July Flew By!!

We started off July with a bang at the Cooper's house.  There was lots of good food and then a boat ride to watch the fireworks on the lake.  I love this picture of Super Charlie jumping in the lake.

Then we were off to Tawas.  We got to visit with Uncle Don and his friend Helen and the whole Seymour family.  The weather was great and the food was wonderful but the best part was getting to see the family. 

 

                      

 

Then it was off to Fort Trodd for more adventures with the Blue Water RV'ers.  There is a wonderful rails to trails path called the Wadhams to Avoca Trail. The trial is beautiful and and easy ride.  Bill and I road 5 miles with Bob & Bev Garcia to McDonald's in the morning.   

Then I road another 6 miles that night with Gordy in search of the trestke.  At mile marker 2 is the Mill Creek Trestle. We were a half mile from the trestle when I said "let's turn back." If I would have known how close we were I would have stuck it out for another half mile. I am proud to say I was in no pain the next morning.

These are more pictures of the Blue Water RV'ers doing what we do best... PLAY GAMES!  I didn't get any pictures of the Saturday buffet, but we do eat very well also.

 

Pictures from the Port Huron Lighthouse don't show all the beauty of the grounds. 

Thank you Dick and Marion for the tour. 

It was a beautiful day.

And I can't forget the cool car we seen while we were at the lighthouse.

And ofcourse the highlight of the trip was seeing the start of the

Port Huron to Mackinac Race.

Guys in kilts, beautiful boats and the best place to watch it all.  Thanks to my hubby for jumping the chain with me.  Love ya 

The end of July was marked by a class reunion for the Bendle Class of 1982.

Until next time....Keep it between the lines!

The week started off great.  The Blue Water RV'ers started pulling in Monday so when I got home from work it was time for happy hour and that is how the whole week went.  

On Friday after Bill and I got home from work about 20 of us loaded into cars and headed for Pesto's.  Many thanks to Rich and his crew for the wonderful meals and service.  Everyone said they would return to the restaurant again when they were in town.   

On Saturday, after our chapter meeting 10 of us got together and went to the Flint Farmers Market for A Taste of the Maket.  I think everyone had a good time because everyone came back with a bag.

By Friday night everyone was here.  A camper who was moving out donated his wood to Bill and Tony moved it over by the rug full and Bud and JR dispatched it into fire making fodder.

It was a great weekend spent with great friends, food and conversation.

G.L.A.S.S RALLY 2012

Before I get started I need to thank Gail Cooper for the pictures I have posted here. This was our second rally this season with the Blue Water RV'ers.  Last year it rained so bad at this rally that we had to be towed out.  This year it was HOT!The pictures above are of some of the rigs from our group. 

There are a lot of things to do at the rally.  Here we have ladies from our group at a craft session.  I believe they were working on scarves. 

We also have Happy Hour.  The hour lasts from 3 pm till 6 pm.  While we were at the rally shade was prime real estate. 

This is Tammy.  Isn't she cute!

We were able to celebrate Ella's 6th birthday with her.  Thanks to Aunt Liz for

supplying the party place.

Bill's Retirement Party!!

I only wish I had the camera on him when he came in the door.  He took two steps back before I told him this was HIS party.  His face was as red as his shirt.  A special thanks to Karla, Matt, Mark,Steve and Chef Luis Fernandes of Redwood Lodge for a wonderful party.  The food was beyond wonderful and the speakers, who were organized by our wonderful MC, were spot on.

Sorry I don't have more pictures but I was too busy chatting with people I had not

seen in forever. 

Thanks to all of you who attended for making this a very memorable evening!

                                                                                                                                                        

Past students found thanks to FaceBook!

                  

                And Chef Rober Irvine from Restauran Impossible stopped by to wish Bill a retirement and offer him a job.

 So as you can see we are staying busy as we count down the days to retirement. 

Keep in touch and always keep it between the lines!

Retirees In Training

Since October 2011 we have gone from a four bedroom home, to a one bedroom apartment, and finally to our RV.  Yes we became full timers on April 22^nd of this year.  Now the adventure really begins.

Our first stop was at Clearwater Campground in Ortonville, Michigan.  It is a very nice, family friendly place to stay.  The pictures are of the petting zoo they have.  It is early in the season and they are just getting the zoo stocked up. 

They have a beautiful lake with a path that goes all the way around.  As you walk through the path you go through the Forest of Faces.  You can see the faces carved in the trees.  We talked to the owner and he said he will have more carvings done this summer. 

Starting on the 23^rd of April we were joined at Clearwater by friends from the Blue Water RV group.  I really missed playing cards with these folks.  I can not wait to meet up with them again at the GLASS Rally in May.

 We also had a huge reason to celebrate on May 5^th. Our daughter Athena and her Uncle Steve got Associate degrees from Mott College. The day was even more special because her Grandpa McAllister was there to share in the excitement. 



Steve, Athena & Bill

Grandpa McAllister & Athena

We have now settled at Holiday Shores in Durand.  I have not had time to walk around and take pictures but this place is also beautiful. Enjoy the warm weather and watch for my next blog update.

Waiting for Spring

. We have been enjoying our last mild winter in Michigan. 

I believe we have finally mastered the art of the RV battery.  We would still like to unplug the RV from shore power and check the voltage on the batteries after it sets for a couple of days.  If we find a big drop in voltage we will then check the fuses to see which one is the power sucker.

We have done a few things this winter.  On Sunday, February 5^th we and about ten other couples renewed our wedding vows.  There were a lot of smiles and tears.  We also took a short honeymoon to Columbus, Ohio with the group.  We missed lunch with our RV Blue Water group and look forward to seeing them in March.

On February 13^th the American Culinary Federation Saginaw Valley Chapter held their Chef of the Year banquet at Mott Community College.  The event and food were wonderful.

We are getting closer to retirement as they have posted Bill’s job not once but twice.  Retirement is becoming more real to him now.  He has been helping plan classes for spring where he will be teaching and summer where he will not be teaching. 

Until the next update stay warm, safe and healthy.