Friday - May 22

 Anne had her reconstructive surgery this morning with Dr. Su at the Springfield Clinic and all went well.   She cannot use the phone (no screen time) for 2 days.    Not sure of other restrictions.    She returns next Friday.

Another rainy day and very wet Memorial Day weekend coming  - we left the hotel at 9, stopped at Starbucks and the heavens really opened up.    The barista at Starbucks (in Target) said that the store opens at 8, but folks were lined up outside in the rain since 3 AM for the new Pokemon cards!!!!

We stopped in Morganton at WalMart for a Rx, then dropped off stuff at Brooke's, onto Ryan's and finally arrived at Philip's.     Their friends, Darrell and Colleen, their daughter and boyfriend were all there and offered to help us carry all our stuff upstairs to the carriage house where we'll hang out the next 4 nights.   Much appreciated!!!

Annette, Luke and Maeve arrived - 1/2 day of school and they are now finished and onto 5th and 8th grades!!!   How can that be?    We had fried chicken, baked beans, watermelon and sushi (not a sushi fan but this was really good) for lunch.    Later, played a game of euchre which we girls won!

We were off to dinner at Habaneros with Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents), Michael, Brooke and Brady.  

Brady, Michael, Brooke, Bob, Judy, Pat, Mark

  And then to Blair's dance recital at COMMA in Morganton (large auditorium) and it was awesome with many many girls on stage from age 4 to 6 seniors in high school and 1 little boy.   Ballet, jazz, hip hop and lyrical.   The costumes, music and talent were top notch.

The star of the evening

Blair

Philip, Annette, Ryan and Erin went to an outdoor wedding and reception.   Weather is nasty.     We played one more game of euchre when we all got home - Mark and I beat Philip and Annette and then we sat around and visited as the rain came down.

Nighty night!   

Thursday - May 21

 We left Superior at 7:40, stopped at Coffee Express (1 of 2 favorite coffee shops in Port Clinton).    Got our coffee fix and on our way.     We shared the driving in the morning and no issues with traffic or weather.    Stopped in Kenna, WV for lunch at "Your Family Restaurant" which was very good and cheap!    I had a delicious grilled cheese and ham sandwich for $4.

I drove thru some rain before lunch but afterwards, it was really heavy and for most of the afternoon, downright ugly.

We met Davis for dinner at "Camel City BBQ Factory" in Winston-Salem.   It was in a very old tobacco building - great food (the BBQ and their hushpuppies which were long and skinny instead of the usual round ball shape) and we sure enjoyed our visit.  He loves being a homeowner.   Davis and 6 college buddies are hanging out on the beach this holiday weekend and he had a 3+ hour drive ahead of him.

Davis

There was some very funky lighting in this place!

We drove to our hotel and got to our room - but the app on our phone wouldn't work, so Mark went downstairs and clerk gave him 2 key cards but they didn't work either - frustrating.    The clerk finally came up to our room with a special card to get us in and apologized as the ladies across the hall couldn't get into their room either which made for 5 times today, this happened.    She was beyond not happy!

104 miles to Lake James!

Wednesday - May 20

 Alleluia!!!!    Anne called with some wonderful news this morning after Springfield Clinic called and said she did not need to come in today as all was clear with her Monday pathology report.    We are sooo thankful for this news and sooo appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts these past few days from family and friends!!!

Anne had more good news - Connor got a job at Lowe's for the summer!    Yay...

Yesterday it was 89 and sunny here in Port Clinton - today, more rain and windy and in the 50s.    Brrrr.......   we had 1.2" since we got here.

We kept busy with Mark working on Catrina inside as she won't be launched till early June.   I started packing all our stuff to take to NC - leaving tomorrow for 11-12 days.

I got a hair cut with Wendy and fun to catch up with her!    Then Mark and I had dinner at Casa Las Palmas - so good.   Back to Flo to warm up!    Chilly out there!    Ready to head south!😀

Tuesday - May 19

 Big day for we nomads.    We left KK at 6:40 with lots of good memories of our month-long stay.

Mostly cloudy in the morning but later the sun came out and a nice day for travel with no rain which had been in the forecast!    The wind did pick up in the afternoon but Flo handled it just fine..

It was a 7-hour trip + stops (4) so made the trip in 8 hours and 5 minutes and now back on eastern time.    Found a cute coffee shop in Fairbury - "Dream Cabin Coffee" and had lunch in Huntington, IN (I made sandwiches last night).

It got to 89 today and we arrived at Superior Marine around 3:40 - so good to be here, stretch the legs and visit with Dave, the Dockmaster.

Lots of boats in the water and he said the marina will be full this year!   WOW....

We were tired and not wanting a big meal, so decided to go to Doc's Beach House for drinks and appetizers - it was so pleasant sitting by the water and even had a familiar waitress.    

Lake Erie - where are all the people?    Just wait for a few more weeks!

This is the "calm before the storm"

Came back to Flo and the sky looked threatening - Mark checked the radar and it wasn't pretty.    About 20 minutes after we were settled in for the night, it started to sprinkle and then heavier and oh my........the wind blew like crazy, lightning, thunder and VERY heavy rain.    Yikes!    Talk about a drastic change.    

So today Anne was to have her 2nd slow Moh's procedure but she got a call when she and Connor were on their way to Springfield.    They had not received the pathology report from yesterday's test, so canceled today!    Arghhhh.....frustrating waiting for test results over and over!    Back tomorrow.

Monday - May 18

 Forgot this pic yesterday from Rob Dobs...

Connor, Mark, Pat, Anne, Liam

We've been at KK for one month and have seen 15 states and New Brunswick, Canada.

I left for the Hornet's Nest to meet the Monday morning group and Mark drove to Darrel's and rode with him as we both needed a vehicle today.

Good breakfast and nice having Pat's 2 sisters from Texas join us.    It poured while we were eating.    We all left at 10:20 with good bye hugs for Mark and me (and good luck to Anne).  

The girls:

  Tammie, Brenda, Sigrunn. Pat, Sue, Debbie

The guys

Pat, Darrel, Mark, Ken

 I had a 11:00 lab appointment for bloodwork.    Then I picked up Anne and we were on our way to Springfield.   Just light rain till the last 10 miles when it came down really hard.   

We stopped at Grab-A-Java for some hot beverages and then onto the clinic.   Today was Anne's first slow Moh's procedure (excision).    Plenty of time waiting but actual procedure took 12 minutes.    She has to go back tomorrow - same time, same place.   Connor will take her.

Took Anne home and good bye hugs for she and the boys.    Hate good byes!   Stopped at Menards for some clamps for Philip (he loves Menards and they don't have that store in NC).    Got some gas for Ruby and on home.    

Tomorrow, we are on the move again heading to Port Clinton.