Illinois

We spent a few more days with the Moberlys and three more of our grandchildren, playing tickle our little bunnies, reading, playing computer games, walking in the park, visiting museums and spending a day in Chicago. We watched the kids play with the sparklers in the park while the bigger kids/daddies shot off fireworks. We were able to watch many other families shoot off their fireworks lighting the sky with color as the celebration exploded throughout the neighborhood.

We also visited the Lowden State Park and the Black Hawk Indian statue there. I guess once it was possible to walk down into it. Now though it was not as exciting although it was a memorial to the people who pioneered the area.

We also went to the Mastodon Park which had a small museum with dinosaur bones, and a small zoo. We went on the tram or train ride which took us through the park and gave us the tourist guide information and history on its development and community impact. We then walked around the park enjoying the wolves, peacocks, reptiles etc. that were in the petting zoo. It was so much fun to see it all with the little grandchildren who helped us enjoy it the most.

We went on walks in the park, picking mulberries and eating them. Looking at the wildlife which lived in the park which was much like our Ellis Lake here in Marysville.
We went to the Rain Forest Cafe ( The Rain Forest Cafe is in the Whitfield mall Schaumburg, Illinois ).
We had so much fun in Chicago at the Nave Pier and Forest Gump seafood cafe also. I was experiencing the culture and climate for the first time but Harry was home in his turf.

Harry took me to meet his family, so wonderful and really fun. I found them to be just as crazy as my own family and just as fun to be with. I can't wait to return and visit everyone again. We packed up his most valuable possessions and got ready trailer and all to return home.

Lancaster PA

Harry and I had a very scenic excursion when we went to the Amish/ Mennonite tabernacle experience in Pennsylvania. It was a full sized reinactment of the wilderness tabernacle. There was the outer court, the inner court and the Holyof Holies in the exact measurements. They really did a nice job of replicating the biblical acounts.

The lady who took us on the tour was really ignited by the Holy Spirit as He put His words in her mouth and told the wonderful story of the law, the tabernacle, and their impact on Gods people. Where would we be without the washing of the Word, or the forgiveness of the Blood spilt on the cross for each and every one of us. We have never been given such great a gift as those given to us in the wilderness as we learn to walk without the bondage of slavery to sin, and the gift of salvation given to us on the cross. We have a greater promise, and a greater call than ever before to be more like Christ as we learn to walk in the liberty of God's love for us.

Washington DC, Lancaster PA

We spent a day driving to Washington, DC. Harry wanted to show me the war memorials, Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. We stopped at the Washington Memorial two days before the fourth of July. They were preparing for the big celebration, roping areas off, and designating parking areas.
The WWII memorial gave honor to all who fought and each of the battles were named. We saw the 50 states surrounding the fountain. At one end was the Pacific Ocean, at the other was the Atlantic memorialized for many years in cement. Stars remembered those who gave their lives for our freedom.
We then went to the Korean War memorial. So many statues of the men who fought in the war as a battalion of men walking up a hill to face a battle. They wore the uniforms, and carried the necessary equipment. The faces of those who fought, some of whom died were permanently etched into a marble wall. How can we as a nation forget, or why would we want to. Keeping the memory of the cost of our freedom and the freedom of others.
We left there and went to see Lincolns monument. The steps were resting places for weary tourists as groups came and went. We walked up into the monument to read the inscriptions which were a credit to Lincoln and the God that our nation worships.
We went to the Vietnam War monument and walked the length of it. So many lives lost, so many loved ones morning still and leaving momentous which extends the time in which their final sacrifice continues to be remembered and honored.
We then visited the Jefferson Monument. We found just as many weary tourists resting on the steps, taking pictures and reading the inscriptions encircling his statue.

Virginia

We went to Virginia to visit Harry's son Marty. We had alot of fun with them playing with our grandchildren and celebrating an early 4rth of July. We passed around a flu bug and visited the Star. While we were on the Star we tried to get family members to see us on the webb, but no one was home when we tried to reach them with the news that they could see us on the mountain via the Star Cam. We visited parks, and went for walks. It stormed quite a bit while we were there, which is why the country side is so beautiful and green. We even sat on their porch and watched the rain pour down on the country sideWe went with them to the church where they serve, and enjoyed a wonderful service there. Marty and Patsy were so good with their lesson for the children's church service. He has several disquises that he uses and he used the disquise of Ogg a caveman from a prehistoric era. Superheroes trivia games accompanied the lesson.

The Star Cam was really a tourist site in which to view the city. It sits on a high mountain with a platform below in which to stand that is seen with the webb cam on the Star. It lights up at night in patriotic colors. We could see Marty's church which sits on a mountain on the right of the city.

The thing we enjoyed most about visiting was playing with our grandchildren and visiting with our kids. We enjoyed playing with the little ones, who banged on our bedroom door expecting to see their parents and when surprised by us, went screaming into the living room. We had to redirect them to the room that their parents were sleeping in. I was saddened that they couldn't climb up in our bed with us and snuggle, we would have really enjoyed the time with them. I was able to rock Chaise to sleep one wonderful afternoon while singing to him.

Marty took our picture laying in his hammock. That was really intertaining as the grandchildren came and pushed us a little. Nearby we were told was a rope in which we could easily rock ourselves if we wished. There where the gentle peaceful breezes blew and the fragrant blossoms bloomed we shared a Kodak moment in time.

We drove through the Shannondoah Skyway stopping along the way to view the countryside. So much to see, so beautiful.

North Carolina -- Fort Bragg

We were able to visit Harry's daughter Rachel and her family this summer, we spent several days with them. We tickled and had pillow fights with our grandchildren. We went bowling playing a couple of games with Rachel and the Kids. It was really fun especially since it had been many years since either of us had bowled. Well Harry and Rachel beat me, I through a few gutter balls, and even lost the ball in mid swing and it fell behind me causing a great deal of laughter from all of us.
We went to visit the North Carolina Battleship on our way the the beach. We walked through the battleship, it was so hot that we didn't linger very long as we toured the ship. It was really interesting to see the old equipment that our servicemen would have used while on the ship. The kids climbed up onto the bunks so we could get their picture, which took a little coaching. The baby was so good during the trip.
We spent a day on the beach there in North Carolina. Harry and I went swimming in the ocean ducking under the waves and swallowing a little of the salt water. I would have liked to have stayed in the water a while longer but Harry was afraid he'd loose his trunks.

Grand Canyon Arizona

We wanted to share our vacation with you. On June 14th we began our 5 week vacation throughout the United States. First we met Samantha in Wells, NV to give her two children back to her for they had spent 2 1/2 weeks with us here in CA. Sierra was the most homesick and ready to return home to see her father and brothers. We then started our trip first stopping to vsit Harry's sister in Kingsmen, AZ. Rose and Rick were really fun to visit, my only sadness is that our visit was so short. When we left there home we went to the Grand Canyon taking the scenic route through the park. We didn't take the time to take the horseback rides, or take any hikes down into the park but we did stop and enjoy many of the road side tourist stops. We even went into the tower to see the park. The tower had petroglyphs on the walls, gifts, and souveniers to purchase. There were three levels from which to view the park. We had a good time though the weather was very hot for the desert climate. We walked back into the ruins where the indians had lived many years ago reading many of the plaques. We then continued on HWY 40 east to visit my step-daughter Angie at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. She got to meet Harry and we went to dinner at a chinese buffet there. Her husband is in Afghanistan for a year, it was really good to see her and talk to him when he called.

Virginia Ciry, NV

Well I might as well update our blog. In June just before we took our 5 week vacation, we went to Virginia City, Nevada. We went with Phyllis and Gene George on June 7th, 2008. The streets were lined with motorcycles. I hadn't been there in quite a few years and it was Harry's first visit to the tourist town.

We walked the streets, rode the train, visited several of the museums, and visited the cemetery walking among the tombstones. The museums haven't changed much, but they have added a few and the town has grown since I was there last. The slot machines are just as numerous and hungry for the change in peoples pockets -- mine was off limits for I have other uses for my money than feeding those one armed bandits. There were a view bars.

The train ride was the most fun as we rode through tunnels and past silver mines. When we went through the tunnel plastic spiders appeared on the benches in front of us. While we were still in the darkness of the tunnel

Harry used the moment to steal a kiss. A train robbery was reenacted on the train which was fun, we had fun talking to the actors. They did ask for a donation to help them keep one of their museums open.

We walked through the cemetery reading the tombstones, some were there since the town began and others were just recently dug. Whether they were killed in the mines or died from disease they had their permanent resting place in the famous town.

When we were finished we ended our day in South Lake Tahoe at Harrahs for dinner. We had all the fish, fruit, salad, trimmings and desert that we could eat.
Bonnie