Wednesday - June 25

 LONG day starting at 2:45 AM when we left for the Spokane airport.   Our first flight was at 5 to Denver.    Amazing how many people were at the airport, but it was already 8 AM out east.

Both flights (also Denver to Cleveland) were full.   We flew Delta going out last Friday and Southwest coming home today.

Loaded our bags in Ruby and on home arriving in Port Clinton at 5.   We went straight to Catrina and got the AC on, unloaded our stuff and then left to do a grocery run.   It felt really hot from where we had been out west!

Got groceries put away, suitcases unpacked and then prepared for our departure tomorrow and big boating trip.   We had most things ready, but put things in Flo that we won't need and also got a few things to take along.

Wishing Erin and Karen safe travels as they leave tomorrow and head east to NC (4-day trip)!

Nighty night!

Tuesday - June 24

 Hello from  Spokane, WA.    We had a very enjoyable day in Coeur d'Alene.   We were up early (this pacific time and 3 hour difference from eastern time zone has been a challenge + mountain time (Idaho Falls).    Mark suggested we go back to the Coeur d'Alene Coffee Co where we ate yesterday and loved the baked goodies (raspberry and almond buns).   Today they had totally different pastries and sandwiches..   Mark had the burrito and I had a huge cinnamon roll....both delish.   It was only 7ish, so we had our Ipads and just enjoyed this nice ambiance for awhile.

More pretty blooms downtown

Walked downtown - we both did some retail therapy and walked on the trail for a bit (Mark's foot is much better).   Back to the hotel for awhile, checked out and loaded up the car.   We had reservations for the 12:30 boat cruise (90 minutes) on Lake Coeur d'Alene - wow!    Absolutely beautiful day and spectacular scenery.   Ryan and Erin had recommended this.   We could be inside, outside, on top deck or wherever we wanted to roam - boat was only about 1/3 full.   

Our tour boat

So much gorgeous scenery

This resort on the golf course is very swanky - each condo is 6,600 sq. ft (none currently on the market).

Two boat slips and 2 lifetime memberships to the golf course which has a floating green are included

Feeling very blessed!

And then we were off to Spokane (35 miles).    Settled in our hotel and then found Frank's Diner (trip advisor ranked it #3 of 689 restaurants).   It has been in business since 1906 and the vintage rail car was so neat.    I had the 1/2 Reuben and fresh fruit; Mark had the meatloaf sandwich with mashed potatoes/gravy.    Everything was delicious!

Frank's Diner

Elegant dining (back in the day, but still in very good shape) serving good ole comfort food with breakfast available all day

Drove to the airport to get our bearings for tomorrow.....we'll be up very early for our 5 AM flight to Denver; then to Cleveland and drive back to Port Clinton.   

What a whirlwind, but sooo fun and exciting trip for us - the highlight being Ryan and Erin's wedding.   Such a treat to travel thru Utah and Idaho and snowy Montana (that was NOT a treat), but very pretty country!   

We were in Spokane in early July of 2020 (traveling for 10 weeks out west during Covid).   It was fun to reminisce about what we did and similar areas we saw as we drove around.

It's only 5:30 as I'm finishing this up, but nighty night from Spokane!

Monday - June 23

 Coeur d'Alene (coor da lane) is just thee most charming town - we had a fun day starting with coffee/delicious pastries at the Coeur d'Alene Coffee Co (recommended by Erin).    What a cool place but then we saw many coffee shops around town.    Last August, Erin and Ryan visited this town and told us how much they enjoyed it - also Mark's brother Tom and Beth have been here!    If you have a bucket list, add this to it!  😊

The weather was MUCH better than yesterday and very pleasant walking around downtown - Mark found a shirt and cap to buy and we just meandered around the shops and restaurants (there are LOTS).    

We had lunch at Dockside (part of the beautiful Coeur d'Alene golf resort) - great meal topped off with huckleberry cobbler!    Huckleberries are BIG in Idaho.

Very good stuff!

After lunch we walked around a bit more - there are several wonderful trails in the area.   Mark's foot was hurting so we came back to the hotel and rested a bit.   No dinner tonight - still stuffed from lunch.    We did watch online Mass from Immaculate Conception in Port Clinton since we missed yesterday.   Father Jonathan was out of town for a 40th anniversary of his friend's ordination in Cincinnati.    The priest from Put in Bay said Mass.

After Mass there was going to be a procession outside for the feast of Corpus Christi, but because of the extreme heat, it was going to be a very short procession.    We took part in that a few years ago and then enjoyed a nice lunch with other parishioners.

Erin, Ryan and "Karen" our new grand dog

LOTS of red geraniums around the resort

And all around downtown, the light poles have flowers and flags!

Philip and family visiting Old Faithful in Yellowstone today

There was a fatal accident yesterday on I-90 in Montana which caused the big delay....

Sunday - June 22

What a day.......we left the house with Anne at 6:50 and dropped her off at the airport.    We continued on as we had a big day of travel heading to Coeur d' Alene for a few days.    But.....did not realize that most of today's travel would be thru Montana and when the rain started and then turned to sleet and then snow.......YIKES.....not good.   It was downright ugly and we had yucky weather for a big part of the day.

We stopped in Lima, Montana (200+) at the Janzz Java tiny coffee house - we had our coffees and breakfast sandwiches as the snow came down.   Weather was just so unpredictable all day long.    We had a major delay of 1.5 hours (bad accident) an we took 2 different detours (1st one took us on back roads that were rough and winding and ended up turning around cause of lots of standing water.)    And then there was all the construction.   So, a very long day - 9.5 hours.   The last 60 miles were back in Idaho and we changed to Pacific time.   

We arrived in Coeur d' Alene around 3:30 (Pacific time) and settled into our hotel room and then walked to dinner at Anthony's.  (Prawn cocktail, Alaskan halibut and steelhead trout). It was very good and this area (Riverstone) is lovely.    Can't wait to explore it all tomorrow.

Some more pics from yesterday on the ranch runway...

Grandma and Grandpa with the littles

Anne, Erin and Ryan

Philip, Maeve, Erin, Ryan, Annette, Luke

Blair, Michael, Erin, Ryan, Brooke

Us with our son and new daughter-in-law

Our kids are here and there tonight - Michael, Brooke and Blair spent the day in Park City, UT and will fly home tomorrow; Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve are in Jackson Hole, WY for a few days and Anne is on her way back to Bloomington flying from Idaho Falls to Phoenix to Peoria.   The newlyweds are clearing out Erin's house - Ryan returns to Memphis tomorrow and Erin and Karen (Golden retriever) will start the long trek across country to NC on Thursday.   

And a few pics from today's weather...     June 22, 2025 traveling in Montana

Zoom tonight was with 9 of the family - we talked about the wedding; the death of 94-year old Sister Rosemary who founded Misericordia where our niece Jennifer (Doris's daughter) resides in Chicago, the extreme heat in the Midwest, the difficulty in getting a handicapped sticker for Joan, etc., etc.    Missing Sharon and Tom.

Brady returned from his 5 weeks in Rome last night!    What an adventure he had...

Florence, Italy

The Amalfi Coast

So thankful to Mark for all the stressful driving he did - we sure saw some gorgeous scenery but the roads were winding and twisty and of course, the nasty weather, construction, delays, etc.   

And that's it for tonight folks....nighty night!    Have a great week!

Saturday - June 21

 It's Ryan and Erin's wedding day - cool and windy but the sun is shining!    Philip and Michael went for a walk and brought back very fresh bagels from Panera and Duck donuts.   Nice start to the day!

We girls sat around the kitchen table discussing Drew and Tessa's wedding.....fun!   

We all went downtown to the Farmer's Market - it was huge with some neat vendors and lots of food items.   Anne and I got a coffee/hot chocolate and we all meandered around with big crowds - Erin had told us this is a Saturday event every week from May to October - definitely one of the biggest and best we've seen!   Some of us enjoyed honey corn dogs - so big and so yummy!

 Michael, Brooke, Blair, Pat, Anne, Maeve, Luke, Annette, Luke

Enjoying honey corn dogs

Mark was photographer

We stopped at The SnakeBites for some adult beverages and sat outside.   I took Maeve and Blair around the block - some very cute shops.    Mark, Anne and I walked on the green belt walkway - Idaho Falls is a really cute town! 

Idaho Falls

Back home and time to get gussied up for the wedding.   

And then we were off  the wedding at the 7N R Ranch in Ririe, Idaho.    Ryan and Erin were married on the runway (appropriate for a pilot? ) 

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Chamberlain

More pics and details coming tomorrow!

Friday June 20

 Mark and I were up at 3:30 AM and left for Cleveland at 3:53.    Big day of travel but all went well.    Arrived in Idaho Falls around 2:30 after some stops and delays with traffic/construction.

Philip found a great 6-bedroom house for all of us....we came directly to the house when we got to town.   Anne, Michael, Brooke and Blair were here.   Erin and Ryan stopped by and later, Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve arrived from their big trip getting off the cruise ship earlier with flights from Vancouver to Seattle to Idaho Falls.    

Luke was not feeling well, so Annette stayed home with he and Maeve - bummer....rest of us (Ryan and his friend Tom Frosch) joined us at Smokin' Fins for dinner.   Great place - on home and while the younger kiddos stayed up to visit, Mark and I retired early (still on eastern time).    Erin's friends flew into town this afternoon from TX and FL.

Pat and Tom (Ryan's Blue Angel boss)

Maeve and Blair enjoying the hot tub

Tomorrow is the big day.....Ryan and Erin's wedding!    Cant wait...

Thursday - June 19

 What a messy, nasty, yucky day with lots of rain, very windy and cool!   We moved Catrina to get a pump out and fuel and while we're gone, the guys are going to do some thru hull work.

I picked up Chris and we had a fun girls outing despite the weather - we shopped, had lunch at MacStack and shopped some more, coffee break at R Coffee Corner.    Back home, Donna joined us for almost 4 hours of RummiKub - I won, but it was a hard fought battle with all 3 of us trying our best to win.   We played on Chris's boat - "Journey" and was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Coffee time

Chris and Donna - my RummiKub buddies

Michael, Brooke and Blair are in Idaho Falls tonight; Anne is in Phoenix with her friend Sue and will fly to Idaho Falls tomorrow.    Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve arrive tomorrow.    We'll leave Catrina at 4 AM tomorrow and drive to Cleveland; 4 hour flight to Salt Lake City and then 3 hour drive to Idaho Falls.

The sun came out late this afternoon and just a beautiful ending to what was a really miserable day (weather wise).   Till tomorrow....

Wednesday - June 18

 Tidied up Catrina this morning, vacuumed, etc.   Not only getting ready for the wedding in Idaho, but also our big cruising trip (Georgian Bay, North Channel, Mackinac Island) when we return.    We did this trip in 2007 so really looking forward to going back.

Chris, her sister-in-law, Jill and I walked downtown (I got a cold brew...expresso machine was broken at Coffee Express)😒   We kept on walking but so humid....Jill got 2 protein shakes (one for her and one for hubby Nick) at the nutrition store next to Coffee Express and on home with 5,000+ steps!  Took a while to cool down!

Pretty blooms along our walk

Rain came on strong around noon - another gully washer!   I got a manicure with Danielle in the afternoon (made it there in-between showers)!    Did facetime with Blair - she and Brooke had just gotten pedicures and we chatted about travel plans to Idaho.

Chris and I played rummikub in the afternoon under the tent!    It had been so warm/humid when we were walking thus morning but definitely cooler this afternoon after more rain.

Pat and Chris playing RummiKub 

Chris and Bob joined us for dinner at Dock's Beach House - we sat inside with the big garage-style doors closed.    We missed Donna and Michael.

Bob, Chris, Pat, Mark

Around 7:50, our phones blared a tornado warning till 8:15 and then the sirens went off (1st time we've heard these in Port Clinton).   All 4 of us got off our boats and headed to one of the big storage buildings.    Very heavy rain and ominous looking clouds.    We stayed put til 8:20 and then in just very light rain, walked back to our boats.    Seeing and hearing reports of damage in IL and OH.

Scary sky

 

 

Tuesday- June 17

 Cloudy but warm today  We left at 8:30 to do laundry.   Got the washers going and I went to R Coffee Corner for a latte.    And then Mark was off to Sandusky and Home Depot for some supplies.    A few drops of rain on our way home.

Put laundry away and pretty well finished with our packing.   At 12:15, the heavens opened up with  a downpour and then more later in the afternoon.   And then the sun came out - hot 'n humid!   1/4" of rain

I got a haircut with Wendy at Salon 53.    Good to visit with her.    I picked up a crab egg roll (sooo yummy) at Nagoya a few doors away and on home.    

We walked after supper and visited with Bob (neighbor on "So Blessed") who is up here to help Dave (dockmaster) move to a new condo tomorrow.   So happy to hear Donna's (boat sister) back is much better - she's now wearing a patch on her back - good for 1 week and then change it.

Michael and Chris (boat sister) went on a little getaway with Michael's brother Nick and wife Jill on "Journey".    They spent last night at Toledo Beach and today (after finding a really neat coffee shop in downtown Toledo) they cruised to Kelleys Island.    Bob, Mark and I helped them with lines when they returned coming thru the 8:30 bridge tonight

Pat, Chris and beautiful sunset

Monday - June 16

 Cloudy all day and mid 70's - BUT, the mayflies are back.    A few had appeared about 10 days ago, but then nothing much till today....time to get outta here!

We started packing for Idaho where it's to be really warm all week UNTIL Saturday with a high of 67 predicted?    😒 Oh well....we'll deal with whatever!   Finally going to warm up here in Port Clinton, too.

Mark went to the post office and West Marine.  He changed the dinghy lift line to a larger diameter to make it easier to lift.   Gotta save his back any way we can!

We washed Catrina in the afternoon but probably a wasted effort since it was the hose against the mayflies and the mayflies seemed to win!!!     Soooo annoying!

We walked to Scooter's for ice cream late afternoon.

Philip and family are enjoying Alaska despite the temps in the 50's

Sweet Maeve was all dolled up for dinner last night

Hanging out in Portage Cove - Haines

Selfie with their ship in background

Luke and that gorgeous scenery

Fathers Day - 2025

The "Bestest" Dad and Grandpa

 A beautiful day (low 70's and sunshine) to celebrate all the special men in our lives - Mark and I are thinking of our Dads and happy memories from years past.....along with Michael and Philip and thankful for Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair, Luke and Maeve.

 I'm sure Patrick is keeping tabs on his sons and bursting with pride and love for the fine young men they've become.

Plenty of excitement here today with the departure of the big sailing yacht (no name).   Their departure with a crew of 6 was anything but smooth as they went aground several times (it draws 10' and most of the marina is 6-7').   They had plans (put 2 guys + a big heavy sail bag on the boom to make the boat heel.)    After 1.5 hours they were finally outside the entrance, but stuck again...so Towboat US to the rescue.    Took a bit to free them, but finally on their way.    There are some power lines (low) before going under the bridge so another challenge.    One of the young men climbed the mast and took down the wind indicator and success....just made it under the power lines and finally on Lake Erie with plenty of depth heading to Cleveland.

Hanging on to the boom to make it thru the marina

While all this was going on, I enjoyed visiting with Nina, wife of Don (main helmsman for the trip).    Their family (4 kids - all sailors) live near Cleveland and one of the daughters would go to the top of the mast and watch the Blue Angels perform when they had an air show in Cleveland.  

This morning Mark thought a breakfast sandwich from a la Cart sounded like a good start to Father's Day.....I picked 2 sandwiches (bacon/scrambled egg/cheese on croissant) + one order of their home fries.    All delicious and we could enjoy on Catrina watching al the goings on with the big boat!

Mark had some errands later this afternoon, so we left for Bassett's (grocery and hardware) and also to pick up an Amazon order.   Then tried a new place - MacStack Tavern (specializing in mac 'n cheese fixed several different ways and also many other items.)   Mark had the perch sandwich and I had BBQ pork mac - very good food and definitely will return.    We stopped at Waterworks Park and walked along the lake - felt good after that big meal + some steps + it was a beautiful evening,

Philip and Annette have arrived in Alaska after 5 big days at sea.    Can't wait to hear about their adventures this weekend!

Luke and Maeve with a totem pole in Sitka, AK

7 on zoom tonight (missing Joan, Janet and Tom H).   The guys talked about Father's Day; upcoming surgery for Lydia but not sure when (spine); Jennifer's (Doris's daughter) upcoming dental surgery 

Saturday - June 14

Happy Flag Day 2025

The rain started late yesterday afternoon and continued thru the night and today finally stopped at 10:30.   Another chilly day...

A lazy day for us - not much going on.    Got our suitcases out to start packing for our trip to Idaho next week.

We went to 4:30 Mass with Father Jonathan - Robert, the music director and organist did a beautiful rendition of the "Our Father" - wow.....gave me chills!   What a treat to have the sun shining when we came out of church after such a wet, gloomy day.   We got 2" of rain.

We had a very good dinner at Gideon Owen Winery (one of our favorites) - we sat inside but several brave souls were dining and hanging out on the patio enjoying the music.

Happy Father's Day to all Dads, Grandpas, Great Grandpas and Godfathers

 

Friday - June 13

 No sun today and only in the 60's with a bit of drizzle thrown in!   😔 And with the wind, "felt" like 58.    Arghhh

The big sailing yacht was finally launched this morning - yay!    Mark and I went to Perrysburg (45 minutes near Toledo) where they have a very nice huge Levis Commons Center.   We did a bit of retail therapy + a stop at Starbucks.    Then to rural Helena which is home to a refurbishing place for old Airstreams - they fix them up with incredible results!    Sooo cool.    While Mark was walking around and checking them out, I was browsing the Summer Kitchen - very nice gift/home decor place that we visited 2 years ago (well, I did the browsing while Mark got some rivets for Flo).    Two sisters own this place - I would really like to take my boat sisters here in August for a girls outing and then have lunch at The Chateau Winery just a few miles away.

On back to Catrina - I dropped Mark off and I went to Coffee Express for a sandwich to share - they have so many good ones.

The big crane came in while we were gone and soon after we arrived back, they set to work to raise the mast.  Had quite a time as it's 80' and had to turn the boat around (bow in) to have the crane reach.    So many guys here working and helping with this project.    The boat and crew plan to leave Sunday.

SUCCESS - Boat in water and mast up!

Have a great weekend!

 

Thursday - June 12

 Cloudy windy day.    We went to A la Cart for breakfast - everything here is so good with just the friendliest staff at this local favorite.

Mark hung out with the guys here at Superior Marine as today is the launching of the big 68' racing yacht.    Guys have been working every day since it was brought in by truck to get it cleaned up and ready for today.    They got the rudder on (not the easiest job) and then got the 9,000 lb. keel on. 

Big sailing yacht

9,000 lbs

Brad operates the travel lift by remote around his waist

We went to Toft's for some yummy ice cream and then ran a few errands this afternoon.   We walked after supper - very windy and cool!