Monday - June 5

 The boys slept in and at 10, we were off to a la carte for a good hearty breakfast.   Then to Sassy Sal's to get their fishing licenses ($14 each) and some fishing info - because of the strong winds we've had the past 2 days, the water is kinda murky and churned up, so the guy suggested we head up to North Bass Island.    We made the 11:30 bridge and just a short jaunt from entering the lake channel, a lady yelled at us that her fishing pole had fallen in the water and could we please get it.    It was a good 100' from where she and a young boy (8-10ish) had been fishing.    So, boys to the rescue to retrieve and return to her - she was very grateful!!!

Great breakfast to start the day

Men to the rescue bringing up fishing pole that got away AND had a fish on the end!!!

The water was calm, but cool and hazy.    We headed toward Put-In-Bay and let the boys fish for awhile but no luck.    Moved to another location, but no catch today.    They still had fun.    Onto Put-In-Bay and docked the boat at "Dock 'n Dine" for 4 hours.    We rented a golf cart for 2 hours and the 3 guys took us around the island stopping at the Chocolate Cafe for ice cream for the 3 of them and latte for me.

Fishing off Catrina

Ice cream time

Pretty flowers all over the island

The guys watching the car ferry come in - they were amazed at how many trucks, cars and people fit + room for more

Put-In-Bay Boys

Finished our ride and Mark returned the golf cart while the boys and I walked around the Perry Memorial.   Then we walked around town with the boys getting some souvenirs (shirt for Connor and cap for Liam).    Dinner at The Boardwalk (1st time for the guys to have perch and walleye)👍👍 good eating!

Can't beat Lake Erie walleye and perch!

And on the way back to our marina, Connor wrapped up like a mummy and had a good snooze

What a big day - we packed in so much but still things we wanted to do....however, tomorrow, the boys are heading out early for home sweet home and jobs, lawn mowing, online classes, etc.

Sunday - June 4

 An early morning start for Liam and Connor heading to Dublin, OH for golf tournament.    However, while on I-74 near Farmer City, they hit a bad pothole and tire immediately went flat.    And 2 more cars had same issue and all 3 pulled over.    Proud of the boys that they got the tire changed and spare put on by the time Anne arrived to switch cars - this was around 5:30 AM.   The real bummer is that Anne just had 4 new tires put on the boys car this past Thursday,   Onto Dublin....

The winds really blew all night and still today, but not quite as bad.

We stopped at Coffee Express (coffee) and Mark checked out the new Yellow House Bakery downtown for a cinnamon roll and caramel pecan roll (both 👍👍)

Onto Immaculate Conception for 10:30 Mass and another excellent homily by Father Jonathan.    He always tells a story from his past and then incorporates it with what the readings/gospel are about.    Today is the feast of the Holy Trinity so he reminisced about growing up (Port Clinton) and a neighbor's dog "Tuffy" who only had 3 legs - and then comparing to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and what we're celebrating today.    He always has the congregation smiling, laughing, thinking?

Mary's Garden on side of church

We walked later in the afternoon - so windy and just reached 70 about 4:30.   So the golf tournament went to a playoff hole but a favorite of the boys (Viktor Hovland from Norway) won, so they were happy,    86 miles to Port Clinton.

Zoom tonight with 9 siblings - health issues, vacation plans, favorite recipes

The boys arrived at 9:50 all happy and chatty - they thoroughly enjoyed their day in Dublin and saw many celebrity golfers including Jack Nicklaus.

Saturday - June 3

 We're going to have cooler weather this coming week with temps in the 70's.   We had a fun day taking off at 10:30 in Big Red with the bikes.    First stop was Chautauqua (a community in Lakeside) that is quite charming with so many neat homes, cottages, etc., some nice shops, restaurants, coffee, ice cream, etc.    We knew there was a fee to come into the village.....but found out we could get a 90-minute pass to check it out, eat lunch, etc.    We had lunch at Ooh La La and then walked around (chicken salad with fresh fruit). I checked out a few shops while Mark walked down to the water!    It was such a pretty day and lots of folks enjoying it all.  

Chautauqua is a cultural and spiritual hub along the south shore of Lake Erie.    They have nightly entertainment and a place to be safe and enjoy walking down the street for ice cream, watch your children/grandchildren ride their bikes, etc.    A year-long pass is $972 to come and go as much as you please; otherwise, $30 per day per adult + $15 for your car.    It is quite the place!

So after our 90 minutes, we walked back to the truck and off to the East Harbor State Park - wow, what a beautiful park with a HUGE campground and beach.    We rode bikes  (just under 7 miles) and thoroughly enjoyed all the nice paved roads and bike paths.  Then to Tofts for ice cream!    Good to be back to this favorite.

Mark was reading a Chamber of Commerce article that at the height of the pandemic, more than 120,000 businesses temporarily closed and more than 30 million workers were unemployed.   Since then job openings have steadily increased since January 2022 while unemployment has slowly declined.

4.5 million jobs were added in 2022, but at the same time, millions of Americans have been leaving the work force and we have nearly 3 million fewer Americans participating in the labor force than before the pandemic.

Little Beckett had a malfunction with his shunt and needed more surgery last night.....now need prayers for that recovery.   It just goes on and on for this little guy.

So many folks in need of prayers due to cancer (babies thru adults), heart issues, accidents, dementia, Alzheimer's, bad hips and knees and so many other things.   And many prayers for their caregivers, too, who are truly saints!

We know of this little girl (Maeve) from Bloomington who is 10 months and was born with a cancerous tumor in her leg - unfortunately, after many tests and treatments, her little leg will have to be amputated possibly next week.    Heartbreaking.....She is at St. Jude.

Wishing our niece (Jennifer) a very Happy 40th Birthday and our nephew, Eric the same for his 47th birthday!  Congratulations!

This afternoon after we got home the wind really picked up (gusts at 30 mph) and the temp dropped!   The winds are to pick up as the night goes on and all day tomorrow.    Mark is battening down the hatches!

Tomorrow Liam and Connor are driving to Dublin, Ohio for the PGA championship (Memorial Tournament) and then onto Port Clinton.   Can't wait to see them!

 

 

Friday - June 2

 H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   R Y A N

Our "baby" is 38 today!    What a joy he's been being our ""son,

 "brother" to Anne, Michael and Philip, "brother-in-law" to Annette and Brooke

 and "uncle" to Drew, Davis, Brady, Blair, Liam, Connor, Luke and Maeve.   

And "Friend" to many

He' s been all around the country this week - (Boston, Tampa, Spokane, Memphis) delivering those packages.

After breakfast, we loaded up the bikes and headed to Fremont (18 miles south).    Since Mark's eye appointment was there, decided to go early and get some exercise on the North Coast Inland Trail (former railroad).   We love this trail - flat, straight and so pleasant out in the country,    But a shorter trip today as we needed to have a quick lunch (Arby's) and then off to see Dr. DeRodes at the Eye Center of Northwest Ohio.    Fremont is 2.5 times larger than Port Clinton so more choices of doctors.

Mark has swelling and infection in his right eye.....at some point, there was something in there but not showing up now.    Dr. prescribed antibiotic eye drops 4x a day and wants to see him next Wednesday to make sure it's cleared up.

Onto WalMart for Rx and other piddlies and then home.    Another big barge came into marina (sooo close to Catrina) this afternoon and one left.    Quite a project getting the track installed for new heavy-duty travel lift.

Hearing more stats from Ian and ongoing damage on Fort Myers Beach.    Still seeing all the devastation left behind and videos of how the library looks 8 months later (still gutted) and the Catholic church which they predict will take 4 years to rebuild - all buildings were destroyed and the Poor Clare nuns will not be returning.   Yesterday was the start of hurricane season.....🙏

Today is National Donut Day and Fremont has a Tim Horton's, but we did not stop!

Had a good visit with Dennis (one of the owners and oral surgeon who owns "JAWS").    First time for us to see him this year as he usually comes on weekends but was not here Memorial Day weekend.

We walked downtown - live music and lots of people on the street.    It's a gorgeous Friday evening,

Enjoy your weekend!  

 

Thursday - June 1

 Astonishing, unbelievable, mind blowing news this morning that Hurricane Ian cost Florida $109 billion dollars.   Eight months later, still so much to do...

I walked up to Island Grind for coffee and a cinnamon roll to share - Jane, the owner was out of just about everything (even her best espresso beans) after a busy Memorial Day weekend.    Living on an island, folks are very dependent on waiting for that ferry to bring them supplies.    She still made an excellent vanilla latte with whatever beans she did have!  😊

Walking up the hill this morning - beautiful former Lonz Winery on the left and the Island Grind on right.

We did a pump out at Middle Bass and on our way by 8:30    Beautiful on the water (like glass), sunshine and temps in the low 70's climbing into the 80's rest of the day. 

  Back to our slip at Superior and busy getting Flo ready to roll outta here to Jackson Center, OH (2+ hours away).    Flo has appointment for some maintenance at the Airstream factory starting next Tuesday.   

 Mark did that trip while I was getting a haircut and doing laundry.    We had planned to  take Flo tomorrow, but Mark has an eye appointment in the middle of the day, so.....adjusted our plans.    He left at 11:20 (250 miles round trip).    I tried Salon 53 (new place for me) and had Debbie - happy with my new "do".    Then I did 4 loads of laundry at our very favorite laundromat.....so clean and always someone on hand!

I got back to Catrina at 3 and Mark arrived (tired) from his big trip at 4:30.    They'll let us know when Flo is ready next week.

We stayed put for the night catching up on our day!