Thursday - June 18

 Had some sprinkles this morning but the winds were really crazy!!!   We did a pump out and got fuel for Catrina.     

And then left for The Summer Kitchen in rural Helena, OH (a cute gift shop that we discovered last year.)   I browsed around - sooo much neat stuff.   And then we had lunch at The Chateau Winery.    These 2 businesses are in the same family and really nice!    We had not been to the winery so today was our 1st and what a treat.    Bill and Michele, owners were so gracious and fun to visit with and hear their history.

A small section of The Summer Kitchen

The Chateau Winery

It's a popular spot from Thursday-Sunday with nightly entertainment, wine, food, etc.    We enjoyed our lunch (chicken salad on a croissant for me and Italian panini for Mark) .   11 folks from a nearby retirement home came by shuttle bus for wine tasting and lunch.   Definitely a return place which is 1/2 hour from Port Clinton.

Onto Jackson Center to pick up Flo.   While Mark was settling up the bill, I walked to Sip + Stream for some coffees for the trip home.  2+ hours later we were back on Catrina and now making plans to leave (Sunday)? for our summer trip to Lake Michigan.

After supper we went for a short walk - still VERY windy!

Wednesday - June 17

A bright sunny morning after all the rain last night (8/10").   We left Flo at 7:55 and drove to Sip + Stream for our coffees and then back to wait in the lounge area for Derek to talk to Mark about our list for Flo.    They came with a little tractor (method to moving Airstreams into the bays from the terraport).

Derek and Mark went to Bay 10 to discuss Flo and then we were on our way by 8 to Wapakoneta for breakfast.    There's not much in Jackson Center (good coffee though) 😋   

On our way to Wapa (14 miles), we got a call from Levi at Airstream who was assigned to us that they found a problem thinking that from the bike rack and bouncing around, there is some structural damage and they have to add additional plates.    UGH~

He said it could take 8 hours (more or less) to fix so probably wouldn't be done till tomorrow!    Since it was already in a bay, they wanted to keep it there +++ there are severe storms in the forecast (including hail) and better to have Flo protected from the nasty weather.

We had a hearty breakfast at LuLu's Diner and then back to Jackson Center but first stopped at the newest very large Airstream facility where they actually build the Airstreams (when we visited in January, 2018, they were in a different smaller building and it was a very cold snowy day).

Wow....this building is quite something and they give tours Monday-Friday at 1:00.    They even have a coffee shop and gift shop.    Airstream employs 1200.

On back to Jackson Center to get some stuff off Flo, talk to Derek one more time and then left for Port Clinton.    We stopped at the car wash and gave Big Red a good scrubbing and put him and Ruby inside the building here at the marina with storms coming.

Also heard this morning that my boat sister Donna was taken to the ER by Bob.   She's had severe back pain but also been very sick with intestinal issues since Friday night.    They diagnosed a viral infection, so along with fluids to keep from dehydration, we hope she'll feel better real soon.

We went for a walk downtown - stopped at the Bait House for some adult beverages and on home as a  storm is a'coming!   

The rain started abont 7 and coming down steeadi;y but no storms yet.   

Tuesday - June 16

 We had breakfast and finished getting Flo ready to travel.    Left Port Clinton (and the Mayflies) around 11:00 and headed south  (126 miles) to Jackson Center (headquarters for Airstream) with one stop for fuel for Big Red in Lima.   And about 35 miles later, we were in the land of Airstreams - they are everywhere - new ones for delivery to dealers all around the country, some like us for yearly check-ups and some here for repair work or whatever needs fixin'.    We are parked in a "terraport" (3 circular paved areas for 8 Airstreams each).   They are 36  bays for workers to do their thing.

Mark went to check in and I walked to Sip Stream for some coffees and a turkey/bacon/cheese wrap to share.    Beside the Airstream coffee trailer is The Sipping Station  "Sip, Snack, Shop" - cute little place which goes with the coffee trailer.

Sip Stream

The Sipping Station

It is very windy today and low 70s.    When Mark checked in they gave him a printed copy of what to do in case of severe weather (do not stay on Flo).     We sure hope for no storms but tomorrow, we keep hearing about possible bad stuff coming to IL and IN.

We walked around the Airstream grounds and then left for Wapakoneta (the locals just say "Wapa").   We remember one year ago after Flo's check-up, we stopped here at Krave Creamery for ice cream.    Wapa is a cute little town and has very few empty storefronts - always a good sign.   Some nice shops and several antique places, skin care/salons/spas, coffee, yoga, old-time movie theater, etc., etc.   It started raining just as we were coming into town so sat in Big Red for a bit and then took the umbrella and found "J Marie's" for dinner.  What a cute restaurant (since 2015) in an old building in the heart of downtown.   I had a wood-fired taco pizza and Mark had a wood-fired chicken pot pie - all delicious and so reasonable!

My taco pizza - yum!!!

The rain had stopped when we went back outside so walked around downtown - Auglaize Street is where it's all happening.    

Wapakoneta is the birthplace of Neil Armstrong and here is a very nice landmark honoring him with the large mirrored astronaut helmet.  

Neil was the first person to touch the moon on July 20, 1969 (3 weeks after our wedding).    We remember watching this exciting event.

When Neil came back to Wapakoneta for celebratory parade

Neat architecture of downtown buildings

Lots of red/white/blue all around downtown with flags, flowers, bunting, clothing and decorated windows.   

  And then back to Flo and walked some more around all the Airstreams to get our steps.

My boat sister, Chris welcomed a baby granddaughter today in Colorado - what fun she'll have buying pink after 2 grandsons!

 

Tonight we boaters are back to being campers!   😄    We had some very heavy rain tonight and more coming tomorrow!

Monday - June 15

 Well, they came back (very unwelcome) but here it is June 15th, and the Mayflies found their way to Port Clinton blowing in from the north with strong winds.   Tis the season!

We worked between Flo and Catrina getting things ready for tomorrow when we take Flo to Jackson Center for her yearly check-up.    We'll spend the night as they will take Flo away at 7 AM Wednesday.

Teri and I walked downtown for our mile and on back home.   As always, the Mayflies were everywhere and oh such a mess!

In front of a store downtown 

Anne called on her way home from visiting Liam.   She had a great weekend....dinner with Liam's host family, Isles Bun and Coffee Co. (best cinnamon rolls in the country according to Google and right downtown Minneapolis).    Anne and Liam agreed.   They drove around seeing the sites, went to the Cardinals/Twins game (Cards won 9-6), Mass at the Basilica, hit some coffee shops, Mall of America, Farmer's Market, Minnehaha waterfall, Lake Minnetonka (great recreational area for Liam to run and bike).   And now she's back home!

It's a beautiful day after the storm yesterday - to be in the 70s for the next 10 days!

Our friend Michael this morning

My boat sister Chris and Michael are at Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake this week

Our new printer came today so Mark was enjoying getting that all set up.

We walked downtown and wanted to eat at Brickhouse (pizza) but it was packed.   So we went a few doors away to Poseidon (where we ate Saturday night).    We had drinks and an appetizer at the bar - love this place.

Blair's "Grand Bob" took this pic from the dance recital a few weeks ago....

Growing up so fast....

Almost 13 but sure looks older

Sunday - June 14

2026

Teri and I walked our 1st mile this morning.    Mark and I went to 10:30 Mass with Father Jonathan at Immaculate Conception.    Some generous parishioner is donating the $ for new padded kneelers to be installed over the next few days.   How nice.

Then to A la Carte for breakfast - very busy place and always delicious.    On home.   Mark went for a walk.

                                           

These scary clouds were hovering over Superior Marine around 2:00.    And then the wind picked up and blew like crazy along with heavy rain.    The temperature dropped and feels like the 60's.

Zoom tonight included 8 siblings.   Another week at McCormick's Creek for Theresa and Karen.   Cost of stamps is going up July 12th to .82 (.04 increase).  😔   Doris treated Sharon to her birthday lunch yesterday and today, she visited Mike (Theresa's hubby)  Sharon has been enjoying the  World Cup soccer games and we talked about how neat that the other countries are so enjoying our American culture, hospitality, food, etc.

The Cruisers

Philip, Annette, Ryan, Brooke, Michael

Hungarian Parliament Building

Budapest

Have a great week!