Monday, November 9, 2009

Summer Trip - Final Installment 5







It seemed like we were gone all summer, nearly 8 weeks. After 10 days in Michigan surrounded by Esther's family and friends, we headed back to Indiana to see family & friends in & around Wakarusa with the grand event, my 60th Wakarusa High School class reunion! We spent our week with Norma & Gene Slagle. Our first stop was Uncle Bud Hartke in Mishawaka. As always Bud has sharpened his sense of humor and manages pretty well alone with a little help from niece Tammy. It's always scary to have breakfast at the uptown restaurant. . .but decided to go for it. And as you would expect, an old girlfriend and 6 other old folks that knew me right away and. . .I did get most of them right but was relieved when it went better than I expected. I can't tell you what I ordered and if I even ate it . . .but it was a nice memory!

We had a great time with Tammy, Allison and Brandon in Wakarusa, Sharon Poe, a 1st cousin, Al & Barbara Beutler in South Bend, the Ludwicks and Wises in Wakarusa and others.

After the reunion, we headed for home. After two nights in motels (9 nights in motels for the entire trip) we reached Kay & Tom Branches in Crawford, Colorado. They took us to the National Monument Park in Pueblo. It reminded us of the many beautiful scenic places that are preserved for all of us to enjoy. On to Salt Lake City and Sacramento, CA where Chris & Carlon, our long time friends from College days greeted us for a long week-end. The week-end was a special celebration for their kids. It was a farewell at the church they started in Rocklin, CA.

We were now anxious to get home and collect two months of mail!!! and, see what bills we had forgotten to pay. Things were quiet in Ashland with very few problems awaiting us. It was a wonderful trip! The 2000 Mercury Villager gave us a comfortable even after 125,000 miles! But best of all was Ashley's wedding in Austin, TX and our families and friends that we loved to connect with and make new memories with. You were all grand people!!!

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