Monday-Thursday, August 17-20

 Monday - I got a haircut with Wendy at 8 AM - boy did I need it after 8 weeks!!!   I got a latte at R Coffee Corner and on home.  We watched the launching of "Hercules" which is a 71' beautiful yacht that is headed to Nantucket.   Left for the Cleveland airport and picked Claire and Kathy up around 5:40.    Sooo good to see them and ready for some girl fun the next few days.      Drove back to Port Clinton, got them settled on Catrina and then to Dock's for dinner.   Plenty of yakkin' going on to catch up.

Off to dreamland (Mark and I are staying on Flo in the storage building.)

Tuesday - Up and at 'em for our 1st big day....we took Catrina and our guests to Put-in-Bay and went under the 9:30 bridge.   It was a beautiful day and nice cruising......we were just coming into the marina when I got a call from our long-time friend, Barb back in IL telling us her Roger had passed away.    We've known Barb and Roger since 1986 and I can't describe the shock, sadness and disbelief we all felt - put Barb on speaker and heard the details that Roger died of a massive heart attack on his 75th birthday.    Whoaaa....Kathy and I were crying and just devastated by this news.    

We got Catrina tied up at the Municipal Marina (B dock).    Took off and got our golf cart and coffee at Noddi's.    Sat for a bit to chat about Roger and just couldn't believe it.    Then off on the golf cart with Mark as our chauffeur and first stop was GOAT for lunch.    We had a short wait as they don't open till noon - but all enjoyed our salads.    Drove around the island pointing out some landmarks and other areas of interest.

All the padlocks on Put-in-Bay

Breezy boat ride back to Port Clinton

We girls did some browsing the shops later, Mark returned the golf cart and then back to Catrina.   We could not have had a better day weather-wise!    We got back to Port Clinton in time to make the 4:30 bridge.    Love that good warm, sunshiny, breezy feeling after being out on the water.

We showered and then we gals were off to Gideon Owen Winery - sat outside and another good meal.   Walked around the grounds and soaked up all the beauty - so glad to share this with my friends!

Best friends for many years

Kathy and Claire with pretty flowers

Wednesday - we gals went to R Coffee Corner and sat and caught up some more on Kathy's great nephew's wedding this past Friday in Burlington, IA and enjoyed the pictures.    And Claire had been with her 3 daughters in Lake Geneva, so more fun to catch up on.   We also talked about our next year's get together (been doing this since 2014 when Kathy moved to Texas except for Covid).    

We browsed some shops and then to lunch at The Orchard Farmstand - another gorgeous day and sat on the patio, and walked around the grounds past the vineyards, saw the variety of unique chickens at The Coop and admired the lovely flowers + the gift shop.   Took them to Twin Oast Brewery and walked around their pretty fields.   And then to Rudder's (favorite deli) and shopped in their gift store.    One more stop before home and that was at Newport - no purchases but fun to check out the pretties. We are all tired - Kathy and I took naps and then left to eat again.................

Tonight we went downtown for dinner at Poseidon - the girls loved all the choices - decisions, decisions!    Another fine dinner!

A toast to our last evening together

We walked around the marina and showed them where we keep Flo.    Nighty night!

Thursday - cloudy and got the suitcases loaded in Ruby and off to Coffee Express for our fix before we head to the airport.     And then to Cleveland.    The tradition goes on for another fun outing and so happy I could share Port Clinton with them.    Our tentative plan for 2027 is Lake Geneva, WI.

Back to PC and I was driving in heavy rain - ugh!    But this afternoon was sunny and delightful!

Settled back on Catrina for a few weeks....summer is really winding down.

So, Liam and Connor have been in Barcelona for the past 10 days - amazing what these 2 have done (seeing all the famous sites, learning about the culture and customs, etc.)   They rented bikes and rode around 80 miles a day (3 days) climbing steep uphills and fast downhills.    Rigorous and they loved it all!!!!!    The highlight was their tour of the Sagrada Familia Basilica - 150 years in the making but was to be completed in 2026 (we toured it in 2012).    But the boys said it will be another TEN years till one side is completed!!!    What a masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudi.   Pope Leo said Mass at the Sagrada on June 10th on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death at age 73 when he was hit by a trolley car.

At the Sagrada

Today Philip started his career with FedEx.     He and Annette are in Memphis for orientation and Uncle Ryan is showing Luke and Maeve a good time!

Family fun

Sorry that our niece Molly's hubby, Ryan had to undergo more surgery today after his very long ordeal last Friday - please keep him in your prayers....could be another 2-8 week hospital stay

My cousin Dave's grandson Kannon was to play for Iowa in the Little League World Series tonight - well.....that game has been postponed cause of very heavy rain.    Rescheduled for tomorrow at noon eastern time.

Kathy and Claire are back home in IL and TX - we will cherish our happy memories from the past few days!

Tonight our neighbor across the water here at Superior, Jeanne from Hilton Head came to Catrina for a visit - what fun and so admire her as she also lives on her boat or RV.   Her husband passed away 8 years ago.   She is storing her boat here for the winter and will continue her travels next year.  She is living in her RV along with Roscoe, her dog till she leaves in a few weeks.    Beautiful evening on Catrina's bridge!    Another boater, Dan stopped in for a visit!   Dan has been working on his boat all summer, but in the meantime, was diagnosed with cancer and his home burned and he and his wife lost everything!    Unbelievably sad story but what a remarkable, resilient guy who is always fun to visit with and has such a positive attitude.   

Very adventurous Jeanne

Sunday - August 16

 We had rain off and on but nothing like the forecast for all-day!    We enjoyed a much more leisurely Sunday after our big day yesterday.    Late morning we went to Bassett's for some groceries and then Rudder's Deli for an Italian sub to go and a latte for me - they have thee best sandwiches!!!

On home, had lunch and did a load of laundry.    Then grabbed the bucket, soap, brushes, etc. and gave Catrina a good scrubbing - just so many darn bugs, spiders, etc., etc.    

After the latest rain, it was hot, sunny, windy and humid.    I made spaghetti for supper.

9 on Zoom tonight - talked about Ryan and Janet's surgeries; storms and so much rain; Tom and Beth's trip to Alaska; school starting, etc.

Tomorrow afternoon we'll pick up my friends Claire and Kathy in Cleveland.    Can't wait for some girl fun this week.    Taking a break from the blog till Thursday...

Have a good week!

Saturday - August 15

 We are tired nomads but happy with all we got done today!   Did a final cleaning on Catrina after all our stuff was taken off and put away on Flo.    We are ahead of the game for when we do all this at end of the season (week before Labor Day).

It was so humid - just a very-drippy-kind-of-day....did a pump out in the afternoon - had a few light sprinkles off and on.    Also did 2 loads of laundry here at the marina - a challenge to figure out this washer/dryer combo, but think Mark finally got it!

Went to 4:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception with Father Jonathan - as always, says so much in just a few short minutes!

Had a delicious dinner at Poseidon downtown and on home.    We are staying on Flo tonight - expecting rain tonight/overnight/tomorrow!   Catrina needs a good outside scrubbing, so hope the rain will help!

Very happy to report that after 12+ hours of surgery, Ryan H (niece Molly's husband) is in ICU recovering and breathing tube taken out this afternoon.    What an ordeal for him, but hoping all good from here on and praying for his recovery and healing.

Friday - August 14

 We walked downtown to Coffee Express for breakfast and coffee.   Back home and Mark worked in the shed.  Anne updated us on the awful storm yesterday - she was out of power for 9 hours - parts of roofs blown off (hospital and YMCA); windows blown out, lots of trees down with 70 MPH winds.

 I walked back downtown in the afternoon for a manicure with Danielle.    She's so much fun to visit with and we had a lot of catching up after 8 weeks since I was there.   

On home for an exciting afternoon.    My cousin Dave (and Mary Jo's) grandson, Kannon lives in Davenport, IA and plays on a little league team that has been in the regional playoffs (Whitestown, IN) determining who goes to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.    Today they played Wisconsin and what an exciting, nail biter, heart attack game that Iowa won in overtime 7-6.    The boys are 10-12 years old and Kannon hit a beautiful single to score 2 runs - he was the big hero!    Next week, the world series will begin.    

Mark and I remember that in 1996, Michael was living/working in Williamsport and my parents, Mark and I visited him and drove past this famous ballfield.    Who would've thought, 30 years later, we would be cheering on a relative next week.....

We went to Rich's Drive-thru for their delicious fried chicken, potato salad and watermelon for supper!   

Praying for our niece Molly's husband, Ryan who is undergoing very serious surgery in Milwaukee as I write this....

Enjoy your weekend.....

Thursday - August 13

 Cloudy and dreary day...Mark worked in the shed organizing his bins - I put more stuff away on Flo - we're getting there!   At 10:30 we left for Fremont (1/2 hour south).    First stop was The Tackle Box II for lunch - we shared the platter of pollack, onion rings and cole slaw - all delicious!    Then to Wal-Mart, Lowe's and Aldi and finally, our 1:00 appointment to have Ruby's tires rotated and oil changed.   On home for naps and a quiet afternoon.   

Anne said they had a doozy of a storm pass thru today - heavy rain and wind blew out screens on her porch, flooded the street, many trees down, no power, etc.   The storms around the Midwest have been unreal the past few days.    It was really sticky and humid this afternoon.

We walked after supper - not a leaf is stirring!   These pics are from a HUGE, GINORMOUS, tree trunk that floated into the marina while we were gone.    The marina guys had to use the travel lift to get it out - dandy piece of driftwood....ha!

Had to stand way back to get it all in!   Look down low.

Mark is behind to show how massive this is.   The yacht behind just sold for $3+m  and heading to Nantucket