Holland Michigan July 27, 2011

Papa and Madie waiting for dune schooner ride

Mimi & Madie on top of sand dune with Lake Michigan in the background

Dune buggy truck

Madie at the Butler in Saugatuck

We went to Saugatuck on Thursday to ride the dune schooner up to the top of the sand dune so that Madie could see Lake Michigan from the top.    She still says it is not a lake but an ocean.  They have shirts now that say unsalted and no sharks.

Summer Trip to Michigan 2011

Madie and Papa in lake

 John & Judy Switalaski

 Laura & Barney Rogers

Welcome to Michigna

 Madie on Rogers boat at Pardee Lake, Howell,
 Back of farmhouse we lived in Mason Mi in 1973=74  Been added on to and redone a lot by the Osterlee family we rented from.

The Big A Bus left home on Friday July 22 around 8:30 am heading to Michigan.  After a short stopin Warrenton, Va. to pickup a hitchiker aka Madie Halstead we were on our way.
Now you have to understand it has been HOT , HOT in Virginia and every place else that I can think of but this day was brutal.   We traveled thru Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, more West Virginia, Pennsylvania, more West Virginia and finally arrived in Cambridge Ohio for an overnight.
Due to "little creatures" being in our fuel tank we climbed some mountains rather SLOWLY.  Finally Larry had enough so we found a truck stop and he changed the fuel filter and we were on our way.However the heat was getting worse and even with the top air conditioners and generator on it was really hot in the bedroom due to the back unit deciding not to work plus the heat from the engine. We finally got it cool enough to sleep without too much difficulty and then on Saturday we headed out for Pardee Lake in Howell, Michigan to visit with our friends Bryon (Barney) & Laura Rogers. We got set up and then went for a boat ride and had dinner and on Sunday we went to church, farmers market and got our first sweet corn of the season. Went out to lunch and then came back to the lake for an afternoon of boating and swimming.   Madie had a great time swimming and jumping off the pontoon boat into the water.   Another good dinner and then it was off to bed. 
Today, Monday we are going over to Mason, Mi to see our friends Judy and John Switalski.  we haven't seen them in a few years and are anxious to be able to visit.   2 years ago their youngest son, who was Ally's age, died very tragically and we have only talked with them not seen them . We will be there until Wednesday morning when we go to Holland and put down "roots" for a week or so.  Madie is excited to see where her Dad grew up.
Will post pictures later.

July 2011 Campout at Misty Mountain, Crozet, Va.

ODC had it's July Campout at Misty Mountain Campground the 15 & 16th of July.   Larry and I arrived around 12:30 pm and Madie arrived around 1 pm with the Tolsons.  They only live a short distance from Bry and Julie so they are gracious to bring her with them. Several others from our group arrived along with grandchilden and we had a great evening at the pool with the kids and visiting with the adults.
Friday we went to Staunton, Va to the Frontier Cultural Museum and really enjoyed it.  Larry had been wanting to go every since we moved to Virginia so now it is done.   More swimming and visiting was done on Friday night and Saturday.  We had wonderful food of course and plenty of it.   We got home Sunday afternoon and Taylor & Anthony(her boyfriend) came to get Madie.

Larry, Madie and I are leaving on Friday heading to Michigan for 2 weeks so I will keep you posted on our activities.