Well, this past week we took our annual road trip to Ohio. These are always fun, pretty tiring, but they generate lots of memories -- enough to hold us over for a little while. So, I'm going to just give you some highlights of the trip. Here goes:
1. This time, since it was summer and light a lot longer, we decided to make the drive each way in just one day. It was only 9.5 hours and a pretty easy trip. Only got into construction one time and that was only a slow-down for about 10 min. or so. Pam packed snacks so we didn't have to spend too much time stopping to eat. Saved on two nights of motels, and made each trip on one tank of gas each way. Prices for fuel ranged from $2.31 in Sidney, to $3.19 on the WVa turnpike. The Jeep has great range so those savings were good.
2. After getting in and settled, we were able to visit with our old neighbors. It was Jim's birthday so we bought an ice cream cake at the DQ located next to our motel and had a nice celebration. Amanda and two of his boys (Carter and Dylan) helped us sing his praises.
3. On Friday, we were able to visit an old WWII friend of ours...99 years old and still living at home. It was really good to see him again. Looking pretty good, Warren.
4. Following this visit, we were able to visit some really good friends and have a lunch at Marrion's Pizza, the best place in Troy to eat a good pizza. This was a great visit with two couples we've been friends with for over 53 years.5. Pam was able to spend some time with a couple of her friends - had dinner with her friend, Wannie and breakfast with her friend, Paula. She also got to spend a good part of Thursday with her sister-in-law, Mary, in Lima. You can always talk to people over the phone or text back and forth, but actually sitting down to a meal with them or visiting them in their home is special -- especially when it only happens maybe once a year.
6. My visits with friends consisted of playing golf on Thursday morning with a bunch of guys from Anna. These are the guys who will be coming down for the "Man Trip" later in September. I was hoping to show them how my golf game had improved while playing down here. Unfortunately, I had a 7 on the first hole and couldn't get it together after that (shot 104). That might not be all that bad though. On courses I play here, I have a 24.6 handicap and when I put that on the table at our Man Trip I'm sure they will squawk. I'll just remind them of my round with them in June.
7. Later that night, I went to the Sidney Veteran's Center for our annual euchre night. Each time I'm back in Ohio, three of the finest Veterans you would ever want to meet, get together with me and we play euchre, drink a few beers and sell a lot of "wolf tickets" ("wolf tickets" are civilized versions of military tall tales). We have lots of fun, and there is also some rivalry in this as two of the guys are Marines and two of us are Army. The Army guys have won the last two years so that doesn't set too well with the Marines. (Just kidding -- it's all good fun. Besides, we have their $0.55. Big stakes, huh.).
8. A couple of observations:
a. Streets in Sidney have to be the worst.
b. Troy is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen in quite a while. They are really working hard at making that place something special. Good job, guys.
c. There should be some kind of law against having a book store across the street from a pizza place. I can't pass one by, especially since it is SO close. Somehow, I got out of there with only two books.
“Good friends listen to your adventures; best friends make them with you.”
Hooah