July 31

Today we sailed from Kelleys Island to Vermilion, Ohio (3.5 hours)It was an awesome sail using the spinnaker (lightweight sail for light winds)
Vermilion is a charming town with gorgeous flowers EVERYWHERE!

So many shops, so may restaurants, so little time!

Rudy's is a Vermilion landmark - they serve a steak dinner every Thursday night for $10. What a deal and delicious!!!

July 30

Back on Kelleys Island today........this is one of our favorite islands on Lake Erie - so relaxing and laid-back!

July 29

Grandpa and I had a ball with Brady the past few days - what a delightful little boy!Said good-bye to Brady, Mommy and Daddy and we drove back to Port Clinton where Catrina was waiting - a warm welcome as it was 106 inside! WHEW......got the air going and we ran errands, got groceries, and then settled in!

July 28

Here are a few pictures from our day in Chicago with Brady.... I'm taking a little nap before I get to the Windy City!
Ed Debevic's has great grilled cheese & fries Oh yum........great dinner at The Grand Lux Cafe
Best Buds - Grandpa & Brady

July 27

Great Grandma Ruth & Great Grandpa Harland (Mark's parents) with Brady, Connor and Liam
The boys had some good "cousin" fun!
Brady at Great Uncle Bob & Great Aunt Linda's house

July 26

We left Port Clinton this morning and drove to Bridgman, MI for 60# of beautiful, fresh, yummy blueberries. Then onto Chicago where we picked up Brady (2-year old NC grandson) and off to visit my parents and start on freezing the berries!

Brady with his GG (Great Grandma) and Great Grandpa Pete

July 24-25

We came back to Port Clinton on Thursday and took a drive to Sandusky where we enjoyed a treat at Stone Cold Creamery and the movie "Mamma Mia" - fun afternoon. Drove to Huron and Vermilion, OH to check out the marinas. These towns look like fun places to visit with Catrina next week.

Went for 2 long bike rides on Friday, I got a manicure and just had a leisurely day topped off with good dinner at The Docks Beach House across from the marina!

Tomorrow, we are off to Chicago and meeting our son and daughter-in-law (Michael & Brooke) and taking Brady (2) for a few days of fun while they enjoy the windy city!

July 22-23

There's nothing like anchoring out in a peaceful setting (Catrina was the only boat) on East Harbor, a unique anchorage on Catawba Island. Just us and nature and occasionally a few swans floating by. We spent 2 days reading good books, listening to good music, and relaxing. Wednesday night, we enjoyed a dinghy ride to the Marina del Isle and had a great dinner outdoors at Mariner's Retreat.

July 18-20

We are back on Catrina after a few days in IL Happy Birthday, Brooke (our daughter-in-law) who celebrated on the 18th
Connor and Liam enjoying some computer time - Liam thinks this is "serious" stuff!
Mark's sister, Karen celebrating her 40th birthday!

Our Ryan after 10 carrier landings (2-day period) on the USS Harry S. Truman off the Jacksonville, FL coast. Waaay to go, Ryan! We're really proud of you!

July 15

We rented a golf cart and spent 4 hours exploring Kelleys Island. Beach fun!
A sailboat of pretty flowers in someone's yard
This is one of the private homes on the island!!!

July 14

We arrived on Kelleys Island, OH today - a really nice, step-back-in-time vacation paradise!Happy Birthday, Connor....our youngest grandson is 2 today!
Went on a long bike ride around the island!
Kelleys Island is famous for its "glacial grooves", formed over 25,000 years ago and hidden under lots of dirt and debris till about 40 years ago!

July 13

On a beautiful Sunday, we left Leamington and motored to Cedar Creek (8 miles). Catrina is settled in at the Cedar Island Yacht Club in the tiny harbor of Cedar Creek.
We met Corinne and Bruno from the yacht club and had a very enjoyable visit!

July 11

It was a perfect summer day here in Leamington....we rode our bikes to Tim Horton's for donuts, Mark got a haircut and I did bit of browsing at a very nice gift shop in an old house. Here are a few of the beautiful blooms all over town (this batch is at our marina). We cleaned Catrina and walked the brick boardwalk and thru the park this afternoon. One other fact about Leamington..... it is the tomato capital of Canada and Heinz started making ketchup here in 1908. We could sure smell those tomatoes riding past the big facility. FYI....Pittsburgh, PA is the world headquarters for Heinz!

July 10

After very remote Pelee Island (no internet or cell service), we motor sailed 14 miles today to Leamington. This is a pretty town of 12,000+ and flowers are in abundance. Our marina is across from a very nice park with boardwalk - wish the grandsons were here to play in the big fort/playground! What fun we could all have! Planning to hang out here for a few days!

July 9

We sailed 12 miles today to Pelee Island - very quaint, with pretty countryside, vineyards and friendly folks!Enjoyed a 12-mile bike ride on Pelee Island and passed wheat fields with lots of seagulls on one side and Lake Erie on the other.
This was unique - rode past a farmhouse with this tree full of old shoes (high heels, tennies, boots, ice skates, etc.) - definitely hadn't see something like that before?
The entrance to winery on Pelee island
Had to stop and get some ice cream for extra energy to get back to Catrina (Mark is in line)!
The Westview has the distinction of being the southernmost tavern in Canada!

July 8

We are in Put-In-Bay, OH and it's a very hot, humid Tuesday. During the afternoon, another storm rolled thru (nothing like 2 weeks ago, though). This place (Key West of the Midwest) is much quieter during the week than on the weekend!

July 4

We are spending this holiday weekend in St. Louis celebrating our nation's birthday with Mark's family at our annual summertime reunion HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!
Meet Kathy, Dan, Sarah and Tom - the 2008 graduates in the family
Saying good-bye to Anne, Patrick, Liam and Connor
Tom - one of the graduates, our nephew and Godchild. He'll be off to college this fall!

June 29-July 3

We are back home for a few days and packed in lots of FUN! Meet my "Monday Night Friends" gathered for a picnic and lots of chatter - Nadine, Linda, Marsha, Patty, Jody, Sue, Ruth, Connie and Brenda

I spent a very fun afternoon with my friend, Brenda and her quadruplet grandchildren...."Grandma" Brenda is holding Reese and Gavin while "Mommy" Tiffany has Maggie and Lauren!
Swimming at the park with Connor and Liam
Great lunch with my friend, Patty (and her chocolate raspberry martini) at Biaggi's - Patty is back in town visiting from Florida

June 28

We have left Catrina and are going "home sweet home" for a few days. Today is our wedding anniversary and we spent a fun afternoon at Shipshewana (Amish community) in northeast Indiana. Here we are celebrating 39 very happy years!!!