October 5, 2012

We left Door County on Sept 7th heading for Escanaba and our couples golf outing at Sweetgrass, but first, a quick stop in Oshkosh at the Elks club for Bob's 50th class reunion.  It was packed and fun.  Sweetgrass was two days of fun golf with very nice weather.  At least eight couples participated.

Leaving Sweetgrass we planned an RV trip around Lake Superior in our motor home.  To our surprise, three of our golf couples had planned a day trip to Munising and a boat tour of the" Pictured Rocks",  and knowing of our destination they invited us to join them.  Beautiful and fun it was.  We simply altered our itinerary a bit and joined them.  The Pictured Rocks were incredibly beautiful and we lucked out with nice weather.

After saying goodbyes to our friends we began our counter clockwise tour around Lake Superior.  We started on Sept 11 and returned to Oshkosh Oct 4th, more then enough time to see the major points of interest.  We could spend hours narrating each stop, but suffice to say we were not disappointed with any.  Living in the mid-west all our lives we are ashamed to say we have never made this trip before, so to those of you contemplating be assured you will not be disappointed.  Please use the following outline as a guide for points of interest.

Upper Michigan
-Munising Pictured Rocks Boat Tour
-Miner Falls Pictured Rocks Nat'l Park
-Tahquamenon Falls
-St. Ignas - Straits State Park
-Mackinac Island / Grand Hotel
-Mackinaw City / Side trip to Petosky
-Sault Ste Marie / The Soo Locks

Canada / Ontario
Very remote but scenic drive along Hwy 17.  Provincial Parks generally not suitable for large rigs.
-Pancake Bay
-Lake Superior Provincial Park
-Wawa
-Thunder Bay / Kakabeka Falls

Minnesota
-Grand Marais / Just Beautiful / Devils Kettle Falls / Judge Magney State Park
-Duluth / Superior - Downtown waterfront

Wisconsin
-Bayfield / Apostle Is Glass Bottom boat tour
-Ashland / Ironwood

Michigan
-Porcupine Mtns
-Houghton / Hancock
-Keweenaw Penisula / Copper Harbor / Eagle Harbor
-Iron River

Home

Again, to tell our story for each stop would take way too much time.  Each has a visitor center that is very helpful.  Running into friends along the way totally unplanned was amazing.  Paul & Pat Meier in Sault Ste Marie, Skip & Marlene Zacher in Ashland, Bernie & Pat Schneider in Bowler, Wi. where we stayed in the RV Park at the casino.  Fun!

The fall colors were spectacular, so the third week in Sept is probably a good bet.

Back to Oshkosh, now planning a four day jaunt to Las Vegas with friends Bill & Judy Hesser.

Pictures below of the circle tour:  Just clicking on any picture will enlarge.

Pictured Rocks Nat'l Park

Golf Group Pictured Rocks

Miner Falls Picture Rocks Nat'l Park

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon State Park Campground

Grand Hotel Mackinac Island

Grand Hotel Porch View

Soo Locks

Duluth Harbor

Zachers cabin campfire/ Mellen, WI

Colors Bayfield

Shipwreck Bayfield Glass Bottom Boat

Copper Harbor

Back Home

August 31, 2012

Our two months in Door County went really fast.  Lots of visitors with fun things to see and do.  Bob continued his Wednesday golf with his buddies in the valley, so at least one trip per week to the valley.

Al Cooking

Enjoyed the annual stay with Skip and Marlene Zacher in the park for the month of July.  Got to spend some time with Bob's sister Kathy and new husband John as they spent a brief honeymoon get a way in Bailey's Harbor.  Surprise visits by Galloway Company folks, Doug & Tina Dieterich and Tim & Siv Galloway, really nice visits.  Shari's friend Donna visited twice, once with friend Al and then with friend Darlene.

New RV Friends Jim & Marcia

Enjoyed meeting new RV friends in the site next to us, Jim & Marcia Funk. Waved each other down for several days and finally connected for music and dinner at Gordon Lodge, followed by some golf at Bailey's harbor.  Hope we can connect again.

Paul, Jenny, Pat

Paul & Pat Meier stayed at a very nice condo in Sister Bay supporting their daughter Jenny in a 1/2 iron man event in Egg Harbor.  She did very well on a very hot day.  Fun to watch the event.  Enjoyed a lunch outing at our favorite Fred & Fuzzy's on the water.

One of our trips back to the valley included the EAA brat fry put on by the Hesser's.  We had the opportunity to reunite with our EAA house guests, the Harper's, always a treat to see them.  Now that our house is sold, our good friends the Gaylow's get the opportunity to host the Harper's.  The Hesser's also had the opportunity to visit us in the Door, a quick tour of Washington Is via the Cherry Train.

Ehlke's / Kime's

Fred & Fuzzy's

Being boat-less is a new experience for us, so dock walking happens.  Had the good fortune to run into friends Kay & Dick Ehlke launching their boat in Sister Bay.  Well, if you stand log enough with a sad face, they give you a boat ride, and that they did.  Enjoyed a couple of "happy hours" with them as well.  Thanks, Dick & Kay!

Our couples golf continues in high gear, visits to Pembine Four Seasons Resort for three days and then to friends Casey's, Jorgensens and Murphy's to golf Golden Sands in Cecil.

Friends Tom & Helene Kiefer joined us for a couple of days bringing there wonderful dog Bella.  Lunch at Fred & Fuzzy's and some sightseeing.

Nicolet Beach

Cave Point

Lots of sightseeing on our own, Cave Point State Park, Peninsula State Park, Whitefish Dunne's and a number of local county parks.  The water here is really low, making Cave Point look particularly spectacular.

Bob got his annual cardiologist check up and a good report.  So all looks well there.

Now planning September, looks like an RV trip in our coach around Lake Superior for fall colors, back by 10/8 and then a quick plane trip to Vegas with friends Bill & Judy Hesser, back by 10/12, then prepare to head to our Florida Home for the winter, storing the coach and the tow car (Honda) here in Wisconsin.  Drive our new Caravan and 16' Prince-craft boat to Florida.

July 5, 2012

Milking Parlor Fair Oaks

Back in Wisconsin.  Finally pretty well settled into our home in Florida.  Left Florida 5/26, uneventful trip back, but just outside Indianapolis, In, we stopped and toured a "mega dairy farm", Fair Oaks, In.  This was incredible, some 30,000 head under this operation, although they operate under 10 different milking parlors.  They milk 24/7, all automated in huge rotary milking stalls. Very nice bus tour of grounds and had the opportunity to witness two calves born.  Really very worthwhile stop.

Monica & Peter German Visit

Our first stop was a small RV park in Oshkosh, just for two days settling Oshkosh business, then on to Fountain Lake RV park just outside of Waupaca staying for the month of June.  Nice park and very nice people.  This was a "lot ownership park" with expected volunteer work.  We rented from an acquaintance, so no work for us!

Mc Kenzie Womens Open

We really enjoyed our stay here, close to the Chain of Lakes, lots to do and see.  Joined our couples golfing group for a three day outing in Eagle River.  Visits to park by sister Kathy & John, Daughter Annette and her family, and a nice visit by Monica & husband Peter from Germany who were staying with Kathy, and a quick stop by Skip and Marlene.  Followed Granddaughter Mc Kenzie on her first Wisconsin State Open for women at Lake Geneva National were she played with some pros.  We also joined our couples golf group to Wittenberg, Wi for a golf outing and casino run.  Fun!

Daughter Annette Family

Our couples Sailing group met at Meier's for a wonderful ride in there new "Tri-toon" to the Appleton Yacht Club for a great dinner / boat ride.

Couples Golf

Ending the month was the celebration of the wedding of sister Kathy and her new husband John.  A very nice family / friend service at the Medina Chapel.

Baileys Harbor Parade

Zacher Fish Buffet

Door County Site

July 1, we moved to Door County for two months, July and August.  Hy-land Court RV park just outside Sister Bay.  A very nice park that we have stayed at before.  Took in the July 4 festivities in Baileys Harbor, magnificent parade/food/music and crafts. Skip and Marlene put on an awesome Florida Smoked Fish Buffet.  Gills rock fireworks, but got rained out, severe storm warnings just about time to set off, so maybe tonight.

Suffice to say we are keeping busy and having fun!

May 21, 2012

We have had a very busy five months.  Our last update was in March and we haven't had time to update our blog until now.  Lots has happened since then, and many of you who we are in regular touch with, most of this will not be news.  But for the rest here is a brief update.

Getting settled into our new house in The Villages, we were looking forward to a trip to Mexico to visit Bob's cousin Bill & Brenda Walton when we got the dreaded call from Wisconsin being told daughter Amy is in ICU.

We cancelled our trip and flew back to Wisconsin greeted by numerous medical specialists telling us there was no hope and life support needed to be removed in order to honor her wish for organ donation.  After discussion with doctors and family members the decision was made, and after 14 hours without life support Amy passed on March 14th.  It was a very dramatic event.  Support from family and friends got us through the memorial service.  Received horrible news that Amy's second cousin David also passed and he was planning on coming for Amy's funeral.  Sometimes life just isn't fair.

All this occurred just prior to the sale of our Killdeer house scheduled to close on 4/25 with and estate sale for items not moving south scheduled for 4/19-21.  In between, 4/16th, the mover was in for items going south, which turned out to be a lot more "stuff" then we planned.  Got the truck loaded and agreed to meet in Florida on 4/29.  During the estate sale, with hundreds of people coming through our sale, we had a sump pump fail and flood an inch of water through out the basement.  Ouch!!  A quick response from Service Master corrected the situation, but not until a $10,000 insurance claim settled with $3,000 for remediation and $7,000 for redo work.  Obviously our buyers were concerned as well and the deal almost fell thru, but they accepted the insurance settlement and we closed on 4/25, but what an experience.  We are glad it is behind us.

We got back to Florida to receive our moving van on 4/28.  Overwhelmed with the amount of stuff we brought.  Four days later most unpacked and found a place for.  Since then have still been shopping to complete the furnishing of our new house.  We have since added some solar tube lights, solar attic fan, a bird cage to our Lani, and tiled the unfinished portion of the Lani.  All is well now and things are starting to look up.

Our plans continue to head north for the summer in our motor home, planning on departing The Villages on Saturday 5/26.  We will be in Waupaca for June, then to Door County for July and August.

In spite of all that has gone on in our life, we do love The Villages and our new home.  We have met several of our neighbors and enjoy all the activities offered by The Villages.  It is truly a fun place to live and retire to.  Please keep in touch with our e- or cell.

March 10, 2012

March 10, 2012

Hesser's Golf Car Ride

Good news!  Looks like our Killdeer home is sold, closing scheduled for 4/30/2012.  So we will be heading back to Wisconsin 4/1 to begin the “packing” and estate sale process.  That will pretty much takes care of April.  Plan to head back to Florida for May, unpack and get settled, then back up to Wisconsin in June, spending the summer in our motor home, probably Door County and perhaps a fall trip.  Wow, life is moving fast.

Oshkosh Golf Group

The Villages Trolley Tour Bus

Florida has been busy and fun.  Visits by Shari’s cousin Tom and Char from Colorado for a Valentine’s day celebration with a “Indian” dinner out.  Was very good!  Fun to see and reconnect with them.   Followed with visits by Bill and Judy Hesser for a few days, enjoyed showing them the true life of The Villages on a trolley tour.  Drop in visits by Ken & Marcia Rasmussen as well as a nice lunch visit with our Oshkosh golf group, Pochojkas, Gayharts, Hessers  and Runkes.  Great and fun to see all!

Village Square Mardi Gras

Introduced to, and joined a Village Wisconsin club thanks to friends Gerry & Peg Henseler.  Very informal but fun.  We understand there are a least three Wisconsin Clubs in The Villages, each some 300 members strong. Both town squares celebrated Mardi Gras in “senior” fashion, food, dance,  beads, and costumes.

Honda Classic

The highlight of the month was our attendance to the Honda Classic PGA International Golf  tournament in Palm Beach Gardens.  Daughter Lisa and friend Bill were kind enough to obtain VIP tickets for round two and three.  We followed Rory Mcilroy, Tiger Woods, and Lee Westwood.  Included stadium chairs on hole 18.  Awesome!! No Cameras allowed on the grounds.  Stayed with them for three days.  Closed with a wonderful dinner on the strip in Delray Beach.

Friends Paul & Patty Meier are back in The Villages for their two month annual stay.  Had a chance to visit and dine with them.  

Currently, we are preparing for a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for two weeks stay with Bob’s Cousin Bill Walton.   Sort of a family reunion as it has been many years since we last saw each other.  Very much looking forward to the visit.

February 12, 2012

Lani View

We are now pretty well settled into our new house, but still waiting for some new furniture.  Enjoy the evening views from our Lani.  Met a few neighbors and doing a lot of exploring on our golf cart.  Getting lost is not hard, but we are learning every day.  Golf trails, tunnels, and dead end loops make a trip quite interesting.  Found our electric cart serves us well and can pretty much run all day without a new charge.

Village Golf Group

Wilderness RV Friends

Enjoying the Executive Golf courses and the shorter courses are really fun for Shari.  Golfed with several Wisconsin friends and very much enjoying their company.  The golf courses, rec centers, and country clubs are all very beautiful here.  Met two couples for lunch from the Wilderness RV park that we stayed at last year.  Fun to see them again.  We have got our Florida Residency now with Florida drivers license and voter ID cards.

Jensen Beach Condo

Friend Ron & Shari Fish

We took off for a week to go to our time share condo in Jensen Beach, Fl.  Was a very nice beach resort.  Bob's friend Ron and daughter Lisa joined us for a few days.  Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate as much as we would have liked.  Very windy and some rain.  We did get a fishing charter in and a day lunch cruise, so all was not lost.

Back to our home in The Villages, preparing for a visit from Shari's Colorado Cousin, Tom and Char.  Looking forward to seeing them.

The end of January we went to see Elisabeth von Trapp sing at the Methodist Church, free will offering. She was born and raised in Vermont. She is the granddaughter of Maria and Baron von Trapp whose story inspired The Sound of Music. Another adventure seeing her.

Villages Jan 8 2012

January 8, 2012

Happy New Year!

Thought we would start our “blog” with our southern departure.  Friends and family said a must.  Left Oshkosh on Tues, December 27.  As most know, last year we purchased a home in The Villages here in Florida.  Planned on taking our motor home down and staying in it until we got the home furnished, but a repair problem with a slide prevented this, so we left the coach in Wisconsin and drove the Honda down.  Full to the top with “stuff”.  Trip down went well, three overnights with a stop in Nashville, our favorite, the Opryland Hotel Convention Center.  Arrived at our new house (4 years old) on Friday December 30^th, empty house.

Well, Shari was smart enough to borrow an air mattress from friend Donna, so we did have something to sleep on.  A couple of bag chairs, card board boxes from the grocery store for tables, rabbit ears for TV, and suddenly we were good to go.

We love the house.  Needs some cleaning, but then again, it sat empty for six months.  Start shopping for furnishings right after the New Year.  To late for New Years Eve reservations, so spent the evening here, grilled steaks for a treat. Did have to purchase some dishes to eat our steaks on and we lucky enough to find a good deal at Bealls.

Our first week we accomplished quite a bit.  Purchased two bedroom sets, a dining set, dishes, patio set, and of course a golf cart, a must in The Villages.  Lots of small incidentals that we couldn’t bring with.  Got registered in The Villages ID system with gate passes, mail box, tee time system, Direct TV, etc.  A very busy week.  Now working on permanent residency change, ie; Florida drivers license, voter registration, etc.

So much for the first week.  Looking forward to meeting northern friends coming down this week Friday. Have golf planned for Mon. and out to dinner Tues. Furniture and golf cart will be delivered tomorrow. Yeah!