All’s Well

Nerve wracking pretty much sums up our drive today.  We drove only about 75 miles from Troy to Cincinnati,  but encountered heavy traffic most of the way. 

We got of at the wrong exit and were lost for a bit but eventually found our way to the Family Motor Coach campground.    We were unsure of our welcome.  Formerly the campground accepted only Class A coach owners.  Recently the rules were changed to accept any rv owner into the Family Motor Coach group.  We rejoined FMC solely to be able to use this campground.  It is only three miles from where our daughter and her partner live.  We needn’t have worried.  The new rule was in place and we were  welcomed.  We had to wait for a spot to open, but had no difficulties getting hooked up.

We really like this place.  There are only 15 sites, but they are level concrete, wide and long with concrete patios and 50 amp full hookups. FMC members camp free for two days a month and then are charged $20 a day for up to 5 additional days.

Sites are not reservable, but there are 9 electric-only overflow sites.  We waited here for about an hour until someone left

After we were settled in, we found lunch and a laundromat.  On the way home we stopped by our daughter’s apartment building, which happens to be across the street from Graeters, a local creamery which very good ice cream.  Stacy wasn’t home, but Ruth Ann was, and suggested we get ice cream for supper.  Ten minutes of ice cream and two hours later we said goodbye until tomorrow and headed home.

We saw this in a coach window in the campground.  How true. 

Tropical depression Harvey sent clouds our way all day.  At sunset we were treated to this beautiful skyline.

Nothing planned tomorrow until the late afternoon.

Louise and Duane

Last Day—For A While

Not a whole lot went on today.  This evening we cheered on Judah’s soccer team.

During the day I worked on my latest project—making cushions for (daughter) Rachel’s benches.

Moving day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Hangin’ Around

Rain this morning moved us indoors for pickleball.  The Troy YMCA was the place to be.  This gym had fewer lines, but the dark green pickleball lines were hard to distinguish from the black lines.

Between games players perched on the stacked bleachers like little kids on high stools.

Chores took up the rest of the morning, and grandchildren took up the afternoon.  Grandpa and I played croquet with Simon, then Gramps  kept an eye on the boys while I helped Madeleine with her Christmas present sewing project.  Later Judah and I waded the creek to find rocks for a school project.  After dinner with the family, we hung out for an hour or so before time for everyone to tuck in for the evening.

Last day here tomorrow.

Louise and Duane

Double P

We went the distance this morning, playing pickleball for two hours before rain made everyone quit.

For supper we met my two sisters at Marion’s for pizza.

L to R Martha, Marycarol and Me

Martha and I look alike, but Marycarol and I are goofier.

Marycarol’s boyfriend and his grandson also joined us.  Duane is taking the picture for a change.

Two days left until we move again.

Louise and Duane

Family Sunday

Waiting for Dad and Mom to return from the grocery.

The rest of the day was filled with croquet, pickleball practice, a family run on the hike/bike path (Duane and I opted to walk on the road by the house), good eats—especially the yummy steaks prepared by Grill Master Benji—a few chores and a bit of tv.  Maddy and I worked on a Christmas present she is making, and watched a few episodes of Perry Mason.  Maddy has discovered that she likes whodunnits.  Cousin Allie introduced her to Monk and she was hooked.

Nothing planned for tomorrow—yet.

Louise and Duane

Perfect Weather

AM 

Croquet and swing time

soccer game for Maddy

Our goalie in action

PM

More swing time and….

JUMP!

The girls went shopping, Benji mowed grass, but these guys were slugs.

It counted as “fresh air” because the windows were open.

Waiting for pizza

Pizza devoured, we topped it off with Wendy’s Frosties.

Learning to play pickleball

Sleepover at our house.

Good night!

Louise and Duane

Friday

A nice mix of clouds

and sun and a high temp in the low 70’s made a perfect day to play outside.

We took the bike out for a short ride—about 10+ miles to this local restaurant, where people come for miles around for their broasted chicken and sweet creamy cole slaw.

We enjoyed almost three hours of good food and conversation with Tom and his wife Judy.  Tom and Duane both worked as plumber/pipefitters in Delphi for over 20 years. 

After lunch we dropped off the bike and fired up the truck for a short hop to pick up grandkids after school.  We goofed off with croquet until parents were ready for an evening run.  This time they took the bridge over the Miami River, and Maddy and Duane joined us.

Back home Benji grilled pork chops for supper while the gkids relaxed in our house.  Maddy is learning to crochet.  Goofy Face is showing off her first completed project—a scrubbie.

After dinner we kids played on the swing set.  Duane tested his knees on the climbing wall, making it up

and down again!

Simon and Jude getting in one last swing before shower time.

Weekend fun coming up.

Louise and Duane

Where Are We, Again?

Ohio of course, at the Great Darke County Fair.

As true old fogeys we walked around with our friends Gene and Barbara looking at stuff and feeding our faces.  We spent about an hour watching the chain saw carver. 

The finished product—Walleye, Ohio’s top game fish. 

He is one of the top 5 carvers in the U.S.  He was commissioned to make 4 carvings a day during the fair.  On Saturday they will be auctioned off and the money used for local projects.  This is my favorite motif.

Duane liked this one best.

In the ag building we viewed the kids’ projects.  Since this is farm country, there were many miniature farms.  This one is a farm of the future—using small spaces and tall buildings, and modern techniques like hydroponics.

During the winter, this farm turned into a tree farm.

Kids also made these cakes, 

this Ferris Wheel of fruits and vegetables,

and this scene made with shells.

The weather was wonderful again, which made it very pleasant walking around.  When we saw all that we wanted to see, we went back to Gene and Barbara’s and played cards for a couple of hours, then headed home.

Lunch out tomorrow with a former work friend of Duane’s.

Louise and Duane