Thursday - July 7

So many memories from 7 years ago - July 7, 2009.   We were in Alaska at Denali National Park when my Dad called mid morning to tell us Mom had passed away.   That day is still so vivid to me......the day before I talked to Mom early in the afternoon and then we went white water rafting.    That evening we had a picnic supper with friends  (John and Heather) outside in the park (they were also camping) and we'll never forget, later sitting in Daisy with the windows open and hearing this rustling sound.    A Mama Moose was right outside the window.....got some great pics and so savor all these memories.    But I soooo miss my Mom.

We left Daisy around 9:30 - had a bunch of errands, including laundry and a
 Blue Angel pedicure for me

A little orangey for the yellow, but the best they could do!

We met Ryan at the Gary airport for the passes for family/friends coming to the air shows this weekend at Marquette Park on the beach.   It  was a 5-minute visit and then he was off in the sky practicing and getting the "lay of the land."   We watched the Diamond practicing earlier.

Wow, driving thru Gary is a sad, scary experience with block after block of businesses and homes boarded up with plywood or bars.     It is so rundown with weeds, broken glass and graffiti.  

The Blues are staying in downtown Chicago.

We had lunch at Portillo's in Merrillville, IN  and it was so yummy (including a piece of their decadent chocolate cake)!    Then, we had a few more errands and finally back to Daisy at 3:30.

We have really nice neighbors here in Cedar Lake.....Grandma and Grandpa are from Warsaw, IN and here for a few days camping in their tent.....their son and daughter-in-law and 3 kids live in St. John, IN  (short distance from the campground).    So, last night and tonight, the son and family have come to have dinner here with G and G grilling out good stuff.     The little ones are Connor, 4;
Chloe 2 and Calli, 7 weeks + Cooper, their golden retriever!

A very welcome rain came this evening and was really heavy at times.    Like Michigan, Indiana needs rain badly - huge cracks in the ground!