Wisconsin July-August 2015 Part 2

After Jen and Dave arrived at our hotel, The Country Inn Suites in Suamico, and checked in we all went to the stadium to eat at the new 1919 restaurant  which replaced the original Curlys.  Nice new facility.   Very modernish with a sleek bar and a warehouse feel to it because of the high ceilings.  Cavernous comes to mind..  Menu was lackluster and expensive.

We all went to the pro shop where others spent money and then came back to the hotel where J&J (Jack and Jonah) joined their parents in the hotel pool.  The grandparents mysteriously took to lounging in bed or, for some, napping. 

We didn't venture out and everyone had delivered dinners from The Bar across the parking lot.  Except me.  Being the odd one, I walked over to Festival grocery store across from the hotel, and built a salad at their salad bar while the everyone else ordered food from The Bar, which delivered.

The development where the hotel is located is at one side of this large retail/condo development named, UrbanEdge.  Sleepy quiet Suamico is fast becoming a surging metropolis.  A corn field it is no longer.

Next morning we all were up early although Mary was up before anyone.  Lest anyone leap to a false conclusion, it was, of course the first Packer practice.  Nothing less would motivate a pre-9AM wake-up.  We headed out around 8:30 to Oneida Street and the stadium.

Mary and I got a terrific parking spot right in the stadium parking lot near Oneida and walked a short distance to the practice field.   We ended up very near the practice field gate along with a collection of bikes parked along the curb.

Before it got crowded.  Recognize that stern fan glaring at player who dropped a pass?

We could see the players running around, but the real entertainment was the kids and their bikes.  They are all lined up along the curb anticipating the end of practice.  A few minutes before practice ends, a sizable security staff directs a number of kids and their bikes to line up along the path in front of the practice field gate. 

Jordy Nelson, the only player I recognized

As the players come out, some choose a bike to ride while others walked and talked with spectators. A  few signed autographs although there were several hundred people standing in the official designated autograph line further down the street towards the stadium.

Yes, they do come from all over

The players are some pretty sizable people.  Ever watch a bike disappear when someone sits on it? 

The whole event seems to be orchestrated to a high degree.  I recall years ago it was much more free flowing without the hovering staff directing everything.  Still, it was fun to watch all the managed chaos.

After practice we made a stop and Mary's doctor where she filled out more forms.  Then we headed over to my eye doctor who pronounced everything fine.

Then we drove over to see Mary's doctor for a consultation and then back to the hotel.

We did eventually decide to drive to Door County the next day.  And we all fit in Dave and Jen's van too.

Dried up creek feeding Wequiock  Falls

First stop was Wequiock Falls County Park where there is a reputed statue of Jean Nicolet.  The park is a tiny little area and the falls weren't falling.  The creek was pretty dried up.  There was a nice public facility (restroom) we took advantage of but we never found the Statue.  This adventurous fellow  found out all kinds of interesting factoids we missed.

Next we stopped at  Bay Shore County Park where the kids had a few minutes of fun on the model ship before heading down the cliff to the lake (I almost said "sea") shore and boat ramp.  I'm told we stopped here a few times when our kids were young and I vaguely recall the place but we never stayed for long nor did we camp here either.

The beach was a stone skippers delight!  But alas, I've found my once prodigious stone skipping prowess has wilted dramatically.   It's like in Marathon where I was playing short stop and my first throw to first base lacked zip.  I mean it lazily drifted towards first base on a stiff breeze.  I did have a pretty good arm once upon a time.  Oh well ...

Then it was off again to Door County and right for Peninsula State Park where we made a beeline for Shanty Bay and the beach.  Due to the high water in Lake Michigan, the beach was, well, small.  It almost appeared to be a wholly different place.  The normal sand bar is still around and a boat I recognized as one we anchored with here many, many years ago was there in its customary place.

It's still a great anchorage

We spent several hours frolicking in the (chilly) water and eating pretzels and ice cream.  Mary even talked me into buying a pair of shorts, a battle we have been having for over a year.  I think my collection of comfortable attire is fine.  She feels otherwise, describing my wardrobe as threadbare, fashionless and other more blatant derogatory labels.

So I bought them from the lady who sells clothes at the Park's snack bar.  As it turns out she and her husband are cruisers too and live on a boat for most of the year except when they're up in Door County selling clothes to finance their travels.  We exchanged boat info and I'm betting will run into them in the Exumas next year.  Of course I will be wearing the shorts.

As befitting tradition we next went to the Eagle Observation Tower.  Except the DNR has closed it due to some structural issues!  Heck, I've been climbing that thing 55 years. And I was all set to race my grandchildren up to the top.  I'd have won, (of course) but alas I'll never be able to reap a victors due reward. 

One the way back we stopped at Stoneharbor to eat.  We left before the band started up although after talking with the roadies I was sort of wanting to stay around and listen to them.

Saturday we slept later and decided to meet the Hagens at Manitowoc.  They decided to hit the road early, before we were up and about.  

We met them at the yacht harbor and walked around the breakwater.  Jonah and I sauntered out on the breakwater to the lighthouse and watched the Ferry, Badger, leave to cross the lake.  Later we headed towards the small beach nearby and the younger set dipped their toes in the calm but frigid water.  We left shortly after to go back to the Hotel in Suamico.

In the center are David, Jen, Jonah and Jack standing in the un-warm water

The next day we stopped in to see Dave and Kathy at their home in near Kewaskum.  While Dave and I went golfing at Washington County Golf Course, Kathy, Mary and Susan, (Kathy's sister who is staying with them) went kayaking on Cedar Lake.  They kayaked and then spent some quality time at a bar on the lake.

Dave birdied 6 of the first 9 holes and shot even par.  I was using Dave's old clubs which are so far superior to mine that it took me 18 holes to adjust to their superb feel and response.  I cite this as the reason I wasn't anywhere close to par.
  
What a great homestead they have there.  All those trees and land!  We all returned at about the same time and shared a few cocktails.  Great time!  Susan, who's planning on a cross country adventure in a van this year, was staying with Dave and Kathy until she leaves and it was great to talk with her.  We we had  a wonderful dinner proving once again that Dave is a mighty griller.  It was a good visit.  Next time we see them will probably be in December if we do go back to WI then.   Or down south when they visit us on the boat.

Sure, take two donuts before grandma ... oops.  Too late.   Hi Katlin!

Water bugs.

Later in the week we embarked on some beach days. We took Jack, Jonah, and Seany to City Beach on Lac La Belle lake in Oconomowoc.  Lots of running.  Lots of splashing.  Lots of water.  Lots of fun.  I'll sleep well tonight!.

Seany and Nona at the beach

On another day Jack and Jonah were busy so we just took Seany!  Lots of running, lots of water, lots of....   And again I'll sleep really well!

Jan, Dan and Judy scrutinizing the Libby Montana menu

We spent a late afternoon and evening with Mary's brother and sister and Gene our brother in-law.  Heck even Don and Linda showed up.  Cocktails and Dan's and then over to Libby Montana's for dinner.  Always good to catch up!  

Over the weekend LeAnn and Brant drove down from Minnesota to see Sammy.  They stayed with Greg and Laura the first night and then spent the next night at Jen and Dave's with us.  Sammy must wonder why all these strange faces magically appear from time to time waking him up from his peaceful nap.

Golfers

Brant, Greg and I golfed Saturday while Mary and the Hagen's headed off to the brewery tour at Miller Brewing Company which is now Miller-Coors.  Greg had to leave right after but Brant and I were going to join them but it got late so we just stopped at a local place, Hops and Leisure which was previously the Harley Davidson dealership.  It was really good.  Again. 

Again?  Yes, we had drinks and dinner there the other night with Dave and Dana, old boating friends for many years.  They still have their house in the subdivision where we lived years ago.  We always have a riotous time when we get together.  

For our last trip north we, again, drove up to Green Bay for a medical test Mary needed to have.  Our one big regret is not having enough time to see Tim and Jill!  They bought a boat similar to one we owned and I was looking forward to a ride.  Next year I hope?!!

In preparation for taking Jack golfing we went to the driving range.  Even though he kept trying to hit me with careening golf balls and from his spontaneous trick shots, I tried giving him swing tips.  In retrospect my tips are probably pretty worthless given that I'm such a crappy golfer.  But on the other hand he'll know what not to do!

When we get up before 9:30 we try and make it to Cafe Labelle at Shore Haven Nursing Home.

We’ve stopped here a number of times and its really good.  The Cafe staff knows us now.  They have huge omelettes.  It's a nice place right on the shore of Lac La Belle.  Maybe in a few years we'll be able to take the elevator down?

We stopped in to see my mother again and the The Lutheran Home.  Dave and Kathy met us there along with my sister, Heidi.  The things you learn.

Learning all kinds of things from my mother

For instance I never knew my mother accepted $100 in 1950 to name me, George.  Maybe for $200 I could have been a Bartholomew.

My own mother proudly verified that I was on a leash during my spirited toddler years.  Was I really that wild?

And we also found out that our grandmother had a nude portrait done many, many years ago which was found hidden behind a vanity in their bedroom when the house was sold.   I knew I had a hot grandma but Nana.  Really? 

Waiting to eat and drying off at Juniper 61

After all these revelations, a big storm rained (pun intended) down upon us as we made our way from the nursing home to a restaurant on North Avenue and 61st street, Juniper61.  It was crowded and we were all soaked waiting at the bar.  Dicey beginning but pleasant after.

Jack and I finally went golfing at Rolling Hills golf course, now known as Lac La Belle Golf Club.  We started out ok, no balls through a window and luckily, the starter got us on the back nine where there was an outing about 5 holes ahead of us and no one else.

Looks like a great swing!

Jack was enthralled with the prospect of driving the cart.  So (hey, I'm a grandpa!) I said sure and turned the wheel over to him.  I noticed right away his technique was disturbingly similar to his aunt.  Pedal to the metal!  Thank god there wasn't a radio!

But for the grace of god it couldn't lay patches 

Drag racing through the course, we did pretty well.  Jack hit the ball fairly straight and even came close to paring two holes!  Our only hiccup occurred when he parked the cart on a slight incline and forgot to set the brake.  I was treated to the sight of Jack trying to hold back an accelerating golf cart.  Jack, thankfully, finally heeded my shouts and let go of the thing.  It ended up in the woods.  Not deterred at all he raced us at breakneck speed through the remaining few holes.  We finished in just under 2 hours.

How bad would it be if I gave him souped up Mustang for his 16th birthday?

Jonah's birthday party was on a Sunday and was it usual fun affair.  Dave even made a "plank" for

Walk the plank!

kids to walk.  It was after all a pirate themed party.  There were 3 pools available.  And water guns.  And I availed my self of some of the aquatic weaponry to wreck havoc on my young tormentors.

After we spent some time with Tim and Jen, Jennifer and Dave's next door neighbors.  Its great they all get along so well.

A somber group ready for a nice quiet drive to the Y

Next day we took Sean, Jack and Jonah to the Y to swim.  You may think they are water bugs.  You would be correct.   All three of them underwater most of the time.  

Tomorrow is the PGA championship at Whistling Straits.   Greg and I are attending because I have a generous, golf-loving son!!  On the downside I have to get up at 6:15AM.   Guess its like a Packer practice for me, rising so early to attend a sporting event.

The PGA was wonderful.  The players were incredibly good.  And I admit the controversy over the t-shirt versus collard shirt was pretty much settled with my more relaxed view of attire (T-shirt) very much in the minority.  Greg, knowing all this, lent me one of his collared shirts since I own only a few and they are tucked away on the boat in an obscure corner of a dark closet.

The course is a quite a site with little knolls and overlooks of the lake.  Very nice and a bit of a chore to trek around.  The PGA did a pretty good job of making walk-able paths to view all the holes and most of the tee-boxes.  We hung on the back nine and never made it to the front nine.

Fashionably attired golf fan complete with new hat and borrowed shirt  

This is Greg but does not look like him at all.  Must be the hat

When we entered we both went and bought hats to combat the unrelenting sun.  It was really hot, upward near 90.  And winds were westerly so no cool lake breeze.

We walked past the clubhouse where, years ago, we threw a pre-wedding party for Brant and LeAnn. 

Wedding Party hall, now a PGA club house

That’s where Brant met all of us and then had to ride back to Green Bay with the rear fender of my old Honda Civic sticking out between them.   The fender was hanging loosely when we walked out after dinner so I tried to prop it up a bit, but instead it just basically fell off.  Not wanting to loose such a precious artifact, we somehow crammed it in the car and made it back to Green Bay without too much trouble. Welcome to the family Brant!   I later bolted it back on and added a few wire ties to keep it secure.  Man I miss that car and all my "special" modifications.

13th hole I think running along the lake.

Tenth Tee.  It was early so no crowds.  They were all on the front nine.

So Brant ... do you do family rates?

The only complaint I have on the PGA event were the legion of PGA staffers and officials strutting around.  Crowd control and security I suppose, but it dampened the festive nature a bit.

Traffic was not at all bad considering the number of people there (20,000??).

We watched the last 7 groups of the players tee off at the 11th hole.  We were able to get a spot right at the railing surrounding the tee box.   Wonderful view of them hitting the ball 300 yards.  And straight.  The PGA officials were adamant about NO PHOTOS.  So no pictures, sorry  

 I do recall the eventual winner, Jason Day, was laser-focused and didn't do much but grab a club and hit the ball.  Spieth looked like a high school kid except he hit the ball out if sight.

We dashed back to the car after the last group teed off.  The parking lot was a good mile or two away but traffic, as I said, wasn’t all that bad.

We stopped at Rosatis to get pizza for us including Laura and Seany.  Sorry Sammy.  In a few years though you'll be chowing down pizza with the rest of us.

Monday night Greg and Laura came over and we had a little party.  But poor Sammy had his first vaccinations and wasn’t feeling too good, and then Jonah somehow received three bee stings on his nose.  So there was much wailing and crying ... all because we were leaving?   Right ... 

We’re planning on departing at 7-7:30 for the 450 mile drive to Dayton.  We loaded the car Monday and its packed, and suffering a bit with all the extra weight. We are lugging back what we brought plus what we bought.  Deadly combination for a weight conscience car which, thankfully, we don't have.

We stopped at a gas station and filled up at the bargain price of $2.89, a $0.40 rise in price over a few days.   Its $1.99/ gal in South Carolina.

Kwik Trip where we stock up for the journey south

Driving from Ixonia towards Johnston Creek at sunny hour of 8:30AM, I was rapidly getting a feel for driving an overloaded car.  It sort of waddles down the road.  Our first stop, 15 miles from Ixonia, was the Kwik Trip.  Its a tradition.

We are taking  I-39 to I-74 thru Indianapolis to I-70. It saves us from Chicago and gives me a smile of satisfaction knowing I'm not giving Chicago $9 for the pleasure of crawling through traffic.  

We arrived in Dayton and Gordy and Joanne's house in Kettering around 6PM.  And Joanne had made spaghetti for us!  Yumm ...

Next day we went to the obligatory McDonalds for coffee and to talk with the cadre of Gordy and Joanne's friends.  Very fun.  What an interesting group of people.  I found that "Senior Coffee" can be down right lucrative ... to the senior, not McDonalds.

After, we stopped back at the house and then made our way to the Carillon Park and the Carillon Brewing Company for lunch.

JoAnne, Gordy and Mary at Carillon Brewing Company

Cracker maker in front of the wood fired ovens

They use original techniques there for brewing and making crackers as we found out.  The crackers are baked in  wood fired oven.  The building is a large post and beam place with all this beautiful wood exposed.  And the restaurant staff were all decked out in period costumes.  

The beer list was rich and varied.  We opted for the sampler and found a few tasty ones in there.  The alcohol content though was not unfettered.  Yikes!

After lunch we walked across to the Museum.  Its dedicated to Dayton and all the ingenious ideas that were born there.  Wright Brothers of course but there were others.  Very interesting place!  

Wright Flyer

The grounds are actually laid out as a little village and each building is a small museum of sorts.  They had a Wright Brothers building with one of the very early Flyers on display with a very informative docent.   

We decided to go out to eat dinner at a Mexican restaurant owned by George, a colorful character Gordy and Joanne knew.  Good food, and George of course came by to talk for a while.

We had pondered leaving really early in the morning.  Of course pondering is one thing but executing an early departure is not within our abilities.  We left after 8.

Our thoughts of grandeur, making it back in one day, withered on the vine of fatigue so we stopped at a hotel in Orangeburg, SC.  Traffic was incredibly heavy from Charlotte, NC, into South Carolina through Columbia to Orangeburg,  It was crawling.  I never knew this was such a congested corridor.  

We ended up staying at a Holiday Inn Express in Orangeburg even though there was a Hampton somewhere nearby.  

We rolled into the marina in the early afternoon.  Hot and steamy.  And the boat was still afloat.

Wisconsin July-August 2015 Part 1

In quasi chronological order ...

We stopped in for a brief visit at Greg and Laura's house to see Sammy our newest grandson when we first arrived.    The next day we went off for a hike with them at Lapham Peak State Park.  Seany ran while I trotted some of the way.  Sammy napped all the way in his comfy, modular stroller.   I'm guessing its safe to assume baby buggies are from long ago era?

Walking the trails

Post hike lunch

After a hike we had to have lunch so we stopped at The Depot which was the old Oconomowoc train Depot.  I actually did stop in there when it was a real train station back umpteen years ago.  Now its just good food and a view of any passing trains.

The next day LeAnn came into see Sammy and we all went to Bonnee and Chuck's house for a July 4th party.  They have a great pool in the back yard but I forgot to bring my suite.  It was wonderful to see Bonnee again and all of Dave's family.  

Party setup, Mary, LeAnn and Dave.  Supervisors, Seany, Jonah

Next it was off to the Oconomowoc 4th of July Parade.  Greg and Laura live right near the route so we drove over there and than walked the few hundred feet to sit on the curb with Larry and Sue, Laura's parents.  It was rather fun although I'm not a parade person.  Some of the Marchers would toss out candy so there was always a scramble going on with the kids scarfing up treats

At night Dave started his fireworks display.  They had a huge inventory from sparklers and punks to a few giant rockets which were part of the finale.  Quite impressive!

While in Wisconsin we stay and Jennifer and Dave's house in Ixonia. Aside from seeing everyone we also have doctor appointments to attend too.  But all the doctors are in Green Bay.  And for me, since I found my dentist, Dr. Farrell I won’t go anywhere else.  She is, by far the best dentist I have ever experienced.  When she retires I’d better be dead because I don’t think I’ll ever go to another.

So we found ourselves in Green  Bay, at the dentist office one fine morning.  Carmen the dental tech did her usual fine (and painless) job of cleaning my teeth.  Then I moved over to Bernadette’s chair where she and Dr Farrell did the crown work.

They ended up shooting me 3 times with the Novocaine replacements, Septocaine  and Lidocaine.  It took that many shots before I was numb enough not to feel my tooth being ground down.  I seem to have a large number of nerves round my teeth, the benefit of which escapes me.

And of course she reminded me again about my chipped tooth which also needs a crown.  In the end I’ll have 3 crowns.  That’s a lot of gold!

Enjoying myself waiting for more teeth grinding

It takes 11 working days for a permanent crown to be fabricated.  Add 2 days for shipping and that puts us close to 14 working days.  Not a big deal for most, but for us it means staying up here in Wisconsin for at least 3 weeks.  In the summer its great.  In the winter, not so much.

After the dentist it was the eye doctor for me.  He found that because I’m so far sighted, my eye ball has a curve causing the angle between the lens and the cornea is shallow and can close off these little vent-like holes where fluid is able to escape.  If these holes are plugged it can cause a dangerous pressure in the viscous fluid of the eye ball resulting in excruciating pain and very possible loss of eye sight.  This condition is called, Closed Angle Glaucoma.

So he recommended I have laser surgery which basically meanings cutting a small slit in each eye.  And its reportedly painless and done in the office with mild after effects that go away after 12 hours

Since we plan to be in the Bahamas a lot I figured I’d better get this done now.  Eye doctors, or any doctors for that matter, are exceedingly rare in the more remote islands where we travel too.  

Mary’s physical was fine except she was scheduled for a pulmonary test.  They turned out to be inconclusive.

Ready for a pulmonary test.  Guess they mus be fun?

Once the medical portion of this trip was complete we made a stop to see Amanda our favorite barber/hairstylist.  Her business is Dr. Hair up in Green Bay should you ever have need of a haircut while up there.

Amanda doing her thing

Amanada is great.  She always squeezes us in knowing we have this wacky schedule when were up in Green Bay. Mary wanted a trim.  I did not so it was only one haircut this time.

The day after we returned to Ixonia we picked up Seany and did a quick shopping run before heading back to Jen and Dave's house for Jack and Jonah to show up.

Discussing bread choices 

I set up the Hagen's big blow-up pool.  Pool time means water fight!  They were all against me!  Quite fun although I fear I’m getting a bit old to rough house with youngsters that young.  And a special  thanks to Jen, Jennifer’s next door neighbor, for making up a few dozen water balloons.  As you can probably guess they were all tossed at me. 

Another day we had to make a drug store run since we were watching Jonah that morning he came along.

Mary and Jonah discussing prescriptions

We ran a few other errands and then picked up Jack at his Summer School.  Whats better than stopping at Chocolate Factory for lunch and ice cream before heading home.

Perusing the ice cream choices

Debate on what to order

Now Mom,  It is not too much for me.  I can eat it all (he did)

I had ordered Mary’s new tablet from Amazon and it arrived today so I played with that for a while and then ordered a new VHF radio from eBay to replace our non-functional radio.  Then I contacted Wilson electronics for advice on purchasing a cell phone signal booster.  All this shopping for boat toys can be exhausting.

Over the weekend we all piled in Jen and Dave's mini van and drove to  Devils Lake State Park to hike around.  We have never been there before and its a great park.  We hiked up a trail which turned out to be a little more torturous than anticipated.   It was pretty much straight up a rocky slope but the views near the top were awesome.  And no, we didn't make it all the way.

Placid fresh water and a pretty nice beach

Not a trail for the unsteady

One morning we even went to the Shorehaven Cafe for breakfast and wondered if we should maybe take a tour of the place now that we're Medicare age.  Ooops, sorry.  Mary isn’t quite there.  Yet...  The cafe is inexpensive and pretty good.  We will be returning.

We stopped in for a brief visit to see Seany and Sammy again.  What a duet of cuties!

Captain America (Seany) and his brother Sammy

We had pool day again another day with the next door neighbors kids even TJ whose close to 4.  Why do they always pick on me?

Greg and I golfed Sunday.  55 for nine using his old clubs.   I felt like Tiger Woods I was playing so badly.  Greg easily out drives me by an embarrassing and undisclosed distance.  

We left Ixonia at the eye opening hour of 6:45AM to return to Green Bay the next day.  We had to make it to the dental office in time for Mary’s cleaning.

Then later in the afternoon I went in for my laser surgery, the slit cutting operation to alleviate my narrow-angle glaucoma condition.  

The laser is, well, sort of toyish.  Its just a little black box with a camera-like device mounted atop one of those eye machines where you sit as they spin through lens choices to see which one you like.

The Laser

The actual procedure took about 2 minutes.  The doctor first put this gel-like substance on my eyeball, and then placed a focusing lens in the gel.  When he fired the laser I could see a bright red light and felt a momentary ache which wasn’t intense, but still uncomfortable.  After the second shot there was no more pain.  The right eye took about twice the number of laser shots as the left eye.  That’s because there are ridges and valleys and sometimes you catch a ridge and it takes a few more shots to cut through it.  He had to hold the focusing lens on my eye for a few minutes to keep pressure on a few capillaries that had begun to bleed.  The things you learn in a doctors office.

I had blurry and darker vision but could still see well enoough so drove to Lambeau anyway where we planned to eat at the new restaurant.  And since the Packer Pro shop was right there, we bought Sammy, our new grandson, a Packer outfit.  The new restaurant, 1919, was closed.  It's replacing Curly's and occupies a space on the atrium ground floor.  So no Lambeau dinning for us.

My right eye felt like I had something in it, a grain of sand maybe?  But I was able to see just fine we we went to Anduzzis for a few drinks and dinner.  As the evening progressed my vision became clearer and less painful.

We drove back to Ixonia the next morning,   My eyes have recovered to near normal sight so that’s good.

We had Seamy over to Jen and Dave's house again a few days later.  He, Jonah, Jack and Stefani,  Jack and Jonah's cousin, ran me ragged again.

We met Greg and Laura for dinner at Rosati's.  Happily Laura and I share the same taste for Veggie pizza's with peppers.  Yummm!

Mary and Kathy. 

Walking in Judy's backyard

The gang who stayed.  We had left before "The" picture was taken

We left the next morning for my cousin’s reunion at Judy and Larry's have a home on the shores of Lake Michigan, north of Milwaukee.  It was great seeing my cousins again!

We strolled around in the woods and noticed the shoreline had shrunk dramatically due to the high water levels of the lake. We ate dinner and then had to leave early in the evening to drive up to Green Bay.  Well actually Suamico, where we were staying in our almost second home, The Country Inn Suites in Suamico.   I did note that once we left they decided to take the annual family picture.  Hmmm ....  

Next day we left Suamico and took the new highway 41-29 interchange to highway 29 for the drive to see Leann and Brant who live in Burnsville, Minnesota.  We arrived around 7:30 pm.  Nice drive and of course, Subway for dinner.  Next day we went to eat breakfast at this really good little cafe, Silver Bell, in a strip mall down Hwy 13.   But first we went to the Y where Mary and LeAnn engaged in a yoga session outside and I did the weight machines and ran the track.

I'm certainly more captavating

In the afternoon Mary, LeAnn and I went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to view the Davinci Notebooks.  His actual notebooks were on display.  Very interesting except he wrote from top to bottom and right to left.   The intricate drawings were amazing. 

Ikea.  Our cart only half full yet, and Mary drooling over hot dogs

Next morning while Brant and LeAnn were at work, Mary and I headed to Ikea to look for lights for our master stateroom bathroom.  Some how we ended up with no bathroom lights but 4 other lights for the fly bridge and closets.  And a shopping cart full of stuff including a new table for the sun deck.  Nothing like being able to use our laser shopping focus.

Lula waking Mary up

Later we met up with LeAnn and went to Walmart so LeAnn could buy camping supplies for this coming weekend when they met Jen and Dave at a campground.   And why, I dont know, but we ended up purchasing another $100 worth of stuff.  We must need it but I really don’t know where were going to stash it all.

I ordered the cell phone booster and found a source for these Teflon coated flare fittings called Flare-Tights.  No, they have nothing to do with a cell phone booster, but they will help fix one of our leaking water maker high pressure lines.   The cell phone booster will help when we're over in the Bahamas which has spotty cell connections.

Exactly 11 ounces

After dinner LeAnn and I went to the yogurt place for frozen yogurt.  They had a special deal going on too.  It's a self serve place and if your cup weighs exactly 11oz.  its free.  Yes, you can call me lucky.  Mine was exactly 11oz.

Gosh tomorrow I turn 65.  What?  It cant be, can it?  65?  That’s old!

Birthday day for me.  After so many previous birthdays, their a bit underwhelming I guess.  

Hiking along the Mississippi

We went to hike at Fort Snelling.  What a great little spot!   While we were walking Dan called and treated us to his rendition of happy birthday on the organ.  He gets better every year.  That or I cant hear as well and he’s really getting worse.

Leann took me to lunch at Caspers where the staff discovered it was my birthday and gave me a little cake.  I had two bites.  Mary, took care of the rest.

Free Lego technical advice

We took Lulu their boxer for a few walks and then the next afternoon, while Leann was at work Mary and I went to the Mall of America!  We ended up at the Lego store to buy some grandson presents but realized we were out of our league confronted with maze of different Lego's.  So Mary asked a couple of young kids for technical assistance which they eagerly provided.

We loitered around the house most of the day but went to the Giuseppes, a local Italian place in a strip mall for delicious Italian food.

Silver Bell Cafe patrons

Note that first item on the desert board

Next morning we went to the Silver Bell Cafe for breakfast.  We had gone there once before and found it a great little cafe.  They even had Chocolate Cherry Pie.  No, I didn't.  But I will remember this place.

We left for Ixonia around 11 AM and arrived by 4PM.  Only one stop.  Mary slept most of the way but I’m avoiding any casual connection between our unusually swift transit and Mary's nap.

At Buca's

A few evenings later our kids took me out for dinner at Buca's.  It's in the building where the Around-the-Lakes Family restaurant had been for years.   Sammy was even along although he didn't say much, preferring to nap instead of indulging in family horse-play.  The nice waiter we had asked, "and Mam what would you like", before noting I had a beard which seemed to negate his impression I was of a different gender.  I must have done a really fine job on my pony tail.  He brought out some mouth-watering cake later and made a joke of it.  Fun night!

Doing math puzzles at Buca's

Over the last several weeks I have been the recipient of bits of 5 year old wisdom.  For example, Jonah instructed me that Mary cant call me grandpa but George is acceptable.  I never knew about that rule.  

Meanwhile Seany continues his very patient and detailed instructions regarding Super Heroes and whether they belong to the Justice League, or Avengers or some other group I've forgotten.  There appears to be a large number of Super Heroes now.  All I remember is Superman.    

Jonah, with his serious lecture expression, reminded me that I have to call Mary, "My Lovie", but only if we’re really married. And then added that I have to do this only if I want to.  Its getting very complicated.  

Some unusual excitement in Ixonia one day this week. Chip sealing the street.  Looks very nice but in reality its like driving on a gravel road until they remove the excess aggregate.  The downside is the removal of the painted street lines, with bike lanes clearly marked.  The wont be adding those again.

A few days later we headed once again to Green Bay so Mary could exercise her rights as a Packer stockholder and attend the annual Stockholders meeting.   We take Hwy P up to Lomira and then 41 into Green Bay.  Getting mighty sick of Hwy P.  And Green Bay is all torn up as they work on revamping highway 41.  Some of the finished segments are great.  But its a bit difficult navigating through all the construction which is everywhere. 

Jack and Jonah were along with us since we were meeting Jen and Dave in Green Bay the next day.   We took them to the Packer stockholder meeting.  The meeting is held in the stadium which is closed off to the general pubic for the day.  But really, in Green Bay is there not a stockholder in every house?

The Podium

Some of the early arrivals

There were maybe 10-15 thousand people there filling about half the stadium.  The podium was on the 50 yard line.  They did the usual stockholder meeting stuff and it was interesting.  Well the parts I heard were.   I took the kids one at a time to buy food. 

A recalcitrant non-stockholder unhappy with a pretzel-piece eating grandpa

Jonah, was irate that I took some of the pretzel since he considered the whole thing his.  And he doesn’t share his food!  The ensuing tantrum entertained a few ushers for a few minutes 

Stock holders dutifully in line for something.  Never found out what

I also they discovered they do not have any drinking fountains anywhere in the stadium.  Why would they when it's possible to sell bottled water for $4.25 / 12oz bottle.  That pretty much squelched any desire I might have had to visit this place any time soon.  But of course I picked up two bottles for the kids.

The concession stands were all open but with large signs indicating beer sales would not begin until noon.  Around 11:55, after the football operations and general stadium news report were over, the financial guy gets up and starts talking numbers.  Coinciding with his report, a large, probably 1/3 of people there, were all walking out of the standing towards the exits.  I  though it rather odd seeing this mass migration.  Until it dawned on me that beer sales were beginning.  And sure enough, after we left a short time later, the concession stands were all jammed and there weren't many people eating hot dogs.  Well, it is Green Bay after all, and financial reports can be death numbingly boring.  But still ...

I guess even Green Bay wont serve beer before noon.

We went back to our on and only hotel again where they really do know us by name.  The kids and I went  in the hotel pool while Mary napped and then we drove over to Anduzzis right near the hotel where the kids played games and we eventually ate.  

And, thankfully, we all went to bed early too!  Jack and Jonah took one bed and Mary and shared the other.  We seemed to manage sleeping just fine.

Next morning the kids were up around 6:30AM so I wasn't late when I headed to the dentist office.

I was back again for my permanent crown replacement and had to have 2 cavities filled.  It all only took 1.5 hours.   

Got back to the hotel where I walked J&J (Jack and Jonah) over to the dollar store where they bought a few items while we were waiting for Ma and pa (Jen and Dave) to arrive.   And sure enough as we  were walking back to the hotel Jen and Dave the rolled in!