30IvEG5Q/T44XNs7u9qI/AAAAAAAAHW4/GPgypmZL7rU/s1600-h/IMG_5038%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5038" border="0" alt="IMG_5038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-De0kdlJJqTI/T44XN5O7VFI/AAAAAAAAHXA/WIN_Y-3h-T4/IMG_5038_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="264" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p>Grandma Cindy and Jameson                                                                         Jameson on one of his favorite toys</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2RBK7PMszUk/T44XOH-Hv3I/AAAAAAAAHXI/zR5WyszZsCI/s1600-h/IMG_5048%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5048" border="0" alt="IMG_5048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r9xrx_L-ttU/T44XOfT3poI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/dNxikG3p5Ws/IMG_5048_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="470" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TQsqiyzzio0/T44XOxKKD-I/AAAAAAAAHXY/vE4j7ft06QU/s1600-h/IMG_5051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5051" border="0" alt="IMG_5051" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0jtDfnD08Hc/T44XPLMBCJI/AAAAAAAAHXg/8z2cvNBiARY/IMG_5051_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="287" /></a></p> <p>Jameson as Grandpa’s helper                                                        and the boys in the garage..Jameson, Jay, Trevor, and me.</p> <p> </p> <p>As many of you know Cindy had shoulder surgery on March 19 to remove a bone spur.  We had a good experience with Dr. Smith in December 2007 when he rebuilt Trevor’s shoulder after he destroyed it  playing football. (See blog from Jan 2008)  Cindy’s surgery was much less demanding than Trevor’s so we had complete faith that it would be successful.  So on the Sunday before the surgery we made the two hour drive to Columbia Mo. for the surgery.  (Quincy is two hours from St. Louis, University of Iowa in Iowa City, University of Missouri in Columbia, Springfield IL., and three hours to University of Illinois, so two hours or more to anywhere).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GRQV5n5LAxA/T44XPbU1S_I/AAAAAAAAHXo/bK73VY0DTOA/s1600-h/IMG_5079%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5079" border="0" alt="IMG_5079" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZudfwzY2ECU/T44XPy4lnQI/AAAAAAAAHXw/OIFjKucvnmo/IMG_5079_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="293" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NiNGSQXV0mU/T44XQFprrWI/AAAAAAAAHX4/IfceH6wGuSA/s1600-h/IMG_5087%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5087" border="0" alt="IMG_5087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-15AbrCJLcCw/T44XQYjQtgI/AAAAAAAAHYA/6IHgGr-pHDs/IMG_5087_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="294" /></a></p> <p>We stayed at the Cottonwoods RV Park.  It is a nice RV park that I would recommend to anyone traveling through that area.  I was expecting tight turns and narrow drives after reading the reviews on “RV Parks Reviews” but did not find any of that.  We found a clean and nicely kept park with ample access and lots the size of most RV parks.  </p> <p>On Monday morning Cindy’s surgery went very well.  In fact it well enough that they prescribed the machine seen below to exercise her arm. The big problem now is whether I can keep my mouth shut … In the past I would walk on her left side babbling away because I knew she could not lift her left arm and I was avoiding  her good arm.  But now with her arm fixed she has a left jab to go with her right hook.  Now I have to keep my comments to myself or learn when to duck.  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-feYzXJcwciM/T44XQhn2hvI/AAAAAAAAHYI/_ceMnzceLtk/s1600-h/IMG_5092%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5092" border="0" alt="IMG_5092" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zX-EctkHmMM/T44XQ8JvxpI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/nulCaaHYxJs/IMG_5092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="473" /></a></p> <p>The afternoon after the surgery she was already using her exercise machine.  No worries,  I have other pictures that are not so flattering that I am keeping under lock and key for future use.<img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ut2Ya6nF25w/T44XRDH3H8I/AAAAAAAAHYY/DI12l88Nt_4/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p> </p> <p>After returning from Cindy’s surgery and before we took any more trips I wanted to get the tires replaced on the RV.  They were 5 years old and had 50,000 miles on them and were beginning to weather check.  As an FMCA member I was able to use their Michelin fleet tire price and get the tires for about $45.00 per tire cheaper than I was quoted without the FMCA tire program.  The only draw back is that you have to use an authorized Michelin tire distributer.  Your local truck tire dealer may or may not be authorized Michelin tire dealer.  My local truck tire dealer displays a large Michelin sign and sells Michelin tires but buys them on the open market and therefore can not participate in the Michelin fleet program.  Lucky for me my nephew Michael runs a shop that is an authorized Michelin fleet dealer.  However, his shop is 20 miles away in Palmyra Mo along highway 61.  After ordering the tires (it took a week to get my size) they asked me to bring a printout of the paper work from FMCA.  When I arrived to get the tires installed they looked the paper work over and said it was just like the paper work they were familiar with so there was no problem.  If you’re an FMCA member you might want to take a look at this program.  All it takes is following the instructions and making a phone call or two to get thing rolling.  At $45.00 per tire times six tires, yeah I can do that.   </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ENcIim_qtY/T44XRlTLJgI/AAAAAAAAHYg/4LwoPq9PTIM/s1600-h/IMG_5095%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5095" border="0" alt="IMG_5095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cxnP9oWXOU8/T44XRxpbzDI/AAAAAAAAHYo/elFRKBPdEGk/IMG_5095_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="334" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zget5ATwypA/T44XSS5yNsI/AAAAAAAAHYw/HzANGBN13ZQ/s1600-h/IMG_5100%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5100" border="0" alt="IMG_5100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m05GkplJlFA/T44XSsjXKOI/AAAAAAAAHY4/TeMEkxuAv6U/IMG_5100_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="335" /></a></p> <p>After the tires were installed and I gave Cindy the total bill she instantly checked it against the budget.  After calculating it at least ten different ways and telling me all about it (as my eyes glazed over) the only number I remember is that she now figures that the tires cost about a nickel per mile.</p> <p> </p> <p>With the new tires it was off to Chicago and then Farmington Hill (Detroit).  We have had enough Jameson pictures for now so I’ll show you the ones from the return trip.    </p> <p>Since the middle of last year we have been having an intermittent problem with the air gauges in the RV.  We would be driving along like normal when suddenly one of the air pressure gauges would drop to zero pressure and the alarms would sound.  Then in the next instant the pressure would begin to build and eventually the alarm would shut down.  The first time it happen it really had us concerned.  I called Rick, as he does all the service work on our motorhome, and his first question was did the brakes locked up and when I told him no he said it must be electrical.  He was right.  The actual air pressure was OK but because of a electrical problem the gauge would show a pressure loss and then the alarm would sound.  Last year it did not happen very often but was becoming more frequent.  On this trip to Detroit it became a problem.  So after setting up in Haas Lake RV Park, I started researching the problem.  There was a Cummings repair facility less than 3 miles away and a large RV lot about 5 or 6 miles away in the other direction.  I knew I had help if I needed it but first I wanted to see what I could find on my own.  After searching the internet I learned that Freightliner had a problem with the electrics for these gauges.  On the older models there is a connection in a box that tend to come loose and all you do is tighten the connections.  The problem is that this box could be located anywhere the coach builder decided to put it.  So I took a chance and called freightliner to ask where I might find this box.  The tech on the phone was great.  After giving him the VIN he told me that I did not have one of those boxes as they did away with them but told me to hang on while he checked something else.  I was on hold for a minute or two when he told me he found it.  On mine and the newer Freightliner chassis the problem is in the wires that attach to the back of the gauge.  They send a signal both ways and if the connection is lost the gauge will act as mine have.  So the fix is to tighten the connection on the back of the gauges.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cimhLyzOeQM/T44XSxi7y9I/AAAAAAAAHZA/fefbvob-Bb0/s1600-h/IMAG0093%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0093" border="0" alt="IMAG0093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GtKtqsmjrq4/T44XTDAShjI/AAAAAAAAHZI/FJkPoRBnlJs/IMAG0093_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="222" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0O-RSOAM_zU/T44XTcjHMxI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/TGAKVrL-JZw/s1600-h/IMG_5132%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5132" border="0" alt="IMG_5132" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3cYpniYjYgU/T44XTmWM4_I/AAAAAAAAHZY/QqoByr6lzW4/IMG_5132_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="218" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1Tawpq5C8o8/T44XUJKVPpI/AAAAAAAAHZg/d0LvCvbJOyE/s1600-h/IMG_5133%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5133" border="0" alt="IMG_5133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RruX21X3xjU/T44XUX41o6I/AAAAAAAAHZo/4ZY574Z55jQ/IMG_5133_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="218" /></a></p> <p>So here we go!  Take the dash apart and there they are the fine white wires in the middle picture are the culprits. They were wrapped around a larger bundle of wires before attaching to the back of the gauges.  So to give them some slack I untangled them then very carefully squeezed the connectors so they could make better contact.  While I had the dash apart, I wanted to look at my radio switch as it was not working properly.  I could find anything amiss so I reassembled everything and the repairs I made were successful.  (Radio switch was still acting up).</p> <p>Fast forward to two nights later.  I had picked Cindy up from work as usual and had eaten so with a little time to kill I began looking for a fuse for that radio switch.  While I was looking I decided I try flipping the disconnect switch a couple of times to see if that made any difference.  Oh boy big difference.  We lost all 12 volt power!  No lights tonight!  I tried a few things with no effect.  So to get by I brought in our outdoor lights that run off 120.  So we had 120 volt power to the heaters, microwave, coffee pot, etc. but no power for anything that is controlled by 12volt , lights, furnace or refrigerator.  So first thing in the morning after taking Cindy to work I called the Coachmen helpline.   He gave me a series of tests to run with the multi-meter and after each series of test I would call him back then he would tell me the next series of tests.  The conclusion was that the 12volt solenoid was not working.  So after checking the fuses and switch he told me how to run a jumper wire to bypass the solenoid.  So off to the local NAPA store for a battery cable that I can use as a jumper.  Within minutes of returning I had the jumper in place and we had 12 volt power.  Later in the week I ordered the solenoid and replaced it while we sat in the campground.</p> <p>You remember that radio switch that started all of this?  Well after I put that jumper wire and later the new solenoid on the RV it worked just fine.  Now that is a head scratcher! </p> <p> </p> <p>Haas Lake RV Park is 13.6 miles from Cindy’s office it takes almost exactly 30 minutes to get there.   I have found two different routes to get there one is though town on two and four lane streets the other is the interstate.  Both take about the same amount of time so I take the roads through town as they are not nearly as packed with traffic.</p> <p>The RV park itself is all gravel with a 1/2 mile gravel road to get to it.  But once your in the park and in you spot it is a nice place to stay.  The front has a lot of permanents and the back is for the travelers.  It is a huge park with  numerous sites, five lakes and lots of green space. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JGBX2i33SeQ/T44XUiwZF6I/AAAAAAAAHZw/avcsiy5rjR0/s1600-h/IMG_5123%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5123" border="0" alt="IMG_5123" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KRbo7S2N688/T44XU9lMfhI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/UXPBhgVBbaE/IMG_5123_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QmVP2j0_ti8/T44XVavyQlI/AAAAAAAAHaA/TVAVneDXZPE/s1600-h/IMG_5129%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5129" border="0" alt="IMG_5129" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-56gVw3eQSTI/T44XVvFzyqI/AAAAAAAAHaI/l9BxJ9UY9P0/IMG_5129_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="264" /></a></p> <p>Our first few day there were beautiful.  High in the eights lows in the sixties with lots of sunshine.  Then reality hit!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ixXKE_J7VD4/T44XWKdMr2I/AAAAAAAAHaQ/ik-r5gF9wjo/s1600-h/IMG_5136%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5136" border="0" alt="IMG_5136" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u_gekDTbZA8/T44XWWdL0AI/AAAAAAAAHaY/_fjYHYgC5fQ/IMG_5136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="261" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EiSfzgikxlg/T44XWuC74HI/AAAAAAAAHag/6KfpFpx4B98/s1600-h/IMG_5139%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5139" border="0" alt="IMG_5139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rMsL4oj41B4/T44XW6eONyI/AAAAAAAAHao/ljEUTzdrxSY/IMG_5139_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="259" /></a></p> <p>It was a dark and dreary day!  After those first few days it got down right chilly and it stayed cloudy. The swans and ducks did not seem to mind.  They have all the common ducks and geese and also some I have never seen before.  I tried to get pictures of them to identify them but it was usually to dark to use the zoom effectively.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XowQXFXaXGw/T44XXTOE99I/AAAAAAAAHaw/uDhcI-WEGcE/s1600-h/IMAG0096%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0096" border="0" alt="IMAG0096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KgNnsWC_0K8/T44XXcRkHtI/AAAAAAAAHa4/2Y-1um1pbY0/IMAG0096_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="294" /></a></p> <p>On one of our last nights while walking the dogs we got this sunset on the phone camera.</p> <p> </p> <p>Back to Chicago and Baby Jameson!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fdcUR8jx6cc/T44XYG5juVI/AAAAAAAAHbA/MMn1SmqRRQU/s1600-h/IMG_5147%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5147" border="0" alt="IMG_5147" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3_Qhd89D2uk/T44XYbpl7eI/AAAAAAAAHbI/cbueTjMpBkc/IMG_5147_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="367" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6_Q3On3JII/T44XY0C4yUI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/VpO78xvjd4E/s1600-h/IMG_5148%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5148" border="0" alt="IMG_5148" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J4Wi2kFgP4Y/T44XZUEPx3I/AAAAAAAAHbY/PtiwJmnbdXs/IMG_5148_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="368" /></a></p> <p>Trevor was working in Washington DC and Leah went to visit on the weekend so we helped take care of Jameson. Cindy took these shoots of me and Jameson playing the old pretend to be asleep then snort game… you know he fell for it every time!</p> <p> </p> <p>Now I am back in Quincy and Cindy is back in Farmington Hills.  It looks like that is way it is going to be for awhile.  With a wedding a baptism and various appointments scattered over the calendar it is easier for now to drive Cindy to St Louis on Sunday evenings and pick her up on Thursday evenings. </p> <p>These are the last of the tulips and the first of the Irises!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6MB9K0h-Byk/T44XZt2-SjI/AAAAAAAAHbg/BtNdeBmgGM0/s1600-h/IMG_5153%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5153" border="0" alt="IMG_5153" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mA_q9Eu8y_k/T44XZy6lJQI/AAAAAAAAHbo/G-ddy0YEPDg/IMG_5153_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="411" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-khSMB6isqJo/T44XaOpsySI/AAAAAAAAHbw/jTkcWFcdMUo/s1600-h/IMG_5161%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5161" border="0" alt="IMG_5161" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PjA3e4zvJ34/T44Xap23YkI/AAAAAAAAHb4/P5MmjhmhKGw/IMG_5161_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="409" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1bKSLV0KG2s/T44Xa7pRraI/AAAAAAAAHcA/AOmaPFE2L3Q/s1600-h/IMG_5162%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5162" border="0" alt="IMG_5162" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F3d4j9Bw1dM/T44XbWOlY4I/AAAAAAAAHcI/Q9qu5GYKeVQ/IMG_5162_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="287" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p4Vfi5zbg5s/T44Xbg3sClI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/KSu3n9fzjio/s1600-h/IMG_5167%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5167" border="0" alt="IMG_5167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3VuaxbrxxT8/T44Xb5UdCaI/AAAAAAAAHcY/wBLkCS4-W58/IMG_5167_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="208" height="281" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A recent project that I just finished is the rose area needed to be cleaned up!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k0Kol589wvI/T44XcQB8XVI/AAAAAAAAHcg/3jY6BxIakG8/s1600-h/IMG_5169%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5169" border="0" alt="IMG_5169" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yOVJ89cXTeg/T44Xc4nVvhI/AAAAAAAAHco/Ing4PrDIspM/IMG_5169_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="332" /></a></p> <p>It won’t be long and they will start blooming!</p> <p>Babies, Flowers, and Successful Fixes!!!!!!</p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-35238300129962717952012-02-07T00:10:00.001-06:002012-02-07T00:10:40.852-06:00Is This Winter???? & A Death in the Family<p>Since the first of January there have been more days over 60 than below zero! Unheard of in Western Illinois! Usually January here has several days where the temperature does not get out of the teens and only a day or two that the temps get near fifty.  This winter we have no days below zero that I can remember and many days in the sixties with only one snow that needed to be shoveled out of the driveway.  I know several of you hard core republicans out there don’t believe in science, but you got to wonder if there might be such a thing as climate change.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SFC8qxSIDxI/TzDAWMVdFLI/AAAAAAAAHUI/E6lUZzINgPg/s1600-h/IMAG0065%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0065" border="0" alt="IMAG0065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HufpKAcrMPU/TzDAWe65RZI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/bItVH9Xsxx0/IMAG0065_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="298" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FGk2wj1Y6RM/TzDAWlf5XDI/AAAAAAAAHUY/JEOqp6hRgEA/s1600-h/IMAG0072%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0072" border="0" alt="IMAG0072" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pKnqHHSGj40/TzDAWz-tKSI/AAAAAAAAHUg/iQIuK2W7Z-g/IMAG0072_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Crazy weather does make for great sunsets!  </p> <p>Also with the wild weather, I was able to see the “northern lights” late one night!  They were behind a row of clouds on the northern horizon and it took a few minutes for me to recognize what they were.  It was like there were several colored search lights moving around behind the clouds.</p> <p> </p> <p>On January 13th my mother died.  She was 93! She is survived by 10 children, 30 grandchildren and 37 great grand children! She was quite a lady. While raising 10 kids she worked the garden, raised chickens, was a 4H leader, made quilts, and helped at church.  Then after the kids were raised she continued her work at the church, to make quilts and crochet as well as travel.  The last few months she suffered from dementia and lived in a nursing home.  Years ago the ever practical Mildred had made up her mind that when she died she wanted her body “to go to science.”  As per her wishes her body was shipped off to Washington University in St Louis.  By doing this it allowed us to have her funeral/memorial on the weekend when it would be easier for family members to travel.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SMI6io5KnSE/TzDAXMd2gII/AAAAAAAAHUo/LfvUJQVnAGc/s1600-h/IMG_0385%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0385" border="0" alt="IMG_0385" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xnWkv463iGc/TzDAXWrWxQI/AAAAAAAAHUw/TTk919uMb8M/IMG_0385_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="409" /></a></p> <p>All my brothers and sisters…one of the few times in recent years when we were all together!</p> <p>My mothers death was a relief.  It was hard on my older brother and sisters to be the ones taking care of her.  She did not know where she was or who anyone was.  I had said my goodbye several months ago when I saw the light return to her eyes.  We were able to talk for about a minute before the light faded.  She told me she was scared… how do you answer that!  With my illness, I had been near death a time or two and in those situations it would be easy to just relax and let go.  So that is what I told her. I told her we would all be fine and it was ok if she wanted to let go.  Now some of the family members are struggling with guilty feelings for feeling relieved that she is dead.  I guess that is normal and natural.  </p> <p> </p> <p>On the way to our house for the funeral, our son and daughter in law, hit a deer totaling their car.  They ended up in the ditch destroying the passenger side of the car.  Lucky their car had side airbags or Kyle might have gotten hurt.  As is was, he was just stiff and bruised for the funeral.  So the next Saturday after the services we went car shopping! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vtZOdVEQPBk/TzDAXw6o90I/AAAAAAAAHU4/ZgUzIhPFfH0/s1600-h/IMAG0062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0062" border="0" alt="IMAG0062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ub9rZiS4Wk/TzDAYLZUIRI/AAAAAAAAHVA/J_yrVSLu5YQ/IMAG0062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="328" /></a></p> <p>While the kids were looking at a car, I ducked into the show room.  Cindy and I have been looking to replace our A4, but I just could not justify trading our old A4 in on this new A5.   It is a thing of beauty but these cars have gone up $20,000.00 in the past seven years!  Top down, forty mile an hour exits at eighty, Led Zeppelin “When the Levee Breaks” blaring away,  then blue and red lights and the bubble bursts.  When we first got our A4 seven years ago,  Cindy and I combined to get 3 speeding tickets in six months.  She sure is pretty! </p> <p>Ah back to reality, Kyle and Jenni were able to find a nice used Maxima in Springfield.  It drives well has a moon roof, leather and is big enough for Kyle’s to get comfortable. I believe they got a good deal too.  The salesman told them he would hold a car that Jenni had fallen for on an earlier test drive.  But before they could get back with a checkbook another salesman had sold the car.  Jenni was mad and she let the salesman know it!  All 4foot of her!  Kyle used that in the negations on the Maxima to get a better price. We all know not to upset the women but now I know you really do not want to upset the little women!    </p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-55666847147664002882012-01-04T16:42:00.001-06:002012-01-04T16:42:10.589-06:00Christmas<p>Traditionally, Christmas for us starts shortly after Thanksgiving.  Kyle and Jenni helped get the decorations started on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Then while Cindy worked I continued cleaning, decorating some everyday till I got the house ready.  Then it was shopping.  Most of our shopping is done on line, which I think is much easier.  Things that may not fit or might get exchanged we try to buy locally.  </p> <p>But this year was different,  WE GET to BUY TOYS!!!!!  On weekends when Cindy was home we would walk the toy isle to see what was new.  We were amazed that some of the toys were the same as they were thirty years ago.  We had fun playing with the toys in the stores and before wrapping them.  I thought we were almost done (we only needed one more present) when the grand parent urge hit.  I had picked Cindy up at the St Louis airport and we had stopped to eat as we usually do.  At dinner we discussed where we were on the Christmas preparations: Decorations, cleaning, party plans, all done and presents one to go.  We only needed stuffed Santa or other Christmas like stuffed creature for an exchange gift.  Toys R Us was around the corner so we stopped there. That was a mistake for new grandparents! Too many toys! As you guessed our “one more present to get” turned into several filling the trunk!</p> <p>Another part of Christmas that Cindy would not miss is the candy making Sunday at Kathleen’s.  This year was different here too.  Kathleen is undergoing cancer treatment so the girls stepped up to take a greater role in the kitchen while Kathleen took breaks in the recliner.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HE_fha67lBs/TwTVhkw_85I/AAAAAAAAHLA/Etii9M6aVDw/s1600-h/IMG_4830%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4830" border="0" alt="IMG_4830" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QsHfTEI6kw4/TwTVh1dIwwI/AAAAAAAAHLI/cG93kopigC4/IMG_4830_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="446" /></a></p> <p>Sweet tooth delight! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rRrklRp0PV8/TwTViIE18bI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/9RQNw5gp-DU/s1600-h/IMG_4832.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4832" border="0" alt="IMG_4832" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8cOl35-_Gb8/TwTViZEwt7I/AAAAAAAAHLY/nGwJPW3WRgs/IMG_4832_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="611" height="456" /></a></p> <p>The kids help with the organized confusion!</p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DtM7fCMBKsc/TwTVim65b4I/AAAAAAAAHLg/R4M7j40dSqE/s1600-h/IMG_4833.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4833" border="0" alt="IMG_4833" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0GQzA8fpckQ/TwTVi1L182I/AAAAAAAAHLo/x65PXCsB_XA/IMG_4833_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="467" /></a> <p>Looks way too serious! </p> <p>The girls really have fun making the candy.  Cindy’s sister Kathleen usually organizes the proceedings with her three daughters and one daughter in law and of course Cindy.  They work from mid morning with help from the kids and occasional help from the guys (between the football games).  The day ends with a very tasty roast beef and turkey sandwiches fixed in crock pots.  The homemade candies are used as treats at the various work and home parties and some are given away as presents to some lucky people.</p> <p>The week before Christmas, our neighbor called looking for my help.  The Santa for their school was sick and she was looking for a stand in Santa.  Having never done anything like that before, I was very hesitant to do it.  I did not want to disappoint the kids by making a mistake and ruining their Christmas.  But if I didn’t step up they might not have a Santa at the school party.  So I did it!  The school is K through 3rd grade with one special ed class.  I had help from a pair of helper elf's that made my job easy.  One elf organized the tee shirts and checked to make sure the next room was ready for us.  The other elf  lead me around and helped pass out the candy canes and tee shirt to each child.  All I had to do was play the part and have fun with the kids.  The toughest request that I was asked was: “All I want for Christmas is a ride in Santa’s sleigh.”  Luckily we were interrupted before I attempted a answer.   All in all the kids were great and I had a great time too. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KVC01IOIToI/TwTVi8YB23I/AAAAAAAAHLw/NdHH7nCPmyI/s1600-h/IMG_4840%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4840" border="0" alt="IMG_4840" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qoOUAlBa8_0/TwTVjIbQD1I/AAAAAAAAHL4/8S9pKXvxExs/IMG_4840_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="519" /></a></p> <p>Dress rehearsal with Sox and Ditka!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-emVau-mDqvQ/TwTVjWIevnI/AAAAAAAAHMA/dIMw6UlngmE/s1600-h/IMG_4853%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4853" border="0" alt="IMG_4853" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WciuCv8F3fk/TwTVjojQASI/AAAAAAAAHMI/lnZLQH2xdWc/IMG_4853_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="571" /></a></p> <p>Santa gets caught! </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FlVI8ML2tlo/TwTVj311K7I/AAAAAAAAHMQ/wYo-PHlEHx4/s1600-h/IMG_4854%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4854" border="0" alt="IMG_4854" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D-uQyXgcCFk/TwTVjzo0oTI/AAAAAAAAHMY/87Ti--591Ow/IMG_4854_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Too late to sneak up the fireplace! </p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BQm7D1aKskQ/TwTVkeh3zaI/AAAAAAAAHMg/jk0gFDCT8d0/s1600-h/IMG_4860%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4860" border="0" alt="IMG_4860" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hzMTIntrDqw/TwTVkVDvfLI/AAAAAAAAHMo/rEWhRPp75zM/IMG_4860_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="542" /></a> <p>Ah! This works, blending in with the other Santa's! </p> <p> </p> <p>While working from home Cindy would take breaks to wrap presents. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ch30MiI6HKk/TwTVkuIhIMI/AAAAAAAAHMw/xiiAFZm9Blw/s1600-h/IMG_4866%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4866" border="0" alt="IMG_4866" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OKfDk1ays_k/TwTVkxcG8aI/AAAAAAAAHM4/P7YgE4K8TR8/IMG_4866_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="405" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sIfux9GkMgE/TwTVlFZTNCI/AAAAAAAAHNA/1s3jqC4d_pQ/s1600-h/IMG_4867%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4867" border="0" alt="IMG_4867" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dAeRHjdLzNo/TwTVlTivqSI/AAAAAAAAHNI/2H0Rmiam5qU/IMG_4867_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="403" /></a></p> <p>Wrap, wrap, …………………………………………………..Oh what did I just wrap!</p> <p>Christmas eve is our big Christmas celebration.  Most of the Frericks family get together at our house for the evening.  During the party I move the dog gate to the top of the stairs to keep the dogs confined.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3XJuhL5E21I/TwTVltWo7bI/AAAAAAAAHNQ/SAmoMTr7F1E/s1600-h/IMG_4873%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4873" border="0" alt="IMG_4873" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WCZH6AmveC8/TwTVl-KZaPI/AAAAAAAAHNY/xyTs2t0ZB2A/IMG_4873_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="248" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4eshS6Jbfmc/TwTVmKiA7wI/AAAAAAAAHNg/UHBx9h6ilBw/s1600-h/IMG_4874%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4874" border="0" alt="IMG_4874" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SpQI-7jUVGQ/TwTVmBs_A9I/AAAAAAAAHNo/tbxwZu95qis/IMG_4874_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="247" /></a></p> <p>Ethan came in the front door and went right up the steps to see the dogs.  His parents did not even get their coats off!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D44zMdjcvOE/TwTVmQTEvLI/AAAAAAAAHNw/lannjuSLfvo/s1600-h/IMG_4876%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4876" border="0" alt="IMG_4876" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pgl8lvavmds/TwTVm1tIJ6I/AAAAAAAAHN4/uhOfRD6V60M/IMG_4876_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="293" /></a></p> <p>Ron and Lois are in the party mood!</p> <p>We played our exchange game and ate before I was talked into:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2TSslopRDJA/TwTVnCgOwlI/AAAAAAAAHOA/-tifM47bT6I/s1600-h/IMG_4882%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4882" border="0" alt="IMG_4882" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mtGBPinROlM/TwTVnE4gasI/AAAAAAAAHOI/ILG9697FECE/IMG_4882_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ucrpb52CtTs/TwTVnaHUx5I/AAAAAAAAHOQ/s4-CW9-nD7c/s1600-h/IMG_4883%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4883" border="0" alt="IMG_4883" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MzDskN5_PyE/TwTVnn3ZFBI/AAAAAAAAHOY/2eRwakVXvds/IMG_4883_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CgtgwfeVJGw/TwTVnwqKKCI/AAAAAAAAHOg/O0EfE_fVPhE/s1600-h/IMG_4884%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4884" border="0" alt="IMG_4884" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zsKhQLaNMw8/TwTVoBAagrI/AAAAAAAAHOo/OYjsI1qavSc/IMG_4884_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v39CeLOK8OI/TwTVoMxi1LI/AAAAAAAAHOw/xsbGWtq4ryk/s1600-h/IMG_4892%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4892" border="0" alt="IMG_4892" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-26TuhIO5Iv4/TwTVoeQM9xI/AAAAAAAAHO4/jbn48P-ldAs/IMG_4892_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--QfFa-8p1O8/TwTVokk8RAI/AAAAAAAAHPA/phQWU26ezAc/s1600-h/IMG_4895%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4895" border="0" alt="IMG_4895" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HoCRm9Pb0_o/TwTVojPZMBI/AAAAAAAAHPI/rBLMISWmWE8/IMG_4895_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXTcHPVjeAI/TwTVox7RVZI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/2_A9JIxiE_M/s1600-h/IMG_4900%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4900" border="0" alt="IMG_4900" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V-Mdmve-dg8/TwTVpJUoCMI/AAAAAAAAHPY/3OFP05LRArE/IMG_4900_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L5tgRV8VTNY/TwTVpUYkD1I/AAAAAAAAHPg/qSjLLons2uI/s1600-h/IMG_4903%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4903" border="0" alt="IMG_4903" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-chN2_upy3_o/TwTVpq69piI/AAAAAAAAHPo/G1w5bZPSPSM/IMG_4903_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FL8JgtkQzAU/TwTVp8NgEiI/AAAAAAAAHPw/sYHn4aoWC40/s1600-h/IMG_4906%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4906" border="0" alt="IMG_4906" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ytpBhVnkbGY/TwTVqB0tBaI/AAAAAAAAHP4/3GiQfezVYzU/IMG_4906_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Eventually the party wound down and everyone headed home.  Then it was our turn.  It has become a tradition that after the party ends, the immediate family opens their presents. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WBH5Ur_GyZ8/TwTVqJq2UNI/AAAAAAAAHQA/HEgonxr2g5w/s1600-h/IMG_4915%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4915" border="0" alt="IMG_4915" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1ak31ThvE6A/TwTVqneNnbI/AAAAAAAAHQI/1MU7ptdo3hY/IMG_4915_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="288" /></a></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o8HgV90skqo/TwTVrZ8QRsI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/y2FpTxkpG_A/s1600-h/IMG_4917%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4917" border="0" alt="IMG_4917" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-awZwaNt8ueg/TwTVrg03VkI/AAAAAAAAHQY/0Xq7sx1WaaE/IMG_4917_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="289" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-11lKCIMIcaE/TwTVr22Cv1I/AAAAAAAAHQg/Yk26GhsGqe0/s1600-h/IMG_4923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4923" border="0" alt="IMG_4923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-93lIhvbyCdw/TwTVsNLER3I/AAAAAAAAHQo/Mtc2Q0YMZAk/IMG_4923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="288" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Christmas day was Christmas all over again!  Trevor Leah and Jameson stayed in Chicago on Christmas eve to celebrate with Leah’s family, driving to our house on Christmas day.  So Christmas evening we got to celebrate all over again!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OgtcYTe-moM/TwTVsTr8oHI/AAAAAAAAHQw/tB1RYbpG1D0/s1600-h/IMG_4929%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4929" border="0" alt="IMG_4929" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YrD5k4nxRi0/TwTVsswmELI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/rvC3208At0s/IMG_4929_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="357" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JWv-cLMuMec/TwTVswyGroI/AAAAAAAAHRA/yHBDcH5bVms/s1600-h/IMG_4932%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4932" border="0" alt="IMG_4932" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XZ1DW7c-5uo/TwTVszSufII/AAAAAAAAHRI/B1jI0bbKV_A/IMG_4932_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="357" /></a></p> <p>The center of attention!  Like most kids his age Jameson was more interested in paper and bows than the toys.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BitG04QW1JE/TwTVtTHlj-I/AAAAAAAAHRQ/EIWlzUwJnOg/s1600-h/IMG_4933%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4933" border="0" alt="IMG_4933" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5WTD7yzb618/TwTVtgy0QOI/AAAAAAAAHRY/I-VBjy6DGTg/IMG_4933_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="466" /></a></p> <p>The look says it all … can I play now!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9ZK915MszYc/TwTVtxu5W2I/AAAAAAAAHRg/J4Bz_coEcRQ/s1600-h/IMG_4948%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4948" border="0" alt="IMG_4948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7RGjBPEPVrA/TwTVuHSJOtI/AAAAAAAAHRo/b1mY8w6zm9A/IMG_4948_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="323" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QEjAmxkIO58/TwTVuUZMW7I/AAAAAAAAHRw/pDzqTxmK2No/s1600-h/IMG_4964%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4964" border="0" alt="IMG_4964" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f7ACXj3fb00/TwTVuohndOI/AAAAAAAAHR4/ngfMtc6o1fU/IMG_4964_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="322" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-78vMCRmlOYo/TwTVu-eYg_I/AAAAAAAAHSA/dfvt7K_KqfU/s1600-h/IMG_4971%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4971" border="0" alt="IMG_4971" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ddt-V5FVd90/TwTVvsAR4RI/AAAAAAAAHSM/_3lXgfd244I/IMG_4971_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="316" /></a></p> <p>Grandpa’s favorite toy……………………..…Jameson favorite toy…………..until………………He saw mom and the bottle!</p> <p>All too soon it’s all over!  The house was full of noise and activity crowded with people everywhere, then all of the sudden the house is quiet and empty feeling.  Trevor, Leah, and Jameson left first so they could get back for their jobs.  Kyle and Jenni were able stay a little longer, but they too needed to get back to work.  For the first day or two it was a little clean up and a lot of relaxing.  Cindy resumed work from home and since it was unseasonably warm outside I took down the outside decorations.   Then the flu set in.  First Cindy then me.  Neither of us felt fully recovered till the new year.  Now the house is back to “normal” and Cindy is back to work.  Her first assignment was to be in Cincinnati for two days.  Since it was only two days I decided to play chauffer and drove.  So today I’m writing this blog from the motel room.  Tomorrow while she works I’ll  explore the area a bit. </p> <p> </p> <p> KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-81578678810972150572011-12-08T15:10:00.001-06:002011-12-08T15:10:46.471-06:00Snow and Catching Up<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mmOat-z-zak/TuEnsY70b2I/AAAAAAAAHGg/vqF1CdyXnYY/s1600-h/IMG_4819%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4819" border="0" alt="IMG_4819" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y6vIOYLoNvs/TuEnsy63eJI/AAAAAAAAHGo/gV8bSCfZuSk/IMG_4819%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="426" /></a></p> <p>It snowed here two days ago!  We had a good snow during the day then a little more overnight.  The ground was not froze so most of the snow melted as it landed but enough came down to cover the ground about an inch deep!  This picture is looking out the back door onto the golf course.  </p> <p>The snow really makes it feel like winter.  Just before Thanksgiving I winterized the RV and  just recently had it serviced.  Before parking it on blocks I filled the fuel and propane tanks in preparations for winter.  We had talked about going south for the winter after Christmas but we need to be back here in February for a baby shower that Cindy and the daughter in laws are hosting.   So I will be spending the winter at home while Cindy works.  We have a routine now … I drive her to St Louis airport on Sunday evenings and pick her up on Thursday evenings.  It is a two hour drive that I have come to enjoy.  I purchased some college courses that I listen to on the road.  They are put out by Great Courses and are usually very good.  They can be expensive so I only buy them when they have their 70% off sales.</p> <p>Now to catch up!</p> <p>Even though I complained about the leaves in the last post, I really enjoy the fall.  Especially sports playoffs.  We went to High School soccer play offs  with Kyle and Jenni.  This game was of special interest to Kyle as it was his new home town playing his old High school.  Both he and I have coached soccer.  I coached for 14 years, mostly younger kids and when he coaches it is usually kids that are in high school or just before high school.  He knows the game better and is the better coach, I just have fun teaching the little kids the basics.   </p> <p>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7preTb4w-qM/TuEntMHM70I/AAAAAAAAHGw/NqfVGPoJsqs/s1600-h/IMG_4692%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4692" border="0" alt="IMG_4692" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eVCoNpS9SME/TuEntUknWpI/AAAAAAAAHG4/3yvjxn7bS38/IMG_4692_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="402" /></a></p> <p>Soccer play offs in the Midwest!  As you can see this is definitely farm country!  Kyle’s alma mater won this game and then went on to win the state championship!</p> <p>I also called a buddy and took him to see one of the best high school football games I’ve seen since Trevor was playing.  Neither of us had a connection to the teams but I had heard that the quarterback on one team was really good and that the other team had a really good running back.   They did not disappoint! Both the quarterback and running back put on a show with the game going to overtime.  The winning score came on a pass from the quarterback in a back and forth game.  Very enjoyable game … too bad someone had to lose!</p> <p>As some of you know our youngest son bought a house in Palos Heights.  The weekend after the closing we drove the RV to Joliet to help move and set things up.  Cindy job was to take care of our grandson while Leah was a work and Trevor and I worked on the house.     </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l-Z8RQ9vUdc/TuEnto56CUI/AAAAAAAAHHA/bdYX3Ua1YPk/s1600-h/IMG_4720%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4720" border="0" alt="IMG_4720" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PWFZR4F5o8A/TuEnt1eVkwI/AAAAAAAAHHI/vrcCU2cdJ4o/IMG_4720_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="422" /></a> </p> <p>It was King’s job to keep an eye on the neighborhood and let us know what was going on!</p> <p>After working on the washer and dryer and doing some other small jobs outside it was time to set up the TV and the shelving around it.  Leah did a good job picking out the shelves and designing how it look when done.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k6C2-3_Y0kk/TuEnuJrqoaI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/krMLobnpSxI/s1600-h/IMG_4724%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4724" border="0" alt="IMG_4724" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5uDc1DznWcQ/TuEnubRJv8I/AAAAAAAAHHY/0ZPn4VcGL08/IMG_4724_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="442" /></a></p> <p>One shelf up and now for the TV.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8qt-5SbNhi4/TuEnuu2UirI/AAAAAAAAHHg/sPm1DHRtaPM/s1600-h/IMG_4757%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4757" border="0" alt="IMG_4757" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9t7XNMgKcas/TuEnu7gpBQI/AAAAAAAAHHo/mpqdrSlun0A/IMG_4757_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="582" height="452" /></a></p> <p>After moving the wiring into boxes behind the TV we finally hung the TV and began putting up the bottom shelf.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JB5NE_R2M1k/TuEnvAxiFwI/AAAAAAAAHHw/_uZY6ETawQo/s1600-h/rst%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="rst" border="0" alt="rst" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lmxnmTTJH1Y/TuEnvfVLipI/AAAAAAAAHH4/1JkeCr4BIGI/rst_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="454" /></a></p> <p>During one of our breaks, Cindy snapped this picture of the happy new home owners. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UOvDINZAP8o/TuEnv6STouI/AAAAAAAAHIA/kaS2BsGKJc4/s1600-h/xyz%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="xyz" border="0" alt="xyz" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-epGN49MiKI4/TuEnwGZPPXI/AAAAAAAAHII/KYpOzP-4CIk/xyz_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="578" height="444" /></a></p> <p>The highlight of the day came when everyone got to see Jameson roll over for the first time!  Cindy, Auntie Em, and Leah all recorded the feat! </p> <p>We were able to get a lot done on Friday night and Saturday.  Sunday morning we had breakfast with Leah’s family and returned to the  house to finish up and pack up tools.  That afternoon I took Cindy to O'Hare to fly back to work and I returned to the RV to walk the dogs and relax.</p> <p>Monday morning I drove from Joliet to Carlinville to see Kyle and fix a leaking toilet.  When in Carlinville we stay a Beaver Dam State Park. It is a very popular park with the locals so I was pleasantly surprised that there was only three campers in the whole park!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P6Gy-pO931A/TuEnwsx6cuI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/aFNXdZPPHJY/s1600-h/IMG_4795%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4795" border="0" alt="IMG_4795" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XTTIulr1hWc/TuEnwzIYg5I/AAAAAAAAHIY/rYXEmNHGPnQ/IMG_4795_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="627" height="482" /></a></p> <p>The weather was in the 50’s and 60’s with partial sunshine…beautiful days!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iWlnMQ4W2PQ/TuEnxIIKM4I/AAAAAAAAHIg/7RYlu6mp5nY/s1600-h/IMG_4799%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4799" border="0" alt="IMG_4799" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mSx4j_tQjl0/TuEnxZvF_nI/AAAAAAAAHIo/05bv_vg1vno/IMG_4799_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="641" height="492" /></a></p> <p>The lake at Beaver Dam.   </p> <p> </p> <p>After returning home, I called a tree trimmer to take care of the leaf problem that I mentioned in the last blog!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oft9ArmlBr4/TuEnxmd2pjI/AAAAAAAAHIw/IKgy7PaF-6I/s1600-h/IMG_4800%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4800" border="0" alt="IMG_4800" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--OfD-PjwXBY/TuEnyFkkpCI/AAAAAAAAHI4/dtww5VbEy6M/IMG_4800_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="426" /></a></p> <p>No actually I called him to take care of some storm damage that was too high up for me.  So while he was there I had him top some trees that were close to the house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qh9qohsMCwQ/TuEnyVynBmI/AAAAAAAAHJA/BVMErBoA4Tc/s1600-h/IMG_4802%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4802" border="0" alt="IMG_4802" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Yi7jM5cAro/TuEnysEPrDI/AAAAAAAAHJI/ESmu0czA3KQ/IMG_4802_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="439" /></a></p> <p>The tree trimmers finished up on Wednesday before Thanksgiving just before we celebrated our Thanksgiving.  All the kids had their plans for Thanksgiving day so we had a unthanks giving meal with the kids the night before.  No turkey, no dressing, none of that, they would get all of that on Thursday.  We had pot roast mashed potato carrots and fried apples with biscuits.  Also Cindy fixed the most unusual food I’d ever heard of.    </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5DqKfmY35QM/TuEny-eIDkI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/DfcqujDYf5k/s1600-h/IMG_4807%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4807" border="0" alt="IMG_4807" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hzVCRVyHkFk/TuEnzCFOhLI/AAAAAAAAHJY/HS_Q70Fh7Yc/IMG_4807_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="727" height="575" /></a></p> <p>Chocolate covered bacon!!!!  It was good!!!!  But you could only eat one.  Fat on a stick with chocolate and nuts, mmmm! </p> <p> </p> <p>After Thanksgiving and before they returned to their home on Sunday they helped start the Christmas decorations. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sD4E9iIfV04/TuEnzc6Ma9I/AAAAAAAAHJg/chwCxAR883s/s1600-h/IMG_4811%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4811" border="0" alt="IMG_4811" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6JWYAsGVcOM/TuEnzqOPIHI/AAAAAAAAHJo/4E4V51vXJuQ/IMG_4811%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="472" /></a></p> <p>Sox and Santa on the stairs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z2x5EF5OPxY/TuEnz2EXUSI/AAAAAAAAHJw/Wq9FUg4BUEU/s1600-h/IMG_4825%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4825" border="0" alt="IMG_4825" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qf-gbdFlokU/TuEn0Dw4P4I/AAAAAAAAHJ4/3h-hkYPTLSU/IMG_4825_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="618" height="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iqJdg7ZSssk/TuEn0bkNnYI/AAAAAAAAHKA/kTPxeBdey5o/s1600-h/IMG_4826%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4826" border="0" alt="IMG_4826" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ammBUuqAeik/TuEn0q3tZyI/AAAAAAAAHKI/Q7U5RI-Xf5E/IMG_4826_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="486" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IKUxI6iNVWk/TuEn1F9o9-I/AAAAAAAAHKQ/YRDdl7r5yQo/s1600-h/IMG_4827%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4827" border="0" alt="IMG_4827" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TyIbPjNYTXg/TuEn1TgzjAI/AAAAAAAAHKY/5Gt3b7rZLd8/IMG_4827_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="464" /></a></p> <p>During the following week I finished the decorations inside and out..now we are ready for winter and Christmas!</p> <p>KP.</p> <p>PS: Jim our  plant experiment did not work. We kept the pots small to make them easy to move but the plants need bigger pots. Then when we moved I put the plants in the back of the Jeep and the ride there shook the peppers and tomatoes off the vine.</p> <p>PS: Dee we now have a Culvers in town!  </p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-44477231995092576422011-11-02T11:54:00.001-06:002011-11-02T11:54:47.952-06:00Love it … Hate it<p>You got to love the fall!  The grass lands are subtle shades of purple and beige, the shrubs are bright reds, the trees are blazing yellows, oranges mixed with greens and browns all under brilliantly clear blue sky. You got to love it!  </p> <p>But the leaves won’t stay on the trees! What a waste of time and energy … raking leaves … argh!!!  Hate it!  We have a small lot but have 18 trees or big shrubs that all drop their leaves.  Do they drop their leave at the same time? Oh no that would be too easy!  The decorative trees are done, the hard maples half done, soft maple will go on for months, oaks won’t get good start till December, Mulberry trees are just starting now…. If the leaves would just stay on the trees!!!    </p> <p>Don’t get me wrong, I planted most of the trees in the yard and love them all but one.  Love the trees, I could be a tree hugger if the need arose!  But the leaves!  Halloween day I raked a small area in the front yard and had leaves piled head high under one tree!  Today I ran the mulcher over the yard several times.  Now more leaves are falling.  Where is that 50 mph wind when you need it!</p> <p>Where is the best fall color? </p> <p>I seen the fall colors in Colorado, Ozarks, Upstate New York and all along the Mississippi River, it is all good! But the best I’ve seen was in the north east corner of Alabama in the Desoto State Park and Little River Canyon area.  The water falls, rocks, tree colors just gorgeous!  I looked for pictures because I took a lot, but can not find them.   If you search “Desoto” in top left corner of the blog you can see several pictures.  These pictures  are pre Picasa so are un touched!  The amazing thing about the fall colors was that the locals that we talked too all said that it was not a good year because it had been too dry and color was sometimes brighter and  the waterfalls were not running as strong as usual!</p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-66780429467518726932011-10-17T20:02:00.001-05:002011-10-17T20:02:32.266-05:00Detroit …. Actually Novi and Farmington Hills Area<p>A typical day here is up at six. While Cindy gets ready I make coffee, then a short walk with the dogs, and then fix a couple eggs for Cindy’s breakfast.  We usually leave the RV around seven. It takes twenty five to thirty minutes to get to her place of work depending on traffic.  So I am usually back at the RV by eight or eight fifteen.  We found a way to get to her office avoiding the Interstate using city streets. It is a lot less stressful and no traffic jams. </p> <p>After I get back to the RV is when I cleanup,  fix my breakfast, watch the news I recorded, and take the dogs for a longer walk. By then it is ten o’clock or so and time for a nap.  Ah the life of a kept man!  After my nap it is time to eat again.  Most days I will eat leftovers at the RV but occasionally I will run to town to eat with Cindy.  She found a small Thai restaurant that has great food and good service, so it has become a favorite lunch stop.</p> <p>In the afternoon it’s another walk with the dogs and chores of some kind or other before leaving to pick up Cindy.  About half the nights we eat at the RV the other half we eat out somewhere. That’s the fun part of the day. We had never been to a Red Robin so we had to check them out.  But the best was one night when we made a wrong turn and ended up across the street from a strip mall.  Cindy can spot a restaurant any where and she spotted one in that strip mall, and it was a good one.  It was an Italian restaurant called <a href="http://maisanos.com" target="_blank">Maisanos</a> (I am learning…you just witnessed my first link!).   It is a small nicely decorated family restaurant with the owner hanging around a small bar greeting people as they came and went.   Cindy is much better at choosing wines and again she picked a good one.  With the wine we had our appetizers of soup and then our meal.  This restaurant is known for the sauces they use on the entrees but the soups were excellent also.  One of the best meals we have ever had at any price. </p> <p>On Friday night, we went to a play at the local playhouse.  <a href="http://www.farmingtonplayers.org" target="_blank">The Farmington Players</a> (#2 link…. not a virgin anymore!) presented To Kill A Mockingbird.  The young girl that played “Scout” the daughter of the stories hero was spell binding, she was that good.  The playhouse is in a converted barn so it has a unique appearance from the outside.  The stage and seating were nicely arranged with comfortable seating and good acoustics.  It was a nice evening.</p> <p>Cindy had heard from the people she worked with that there was a minor league hockey team in the area and that they were fun to watch.  So on Saturday evening we watched our first hockey game.  <a href="http://www.plymouthwhalers.com" target="_blank">The Plymouth Whalers</a> play at Compuware Arena in Plymouth MI which is only 10 to 12 miles from the RV park.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/"><img src="http://ohl.assets.mrx.ca/plymouth/images/en/mast-logo.png" width="397" height="329" /></a></p> <p align="center">Cool Logo!</p> <p align="left">It was Pink Out! night at the hockey game and the home team were wearing pink and black jerseys and the crowd was encouraged to wear pink.  At the entrance to the arena anyone who wanted could get their hair painted pink … Cindy said she would do it if I would and I politely used the excuse that we were going out to eat afterwards.  </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nC6fcPCe6Wo/TpzP-Yi88hI/AAAAAAAAHEk/2QQ_k1-m__E/s1600-h/IMAG0027%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0027" border="0" alt="IMAG0027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RULAFbbN4UM/TpzQDndNUcI/AAAAAAAAHEs/6A3TTDg3cKw/IMAG0027_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="327" /></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cmmNb3rClik/TpzQGC2Se_I/AAAAAAAAHE0/bPuBtG31Y5c/s1600-h/IMAG0034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0034" border="0" alt="IMAG0034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gpYS2M70Fdc/TpzQGmEJNpI/AAAAAAAAHE8/Xp62w4x5yGM/IMAG0034_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="314" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rEQBYWrIetk/TpzQHYmhDQI/AAAAAAAAHFE/F4jKV30q8bw/s1600-h/IMAG0039%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0039" border="0" alt="IMAG0039" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HX19hkDEOxs/TpzQHig2FxI/AAAAAAAAHFM/EZq5QtiUVzA/IMAG0039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fSUxTMRsN_w/TpzQIbRMMeI/AAAAAAAAHFU/TWL3YNJJPCU/s1600-h/IMAG0032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0032" border="0" alt="IMAG0032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ewk2OGTLv4s/TpzQJ7Vr9cI/AAAAAAAAHFc/jP3E1dRHJlA/IMAG0032_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="310" /></a></p> <p>The opposing team had a keeper with the name of Hope and wore the number one.  So we teased that they had only one Hope and later when he was substituted out we teased that now they had no hope!  It was a great game, the Whalers took an early 3-0 lead in the first part of the game and had a lot more shots on goal.  But the visiting team came out with a more determined attack and out shot the home team sending the game to overtime, then eventually winning the game.   An exciting game!  Now Cindy wants to go to a pro game!  Before we do that we will need to figure out that blue line .. we determined that it had something to do with offside but not exactly.  Good times!!</p> <p>Next week will be a short week as Cindy will work while I drive and we head to Eastern Illinois for Football on their homecoming weekend!</p> <p>KP</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-41955756958789874122011-10-11T15:57:00.001-05:002011-10-11T15:57:39.632-05:00Chicago, Quincy, Kankakee, and Detroit<p> </p> <p>After our babysitting weekend I had planned to go to Carlinville to work on my son Kyle's house.  However, his wife Jenni was sick with a sinus infection so I told them I would do it at a later date.  So now I had three unplanned days.  Well if your me and you have unscheduled time what to do what to do?  I did my favorite thing not much.</p> <p>After driving back to Quincy, I cleaned and washed the RV.  That took all of Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I did a little yard work and played cards with a buddy of mine. Thursday did laundry and did some repacking of the RV before heading to St. Louis to pick up Cindy.</p> <p>Friday was Cindy’s hair and nails day and then a visit with her sister.  Me it was some errands and another card game.</p> <p>Saturday we drove to Kankakee River State Park for the night.  We called Trevor and Leah and they met us in Frankfort for dinner at  a nice Italian restaurant called Francesca’s.  The food was excellent! Leah and Trevor had been there before so Leah ordered some of their really good appetizers with some risotto to share.  We had wine with dinner then some of us had a cappuccino for dessert.  </p> <p>Sunday morning we continued our drive to Detroit area.  We arrived early enough to explore a different route from the RV park to Cindy’s place of work.  The GPS was taking us onto the interstate for a few mile before exiting again.  The problem with this route was that there were two lanes in the on ramp joining three lanes on the interstate so it was five lanes quickly reduced to three lanes.  Every morning this intersection was a mess.  We found two other ways that were both faster and much less stressful than the interstate.  So it was well worth the time it took to find these routes and once again you can not always trust the GPS. </p> <p>So Monday morning I took Cindy to work and got back in time for these early morning pictures.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RBZX1KoAbwQ/TpStuSFMVfI/AAAAAAAAHDs/3FFGbiaq7UI/s1600-h/IMG_4670%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4670" border="0" alt="IMG_4670" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n0pUtpt05sw/TpStu-pnnwI/AAAAAAAAHD0/0GDPYFcp0Ms/IMG_4670_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E3JGVD8kYkY/TpStvQv3YJI/AAAAAAAAHD8/l5N9pn6m6l0/s1600-h/IMG_4672%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4672" border="0" alt="IMG_4672" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gUZaxhRZFFw/TpStv2pXbrI/AAAAAAAAHEE/myeK1xk0TSM/IMG_4672_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="289" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gAAXy1Bcdg4/TpStwapC8iI/AAAAAAAAHEM/hBpMI8VncVw/s1600-h/IMG_4669%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4669" border="0" alt="IMG_4669" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MxQLDU79gIw/TpStwoR4T9I/AAAAAAAAHEU/GFZoF3eLPiA/IMG_4669_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>KP.</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-83803721033595258072011-10-03T15:46:00.000-05:002011-10-10T19:43:48.818-05:00A Week End With Jameson<p>When we last saw our hero I was dropping her off at the St Louis Airport on Monday morning with plans to pick her up at O'Hare in Chicago on Thursday evening. So on Wednesday I drove the RV to Joliet and Leisure Lake Membership Resort. </p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_NgsgZ_vYkg/TpNZPxDIdLI/AAAAAAAAHDE/MGQNoS9U7m4/s1600-h/IMG_4637%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4637" border="0" alt="IMG_4637" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9CL3q5gdVvY/TpNZQft20EI/AAAAAAAAHDI/G1CeK9SW0Do/IMG_4637_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="236" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-63KFMLbpZcA/TpNZRWo3JII/AAAAAAAAHDM/PgLRhTzedOo/s1600-h/IMG_4633%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4633" border="0" alt="IMG_4633" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5qGJ5VN_3MA/TpNZSGkP6wI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/Qx8eJAs1awg/IMG_4633_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="235" /></a></p><br /><p>Our campsite and view out the front window. Leisure Lake is a membership campground but they keep a number of sites open for short term stays. It is a nice park and is generally clean and well maintained but can get crowded and slightly rowdy on the major holiday weekends. Otherwise it is a nice place to stay. </p><br /><p>After picking up Cindy we went to Portillo’s for dinner. We really enjoy their Italian Beef Sandwich and Chocolate cake. They are located all around the Chicago area and I have not seen them anywhere else. Our daughter in law Leah took us to one on one of our first visits to the area and it has become a favorite for a quick and good meal.</p><br /><p>Friday morning we picked up Jameson at Trevor and Leah’s. They were going with another couple to see friends of theirs that had move to Minnesota to coach football. So we had the honor of taking care of Jameson Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday. </p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_p6UV1MaBFc/TpNZVsQJaOI/AAAAAAAAHDU/MGe6MIIm0us/s1600-h/IMG_4641%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4641" border="0" alt="IMG_4641" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tkA244Wf6s4/TpNZXipJQoI/AAAAAAAAHDY/Lh8TyI1q5PE/IMG_4641_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="735" height="516" /></a></p><br /><p>Jameson is such an easy baby to care for … We and the kids are very blessed to have such an easy going baby!!</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nhVsQQ7sAyY/TpNZlm6C0II/AAAAAAAAHDc/J2lfOm_BDY0/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XO891oCknxk/TpNZovAQQYI/AAAAAAAAHDg/cELzCG0nL9k/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="259" height="393" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">While Cindy worked via phone and pc, Jameson and I watched college football, drank coffee and studied the maps looking for those elusive shortcuts. Cindy did eventually get me out of the chair and we took Jameson and the dogs for a walk around the lake. But first we had to figure out how to assemble the stroller. Here we go showing our age we can’t even figure out how to use a stroller! We eventually got it and had a nice walk that we repeated a number of times over the weekend.</p><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--fakwfdg2CI/TpNZs_9E9MI/AAAAAAAAHDk/4OssiJ_vSuk/s1600-h/IMG_4664%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4664" border="0" alt="IMG_4664" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UpxrKSMvAxM/TpNZvpKB3PI/AAAAAAAAHDo/9kSyiNfc7kU/IMG_4664_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="631" height="491" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">Eventually Cindy was able to pry Jameson away from me for a turn with the baby!</p><br /><p>Sunday afternoon I delivered Cindy back to O’Hare before dropping Jameson off at Trevor and Leah’s. I was not keen on the idea of driving from the airport to their house with Jameson alone in the backseat. I was worried about him getting upset or needing attention during the 45 minute drive, but again he was calm and slept most of the way.</p><br /><p>So ends a happy weekend with the grandbaby! </p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-88333818084153771922011-09-26T13:38:00.000-05:002011-09-29T13:41:31.572-05:00A Visit From Good Friends<p>After the Christening, Cindy returned to work in Farmington Hills and on Monday I drove home to Quincy for a week of appointments. I had eye and doctor appointments and the dogs had a grooming appointment . Then on Thursday evening I drove to St. Louis to pick up Cindy. On Friday we got our chores done in anticipation of visits from our son and daughter-in-law Kyle and Jenni, and from our good friends Jim and Dee.</p><br /><p>Kyle and Jenni were in town to participate in a fund raiser sponsored by Jenni’s parents and to see Jenni’s brothers. Jim and Dee came to see us since we were not going to be able to see them later in the year. We had both planned to meet at “camping with Lisa” in October but for both of us it was no longer possible. Camping with Lisa is a blast, I am going to miss seeing everyone there. Lisa and Tony are great hosts and even better people. </p><br /><p>Jim and Dee arrived late morning on Saturday. After chatting over home made chicken and wild rice soup we took Jim and Dee for a tour of Quincy. Being history buffs they seemed to really enjoyed visiting the site of one of the Lincoln Douglas Debates.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QZsID_cRJAI/ToS7Dhj3dII/AAAAAAAAHCs/pc_k8R-1Fk4/s1600-h/IMG_4624%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4624" border="0" alt="IMG_4624" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tpHQ_vCKxjU/ToS7EFp8J8I/AAAAAAAAHCw/jSONmIw683I/IMG_4624_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="302" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">Another highlight for Dee was a tour of the golf course. Out our backdoor is a public golf course and Dee had never been on a golf course before. We walked two holes showing her the tees, fairways, rough, and greens. She got the biggest kick out of the ball washer. You gotta know Dee!</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_BieLw0fnAk/ToS7EkHa7RI/AAAAAAAAHC0/FKSoOmZFGeg/s1600-h/IMG_4627%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4627" border="0" alt="IMG_4627" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-srBGQfHo_M4/ToS7FIdKAoI/AAAAAAAAHC4/Amm9PRyLqIg/IMG_4627_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="300" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">To end the day we played a game of hand and foot, where Dee and I allowed Cindy and Jim to slaughter us. Here is a picture of Jim and Cindy plotting our demise!</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AyrXkLzEXDw/ToS7FkOYqwI/AAAAAAAAHC8/7-MYCKChWSw/s1600-h/IMG_4629%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4629" border="0" alt="IMG_4629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_kGnxvMI4OY/ToS7GSWrq8I/AAAAAAAAHDA/hfFjwzBLs9g/IMG_4629_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="298" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">We had a great visit and after breakfast we said goodbye to Jim and Dee and later in the day Kyle and Jenni. Then to bed early as Cindy was flying out of St. Louis on early Monday morning. Alarms set for 4:30 AM. </p><br /><p align="left">kp</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-52712663733453392902011-09-18T09:58:00.000-05:002011-09-29T10:05:52.164-05:00Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, con’t … Jameson Christening<p>After setting up at Leisure Lake Trevor stopped by with grandbaby Jameson.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tj_MZPyq-mg/ToSHVUvYriI/AAAAAAAAHBc/aJ2OFvuQnso/s1600-h/IMG_4555%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4555" border="0" alt="IMG_4555" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L4KfcKpWtk0/ToSHV_EEmfI/AAAAAAAAHBg/_Rg1xJSojCE/IMG_4555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="305" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GDiqrdz5M4c/ToSHWXqOk6I/AAAAAAAAHBk/McnpEzKfVFI/s1600-h/IMG_4550%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4550" border="0" alt="IMG_4550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BL__415r6lw/ToSHW913DII/AAAAAAAAHBo/wVagox4yzCw/IMG_4550_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="305" /></a></p><br /><p>As you can see Grandma was ecstatic! Jameson changes so much between visits, he is quickly becoming a little boy!</p><br /><p>We spent the day catching up with Trevor and spoiling Jameson!</p><br /><p>On Saturday we went to stock up on groceries and on the way we saw the Goodyear blimp at the Joliet Airport. Besides the big event of Jameson’s Christening the area was also hosting the lesser events of a pro golf tournament and a Nascar race.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MMyBqNskZ9E/ToSHXfhmSPI/AAAAAAAAHBs/RXfhmEVteas/s1600-h/IMG_4557%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4557" border="0" alt="IMG_4557" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SGnGtTrFNSg/ToSHXuSmNtI/AAAAAAAAHBw/7m98AYM_lUs/IMG_4557_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">On the way to Chicago this weekend I saw the Met Life blimp struggling in the wind. It was vacillating between nose up and nose down and moving side to side. Needless to say it did not look like the comfortable floating on the air image we all have.</p><br /><p align="left">Sunday morning we Christened Jameson.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4VioUmJMKgA/ToSHYN5Z5NI/AAAAAAAAHB0/oTfjj01Kfm4/s1600-h/IMG_4568%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4568" border="0" alt="IMG_4568" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yk96Y0lhGGk/ToSHZTmq_EI/AAAAAAAAHB4/FEBFlqcMBGE/IMG_4568_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5eamBFK3200/ToSHZ1HSulI/AAAAAAAAHB8/hZBz_RkuIqE/s1600-h/IMG_4577%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4577" border="0" alt="IMG_4577" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6y_WhvxVri4/ToSHaYP9V9I/AAAAAAAAHCA/cHRiqbDHn98/IMG_4577_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ow4FQLMOK0E/ToSHa0_sS2I/AAAAAAAAHCE/rmGBOVh62Tg/s1600-h/IMG_4561-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4561-1" border="0" alt="IMG_4561-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GMKl0iS0MTk/ToSHbDO0IXI/AAAAAAAAHCI/twJ1dvdz2lw/IMG_4561-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p><br /><p>Then had a get together at Grandma Amy’s house.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LdnUsGCmUnM/ToSHbyAH_AI/AAAAAAAAHCM/A8hfwEoySm8/s1600-h/IMG_4619%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4619" border="0" alt="IMG_4619" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4sntX_8FwS0/ToSHcZz7PkI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/SWbCSNvypxU/IMG_4619%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="276" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YZ4wQe9lAWQ/ToSHc053bkI/AAAAAAAAHCU/-Tmcvd5a5Vg/s1600-h/IMG_4621%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4621" border="0" alt="IMG_4621" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9GZQilMMwBo/ToSHdIM2yQI/AAAAAAAAHCY/U8XQ5DgQbBw/IMG_4621_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="275" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tlhsSrE5IKI/ToSHe91DITI/AAAAAAAAHCc/r9wjQygDrx4/s1600-h/IMG_4613%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4613" border="0" alt="IMG_4613" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5y0TbkPe-MQ/ToSHfbQ5mqI/AAAAAAAAHCg/AA_JWuOuzR8/IMG_4613_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="277" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KwB6qcSKvB0/ToSHfriz8_I/AAAAAAAAHCk/N_nLN8IDBPU/s1600-h/IMG_4622%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4622" border="0" alt="IMG_4622" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fQhCwXYP8K0/ToSHgKXGZfI/AAAAAAAAHCo/5fjikH5QVCE/IMG_4622_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="275" /></a></p><br /><p>Near the end of the day Trevor and I delivered Cindy to the airport so she could return to Farmington Hills…Of course her flight was delayed! We received a message that the flight was delayed as we were entering the departure lanes at the airport. She decided to wait it out and only had to wait a couple of hours. </p><br /><p>I returned to the RV for the night, driving back to Quincy the next morning.</p><br /><p>kp </p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-10130934102631641412011-09-15T21:45:00.000-05:002011-09-29T10:06:42.845-05:00Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, con’t<p>On Wednesday afternoon Cindy got to the RV in mid afternoon so we packed up leaving the Cincinnati area and headed for Detroit area. She had an appointment in Farmington Hills near Detroit early in the afternoon on Thursday and again Friday morning. We had planned to drive most of the way Thursday afternoon and evening and stop at a truck stop (again) driving the balance in the morning. At about dark we found a Flying J that had a large parking lot off to the side for RVs. </p><br /><p>When your tried and hungry is when you make mistakes. At the Flying J I grabbed the wrong pump putting unleaded fuel in the diesel tank. When I realized my mistake I was sick. We spent the next several hours getting the tank pumped out and refueling with diesel. One good thing was that I realized my mistake before I started the engine, therefore the filters and fuel lines were all ok. The worst part about the whole thing was that after we were done with the RV and were parked in the Flying J, Cindy was unable to get any sleep because of the worry and the noise. One thing I learned was that Coach net emergency road side assistance only covers mechanical beak downs. Now I have Good Sam emergency road side assistance and they said the towing would have been covered. </p><br /><p>Shortly after daylight we drove the rest of the way to Farmington Hills and parked the RV at Haas Lake Park. We had time to get cleaned up and meet our neighbors before I drove Cindy to her meeting. Shame on me but I went back to the RV and slept till she called for a ride. Friday the meetings were over at noon so we again hit the road to get ahead of the traffic heading for Chicago. </p><br /><p>The campground that we stay at in the Chicago area is actually in Shorwood and is called Leisure Lake. It is a membership campground, but have spaces for rent like a normal campground. It is a gated campground with the office closing at 7:00 and we knew when we left Haas Lake that it would be unlikely that we could get there before they closed. We spent the night at a small campground call Kamp Across From the Dunes in Sawyer MI. arriving early enough to drive to the dunes and site see a bit.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KjL6wDG8IUU/ToPbdFr4BEI/AAAAAAAAHA8/o1_W5ScbgYQ/s1600-h/IMG_4512%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4512" border="0" alt="IMG_4512" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dEosX2X12bQ/ToPbd6uDcOI/AAAAAAAAHBA/NC3w-K3WO20/IMG_4512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="302" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aAM0hTGbHFg/ToPbgRRtedI/AAAAAAAAHBE/u7ngTB6-a7s/s1600-h/IMG_4514%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4514" border="0" alt="IMG_4514" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g65yM90-ccA/ToPbhn6WqmI/AAAAAAAAHBI/MlZ6vZn6vnM/IMG_4514_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="301" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jL-yqckYbV8/ToPbmQAqT0I/AAAAAAAAHBM/3EAz_Ea8XOM/s1600-h/IMG_4517%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4517" border="0" alt="IMG_4517" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U-Tf4Vuy2-4/ToPbnkqSlbI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/R8JHCmwMF94/IMG_4517_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="305" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XAbJmX5xAiQ/ToPbrmx5S2I/AAAAAAAAHBU/vCJW-2lqZVA/s1600-h/IMG_4519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4519" border="0" alt="IMG_4519" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-93r5M7F6SdA/ToPbs0XciMI/AAAAAAAAHBY/OQXjAJvjw44/IMG_4519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="304" /></a></p><br /><p>These are some of the dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan and the beach area. We had stayed at the Indiana Dunes State Park a few years ago and this area is very similar. Both are beautiful areas. For dinner, the campground owner recommended a café in the next town just a couple of miles up the road. The name escapes me but the food was excellent and inexpensive, the pie was so good that after sharing a piece we decided that I needed to take a piece back to the RV for a late night snack. </p><br /><p>Saturday morning we drove on to Chicago. To our surprise all four lanes on I80 were open making it a easy drive. Later we learned that they had opened I80 for the weekend because of the NASCAR race and the BMW golf tournament that weekend.</p><br /><p>Next Blog is all about Jameson!</p><br /><p>kp. </p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-35422877847894837682011-09-11T14:37:00.000-05:002011-09-29T10:07:49.161-05:00Catching up! Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago<p>Over the next few days I hope to get everyone caught up! I will start with Cincinnati. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend we left for Cincinnati. It is never good traveling on a holiday weekend so after a few phone calls to campgrounds we decided to stay in truck stop. This always creates a problem because I feel more secure in the noisier truck stop and can usually get some sleep and Cindy get little or no sleep, whereas in a Walmart parking lot I won’t sleep because I don’t feel secure and Cindy can sleep. So after I got some sleep and Cindy got a little sleep we pulled up to the truck pumps like we normally do and were told we could not get fuel at the truck pumps because they were commercial only in Indiana. We were told to pull out to the front pumps to get our diesel. The price at the non commercial pumps was almost 40 cents a gallon higher. Learned something new: Don’t Fuel-up In Indiana!! We had enough fuel to get on our way so we stopped down the road further at a Flying J and got enough fuel to get out of Indiana and had breakfast too. </p><br /><p>We arrived at our campground mid day as we had planned. We wanted to get there and get setup early enough to drive around northern Cincinnati to find the locations of Cindy’s meetings. From the campground to her offices was only about a twenty minute drive in moderate traffic. Not too bad! We had planned to stay at a campground closer in but they were full. I am glad they were, the campground we stayed in was much nicer and cleaner. We stayed at the Olive Branch Campground in Oregonia OH. It was kind of pricey but we have found that most campgrounds near bigger cities are pricey. </p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qkQyYIIcWtQ/ToDUZbzI6vI/AAAAAAAAG_s/J-aiFhjJnqs/s1600-h/IMG_4462%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4462" border="0" alt="IMG_4462" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wbmeklNoYFg/ToDUZ0LhKbI/AAAAAAAAG_w/7-dyesfcDgQ/IMG_4462_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="296" /></a></p><br /><p>Later that evening Cindy found a café on one of the travel apps that was highly recommended and it was only a couple of miles from the campground. The Little River Café was almost full when we arrived with the parking lot full of bicycles and motorcycles. We had a very nice meal before heading back to the RV and a good nights sleep.</p><br /><p>While Cindy was working and attending meetings I got to know our neighbors and the surrounding area. The people I met were great, all of them friendly. The surrounding area (northeast of Cincinnati) is very hilly with small rivers that have become kayak and rafting areas. The roads to these areas are steep with lots of sharp turns. Along these roads you can see the entrances to Y Camps, Church Camps, and Salvation Army Youth Camps.</p><br /><p>On Sunday we decided to go to the Cincinnati Zoo. It is the United States second oldest zoo and is in the older part of Cincinnati. Cindy and I enjoy zoos, we like watching the kids as much as watching the animals.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mNpjBPcxcTU/ToDUakaMtcI/AAAAAAAAG_0/-6BPUeOsf38/s1600-h/IMG_4467%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4467" border="0" alt="IMG_4467" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0N28TuP903A/ToDUbOEdh2I/AAAAAAAAG_4/aoxeTUkqP8Y/IMG_4467_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="298" /></a> </p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HfaWQ4uo5Bg/ToDUbv9QSxI/AAAAAAAAG_8/mJgXGJTK-eU/s1600-h/IMG_4477%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4477" border="0" alt="IMG_4477" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UY1TVQsjjHI/ToDUcJCxoAI/AAAAAAAAHAA/2D-zFT30DCs/IMG_4477_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--vvCOI5rEPU/ToDUcYl48qI/AAAAAAAAHAE/r4QrjEj8ADY/s1600-h/IMG_4482%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4482" border="0" alt="IMG_4482" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A8twO3BcOSQ/ToDUc9SNbeI/AAAAAAAAHAI/iuntyxxzyFQ/IMG_4482_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2tuyHQUs2zU/ToDUdZBMh-I/AAAAAAAAHAM/39hK304cgZ4/s1600-h/IMG_4490%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4490" border="0" alt="IMG_4490" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ymE4K041bYM/ToDUd1UREYI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/bO0hQu9A03g/IMG_4490_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OMhHTbt5EN4/ToDUeeSaoPI/AAAAAAAAHAU/PY9ngxzHY7w/s1600-h/IMG_4493%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4493" border="0" alt="IMG_4493" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0O4SEZ4CCMU/ToDUe6K1iAI/AAAAAAAAHAY/GJhzoojhpKM/IMG_4493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nTRSL-aIkGI/ToDUfT3XHsI/AAAAAAAAHAc/_RHD9DehCkc/s1600-h/IMG_4497%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4497" border="0" alt="IMG_4497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJkSZFMuVxk/ToDUgCy3SZI/AAAAAAAAHAg/WLGoKSHJf3E/IMG_4497_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-deQiaZ5UHJY/ToDUgp-CpiI/AAAAAAAAHAk/4vyevr1ySrQ/s1600-h/IMG_4474%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4474" border="0" alt="IMG_4474" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MMpkaS2Jrr8/ToDUg1aOcrI/AAAAAAAAHAo/6KkL0D5TfOE/IMG_4474_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p><br /><p>And of course the monkeys:</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HEd_zeT9wi4/ToDUhaXYYaI/AAAAAAAAHAs/XZb3Pi2Qn0k/s1600-h/IMG_4488%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4488" border="0" alt="IMG_4488" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iRVAfwU9H74/ToDUhtgrKwI/AAAAAAAAHAw/MEwudaW4OvI/IMG_4488_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p><br /><p>This group all had diaper rash!</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CvuwFSibits/ToDUiXG4JLI/AAAAAAAAHA0/KpXs_mbhNK4/s1600-h/IMG_4487%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_4487" border="0" alt="IMG_4487" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v9D0cauTKvY/ToDUin0Jy9I/AAAAAAAAHA4/tlwYvUr2opc/IMG_4487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p><br /><p>Towards the end of the day at the zoo it started to rain and we cut our visit short but all in all it was a fun day!</p><br /><p></p><br /><p>We had planned on staying in Cincinnati for at least two weeks but the company had other plans for us. On Wednesday they decided that Cindy needed to be in Detroit on Friday for a meeting…..more to come!</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-20241675102687811622011-09-08T14:47:00.019-05:002011-09-08T16:50:05.625-05:00Here We Go!<p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>Since Cindy has gone back to work, I have been placed in charge of the blog. As many of you know I am a terrible speller (I was in Sixth Grade when I learned that it was not git but get) and a hunt and peck <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">typer</span>. So please be patient as it may take me awhile to get the blog going again.<br /><br />Here We Go!<br /><br />Cindy began work traveling to Cincinnati for a few days for her orientation and to pick up her work computer and cell phone. After that she spent three weeks in West Palm Beach, and now we are in Cincinnati. At first I stayed home because it did not make sense to travel with her. I would drive her to St Louis to catch her plane on Monday morning and then pick her up late night on Thursday. I also took the RV Beaver Dam State Park to work on Kyle's House while Cindy was away. Now she was sent back to Cincinnati to help on a project here. This time it worked for us to travel with the RV. We left Quincy on Labor Day Sunday spending the night at a Pilot and arriving in Cincinnati Monday afternoon, giving us plenty of time to set up and familiarize ourselves with the area.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugz8TBPgPec/TmkJ6aPWF8I/AAAAAAAAG-s/lu8iZPkSDgY/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugz8TBPgPec/TmkJ6aPWF8I/AAAAAAAAG-s/lu8iZPkSDgY/s320/IMG_4462.JPG" width="320" height="240" nba="true" /></a></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator">Our site at Olive Branch Campground in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oregonia</span>, Ohio<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both" class="separator">The campground here is just north and east of Cincinnati and Cindy's two work locations are both on the north side of Cincinnati making it a twenty minute drive to work. Nice campground with gravel sites and friendly people. </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both" class="separator">Since Cindy's last blog we have had visits from both of our sons and daughters in law. The weekend we left Kyle and Jenni were in town for Kyles' 10 year High School Reunion. They had a lot of fun at the reunion and football game. One of the bad things about returning to a work schedule was leaving town while Kyle and Jenni were still at the house and shorting our time together.</div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both" class="separator"></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both" class="separator">The weekend prior to that Trevor and Leah brought Jameson to Quincy to meet his relatives here.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7D1kp2TT3Y/Tmks7ih3hkI/AAAAAAAAG_I/j3ROlt4cJ7c/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650096608905758274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7D1kp2TT3Y/Tmks7ih3hkI/AAAAAAAAG_I/j3ROlt4cJ7c/s400/IMG_4445.JPG" /></a> Notice that Aunt Shelia is holding Jameson.. He had lots of loving that day!<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWlsq9ZvFns/Tmks8ONuGqI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/7A3RrQrDmP4/s1600/IMG_4437.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650096620632414882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWlsq9ZvFns/Tmks8ONuGqI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/7A3RrQrDmP4/s400/IMG_4437.JPG" /></a> While Trevor and Leah slept in the mornings Jameson and Grandpa watched and talked about the humming bird feeding on our flowers and listened to the turtle dove coo to us from the neighbors roof.<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAv_L3ur-NY/Tmks9H6H9mI/AAAAAAAAG_g/sad3ui5Sh-0/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650096636119479906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAv_L3ur-NY/Tmks9H6H9mI/AAAAAAAAG_g/sad3ui5Sh-0/s400/IMG_4427.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center"></a>Grandma time! Both of them with smiles!<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZOBgX087Zc/Tmks8hnAqeI/AAAAAAAAG_Y/anJ5kPcFvEg/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650096625838762466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZOBgX087Zc/Tmks8hnAqeI/AAAAAAAAG_Y/anJ5kPcFvEg/s400/IMG_4441.JPG" /></a>Just too precious!</p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="left">It took me most of the afternoon to write this blog because I did it all in blogger. I had forgotten how to use live <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">writer</span> and upload the pictures to/from there. I will have to spend some time re-learning them and figure out how to do links etc. I will get it figured out and promise better <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blogs</span> in the future. For now Cindy seems to like her work and I can relax in the RV and visit with the neighbors. We will be here for two weeks then onto Chicago for Jameson's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christening</span>. </p><br /><br /><p align="left">Thank God for spell check...Ken F</p><br /><br /><p align="left">Change your thoughts and change your world!</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-79114940606855039222011-07-30T11:11:00.004-05:002011-07-31T21:13:26.721-05:00Another Big Fork in the Road!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyBaZ1mrHog/TjQvt7p5zzI/AAAAAAAAG-o/qJzVMjgh-vU/s1600/Fork-in-the-Road.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635181499901398834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyBaZ1mrHog/TjQvt7p5zzI/AAAAAAAAG-o/qJzVMjgh-vU/s400/Fork-in-the-Road.jpg" /></a> Yup, as some of you have already caught on, we are about to take another big fork in the road!<br /><br /><p></p><br /><p>It’s been two years this month since Ken and I decided to follow our dream of extended travel in our motorhome.</p><br /><p>I had worked for the same company for most of my 32 year career and except for the 6 weeks I stayed home when my sons were born had never not worked full-time.</p><br /><p>The past two years have been wonderfully refreshing. I realize now just how totally burned out I was after many years of long hours and excessive stress. </p><br /><p>We have been pleasantly surprised to find out that years of analyzing our financial strategies for retirement have held up and we have actually finished these past two years with more money in the bank than we started. So the idea of making my early retirement permanent appears reasonable in terms of the pocketbook. </p><br /><p>But, once again, as we face a major decision, it’s not about the money.</p><br /><p>During these past two year, Ken and I were able to clearly evaluate what worked and what didn’t work for us on how we live our day-to-day lives. While we love being on the road, it also made us even more appreciative of just how much we love our home and being here with our family. While we truly love the wonderful people who’ve welcomed us into the RV lifestyle, full-timing RVing is not who we are at this point in our lives.</p><br /><p>And, as Ken predicted from the beginning, I do not slow down well, or hang up my career and laptop easily. While we gave me a good two years adjustment time, my need for projects and meaningful work hasn’t waned. Yes, I’ve tried blogging and photography and sewing and cooking and gardening and projects around the house—doesn’t do it for me. And, believe me, the kids really don’t appreciate my making them, their homes, etc., my project—while I need something where I can be worrying over the details, it’s not healthy for anyone if I’m making it their lives! </p><br /><p>As an option, Ken and I talked about doing either Red Cross on the road or Habitat for Humanity. For us that’s not going to be a good fit either. When Ken is in an environment where things need to get done he can’t find the brake. While Ken’s health has been pretty good on the road, we also know that with more than a few hours exertion, he can be down for the count for several days. Being somewhere where there’s work to be done that he’d be good at and then having to go very slowly not to over due it – that tends to be really maddening for Ken. And, let’s face it, Red Cross or Habitat is in greater need of a piece of my nice paycheck than they are of my remedial skills with a hammer!</p><br /><p>In recent months, we’ve come to agreement that I really need to find some real work. My most marketable skills, my decade of experience managing SAP software projects, makes my prior employer the only option within 100 miles of our hometown and I’m not interested in going back there. I really didn’t want to go back in to the director level role at a corporation as the work I really loved was when I was hands-on leading projects. So, do I take considerably lower pay working in a non-SAP role to stay in Quincy or do we move? </p><br /><p>As some of you may know, we looked at the moving option when a really interesting position came up with SeaWorld. They had been spun off from Anheuser-Busch after the InBev purchase and were now working on putting together their own corporate offices and their own SAP implementation in Orlando. Nothing like starting basically a new company that already has 10 parks, 20,000 employees and 60000 animals to manage! My kind of challenge!! And, I really liked the idea of working for a company that was so committed to education and conservation. I really liked the folks I’d be working with too. While I loved the level of fairness and respect you saw for employees with Seaworld, in the end, the tight rules they had to try to maintain that fairness made it impossible for me to take the job. They had a non-negotiable vacation policy which meant that I’d only be getting two weeks vacation for several years to come—no negotiating, everybody treated the same. Considering the amount of time it takes to travel back and forth to Quincy from Orlando, that was a deal-breaker for us.</p><br /><p>After Seaworld, Ken asked me to take a deep breath and really lay out what it was that would work for us in my ‘phase 2’ career. I’ve continued to follow SAP and the really cool stuff going on in the industry right now—particularly the growth of cloud computing and what that will mean for the future of company business systems—I really missed being part of that discussion on a day-to-day basis. While I wanted to continue working in the SAP arena, I did not want to move away from Quincy right now, and we probably do not want to move away from Illinois longterm. I wanted to work but not if it put a serious hurt on my time with Ken, family and friends. I really didn’t want a job where I spent a lot of time on international travel—despite years of this, I never was able to sleep on planes and that made frequent trips back and forth really brutal on my health. I was also really wary of getting in to a project management job where I’d be leading a team that would be treated like a commodity to be pushed to the max and then discarded. I can’t treat people like that and sleep at night. The culture is a really big deal to me. I like working with manufacturing companies where I can put my production and inventory management to good use. I also like the smaller companies where I can get to know the folks at all levels and really feel a part of their business. Those were my favorite projects in the past.</p><br /><p>So I had some very definite ideas of what kind of work I wanted and it aligned more closely with working as a consultant than for a particular company. I could jump in to the consulting market on my own, but the idea of doing my own marketing, the overhead of running my own company, trying to come and insider to the latest industry developments and the limited market for project leaders not tied to a consulting team---it all meant added time and risk, doing parts of the job that weren’t my forte. </p><br /><p>There were a few consulting organizations that I had hired over the years that I’d grown to respect. Ken suggested that I pull out my old contacts and start making some inquiries. At the top of my list, considering the type of work I was looking for was <a href="http://www.itelligencegroup.com/" target="_blank">itelligence</a>. Itelligence is a consulting company originating in Germany and specializing in the <a href="http://www.sap.com/index.epx#" target="_blank">SAP</a> software (which also originated in Germany!) Their specialty has been in developing streamlined implementations for small to medium businesses, especially in manufacturing and distribution companies. They not only implement ‘big’ SAP R3 but also sell and implement the streamlined SAP All in One product, the small company SAP Business One product and the really intriguing SAP ByDesign SaaS product which is run fully over the internet for companies that simply want to buy subscriptions to the software and not have to deal with having the people or hardware on site to support it. I had worked with people from itelligence both in Europe and the US. I always liked what I saw in the caliber of people that itelligence recruited and their lockstep partnership with SAP. In fact, two SAP employees I’d worked with back in the 1990’s and had a lot of respect for were now CEO and Exec Operations VP at itelligence USA. So I decided to send them an inquiry, explaining my desire to jump back in to the SAP arena. I had a response within hours. The next week I was on the phone or in St. Louis talking to 6 different people and received an official offer on Thursday.</p><br /><p>I’m really excited about this opportunity, and looking forward to working with the kind of people I see in this organization. Although we talked about a lot of options of where I might focus in the future, especially with my interest in discrete manufacturing solutions, coaching teams, developing methodologies and the whole SaaS trend, my job going in is as SAP Project Manager where I can get my feet on the ground, learn their implementation methodology and see some projects beginning to end. I’ll be headed out to Cincinnati on Monday to begin learning their project management processes and go through a full company orientation the next week.</p><br /><p>Does this mean we’ll be ‘coming off the road’. Not really. Itelligence does not require that I relocate to a specific office. While I’m currently officially working out of Quincy, they really don’t care where we live so long as I can get from there to my assignment without excessive time or cost. For example, Ken and I could have just as easily taken the RV over to Cincinnati for the next weeks instead of me travel back and forth to Quincy. In fact, in most cases, the cost to the company for us to travel via RV, mileage allowance and RV park fees, is actually less than my flights, rental car and hotel. Project management assignments will generally run in the 4-6 month range and could be just about anywhere in the US. I travel to the site Monday morning and travel back Thursday night. So for example, if I’m doing a project in Dallas (which is one of the first possibilities, I can fly in and out of Springfield, IL or St. Louis and still be sleeping at home in my own bed 4 nights a week. Of course, it is also quite possible that Ken and I could choose to move the motorhome to Dallas (especially in winter!), or any other project site, for several weeks to months and just fly back to see the kids periodically. If Ken wants to sit the motorhome up in Chicago with the kids for a few weeks, I’ll just fly in and out of Chicago to my assignment and still have long weekends with the kids. The other nice thing about the motorhome is that with the full access to the internet we have via PDAnet and our booster, I can be working while Ken is driving from location to location. Being of good German roots and interest in work/life balance, besides 10 holidays, itelligence offers 4 weeks vacation from the beginning, with 5 weeks after 3 years. This means we should still be able to get in some nice road trips between projects.</p><br /><p>Is it easy work? Heck no! Unless you’ve been through a complete replacement of the computer system at a company, it’s really hard to appreciate all the planning, details, testing and contingencies. For the time you are implementing, that company becomes your company, and your job is to make them better with a whole new way of doing things, while not disrupting the business. Sometimes that means 20 hour days, sometimes that means going toe-to-toe with some folks that don’t want to hear what you have to say, sometimes that means wiping the tears and listening when someone is seeing the whole way they’ve done their job for years change. It’s challenging and exciting and stressful and intense. And, I miss it and am thrilled to have found a way where we can make it work in our lifestyle.</p><br /><p>This means we won’t be making the Gillette Escapade <img style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d9DC8-hCNt0/TjQtQIVUmYI/AAAAAAAAG-c/bDzts4nPtJQ/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> , but I’m looking to try to keep Camping with Lisa <img style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WBzNN_uPBLQ/TjQtQnR1COI/AAAAAAAAG-g/8MXHMUafbMY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> on our annual schedule.</p><br /><p>And, Ken has agree to take over the blog writing now.</p><br /><br /><br /><p>Hugs, C</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-68407979507832850112011-06-30T22:14:00.001-05:002011-06-30T22:14:31.223-05:00Jameson David Frericks–Our New Little Man<p align="center">Trevor, our youngest son, celebrated his 25th birthday today in a big way.   I think he received the most precious birthday gift possible –- an 8 lb 2 oz, 21.5”  baby boy named Jameson David Frericks, coming in to the world at 3:29 pm.  What he will actually be called is somewhat vague at the moment since I’ve already heard Jameson, JB, Jamesie, but probably most often he was still mostly referred to as Stitch which has been his nickname for the last six months or so.  We’ll see if that sticks!</p> <p align="center">An interesting tidbit in this age of technology, is how we grandparents actually first found out Stitch was born.  It has to do with his first picture, at about 10 minutes old, that I’ve included below.   But more on that later.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lbXfH287abo/Tg05Yn5Cm-I/AAAAAAAAG8k/7oHs4WKu1i8/s1600-h/mobile%252520stitch-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="mobile stitch-1" border="0" alt="mobile stitch-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2WjRs9m3hk/Tg05fRnr8zI/AAAAAAAAG8o/GdGVZDDskoM/mobile%252520stitch-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="435" /></a></p> <p align="center">We actually knew that the baby would be arriving no later than today which made it much easier to plan our latest week of RV travel.  We spent the weekend with Kyle and Jenni in Carlinville and then scooted up here to the Chicago area on Monday.  We are actually staying at Leisure Lake RV Resort in Shorewood, IL, which is about 45 minutes from the kids and the hospital in Palos Park, IL.</p> <p align="center">Although the baby wasn’t due until 7-7-11, the doc decided that the baby was plenty big and, based on positioning, very ready to be born, so she scheduled Leah in to the Palos Community Hospital early Thursday morning.  </p> <p align="center">By the time we arrived at the hospital at 10:00 am, they had induced labor and Leah’s room was a beehive of activity.   Leah and Trevor kept themselves busy updating friends via Facebook and text messages.</p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p2Bwr8R6kLw/Tg05nx0LojI/AAAAAAAAG8s/KDJkzAfjMPo/s1600-h/IMG_4196%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4196" border="0" alt="IMG_4196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3PxHTHfJh7U/Tg0542p19oI/AAAAAAAAG8w/RM4cOATjgtY/IMG_4196_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="374" /></a></p> <p align="center">They started the epidural for Leah after the first major labor pain.  I was amazed at how she continued to show contractions and make progress with no real pain.  Shortly after 2 pm they decided the birth was imminent and so all of us except Trevor were scooted out of the room so they could share this momentous occasion, just the two of them.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4azAcnsgsQo/Tg05_p0bLWI/AAAAAAAAG80/xlyjiCfrJdU/s1600-h/IMAG0153%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0153" border="0" alt="IMAG0153" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--r3DrAfPODQ/Tg06DZ6dzUI/AAAAAAAAG84/UE4IqZFi1z8/IMAG0153_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="177" height="297" /></a></p> <p align="center">At this point it seemed like things were taking forever.  Amy’s Mom, sister and I were really getting antsy.  We didn’t know it in the waiting room but, apparently, Leah’s doctor was suddenly pulled in to another delivery where there was problems and Leah was put in ‘a holding pattern’ for 45 minutes.  I guess they can do that with the epidurals, but we didn’t know it in the waiting room and were really anxious.   Leah said the birth itself really wasn’t that bad and she didn’t even call Trev any bad names!   Once the baby was born, they soon had him swaddled and in Leah’s arms. However, they told Trev the rest of us couldn’t come back in until after they’d cleaned up the room.  So in the meantime Trev took the first photo above and posted it on Facebook.  About 5 minutes later, Ken and I both received Congratulation texts from our “#3 son”, Luke Henke.  This caught me by surprise since we were still waiting to hear the baby had been born.  I flipped my phone over to Facebook and lo and behold up pops a picture of my new grandson!!  So even though we were only a few rooms down from the birth, the whole world got their first glimpse of Stitch before we did!!  But that’s ok since we were soon getting our face-to-face introduction with the handsome little man.</p> <p align="center">We were met by this glowing, happy little family.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iAWt4obwDfg/Tg06KeiEJ8I/AAAAAAAAG88/wth2-sdBHBs/s1600-h/IMG_4220%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4220" border="0" alt="IMG_4220" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ct6XPiX2WA4/Tg06QdNwp6I/AAAAAAAAG9E/mDtWVf01UEo/IMG_4220_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="376" /></a></p> <p align="center">Personally, I’ve never seen anyone look so good after giving birth.  Leah was amazing!</p> <p align="center">We all took our turn getting to say hello to the little fella.</p> <p align="center">Here’s Grandma Amy with Aunt Emily looking on.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rviGgl4Ynq0/Tg06cnPiM3I/AAAAAAAAG9M/pHGvkQr_U90/s1600-h/IMG_4208%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4208" border="0" alt="IMG_4208" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r5K12Tej0K8/Tg06jRWanMI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/F5CAgLEvhK4/IMG_4208_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="499" /></a></p> <p align="center">And Grandpa Kenny enjoy his moments with his first grandchild.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_sbmJoPec_Y/Tg06pzmy-BI/AAAAAAAAG9U/JdLEEeDzATc/s1600-h/IMG_4217%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4217" border="0" alt="IMG_4217" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_cfb9g_tFnQ/Tg06syz_oZI/AAAAAAAAG9Y/RKTPzdjZPcc/IMG_4217_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="455" /></a></p> <p align="center">And, of course, I got my fair share of time with him!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FizYK_E72q0/Tg06xbBmiwI/AAAAAAAAG9c/uX6sFXzQ9fk/s1600-h/IMG_4204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4204" border="0" alt="IMG_4204" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z68FNvIdrwI/Tg062OgCRQI/AAAAAAAAG9g/Paelt-7jN4Q/IMG_4204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="295" height="452" /></a></p> <p align="center">Later, Trev looked every bit the super proud papa as he showed off the little guy to his friend, Jeff Sobut.  All indications are Stitch came in to this world in excellent health, with an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score" target="_blank">Apgar score</a> of 9.9.  They were already arguing which position he’d be playing once he made it to the NFL.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lx-oV0J7byg/Tg066RS5OYI/AAAAAAAAG9k/AhwJGVJL030/s1600-h/IMG_4236%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4236" border="0" alt="IMG_4236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-52zEUP2uhUQ/Tg069R3gOvI/AAAAAAAAG9o/w-i7kdckKpk/IMG_4236_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="394" /></a></p> <p align="center">Here’s the first picture capturing the three generations of Frericks men.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sg3lkF5DbG8/Tg07Dm__afI/AAAAAAAAG9s/ay8nqfx8OH4/s1600-h/IMG_4237%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4237" border="0" alt="IMG_4237" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-evk57SY_vfs/Tg07Jh2ay1I/AAAAAAAAG9w/Tcjsra3Tq4M/IMG_4237_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="396" /></a></p> <p align="center">Leah’s friend, Erin, drove in from Iowa for the big occasion with a giant personalized chocolate chip cookie that Leah shared with all of us. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_mPFcEcV-Ts/Tg07QEUX5qI/AAAAAAAAG90/JBiEc5e_O5c/s1600-h/IMG_4243%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4243" border="0" alt="IMG_4243" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pWtsY5c12kU/Tg07ThnnHXI/AAAAAAAAG94/ZOKViwIU17c/IMG_4243_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="365" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">The room was quickly filling with family and friends come to meet the new little guy, so we decided about 6pm that it was time to make our exit.  But not before getting plenty of ‘Stitch time’.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8LpGz9gAsoo/Tg07XLj-qAI/AAAAAAAAG98/cudxw7m1Fgs/s1600-h/IMG_4239%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4239" border="0" alt="IMG_4239" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-80JVhjeiCXo/Tg07ao1y_yI/AAAAAAAAG-A/0oKXyb4gm4I/IMG_4239_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="451" /></a></p> <p align="center">I sign off tonight with one of my favorite photos from this very special day for the Frericks family.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nYFCD-_qxkM/Tg07gsWxtTI/AAAAAAAAG-E/71DEq6NT5Y0/s1600-h/IMG_4234%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4234" border="0" alt="IMG_4234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOJhTMqgzJc/Tg07kbBqvKI/AAAAAAAAG-I/KOD59bmoRPg/IMG_4234_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="409" /></a></p> <p align="center">Hugs, C</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-53022368311926759882011-05-28T15:03:00.002-05:002011-07-14T19:11:23.014-05:00Frericks Fab Five: Cities/Attractions<p align="center">When Ken and I went back through our Southwest trip, we started out with a separate list of our favorite towns/cities and our favorite attractions. It soon became apparent that it was really very difficult to separate the two. So, we re-calibrated and, instead, are giving you one list of our top five cities that includes our favorite attractions in those areas.</p><br /><p align="center">We realize, more than ever, that by putting the time and effort in to studying our potential destinations in advance, asking for advice from fellow RVers and then talking to local residents once there, we get a really great combination of classic ‘must see’ stops along with some unique finds along the way.</p><br /><p align="center">One of the best parts about taking a breather from travel and spending some of that time reviewing the last adventure is that we find, through this exercise of choosing our favorites, we are getting to relive some of those marvelous times together.</p><br /><p align="center">It reminds me of the rules for writing a good paper, 1) Tell me what your going to tell me 2) tell me 3) Tell me what you told me. For us it appears the most enjoyment in travel comes from: 1) Finding out all we can about where to travel 2) Travel 3) Review the trip.</p><br /><p align="center">Ken and I really wrestled with the list for this post to the point that I thought I’d mention some of the contenders that didn’t quite make the cut: </p><br /><p align="center"><em>Note: where <strong>city names</strong> are highlighted you can link to our original trip posts for that location. Usually there are several posts for each location so click ‘Newer Post’ at bottom of blog to page. I didn’t do hyperlinks to attractions, national parks, etc., in this blog since you can find those in the original posts.</em></p><br /><ul><br /><li><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/heading-southwest-illinois-to-oklahoma.html" target="_blank">Oklahoma City, OK</a>- Alfred P Murrah Memorial, Bricktown, some great bbq! (Link to original post here).</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/deming-nm-to-rodeo-nm.html" target="_blank">Rodeo, NM</a> – wonderful place to kick back in the middle of nowhere, enjoy jeep trips in to the mountains (right through ‘Paradise’!), and enjoy the small town café and tavern </div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/search?q=palo+duro" target="_blank">Palo Duro Canyon</a> – it’s this kind of place that makes us want to buy a smaller rig that we’d be comfortable in taking in to more of the national parks. </div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/benson-az-to-quartzsite-az-boomerville.html" target="_blank">Quartzsite, AZ</a>– RVers gotta go once just to experience it! We really loved our side trips 4-wheeling with other Escapee jeeps and visiting the Desert Bar. Best of all we met many</div></li><br /><li><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/quartszite-az-to-el-centro-ca.html" target="_blank">El Centro, CA</a> – we liked it so much here we went back again mostly because of the perfect weather, great Italian restaurant and laid back atmosphere. I also loved meeting Leonard Knight at Salvation Mountain on one of our day trips, and watching the harvests in the huge fields of vegetables across the Imperial Valley. </div></li></ul><br /><p align="center">Ok, so here’s the final cut…the top 5….</p><br /><h3 align="center">#5 Roswell, NM – UFO Museum, Bitter Creek Wildlife Refuge</h3><br /><p align="center">Granted, you really have to have the right mindset for <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/amarillo-to-roswell.html" target="_blank">Roswell</a> ! To some it would be downright tacky. But, we found it to be wacky fun.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3tv5MGYpk6g/TeFTNR1F0rI/AAAAAAAAG60/7pJ7_-rMgQU/s1600-h/IMG_17718.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_1771" border="0" alt="IMG_1771" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-82YXmn-6eqg/TeFTOSIBZxI/AAAAAAAAG64/oaQjPqjI-H0/IMG_1771_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="336" /></a><em><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Lamp posts still decorated for Christmas in Roswell</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">The museum hasn’t been updated in many decades which, to us, adds to its quirky charm. If you go in knowing its not going to ‘wow’ you and take the time to read a lot of the information, it’s really pretty interesting. In fact, we’ve agreed that if we get by this way again, we will take the time to go to the museum again and sit through the hours of low-budget films about Roswell. You can spend the who day just watching films! Ken and I always enjoy attractions where we come away with lots to talk about and this definitely fits that bill. I can’t say that either of us were any more or less convinced that aliens actually crashed but we certainly have a much better understanding of the whole event and spent a lot of time talking about what did and didn’t make sense to us. </p><br /><p align="center">We didn’t know anything about the nearby Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge until we arrived in Roswell. Our timing was quite good to catch the thousands of sand cranes coming in. This is one of those ‘take your breath away experiences’ at sunset, the lines of cranes all across the glowing sky, the sounds of nothing but nature all around you. I’ve had folks say that with HD Discovery Channel you don’t need to leave your armchair for this kind of experience. Well, it’s just totally different being there for us. </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HlFmdaC-qfU/TeFTQ09pcsI/AAAAAAAAG68/ClRIlaUcdfo/s1600-h/IMG_1768.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_1768" border="0" alt="IMG_1768" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e2xH6a8biHg/TeFTS42VPQI/AAAAAAAAG7A/fmVQnstQpJ4/IMG_1768_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="397" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Bitter Lake was definitely a Top 5 for Ditka and Sox</span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><img border="0" alt="[IMG_1801[3].jpg]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TSnzv60PvBI/AAAAAAAAFz4/Kc9LdcWylIE/s1600/IMG_1801%5B3%5D.jpg" width="542" height="410" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Cranes arriving at sunset</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">We found the smalltown atmosphere we love in Roswell with friendly folks, decent restaurants and comfortable weather for exploring. It was where we really started feeling we reached our general ‘Southwest’ destination after days of travelling through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.</p><br /><p align="center">Our timing was wrong to hit the wine-tasting room in downtown Roswell called Pecos Flavors Winery as they were closed the day we planned to visit. This place is actually rated the #1 attraction in Roswell and another reason we’d probably go back.</p><br /><p align="center">In fact, next time in Roswell, while we were comfortable at the RV park in town, we’ll probably go to nearly Bottomless Lake State Park which we now understand to be a major attraction in itself. </p><br /><p align="center">So, I guess, in a way, part of our attraction to Roswell is that it’s a place we definitely want to visit again, now that we have even more things we want to do there.</p><br /><h3 align="center">#4, Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon/Jerome/Camp Verde, AZ</h3><br /><p align="center">Staying in the <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/02/tucson-az-to-camp-verde-az.html" target="_blank">Camp Verde</a> area, we were in easy driving distance to a huge variety of attractions.</p><br /><p align="center">Our timing was just right to make a trip to the Sedona Film Festival to get in on a showing of the winning film, The First Grader, and get to participate in the post-showing discussion with the film’s producer. </p><br /><p align="center">Sedona’s Red Rock area is just gorgeous and we had the unique opportunity to see it during the deepest snowfall they’d had in 20 years.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DAOfMqjuRKU/TeFTWFzrPWI/AAAAAAAAG7E/nxbjspppc9M/s1600-h/IMG_33194.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3319" border="0" alt="IMG_3319" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1qacNDAnOhY/TeFTXtf5r-I/AAAAAAAAG7I/ThN_MAhtGBs/IMG_3319_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="728" height="396" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><em>Snowy Sunday Morning – Red Rocks of Sedona</em></span></p><br /><p align="center">Oak Creek Canyon was one of our favorite driving trips followed closely by our day-trip up to Jerome, AZ.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a4iDqaDSSHU/TeFTasblKvI/AAAAAAAAG7M/u_EyS_KlYkw/s1600-h/IMG_34128.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3412" border="0" alt="IMG_3412" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qxemIGSIM7Y/TeFTb2N0TQI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/NDTlpSGIChc/IMG_3412_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="349" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Scenic overlook above Jerome, AZ</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">Our hike in search of the vortex near Cathedral Rock was also one of our favorite days.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2xWghKlFQtU/TeFTdcsOQ5I/AAAAAAAAG7U/NJi-PDPZSe4/s1600-h/IMG_33964.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3396" border="0" alt="IMG_3396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k74FB0oDXCg/TeFTeFwJFXI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/WuE4ygqubOc/IMG_3396_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="353" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><em>In front of Cathedral Rock, Sedona</em></span></p><br /><p align="center">While we weren’t particularly blown away by the Montezuma Castle Monument, we found the Montezuma Well site intriguing. </p><br /><p align="center">Camp Verde turned out to be a perfect center of operations for us, with things to do in many different directions while we could still come ‘home’ to a really nice RV site, and head across the highway to wonderful meals at great prices in ‘The Gathering’ restaurant at the casino. Every night, this restaurant had a top-notch unique special for under $10. After long days of adventure, a quiet evening with a nice dinner that we didn’t have to prepare just added to our enjoyment of this location. </p><br /><h3 align="center">#3 Borrego Springs, CA</h3><br /><p align="center">We had no idea when we started our winter adventures that we would end up boondocking in <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/el-centro-to-borrego-springs-ca.html" target="_blank">Borrego Springs</a>. In fact, if you would have asked us where is the Anza Borrego Desert, if we would have answered right, it would have been a guess! </p><br /><p align="center">One of the absolute best parts of this lifestyle is its flexibility. Our RV friend, JoAnn, called and asked if we wanted to join them boondocking in Borrego Springs and next thing you know we’ve got the map out and the good ol’ GPS is calling out: ‘Rerouting’!</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n_MXkyyiLsE/TeFTfQ6yodI/AAAAAAAAG7c/Zh4lj4IkgF0/s1600-h/IMG_2322%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_2322" border="0" alt="IMG_2322" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0d7sK8T9-WU/TeFTgq0ERVI/AAAAAAAAG7g/TKqaDfn8pjc/IMG_2322_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="338" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Our Rockhouse Road boondocking site with JoAnn and Doug</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">We probably would not have enjoyed this location so much had it not been for Joann and Doug. </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-suG3ac9QLtg/TeFTiQ5D6PI/AAAAAAAAG7k/eaKAJFy0gg4/s1600-h/IMG_2404%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_2404" border="0" alt="IMG_2404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zZZLkpufK80/TeFTkRd8-dI/AAAAAAAAG7o/6mtqlqwLfZ8/IMG_2404_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="353" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Doug admiring one of the newer sculptures</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">This is one of their favorite places and they knew all the great attractions, hikes and drives for us to make the most of our experience, including hikes through slot canyons, driving tours to visit all the gorgeous Galleta Meadows sculptures, daytrips to mountaintop Julian for their famous pie and west to Temecula to see the Jojoba SKP Co-op. There were sunsets and sunrises at Font’s point, and jeep adventures getting lost out in the Borrego Badlands.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9wqbeK7QHkY/TeFTlluhM-I/AAAAAAAAG7s/9UIy4F9JbHs/s1600-h/IMG_2503%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_2503" border="0" alt="IMG_2503" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i36iatWkdWU/TeFTnTh4HzI/AAAAAAAAG7w/AT5Dd_hWMy8/IMG_2503_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="391" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Sunrise at Font’s Point</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">Of course, it was this time with Joann and Doug when we got to meet other great RVing friends such as Richard and Marlene and JoAnn and Fred, not to mention, had no end to the number of great dining adventures they all knew about.</p><br /><p align="center">Borrego Springs itself is a really neat little town with a farmer’s market and a rather upscale, artsy feel without the stuffiness that sometimes goes along with that. We were glad we’d been forewarned that the grocery shopping was limited and a bit pricey. </p><br /><p align="center">While Ken is not convinced he enjoys the actual boondocking experience, we would love to go back to Borrego, especially to take in more of the hiking. They also have a wide variety of programs, such as birding and astronomy workshops that operate out of the museum/visitors center along with unique little community get-togethers where winter residents are made to feel welcome. </p><br /><p align="center">Unless we go to boondock with other couples, we will probably stay in the very nice RV sites at Anza Borrego State Park. This will require some pre-planning since they take reservations and the nice sites for big rigs tend to fill early. You can read Laurie and Odel’s rave review on that park <a href="http://wecallithome.blogspot.com/2011/03/anza-borrego-desert-state-park-borrego.html" target="_blank">here</a> --- again, one of the awesome parts of getting to know fellow RVers, especially those with such informative travel blogs! </p><br /><h3 align="center">#2 Ajo/Why, AZ – Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument</h3><br /><p align="center">We found the <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/02/from-borrego-springs-ca-to-why-az.html" target="_blank">Ajo/Why</a> area to be at the top of our list for the most naturally beautiful and diverse desert area we found on our trip.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5TDlOpb-5AQ/TeFTqLsWvDI/AAAAAAAAG70/sQztPUjwBcw/s1600-h/IMG_2850%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_2850" border="0" alt="IMG_2850" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DQFSPtpk1fw/TeFTs6OzZyI/AAAAAAAAG74/BI7z_vzyiII/IMG_2850_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="382" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Hiking Alamo Canyon, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">I also found it interesting that we both rated it so high considering that other than the hiking and beautiful natural surroundings, you’re pretty isolated here – our Sprint cell phones didn’t work, there aren’t a lot of choices in dining or attractions.</p><br /><p align="center">We really loved driving and walking this national park. They’ve done a wonderful job of making the visitor’s center and the driving tour very informative. I’d suggest you take a picnic lunch and plan to make a full day of the 21 mile driving tour.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2vq8cwayULg/TeFTxNq_8YI/AAAAAAAAG78/SRKpx-Hycwk/s1600-h/IMG_2883%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_2883" border="0" alt="IMG_2883" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QoGZKE74OAI/TeFT0XAx96I/AAAAAAAAG8A/22G3iPIjG5k/IMG_2883_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="390" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Variety of cacti on Ajo Mountain Drive: ocotillo, saguaro, organ pipe, teddy bear choila, buckhorn choila, prickly pear</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">While we drove down to Lukeville to see the infamous border fence, we probably wouldn’t do that again. Not much to see at the border and the café that was recommended there was nothing special.</p><br /><p align="center">I thought the campground in the national park was absolutely beautiful and it would be my pick for our next stay even though it is essentially bookdocking. They have showers and a dump station and with Ken’s ‘geezer pass’ we could stay for only $6 per night. Sights are available for rigs up to 40 feet. Ken thought the roads were really tight for a big rig and prefers the rather drab but full hookup campground we used on the Indian reservation where we were serenaded by burros every evening and he could sit outside with the other men shooting the breeze over coffee every morning. </p><br /><p align="center">Despite the reputation for problems this close to the Mexican border, we experienced no issues and saw nothing else to indicate there were any issues while we were there. Of course, we did see an abundance of border patrol and regularly came across impromptu security checkpoints along the highways in this area. </p><br /><h3 align="center">#1 Tucson/Benson, AZ</h3><br /><p align="center">It might be cheating a bit to put <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/01/rodeo-nm-to-benson-az-meeting-friends.html" target="_blank">Benson</a> and <a href="http://frerxadventures.blogspot.com/2011/02/tohono-oodham-reservation-to-tucson.html" target="_blank">Tucson</a> together since they are about 40 minutes apart but if we had to pick any of the areas we visited to stay for an extended period it would be in this area.</p><br /><p align="center">We include Benson because we not only found the SKP Co-op there to have a really homey and welcoming feel but Benson itself has a comfortable small town feel still with the conveniences of a nice grocery store and a Walmart. Of course, the Horseshoe Café and the ice cream shop with 44 flavors of soft serve were some of our favorite Benson stops. The other attraction to Benson is its close proximity for day trips to the quaint little town of Bisbee, AZ or the drive in to the Coronado National Monument.</p><br /><p align="center">We really had all the best of the best here: some of the best scenery, best attractions, best dining and best RV sites. We had the special conveniences of the big city (ie., Trader Joe’s!) alongside some of the absolute best desert landscape (ie Saguaro National Park).</p><br /><p align="center">And, in fact, if we had to pick one attraction that most represented this trip it would be the Desert Museum. I think if I lived in Tucson I could visit that museum--which is really more of a sanctuary of living desert plants and animals—once a week and never tire of it.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rOIjK7V-kqk/TeFT78wO7nI/AAAAAAAAG8E/p1IHE8OMNw8/s1600-h/IMG_3117%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3117" border="0" alt="IMG_3117" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ssWlSNhDxhU/TeFT-2ukrqI/AAAAAAAAG8I/Cxi3Owmc0ag/IMG_3117_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="284" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><em>Yes he’s alive!! Captured this shot of a coyote among his natural desert surroundings in the Desert Museum</em></span></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RpQHQErWt_A/TeFUJCnqYpI/AAAAAAAAG8M/7AVC4gjLubA/s1600-h/IMG_3143%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3143" border="0" alt="IMG_3143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M7bpoHXgn_c/TeFUNfWXzLI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/soWRu6gEx_E/IMG_3143_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="380" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">It’s great that they have all the plants labeled for us desert newbies!</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">We also found a beautiful place to stay in the Tucson Mountain Park. I think being happy with your RV site makes the general surroundings feel more attractive.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g_AEH7AlJqY/TeFUQO3BeoI/AAAAAAAAG8U/L_IKQ1lxYiM/s1600-h/IMG_3152-1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="IMG_3152-1" border="0" alt="IMG_3152-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGx5oEQkBMU/TeFUTLXAGzI/AAAAAAAAG8Y/ecbJ93p8zn0/IMG_3152-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="348" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">First rain we’d seen since leaving the Midwest approaches our site at Tucson Mountain Park</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">I could sit for hours in that area of West Tucson amidst those majestic Saguaro’s as they seem to reach up in worship to the sun and moon.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-soFWZAH0ndU/TeFUoFdCEVI/AAAAAAAAG8c/TXUQ7wQlyKk/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YK6rtAGaQIU/TeFVAsitJ7I/AAAAAAAAG8g/DC_GPSQDWlo/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="792" height="365" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;">Saguaro National Park</span></em></p><br /><p align="center">Sadly, our visit to this area was just shortly after the tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabbie Gifford who was still in the hospital there with well wishers still standing vigil when we happened to drive through that part of town. This will always be on of those ‘do you remember where you were when’ times for us.</p><br /><p align="center">There’s another reason, I think we both remember the Tucson area as a highlight. It seems that in Tucson we really finally got out of vacation mode. We didn’t try to plan too much in one day and enjoyed several down days hanging close to the campground. We just kept extending our stay.</p><br /><p align="center">---------</p><br /><p align="center">I might mention what could be a downside to doing these reviews. When I talk to Ken about our next snowbird adventure and whether it will be Florida or Texas next, his answer is the Southwest, again! We’ll have to weigh our passion for experiencing new places against having fallen in love with New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California.</p><br /><p align="center">We have one more Fab Five to finish this review. That will be on RV Parks and we are arguing over ….oops, I mean discussing which will make the Top 5 cut.</p><br /><p align="center">Stay tuned!</p><br /><p align="center">Hugs, C</p>Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-35584818761363861492011-05-24T11:22:00.001-05:002011-05-24T11:22:27.385-05:00May Brings Baby Showers<p>This past weekend, there was a baby shower for Leah in Quincy.</p> <p>Jenni and Kyle arrived Friday evening and Leah and her mother drove down from Chicago Saturday afternoon.  We treated them to some old-fashioned home cookin’ Saturday evening with pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted carrots, fried apples and peach cobbler for dessert.</p> <p>The shower was a luncheon at the Pier Restaurant which has a nice view of the river and Quincy bridges.</p> <p>Here’s Leah outside the restaurant with shower hostesses Lois (Trevor’s godmother), Cousin Erin, and sister-in-law Jenni.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvZ8ZBGMZI/AAAAAAAAG6E/5zDNzphkgoc/s1600-h/IMG_4025%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4025" border="0" alt="IMG_4025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvaCy-Ru9I/AAAAAAAAG6I/IK_i4hViGcc/IMG_4025_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="514" /></a></p> <p>The tables were beautifully decorated with fresh fruits and flowers and lots of pretty ‘baby boy blue’ touches.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvaNe-Z82I/AAAAAAAAG6M/39ko5Ks1iaI/s1600-h/IMG_4010%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4010" border="0" alt="IMG_4010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvaRG6A8zI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/joQZED5Agug/IMG_4010_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="387" /></a></p> <p>Jenni provided some very nicely decorated and tasty cupcakes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvafuezyII/AAAAAAAAG6U/3nDPEhbz_Qc/s1600-h/IMG_4011%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4011" border="0" alt="IMG_4011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdvaj38GlmI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/vQjCsrm_yrU/IMG_4011_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="342" /></a></p> <p>Jenni had put together a nice little scrapbook with slots for cards from the guests where they could each provide a note of baby advice.  As usual the Pier provided a very nice lunch and our family provided lots of chatter!</p> <p>Here’s Erin seated with Aunt’s Mary, Cindy, Kay and Jean.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdva192Ad7I/AAAAAAAAG6c/UCtge2AIfRk/s1600-h/IMG_4018%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4018" border="0" alt="IMG_4018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdva5JdbsII/AAAAAAAAG6g/x-PCoSbKXQ0/IMG_4018_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="438" /></a></p> <p>And, the ‘Duesterhaus side of the family (clockwise from 7:00) Aunt Betty, cousin Peggy, Aunt Judy, cousin Laurie, cousin Sheila, cousin Darlene, Aunt Kathleen and cousin Deanna.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdva_s2a22I/AAAAAAAAG6k/Nf3kMFvdxB4/s1600-h/IMG_4021%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4021" border="0" alt="IMG_4021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvbFGaGfnI/AAAAAAAAG6o/oX-ghl78ipY/IMG_4021_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Leah ready to dig in to her gifts.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvbKK639AI/AAAAAAAAG6s/7zN-_2vl9kE/s1600-h/IMG_4017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4017" border="0" alt="IMG_4017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdvbQGBbJyI/AAAAAAAAG6w/rEGtUE7v-xY/IMG_4017_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="390" /></a></p> <p>These showers are a real education for me.  For example, one of the gifts was an Angel Care Breathing Monitor.  I never knew such a thing existed.   What a great idea!    This little guys is going to be one decked out little man with all the awesome clothes and gadgets.  Of course, I’m sure one of Leah’s favorites was the baby bib that say “My Mom is Hot”!</p> <p>Thanks to the hostesses!  Everyone seemed to have a really nice time.</p> <p>Hugs, C</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125286121714777290.post-50350389457035669332011-05-23T17:45:00.001-05:002011-05-23T17:45:38.453-05:00Graduation Weekend, Fox Ridge State Park<p>Although we’ve been staying in Illinois recently, we’ve still been able to enjoy the lovely spring weather in our state parks.</p> <p>We spent 5 days at Fox Ridge State Park to see our newest daughter-in-law, Leah, receive her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University.</p> <p>We made it an extended celebration weekend, with Trevor coming in to Charleston on Thursday evening and then he and Leah spending time with us at the park on Friday.</p> <p>One of our gifts to Leah was a pocket-book size photo book of their wedding. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhLK4Iu6I/AAAAAAAAG40/ptksZsZjhXU/s1600-h/IMG_3903%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3903" border="0" alt="IMG_3903" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhR-KW7MI/AAAAAAAAG44/yyW-uRJsHx8/IMG_3903_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="581" /></a></p> <p>Trev and Leah brought me a very thoughtful Mother’s Day gift--A beautiful geranium planter that folds and travels easily in the motorhome.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhXF8jWWI/AAAAAAAAG48/EtmV5fySoGs/s1600-h/IMG_3914%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3914" border="0" alt="IMG_3914" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhcIzfU3I/AAAAAAAAG5A/HcZF43zcOCs/IMG_3914_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="645" /></a></p> <p>We did some grilling out.  Ken showed off his enthusiasm her for being ‘head bottle washer’.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhhiEZ2oI/AAAAAAAAG5E/EWHLwGbr6wk/s1600-h/IMG_3908%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3908" border="0" alt="IMG_3908" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrhpzlR20I/AAAAAAAAG5I/FprqKnEAHtE/IMG_3908_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="530" /></a></p> <p>The weather was quite nice for a campfire.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdrh2bAmj-I/AAAAAAAAG5M/GNglm_q4iwc/s1600-h/IMG_3907%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3907" border="0" alt="IMG_3907" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdriE7m1fqI/AAAAAAAAG5Q/Zy5neTdn0OU/IMG_3907_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="544" /></a></p> <p>Leah and Trev brought fixin’s for S’mores so Ken got to show off to Leah his high tech marshmallow roasting sticks.  She’s obviously impressed!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdriTdxJCyI/AAAAAAAAG5U/zycSM8LUnQg/s1600-h/IMG_3916%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3916" border="0" alt="IMG_3916" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrictYy7jI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/KQDIt_9YQqA/IMG_3916_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="758" height="503" /></a></p> <p>On Saturday, Leah’s mom hosted us at the Firefly in Effingham for a luncheon to celebrate Leah’s graduation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrilK53w1I/AAAAAAAAG5c/T2yDGgTElls/s1600-h/IMG_3933%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3933" border="0" alt="IMG_3933" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdrin-1B3dI/AAAAAAAAG5g/2hMjROsBkBg/IMG_3933_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="396" /></a></p> <p>We took a group picture on the deck outside the restaurant.  From left: Ken, me, Trevor, Leah, Amy, Leah’s Mom, Chris, Leah’s brother, Jenna, Chris’ girlfriend and Angela, a Sobut family friend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrizNn_YrI/AAAAAAAAG5k/MYIsGd4Vf9c/s1600-h/IMG_3957%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3957" border="0" alt="IMG_3957" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdri1LWOg4I/AAAAAAAAG5o/XoG5Gt9VSHI/IMG_3957_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="354" /></a></p> <p>Trev and Leah have traded in Leah’s little VW bug convertible for a vehicle that will be safely carry a carseat in the backseat, this Infiniti FX.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrjCmbBB4I/AAAAAAAAG5s/xeqFBhrtOGE/s1600-h/IMG_3958%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3958" border="0" alt="IMG_3958" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrjE7RViRI/AAAAAAAAG5w/YJ_nXXSE7RE/IMG_3958_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="385" /></a></p> <p>The business college had the third round of graduations that day at 6pm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrjV0QAfMI/AAAAAAAAG50/zFXhhNXAmY0/s1600-h/IMG_3995%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3995" border="0" alt="IMG_3995" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/Tdrjatc9_TI/AAAAAAAAG54/gaymwySOKe4/IMG_3995_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Leah was at the end of the aisle directly in front of us where Trevor could take lots of pictures of her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrjgkQl8BI/AAAAAAAAG58/ADFyXpbkTJ0/s1600-h/IMG_3990%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3990" border="0" alt="IMG_3990" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wXGIWv0dTgU/TdrjkIl-wmI/AAAAAAAAG6A/FyHucj4qCWI/IMG_3990_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="450" /></a></p> <p>Then it was time for Leah and her roommate Marie to say good-bye to their house.   Trev had borrow his friend Chris’ truck and within a few hours they had her packed up on her way back to Palos Park, the college years and many happy years at EIU that both she and Trev spent on campus now just happy memories.</p> <p>Hugs, C</p> Frerx Adventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04601330526828839291noreply@blogger.com0