A couple of weeks ago Pam & I had the opportunity to accompany them to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn. by way of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Not exactly the shortest route but a route with purpose. My Mom comes from Black River Falls and it had been a while since any of us had been there for a visit.
We took off on a Saturday and made our way north. We arrived in time to help celebrate my Aunt Patty's birthday. Of course we got to reacquaint with several relatives.
Following the party we checked in to the motel and freshened up before heading over to my uncle Algie's house for the evening.
Sunday morning we all jumped into Algie's van for a tour of the countryside where they lived while growing up. My Grandpa moved from Norway to Wisconsin where he met my Grandma and started their family. He spent most of his life renting various farms around the area and scratching a living from the hilly terrain.
It was interesting listening to the brother and sister reminisce about the days gone by and being reminded that life was much simpler then and much harder.
We also checked out the 80 acres where Algie has a small hunting camp in the hills. Remote doesn't begin to describe the setting. Before returning to Black River Falls we stopped at the cemetery where my Grandparents are buried to pay our respects.
The rest of our time was spent visiting with Algie and his family.
(I have more photo's in my smart phone. Unfortunately the phone is smarter than me and the photo's remain in the phone!)
Monday we loaded up the truckster and headed to Rochester via Winona, Mn. The landscape in this part of Wisconsin is fantastic which made the drive very enjoyable.
Tuesday (Happy Birthday Pamster!) we celebrated Pam's birthday by following my Dad around Mayo Clinic while he went from appointment to appointment. Something he has done on an annual basis since his bypass surgery several years ago. His heart checked out OK but they discovered some fluid in his lungs which will require a return trip.
Once we left the clinic we pointed the hood south. Dad was hungry and wanted to have dinner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with my son and daughter and their families to celebrate Pam's birthday and His (the next day). Belly's full, we made our way home. A full day for sure! Happy Birthday Dad!
Of course once we returned home the grass was waiting. This time I got some help from Franklin who gets excited every time I fire up the mower. I hope that enthusiasm stays with him when he's old enough to do the mowing!
Our second road trip took us southeast to Cincinnati to meet up with a few boating friends from Legacy Harbour in Ft. Myers, and to see the comedy act of Pete and Wayne (www.peteandwayne.com)who normally can be found at Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West.
If you follow the blog you may remember that when Pam & I drove home this past spring we stopped in Cincinnati for a surprise visit with Rick & Sarah (M/V Private Affair) at their business Pirates Cove Tropical Bar & Grill (www.piratescovecincy.com). This time our arrival was planned well in advance along with Bill & Mary (M/V Blue Goose) and Gary & Barb (M/V Boss Lady). Pirates Cove was the venue where Pete and Wayne would be performing for the 14th year.
Needless to say our hosts went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good time while there. Food and drink was never an issue as you can imagine and the laughter a bonus.
On the middle day, Rick arranged for a limo to take us around town. Kind of a sightseeing/bar hopping tour. One of the stops was at the casino where a couple of our crew got lucky!
We drove to one of the parks which overlooked the city and the Ohio River and had lunch at the restored Rookwood Pottery faclity which has been converted into a restaurant. (www.therookwood.com)
Our journey continued throughout downtown and around the area stopping for dinner at a nice Italian Restaurant where we played stump the band after dinner, keeping them playing for an hour longer than they were supposed to!
Our last day in town we met across from the hotel for lunch at a Mexican joint on the river and then I gave the guys a break by taking the women shopping before we headed to Pirate's Cove for Pete and Wayne. Once again we were fed and liquored very well by Rick & Sarah!
Let me just say that the Pete and Wayne show is not for the feint of heart. If sick humor or vulgarity offends you stay away! Lucky for me that doesn't apply. The show was great and since they've been coming to Pirate's Cove for 14 years they took plenty of jabs at Rick.
After the show we hung around the bar talking to the performers which somehow morphed into a discussion about artists and music culminating in Rick, Pam, and Mary singing American Pie which Sarah had playing on the jukebox. During all of this we also found out that Mary's favorite song is MacArthur Park by Richard Harris. Really!?! Of course that got played and butchered by the amateurs at the bar.
Since it was our last night we felt it only proper to close the bar. Doctor McGuillicudy anyone?
Fortunately the next morning we decided to wait for rush hour to pass before leaving and heading out for our seven and one half hour drive home.
A special thanks to Rick & Sarah for their generosity and hospitality. We all had a great time and look forward to reconvening in Florida.
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