Monday - June 16

 Cloudy all day and mid 70's - BUT, the mayflies are back.    A few had appeared about 10 days ago, but then nothing much till today....time to get outta here!

We started packing for Idaho where it's to be really warm all week UNTIL Saturday with a high of 67 predicted?    😒 Oh well....we'll deal with whatever!   Finally going to warm up here in Port Clinton, too.

Mark went to the post office and West Marine.  He changed the dinghy lift line to a larger diameter to make it easier to lift.   Gotta save his back any way we can!

We washed Catrina in the afternoon but probably a wasted effort since it was the hose against the mayflies and the mayflies seemed to win!!!     Soooo annoying!

We walked to Scooter's for ice cream late afternoon.

Philip and family are enjoying Alaska despite the temps in the 50's

Sweet Maeve was all dolled up for dinner last night

Hanging out in Portage Cove - Haines

Selfie with their ship in background

Luke and that gorgeous scenery

Fathers Day - 2025

The "Bestest" Dad and Grandpa

 A beautiful day (low 70's and sunshine) to celebrate all the special men in our lives - Mark and I are thinking of our Dads and happy memories from years past.....along with Michael and Philip and thankful for Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair, Luke and Maeve.

 I'm sure Patrick is keeping tabs on his sons and bursting with pride and love for the fine young men they've become.

Plenty of excitement here today with the departure of the big sailing yacht (no name).   Their departure with a crew of 6 was anything but smooth as they went aground several times (it draws 10' and most of the marina is 6-7').   They had plans (put 2 guys + a big heavy sail bag on the boom to make the boat heel.)    After 1.5 hours they were finally outside the entrance, but stuck again...so Towboat US to the rescue.    Took a bit to free them, but finally on their way.    There are some power lines (low) before going under the bridge so another challenge.    One of the young men climbed the mast and took down the wind indicator and success....just made it under the power lines and finally on Lake Erie with plenty of depth heading to Cleveland.

Hanging on to the boom to make it thru the marina

While all this was going on, I enjoyed visiting with Nina, wife of Don (main helmsman for the trip).    Their family (4 kids - all sailors) live near Cleveland and one of the daughters would go to the top of the mast and watch the Blue Angels perform when they had an air show in Cleveland.  

This morning Mark thought a breakfast sandwich from a la Cart sounded like a good start to Father's Day.....I picked 2 sandwiches (bacon/scrambled egg/cheese on croissant) + one order of their home fries.    All delicious and we could enjoy on Catrina watching al the goings on with the big boat!

Mark had some errands later this afternoon, so we left for Bassett's (grocery and hardware) and also to pick up an Amazon order.   Then tried a new place - MacStack Tavern (specializing in mac 'n cheese fixed several different ways and also many other items.)   Mark had the perch sandwich and I had BBQ pork mac - very good food and definitely will return.    We stopped at Waterworks Park and walked along the lake - felt good after that big meal + some steps + it was a beautiful evening,

Philip and Annette have arrived in Alaska after 5 big days at sea.    Can't wait to hear about their adventures this weekend!

Luke and Maeve with a totem pole in Sitka, AK

7 on zoom tonight (missing Joan, Janet and Tom H).   The guys talked about Father's Day; upcoming surgery for Lydia but not sure when (spine); Jennifer's (Doris's daughter) upcoming dental surgery 

Saturday - June 14

Happy Flag Day 2025

The rain started late yesterday afternoon and continued thru the night and today finally stopped at 10:30.   Another chilly day...

A lazy day for us - not much going on.    Got our suitcases out to start packing for our trip to Idaho next week.

We went to 4:30 Mass with Father Jonathan - Robert, the music director and organist did a beautiful rendition of the "Our Father" - wow.....gave me chills!   What a treat to have the sun shining when we came out of church after such a wet, gloomy day.   We got 2" of rain.

We had a very good dinner at Gideon Owen Winery (one of our favorites) - we sat inside but several brave souls were dining and hanging out on the patio enjoying the music.

Happy Father's Day to all Dads, Grandpas, Great Grandpas and Godfathers

 

Friday - June 13

 No sun today and only in the 60's with a bit of drizzle thrown in!   😔 And with the wind, "felt" like 58.    Arghhh

The big sailing yacht was finally launched this morning - yay!    Mark and I went to Perrysburg (45 minutes near Toledo) where they have a very nice huge Levis Commons Center.   We did a bit of retail therapy + a stop at Starbucks.    Then to rural Helena which is home to a refurbishing place for old Airstreams - they fix them up with incredible results!    Sooo cool.    While Mark was walking around and checking them out, I was browsing the Summer Kitchen - very nice gift/home decor place that we visited 2 years ago (well, I did the browsing while Mark got some rivets for Flo).    Two sisters own this place - I would really like to take my boat sisters here in August for a girls outing and then have lunch at The Chateau Winery just a few miles away.

On back to Catrina - I dropped Mark off and I went to Coffee Express for a sandwich to share - they have so many good ones.

The big crane came in while we were gone and soon after we arrived back, they set to work to raise the mast.  Had quite a time as it's 80' and had to turn the boat around (bow in) to have the crane reach.    So many guys here working and helping with this project.    The boat and crew plan to leave Sunday.

SUCCESS - Boat in water and mast up!

Have a great weekend!

 

Thursday - June 12

 Cloudy windy day.    We went to A la Cart for breakfast - everything here is so good with just the friendliest staff at this local favorite.

Mark hung out with the guys here at Superior Marine as today is the launching of the big 68' racing yacht.    Guys have been working every day since it was brought in by truck to get it cleaned up and ready for today.    They got the rudder on (not the easiest job) and then got the 9,000 lb. keel on. 

Big sailing yacht

9,000 lbs

Brad operates the travel lift by remote around his waist

We went to Toft's for some yummy ice cream and then ran a few errands this afternoon.   We walked after supper - very windy and cool!

Wednesday - June 11

 Warm, sunny and windy!    We left for the 10:30 bridge and out on the lake with Put 'n Bay, our destination, 1 hour away   It's much more fun to come during the week to this very popular hangout.    Crowds are way down and marinas/mooring balls pretty empty.   The weekends are an entirely different story -     Boats, Babes, Booze/Bars

We always dock at Park 'n Place and use their 4-hour Dock 'n Dine feature.   That gives us plenty of time to rent a golf cart, take our guests around the island and have a nice lunch.   But it was just us today and no need to rent a cart, so we walked around, and then lunch at The Keys (1st time to eat here).....it was excellent (Mark had a carnitas bowl and a fried green tomato BLT with pimento cheese for me).   We will definitely return here - so pleasant sitting by the water and such a large, fun, colorful place.

Afterwards I walked around and checked out some shops - just a delightful day.   The winds really picked up and our return trip was a little wonky (a Blair word) and got some occasional spray, but not too bad.    

Had a good visit with Donna tonight - she's going home tomorrow - will see Dr. about her back on Friday.

Tuesday - June 10

 Last night we talked to Brooke - she and Blair were coming to Port Clinton tomorrow thru Monday, but have cancelled those plans as Jinx (12-year old Australian Shepherd grand dog) is struggling with arthritis and other aging/health issues and hard for him to walk.   He is on a new med + getting a shot Friday for pain and muscle relaxant.    Mark and I are really disappointed, but this is where they need to be.   Michael is traveling this week + Drew and his guy buddies are in and out all week for the bachelor party.   Hoping to reschedule and get them up here in early August.

Much clearer "blue" skies this morning.    When we thought Brooke and Blair were coming, Mark took off a bunch of stuff in the guest cabin locker for them to stow their stuff.   And now that they're not coming, (😔) we put it all back this morning preparing for our big boat trip after we return from Ryan and Erin's wedding.

Donna came aboard Catrina this afternoon and we played RummiKub - fun + she brought strawberries and that yummy marshmallow cream dip.    Mark went to Scooter's and got us ice cream, too.

Mark and I went to Casa las Palmas for some yummy Mexican fare tonight.

Monday - June 9

 Rainy Monday morning but thankful for this moisture and we are snug 'n warm inside Catrina.

Mark fixed ham/eggs/toast - perfect breakfast!   We left to run some errands and get some coffee at R Coffee Corner - such a cozy coffee shop with some nice areas to sit and relax with fireplace, etc.

Stopped and visited with Donna and then back to Catrina for lunch,    Nice afternoon (hazy sunshine) and breezy but low 70's.

Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve are having a ball cruising around the Hawaiian Islands.

Sweet Maeve

Frolicking around

Family at the beach

Fun with Dad

Drew is back at Lake James having his Bachelor party this week.   Tessa had her Bachelorette party with her bridal girls/friends at Lake of the Ozarks a few weeks ago.

 

Our oldest grandsons - Drew and Davis hanging out with their phones

We walked around the marina tonight - Donna is here for a few days on "So Blessed" - she's still having serious back pain.

Sunday - June 8

 Hazy morning - not sure if we are having some effects from the Canadian wildfires?   We are both getting alerts on our phones about the air quality (not good) in our area.

   We had breakfast at R Coffee Corner and did the laundry and got all the sheets/towels ready for our next guests - Brooke and Blair who arrive on Wednesday.

Brady went to Mass with the Pope and thousands of others in St. Peter's Square this morning AND was privileged to receive Holy Communion which many did not have that opportunity.   He sent several videos and pics - what a blessing to experience this.

At 4, we went for a wonderful ride on Bob and Donna's new (to them) pontoon which was its maiden voyage.   WOW.....thought it was going to rain today, but just a gorgeous day and what a delightful trip up the Portage River with Bob, Donna, Michael, Chris and Dennis.  

Boat sisters - Chris, Pat, Donna

Missing Teri

Captain Bob, Michael, Mark, Dennis

Symon, Bob and Donna's German Shepherd, enjoying the ride

After our awesome boat ride, we ordered take out from Hibachi Express (downtown).   I picked it up and we chowed down  on "So Blessed".    Very good.   Said our good byes to Michael and Chris who have a 3-hour trip home.    Back to Catrina for family zoom.

9 siblings on tonight - discussed internet issues, vacation (Theresa, Mike and Karen are at McCormick's Creek in Spencer, IN this week);  Jim and Lydia are in Red Bay, AL for their RV check-up before heading home; Janet's birthday is tomorrow.

Saturday - June 7

 Liam and Connor arrived at 12:35 AM this morning.   A calm sunny much warmer day than yesterday   I went to Coffee Express for our fix as we didn't have any coffee on Flo for Mark.   Just as I arrived back at the marina, Connor called that they were up (8 AM) and ready!  

So, off to A la Cart for another hearty breakfast - their grilled cinnamon rolls are soooo yummy!   And over breakfast, the boys yakked and yakked about their NY experience.    What a trip and packed sooo much in since arriving Monday evening.

Connor and Grandma

Grandpa and Liam

One of many items on their list "to do" was golf the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY (Long Island).    When they arrived Monday evening, they were #6 to park.    Folks arrive throughout the night, sleep in their cars and wait for tee time in the morning,   When the boys woke up Tuesday morning there were 30 cars in parking space.   Unfortunately, they found out that the Black course was not open (they do maintenance on this course every Monday, but there had been an event there, so doing maintenance on Tuesday - arghhhh.)    Big disappointment but they were given a tee time on the green course (there are 5 courses at Bethpage).   And later that afternoon, they golfed with their cousin at his country club - so 36 holes on Tuesday.  And then the next few days, they did lots with their cousins and saw many sites visiting all the districts (financial, warehouse, garment, etc).  50,000 steps on Wednesday and 30,000 on Thursday.  😆   They loved their run in Central Park but so hot and everything so $$$$.   Bagels were better in NJ than NY and a corned beef deli was $28 but very good.

So Thursday night they went back to Bethpage and 7th in line.   Friday morning (50 cars in parking lot) they got a tee time for 7:30.    wow.....quite an experience having the opportunity to golf on one of the most prestigious courses in the country and what will be home to the Ryder Cup tournament September 26-28, 2025 between the USA and Europe.    The Ryder Cup is played every other year and alternates between the 2 countries.   It is a gorgeous course but very challenging.   

 What an experience!

Time to say good bye!

Lots of activity here at the Marina for a Saturday - a 68' racing sailboat came in by truck last night from Rhode Island and will be in the Chicago/Mackinac race later this summer.    It was be launched and the mast raised on Monday - what a biggie!   The owner from Cleveland also has an 80' racing yacht.    Mark had a good visit with him.

Mark gave Flo a good scrubbing and she and Big Red are now tucked away in the storage building,

We knew it was just a matter of time, but it all started today when the first sighting of mayflies appeared - ugh............now gearing up for 2 weeks of these nasties!

We went to 4:30 Mass with Father Jonathan.....today is the exact anniversary of his ordination - June 7, 1986 (on a Saturday).    Father is originally from Port Clinton and was baptized, confessed his first sins, made his First Communion and was Confirmed all at Immaculate Conception.   On that day 39 years ago, it was VERY HOT and there was no AC.   Normally, priests are ordained in their diocesan cathedral, but since he was the only one that year, the Bishop gave him the option of where to have the ceremony and he chose his home parish.    It was  a day of "perspiration" and "inspiration".   😄

We enjoyed our leftover Chinese for supper.

Friday - June 6

 It's National Donut Day and we did out part buying some delicious donuts at Lake Donuts before leaving town.    Got one each for us and some for the boys - they are sooo good and a great variety.

It was a miserable day with cool temps, fog, and oh so dreary again....also had occasional drizzle.    We drove to Jackson Center to pick up Flo.   There's an Airstream that has been converted into a coffee trailer called "Sip 'n Stream".   We'll have to check it out next time.   But for now, we gave these folks plenty of $$$ and Flo should be good to go!

Stopped in Marion, OH for lunch at House of Hunan - what a busy place and Trip Advisor ranked it #2 out of 96 restaurants in this town of 36,000+.    Very good Chinese.   Marion is the final resting place for President Warren G. Harding.   It's also the birthplace of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn 

We got back to Superior Marine at 3:15 with rain coming down and 65.    UGH!

Liam and Connor are on their way back here after a morning of golf  at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Long Island.  More on that experience coming tomorrow.   Mark and I are anxious to hear about their week with family and taking in all the sites of NYC.   They won't be arriving till late tonight.   Mark and I will sleep on Flo.

We went for a walk and stopped to visit Michael and Chris (boat sister) - our first time to see them this spring.   Sat on their boat "Journey".    So good to catch up - not sure when all 4 sisters will be together?   

Chris and Pat

Have a great weekend!

Thursday - June 5

 After a high of 86 yesterday, it was much cooler and occasional rain - nothing heavy, just a nuisance rain.   We sure could use more and in the forecast, but not happening just yet.

 Mark and I both had a bit of cabin fever so decided to take a little trip to Toledo (40 miles).   It drizzled off and on and we found "Maddie and Bella's Coffee Company" so that was first order of business - then thought we'd walk around downtown and get some exercise.   BUT, it was 63 and drizzling - no thanks!    We are fair-weather walkers.

I just assumed that Maddie and Bella were probably friends who opened a coffee shop (there's also one in downtown Perrysburg).    Well, Maddie and Bella are really Australian Shepherds and here they are....

Thinking of our 3 Aussie grand dogs - Jinx, Gibson and Frankie

On home and settled in Catrina,   We had an early lunch (leftovers from last night at The Orchard Farmstead) before we left for Toledo.

Liam and Connor had another fun day in NY - spent time in Central Park and probably went for a run!   🏃🏃    The Guardians beat the Yankees 4-0 last night.

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View of the Big Apple from Central Park

Josh from Airstream called around 4 and said Flo was all fixed and ready.  We'll pick her up tomorrow!

We had spaghetti, salad and breadsticks for supper - good meal for this cool, rainy night.   We did get a nice gentle soaking rain this evening!    Very thankful,   As my Dad would say "this is a million dollar rain,"   Our friends Allie and Owen in North Port, FL got 7.9" the past few days.   Florida is in dire need of rain, so that should help!

Brady traveled to Switzerland today - what an amazing adventure he's having.

Wednesday - June 4

 Windy Wednesday but warm with lots of sunshine!   Mark reorganized the back of Big Red - so many bins, so much stuff, but he worked away and I walked downtown to get some steps, mail some letters and a stop at Coffee Express - muffin for him (tomorrow's breakfast) and an iced latte for me.   Lots of construction going on outside the marina gates - putting in new gas lines.

At 4, we went to West Marine and Mark got some new Sperry Docksiders (boat shoes) and a sale was going on!  😀

Had dinner at The Orchard Farmstead - sat outside and always a good meal here.  I had a peach BBQ burger and Mark had the perch sandwich.   Our waitress remembered we were from Florida.

After all the wind today, tonight was so calm and humid.    Rain is in the forecast tonight thru next Tuesday!   We sure need it.    We had 2 days in the mid 80's but tomorrow only 69 and then several days in the low 70's.

Luke and Maeve are in Honolulu and ready to go cruising...

Aloha

Liam and Connor have had a really busy day in the Big Apple - lots of sightseeing, including Ground Zero, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Empire State Building, ending with Yankee Stadium tonight and game between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians.    At one point, Liam had over 38,000 steps.

At the ole ball game!

Tuesday - June 3

 Warm and windy today....upper 80's.    Mark fixed eggs, sausage and toast for breakfast and we left around 10 with Flo for Jackson Center (2 hours south).    A few stops along the way including Panera for lunch in Lima.    

Jackson Center is headquarters for Airstream and the town is FULL of Airstreams.    While Mark was waiting to talk to Josh (service guy assigned to Flo) and go over our list, I walked around checking out all these silver campers from all over the country - some had been in accidents and needed the body shop and others in varying degrees of needing a fix up.  They even have a Pottery Barn Airstream.  Flo won't be ready till Thursday evening or Friday morning.    

And then we were on our way home - stopped in Wapakoneta for some ice cream at Krave Creamery (chocolate shake for Mark and malt for me).

The boys played golf on 2 different courses today and having fun hanging out with cousins (Patrick's family).

Walked around the marina and called it a day!

Monday - June 2

 40 years ago today, (June 2, 1985), Mark and I welcomed a baby boy, Ryan Patrick (surprise baby) weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz. at 2 AM to be welcomed home by Philip, 9 and Michael and Anne, 14.

And in just 19 days, he'll marry Erin.....so proud of all he's accomplished and thrilled for he and Erin and this new chapter about to begin.

Ryan and Mama

Ryan and Dad

Our guests, Liam and Connor had a good night's rest and then up at 5:50 and off for a run along Lake Erie (3 miles).   These boys are sooo energetic and have such an adventurous spirit.   We left for breakfast at 7:10 at A la Cart.   They ate a hearty hot meal and then hugs good bye before 8 and off to Cleveland and the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

Connor and Liam

Mark and I came back to Flo - it's a pretty morning - mid 60's and clear sunny skies.   We had some excitement around 10:15 when out of the blue, 4 deer came flying past Catrina.    We did not see them, but Bob and Donna and workers (Dave and Brad) saw them....apparently they jumped into the water and were able to follow their heads as they swam across to Brands Marina (across from us on the Portage River).    Where oh where did they go as not many places for them to get out of the water on their own?   Hope they're ok?

Bob and Donna gave us an egg roll from Nagoya Hibachi Express -  we've never been, but that's gonna change 😋   Instead of the usual stuff inside, this had big pieces of crab, avocado, cream cheese and something crunchy + a delicious sauce   Soooo good!   Donna said they are $9 apiece, but well worth it!   

The boys thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and got to do some jammin' with employees - they were "in their glory"....Patrick would be beaming!

We took Catrina out on the lake this afternoon for a little spin and make sure everything is A-OK.    It is a gorgeous day and our best yet since we've been up here.   Catrina ran smoothly,    We warmed up to the mid 70's and love that sunshine!

Ready for some summertime fun

 Bob and Donna left this morning and the marina staff have gone home, so we're here by ourselves.    Tomorrow we're taking Flo to Jackson Center for her yearly check-up and have a few things fixed.

Connor sent his Mom a video crossing into NY with Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York"!!!    😀Their Uncle Michael is in NY on business about 65 miles away.

Sun setting over the Portage River

Sunday - June 1

 June arrived with cloudy skies and chilly temps in the 40's this morning.   We went to 8:00 Mass with Father Jonathan and enjoyed another awesome homily.   Then to the laundromat (saw Ms. Clean, Barbara Ann). 😊 We had 6 loads (ugh), but 1.5 hrs. later, we were on our way home.    After Mark helped get the clothes into washers, I drove to R Coffee Corner for some breakfast sandwiches and coffees.

Liam participated in the Pigman Triathlon in Palo, IA (near Cedar Rapids) this morning and placed 2nd in his age group with a time of 2:55:31.    So proud of him!   Anne, Connor, Drew and Tessa were there to cheer him on.   He did a total of 32 miles (swimming in 68 degree water temp and 54 air temp); biking and running.

Off and running

The brothers after the race

Liam's prize

19 years ago today, (June 1, 2006) Mark retired from State Farm!!!  I would say he's definitely enjoying his retirement and being a Nomad for the past 10 years!  😄    This is our 16th year on Catrina and 5th year at Superior Marine.   

Feel so bad for our neighbor here, Donna who is having some severe back pain yesterday and today.    They'll be going back home (London, OH) tomorrow.    

Brady texted that he's having a wonderful time in Italy and earlier today took a boat ride along the Amalfi coast.    I was telling him that Pope Leo is coming to Rate Field where the White Sox play on June 14th for a special mass and celebration.   Tickets were to go for $5, but now being resold for $1200.    Crazy.....  his classes are going well and he's been to Florence, Venice and Naples and looking forward to the Vatican and hopefully, a special blessing from Pope Leo XIV

Around 5, the sun came out and it warmed up to 63.   We're s l o w l y getting warmer day by day.   We walked downtown - several folks at The Gristmill, an outside bar with music and a nearby food truck "Naughty Lobstah" was quite busy.   I stopped in to see Donna who was lying with an ice pack in their sunroom....she is really hurting.😢

Just 7 on zoom tonight.    So, at the end of the discussion, I found out that Pope Leo is not going to be in Chicago "in person", but rather on a large screen.....I sure didn't read that article correctly!   

We are anxiously awaiting Liam and Connor's arrival - they will spend the night on Catrina (Mark and I are sleeping on Flo) and then tomorrow, off to Cleveland to see the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and then onto NYC.   

The boys arrived at 9:25!