Tuesday - July 31

Left at 8:30 this morning and drove thru NY, CT, MA, NH (18 miles) and arrived in Saco, Maine around 2:30. The roads in NY and CT were awful - rough and bumpy. Poor Daisy was just getting all jostled around!  

But we just kept on a'truckin listening to good ole songs on Oldies XM.   Passed thru Hartford, CT and took 495 (the belt line around Boston that is 28 miles from downtown)

for 63 miles.

We stopped in Kittery, Maine at the visitors center and whoaaa....got out of Daisy and was immediately hit with that wonderful fresh pine scent! Ahhhh and, the temps were in the low 70's! Yeah.

After we settled at the Silver Springs Campground and opened the windows, we took Toad and drove to Scarborough (6 miles north) and checked out Old Orchard Beach.   On my……huge beach and miles of condos, cottages, inns, B and B’s, etc. and  lots and lots of “No Vacancy” signs or “Sorry”.    Of course, lots of shops and restaurants, too - a very happening place!

Stopped at Bayley’s Lobster Pound and got 2 lobsters to go (ready-to-eat) and brought back to Daisy.   DELISH !    Can’t beat the fresh shrimp in FL, the crab in MD and now lobstah (as the natives and our friends, Bill and Nancy call it) in ME.  

Our first (of hopefully many) fresh Maine lobstahs

Walked around the park and the air feels sooo good – many folks are out and about with sweatshirts!

We are planning to keep heading north to the Maritime Provinces of Canada.    These are the busiest weeks of vacation (before school starts) so decided to go north and then come back and enjoy Maine and rest of New England AFTER the new school year begins.   Maybe??? less crowded?

Monday - July 30

Hello from the Winding Hills Campground near Montgomery, New York.     We traveled 340 miles today and drove thru some rain off and on - but when it came, whoaaa, heavy stuff that twice, made us get off the interstate!

But, we sure saw some gorgeous countryside thru Virginia, Maryland and western Pennsylvania.    The Hudson River Valley is oh so pretty and the city of Wilkes Barre, PA really stood out as it is nestled down in a valley with the mountains in the distance!

Did a Wal-Mart stop for a few groceries and now in our very pretty, woodsy park in Orange County about 80 miles north of New York City.

Sunday - July 29

We said our good-byes last night and this morning off to 8:00 Mass at St. Aloysius, then to Panera for quick breakfast-to-go.    And we were on our way.   Traffic wasn't as bad as yesterday - I drove for a while so Mark could plot our route these next few days.

I spoke too soon as from Richmond onto DC (120 miles), traffic was very heavy!   Just sooo many people out here in the east.   We dropped off our rental car and picked up Toad.    For towing, Toad is the best and my nice little "around town" car.    But it was sure nice having all that space which we needed with the boys and you can't beat a Lincoln Town Car for very comfortable long-distance driving!

Back on Daisy at 4:40 and settling in....quiet here!!!!   Miss those rambunctious boys!!!

Have a great week!   Tomorrow we are off.....

Friday, Saturday - July 27-28

Friday - Mark and I were out the door and exercising by 7 AM to beat the heat, but still all stickeeeee 40 minutes later when we finished.   I drove the big black car and Mark and boys were in Daisy for one final trip to Dunkin Donuts and then we were on our way.     We drove 53 miles to Reston, VA and the Lake Fairfax Park were Daisy will hang out the next 3 days.

Settled Daisy in and then off to the Reston Town Center (very nice area with many shops and restaurants) and had lunch at Panera.   Then to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport    This place is huge and has many planes including the Concorde and the Discovery Space Shuttle.    

The boys enjoyed the F-18 simulator.   

 Also went to the observation tower and air traffic control where we saw an A-380 jet land….the biggest jet in service with 800+ economy seats.

Grandma with the boys and planes

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole was at our park and what a great treat – the boys were in their glory and Mark and I enjoyed it all, complete with Lazy River.     We were there 3 hours and what a fun way to cool down.     This was a great finale to our vacation! 

GREAT fun here

Back to Daisy to change clothes and then to the Reston Town Center for delicious Mexican dinners at Uncle Julio's. 

After dinner at Uncle Julio's

  Played dominoes and then tallied up all the scores for the week from dominoes, LCR, blitz and mini golf and DAVIS is the grand prize winner

Winner of the games with his new critters

Saturday - Up and at'em boys and we were off at 7:50 AM heading to NC.    A few stops and heavy traffic, but overall, an uneventful trip.    Drove to Lake James and just before arriving, the heavens opened up and oh my, what a torrential downpour and then that quick, the sun was shining and nary a cloud in the sky.    Met Michael and Brooke, toured the house and back to their house.    Boys are glad to be HOME!!!

Lots of great memories, pictures and thankful to return the grandsons back to their Mom and Dad safe 'n sound- don't want anything happening on Grandma and Grandpa's watch!   It was a very fun week with 3 very special little guys!

Thursday - July 26

After a day of R and R, we were off this morning to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, then to the Metro and a big day in steamy 100-degree DC.   First stop was the Natural History Museum for a few more souvenirs the boys had seen 3 days ago (shirt for Drew, elephant for Davis and baby penguin for Brady).  

 Then to the trolley for a long ride around the city – saw so many government buildings and just in awe of how huge this city is.    Our driver, Vincent gave interesting dialogue as we drove along  in HEAVY traffic.   One new fact we learned is that the Washington Monument will not reopen till 2014 due to the extensive damage from the earthquake last August.    The damage was much more severe than first thought.

Riding the trolley

So, off the trolley and onto lunch at the “I Spy Café” and then toured the Crime and Punishment Museum which we all enjoyed.  

America's Most Wanted

Jailbirds

  Walked a few blocks to the Metro , rode in cool comfort back to the car and then stopped at Food Lion for few groceries and onto Daisy  - it was a fun, hot day in the nation’s capital with lots of good memories.

Last ride on the metro

Mark and I were happy campers to stay inside Daisy but the boys were off to play mini golf (we could see them right outside Daisy’s back window)!    ENDLESS energy and the heat  doesn’t seem to bother them a bit!!!   Tah dah……Brady beat his brothers!!!!

The boys ran and ran, rode bikes, played on the playground, had a bonfire and I did a load of laundry.   After supper and showers, we played games and then skyped with
Liam and Connor. 

Wednesday - July 25

We stayed put here at the campground enjoying a "down" day.....time to regroup and rest before we go again.....not that these boys ever rest!    HA...

Mark and I exercised (we all slept in) and the kids played mini golf (Davis won), chess (have the big chess board under the tent) and shuffleboard.

The boys having a late-morning snack of nachos at Duncan's little store
here on the campground.

   I sat by the pool for a while and read....Mark did computer stuff and the boys and I played dominoes in the afternoon (Davis won)

The "D's did a lot of bike riding and we roasted hot dogs and had supper on the picnic table - been a beautiful day and evening.   Mid 80's.

And to top it off, we had s'mores - the boys and Grandpa went to the little store and
bought thee biggest marshmallows we've ever seen (campfire size), graham crackers and chocolate!

Davis and the "MAN" size marshmallow

Perfectly roasted marshmallows....yummm!

Tuesday - July 24

WHEW....packed in a fun day in Baltimore.    Spent a big chunk of time at the National Aquarium - boys loved it and got to see all the divers feeding the fish.    Walked the Inner Harbor and toured The Chesapeake (a lighthouse ship) and The Torsk (submarine).   We all enjoyed Ripley's Believe it or Not!    And these past 2 days have been people, people and more people everywhere!    Today while at Ripley's, a couple and their 2 boys recognized Davis and Brady - one of the boys was on same baseball team as Davis (you never know who you might run into - SMALL world)!

Of course they always gravitate to the gift shops......we now have a monkey, shark, baby dolphin, t-shirts, a Blue Angels plane, dog tags, etc.

And we pigged out, too, on dippin' dots, gelato, candy and other snacks!!!

Here's a few pics from our day...

Grandpa and the lads on the Inner Harbor

Taking a Dip'n Dot break on a hot, sunny day

After touring this submarine

The boys with the "World's Tallest Man"

Back on Daisy, we have tournaments going on for dominoes, blitz and LCR......

the competition is fierce!!!

Monday - July 23

We packed in a big day......starting with a stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast

Choosing just the right donuts

Off to the metro and DC.   We toured the National History Museum and had lunch at the American History Museum

Brady and the Titanoboa (largest snake to ever be displayed in the Smithsonian).   It is 48' and longer than a school bus!

3 men at the Smithsonian (American History)

The guys walking to the Air and Space Museum

The highlight of the day was actually visiting all the museum gift shops where they each bought some souvenirs.    Back to Daisy and they played mini golf, swam and played chess

Some deep thoughts going on before the next move

Went to Joe's for pizza/shrimp/spaghetti and then back here for some games

(blitz and LCR).

It was a very fun first day....as we were walking to the metro to return home, Brady said "You all thought I would need a stroller, but my legs didn't even get tired"!!!   He was a trooper!   He also said "DC is a lot of walking"!!!

Sunday - July 22

After breakfast, we loaded up the car, took a picture, hugs and kisses for Mom and Dad  and piled the boys in town car for the trip to Daisy.   

Davis, Drew and Brady....ready to roll

Uneventful trip with some sprinkles off and on, stops for lunch, potty breaks, snacks, etc.   Davis is always hungry!!!! 

Mark's Dad came home from the hospital today - yeah!!!

We arrived at Duncan's Campground around 5:30....unloaded the car, the "D's" went for a bike ride, we showed them all the neat stuff here in the park and then went to supper at KFC and grocery shopping...

Grandpa and boys at Food Lion

So we are settled on Daisy tonight and Brady CANNOT wait to get to DC.   

Lookout....tomorrow here we come!!!

Saturday - July 21

Nice relaxing day...Michael Brooke and I went to the lake and checked on new house progress made this past week (2 weeks since I saw it) - really shaping up!!!   Grandpa stayed home with the boys.   Picked up some subs for lunch and back home.    No rain here, but heavy downpour on our way home from lake.

Drew returned home late last night - Brooke did his laundry and packed the boys
clothes and stuff....

Brady, Grandpa and the Ipad

Davis and Jinx

Mark's Dad will hopefully be discharged tomorrow (he does not have pneumonia) - so glad to hear he's feeling better.
We all went to 5:00 Mass at St. Joseph and just as we were walking back to the car, the heavens opened up!    Amazing how GREEN everything is here in these parts compared with sooo much of the country suffering from the drought!   Michael grilled steaks and enjoyed a great dinner!

Tomorrow....off to Daisy  (Brady is sooo excited to be going to DC)!!!!

Friday - July 20

Left the campground around 9:20, picked up our rental car and 7 hours later we were in NC at Michael and Brooke's.    Rained a bit off and on and cooler here than coming thru VA when it was still in the 90's.

Mark's Dad is in the hospital - borderline pneumonia?    Feeling better tonight and hopefully, will come home tomorrow...

Drew is coming home later tonight from Myrtle Beach where he's been vacationing with friends.    The plan is for us to leave Sunday with the little darlins' and head back to Daisy.

Watching the news and horrific tragedy in Colorado.....oh my...prayers for the victims and their families

Now here's picture of those chicks I promised................

Cute, eh???

Grandma and Brady

Had a nice dinner (seafood smorgasbord) at the Club!  

Thursday - July 19

Good productive day to stay on Daisy and....get the cleaning supplies/vacuum out and do some indoor cleaning, 4 loads of laundry, pack, work on the photo book and read.   Mark ran a few errands, but good to be indoors on another hot one!

Getting things all in order for tomorrow when we leave in a rental car (more room than Toad) for NC to pick up the boys (7 1/2 hour trip).  We'll be back here at Duncan's on Sunday or Monday and let the fun begin!

In the meantime, IL grandsons were having a fun day at the ole ballpark

Cool Dudes at Wrigley Field (1st time)

Mommy and her boys

Cubbie Bear with Connor and Liam

and

CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN   4-2!   Yeah!!!!!!!!

Ryan and I had a good chat today - looking forward to helping him settle in this fall when he moves to Pensacola!

We drove into Annapolis late this afternoon and had a fabulous dinner at

The Chart House - always a treat with excellent food and topped off with Mark having his very favorite dessert - chocolate lava cake w/heath bar topping!

Sinfully chocolaty, gooey GOODNESS

On that note, oink, oink and good night!

Wednesday - July 18

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Southern Belle.....

 Brooke

We had a fun day starting with exercising (not so fun) and then a manicure/pedicure for me.   Mark picked me up and we were off to Annapolis.   Stopped at 2 boating stores (West Marine and Fawcett's) and then had lunch at Grump's Cafe.   When we bought Catrina in Annapolis in 2009, Mark discovered this place (near West Marine) and we had both come here for breakfast which they serve all day.    It's a fun, funky place with paint splatters all over the floor, chairs, etc., and dinosaurs, fish, etc., hanging from the ceiling - food is fantastic (lunch today).   It's a few miles from downtown.

Then to the Naval Academy where "Proud Dad" bought a Blue Angels shirt and cap!!!   Walked downtown and got some chickens for Brooke......quite a story behind this about these colorful chicks made out of old oil barrels (several sizes) and so cute to sit by front door, in the garden, on hearth, mantle, etc.    We bought 2 for Brooke in St. Michaels and today, 3 more (she is giving some for gifts) - anyway, when we get to NC and unload all these, will post a picture here.   They are cute and quite a conversation piece.

The ice cream shops which were soo busy Saturday were practically abandoned as were the streets, shops, etc.  - just too darn hot.  You know its hot when this "shopaholic" nomad does not have an interest in browsing the shops???  One thermometer showed 100....anyway, we had our ice cream fix and back to Daisy.

Big threat of some storms tonight with thunder, dark skies and the weather radio going off several times......but just a few drops and radar shows it's moved on!

Tuesday - July 17

Another steamy one today and after breakfast we took off for the metro and onto DC.   We gathered materials from the Smithsonian as to what we thought the boys would be interested in..both the Natural History and the American History Museums.   Had a light lunch and then walked around the National Mall - but oh stifling out!   

We had a tour scheduled at the Holocaust Museum - spent over 2 hours there and quite a sobering experience.    Since we had done the Holocaust memorial in Nuremberg, Germany this past Memorial Day, we came away concluding that both were outstanding (each having a uniqueness to their exhibition)

The Washington Monument

It really does stand straight - photographer must've been a little tipsy from the heat?

Unfortunately, it is not open and repairs are still underway from the August 23, 2011 earthquake

Back to the metro, drove Toad thru the car wash and then home to Daisy.    We went for a walk around 7 and it was still 96 degrees!  

Enjoying our stay here at Duncan's (very kid friendly) and will stay put till after we take the grandsons home.   We'll sit down this weekend and go over all our options and see what they want to do.  

Next week - it's all about da boys!!!

Monday - July 16

Steamy day in Maryland.....we exercised, had breakfast and off to scope out the area planning for next week when the boys are here.    We drove to the metro and checked out schedules, times, etc, to get to DC; drove around the suburbs (soooo many people out here) and had lunch at Legal Seafood in Tysons Corner - very good!    Along with my crab sandwich, I had a salad that was dried cherries and pistachios - that's it, but oh was it ever good.   The pistachios were small and must've been marinated in something as they were soft - different and delish!

Back to Daisy and enjoyed a cool afternoon (inside) reading and doing computer stuff.   Rode our bikes around the park.   Ryan called - we both enjoyed chatting with him with lots of questions!!!

Around 7 we took off for Deale, MD which is on the Chesapeake and about 10 miles from Lothian...beautiful countryside with lots of rolling hills, beautiful homes and many large farms/ranches fenced in (horse country) - reminded us somewhat of Lexington, KY but lots more trees.    The corn is tall and healthy (much greener in that area than here at our park where it's very dry and lots of dried up leaves on the ground).  We arrived in Deale - many marinas and boats (mainly sailboats) - had dinner at "Petie Greens" and it was Mexican Night so we strayed a bit from our "crab" fix and it was mighty good stuff (leftovers for tomorrow)!!!

Anne texted tonight that Liam caught a line drive to end the inning and the crowd went nuts!!!!   WAAAAAY to go, Liam!!!!

Sunday - July 15

It was a fun Sunday for us.....after breakfast we drove to Duncan's Family Campground in Lothian, MD (130 miles)  Settled Daisy in and took off in Toad to explore the area and check out another campground for where we thought we would stay when we have the boys with us next week.   Stopped at Arby's for a yummy chicken/pecan salad sandwich and then more driving thru the DC suburbs in MD and VA.    We'll scope out more tomorrow when we may take the metro into DC.  It's all about showing our boys a good time!!!

Decided to drive to Annapolis (one of our favorites).    It was hot today and the ice cream shops were doing a brisk business.   We have 2 restaurants that we always eat at when we come here - Davis' Pub and The Chart House.    Had supper at Davis' Pub - always get the crab cake sandwich.   Has started raining here as we arrived back on Daisy.   So glad to hear they got some rain back home!

Saturday - July 14

Happy 6th Birthday, Connor

    Wow….how can our youngest grandson be six already…..seems like just yesterday we were the proud grandparents of our FIFTH grandson?   We skyped this morning with the birthday boy and watched him open his presents!  He was excited!!! 

It was a rainy day in Philly and our plans changed…..drove to the Barnes Art Museum (suggestion from Anita).   It was formerly in the suburbs, but just this past May moved to downtown in very nice building.   We walked thru the rain to go inside only to find out it was sold out today and for many days to come due to high popularity, so…..did not work out.      Drove around and saw these neat murals on sides of old buildings…

Stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a treat and back to Daisy.    Had a late lunch of BLT’s 

 We did 3 loads of laundry and the rain kept coming down – wonderful, gentle, soaker!   IF only we could get some back home…..more is predicted for here tomorrow.

The past few days we passed thru towns and areas and businesses named Princess Anne or Queen !!!   Anne…..what a pretty name just like our Anne!!!   

We went to St. Clare of Assisi in Gibbstown, NJ (4 miles away) for 4:30 Mass.   Lots of "boro" towns around here.....Clarksboro, Swedesboro, Paulsboro, etc....   Back to Daisy and had some snacks and wine.   The sun is shining after all the rain!!! 

My buttons are still a’poppin’ – the thought that I’m the Mama of a Blue Angel makes me so giddy and proud!!!!   Thank you for all the nice e-mails -

   really appreciate them.

Leaving the Timberlane Campground in the morning and heading towards Annapolis 

Friday - July 13

,Well this Friday, the 13th has certainly turned out to be a very happy, exciting day!    Ryan called to tell us he has been chosen to fill one of two spots for the Blue
Angels.   He will report to Pensacola in September and be on the 2013 team.    We are thrilled for him!!!   

We are in Clarksboro, NJ (25 minutes from Philadelphia).    We spent the afternoon having all kinds of fun in hot, sticky Philly.    The lines for the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall were very long.....so, we walked around downtown and checked out the Reading Terminal Market and what a place - full of all kinds of food items, places to eat, etc.    Awesome meats, bakery goodies, fresh produce, etc.    It was something....and had a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich at Molly Malloy's.    From here we walked to R2L, a beautiful restaurant on the 37th floor of 2 Liberty Place with magnificent views!     Went to Macy's to "cool down" and while I browsed around, Mark had a coffee/cookie at Starbucks.   We checked out the organ that is on the second floor and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world.   They have daily concerts, but we had missed the noon one.   Another was scheduled for 7 PM.

So.....we walked back to the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and ta dah....at 5:30, no lines and just walked in....

The Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

We went back to Macy's and listened to some of the concert - WOW!    This organ has 28,543 pipes compared to 8,000 at Notre Dame in Paris or 9,000 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC.   It is comparable to listening to 3 orchestras.   BIG thanks to my friend, Martha for her great tips on what to do in the

City of Brotherly Love

The pipes

The organist

We are staying over another day here and more siteseeing coming up tomorrow!

Thursday - July 12

We are staying over another day here in Martinak Park - we were off in Toad around 9 this morning and stopped in Greenwood, DE for breakfast at Smith Family Restaurant.   Then we headed to Rehoboth Beach.....what a place!    Sun worshippers everywhere - as far as the eye could see with all their colored umbrellas.   And the streets were full of shoppers in this very touristy town......but there were also some really nice shops, eateries, etc.   While I walked Rehoboth Street, Mark got a haircut.   Had to buy a small bag of fresh salt water taffy!!!   The outskirts of town has several outlet malls - everything you could possibly want is in

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and no sales tax in this state.

Drove back to Daisy and stopped in Denton at Food Lion (the major grocer in these parts) for BLT makings.    Rode bikes around the park - nice paved roads and then enjoyed reading and doing computer stuff.

Went for a walk after our yummy BLT's and came upon the Choptank River with oodles and oodles of lily pads - so peaceful and calm this pretty evening

Heading to Philadelphia tomorrow....if anyone knows of something we "must see",  or places we "must eat at",  please pass 'em on!

Wednesday - July 11

A great morning to exercise - cool and breezy!    We left around 9:45 and drove thru the eastern shore of Maryland and Delaware.   Stopped at a roadside market and got a watermelon, tomatoes, peaches and cucumber. Daisy is at the Martinak State Park near Denton, MD.   We then drove Toad to St. Michaels (48 miles) and a favorite from 2 previous visits (both by boat) from several years ago.    It's just as charming as ever and after a delicious lunch on the waterfront at The Town Dock, I strolled down Talbot Street and enjoyed shop after shop - fun, fun, fun!    Mark walked around a bit and then read in the gazebo.

Got back to Daisy around 6:15 and just unwinding after all that shopping - ha!   Not hungry after the big lunch, so just had some watermelon which was sweet and delicious!

Tuesday - July 10

We left the Chesapeake Campground at 9 this morning and drove thru heavy rain en route to crossing Chesapeake Bay.    This is a 16-mile stretch over the bay - bridges and 2 tunnels.     Yesterday we went thru a tunnel connecting Chesapeake to Norfolk (Catrina had crossed over that same tunnel)!    Today we saw a large freighter crossing over the tunnel just before we entered it!   Amazing....

We changed our minds along the way as to where we thought we were going (near St. Michaels, Maryland) and decided to check out Chincoteague Island, VA which is in the northeast corner of the state and known for its wild ponies.    After checking into Tom's Cove Campground, we took Toad downtown and walked around, had lunch (yummy crab cakes) at Don's Seafood Restaurant and then ice cream at Muller's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor.    Chincoteague has 3,000 year-round residents, but really swells in the summertime.   It is a wildlife refuge park and has a very nice beach area.   We saw 2 ponies from a distance while driving around towards the beach.   We parked, got our bikes and rode on one of the trails and tah dah.....Mark spotted a large gathering of ponies grazing in a  big open field.    Here they are...

Wild ponies on Chincoteague Island

Chance of rain again tonight for this area - the weatherman said they are a little above average for rainfall....and so much of the country is in desperate need of moisture!!!  However, the cooler temps are most welcome (low 80's today) and so nice to have the windows open.

After supper we went for a walk around the campground - it is huge and the majority of the residents are here for the summer.   Lots of tents, too, and on the water - very windy tonight but sure cooled down

Started my photo book today on the river cruise - a bit overwhelming with sooo many pics to choose from (somewhere between 2500 and 3000)!   YIKES!    Between Paul, Kathy, Mark and I we had 3 cameras and 2 phones and we just kept clicking away for almost 3 weeks!     So much beauty to capture!

Mister Whippy, the ice cream truck came around tonight; we've already had our ice cream fix today, so.....watched right outside Daisy where Mister Whippy stopped and old and young alike gathered! 

Monday - July 9

Up and going to exercise before the heat hit, ate breakfast and then off to explore the area.    We did a Wal-Mart run and then drove to Portsmouth and walked around the historic district by the waterfront - along the intracoastal where Catrina cruised last fall.    As we were leaving a marine store, Mark thought he recognized a guy walking towards us.......well, small world!   It was Brian whom he had met at Green Turtle Bay on Lake Barkley in Grand Rivers, KY.    The fall of 2010 after I had my shoulder injury and went home, Mark and friends, Gary and Bill helped get Catrina back to the IL River in Ottawa.    

Bill .....you may remember Brian and Jackie on their 48' Krogen who were "stuck" at Green Turtle Bay cause of all the flooding that spring and wanted to get home to Minnesota?    I remember Mark talking about them - really nice couple (I was home recuperating) and they've since sold their home and are full-time liveaboards.    They are traveling now with their 2 grandchildren from St. Louis (6 and 3) for a month and heading to DC.    He and Mark just yakked away and it was nice to meet him!!!  

We had a wonderful lunch at Lobscousers - ahhhh, to be back in crab country!   I had a crab salad and Mark, a crab sandwich!    DEEElish!   We drove to Norfolk and walked around (hot today - 93), but nothing like yesterday.    Waterside is a big area of shops/restaurants in Norfolk where we had Catrina docked back in 2009 after we bought her in Annapolis.

These gorgeous blooms were at Waterside in Norfolk - large hibiscus?

Back to Daisy and then the thunder set in and a nice afternoon rain - still under some storm warnings (didn't get anything last night).    Just wish it would rain back home..........

Can't believe our 3rd grandson got swimmers ear - Drew went to the doctor today -.poor little guys!

I started (very briefly) on my summer project of a photo book (Shutterfly) of our river cruise - kind of overwhelming with sooo many photos to sort thru!!!

We drove to Virginia Beach and picked up Katherine (Paul and Kathy's daughter - our river cruise traveling companions) and had a great visit and Irish fare at

 Finn McCool's Irish Tavern.    This is our 3rd visit to this area since 2009 and 3rd time to hang out with Katherine - always a treat!

Katherine and her Guiness Float

Katherine Pat, Mark at Finn McCool's in Virginia Beach

Sunday - July 8

The east is sweltering……drove 48 miles to Edenton, NC and 10:00 mass at St. Anne. What a charming little town of 5600 people – many homes have large wraparound porches or pillars and also several homes/yards are surrounded with white fences and pretty flowers. As we were traveling east yesterday, we kept noticing these beautiful dark pink trees and then today, same trees or bushes in white or lavender (kind of look like lilacs). They are crepe myrtle (thanks to nice lady telling us what they were as we walked out of church.) July is their prime bloom time – they are soooo pretty! One of the many things Mark and I enjoy about being nomads is the weekly hunt to find a church for mass. Usually these are in small communities and what a treat to be so warmly welcomed to their church and community. St. Anne was no exception…..good old-fashion hospitality!

We drove to Elizabeth City and although we did not stop here back in November with Catrina, we checked it out today. This “Harbor of Hospitality” is on the Pasquotank River – we parked Daisy and Toad and took off to explore the town and waterfront in search of a place for lunch. Whoaaaa….the beastly 100 degrees was not fun walking around and furthermore, the downtown was deserted this hot Sunday. So we hopped in Daisy and parked along a tree-shaded street (lots of Crepe Myrtles) in front of the courthouse and had lunch on Daisy.

A little further up the road, we came to the Dismal Swamp Visitor’s Center – since Catrina had been thru the Dismal Swamp, had to check it out. And then drove parallel on the highway to where we had been boating! HOT, HOT, HOT in the ‘ole swamp tooooday! We picked up several brochures and one listed the top 10 small NC towns (also retirement communities) – one of them was Edenton!

We are settled at the Chesapeake Campground in Chesapeake, VA…..nice woodsy area with tall trees and our grandsons would love this “Birthday Pavilion” they offer with mini golf, riding stables with ponies/horses, canoe rentals, 2 pools, golf carts, etc. There are lots of RV’s and campers here, but not seeing many people –

 too hot to be out and about.

Now for my computer saga……I have been using a Netbook (small, lightweight, easily portable) computer for the past few years and been very happy. Last night Mark was using it and handed it to me and I grabbed it by the screen…..instantly, it went bonkers, turning all different colors and a black crack (crack was actually internal, but jagged black line was visible) started vertically down the screen! “WHAT THE HECK”?????  

 Well…..we just returned from Best Buy and I have a new Netbook and was told to “NEVER” hold onto the screen as the LCD is very sensitive and any unusual twists and turns can cause it to go haywire. The guy in the Geek Squad gave several examples……computer is closed and their cat walked across it – “CRACK”! Or a pencil was lying across the keyboard and then closed and “CRACK”! So big lesson learned, to ALWAYS hold by bottom edges of keyboard!!! Sooo glad I have a computer savvy guy on board to get me all set up – he was able to retrieve all my documents, e-mails, photos, etc.

Our weather radio keeps coming on - storms may be a'comin, but still HOT next few days.    Planning to stay here tomorrow and check out the area!

St. Anne Catholic Church

Edenton, North Carolina

Think we could've fried an egg on the sidewalks or streets here

Beautiful crepe myrtle tree

 

Saturday - July 7

Thinking back to 3 years ago today - 7/7/09 and we were at Denali National Park in Alaska when Mom died.    Love and miss you soooo much, Mom!!!!!!!

We left Michael and Brooke's at 10 AM today and started our trek across NC - just the 2 of us after a very fun, busy, hot week with family and friends - only downer was not having Ryan with us!!!!    Was a very quiet ride today - ha!!!!   But we'll be back in 2 weeks to pick up Drew, Davis and Brady and off to Washington, DC for more fun, history and culture!

Tonight we are in Williamston, NC (260 miles) and parked in a big open field at the Pierce RV Park.   

Received an e-mail tonight from a high school classmate that another classmate died this morning.......oh my....sweet Buffy (Marian) who I last saw one year ago at our 45th class reunion.    She had a long battle with cancer and is survived by her husband, 7 children and 19 grandchildren.



Friday - July 6

Today I heard that my friend, Cheryl had passed away. This all happened suddenly and been praying for her and getting almost daily updates.    Lots of reflecting back on fun memories of how we met starting with 4-H (we both had beef cattle as our project) and then going to business school together.   God bless you, Cheryl and rest in peace.

Got our laundry all caught up; Mark washed Daisy and Brooke and I got groceries. Two of our little lads have developed swimmers' ear......Davis went to doctor yesterday and Liam, today. Hope those little ears feel better soon.

The heat continues thruout the Midwest - having mid-90's here in NC, so a little cooler!    HA!!!

Delicious steaks for dinner followed by euchre (Mark and Brooke beat Michael and I 2 out of 2)!   After cards, we spent some time in the hot tub!

The boys have been spending the night on Daisy all week - at least 2, sometimes all......tonight just Brady and Drew as Davis still not feeling up to par with his ear.

Thursday - July 5

Hope you all had a great holiday - we sure did and winding down today after 5 big days on the water - THEE place to beat the heat.    Besides Lake James with family and friends, Mark and I took the boys on an overnight jaunt with Daisy to Steele Creek on Monday - what fun with mini golf, water slide, lazy river, roasting hot dogs over the bonfire and s'mores.   

Our FL and IL kids/kiddies have returned home and Mark and I will stay at Michael's till Saturday

 and then head east.

Nice to have a "down" day and mostly stayed indoors - tidied up the house and Daisy, did laundry, ran errands with Brooke, and Mark and Michael did some jobs around the house.

So fun to have the cousins reunited - they had a ball together and so neat for us to enjoy them

 enjoying each other!!!

Here are a few photos of our week....

Fun in the sand at Steele Creek

Brady, Davis and Drew playing Blitz

The boys

Happy 4th from

Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor

Had a major downpour and hail this afternoon around 3 followed by sunshine and steamy temps!   Went to DaVinci's for delicious Italian dinner and then home for euchre which Michael and I soundly beat Mark and Brooke.

Brooke, Michael

Brady, Davis, Drew