September – WAM!

When one plays Euchre with the same deck of cards night after night in 80% or higher humidity and the cards are so sticky that every other deal is a misdeal…it is time to burn ’em.

September – WAM!(What A Month!)

Really don’t know how to begin and not bore you into eternal sleep, but for us September was a WAM! (What A Month).

Spent the entire month with family both immediate, in-laws and cousins; with friends and friends of friend, right on Lake Michigan. The weather for the most part was spectacular for month – warm days with cool nights and the occasional boomer thunderstorm.

Most importantly it was so wonderful to be able to hold my family, cousins, friends and friends of friends for the first time in what seems like an eternity. Just to be able to touch them, kiss them, feel their warmth, look into their faces for real just brought tears to our eyes. That was our September 2022 on this Great Adventure of ours.

If interested in the detail read on…….

Final 8 days spent with Will and Pam was winding down our glorious 40 days of traveling through Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and then Ohio; however, were far from uneventful! Will continued to have problems with bike hitch despite all the repairs, patches, temporary c-rings and straps (Pam’s bike really took a beating) and actually finished the trip with putting one bike in rig while traveling (which we girls suggested all along, of course).

Wanda, of course, did not manage to be repair free either. After 4500 miles on the new tires a screw managed to worm its way into a tire. Also, having troubles hitching up and after further inspection noticed that the connector coming from the nose of rig is warped. Who knows how that happens but will have to go back to our favorite spot in Elkhart Indiana to have it replaced (under warranty) in October.

Brief stop in the Dayton Ohio to visit cousin Annie and second cousin Jim (sone) and Kim Robinson (d-i-law). Annie and her late husband Charlie were so loved by my mom and dad and it seems like every Thanksgiving when I was growing up Annie and Charlie would come up from Dayton and spend the weekend. Great memories. Annie turned 89 this year and she still has got it!! She always had this shy way of joking around but can give a stab with the best of them. Love you Annie!

Dragging out our goodbyes we had one last breakfast at Bob Evans (we Ouellette’s sure know how to prolong a goodbye!). It is always a teary occasion for Will and I.

40 Day Recap – this is why we love it so and keep coming back for more!

• 1 nose bleed
• 2 Ty falls (one on hike and one while stopped on bike)
• 1 wrong campground
• 3 flat tires on the rigs
• 3 bike repairs (Pam’s front wheel had to be straightened out from scraping on ground, Pam’s front wheel fork lost its bolts, Jane had to have right gears replaced)
• 1 or 2 bumper repairs for the bike (I lost track)
• 1 bike rack that never got fixed
• 1 lost wrench
• Spent time in 5 states: Missouri, Arkansas, Tennesse, Kentucky, and Ohio
• Bucket list cross offs: Branson MI, state capitals of Missouri and Arkansas, Hot Springs in Arkansas, 1404 Big Train

Pioneer County Park – Muskegon MI

This is where we spent the next 3 weeks of September.

Had a little time to ourselves swimming in Lake MI every day, some bike riding, chores, and overall relaxing. Did have a humdinger of a storm roll in one late afternoon lasting most of the evening. Thunder boomers coming off the lake sound like cannons. Then we are camped under all these oak trees so when the wind blew acorns would pummel the camper. Sounded like we were being shot at.

Then my girlfriends: Peg Stanger and Mary Ellen Terao come to spend a couple of days with me while Ty went sailing with Jerry LeAnderson. We had a very relaxing time on the beach, telling stories, recapping old times, cocktails and nights by the fire. Was sorry to see them go.

Peg and MaryEllen

Ty didn’t remark too much on his trip with Jerry other than they had a typical sailing trip – motoring. I think “what goes on sailing stays on sailing”. He did come back very relaxed. Which was a good thing as we have been together non-stop for a long time and we were getting a little “chippy” with each other. All better now.

Brad and Cecilia

Oh boy – Tom and Leslie Welbourn and C and Brad Jacobson with Gus (dog) rolled in  on Sunday just as the girls were leaving. They also have rigs and had spots right behind us. Just spent a lot of time around the campfire, played some cards and of course the beach.

Lacie on Beach

The Fouchey/Ouellette family campout has arrived! Haven’t had one of these for 2 years and what a party it was! Ty’s brothers, Mark, Dave, and Paul came with wives Jen and Sandy. My sister Sue got released from Canada and came with daughter/niece Colleen. Amy, Tyrus, Tessa and Lacie flew in from Colorado. Rounding out the family fun was Deanna and Tony Isrow (Ty’s oldest sisters’ son) rounded out the campout fun. Again, much time around a campfire trying to catch up on all the family affairs.

Unfortunate that Ty’s sister Renee, who also lives in Canada, could not come and join us. She is a nurse in a hospital and would have had to quarantine for 2 weeks after returning home with no pay. We all missed you Renee!

CakeTopper,Clown,Beer Holder,Spike Pumpkins

The campground hosted Harvest Halloween for the campers on Friday and Saturday. Pumpkin and campsite decorating contest, night lighted bike rides for the kids (and I suppose some adults) and trick or treating ended the affair. Tessa craved two of the pumpkins in the night using a flashlight to see by. Our only request was “Where are we NOT going? To the hospital”

Of course, Amy and I always do up Halloween so no surprise that we managed to find a costume. It is pretty sad that with the clothes that I have with me, that all I need is a little crepe paper and a putty nose and a clown I am. As for Amy, she was a cake topper.

Lynn and Mark

Finished off the month of September with Mark Miller and Lynn Wilton in our ole’ stomping grounds of Clarkston, MI. While our house was being built in Colorado we lived with Lynn and Mark for about 9 months. Amazingly we are still friends, at least I think so since I still have a key to front door and it still works!

See what I mean by WAM! ?

It was just a great month to celebrate our 51st anniversary – September 25.

51 Years