Our traveling OCTOBERFEST!!

Our best to all-----------

Not having a Journal Sentinel which would have covered the WIAA Golf, we checked the website for the results we were excited about, but have now seen them. Congrats, Bridget, on your success. Glad, too, for not only the phone report of the results but for the human interest slant Susan has provided in the blog.

Thanks, too, to Casey, Kevin and Domino for their BLOG contributions which we've found in these days since we returned safely. Enjoyed the 'sideways' video of Freya and the two regatta pix Kevin provided. Have to agree that the Aquacar stood out from among the 700 shells! Our photo efforts seem to emphasize the
crowdedness of the day, but we still haven't displayed them on the computer screen.

Grandma has reached all of you, except Michele, since we have returned and intends to do that today, maybe.
She is napping now before we go out to a retired military officers' dinner.

Lots of favorable memories from our busy week away.
Driving weather was great, but hot, for the 2 days each way. Focus ran well and mileage was over 30 mph.
Had two fine home prepared pasta meals at the A-O'C's on Thursday and Sunday, along with an interesting carry-out from El Grecos on Friday. Big event in NJ was going out to listen to Declan's group play a broad variety of their own compostions at a local club on Friday night. One of the regulars foursome was not with them so the remaining three alternated on different instruments to highlight their skills. A class act!!

Saturday morning found us following Lyn (driving) and Kevin for about tow hours from SO to Shelton, CT. This was a swift 'follow the leader' trip over the river (Hudson) and thru the woods (CT Merritt Parkway) where we found we had to go to remote parking and shuttle back to the Indian Well SP
regatta action central area. Our picnic lunch had to be improvised when we were unable to take the cooler on the shuttle, but it worked out well. We were able to see and visit briefly with Magdalena before and after her race and observe her crew put the shell in the water and row away toward the starting line. K & L assisted us in recognizing her boat move quickly by
our location, about midpoint on the three mile course. With competition having begun at 9 AM and continuing until 5 PM, new races began every few minutes so there were crews rowing smoothly past us almost constantly. Competitors, from high school age to seniors, gave attendees a great look at many fit, strong and healthy individauls. Impressive. We met a number of Magdalena crew and school mates and the crew coach.
A great day and we are thankful that we were able to join L and K to be part of it.

It took us a little more than an hour to get to our motel in Danbury and we found a Mexican franchise place nearby for supper. Up, early we located a church for mass and
departed soon after for Poughkeepsie and Vassar. We
located the campus about 10 and after a couple of calls
we found Domino in front of her dorm. Our visit began with a stop at her dorm room; then she took us on a walking tour of the areas where she has most of her classes and takes her meals. In the early afternoon, she directed us to a "diner" which was near campus and where she had her birthday dinner a few days before. It was a good choice and we enjoyed our meal. As Domino had rehearsal at 3 PM for 'The Tempest' we took her back to her dorm so that she would have a little time to get ready and we headed south.

Back in South Orange before dark, Lyn and Kevin were busy preparing dinner and we did some repacking and
loading part of our gear in the Focus. A busy Sunday!

Declan had a school holiday on Monday, Kevin thought he might (and learned later that he did) and Lyn had a staff day without students. So she was gone shortly after 7:30.
We pulled out about 8 and a coffee stop about mid morning and a lunch stop with later and were back at our
stopping spot where we had been on the eastbound leg,
Youngstown Airport Air Force Reserve base. Another warm day.

Tuesday was cooler with some cloud cover and a little rain and we made good time until we got off the Skyway and found the Dan Ryan clogged. It took us over a half hour to get to the loop and then there were construction delays on the Edens. WE got home about 5 --10 hours +/-.

Again, lots of email, US Mail and the blogs to check.
Pretty much unpacked, laundered and back on track
by Friday.

Thursday, 10/11, wd drove to Madison to meet Charleen and Bob and have lunch with them and some other friends to celebrate Bob's 79th birthday.

Yestereday we went to Holy Assumption Church in West Allis for Topsy Gregory's memorial mass. Had a chance to talk briefly with a number of the children. Katy asked about Kevin and we told her of seeing you and going to the regatta to see Magdalena. She introduced us to her husband who had once been a crew member, but we didn't learn where. They live in Seattle. A nice affair with a good homily and a nice eulogy by a nephew.

On Wednesday night we will be with Capri and Calvin while Mark is away overnight for business in Detroit.
Looking forward to seeing them.

Mom's therapy for some muscle problems around her
left rotator cuff seems to have helped her to feel much better.

I need to sign off to change cloths to go to the dinner mentioned above. Don't know why the font changed, but this should be OK.

Thanks, L & K for you hospitality. Will try to get a note off to you this week.

Love and prayers for you all,

Grandma and Grandpa