On our way to Grand Rapids last week, we took a little detour and headed towards Lake Michigan – near Benton Harbor in particular. I’d been there a few times before but Jorge had never been on the Michigan shore so we thought we’d watch the sun set on the lake that night. At the same time, I sent a message to my old girlfriend from high school, Laurie, who I know lived in that area. Thanks to connections on Facebook, we’d been in communication but I had not seen her in nearly 20 years. I was so happy she called me back on such short notice and came to see us right away when she got my message. It was an evening full of old stories and so much fun we didn’t mind missing the sunset. Here’s a picture of the two of us – more than 33 years after our graduation. I don’t think we’ve changed that much. Okay, we may have matured, but only slightly.
Our trip to Appleton was pretty routine. We got in and got out just as quick. From there we had to go to Pittsburgh and we had a week to get there. Along the way we stopped at the flea market in Shipshewana, Indiana. We don’t need a thing or even have room for anything but we thought it would be something to do. It was a huge place but the junk started to look the same after awhile. From there we went down to Englewood, Ohio where we have everything we own in storage. Time to get more winter gear and drop off other things we didn’t need. It is nice to have that semi trailer full of stuff sitting there to use not only for storage but headquarters. Our car is covered and parked next to it so we have that if we’d ever need it. Our mechanics there put one more toolbox on the side of the truck and we were on the road again.
Today we are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh seldom gets credit for this but it is a very pretty town. Rivers, bridges, hills, and lots of old buildings are here in their downtown. The leaves are still mostly green but are sporting a hint of color and the change of seasons to come. There is a street fair going on a couple blocks over that we will walk to this afternoon.
We are leaving tonight and taking ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ with us. This week our destination is Hollywood, California. We will be there on Wednesday morning.
Today we are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh seldom gets credit for this but it is a very pretty town. Rivers, bridges, hills, and lots of old buildings are here in their downtown. The leaves are still mostly green but are sporting a hint of color and the change of seasons to come. There is a street fair going on a couple blocks over that we will walk to this afternoon.
We are leaving tonight and taking ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ with us. This week our destination is Hollywood, California. We will be there on Wednesday morning.
Here's another picture of Laurie. She has a cushy P.E. teacher's job and also drives the school bus for the local Lutheran high school. She couldn't resist the opportunity to jump in the driver's seat of our semi-truck and it wouldn't have taken much encouragement to get her to take off down the road.
Jorge is proud of his new 'kitchen' in the new truck and is showing off a jar of his famous salsa he just made. That should last him a couple days.
Jorge is proud of his new 'kitchen' in the new truck and is showing off a jar of his famous salsa he just made. That should last him a couple days.
Rocky is always anxious to see what kind of meal Jorge has prepared for dinner. He was a bit leary of this hot bowl of steaming soup on a cool fall evening in Grand Rapids.
Here is one content dog. You can see he's liking his new truck now and feels quite at home.
Here is one content dog. You can see he's liking his new truck now and feels quite at home.
Weeks like this one with so much time on hands, allows us to get some things done. Here's Jorge and another driver, Frank, admiring their work of polishing tanks and wheels. I'm glad they like to do that.
Meanwhile the women watched the guys working from their lawnchairs and were treated to seeing a brand new monarch butterfly come out of it's cocoon. We are easily entertained.
Meanwhile the women watched the guys working from their lawnchairs and were treated to seeing a brand new monarch butterfly come out of it's cocoon. We are easily entertained.
Our paths crossed recently in Winona, MN and here is a picture of me with my oldest daughter Mandy. She is fascinated with my natural hair color... various shades of gray!