Saturday - October 25

 Another fun day after doing some projects in the she shed.    I sorted thru clothes and started a pile to donate.

We left at 11 for the post office and then to Nav-A-Gator (south of Arcadia and in the middle of nowhere on the Peace River) for lunch.    Our Champaign, IL friends (Butch and Joyce) came from their winter home in Frostproof (hometown of our friend Fran).   We usually get together a few times during the winter in FL and then back in IL.   

We love the Nav-A-Gator which has really good food/drinks and today it was a lively place as all the staff were dressed for Halloween (clever costumes).    Tonight there is a big party!

As always, loved our food (Joyce and I had the crab-stuffed grilled cheese) and we enjoyed our favorite drink here....Siesta Bay Cooler.   This place is a favorite of Mark's sister Joan and Joe's, too.

Cheers

We 4 all love coffee shops and finding new ones to enjoy....since we were in the boonies, thought this could be an challenge?    But good ole Butch came up with "Mudslide Coffee" 4.5 miles away (near Punta Gorda).    Cute little spot that's been there since 2023.   We enjoyed our coffees and more yakking.    Always lots of laughs!    They'll be heading back to IL on Thursday for the holidays - so till January when we'll find a good spot to meet 'n eat and of course, find a special coffee shop!

Joyce and Butch

On home but first, we drove around the new Bermuda Run RV Park about 1 mile from CT.  Lots of cars there today - maybe an "Open House"?   

Annette and Maeve at "Wicked" in Charlotte this afternoon

Lucky Ladies

Yeah for the Iowa Hawkeyes and their big win over Minnesota today.    Connor was there with Liam cheering them on!

Friday - October 24

 Lots of sunshine today, but also HEAT!!!    Oh well, supposed to cool down next week!

Another fun, busy day starting with euchre in the clubhouse with our buddies (Todd and Cindy from Colorado and Judy from Ohio).    We played 5-handed and Mark won both games.   Great to catch up after 6 months apart!

Mark, Judy, Cindy, Todd, Pat

We left for downtown to meet John and Beth for lunch at Ford's Garage - we had not seen these dear friends since last December.    So, a whole lotta yakkin going on over lunch and beyond.    We walked thru the new Fancy's downtown which they oohed and aahed over.   Then we sat in Peter's Courtyard and had German ice cream and iced latte.    More visiting and catching up with plans to get together again soon.  Their daughter Ashley got married 6 days after Drew, so plenty of wedding talk, too.

Marika at Peter's

John and Beth

Said our good byes.    Mark and I went to WalMart for a Rx, some piddlies and then he got his flu shot (I got mine with Dr. Freeman on Wednesday) and I got the TDAP shot.    Finally  home at 4:30!    Whew.....

A quiet evening at CT.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - October 23

 The medical appointments are done for this week!!!    We were off early again with a stop at Panera for coffee/pastries-to-go.   My 1st visit was with Dr. Langford (urologist) to discuss my kidney stone issues as I had not seen her since the April episode with kidney stone/surgery/stent in Illinois.    But first, we chatted about books we both like to read - favorite authors, etc.   She is such a delight and then we got down to business!    I will have a scan done in December and see her in February, so all good for now!

We had a few hours till next appointment, so enjoyed a leisurely lunch by the water at Deep Lagoon.   Nice breeze under the umbrella - great drinks/food.    Then to the Edison Mall where we walked and got in some steps.  And finally, I had 2 nerve studies done - 1st by Keith (electrodes like tiny shocks all over my hand and arm - also did some on my left hand).    The Dr. Jacklyn Holt came in to do more needle pricks.    She will compare today's results with those from February 2024 and see what's what.   I see Dr. Collins (hand specialist) next week.   Of course they asked if anything has changed - "nope, my hand feels like it did November 27, 2023 when I woke up from the shoulder surgery"  😔

Picked up a package at Amazon locker and on home.

Mark put new tire covers on Flo.   Quiet rest of the afternoon/evening.

Wednesday - October 22

Feeling much better today - good night's sleep and Claritin did the trick! 

Hot and sticky today...93.    We were off early at 7:45 for Mark's eye check-up with Dr. Alessi.   All good.   Collins Vision now has a $100 fee for no-shows!!!!

Then we had some time till my primary doctor visit, so went to Panera and then to Dr. Freeman's office.   I'm good to go till I see her in January.

We had a quick lunch at Jason's Deli before my manicure.    Alisa is at a new location having left Profiles downtown and now in a nail/hair salon on Presidential Way.    Good to see her again and catch up.

On home, worked in the she shed, did some laundry and I made a batch of BBQ.

Luke (7th) and Maeve (4th)

school pictures

We played Lucky 13 tonight.   Nice surprise to have 7 tables (when we've been out walking, we've seen very few folks, but that's probably cause of the heat)!   So really good to see familiar faces after 6 months and Mark and I both won!    We played with Bob and Marilyn from Texas, Dave and Sue from Michigan and Paul and Sue from Illinois.   Fun evening!

Tuesday - October 21

 Last night I started sneezing like crazy and blowing my nose.....where oh where did that come from?   Not sure if it's a bad cold or allergies?

This morning I had 2 appts. - haircut and manicure.    Alisa (nails) texted that she had the flu and felt terrible - could I reschedule?   Supposed to go there tomorrow IF she and I are both feeling better?    Then Salon by Design called that Kaitlyn (hair) was not coming in today but they could have another stylist do my hair.    Laurie did a good job so happy to have that out of the way.   Stopped at Starbucks for a hot latte and onto WalMart to pick up a Rx and few groceries.  I talked to the pharmacist and she recommended I take Allegra or Claritin.   Picked up some Claritin so hoping this will do the trick.   On home.

Mark got Big Red detailed and ran several errands.   I took a nap in the afternoon and we worked a bit more in the she shed, but going in and out....the heat is on and we're taking it easy.

I'm pretty sure it was a wasp that stung me Sunday.   Mark usd some wasp spray and thought he got it, but today, a friend (or same one) came along....we heard peppermint was a good solution to getting rid of them, so....

Got the critters out and set in their respective spots in the landscaping - Tillie and Trixie, the Turtles, Bonnie the Bunny, Freddie the Frog and Lizzie (small turtle Maeve made for us)!

Feeling lousy, so.....crawling into bed and hope I can beat this crud very soon!

Nighty night

Monday - October 20

We were off to downtown this morning at 8:45 for a haircut for Mark with Jose and I waited at Peter[s Coffee Cafe.   So good to see Marika, Stefan and Dani.    They are now serving German donuts!    I sat in the courtyard with my latte and blueberry coffee cake.   I had a nice chat with Albert originally from South America but now lives in Cape Coral.   He introduced me to Jonathan, our state senator.    Mark joined me with his new "do", got a coffee and ate 1/2 of my coffee cake (I did plan to share).😀

Nothing like a delicious pastry and coffee from Peter's

Today it was all about errands and we had a bunch.    Dry cleaners, WalMart, Costco, tickets at Barbara Mann and got Ruby detailed.  The highlight was lunch at "Fancy's Southern Cafe's" newest location downtown.   Twisted Vine was a nice restaurant till Ian came along and totally destroyed it.   It was vacant for a while and we were happy to see that Fancy's was opening their 2nd location.   Wow....it is absolutely beautiful.    One side is for lunch and the other,,, for dinner Thursday-Sunday with live music (a big white baby grand is elevated) and brunch on Sundays in the courtyard.   Our food was delicious and can't wait to go back!   There are so many good places to eat downtown and this is a great addition.

My chicken salad "salad"

Mark had the chicken fried steak, sweet potato souffle and green beans

On home, put our stuff away and glad for  a rest!    Did some laundry later.   91 today!😧

 We have 8 medical appointments coming in the next 2 weeks - 3 for Mark and 5 for me!😟

Congratulations to Blair who was chosen as a "Citizen of the Month" by her teacher for demonstrating respect and kindness.    Blar is 5th from the left in the striped shirt !!!  

Blair and her friend Abby are with Abby's parents in Orlando for a few days - they had a 4-day weekend!   Fun!!

Abby and Blair

They were "pink" ladies in the Halloween parade

We went for a short walk in the park - at 7, it was still steamy with no breeze.   Our phones said it felt like 91.

Sunday - October 19

 We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis with Father Robert.   Good to be back here.   Today is a big day for our parish as Father Steve will be named pastor by Bishop Frank Dwaine at the 11:30 Mass.   Big celebration planned with mass and reception.

Checked out the new location for "Take Two Coffee" on Broadway.    Nice new spot compared to where they were (connected to a church).   Enjoyed our coffee, donut (me) and cinnamon roll (Mark).   Filled up Ruby's gas tank and on home.

We worked between the she shed, Ruby and Big Red getting a little more organized.    And then.......I got stung by a bee or wasp?   Boy, that little sucker got me in the back as I was coming out of the she shed.    Mark put Cortizone cream on it right away, but took a long time for sting to go away?

HOT 88 today....by mid afternoon, we were ready to call it a day and stay inside.

Went for a short walk after supper - had the threat of rain, but just a few sprinkles.

View tonight from our neighbors, Buddy and JoAnn's lot across the street

Pretty pink clouds

Zoom tonight had 9 siblings - update on Lydia's recent surgery; Joan's ankle issue; Theresa preparing for Mike to go into Memory Care in next 2 weeks; Jim's plan to bring their RV to FL in early November; brother-in-law Darrell's 2nd cataract surgery tomorrow; football scores; how do we like our recliners, etc.

Wishing everyone a good week!

Saturday - October 18

We had a productive day....worked inside Flo (where it was nice 'n cool).   Cleaned and organized drawers and cupboards from things shifting while we're on the road.   

Shane with MAZ Enterprises started cleaning the pavers using a high power washer at 9:45.   He worked for over 3 hours but got the pavers nice 'n clean.    Shane said this happens occasionally, but never as bad as we were! 😞 He hosed down Flo, too.   He will come back next summer and clean under where Flo is parked - too much hassle to move her again, so....sounds good to us.   MAZ Enterprises does several maintenance jobs on RV's.

Before the power washing

Lots of splatters 

What a nice surprise to get a phone call from a long-ago friend, Carly.    We met Carly and Ross in Okeechobee several years ago at Water's Edge RV Park..    They were from California and just so much fun.    Carly and I went into town and did yoga together a few times a week with Miss Belle.   We kept in touch but the last time we communicated was October, 2023.    Wow.....Carly and Ross sold their RV and now live in Hernando, FL (about 3 hours away)......so, we definitely plan to hook up sometime this season,    Carly made my day!!!

This afternoon we worked in the she shed and emptied some stuff from Big Red and Ruby - still plenty to do, but we both ran out of steam around 2:30.   So happy to be back with my own washer and dryer!!!

Holy Moly....God did a real number at Lake James last night!

We started off our social season (😀) having dinner with Barb and Roger at Naples Coastal Kitchen in Bonita Springs.   New place for us and a new location as they had been in Naples.    Very pretty blue decor and food was really good.   Lots of choices.

Barb and Roger have been in FL for 2 weeks and will be heading home Monday till after the holidays.

Roger, Mark, Pat, Barb

Always fun to be with them and a great start to 2025-2026 in Florida

Friday - October 17

 We met Ron and Vicki at Fat Jacks at 9, an old timey diner - busy place with great food and prices.    Said our good byes and headed back to Sanlan RV/Golf Resort.   

Vicki and Ron

 We were pretty much ready to go - Mark just had to put power cord and water hose away.

And then 107 miles later, we were "HOME! - whew, it's a hot one!    

We settled Flo and noticed many white splash marks on our pavers like paint?    We had the pavers cleaned and sealed over the summer.    Mark called Shane and he came right out - something about the solution sits inside the ripply areas of pavers and then the white stuff?   A lady arrived and both of them worked on this.....what a job!   They are going to try a different solution tomorrow.   We shall see...........

But a nice treat to see my orchid with all these blooms as it was pretty far gone when we left in April.

Pretty blooms

Thursday - October 16

 We are in Lakeland and getting so close to "home sweet home".   We left Tifton at 8 and a short jaunt out of the park got fuel (gas for Ruby; diesel for Flo) and on our way at 8:20.

So good to see the "Welcome to Florida" sign at 9:20!    We stopped in Dunnellon for lunch at Burger King - that intersection was a zoo (heavy traffic and construction) so tricky to get Flo in and out and back on 75.   We took the turnpike and then rural roads arriving at Sanlan RV and Golf Resort at 1:50.    This is Flo's Lakeland, Florida home and we've been here several times.    My brothers golf here sometimes, too.

We drove to my brother Ron and Vicki's home - great visit (we had not seen them since March) and then to Frescos downtown and one of our favorite Lakeland restaurants!   Another awesome meal....said our good byes but planning to meet for breakfast tomorrow.

Mark, Ron, Vicki, Pat

Today is National Junior College Athletic Association Day

Our Connor is front and center representing golf at

DACC.

Wednesday - October 15

 We left the KOA in Blue Ridge at 8:55.    Sure enjoy this area and would love to come back and stay longer - they have a Scenic Railway trip that goes thru the Blue Ridge mountains (4 hour round trip).   It is very popular especially in the fall.   There are 2 trips each day.

Drove thru Atlanta - not too bad but not fun either.....everyone going so fast and so much traffic.   Had a big backup where 75 and 285 merged!    We stopped in Jackson, GA for lunch  with 2 choices of food trucks and chose "Ole Rudy's Bar B Que".    Ate on picnic tables under a shelter - we each had a pulled pork sandwich and we shared an order of coleslaw - all very good.

Good Southern cookin'

We arrived in Tifton, GA at 2:45 and settled at the Overnight RV Park which is similar to a Loves RV stop - very nice and about 1/2 mile off 75.

It was 46 when we got up but ended up a sunny 82.    We've sure been blessed with good travel weather.   We've been averaging around 300 miles each day which is more than enough!   With each of us having to drive, we say the rosary, listen to our own music and keep alert!

We walked around the park and met a nice couple from Titusville, FL who have been traveling since May.    They are headed home but first, stopping to see their 1-week old great grandbaby in Gainesville and then a daughter in Ocala.

There are around 40 sites here and its about 1/2 full tonight but the majority are from FL.

Tomorrow we'll be in Lakeland (FLORIDA) and visiting my brother Ron and Vicki.    Then onto Fort Myers on Friday!

Today would've been Mark's sister Sue's 68th birthday....she passed away October 12, 2020.   She is so missed....."Happy Heavenly Birthday, Sue"!!!

Tuesday - October 14

 A beautiful day in Blue Ridge - 76 with all sunshine!    I left around 9:45 for downtown (2 minutes away).   Mark wanted to stay put on Flo.   I parked ($5 proceeds are going to avoid euthanizing dogs)

First stop was Das Kaffee Haus for a latte and sat in the window seat of this charming place and sent some texts and e-mails.   Then to check out the shops - this is such a neat town full of shops and restaurants (there are 1700+ residents and "77" places to dine!!!).   I was especially looking forward to "Gather"" and "Blue Ridge Cotton Co." which were owned by Josh and Gary, former neighbors at CT.    4 years ago when we came here, it was during  covid and we were all wearing our masks.   We had a nice visit with the guys and loved their shops.    A few years later, they opened a shop in downtown Fort Myers in the Franklin Shops.    They sold their RV and bought a condo in FM and split their time between Fort Myers and Blue Rudge.   Unfortunately, I just missed them as they had been in the shop earlier.   Bummer.   I left a note....as of last Thursday, they sold "Gather" and combined the 2 shops into 1 "Blue Ridge Cotton Co." - nice!!!

 After a few hours of browsing the long 2-block area, I drove back to KOA and picked up Mark.    We went back downtown (very busy compared to when I was there earlier).    We found a parking spot and went to a favorite from 4 years ago "Cantaberry".    We waited almost 40 minutes for a table (several empty, but shortage of help which we have not seen in awhile).    The wait was well worth it - this is one of those places that everything on the menu sounds delish!    After lunch, we walked around a bit and then headed to the post office and Ingles grocery store.

On home....Mark took a nap and I played games on my I-pad.   We needed some R&R after 2 hectic travel days....now 3 more coming up.    The latte, shopping and lunch with my hubby were my kind of R& R.  

Tifton, GA is our next destination.

Monday - October 13

 Happiness is arriving at our destination and that happened today at 3:30 and another long day behind us.    We left Whispering Hills at 8:40 and a few stops including lunch (McDonalds) in Rocky Top, TN.

We had brilliant sunshine all day and enjoyed some fall color driving in Tennessee.   Shortly after we left, we had a glitch again of merging 4 lanes down to 1 around Lexington.   What a mess.   WAZE rerouted us and we got off I-75 and went 8 miles out of the way but drove thru a residential area, pretty horse farms and beautiful large homes.   Heavy traffic around Knoxville and then 30 miles from Oconee, TN on winding roads with the Oconee (Lake/River) on our right and beautiful trees and high cliffs to the left.   A bit hairy but very picturesque.   This  is a huge recreational area and the water was beside us for a long time.

We plan to spend 2 nights here at the Blue Ridge/Toccoa River KOA where we spent April 15-16, 2021.   It is such a cute little town,

We drove downtown (2+ miles away) to the Whiskey and Water; Seafood and Bourbon restaurant.    Trip Advisor gave it high marks and it was excellent - Mark had the stuffed flounder and I had scallops!    We drove around town a bit and on back to KOA.

My delicious scallops 

Luke, the rappeler at Sitting Bear overlooking Linville Gorge

So much beauty

So last night on family zoom, Mark's brother Jim was telling us that before Lydia had her spinal fusion surgery last Friday, the anesthesiologist came in to talk along with another guy who was a nerve specialist.    His job is to monitor on a screen what the Dr. is doing and guide him if he's getting too close to nerves.   WOW.....where was this guy when I had my shoulder replacement that resulted in nerve damage to my right hand which is no better.   Obviously, too late for me, but going to talk to my hand specialist, Dr. Collins on the 30th.

Very interesting!    Makes ya wonder how often nerve damage occurs during surgery???

Lots of RV's on the road - most are going south, but several heading north???

 

Sunday - October 12

 Stressful day of travel....we left the fairgrounds and South Bend at 9 this morning.    Traffic was heavy for a Sunday, but we kept on truckin'.    What a mess when we got to 465 South in Indianapolis - 4 lanes of traffic merged to 1 lane.   This back-up cost us 1/2 hour + some frustration.   😖

We arrived at Whispering Hills Campground in Georgetown, KY around 3:30.   We've been here several times and a really nice place and very large.    They are pretty full tonight - folks  must be heading south or returning home from football games.    Today is beautiful here with sunshine and low 70's.

Brady was with us on a visit here on July 30, 2015 as we were headed to Bloomington and a week with his cousins Liam and Connor.   

10 years ago and now they're college men

Luke belongs to an adventure club and they rappelled 200' this weekend.   Next outing, they are doing 1000' .  YIKES!    But he loves it, so that's all that matters and look at that incredible scenery.

  Luke is on the left.

We went to Mass with Father Jonathan in Port Clinton.    Another great homily,   Zoom had 8 siblings tonight.   Updates on Lydia and Janet's surgeries this past week.   Janet is doing well; Lydia has a long recovery and right now, the hardest is getting in and out of bed.   Tom talked about their big weekend at the Illini/OSU game with their family present and enjoying box office seats.

Michael and Davis are back home tonight - they had a much longer day of travel, but happy to be back at Lake James and Winston-Salem.

Have a great week - loving this fall-like weather but still not seeing much color.

Saturday - October 11

 WOW!!!    We are back on Flo after an awesome day getting the full Notre Dame experience with the Irish winning 36-7.  

We arrived at 9 AM at Embassy Suites and met Michael.    There was a cute coffee truck "Travelin' Tom's Coffee" outside the hotel, so I got a latte.  

White chocolate mocha - yum!

Welcome at hotel

 Michael, Mark and I walked around campus.  

Touchdown Jesus and us

 The tailgating was underway - a real mob on an absolutely gorgeous day.   We met up with Davis and Brady.   Brady's friends' parents had a big array of game-day goodies - sooo much yummy food and the ND fans were a lively bunch!    

The Embassy Suites is very close to the stadium, so really handy for us to go back and forth before the game started at 3:30.    Michael got us very good seats - 4 rows up from the 40-yard line.   And the seats were all nicely padded which Mark's back really appreciated!

Grandpa is showing loyalty to both grandsons! 

Mark and I have only been to one other college football game and that was in 1989 when Michael was a freshman at Iowa against the Oregon Ducks.   So, a thrill for us to come see Brady and soak up all this Irish hoopla!

Davis (NC State fan), Michael, Brady, Pat, Mark

We saw grassy areas to park for $50 and then this sign - OUCH, but in

the area where the tailgating was going on, the parking was $600.   And it was packed!

The mounted police directing foot traffic

The band

The crowd

Erin's best friend was at this sellout game!

So enjoyed the Notre Dame band....wow, wow, more wow!!!

A family of 5 (girl, 3 boys and baby girl @ 3 months) sat beside us - they are from Bloomington, IL and the kiddos go to Corpus Christi grade school (where our kids went when it was called St. Clare and then Liam and Connor).    The Mother is a Pre-K teacher at the school!   Small world! 

HUGE thanks to this guy for making today possible!!!

Leaving the game - Michael, Mark, Brady

By the start of the 4th quarter, the sun had gone behind the stands and the temp dropped....burrrr   

Just a phenomenal day!   Tomorrow we start the long trek to Fort Myers.  

Only 4 RV's here - Nevada, California, Texas and Florida (us).

Nighty night!

Friday - October 10

 Another very pretty day in South Bend....we left around 10:30 for Shipshewana.   We were here in early September with Bob, Linda, Dick and Mary.   Nothing special going on today, so decided to take a little day trip.   It was very busy with so many tourists enjoying this neat Amish community.   We were back in the thick of horses/buggies/electric bikes.

Shipshewana is beautiful in the fall

 

This area is near Elkhart which is big-time camper country - sooo many brands of campers/RV's and stores, distribution centers, etc.   Campers are EVERYWHERE!

Mark settled in with coffee and his I-pad at The Kitchen Cupboard.    I browsed some shops and bought a few things.   We had lunch at Jo Jo's Pretzels and then walked around a bit more.   Stopped at the Yoder shops on the way out of town  including Paige's Books (the owner said her lifelong dream was to own a small bookstore)!

Fast-working pretzel maker

Back to South Bend and home to Flo at the fairgrounds.    

Yesterday I took these pics at Essenhaus - a little bit of summertime beauty still remains

This afternoon Mark and I walked around the fairgrounds - the St. Joe fair was June 27-July 5, but now it's all forlorn.    They are stacking up the picnic tables, benches, shutting off the fountains and draining the ponds.  So many memories from when we were in 4-H (late 50s-60s).   Seeing all the empty barns, exhibit halls, Midway, etc.....oh my!   If it hadn't been for 4-H we wouldn't have met back in 1965....

Our new recliners and temporary table

We've sure enjoyed our time in South Bend.    Mark and I could do our own thing while Michael and Davis worked from their hotel room and Brady was in class.   Then we could get together at night for dinner.  Tonight was another winner - we met at Rohr's and one of Brady's friends from last night, Jack's parents were there, along with other friends including a family from Lake James.   Brady took us to his dorm room and we met his roommate, Louis from Philadelphia who who is one of the 4 Notre Dame leprechauns.  

Brady and Louis

Brady also showed us the chapel (there's one in every dorm) - his is St. Patrick.   

Michael and his boys

  Then back to Rohr's for dinner with Michael, Davis and Brady - what a fun and busy place - every 50 minutes, they played the Notre Dame fight song and the guests cheered and clapped wildly.

On home and we'll be ready for the big game tomorrow - Notre Dame vs. NC State (Brooke and Davis's alma mater)!    The game starts at 3:30 eastern time, but we'll be going early to tailgate.   Should be quite the experience,  Can't wait.

Thursday - October 9

 Crisp 39 degrees when we got up with some frost on the ground....

Mark wanted to work on the makeshift temporary table between the 2 recliners that he built when we were at KK.  He then anchored down the recliners and temporary table.   We will be taking pictures and measurements for our crafty woodworker (Philip) as he's going to build a permanent table for Flo.

I left for The Essenhaus in Middlebury (27 miles NE of South Bend).   Checked out the shops, got a latte at the bakery and read a bit + people watched.    Bought a few things at the bakery and on back to the fairgrounds.    Mark had texted that it was safe to come home😂

It is a spectacular fall day...we had lunch and then ran some errands (Target and Menards).   Mark worked some more on the table and I went for a walk.   We have a nature center (Charles Phillip Martin) behind Flo here at the fairgrounds and it is so pretty....2 ponds, gazebo, little bridge, benches, and a nice walking path all around.   There's a plaque telling that the fencing and bridge were an Eagle Scout project thru the Osceola United Methodist Church in Osceola, IN and dedicated June 26, 2017.....nicely done, boys!

Nature center

Beauty here at the fairgrounds  

The grass is so green here compared to back in IL.   But trees are still very green, too....guess we won't be seeing much fall color before we head south.

We went to WalMart and then the South Bend Chocolate Co. for some goodies - wow, what a neat place!

Then we met Michael and Davis at Barnaby's Pizza.   Saved some tables as Brady and 6 friends arrived later.    What a very busy place....

Brendan (Washington, DC); Jake, (Carmel, IN); Sebu (Boston); Stephen (Manhattan, NY); 

Jack (South Bend); Kyle (Seattle, WA); Brady (Lake James, NC)

Pizza was excellent and a popular spot for the college kiddos and others   We sat beside a Dad with 2 sons and a younger daughter who were doing a Notre Dame visit.   They were from San Diego.

Connor, Anne, Liam

between the wedding and reception

So sorry to hear Dolly Parton is dealing with kidney stones (infection).     Yikes, sure feel for her.    Anne said she was on Good Morning America today talking about it.