Wednesday, June 12, 2013

"Holy Toledo"

 We had a wonderful drive from Idaho Springs into Denver, where my excitement to see my sister and favorite brother in law, :) was almost uncontainable.  When we arrived, Timmy noticed another problem with the R.V. ,.... really?... (no wonder we got such a great price)
Seems  there was a problem with the generator.  But good ole Tim, being the "McGyver" that he is, was determined to fix the problem.  He spent most of our time in Denver under the rig, and the only way I could find him was to walk around the rig and look for some legs sticking out somewhere, and then I could continue to carry on my conversation with him.  (all the while, he continues to wrench)
Thank God for Billy's famous "Jimmy Buffet" margaritas the first night  and his special revamped version of the "Mudslide" the 2nd night, or I might have personally called the seller of the RV and opened up a
can of "Whoop _ _ _ "
Apparently one of the  auto mechanic specialist from Denver was to show up at noon to help Timmy before we were to shove off from
Denver on Saturday, and 4 hours later we finally get the call that he is on his way over. The great thing is,... McGyver fixed it!!  I really think this was a rite of passage and something for "Big Tim" to be proud of,.. he  " looked at the problem... assessed the situation,
and made it happen..." 
just like any ole fireman would do.... must be in there blood cause I would have called AAA  2  days ago!!
We should have left Denver by noon as we had a 6 hour drive to Grand Island, Nebraska ahead of us.  We didn't leave until 4 that afternoon, and I had visions of staying another day with my sis, and sipping on some more of Billy's mudslides... but it was time to go.
We got in late to Grand Island, Nebraska and since it was almost midnight, we decided to shut down and crawl into our comfy beds.
We arose to the most pleasant view of cornfields with the wind gently blowing and I felt that old familiar feeling of home and contentment.
 
We chugged along that day to Jefferson Iowa where we would spend the night with the "Jetson" mobile parked out front of my brother Bills (here comes da judge)  house.  Timmy threatened to leave the generator on to make extra noise and cause a stir with Bill, but between my stern looks and the cool weather, we didn't need the generator after all.
They made the best pork tenderloins, the size of a plate, and if I hadn't devoured mine so fast, I could have taken a picture of it.  Darn good!!
 
We are set to shove off the next morning with stops in Des Moines and on to Jellystone, Indiana," when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from bed to see what was the matter"....
seems we have another problem with the motorhome....really?..
Apparently, some bolts came out of the air conditioning or something like that, and by all means,... take your time... do what ever you need to do, but by golly,... make sure that air conditioning is working!
My brother Bill knows everyone in town and sure enough, by 7:30 a.m. he has already gone out and talked with his folks in Jefferson and made contact for us to bring the "Jetson" mobile by to get checked. 
As we drove into the parking lot of the mechanics shop, all I see is about 100 riding lawn mowers, all lined  up and looking real "purty",.. and I am thinking to myself..." uh,... Tim... are you sure this is the right place to be,... these are all lawn mowers..."...
but, then again, what do I know.?
Thirty minutes later, my husband is out there under the rig ( he loves this)
and they work a bit longer and the problem is fixed.  Big Tim was pleased and also liked the fact that if he wanted a job to let them know.
 
Life is grand now as we head to Des Moines with EVERYTHING FIXED.
 I am so excited to see my ya  ya sister Amy Lukehart Davis. We were only able to spend a little bit of time together, but got to see her new home, which is lovely, and share some extra hugs.   
Amy, my forever best childhood friend, who I wouldn't trade for anyone!!
 
We arrived in Jellystone Park, Indiana , and Yogi Bear greeted us at the entrance. Big Tim was confused, and thought we were in the wrong place, but I LOVE YOGI BEAR, and you don't have to be a kid to stay here.  ( or maybe I am the exception).  The park is a Kids Dream.  Everything from miniature golf, swimming pool, concert hall on the lake, paddle boats, kayaks,.. you  name it, they've got it!  I told my hubby I am bringing  the grandkids back here for sure!!!!
 
We had a wonderful nights stay at "Jellystone" and before we left I talked my husband into stealing some roses from the next door neighbors yard.  (nobody was home, and by all counts, looks like they are weekenders and won't be back for 3 or 4 more days)
We were down the highway with "Vermillon, Ohio as our next destination. The drive was beautiful and nothing but beautiful rolling hills of fields and trees.  We had about a 6 hour drive and about 3/4 of the way,  Timmy  decides to pull off for fuel.  An hour later, after we attempted to get back on the Ohio Toll Road, (after paying $20.00) it seems we weren't paying much attention, and for the life of us, we could see the Toll Road, but we just could not figure out how to get back onto it!  We ended up taking one street, then another, and all the while I am trying to show Big Tim a map of a  close up of the area on my I Pad, but it was too late.... we were lost in Toledo!! My husband and I both agree, that the term " Holy Toledo" must have come from  anyone and everyone who has every ventured into the area,... cause God only knows how long it will take to get back out and on the main road!  
We got to Vermillon, Ohio, and and got settled in and had  time to unhook the the jeep and drive into the quaint little town. The city of Vermillon is known for its history of nautical charm.  It sits right on Lake Erie, and our RV park (and our site) actually has a a dock to one of the  canals
to Lake Erie. 
(we both found it quite interesting, that the RV website also listed directions how to get there via waterway!
 
 
 
 
After a wonderful dinner of shrimp and the local fish Perch at the local  hang out, we headed home and were amazed at the life we saw on the canals.  It seemed the waterways and canals went on forever.  If we had a boat, we could have taken it into town for dinner! 
It made me really think. This is their life. How wonderful, and charming it must be to live in such a cool and quaint town...
I must have been thinking out loud,... as my husband interrupted my daydreaming, and said...
"I know what  you're thinking Janis,... and no,...
we're not moving here"
he reminds me everyday how often he says that to me!
 
I guess I am truly a vagabond, gypsy, free spirit, or whatever you want to call it.... I love this country, and with every state, I am in continual awe of its beauty and charm...
especially the flowers....
 
...these were in my sisters front yard,..
 but I just couldn't find it in me
 to steal them.  :)
 
 

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