More Evergreen Hosts

Here are Evergreeners who hosted us in New Jersey, Virginia, and South Carolina. I was a little surprised and quite delighted to find their political persuasions matched mine.

Heading Home

We're in Cape May, NJ for two nights. We had three good days in New York City (two nights in the International Hostel). I think we walked 25 miles when I became temporarily lame -- could barely walk but I seem to have recovered a little.

We've met the nicest new friends along the way on this autumn vacation. Haven't encountered a stranger yet. Isn't Evergreen great?

We had a nice drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway today and found the fall colors at their peak at the higher elevations. We've met the nicest new friends among the Evergreeners who hosted us.

On The Road Again

After only a month and a half back home, Jane and I are taking off again on another road trip. This time we hope to spend a few days in the Smoky Mountains before visiting friends in Connecticut. We hope to have two or three days in in NYC. We're looking forward to an overdue visit with our friends, Les & Larry, near Orlando. We expect to be home the first week of November.

Sunday

Yesterday, Liz Smith hosted Dining Out at Nick's Diner. Following that, Jane and I went to National Plug In Day at Centennial Park to see several dozen electric cars on display. I think we saw the future.     
                     

Summer Doldrums

We've pretty well settled in now from our summer adventures. I'm feeling lazy and I'm looking forward to cooler weather (so far, no evidence). Last night we went out to dinner at Chedders and a movie at Regal and saw Instructions Not Included. This movie was Mexican made with English subtitles. It seems to be well reviewed. It is cute and kept me awake but I wouldn't call it a "must see." The performances were unrealistic and the story unbelievable. My biggest complaint is the painfully loud music. The overall sound was okay but in spots I would have to hold my ears.

And 5,878 Miles Later...

...after 10 weeks at "summer camp for seniors," 16 nights with wonderful Evergreeners, 5 with friends, 2 with relatives, and thankfully no nights in the hospital, motel, tenting, car, jail, or under bridges, we're home. We had lots of good times, enjoyed renewing friendships and meeting some new people we liked a lot. As always, we're grateful to have survived all those potentially disastrous 5,878 miles.

We took the ferry to Mackinac Island yesterday and rode bikes 8 miles around the Island. Pictured below are our Evergreen hosts, Al and Kathy.

Begining Our Meander Home

We left Duluth about noon Wednesday and stayed with Evergreener, Carol, pictured below. The accommodations were a motel on the river -- very nice. The next 2 nights we stayed with Sarah and Jeff in Republic, MI. They took us sightseeing several places, among them was Presque Isle. (the two lower pics) The 2 other pics are from their deck.

Movie Comment

We saw Unfinished Song yesterday at a theater in Duluth. Jane and I both liked it but I had more reservations. The acting was good but several situations were contrived and unrealistic. I didn't care for the music and the choir director, Elizabeth, was cute but miscast. I recommend the movie but would not consider it a "must see."

Final Week of Summer Camp

It has been a very good summer and we're feeling so fortunate to have enjoyed it. It's always a bit sad to leave at the end of our ten weeks vacation, especially when our return is uncertain. We always say we're keeping our options open on returning but we know there will be a last time. On the final weeks we were selected for the trip to Ely. Other pictures are of  the All State Band concert (I've heard none better), the annual Fish Boil -- always fun, and the final hike.

A Perfect Day

We feel lucky to have been invited by the Shellys -- Chadda and John -- to hike with them yesterday on the Oberg Mountian Loop, a spur trail of Superior Hiking Trail near Tofte. It was a perfect day and we loved it. We had lunch at Lutsen Resort.

Worries of a hot summer seem unfounded.

The roses were late this year and they're still displaying well in August.

We had thirty-two walkers today on Kathryn Schultz's hike in Two Harbors.