Pensacola III (2003-2004)

Two important dates in 2003 are Bob's death in S.A. on July 10, 2003.  Bert was unable to make the trip with me as he had recently had cancer (breast) surgery.  I braved it alone + upon arriving in Houston, I realized my flight to San Antonio was leaving in 20 min.  I tried unsuccessfully to make connection via help, I carried my vanity case + jumped on the nearest escalator to meet my connecting flight to S.A.  I wrenched my back, but made the flight.  Bob's service at Fort Sam was lovely.
After much thought about maintaining two homes at Summer Lakes Dr. in Pensacola and C-1 at Southwind in Marco Island, we decided it was time to sell both properties + move into a retirement home in Pensacola.  We told our families our plans + after they viewed Azalea Trace, they agreed it was the place for us.  We were lucky to find buyers who met our asking prices + we made the move Oct. 3, 2003.
We'd already agreed to host the 8th Combat Cargo Grp [Squadron] here in Pensacola + so with Kent's + Mike's help, we hosted + they unpacked our household goods at 10100 Hillview Dr. Apt 619, Pensacola 32514 + here we are.
Our Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] came off without a hitch. Everyone liked our accommodations at the Gulf Breeze Holiday Inn + when it was over, Tamiko helped me unpack our household goods + life at A. T. was beginning to be a pleasure.
Bert + I soon found out what activities to join + we were involved in meeting new people as we welcomed them by working on the Hospitality Committee.  Bert became active on Residence Council + Flicra (Florida Life Care Residents Association), and I signed up for Chorus + Presby Women.  Trace Treasures [the gently-used goods shop at Azalea Trace] offered another outlet as I volunteered there on Sat. mornings.
In Sept. '04, we experienced a horrible Hurricane called Ivan (the terrible!).  I kept a diary of it + its disastrous effects in our area.  I have made typewritten accounts of it in a blue folder for both Mike + Donna and Kent + Tamiko.  Be sure to read it as I wrote better in my 80's than I do in my 90's!

Now that we are retired and have spent so many hours on the road, we’ve decided to continue to take a cruise or two if it works into our busy schedules of activities here.

[See Ada’s Diary of Hurricane Ivan (2004).]

[See Western Caribbean (2004).]

8th Combat Cargo Squadron Reunion in Branson (2002)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

You can read about our fun trip to Branson for another annual 8th Combat Cargo Grp. Squadron reunion from 10/12/02-10/18/02.  Great fun!

10-12-02 Pensacola – Pine Bluff, Ark.

We left home at 7:45, took I-10 to Mobile – beautiful pink + blue sky + mild temperature.

Took Rt. 65 around the city for short distance where we picked up Rt. 984 to Hattiesburg.  All the sunshine was replaced by light fog.

Took Rt. 40 to Jackson, the capital.  Improvement in scenery + lighter skies amid rolling hills.  The DeSoto National Forest covers a vast expanse of land + extends to Gulfport along the coast.

Took Rt. 20W to Vicksburg + had bright sunny skies – a pleasant drive.  At the Welcome Center we had cokes + got some coupons for the casino to use on our return trip.

We followed Rt. 65 to La. from Tallulah to the Ark. border, about 30 miles of cotton fields.  We stopped at the Welcome Center at beautiful Lake Village.  We saw numerous M.B. (Missionary Baptist) churches all along our way into Pine Bluff.

Dinner at the Red Lobster was interesting as was our accommodations at Comfort Inn.

Mileage 472 miles – 9 hrs driving.

10/13/02 Pine Bluff – Branson, Mo.

The next time we’re traveling, remind me not to have a 32 shrimp dinner!  Luckily the Immodiam did the trick + we had a good night’s rest after the noisy party next door quieted down.

We got on the road at 8:45 after a good continental breakfast.

There’s just a slight change of color in the leaves driving through the Ozarks.  Except for a short distance in the Little Rock area where we were on Rt. 40, we stayed on Rt. 65 into Branson, arriving at 1:45 after a clean Wendy’s lunch in Harrison.

It was so good seeing a lot of the people who didn’t make it last year come on board.

We car pooled for dinner at Fall Creek, a large restaurant which was not only good but fun.  Hot rolls were tossed at us as we were seated at long tables.

Played cards with the ladies + I was the big winner - $1.45.

Mileage – 698 mi. from Pensacola.

10/14/02 Branson

Enjoyed the full breakfast buffet here at the Welk.

Left for the IMAX theatre about 9:30.  It was an excellent film on Lewis + Clark.

Skipped lunch, had an apple in the room + took off at 3:15 for a dinner cruise in the Branson Bell.

The show and dinner were just great!  We took the Hs + Vs with us + we all sat close together at the theatre.  It seats 800 people + looked like a full house.  There were 50 of us from the squadron.

The ladies gathered for cards as usual + the men talked as usual.

10/15/02

Another beautiful day – breakfast at the Stage Door Canteen, then an outstanding show with the Lennen Brothers at the Stage Door Theatre.  We even toured back stage to see how the productions are made.

After dinner we saw the Welk Show featuring the Lennen Sisters.  Great show!!

Oct. 16, 2002 Branson

This was a great day!  After breakfast the bus picked us up for a tour of the city.  Branson is built on limestone rock as there is no sand + the rock is ground up for construction of homes + roads.

The first stop was at the College of the Ozarks or “Hard Work U.” where students work for room/board + tuition – no rich kids here.  We especially enjoyed the orchids!

Engler Black, an interesting antique + craft shopping area was the next stop + some of the guys went on to the Veterans Museum.  (I purchased some nice gifts.)

The Shoji Tabuchi Show was next on the schedule + a real treat for all of us – first class performance.  The orchids in the lavish restroom was beyond description.

We had a quick happy hour before going to dinner at the Stage Door Canteen in a private dining area.

The ladies played cards, the guys congregated + discussed next year’s reunion when we’ll be hosting in Pensacola again.

The weather was cold + now we’re packing up to head South!

Yeah!!

Oct. 17, 2002 Branson – Vicksburg

We left at 9:08 on Rt. 165-265 out of Branson.  At Harrison, Ark. we took the scenic route 7 through the Ozark National Forest, stopping south of Jasper to view the beautiful scenery.  We bought some honey + jam made by local people.

We just meandered the rest of the way through the forest, taking our time not interested in setting any speed records.

At Russellville we got on Rt. 40 following the Arkansas R. into N. Little Rock, the Little Rock + Pine Bluff on Rt. 65.  We followed this route to the La. border beautiful Lake Providence + on to Tallulah before crossing into Miss. across the mighty Miss.  We stopped at the Welcome Center for motel accommodations, but it was closed – 6 pm.  We took Exit 4 + checked motels – Comfort Inn (not too clean), Hampton Inn – no vacancy + then settled for a clean Motel 6 which will give us the comfort we need – we hope.

We tried a Wendy’s down the street + it was a disaster – gave us change for $10.00 + we gave her a $20 – quite a hassle, but we finally got the correct amt.

Mileage today – 425 miles, 9 hrs.

10/18/02 Vicksburg – Pensacola

Our night’s lodging at Motel 6 wasn’t the greatest, but we survived after being awakened at 3:00-3:30 am with rowdy people who came probably from one of the casinos remembering the slogan “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

No breakfast at the motel so we were on our way at 7:45.  Drove to Jackson where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast – the special – 2 eggs, bacon, sausage + ham, pancakes topped with apples + whipped cream.  That was the highlight of the day for the rest of the trip was uneventful.  It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 50’s early, then later 60’s + 70’s when we got home at 2:20, after 6-1.2 hrs of easy driving, taking turns from Vicksburg – Jackson – Hattiesburg (Rts 49 +98) to Mobile (Rts. 65 + I-10).

We got home around 2:30 after picking up tons of mail at the post office.  Now it’s time to start going through it.

The mileage on this trip was 722 miles – a little farther than going up because of the scenic route through the Ozarks on Rt. 7.

San Antonio (2001)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

Dec. 2, 2001 Pensacola – Beaumont, Texas
We took off at 7:45 am for Bob + Gen’s in San Antonio after getting Kent to the airport about 7:30 for Jax.  (He stayed overnight with us after a meeting he had out at the beach.)
It was a beautiful day and we made good time to Beaumont arriving there about 3 pm.  The mileage was 438 + we had a lovely room at the Best Western – all renovated + not many occupants so we got a good rate - $45.
The drive through La. was the only rough area – narrow roads + heavy traffic.  We stopped in Baton Rouge at a Wendy’s for lunch.
For dinner we went across the street to the Hoffbrau Steak House where we had shaved rib-eye Philly-Steak sandwiches.  Yummy.
We spent the night at Beaumont, La.
We tried TV, but it was a long day + we sacked out at 9:30.  Great day!

Dec. 3, ’01 Beaumont – San Antonio
We got away at 7:45 again after a good night’s sleep + a hearty breakfast.  Bert made a wrong turn + we went about six miles north instead of going west on I-10.  Oh well!
He drove without incident through Houston, then I took the wheel through a fine mist to S.A.
We were happy to see that they have started to improve the rest area although the first one was the pits.
We got into S.A. around 1 o’clock + found a food counter + phone at the H.E.B. large supermarket.  We got the number to punch in at the gate + arrived at Bob + Gen's mid afternoon + found both Bob + Gen looking good.
We got Mexican take-out + brought it back for dinner with Bob + Gen.  It was from the El Maracumbe.
We watched a little TV, then came back to where we stayed at the guest “quarters.”  Very nice + retired early.
The mileage from Pensacola to S.A. was 743 miles.
Weather – drizzly + temp. 60’s.

Dec. 4, 2001 San Antonio
Bert + I had a hearty breakfast at I-Hop, then took Bob and Gen out to Brooke Army Medical Center to get the staples removed from Bob's head.  That took most of the morning.  We stopped for a few groceries at H.E.M., then filled the tank of gas at 94¢ gal.
We ate a light lunch, then picked up Gen + drove her over to the podiatrist’s to have her nails trimmed.  We all spent the afternoon resting + reading.  Bert caught up on computer news.
Bert + I drove over to Luby’s for carry-out meals for dinner.  Watched a little TV + went to bed early.

Dec. 5, 2001 San Antonio
We took Bob out to BAMC for blood work, then we rested in the afternoon. We got a roast chicken + salad at H.E.M. for dinner. Linda + Michael came over in the evening + we celebrated Bob and Gen's 55th wedding anniversary. Had a nice visit, swapped tales, took pictures + said good-night + God bless. This has been a very rewarding visit for all of us!

Dec. 6, 2001 S.A. – Baton Rouge
We got an early start on the first part of our trip home at 7:15.  It was quite foggy most of the way to Houston, but we made good time arriving about 10:30.
We stopped at Wendy’s in Beaumont for lunch, then in La.  We stopped at the Welcome Center where we checked for a motel.
Our drive through La. was rough with long delays because of construction.
We checked into a clean, comfortable + reasonably priced Sleep Inn at $42.95 in Baton Rouge, a distance of 474 miles that we drove, so we’ll have about 250 left to drive home tomorrow.
The Cracker Barrel Restaurant was next door, so we walked over for a good meal complete with screaming kids.
We watched Survivor and Millionaire + retired early.
In spite of two busloads of kids who came in for the night, it’s very quiet!

Dec. 7, 2001 Baton Rouge – Pensacola
We awakened to a heavy fog, so after breakfast we decided to wait awhile before heading home.
We finally left around 8:45 although we still had lots of fog to contend with.
At the Welcome Center in La. we were greeted by nice ladies who advised us where to stay and we filled out a form to send in rating their Center.  It was very nice.
All the way across Miss. we had some fog + fine mist but it was better + driving conditions improved + we took it easy going across Miss.
By the time we got to the Ala. Welcome Center we were not only happy to see sunshine, but smiles on people's faces, even ours because we were nearly home!
L.S.U. banners were flying on lots of cars + I had my picture taken at the rest area with an SUV load parked next to us.  They were enroute to Atlanta for the LSU-Tenn. game.
We arrived home around 1:30 - 725 miles from S.A.

Thanksgiving Cruise (2001)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

Nov. 21, 2001 Pensacola – Jax
We had a safe, uneventful 7 hour trip, making stops for food and gas at Sam’s in Jax at 98.9¢ gal.
I made a chicken casserole which we ate, then packed for the trip tomorrow.

Nov. 22, 2001 Port Canaveral
Thanksgiving Day
We had a self-serve type breakfast, then loaded the van at 9:00 for the trip to Port Canaveral.
What usually takes two hours to arrive here was a three hr trip due to an accident on I-95 + we had to converge to one lane.
We had a quick McDonald’s lunch, and after a thorough check we checked into the lobby + were assigned our rooms on the 2nd deck of the Disney Wonder along with 2,000 other passengers.
Our accommodations are very nice + the kids are next door.  We signed up for a glass-bottomed boat ride for tomorrow.  Kent + Brynne will be going snorkeling.
Dinner this evening was a lovely traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Triton Restaurant.  Tami, Bert + I checked out the gift store after we all enjoyed “Survivor” show on TV.

Nov. 23, 2001 Port Canaveral – Bahamas (Nassau)
We had a hearty breakfast at the Beach Blanket Buffet.  Tami, Bert + I joined the tour to the Glass Bottom Boat + said adieu to Brynne + Kent who left for snorkeling.
We checked the shops after our tour which lasted several hours.
It was very crowded, but we were able to see some of the beautiful homes along the way including the late Mary Kay’s, Elvis’s, and the impressive Atlantis Hotel which Kent’s company had a part in its building.
Kent + Brynne joined the three of us at Scoops for a light lunch.  They took off for more touring while dad + I opted for the pool + hot tub for a refreshing + relaxing exercise at the adults’ only pool on the 9th deck.
Dinner tonight was a special treat at the Animators Pilate.  The Black + White motif became very colorful with all the Disney characters coming out in vivid colors.
The evening show “Hercules” was very entertaining for children as well as adults.

Nov. 24, 2001 Castaway Cay
After breakfast we disembarked and dad + I took a 1-1/2 mile walk out to the Senior Beach, enjoying the flora + fauna along the way.  The kids went snorkeling at their beach.  Dad + I took the tram back to the boat stopping at the P.O. to mail a card to Bob + Gen.
Dad + I ate at Parrots Cave + after lunch watched the first half of the Ohio State-Mich. Game, then went to the pool for a swim + relaxed in the whirlpool.  Nice!
Dinner was also at Parrot Cay + it was fun being entertained by the servers doing a calypso routine.
We went to the Walt Disney Theatre for a delightful 1-1/2 hour show called Disney Dreams.
Took a few minutes to do some shopping – a visor for me, a T-shirt + tapes for Brynne and then back to the room for final disembark packing for the trip home, first to Jax, then on to visit Peg T tomorrow, and back to Pensacola Tues.
This is our (my) fifth tour [cruise] + I must say, the best accommodations of any including: Yokohama - Hong Kong, Rhine River, Alaska + Greece, Turkey + Israel.

8th Combat Cargo Squadron Reunion in Indianapolis (2001)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

10/13-19/2001: This is another 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] Reunion.  We took these trips every fall + this was an especially nice one because there was so much to see in this area + includes visiting with friends in Muncie, IN.

10/13/2001 Pensacola – Bowling Green, Ky.
We’re enroute to our WWII reunion in Indianapolis.  Left home at 7:35 with a cloud cover + a promise of showers.
Our usual Rt. 65 through Montgomery + Birmingham was without incidence.  The traffic was moderate with most motorists seemingly going to the Bama game.
Bert’s on the computer + I’m keeping tuned to the Seattle – Cleve. play off.  Cleve won by a huge score 17-2.
We drove around in the rain looking for a place to eat + settled for Bob Evans.
We watched some more baseball + retired early.  We drove 500 mi. in 8-1/2 hr.  Good day!

10/14/2001 Bowling Green, Ky. – Indianapolis
After a good breakfast at the motel we left in the rain at 8:30 driving leisurely along Rt. 65 through Ky. + Ind. admiring the beautiful fall foliage and well kept farms.
I drove through Louisville and although there was a lot of construction, it wasn’t difficult because it’s Sun. and there wasn’t a lot of traffic.
We stopped at Wendy’s outside of Indianapolis.  It was the cleanest + newest one we’ve been in for a long time.
After checking in at the Hampton Inn downtown, we unpacked + Bert went shopping for undershirts at Parisian.
We went down to the Pennsylvania room on the second floor for some good old comradery.  There were 38 from the squadron plus W’s kids + grandkids who were celebrating their son’s 55th b.d.
Our dinner held at the Magic Moments Restaurant was within walking distance + we had a magician for our entertainment after a delightful meal in the Penthouse – 9th floor with a beautiful view of the city.
I was a big winner at the card game - $1.25.  Yeah!

10/15/01 Indianapolis
We boarded the bus for a tour of the city at 9 am + it was an excellent 3 hr. tour.
The highlights are as follows: 1) State Capitol which houses all three branches of government. It took 10 yrs to build + it’s limestone + marble structure + interior are spectacular.  Our guide in the afternoon was from Tipp City + we exchanged small world stories including Wellsville.
2) Universities – Ind. U. – Purdue U. + the I. U. Medical Center along the White River.
3) Ind. World War Memorial
*4) Cong. Medal of Honor Memorial along White R.
5) James Whitcomb Riley Home
6) Benjamin Harrison Home
7) Lockerbie Market Place – Cobblestone St., antique gas lights, similar to Greenwich Village in N.Y.C.  Boutiques, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, antique shops + ethnic restaurants.
8) Canal Walk – USS Indianapolis National Memorial
*This Memorial has 27 curved glass walls representing 15 conflicts from the Civil War.
Bert + I walked at least 2 miles in the afternoon (skipped lunch) + for dinner.
We had a chicken salad at the Malibu Restaurant for dinner, then cards with the ladies.  Fun day.

10/16/01 Indianapolis
This was a full day of activities: the Eiteljorg Museum, lunch at Dodd’s Farm Restaurant, dinner at the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre + farewells on the bus ride back to the people leaving early in the am.
Eiteljorg – a museum of Amer. Indians + Western Art.  Harrison Eiteljorg lived to be 94 + died 3 yrs ago.  It refects his interest in the Taos, N.M. area.  He donated 1,000 pieces of art from Africa + S. Pacific – also land in Indy for schools, a church + hospital.
Dodd’s Rest. The bus driver stopped enroute to the restaurant to let us tour the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral – Gothic tower rises 212 ft. above the sidewalk + contains 54 bells from a 19# to 11,200# seven ft diam.  Total wt of bells – 56,372#.  A room inside houses all the Grand Masters’ pictures.  The main entrance represents King Solomon’s Temple. Marble, Masonic emblems in walls – ballroom, auditorium, stage, + everything in 33 ft. representing Christ’s 33 yrs.  Bronze chandelier center of auditorium weighs 2400#.  It was completed in 1929.
Beef and Boards – The restaurant is in the round so that all 400 people have a view of the stage.  We had a very nice buffet dinner + our seats were on the third level.  We saw How to Succeed in Business + it was done very well – good voices!
Full day!

10/17/01 Indianapolis – Muncie
We had a nice leisurely breakfast with Bunny + Scotty W and Peg + Van Van H before checking out at 11 am.  We arrived in Muncie about 1 pm + checked in with Carm + Walt M. They took us for a tour of Ball State U. after buying apples at the Minnetrista Apple Orchard.  We saw + took pictures of “Dave Letterman’s Stadium,” the Ball Brothers columns, bell tower, alumni building, the flying Cardinals and toured the campus + town of Muncie.
Carm made a lovely meal for us.  Pork chops on the grill, mashed potatoes, baked beans, rolls, salad, coffee and cream pie.  Delicious.
We watched the Braves take the second game from Ariz. in the World Series play off.  The score was 8-1, and that made up for yesterday’s loss of 2-0.  Glavine pitched today + Maddux pitched yesterday.
We retired early – about 10:30.
Temp today in the 40’s, very windy.

10/18/01 Muncie – Cullman, Ala.
With frost on the van for the first time ever, we decided it was time to head South.
We left the M's at 8:15 and drove south on Rt. 69 to rt. 65 + 465 Bi-pass around Indianapolis.
We had lunch at Wendy’s and filled the tank in Bowling Green at $1.01 at Race-trak, then continued south with little traffic + good driving conditions.  Bert drove through the big cities – Louisville + Nashville + I did a lot of the rest.
At Cullman, Ala. we stopped at a nicely furnished Comfort Inn using the $45 dollar coupon in the book we picked up at the Visitor Center.  It’s a good thing we stopped here as I was so tired, I thought we were in Cullman, but it’s Athens, Ala.  Very few people here + the room is large with 2 queen size beds, a microwave oven + small fridge.
We’re going to the Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Drove 450 mi today + will go 350 tomorrow.

10/19/01
Athens, Ala. – Pensacola
What a beautiful day.  Got off after a healthy breakfast at 8:15.  We shed our jackets after a couple hours driving.  In Bowling Green, Ky. we filled the tank because gas was just $1.01.
We skipped lunch, just had a delicious apple at a rest area.
I drove a lot today + got us through Birmingham without a hitch.  Bert drove through Montgomery + at the rest area south of it, I drove the rest of the way.
We were coming into the home stretch + my co-pilot told me to go West + I always (?) follow directions, so we had to backtrack, take Exit 2, then follow I-10 to Exit 5 where we got off to go to pick up the mail at the post office.
We got home about 2:30, did laundry, put away the clothes, checked E-mail, had a quick TV dinners + watched the Braves-Ariz. game.  We blew it – poor pitching + fielding.  Score 5-1 Ariz.  Boo-hoo!! (sad face) !!

8th Combat Cargo Squadron Reunion in Milwaukee (2000)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

10/13/00 Pensacola - Athens
We left earlier than planned on the first leg of our trip to Milwaukee at 8 am.  It was a cool morning but warmed up nicely mid-afternoon when we arrived in Athens – a total of 348 miles.
We started our journey to Milwaukee following the usual Rt. 65 through Montgomery + Birmingham, with some construction + delays as a result but still made good time to Athens.
Our room wasn’t ready so we drove around town, checked a few stores + rested (I) in our room.  Bert checked our E-mail + happy to have a note from YK in Japan who’s coming to see us in the States in 2 wks.  We are delighted he is going to spend a weekend with us the end of the month before going on to Orlando for a meeting!
After a good meal at Applebee’s which is just across from our *** Best Western, we watched a little TV and retired early.

10/14/2000 Athens, Ala. – Lebanon, Ind.
What a beautiful day!  Got away at 8:30 after breakfast at the Best Western.  The usual construction problems in Nashville delayed us about a half hour but I took advantage of it by practicing lip-syncing my song for our performance as the Andrews Sisters at the reunion while Bert gritted his teeth and tried to figure out an alternative route for our return trip.
We were impressed with the beautiful vivid fall foliage today especially in Ky.  Where we saw a definite change in colors – vivid reds, orange + yellows. 
It was great seeing Louisville looking so clean + prosperous as we crossed the beautiful Ohio R.  Also good hearing WLW [Cincinnati radio station] coming through loud + clear.
Indianapolis + the surrounding farm land looked great.  A lot of growth since we’d seen the capital + the homes, townhouses, condos + apartments all looked well planned + well-built.
Our motel (Holiday Inn Convention Center) in Lebanon was clean + comfortable but the pool, sauna + whirlpool were disappointing – too cold + crowded.
Good meal at Bob Evans – turkey for me + meatloaf for Bert.

10/15/2000 Lebanon, Ind. – Milwaukee, Wis.
The mileage was 782 when we checked out today.
We had a good night’s sleep + an interesting breakfast that wasn’t supposed to have been included in our discounted rate of $59.  Anyhow, it was a complete breakfast + beautifully served in the dining room.  So we were off to a good start + left at 8:30 for Milwaukee.
It was a pleasant drive all the way – not too much construction + we stayed on Rt. 65 until the big by-pass around Chicago.  The rain that was predicted did not happen until a few minutes before we checked in at the Air Port Best Western + that was just a few drops.
Bert + I checked into our very comfortable room + after unpacking we checked out the hotel pool + sauna – very nice!
Met the ladies in our room + practiced our number "The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," with the gals from the 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron] Reunion, then met the rest of the group at the Hospitality Room before going to dinner in the dining room.  Dinner was very nice.  A beautiful spread arranged by the Bs – Joyce + Mel.
We concluded this beautiful day playing our famous game – 12 of us ladies, while the guys retold war stories.

10/16/2000 Milwaukee
What an interesting tour of this great lake city!  Things I’ll remember and learned about Milwaukee, this 19th largest city in the U.S. from our tour are: the large number of Ethnic groups who live here.  They have 9 festivals for the various nationalities + there are alot of Indian + Polish names.  We toured the Bayview part of the port, the Polish flats, Basilica, St. Josephet, St. Stanislaus, which was brought brick by brick from the Post Office in Chicago.  In addition we saw the 4 face clock, Marquette U., the viaducts, the Miller dome.
Then we went to the Brewery which covers a whole city block.  We climbed the hill + sampled the various brews.
When we entered the Juneau Park area, we saw the beautiful mansions, the Wisconsin Lake Schooner the new addition to the Art Museum on the lake.
I hope I’ll never forget these beautiful sights!
A nice swim in the heated pool, a rehearsal for a skit, + games in the hospitality house completed a perfect day.

10/17/2000 Milwaukee
Our tour today was a trip to the Mitchell Park Conservatory where we saw the various unusual plants in three domes [conservatories] and then to the Reiman Publication Center and Greendale.
The three domes housed the show dome filled with a variety of unusual mums, the arid dome which plants native to Sonoran Northern Mexico, South America, Madagascar, African, + Canary Island.  The Tropical Dome looked more familiar as we see many of these plants in Fl.
The domes are 80’ x 120’, climate controlled, and conoidal rather than geodesic.
The Reiman Publishing Co. was started in the 1930’s + they publish a no. of magazines + books.
We toured all the shops in Glendale, bought some candy, a book + a card, then headed back to the motel.
Had lunch, swam, + practiced our skit.
Our dinner + entertainment were great.  Even had time with the girls to play our game. Performed our skit and it was a great success.

10/18/2000 Milwaukee - Elizabethtown, Ky.
Mileage 1029 from Pensacola
After breakfast, we loaded the car and were on our way at 8:30.
I wasn’t a great help with the driving today as I didn’t sleep well – too much excitement with the “Boogie Woogie Bugling” last night.
Our usual routes were much the same as far as traffic is concerned – heavy in the Chicago, Indianapolis + Louisville areas.
We stopped in Lebanon, Ind. + made a reservation for the Best Western in Elizabethtown, Ky.  We arrived here after 8 hrs on the road + checked in to a very clean, comfortable room just off the highway at Exit 91 on Rt. 65.
We hadn’t ever tried Steak ‘n’ Shake, so decided to stop there after driving through town where there were many new restaurants.  It was hearty + nothing fancy.
We’re on Eastern time here so it’s a good excuse to retire early!
Mileage today 435 miles.
Great!

10/19/2000: Elizabethtown, Ky. - Pensacola
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast at one of the best ** motels we’ve ever had, we were on the road at 6:30 Central Time.  Everything went well driving home taking turns at the wheel.
Bert drove the first leg of the trip to Nashville, but I drove through Nashville taking the Briley Parkway with Bert navigating + we did fine – just got lost once + didn’t lose much time!  Quite an accomplishment.
We traded off the driving throughout the day.  So it wasn’t a tough trip.
We lost a little time in Birmingham, taking a wrong exit to a Wendy’s, but that wasn’t bad. We took the next one + had we been a half hour earlier, we would have followed an AARP bus load of people which would’ve been a long wait.
Bert drove from Birmingham to Montgomery + I drove home, + the mileage for the entire trip was 1,033, just 4 miles longer than our trip to Milwaukee.
Everything at home was fine + we’re so grateful for the wonderful trip + our many blessings!

Wellsville Reunion (2000)

[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]

6/20-26/2000
6-20-2000 Pensacola- Brentwood, Tenn.
We had good driving weather in our usual Montgomery - Birmingham - Nashville route, leaving home at 7 am, arriving here at Mainstay Suites at 2:45 to spend the night. This is an attractive motel + our room is furnished nicely – kitchen with frig, stove, microwave + desk for the lap top.
We did our usual exercises in the pool, then had some appetizers in the lounge before going to dinner at a nearby Ruby Tuesdays.
I forgot to pack all our medicines so we made s trip to CVS for our vitamins + my glucosamine/chondroitin.
We made a reservation in Springfield at the Ramada Inn for the next three days.
Bert checked mail on the computer + we retired early.
Lovely day.

6-21-2000 Brentwood – Springfield
We lucked out on the weather today + reached S’fld mid afternoon without a hitch.
The Ramada Limited in South Springfield is our residence for 3 nights so we unpacked the van, took a swim in the indoor pool, showered + went to dinner at Macorra’s. What good Italian food. We’d been here years before + Bert luckily remembered where it was.
We drove around the old neighborhood where we once lived in ’49-51 + noted all the changes. Our old address 836-1/2 S. Limestone St. Rear is now the athletic field for South High.
I talked with Mary Jane B + we made plans to go to lunch tomorrow.
This was a fun day + we’re so thankful we made it through Nashville traffic with no problems in spite of all the traffic from 7:40-8:30 a.m.
Our mileage is 814 mi. from Pensacola.
We spent some time visiting Mary Jane B + friend.

6/22-6/223 2000 Springfield
These two days at the Ramada Limited have been fun.
Thurs. Mary Jane Ballentine + friend, Bob, came over + took us to the Country Club for lunch + a tour of the area.
We had dinner at a winery with Wanda + Ry G, then went to their home afterward where we enjoyed Dairy Queen sundaes on their patio + caught up on all our news.
After breakfast at the motel Fri. we toured the U.D. [University of Dayton] campus, then stopped at the Air Force Museum at Wright/Patterson AF Base + what a magnificent restoration of planes from the Wright Brothers to the latest aircraft. “Be Still My Heart” Bert cried as we passed the famous C-47.
Our lunch at the Officers Club was relaxing + delicious in the basement Wings room. From there we checked the BX + filled the tank with gas at $1.82 gal. Later that afternoon, the price dropped all over town to $1.77. (sad face!!)
Dinner with Lou + George G at the club was reminiscing time from the 50’s – Great people!!

6/24-6/25 Springfield – Rocky River
We checked out of the Ramada at 9:30 + were in Hilliard to see the Us an hour later. Edith took us to lunch at their beautiful dining room at the Heritage. The Arbors is where we visited Ron who’s in bad shape.
We arrived at the McNs in Rocky River after driving through a drizzle, then heavy rain into Cleveland, Had time for a shower/shampoo before going to Sue L’s beautiful new home in Avon for cocktails. Sue, Warren S, Ray + Marie McN + we went to Fratello’s for a delicious dinner where we “dined” for a delightful evening.
On Sun. we went to church + what fun seeing all the old friends, too many to mention. The children performed for us, all 165 children, from St. Christopher’s + Rocky River Presby. As a culmination of their Bible School.
We had brunch with Shirley + Bob S + got caught up with their news.
The Es entertained us with dinner + cocktails + it was great seeing Helen Sm, Tom’s mother Dorothy, as well as Anne + Tom E all doing so well.

6/26/2000 Rocky River
This was a catch-up day.  After breakfast we took a nice walk in metropolitan Park, then checked out all the local area + ended up at Westgate Mall shopping for a pair of white slacks.  Found a pr of Liz’s at Dillards, then had a bite to eat + went back to McNs to freshen up.
At 5 pm we went out to Ks, Phyllis + Dan + from there to the White Oaks for a really good meal with orange roughy being our entrée.  (We ate too much, so I had to pass on the dessert Phyllis made.)  They celebrated their 50th last week + we shared albums.
McNs were still up but their darling 6 yr old granddaughter had gone home.  What a cutie.  She promised to be a pen pal!  We’ll see.

6/27/2000 Rocky River - Bath
We had to bid adieu to Marie + Ray after breakfast, and head South.  We didn’t have far to go far – just down to I-71 to Strongsville to see Ardath + John Sanders – Bert’s cousin.
They took us to Don’s Pomeroy House for lunch – a beautiful restored home which Ardath + the Historical Society saved from being destroyed.  Had a very nice lunch + visit with them, and left mid afternoon on the next leg of our trip to Jim + Dottie G’s in Bath, our Marco Island friends.
We had a lot of catching up to do since many events have taken place since we left Marco Island mid-March + they didn’t head home until May.
We’d all decided it was time to cut calories, wo we feasted on lean thick skinless, boneless pork chops which did on the grill, pot. au gratin, salad + Dottie’s delicious home made berry pie.  We talked for hours; they told us about their recent trip to Italy + Stevan’s wedding in Conn.  Lovely day.

6/28/2000 Bath, Ohio
Our entertainment at breakfast was watching the doe polish off just about all of Dottie's hollyhocks!  Then we took a leisurely mile + a half walk in their lovely neighborhood
After lunch we were visited by a wild turkey wandering through the yard followed by her eleven lively babies.  We watched them until they were out of sight, but they’ll be back tomorrow so we may see them again before we leave for the reunion in Wellsville.
While I was napping, the local doe + her babies came into the yard but I missed them. Maybe they’ll return tomorrow before we leave for Wellsville!
In the evening we went over to Beverly + Woody Ws for a great “picnic” on their deck.  Not only was it a delicacy eating all her specially prepared foods fresh from their garden, but beautifully served.  They are one interesting couple we enjoy during the winter months at Marco + a delight to be entertain.

6/29/2000 Bath – Wellsville
The deer returned + I got a close-up view.  We can almost forgive them for eating Dottie’s hollyhox – they’re so cute.  We left the G's after a very hearty breakfast of pancakes + bacon – delicious!
After leaving Bath, we got on Rts 77 + 76 before coming down Rt. 45 into Salem + Lisbon.
Mary + Gene were waiting for us + we had a few hours of "catching up" before leaving for dinner at the Fire House which we celebrated with the classes of ’44 + ’45.  We had a nice meal of roast chicken/dressing, salad, pot. + gr. beans plus coconut cream pie for dessert.
It was nice visiting afterwards with Jeanne Ann + Bill R at Mary C’s. We didn’t stay long as we wanted to have more time visiting with Mary + Gene.
Mary + I talked for hours “catching up” before retiring past midnight.

6/30/2000 Wellsville
This was a relaxing morning with a late breakfast.  We left for the reunion at 2:00 and spent most of the afternoon at the River Museum and Alumni Center.
The museum is over 100 years old and beautifully maintained.  It houses Civil War relics, pictures that date back to the turn of the century.  Pictures of Grandpa Alton, my dad, Uncle Paul + Gene Jarvis were especially interesting.
Rather than drive back to Mary + Gene’s, we stayed in town for the parade.  What fun.  I was drafted to ride in the parade in Vivian B’s convertible to represent the class of ’43 along with others:  Pinky H P, Fitzy (marching ahead with Richard C) + Vince C. We picked up Vic McI + rode to 5th St.  Ended up at the Alumni River Hotel.
We walked up town to the gazebo + saw lots of people.
The sunset was magnificent!

7/1/2000 Wellsville
We started the day’s activities at the Alumni Hall.  They had a lovely brunch + and saw lots of friends; the Rs – Ann + Bill + spouses – looking great!  At our table were Milly + the McIs.  We honored all the scholarship recipients + they were so grateful for their scholarships made possible by our generous donors.
In the evening we met in the high school gym for our all class reunion.  We had a small group from our class but there were 731 total graduates in all from ’57-’27 in the gym + the rest + younger ones in MacDonald gym.

7/2/2000: Wellsville - Bristol, Va.
We left Mary + Gene’s after a hearty breakfast at 8 am + drove rt. 7 to Wheeling, then Rt. 250 to Fairmont, W. Va.  We stopped at a pretty town, Mannington, at MacDonald’s for coffee.  Great stop!  We didn’t make good time, but the rolling hills provided beautiful scenery.  I-79 was an interesting route winding through hilly farming + mining country + follows a course of the West Fork + Elk Rivers.  We crossed the Kanawha R. on Rt. 19 + took Rt. 77, the W. Va. Turnpike, to Wytheville where we made a reservation for tonight at a Comfort Inn in Bristol, Va.  We’d planned to drive farther, but after a long day and lots of partying at the reunion, we decided to turn in after 420 miles + get a good night’s rest.  On the last lap of our drive today on I-81, we traveled over sharply rolling to hilly, partially wooded highlands devoted to agriculture + livestock production.
We saw a deer along our route today as well as a fawn, and a flock of wild turkeys.
Dinner at a nearby restaurant, Fishtales, was fair – just too much fried food.

7/3/2000 Bristol, V. - Pensacola
We were up early, packed, breakfasted + on our way by 8:00 am.  Gas was cheap so we filled the tank at $1.47.  I drove the first leg of the trip, then Bert took the wheel through Knoxville.  It really wasn’t bad for a holiday weekend.  I took my turn through Chattanooga + was surprised + delighted that there really wasn’t too much traffic or construction.  Most of the drivers were courteous even in Ala.  We took turns driving.
In Birmingham we stopped at a Cracker Barrel + had our main meal mid afternoon, and drove on through Montgomery + were home about 7:00 pm.
I forgot to mention that we stopped in Ga. + got gas at $1.39 as it’s always cheaper there.
When we unloaded the van, we checked the mileage and our total trip read 2,444 miles.
We unpacked, watched a little of the Braves game + when they lost 17-1 to Montreal, it was time to go to bed + thank God for a wonderful, safe trip!