Friday - June 30

 Much clearer today but no sun till the afternoon and no smoke smell!   

We gave Catrina a good scrubbing and washed away the mayflies; but, they always come back!    Darn little buggers!!!

While the boat was drying we went to Kroger for a few items and then to the Yellow House Bakery for blueberry cinnamon rolls with lemon glaze (oh my.....) and then to Coffee Express for latte and hot chocolate and on home.    This was lunch!

Janet and Mike arrived at 3:30 - so good to see them!    It really warmed uip and the sun came out!    Yeah!   They settled in and then we were off on Catrina - nice day for a boat ride.    We drove past Put-In-Bay and then docked at Middle Bass.   Walked around and had dinner at J.F. Walleyes - very good.    Back to the boat and pleasant trip back to Superior Marine.   Lots of yakkin' going on!

Mike and Janet

Wine and sangria after we settled in.....nice start to our holiday weekend.    Bye bye June

Thursday - June 29

 Another hazy day but no smoke smell!     We said our goodbyes to Beth at 8.    We had a wonderful visit and she plans to return next summer, maybe with Tom?   She was off to the Cleveland Clinic for doctor appts and then to Columbus to help daughter, Megan clear out her apartment and pack up more things for Japan.

Like me, Beth has 2 older brothers (in Oregon) so when we each got married we immediately inherited 10 sisters from the Chamberlain clan.    Since Mark, Jim and Tom are the only boys, we 3 sisters-in-law, (Beth, Lydia and myself) are all considered "sisters" - love this family!!!      Tom was recently inducted to be president of the Illinois Bankers Association which will mean lots of travel for he and Beth this year - sounds exciting to hear all about the neat places they'll be visiting!

Michael had been at the Cleveland Clinic (business) earlier this week and at one point, thought he would be joining us for dinner last night, but then those plans fell thru.....another time!

Mark did a pump out, I changed the sheets, gathered the laundry and we left around 11:15 for Biggby Coffee and while I got our iced coffee (me) and frozen hot chocolate (Mark), he went to West Marine and then off to our favorite laundromat (other than my she shed which is #1)  😀

After the laundry, we drove to Rudder's on Catawba Island for lunch.    We've heard about this place and often driven by but never stopped till today and what a treat - market, deli, gift shop.   Oh wow.....excellent lunch - best tuna salad ever with waisabi/ginger and Mark really liked his chicken salad!    And the gift shop is wonderful!!!!    Definitely a return place!

On home for a quiet afternoon, put away laundry, etc.    We'll be ready for tomorrow afternoon when Mark's sister Janet and Mike arrive!

We got an alert on our phones this afternoon that our air quality was "VERY" unhealthy!   Yikes!   The sun was brighter around 3 than it has been in several days!

Sure feel for the Canadians who are dealing with the haze, smoke, etc. day after day and the firefighters who have been fighting these fires for sooo long!

Beth called with update on her appointments at the Cleveland Clinic and the horrible storm that went thru Danville, IL (where she and Tom live) taking down lots of trees (they live in a very woodsy neighborhood) with 3-4 down in their yard and a big one just missing their house.

Some yummy leftovers tonight for supper and then a walk.

Patrick posted this 9 years ago (June 29, 2014) - 1st time to take his boys golfing!   He would be so proud of their golfing skills all these years later!

Connor almost 8 and Liam, 9

Connor placed 13th in his age division out of 57 in the State Farm Classic earlier this week.

Wednesday - June 28

 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to us 

54 years!

Happy Birthday to Mark's sister, Joan!  

We were so looking forward to taking Beth and Catrina to Put-In-Bay for the day.   However, when we got up, the air quality was at 233 with very hazy skies.    It was to be sunny all day, but where-oh-where is the sun?   Really bad all over the Midwest.   AND, the mayflies are back in town worse than ever!!!    UGH....ARGH....So, we made an alternate plan and started the day at R Coffee Corner.   Beth and I checked out some shops but the smokey smell was definitely in the air.    We had a leisurely day and played SkyJo in the afternoon (I won) and then Beth went for a long walk.    

Tonight we went to Gideon Owen Winery for our anniversary dinner and what a treat.    Beth loved this beautiful place and her dinner.....we had so much fun over dinner reminiscing about how we met, dating 4 years, wedding day, honeymoon, etc.    And then Beth shared all of her milestones with Tom (they recently had their 37th anniversary).

After dinner (and wonderful gooey butter cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce for dessert), we sat outside by the fire.   A nice couple from near Orlando stopped by to visit (their kiddos were with Grandma and Grandpa who summer on Catawba Island)

Spectacular flowers at Gideon Owen

Beth is chillin' around the fire

It's exactly 9 months ago today - Wednesday, September 28th that hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, etc.

Tomorrow Beth leaves - we've had soo much fun and almost got in the 2 main things she wanted to do....bike ride and boat trip to the islands but no boating today....😞

We sure appreciate the anniversary wishes from family and friends today!    Looking forward to more adventures in the years ahead!    We are sooo blessed!    

Tuesday - June 27

 A cool cloudy breezy day.....we had breakfast and then Beth and I walked downtown and all around.   Back home to load up the bikes and off to Elmore for a good 10.4 mile ride.    Beth chose one of the bikes we have here at the marina and kept right up with us on our electric bikes.

Beth and I rode from Elmore to Fremont and Mark picked us up (he rode from Elmore to Lindsey and back to Elmore to get the truck).    Then we were off to Tackle Box II (funky place with soooooo many collectibles out in the middle of nowhere along the Sandusky River).   Good lunch and Beth was blown away by all the stuff the owner has collected over the years.

On home and washed down the bikes from all the mulberries we rode thru along the trail!    Beth and I played rummikube (I won) and then time to get ready for our next stop - The Orchard Farm stand.

Beth is checking out which bike she wants to ride

Mark is checking tires - decisions decisions

Raspberry/lime, turquoise, mint green

She chose the raspberry/lime and here we are on the trail

Beth loved this place as much as we do - beautiful setting, good drinks and food, etc.    We walked around and then sat on the patio with a nice fire enjoying our drinks, an appetizer and each of us had a cup of soup.    Not that hungry after our big lunch.    Drove to the Twin Oast Brewery - lots of people there and again, Beth was awed by all this beauty.    Drove thru Catawba Island State Park, the Catawba Island Club, etc.    

On home....big day with our walking and biking.   So sad about the air quality over much of the Midwest from the Canadian fires.    Chicago has been hit especially hard....

Enjoying scotch and sangria

At the farm stand

The deer were frolicking in the meadow at Twin Oast Brewery

Twin Oast beauty

+

Beth, Mark, Pat

Philip, Annette and kiddos hiked to Shortoff Mountain!    WOW!!!!

Monday - June 26

 Rainy Monday......we got 1/2" from last nights storm and been raining off and on all day.   If we could only share it with the folks down south.

After breakfast we took off for Coffee Express, Kroger and Dollar Tree.    On home inbetween showers.....Mark did more wiping off Flo's polish and I tidied up Catrina for Beth's arrival.

Connor is playing in the State Farm Youth Classic golf tournament starting yesterday thru tomorrow for ages 3-22 at Fox Creek.   There are 60+ in his age group from all over (thru the years, 28 states and 14 countries have been represented)!!!

Happy 30th Anniversary to Allie and Owen!!!    May they be blessed with many more.

Such a wacky weather day with rain off and on (very heavy at times)!   When it's not raining, the sun is out and also very windy!

Heard the tragic news about 5 teens killed last night in Fort Myers (an area we frequent).   4 of the teens were employees at Texas Roadhouse and the accident occurred near Top Golf.    So sad....

Beth arrived at 6:40 and we were off to dinner at 1812 - 1st time this year, but oh we love this place.    Everyone happy with their meals and so fun to be with Beth and look forward to the next few days,

Beth

Sunday - June 25

 Cloudy most of the day but reached 84 which is the warmest for us in awhile.   We planned to walk to church and started out and then decided it was too warm, so took the car and arrived nice 'n cool instead of hot 'n sweaty.

Around 1, we went for a 4-mile walk (2 miles each way to the Ice Shanty for hot dogs and shared a chocolate shake.)   We were dressed for this walk versus being gussied up for church.

Along our bike trail yesterday...

Healthy cornfield in Ohio

Pretty day lilies

4th of July activities in the small towns around us kick off June 29th with each town having a day to celebrate our nation's birthday.   Port Clinton's activities are actually on the 4th.   We could travel all around to join in these festivities and enjoy fireworks in a different town each night!

At 4:20 this afternoon we got the alert that we are under a tornado watch for the next 6 hours and 40 minutes.    At 6:45, the winds picked up, the skies got dark and Donna (neighbor) said we could get hail, so Mark got the car inside storage with Flo and truck.

And then the heavy rain came.    Wow.....a real gully washer and the weather station said we had gusts to 60 mph.   It was wild and wooly with Catrina movin' and shakin'!!!    One hour later, all was calm!

Zoom tonight was just 7 siblings.    Joe and Joan are traveling and checked in from Maryland enroute to Delaware to visit friends they met at their RV park in FL this past winter.

Enjoy your week....our sister-in-law, Beth is coming tomorrow for 3 days so looking forward to her visit!    We got another alert that there's a risk of more severe weather in our area for the next 24 hours.     Arghhhh

 

Saturday - June 24

 We took Megan to A la Cart for breakfast - busy place but much faster than yesterday's   S L O W wait for food at the Tin Goose Diner.    More chatter about her big adventure coming.    Sooo many details to cover before she leaves (clean out her apartment, sell her car, and figure out all the clothing and stuff to take with her +++ the medical and financial matters, etc., etc.)    She is committed to 1 year but hoping for 2 years and possibly more - just such a big change in her lifestyle!    If anyone is up to the task, it's Megan and we wish her all the best!!!

Uncle Mark and Megan

We said our good byes at 10 as she was having a zoom session at 1:00 with 30+ of her fellow JET friends from the Detroit area.   Overall, there are around 2000 heading to Japan to teach English.    Also from Australia, Canada and other English-speaking countries.

Mark and I walked downtown and got a coffee/iced tea and then back home.    The skies look threatening but no rain in the forecast till tomorrow.

We left around 1 for Elmore and a good 14-mile bike ride thru the country to Lindsey and back.    They have a soft-serve ice cream (Toft's) shop that is fairly new -  Lajtis Lunch Box and we each had a vanilla/chocolate twist flurry with heath bar crunch.    Back to Flo and took naps!

We had leftovers for supper - a beautiful afternoon and evening with a high of 79.

 

Friday - June 23

 Woke up to a nice rainy morning (4/10") and then a gloomy, dreary cool rest of the day.   We really appreciate the rain but so wish back in IL they would get some - sooo very dry and really critical for the crops.

The Tin Goose Diner is at the Erie/Ottawa County Airport here in Port Clinton.    We've heard good things about it but had been closed for awhile from Covid.    It's a breakfast/lunch place and so today we got there a little before 10.    We did not get our food till after 11.   UGH.   Plenty of diners and waitresses, but apparently the cook couldn't keep up.    We even got our food before some who were seated before us?    Food was good but probably not going back.....

After breakfast we drove thru Gypsum (population 45) a tiny little town just south of Port Clinton near the airport.     But it is the home of Gypsum (USG) which makes sheetrock or drywall, etc.

When we're in Fremont, we have frequently driven past a HUGE distribution plant for Whirlpool - this massive building (with walkways over streets) is ONE MILE long.

A lazy afternoon for me - read and played games on my I-pad.   I even took a couple catnaps.  Mark did some polishing on Flo (wiping off the wax/polish) and later went to WalMart to get some Rx's and a package from Amazon.

Our niece Megan arrived at 7:10.   She lives in Columbus and has been in Detroit today applying for her VISA and getting her paperwork in order as she will be leaving August 5th for Japan thru the JET program (Japan Exchange Teaching).   She will be teaching English to junior and high school students in the city of Yokote 350 miles north of Tokyo.    What an experience this will be and so interesting to hear all about it and ask lots of questions (Mark and me). 

We went to dinner at Ciao Bella and the food and conversation were all most enjoyable!

Mark, Megan, Pat

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - June 22

 Cloudy and cool today.    We were off to pick up Allie and Owen at their hotel and then we gals did some shopping and later the guys and I had coffee at R Coffee Corner.    

We had perch/walleye at Jolly Rogers and sat outside under the pergola as the sun peeked thru occasionally overlooking the water.    Great lunch and visit and then time for good byes.....they were off to Fort Wayne and some genealogy research and we headed to the laundromat.    We hope to be together in September with plenty of travels between us till now and then!    Sure appreciate them making the trip up here and glad we could show them around Port Clinton, Lakeside/Marblehead, Catawba Island and Put-In-Bay.

Owen, Allie, Pat, Mark

On home after the laundry and preparing for our next guest - niece Megan tomorrow night.

Mark's eye is all healed!    Thank you God!    That ointment did the trick!

Wednesday - June 21

 WELCOME to SUMMER!

We had a very big day full of sunshine, wind, water and Put-in-Bay fun.    Allie and Owen arrived around 10 and we were off to make the 10:30 bridge and onto Lake Erie.    One hour later, we were docked at Park Place for their 4-hour dine 'n dock.

We rented a golf cart and spent 2 hours driving around the island with our first stop at The Chocolate Cafe for coffees and a big German pretzel which we shared.    Such a pretty day to be out and about and lots more people on the island than when we were here with Liam and Connor a few weeks ago.....

We returned the golf cart and had lunch at the Upper Deck of the Boardwalk.   Allie and I hit the shops and then met the guys back on the boat.    We went across the lake to Middle Bass and did a pump out and on back to Port Clinton making the 5:00 bridge.   The winds really picked up but since they were out of the north, we had a nice ride heading south.

Put-in-Bay

Key West North

Cruisin' on Catrina

After we returned and got Catrina all tied up, we walked around the marina and later had drinks and snacks on the bridge and then time for ice cream.....so off to Tofts and all enjoyed our favorites!    We are all tired from this big day and hopefully we'll sleep like babies!   

Last night dinner at Gideon Owen

Thinking of Brady who is off with 22 students and 3 teacher chaperones from his high school on a 12-day trip to Spain and Portugal.

Also Jim and Lydia who are traveling to Spain tonight.....safe travels and fun, memorable vacation for all!

Tuesday - June 20

 Sunny start to the day and Mark was off to get a haircut by Gina.   Then we picked up Allie and Owen and off for a big day of sightseeing, eating and oohing and aahing at the beauty of Catawba Island, Lakeside-Marblehead.   

First stop was R Coffee Corner and then Allie and I took off for some retail therapy.    Several stops later (shopping, browsing, etc.) we had a wonderful lunch at the Orchard Farm Stand sitting out in the gardens with beautiful flowers, vineyards, etc.

Coffee to start the day

Cheers at lunch

At the Orchard

Twin Oasts Brewery

These are for drying the hops

Allie and the guys in their Tilley hats at Marblehead Lighthouse

Owen and Allie at Marblehead

and then all the flowers...

Tonight we went to Gideon Owen Winery - such a beautiful place and delicious dinners.    Afterwards we sat beside the fire and enjoyed raspberry chocolate martinis (Allie and me) and decaf coffee for the guys.    Sooo pleasant.    And the grand finale was sharing their gooey butter cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce.    My oh my!

Allie and our delicious drinks

The grounds at Gideon Owen are spectacular

The guys just chillin' around the fire

Flowers flowers everywhere

Love the hollyhocks

And a very delicious way to end the evening!

Monday - June 19

 Very pleasant day with sunshine (a tad hazy) and temps in the 70's.     Mark hosed down the boat and a temporary "good riddance" to the mayflies. 

 We drove to Clyde and got on the trail there and had a delightful ride thru the country, but saw plenty of debris on the path from last Thursday's storms and high winds.    We were headed to Bellevue and that should of been a warning sign after seeing downed trees and so many twigs, limbs, branches, and big trees that had to be cut up and moved off to the side.  Later we heard that today was the 1st day since the storm that the trail was open and Bellevue still doesn't have phone service. We drove thru Bellevue last Friday and so much damage.....duh!    But we kept on going and then turned around when we got to the highway (we do not ride on highways).  

And then still almost 4 miles back to the truck, Mark got a flat tire.....ugh!     Probably hit a sharp limb or stick or whatever and punctured a hole.    So......we switched bikes and he took off on mine to get the truck and I walked 1 mile to the nearest road with his bike and the very flat tire.    Loaded up the bike and would you believe, while there are several bike shops in the area, no one is open on Mondays???    Actually there was one open several miles away, BUT "we do not fix electric bike tires"!    Arghhh

Saw so much of this along the trail today...my Dad often talked about this nuisance....

Canadian thistle

We stopped in Clyde at Wild Brew - a very cute coffee shop that is in an old bank building - they have it decorated so neat around the huge safe and other bank decor!    Along with coffee, they have pastries, sandwiches, etc.   We both enjoyed our chicken salad sandwiches and instead of an iced latte, I had a peach bubble tea - love these!

Mark had a great idea to stop at WalMart and see if they had a tire inner tube to fix and they did.   On home and he got the tire off, inner tube installed, tire put back on and all good to go!    A very easy cheap fix - $4.96.

Allie and Owen arrived at 3:15 after checking into their hotel room.    So good to see them and yak on the bridge - winds were pretty strong and cooled down.    Came inside Catrina and had drinks and snacks and left for The Docks around 6:30ish.    Sat outside (away from the wind) and enjoyed our dinners.    A very fun 1st day with these dear friends!

At the Docks

Owen, Allie, Pat, Mark

Father's Day - 2023

Our Patriarch!

Cheers to this guy - awesome Dad to Michael, Anne, Philip and Ryan

 and Grandpa to Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair, Liam, Connor, Luke and Maeve

Remembering with love and missing our Dads today..... and thinking of Patrick and how proud he was to be "Dad" to Liam and Connor

 Hope all you Dads had an awesome Father's Day.....it was beautiful here in Port Clinton and we started the day by walking to 10:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception.    We have a new liturgical director - Robert McMahon and he always looks so dapper in his bow tie.  But boy can he sing, along with playing the tubular bells (or chimes), organ and piano.    Today, he sang the "Our Father" and raised the rafters!!!  Afterwards, we stopped at Coffee Express for some muffins-to-go and on home.

Had a good visit with neighbor, Donna and trying to set a date for the 4 of us to have dinner and celebrate our anniversaries.....lots going on for all of us, but we'll get it figured out before the end of summer!    And speaking of anniversaries, wishing Mark's sister Janet and Mike, a very Happy 40th today!

And then it was time to get out all the cleaning supplies and give Catrina a good scrubbing - as fast as we could spray away the mayflies, they and their many many friends came right back!    

Took the dinghy out for its maiden voyage - nice ride just entering the lake and mainly on the Portage River.    Plenty of boat traffic today.

1st dinghy ride in new dinghy 

Mark didn't want anything fancy for dinner, so he chose "The Ice Shanty", a hot dog, fries and ice cream place that we have passed often but 1st time to stop - good stuff !    He enjoyed all the phone calls, texts, facetime and videos from the kids/grandkids

Zoom tonight with all siblings except Marilyn and Nancy.    

Enjoy your week.....we are looking forward to friends, Allie and Owen coming to visit tomorrow for a few days and then our niece Megan staying overnight on Friday.