Travels of Mark and Pat: August 2023

Thursday - August 31

Oh my....the last day of August but definitely feels like fall up here on Lake Erie. Beautiful sunny skies in the 60's. Great weather for going back and forth between our 2 homes!

Our 2 tiny homes side-by-side - makes it so convenient moving our stuff!

It was a good productive day for both of us! Mark got all the chrome polished on Catrina - looks great!

I had an appointment with Dr. Bradley Buck, urologist at 3:30 for follow-up about the kidney stone. He showed me the x-ray from last week - I have 4 stones (2 on each side). He was surprised that it's been 17 years since I had an attack and hopefully, these will stay put, but who knows? He wants me to come back for an x-ray in 9 months and also follow up with my Fort Myers doctor.

Our last few days in Port Clinton and planning to hit some of our favorites one more time. Tonight we enjoyed the Gideon Owen Winery - gorgeous evening, wine, lobster bisque and dessert. Seth was a great waiter. We'll sure miss this place!

Lobster Bisque with puff pastry

Warm berry cobbler and ice cream

Pretty zinnias on the patio

Bye bye August...

Wednesday - August 30

Sure doesn't feel like late August.....windy, dreary and temps in the low 60's. We had the weather channel on catching the latest from Idalia and what's to come. Mark brought me a latte from "Wired" (coffee shop in the hotel), we packed up our stuff and left Cleveland around 9:30. Rained a bit on the way home - just a dreary ole day!

Stopped at Bergman Orchard for zucchini bread and some tomatoes, R Coffee Corner for a breakfast sandwich to share and on home.

Route 53 which is a very busy road in Port Clinton has major construction going on and will continue for over a year. Saw this cute little guy outside Bergman's - all ready for Halloween! Skeleton complete with hard hat, vest, etc.

Doing his job!

The dredgers are gone! Alleluia. Took 2 weeks and now we can move back to our original spot, pull Flo up beside Carina and begin the transfer; however, maybe not today with this ugly weather! We're fair-weather transfer people! HA.....plus plenty to do otherwise. Got Catrina's heat on - feels darn good!

We heard the happy news today that our niece Hannah is engaged to Paul. We visited on Sunday in West Allis. They are planning a Fall 2024 wedding.

Around 3, the sun "sorta" came out and Mark said "let's move Catrina".....she's all settled in her home spot - #5 Bayfield. Mark got several jobs crossed off his list of "things to do" before Carina is lifted out next Tuesday.

BLT's for supper, a short walk in the marina (me) and called it a day.

Pretty flowers on 9th Street - downtown Cleveland

Hotel lobbies (our Doubletree and Michael's Westin) have colorful guitars - Cleveland is the home of the

Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame

Scary-looking sunset tonight over the Portage River

Tuesday - August 29

Beautiful day here in Ohio and thoughts are with the folks in FL as Idalia comes roaring up the Gulf Coast. Just 11 months ago yesterday Ian hit our Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel area...

Mark got Big Red organized and bins put back in after the bikes were attached to Flo for travel. I did some organizing on Flo and soon we'll start the transfer of our stuff.

Lunch and then left at 1:20 for Cleveland. We're meeting Michael for dinner as he's flying in this afternoon for business. We're spending the night.

Stopped at Target in Amherst for a few things and arrived at our hotel around 3. We picked Michael up at the airport, dropped him off at his hotel and later met up and walked together to The Marble Room for fabulous dinner. This place dates back as the National Bank to 1896 and in 2017, was transformed into this fabulous restaurant "Marble Room". Highly recommend it if you're in Cleveland.

Ready for some fine dining

For special occasions (55th anniversary of our engagement - almost 25 years for Michael and Brooke but missing Brooke), they do this lit up cotton candy!!!

We had such a good visit with Michael and the Marble Room was totally WOW! Said our good byes and Mark and I walked down to the water (by the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame) and where we were with Catrina in July and then back to hotel.

Such a fun evening with Michael

Philip, Annette and kiddos are on a little getaway (Dollywood and Pigeon Forge) before school starts....

Luke and Maeve at the Bush Bean museum

Maeve weighs 37,200 baked beans

Luke weighs 61,300 beans

Luike and tiny can of Bush baked beans!

Checking in with FL news and Idalia....

Monday - August 28

Just a spectacular day (73) but earlier this morning, it was a bit nippy for our last bike ride on our favorite trail this season. Mark got me a latte at Coffee Express and a breakfast sandwich at Wendy's for himself and then we were off. We started in Lindsey and rode to Elmore and back (12.2 miles)

We picked up lunch at Coffee Express, ate on Catrina and then set to work. The dredgers are closing in on where we are docked in one of the wells (where they lift out the boats) so we had to move.

Digging behind Catrina

We settled into the Saulte Ste Marie slip. I cleaned the cushions from the Bridge and Mark organized the back of his truck now that the bikes are outta there.

Annette asked if we felt the earthquake that was near Geneva-on-the-Lake (east of Cleveland) - 3.6. Nothing here. Keeping a close eye on Idalia and where she may hit? Scary.....and soo many millions in the possible path. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Anne, Connor and Ryan had dinner together tonight - back in town on-the-job with all those packages!

Today was Blair's 1st day of 5th grade....

Look out world....here she comes~!

Hope it's a very fun and successful school year!

Sweet girl!

Sunday - August 27

We are back in Port Clinton after a very enjoyable weekend in Wisconsin. Although it didn't get off to the best start (kidney stone episode), I'm feeling fine now and thankful that that drama is over (I think)?

This morning we drove to West Allis to see our niece Hannah's new home. Several of the family were stopping by to check it out and enjoy bagels/muffins and coffee or a BBQ this afternoon. It's very nice and lots of ideas for the future!

Back on the road and we shared the drive - beautiful day and arrived on Catrina at 4:45. (6+ hours later and that 1-hour time jump).

Went to online Mass with Father Jonathan tonight and ready to call it a day! Hope you have a nice week ahead - weather sounds great and no rain in our forecast! Alleluia!

No sibling zoom tonight as we were just all together!

Saturday - August 26

Yikes....woke up to strong winds off the lake, cloudy and cool conditions! Mark got a latte for me at Abrazo Coffee downtown and later we drove to Kewpee (a great place for breakfast/lunch) only to find big red letters on the door (CLOSED). No clue why but we went around the corner to The Maple Table (recommended by Claire) and had an awesome breakfast. Back to the hotel and later changed into our "gussied up" clothes and left around noon for Delafield (52 miles northwest).

We were in Delafield many years ago - very nice town of 7,000+ on a lake. Our room wasn't ready so we checked out some shops (I even did a bit of Christmas shopping for Blair and Maeve)! Later we met Karen and Marilyn (sisters) in the hotel parking lot and both our rooms were ready.

Beautiful wedding for Danny and Julia followed and then between wedding and reception, several gathered in the hotel for more visiting. Reception at the Delafield Hotel - fun party and a grand time had by all. The bride and groom have been together since 2012 when they met as freshman at the University of Minnesota. They now live in Boston.

The newlyweds

Danny and Julia

Who is this scary little Carolina girl who rang the doorbell surprising Mommy?

Friday - August 25

Last night at 11:10, the sirens went off (3rd time this summer). We flew out of bed, jumped in the car and made a quick drive to the storage building and slept on Flo. No idea how long the storm was raging or how severe as we were totally in the dark; however we did get another 3/4" of rain!

Hello from Racine.....all good with me and my little stone which is either gone or behaving itself? I've felt fine all day. Mark got muffins and coffees from Coffee Express and we left Catrina at 7:30 (wanted to beat the heavy traffic around Gary/Chicago).

Nice to gain that hour back! We stopped at Borzynski's (one of my favorites) and I browsed and bought a few things. Then to lunch at The Yardarm (another favorite) and onto Milaeger's (wonderful) for more shopping. We spent from 1995-2006 with our sail cat Catrina here at Reefpoint Marina - sooo many good memories of boating, shopping and eating.

Checked in to our hotel and relaxed awhile before time to head out to Salute downtown for dinner - this Italian place was a popular spot for several of us boaters to eat on Friday nights back in the day. Busy as ever!

We walked around downtown (lots of empty buildings but on the outskirts of town, things are thriving with lots of new businesses from when we were here last - May, 2019).

The dredging continues at Superior Marine - Catrina had to be moved today to make room for the barges to get thru. A week to 10 days is definitely extended to??

Ryan flew in to Bloomington (FedEx) at 5:15 AM and Connor picked him up and took him to Peoria to catch a 7:20 flight to Charlotte. Connor made it back in plenty of time for start of school.

This was a good time to be off Catrina as Brad has replaced the old antifreeze in Catrina's engines and put in new.

The Bash on the Bay (huge event in August at Put in Bay) with big name country stars was this past Wednesday and Thursday. After the storm Wednesday and another predicted for Thursday, that evening's entertainment was cancelled, including Luke Bryan as the star performer. Put in Bay got 10" of rain, tents blown down, and other damage.

When we were in our room earlier, it was comfortable but tonight the AC is not working....so, since it's a mechanical issue and apparently no one is on duty, we had to move all our stuff to another room! Arghhh.

Tomorrow we are off to the wedding at 3:00 in Delafield.

Congratulations to Jim and Lydia who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today!

Best wishes for many more!

Thursday - August 24

Well, where to start??? If things went as planned, we would be in Michigan City, IN tonight celebrating our 55th engagement anniversary, but.............here we are on Catrina in Port Clinton.

Last night around 10ish, the lightning started and it went on all thru the night (a "light" show that never stopped till early this morning) + very strong winds, thunder rumblings and heavy rain (5"+). The rain was coming down every which way (2 times earlier this summer, we headed to storage cause sirens went off). No sirens last night but can't imagine going out in that deluge.

We were up and leaving at 9 only to drive thru the marina gate and find water everywhere - many streets were flooded with stalled cars, and barricades put up. Well....we were stranded so came back to Catrina and waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for water to go down. And that it did as streets were getting better but ditches, parking lots, fields were full. And we were on our way...

We were almost to Toledo when I started feeling funny - tummy and back pains, nauseous, etc. We stopped at the service plaza and then decided to head back to Port Clinton (1 hour). We to the ER at Magruder Hospital and since I'm familiar with kidney stones and the way my back was so painful, I thought that's what it was. Lab work and x-ray confirmed. We were there 3 hours - felt awful. They would've done a CT scan to get a better picture, but that department and the cafeteria are in the basement and were flooded! While we were at the hospital, our phones sent off alerts for severe weather coming tonight with 75 mph winds, possible tornadoes, hail, etc. Oh geez.....we heard about so much flooding around town.

They gave me strainers and 4 Rx to pick up. Mark brought me home and went to Wal Mart to get my meds.....4 bottles totaling $3.77 - wow, what a deal. 2 of them were .25; 1 was .29 and the other $2.98, We were both hungry so he stopped at Slater's (1st time) and we shared a burger. I just had a small part but was really good AND today is National Burger Day.

I've just been chillin' and right now, have no pain, but know that can quickly change....not sure of any travel plans for tomorrow? Sure don't want to miss the wedding....one day at a time! Would not wish this pain on anyone - way worse than having a baby. My Dad, brother Bob and niece Jennifer have gone thru this - definitely hereditary.

Geez tonight, another boat came into marina on one engine - transmission trouble! Arghhh

Two dear friends are in the hospital - seriously ill. So many prayers needed for Joe and Jerry. And hope 'n pray no bad storms tonight! Enough is enough!

Wednesday - August 23

Very cloudy and cool despite the prediction for hot temps today/tomorrow + storm alert for the next 24 hours? Strong winds, hail, heavy rain???

We were off to do laundry with a stop at R Coffee Corner first. Mark helped me get the 3 machines going and then left to run several errands including a pickup of Rx at Wal Mart. We've been so impressed with their pharmacy - the Port Clinton folks are extremely efficient and helpful + the prices are the best around for our drugs.

Home and put all our clean clothes away. A strange weather day - it got very windy and dark skies, but that passed. Later, more dark clouds rolled in, but no rain and the excessive heat that was predicted only reached 81 ???

We finished our packing for the weekend - leaving tomorrow till Sunday - celebrating the 55th anniversary of our engagement (tomorrow) and the big highlight will be wedding for Danny and Julia on Saturday.

Donna and I were going to get together and chat over margaritas this afternoon, but she developed a nasty headache, so....

Tuesday - August 22

So many are dealing with the HOT temps and here in Port Clinton, it was only in the 70's with a strong wind out of the east making it cooler on the lake! Holy moly, we had mayflies on Catrina today - crazy....it's the middle of August! When will they ever go away?

I was scheduled for a mani pedi tomorrow at 10, but Danielle from BeYOUtiful texted last night asking if I could come instead at 5 AM tomorrow? WHAT? No thanks - been there and done that one time last year. It was a bit eerie walking down the street to her salon at that hour. She said several of her clients needed to switch their time and she was texting a bunch of ladies to change things around......she is so busy and I guess accommodating to come in as early as 4 AM to take care of our pampering. Plus she is leaving on vacation Saturday, so a lot of juggling. She said "how about 9:30 tomorrow" (today), so that's where I was off to and as always, she does a wonderful job.

Back home and Mark was ready for lunch and a bike ride. We ate at Big Boppers in Marblehead, a new place for us that's been around for 37+ years - family owned serving comfort food. Patty melt (Mark) and tenderloin for me - both very good. Then to East Harbor State Park and a 10-mile ride. This is such a busy place on the weekends but quite a few campers today, too. There are 3 campgrounds + the beach which was also busy today.....burrrr,,,,,the die hards were in the water and the wind was fierce and cold! We both wore jackets! Schools don't start up here till next week.

I mentioned a while ago about getting 2 new port windows in Catrina and that we needed 6 more but $$$. Well, Mark surprised me and had ordered them and while I was gone this morning, he installed all of them! What a guy and they look soo good.

Walked this evening and visited with Donna, our neighbor who came up for a few days. She is so funny and just a great "new" friend!

Monday - August 21

Hazy sunshine today. Mark wanted to check the port engine (water in the bilge issue) one more time this season and we had wanted to eat at the West Bay Inn on Kelleys Island (1st time). The 10:30 bridge opened for us and 1st stop was for diesel at GEM Beach Marina on Catawba Island. It was wobbly out there with strong winds out of the northeast (the direction we were headed). But overall, not bad. We've driven past West Bay many times in the golf cart but when we heard we could come by boat, decided to try it but probably the one and only time as it was too shallow for our liking . Food was good (Mark had a walleye sandwich and chicken tenders for me). The ride back was a little better and we made the 3:00 bridge.

Dave (dockmaster) asked Mark today if he would like a job this fall hauling boats out and putting inside storage. NO thanks, but he said with Mark's boat knowledge, he sure could use his help! Too many things going on for us when we're back in IL and then FL. "Places to go and people to see". But fall is sometimes the best boating and we always have Catrina lifted out the day after Labor Day. Over the winter, the guys will have a better idea at checking the slight leak???

Davis.....first day of last year of college at NC State

Best of luck for a successful fun year!

It was in the 70's today but kinda muggy out when we were walking tonight. 75 tomorrow and then the heat arrives for 2 days!

More excitement at 7 tonight here at Superior Marine when another TowBoat US came in towing a 46' SeaRay. Two couples were on the boat from Whiskey Island (near Cleveland) - apparently transmission problems!

Mark helped them tie up. Can't believe all the boat issues here lately (not good for the boat owners)! 😟

Sunday - August 20

Another nice day but the heat is on here in Port Clinton - nothing like south of here where it's gonna be a HOT week! We're thankful being on the lake makes a big difference!

Went to 10:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception with Father Jonathan and another great homily. Sad to think we only have one more Mass/homily with him (Labor Day weekend). Stopped at Baby Bassett's for a few groceries and on home for lunch and a quiet afternoon in the AC.

The clouds rolled in around 3.....so we took off in the dinghy (last ride of the season 😥) Mark wanted to run the gas out of engine so we took a little ride and stopped at The Bait House for some refreshing beverages and then out on the lake. When we returned to Catrina, the engine stopped - talk about perfect timing!!!

Congrats to Connor and the Saints - Connor is holding the plaque

He tied for 2nd place with a 78

Liam is officially a Hawkeye!

The student body taken this afternoon

Just missing Tom H tonight on zoom. We'll all be together next weekend in Delafield, WI for our nephew Danny's wedding to Julia.

Stay cool this week!

Saturday - August 19

A beautiful August day....very pleasant (80, sight breeze and oodles of sunshine). Mark helped the guys with boat projects - checking out the Avanzi to see if there was damage from hitting the rocks yesterday (apparently not, as he was lifted out, checked, put back in water and off he went); but then there's still the $8000 charge for towing from TowBoat US to deal with. Next up was Donnie (one of the owners) and his "Over Loaded" need the newly repaired props installed (he hit something out on the lake a while back); so got that taken care of. No status on "Dutch" which went aground coming into the marina a few days ago.

Three hours later, Mark returned and we left in the truck for a bike ride (15 miles total) from Clyde to Fremont. Back in early June when we started riding the trail past the corn and bean fields, they were so small and now....so green, tall and healthy! We wanted to eat at the Blue Collar Bistro but for some reason, they were closed today?? We really enjoyed our lunch there last Friday. Wild Brew is across the street and they have exellent chicken salad on croissants, so that was lunch and then off on our ride.

Stopped at Wal Mart in Fremont for a few things and final stop was Scooters for some ice cream....nothing like defeating the purpose of a nice bike ride and then eating ice cream, but.....it really hit the spot and we like to support the local businesses - 1st visit to Scooters this summer. Our flurries (Mark had snickers and heath bar for me) were sooo good!

We both took a nap and just enjoyed chillin' rest of the afternoon.

Connor was in a golf tournament in Macomb today teeing off at 8 AM. He shot a 78 and CCHS came in 1st place out of 16 schools! 👍👍

Friday - August 18

After all the rain (more came at midnight) today is fresh, breezy and cool (59 when Mark got up)! He went to Coffee Express for coffees and also got a chocolate cream cheese muffin - I had a piece of the peach coffee cake from Bergman's - both excellent! Oink!

Mark has been wondering where the truckers are taking all the dirt/mud from the dredging so when he saw a truck leaving, he hopped in the car and followed....not too far away is a big marina and nearby is a storage facility and behind it they are dumping the dirt. He'll sleep better tonight knowing where that dirt is going! Ha! 😉

Mark ordered 2 new port hole windows for Catrina as hers (19 years old) are getting foggy and hard to see thru - so replacing 2 of them (we have a total of 8) - they are $$$$ but what a difference! The windows are open and what a refreshing breeze is going thru Catrina.

We worked between Flo and Catrina organizing and gathering some stuff to take on our little getaway next week to our nephew's wedding in Wisconsin.

Had some excitement around 5 here in the marina when a 35' Chris Craft boat came in with 2 TowBoat US big inflatables tied to it as one engine failed and they went on the rocks. Winds have been very strong all day. Mark helped get them tied along the wall.....the sad unreal part is that even though the captain had boat insurance with TowBoat, once you go on the rocks, it's considered "salvage" and the fee to bring the boat to Superior (1/2 mile at the most) is $8,000. OUCH...YIKES!

We walked downtown and had dinner at Ala Carte Cafe - Mark had the ribeye and I had mac 'n cheese with pulled pork - all very good! They had a lady singing some oldie country tunes including several by Loretta Lynn. She was pretty good but then 2 guys played their guitars and were singing very twangy....no thanks!

Deeelicious!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - August 17

I went with Mark to get his haircut (actually he dropped me off at Coffee Express for a vanilla latte and then I walked to the car). Then we were off to pick up Bob and Linda. Breakfast at The Orchard (sooo good and sooo pretty sitting in the warm sunshine amongst the vineyards and flowers!)

Stopped at Bergman Orchards for some of their yummy bread - peach pecan, apple/cinnamon/nut, zucchini and cinnamon rolls for Linda and we got a peach coffee cake! Love their baked goods. Back to the hotel, good bye hugs - such a fun time! We'll see them back in IL in a few weeks!

Huge raspberry hydrangeas at The Orchard

My avocado toast

Mark, Pat, Linda, Bob in the orchard

On home and a quiet day - worked on my social calendar for when we're back at Kamp Komfort. The rain started at 3:30 - nice n gentle till a downpour at 6:15.

Blair did facetime with us - tah dah....got her braces off today!

Ahhh - what a pretty smile!

Grandma enjoyed seeing all her new fashions for starting 5th grade next week!

Connor started his senior year today....wishing him a fun, successful year! Connor and some friends did a tailgate breakfast in the parking lot before school started this morning! Sausage, eggs, the whole bit! 😊😋

Connor and his fur babies

1st day of his senior year!

On the golf course yesterday

The rain stopped at 7:30, the temp dropped into the 60's - we went for a brisk, breezy, brief walk in the marina! Lots of water standing. And now at 9, it is pouring again!

Wednesday - August 16

A big, busy, fun day starting with the guys coming to dredge the marina. They started around 8 and quite interesting to watch all the goings on.

Dredging and hauling away

We left at 9:30 to pick up Bob and Linda. We gals went shopping and the guys went to Marblehead to watch the ferry come in and unload a semi truck, other trucks and 23 cars heading back to Kelleys Island. They also got to see the loading of gravel unto a freighter. Mark gave Bob the tour of Superior Marine, Flo, boats in storage, etc.

We all met at The Orchard Farmstand for delicious lunch outdoors on this spectacular day. Then Linda and I continued on with our shopping and the guys came back to Catrina and tooks naps,

Lunch at the Orchard Farmstand

When Linda and I returned to Catrina, we sat under the tent and played Spite 'n Malice a card game from waaaaay back. Played this years ago but definitely needed a refresher course. Fun game for 2 and Linda won!

At 5, we left for Gideon Owen Winery and gave Bob and Linda a tour of the grounds and sat outside on this spectacular evening, Enjoyed our dinners and had a chocolate martini (Linda) and chocolate raspberry martini (me) and swang on the gliders afterwards. Took them back to their hotel and thought we would play some euchre, but we are all tired and ready to call it a night! Till tomorrow....

Excellent martinis

Relaxing on the glider

Tuesday - August 15

Today is the feast day for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. We went to 8:30 Mass with Father Jonathan. Mark dropped me off at Coffee Express (latte for me, morning glory muffin for him). He went to pick up an Amazon order and then back to get me and on home to enjoy our goodies.

It's cool and cloudy today - feels more like fall....rained during the night and more coming later today.

The big boat "Dutch" arrived around 11:45 last night - we didn't hear it come in, but Mark checked on AIS this morning which shows location of surrounding boats. Apparently when the captain (and crew of 2) came into our channel, he cut it too close (can't imagine coming in when it's so dark?), and went aground for TWO HOURS. UGH!

Bob and Linda arrived at their hotel at 3 and we were off to meet them. We all went to R Coffee Corner - the guys visited while Linda and I shopped at Fabulous Female Boutique and The Lake House. The sun came out and it was a very pretty late afternoon.

We drove to Twin Oast to walk around the grounds and then to The Orchard for delicious dinner. This place is really expanding and new area should be open in a month or so. While we were having dinner, more rain! We went back and visited in the lobby and on home - very windy out!

Bob and Linda

It's back-to-school time for our kiddos.....Brady started his senior year today; Connor on Thursday; Davis, Liam, Luke, Blair and Maeve all next week.,

Davis - senior at NC State; Liam - freshman at U of Iowa; Brady - senior at Patton High School and Connor - senior at CCHS Luke and Blair - 5th grade and Maeve, 2nd grade.

Liam all settled in his dorm room

Brady starting his last year of high school

Luke's new hair cut! Cute!

Monday - August 14

The Ship Shape crew arrived at 8:30 to clean Catrina - they do a fantastic job. Monday is a slow day for them - everyone wants their boats clean just before the weekend. But this was perfect as Bob and Linda are coming tomorrow!

We gathered the laundry and left around 10 to get that task done. Barbara Ann was working today - we always enjoyed her but had not seen her this year as she went part time (Sunday and Monday). She is a cleanaholic. The other gal is excellent, too. Good thing we went today as sign on the door said Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the water will be off and on cause of new water/sewer lines they are putting in. Route 53 is a mess with lots of construction (widening the road).

Weather was threatening off and on....rain coming tonight and tomorrow! It started at 6 PM

Dave (dockmaster) told Mark this morning that the machinery and men were coming Wednesday to dredge the Portage River at the entrance to Superior Marine. Trucks will be going back and forth hauling dirt so he suggested we move Catrina. We did a pump out this afternoon and now settled in our new spot - this project will take 10 days - 2 weeks.

Mark worked on more IT stuff for neighbor Bob.

Connor and the CCHS golf Saints started their season today with a tournament in Peoria. Liam and his friend Jack were there to cheer on the Saints. Connor shot a 72.😊

Tomorrow Anne and Liam are off to Iowa City and the start of Liam's college career at the University of Iowa. Bittersweet time.....wishing him all the best in this exciting next chapter in his life.

We are awaiting the arrival (maybe around 9ish tonight) of a yacht coming from Nova Scotia and will be stored here this winter. More details coming tomorrow!

Sunday - August 13

Sunny Sunday....we went to 10:30 Mass and sat with our dockmaster, Dave. Then to Kroger for a few groceries and on home. The Farmers' Market was going strong in downtown Port Clinton - just a spectacular day!

Heard this morning that our brother-in-law, Mark is in the hospital.....he was not feeling well and slurring his speech. Running a bunch of tests and waiting for results. He is Mark's sister Nancy's husband and step-grandpa to Beckett.

This afternoon, Bob and Donna came - we each made some yummy appetizers along with beer, wine, margaritas, visiting and euchre. Bob and I beat Donna and Mark 3 out of 4 games. They are so much fun!

Donna and Bob

Did zoom with 8 siblings - missing Doris, Jim and Marilyn. Had a good chat with Liam. Tuesday is the big day - off to college!

Have a great week ahead!

Saturday - August 12

Rain, rain and more rain......we had thunder, lightning and rain last night around 9, then during the night and another downpour this afternoon! Time to dry out!

Quiet day here at the marina - Mark worked with the guys helping with boat things - lifting one out and taking off the props, checking on the travel lift, etc.....all guy stuff.

I read, played games on my Ipad and even took a nap (Mark, too) in the afternoon. We had a favorite summertime meal - BLT's and sweet corn for supper!

Mark and I walked around the marina and Bob and Donna invited us over for drinks and visit on "So Blessed".

Sunset at Lake James tonight

Thanks Michael

Friday - August 11

Another nice day. After breakfast we took Catrina out for a little spin to test the tightened bands that Brad worked on. There was just a tiny amount of water, but the area where it had come in earlier was dry? Mystery continues, but Mark is thinking it could just be a little water in the bilge.

Back home and jumped in the truck with our bikes and headed to Fremont. We rode 8 miles to Clyde - we love their Wild Brew coffee shop but today also discovered the Blue Collar Bistro. This place has been in Clyde since 2013 but a year ago moved downtown. Mark had their Potato Bowl (mashed potatoes, fresh corn, crispy chicken and cheese) - absolutely delicious! I had the Southwest salad with homemade cilantro lime ranch dressing - also delicious!

Then we rode 8 miles back to Fremont! Great ride and lunch!

On home as it started to sprinkle - got a downpour that started around 5 and lasted a good 45 minutes.

Sooo sad about the awful fires and loss of life and property in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Here are a few more pics from Luke and Maeve's visit...