Friday- September 11

 We all remember where we were and what we were doing 25 years ago today.....such a devastating loss of life for our country.    

God Bless America

Today we were to meet my long-time friend (and Sublettian), Kay and hubby, Jim from AZ for breakfast at Busy Corner.    They've been visiting family and friends here in the Midwest.    But Kay texted this morning that Jim was not feeling well, so they had to cancel.   So sorry to hear this as Mark and I were really looking forward to catching up with them.   Just hope Jim is on the mend soon as they have a long trip ahead to get back home.

We had some errands to run, so left around 9 for Revive (coffee fix + bagel for Mark).    Then to Ace Hardware in Eureka and car wash for Ruby,    Braker's Market, bulk-food grocer that we love was close by, so stopped there for a few things for the freezer and on home.   

About 20 minutes later, I left for the Mackinaw Tea Room to meet Claire for shopping (fall open house) and delicious lunch.    Always a great place to meet 'n eat!    We had another fun get together as we always do!

Shopping at one of our favorites

Mackinaw Tea Room at the Depot

Claire and Mike and several friends are leaving Sunday for a riverboat cruise in France - lucky them.....we'll get together in October before I leave again.

Back home and took a nap - a nice warm sunny day.   

Yay,,,,heard the good news today that our nephew Ryan is finally home (been in the hospital since early August but this all started in mid July).   Molly will monitor his diet (no solid food yet) and still needs to heal.   

Gee, it gets dark earlier here than Port Clinton with a 1-hour difference in the sun setting.

Walked around the campground tonight - lots of states represented - Texas (2); Florida (2); Wisconsin; Georgia; South Dakota; Ohio; North Carolina; South Carolina; Illinois (7); Iowa;

West Virginia

Cotton Candy sky at KK

Tuesday-Thursday - September 8-10

 Hello from KK, our IL home for the next 3 weeks!    Been a busy 3-day whirlwind but fun time in Shipshewana, IN and today, the 6-hour drive to here!

Tuesday - today Catrina came out of the water and tucked away for the next 9 months.   Usually Catrina is the only boat lifted out the day after Labor Day, but this year, there were 3 others, so.....some delays + a bolt broke on the Travel-lift which controlled the steering, so that took an hour to fix.    I left at 9:30 and stopped at Coffee Express and on the road to Shipshewana.    Mark stayed till Catrina was put away and didn't leave till 2:45.

I got to Shipshewana around 12:20 and brother Bob, Linda, cousin Dick and Mary arrived shortly after - we all met and enjoyed pretzel dogs at JoJo's in the Davis Mercantile shops (these are sooo delicious and have gotten to be a tradition when we meet there).

And then the shopping began.....a few purchases but mostly browsing.    Bob bought several puzzles at the Puzzle Store - mind boggling with all they have.    As always, Shipshewana is all decked out for fall - just awesome!   

Some of the beautiful fall decor around town...

Mark, Pat, Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob

 

And there was so much more...

I picked Mark up at the campground and by the time he had Flo set up and changed clothes, it was 6:15 till we met up with the others.    We all enjoyed the wonderful buffet of Amish food at Blue Gate (another tradition).   Back to the hotel where they stayed (very close to our campground) and played SkyJo with Mark the winner.   We were all tired and almost 10 when we said good night and we headed back to Flo.

Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob, Mark

Rousing game of SkyJo

Wednesday - we stopped at Koffie Haus for a latte for me and onto meet the others at their hotel for breakfast - another all-you-eat array of delicious Amish food.    The table beside us sat "John Denver" (aka Chris Collins).    Mary had noticed him the night before at dinner and pretty sure it was him.   We hit more shops for the next 2 hours (in the rain), picked up some popcorn from the Shipshewana Popcorn Co which is WOW......sooo many delicious flavors.   

Dick, Mary, Linda, Bob, Mark

Big decision as to which flavor popcorn to buy

Dick wearing his "Dolly" shirt

1:00 and time for the John Denver Tribute Show at Blue Gate Music Theater.    We all thoroughly enjoyed this 1.5 hour show - very entertaining with "John" and 3-piece band.    Extra special was the huge screen behind the band showing scene after scene throughout the show of the Colorado beauty - REALLY neat!!!!

Mary, "John" and Dick

After the show, Dick and Mary had their picture taken with "John" and then we were off to the country and some favorite stores from a year ago.    "Joyfully Said" and the Essenhaus all in Middlebury.    We had dinner at "West on Warren" where we ate one year ago.....very good again!

Linda, Mary, Pat, Mark, Dick and Bob

Back to their hotel and another game of SkyJo which Mark won AGAIN and then the guys beat the girls 1 game of euchre (but it was close).    Said our good byes - we'll see them next week when we're  in Mendota.    

Thursday - we had Flo all ready to leave and went to the Blue Gate bakery for pastries.   Back to the campground and off we went at 9:30.    LONG day of travel with 2 stops.    Happy to be back on central time and get that hour back.    Good to see Micci here at KK and catch up - she said they've had so much rain and occasional flooding.

Anne came out around 5 and we were off to Busy Corner for lots of gabbing and good supper.    She is one busy gal and so enjoying her boys.

Our dear Anne

As John Denver sang......"It's good to be back home again"!!!

Labor Day - 2026

Today we honor the American labor movement and the contributions of workers

THANK YOU !

 Said our good byes and hugs to Bob and Donna.....we enjoy them so much!   Donna is planning to come to Fort Myers in January and then back with our other sisters in March.

Bob and Donna

I took Ruby thru the car wash and filled her up with gas.    We had lunch and moved Big Red and Flo and she's ready to roll outta here tomorrow after Catrina is out of the water and put in storage.   I'm leaving in Ruby in the morning and Mark will come later - we'll meet up in Shipshewana, IN and meet my brother Bob and Linda, cousin Dick and Mary for 2 days of fun in Amish country.    We'll be arriving at KK on Thursday.   Will take a few days off from the blog.

Jeanne, Mark and I walked downtown and met Dave (dockmaster) and Cana for drinks at The Bait House - we met Dave's cousin and hubby and other friends.

Pat, Mark

Jeanne, Dave, Cana

Beautiful sky over the Portage River (viewed from Flo) our last night...

Sunday - September 6

 It was a spectacular day here in Port Clinton - sunny, breezy and low 70's.    We cleaned the cushions from the bridge and all the navy window screens.    Great day for drying.    After lunch we ran some errands and then a quiet afternoon on Flo.   

Just a few more things to finish up tomorrow and then that's it for the season!   Catrina will come out of the water on Tuesday.

We said good bye to Dennis who left for home....and then picked up Jeanne, Bob and Donna and off to Gideon Owen Winery where we met the rest.    Unfortunately, Christine was not feeling well so went home and not able to join us.

Great dinner as always...and lots of chatter...

Mark, Michael, Bruce, Bob, Dave, Cana, Chris, Donna, Pat, Jeanne

Boat sisters - missing Teri who is recovering from knee replacement

Chris, Donna, Pat

One final pic before we all leave for the season

Michael and Chris, Bob and Donna, Mark and Pat, Jeanne, Cana and Dave, Bruce

Michael and Chris were driving home (3 hours) - I'll see Chris in March when the sisters come to Fort Myers.

Our college grandsons had a good weekend of football with Illinois, Iowa and Notre Dame all winning their season opener.    Brady was at Lambeau Field in Green Bay (home of the Packers) tonight - what a thrill!

Saturday - September 5

Dreary day but a few little bursts of sunshine.    Cooler today with a high of 78 but humidity was still high. 

Mark changed the oil in the generator - another messy job but one more thing off the list!

Our euchre buddies, Todd and Cindy from CT are back in Fort Myers for a week - they live in Colorado or Georgia.    Cindy wanted to play euchre sometime this week.....sorry, still in Port Clinton but definitely when we're back this fall!

Michael and Chris (boat sister) arrived.    They are staying on Bruce and Christine's boat this weekend.    We all went over to see their new sailboat - wow....it's a beauty - 44' Jeanneau.    Had a fun visit and Bruce made delicious Aperol Spritzes/

Mark and I left to go to 4:30 Mass where we saw Bob and Donna (boat sister).    Last mass for us with Father Jonathan till next spring.    We went downtown to the "P" festival and enjoyed our perch and cole slaw + shared a piece of peach pie and ice cream.

Back to the marina and Dennis had arrived after a week-long vacation in Canada and Michigan with his brothers and a friend.    We sat under the tent and visited.    Later some of us were on Bob and Donna's "So Blessed" - lots of laughs!    They are a crazy bunch!   Said our good night's and back to Flo....till tomorrow!

Mark and I had our first date 61 years ago tonight - September 5, 1965 at the Tri-County Fair in Mendota, IL.