I said I wasn't going to write to you again until I got back to New York in September. But, I couldn't do it. It's too long a time to not touch base.
I am excited for my friends Jim and Ann at are also traveling this summer. They have made their way from Florida up through California and into Oregon. They are spending time in each lovely place and enjoying the views. We reach out to each other once in a while and send a couple pictures.
Then I think of my friends that are working their way through health challenges and I send them love and Tinkerbell sparkles.
Last I wrote to you I was near Niagra Falls in New York. I was about to cut through Canada to arrive back in the USA north of Detroit. I was worried about the crossing and my dog spray (pepper spray). Well, as usual with worry, it was wasted energy. I went early in the morning and they asked me if I had any weapons. Rather than explain my kitchen knives and pepper spray, I said, "Nope!" Is that a lie?
My first stop was a little city campground where the whole campground is gravel and campers are lined up awning to awning.
I went to meet up with my new friends, Debbie and Jim. They are a real cool couple that were in a situation very similar to Steve's and mine. Jim was recently widowed and Debbie was on her own and not ever expecting or even wanting to get in a relationship again. But then a friendship evolved and sparks flew. They are fun to be with and we can talk politics without offending anyone, which is a big deal these days.
A storm passed through just before we met up and the power went out in the area where we were going to dine. Someone who also stopped at the brewery and discovered the place was closed, told Debbie and Jim about another brewery just five miles away. Jim drove us to that place, the White Horse Inn.
The sinks in the place were interesting, a long trough in a common hall between the men's and women's bathrooms. The bars on the side of each automatic faucet shot out a thin blast of air to dry the hands.
It was lovely and the food and service top notch. Jim insisted on paying! Thank you.
Debbie and Jim are Steve's neighbors down in Florida. We are going with them and neighbors Christie and Mark next January to St. Croix. St. Croix is an island near Puerto Rico. And like Puerto Rico, it is also a US territory. Which I hate to admit, I didn't know anything about it before Christie asked if Steve and I would like to join them. Always learning, no matter what the age.
I had one more one-night stop at St. Ignace which is just across the Mackinaw Bridge between mainland Michigan and the Upper Penninsula (UP). The ride across the bridge was stop and go, which gave me plenty of time to enjoy the long, high bridge. There is a toll booth on the north end of the bridge that seems to slow people down.
Finally I arrived in Rhinelander, set up my camper and headed to my sister's house.
I have a wonderful time enjoying her home and yard full of wildflowers, but especially enjoying being with Mary. We hiked, we talked over coffee, and a couple times she and her husband Dave came to the campground.
It was a very full week. My Ex-sister-in-law, Sue and her husband, Cal stayed at the campground too. And my nephews and their partners also came. If you have been reading this blog for over a year, you might remember me meeting up with Tom and Sara, Jack and Mike near Tampa, Florida. It was a very cold and blustery vacation for them. This one was warm and comfortable. I am honored that they planned a visit when their time-off from work is limited. Thank you "kids". And thanks, Sue and Cal, it was good, good, good.
On the day after the extended family arrived, my friends from when I lived in Waukesha, WI for 25+ years arrived to camp at the campground. John and Sandy came to visit me too! I felt honored and I was glad that it worked out that I could spend time with all of them.
I had been having trouble shifting into low gear climbing hills on my bicycle. I took it to Mel's Sporting Goods in downtown Rhinelander. I told them I wanted new shifters and cables and a good look over because I was going to be touring twice later this summer/fall.
I took everything out of the back of the truck. My last day in Rhinelander I was going to park LILAC at a friend's home and head out for a couple weeks traveling in Steve's camper with Steve. I had to figure out all the stuff I would need, and put all the stuff I didn't need for that part of the trip into Lilac.
I hope I didn't forget anything important.
Her husband who was nursing an injured foot, even came out after a while and danced. Then Mary joined us.
Sandy and I at the beach.
It rained the last night that Sandy and John were there. I went in their camper and we dined together there and then they cleaned off the table and we played Trifecta. Where a player draws a card but doesn't look and another player reads three things. The player needs to name what those three things have in common.
For example: The Hill, The Rainbow, My Dead Body
I will let you think on that one a while.
After my friends departed I had a few more days to be with Mary and Dave in Rhinelander. Dave is living with dementia symptoms. Most of the time he has a great attitude. About 1/2 of the time he is aware of his illness. At other times, he talks about how he might get it someday because his dad had it.
I don't remind him, I just agree that is a concern. Though it is not as clearly inheritable as early onset Alzheimer's, there is a higher probability of getting it if your parent or siblings had it. Alz.org
Early-onset is those diagnosed by age 65 and is very hereditary.
My highschool friend, Bev, liked this one.
But one person said, "Absolutly not the pink flowery one."
I think I will shop today after writing to you, if I have time. I would like to find something blue and curvy. We'll see. Lol, it has been a long time since I fussed over such a silly thing as a dress.
The wedding is in early September. I will share pictures of Steve and I. The suit looks great on him. I love the tie... it matches his new hiking shoes which he got permission to wear.
Meeting up with Steve
While I was visiting family I was also following his journey west from his home in New York. Most evenings we would talk if possible.
Debbie and others have commented that when the conversation moves to Steve, my face lights up. Such is the way of early love. I can't imagine any gal not being thrilled to be chosen by such a nice, postitive, energetic, smart, talented, and romantic man. This still seems magical.
The night before I drove to Michigan to meet up with Steve, I thought I would be too excited to sleep.
I did sleep, and pretty well. I was awake at 4:44 pumped with energy. I had said my goodbyes to Mary and Dave the night before. I would be seeing them in a couple weeks when Steve and I return to the area together.
I got an early start, my first stop being Escanaba, Michigan, where I worked out and showered at the Anytime Fitness there.
We were meeting at Wilderness Park Campground about 11 miles from Mackinaw City in Michigan. It is huge with dark sky areas and 26 miles of Lake Michigan coastline!
When I was going over the Mackinaw Bridge, Steve called to let me know he couldn't get in until 3:00 check-in time. No problem, I would dilly dally and give him time to get parked before I arrived.
I stopped at a beach and sent him a picture of my feet chilling in the water. Right away he sent me a picture of his feet doing the same thing at the same time.
We really are two peas in a pod. It is magical.
We have had a lovely time here in Michigan so far. Incredible! He is so appreciative of the work I do do find the places to camp and travel.
We still delight in sitting side by side and rubbing shoulders. And besides enjoying his embraces and thrilled by his touch (Gosh, can I say that at 70!), we enjoy so much of the same activities.
Our first day here we rode our bikes to Mackinaw City. There we got on the ferry to Mackinac Island (Why the two different spellings? Not sure.) He bought me lunch at Millies, and then we rode around the island and up to the Arch.
We rode only 41 miles, but it was after 7:30 when we finally arrived back at camp. We were both very very tired.
The next day we decided to take it easy.
But that day too, got filled with wonderful times.
Steve made me one of his awesome omlettes. I had told Mary about his omlettes. She said she didn't much care for veggie omlettes, they seem kind of dry and bland to here. Steve often adds some salsa and cheddar and fries them in butter. Yummmm.
Then we drove to a place to kayak in Lake Michigan.
Sue. You continue to delight me with your adventures. You are so energetic. And so positive
ReplyDeleteBoth inspired in part by you and Marilyn and Mari
DeleteI'm so happy you got to see family and friends. In addition, I am so happy you and Steve met. Carry on, friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, anonymous!
DeleteLoved reading about your latest travels, meeting up with friends and time with your sister. How nice she has you to give her the strength for what lies ahead. We especially enjoy your adventures with Steve. You both are such wonderful people and your happiness together warms our hearts. Fred, especially, sends his love to you and wants you both to know how happy he is that you found each other. Enjoy these special times together - and keep posting your adventures!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you both from the both of us. We hope to meet up with you in MN next year!
DeleteWith your travels, love for life and people you are happy and it is contagious!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your summer! Sharing many memories with Steve is true happiness!
Thank you for Trippin' with us.
DeleteI like the blue dress it looks more formal. Maybe a belt or sash at the waist.
ReplyDeleteI heard that from someone else. Go with the blue, it is my color, they say. I will default to the blue if I do t find a curvey one.
DeleteAlzheimers/dementia - is it hereditary? Karl's younger brother Tim has now been diagnosed with dementia. That is 6 out of 8 siblings - different dementias, not all Alzheimers.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathi, it does seem to run in his family for sure. I am going to try to find a statistic on old-age Alzheimer's Disease and genetics.
DeleteI stand corrected. I will put note in my post.
DeleteHere is the link to what the Alzheimer's Organization says about the disease and inheritability.
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors/genetics#:~:text=Family%20history%20is%20not%20necessary,first%2Ddegree%20relative%20with%20Alzheimer's.
I am very happy for you Sue. Your relationship with Steve is similar to Glen & I (15 years down the road) and it warms my heart to read about the feelings you both share. My time with Glen was short but a wonderful, warm experience that I will never forget. Even through his illness our love just seemed to grow. I am so thankful for having had that time. Enjoy yours!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know that you still value and treasure the time you had with Glen.
DeleteI was afraid I might me setting myself up for misery down the road. It is good to know that the joy I am experiencing now will last.
Sue, you continue to be an inspiration! I love reading about your travels. Carry on friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out. We enjoy keeping up with your adventures and you have us talking about spending time in the glacial region next summer or two.
ReplyDeleteGreat how you are able to connect with friends on your journey.
Hi to Steve.