Where did the summer go?

    We left Palm Creek on May 17, heading east. We barely missed being in the midst of tornados as they devastated Joplin, Missouri and a few other places along our route. We arrived in Berrien Springs, Michigan in time for the Memorial Day weekend and the GLASS (Great Lakes Area Spring Spree) rally of the FMCA. Our good friends, Kathy and Dennie Dew from the Toledo area met us there just as the heavy rains began at the fairgrounds. In spite of that, we had a great rally and fun with our friends we hadn't seen in months!

    Leaving Berrien Springs, we made stops in Jackson, MI to visit Mary's mom and in the Toledo area to see more relatives and friends for a few weeks. Then it was on to central Ohio to "crash" a Bounder rally and renew friendships with some of our original RVing buddies. Next stop was Fayetteville, West Virgina and a great visit with our son, Reid. He had just moved into his first house and we are proud of his purchase and enjoyed helping him to a few things to make it "more like home." (Tom got a reminder of what it's like to keep up a yard!) By then it was July and we headed to the J&D Campground in Catawissa, PA to be near our daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters for a month. As usual for our summer visits, it was very hot and humid as we attended lots of softball games and ferried the girls to various activities. We had to extend our stay while waiting for a new refrigerator cooling unit – which arrived damaged, so we moved on to Ohio to await another shipment. After a month without a refrigerator, and with the help of a couple of friends, we got a new unit installed and so far, the fridge is working! We stayed in the Toledo area for another couple weeks again visiting friends and relatives, taking care of a few business and medical chores and getting a new tow car purchased and set up for towing. Our son arrived for a short visit and his class reunion.

                Suddenly, it was Labor Day. Whew….the days had flown by! We started our return trip to Arizona on September 1 by heading back to Jackson and Mary's mom's. Over the holiday weekend we helped her out with a few chores and made more preparations for the long trip west. Our next stop was in Elkhart, IN where we had several repair and maintenance items taken care of at Elite RV Service. They did an excellent job with items that were mostly needed because of our spending a good part of the last eight years in the hot and sunny southwest. They were great to work with and provided us with hookups for the week we were there. Leaving Elkhart, our goal now is Abilene, Texas. We have passed through there before, but not made any extensive visits. Now, however, our daughter and her family have moved there due to a job transfer, so we'll be making a stop to see their new home and check out the area. Life is always an adventure!