Family Getaway

     I began my retirement with a short family vacation.  I got up Friday and started tending to my list of things to do before we were to leave town.  I had to really scramble all morning.  Dan and Valencia arrived at lunch time, Courtney came shortly after, and we loaded the Expedition and hit the road.  It was a quick drive to get to Carol's near Crawfordsville.  Joe and the three "kids" checked in to the B+B, Vintage Reflections, in Ladoga and were back to Carol's to enjoy a dinner with her and Chris and Travis.  We played a board game "Ticket To Ride" getting slaughtered by Daniel.

     Kaysha and I slept at Carol's for the night and were up fairly early Saturday morning.  Carol and I can really chat away the time.  We then joined the other four back at Vintage Reflections for the Breakfast.  Here is what our dinning room looked like.  It was a great meal, with candlelight even.  Bidding Carol good bye, we hit the road for Ohio.

     It was a long (almost 5 hour) drive, stopping for gas and then lunch.  We arrived at the park in Ohio right around 3:30, with Dave and Patti right behind us.  Click on picture for information.

     There was a water problem with one cabin which caused some confusion with check in, but was soon resolved with handy man Dave willing to fix a leaky toilet if necessary.  So, we were able to get two cabins side-by-side. 

    With 95 degree heat, we were thankful for well air conditioned cottages and opted to visit the pool first, rather than "play" outside.  Here is a view of the lodge and pool, which had a handy (although expensive) bar right on the deck. 

     Most of these remaining photos Cathy took.  Here is our cabin, well actually they were called cottages.  It was right next to the Sidenstick's. 

      Like always, getting the group organized to go anywhere, takes time and waiting, on some people's parts.  We only had one bathroom and with the five of us sharing one bedroom, we had to take turns changing. 

     Here we are congregating to walk to the pool together.

      Daniel strikes a pose... silly young man.
And we were finally off to the pool.












     The pool was crowded, but the water refreshing.  We had to seek shade on the deck because the sun was so hot.  The refreshing slushy drinks helped also.











     Dave grilled while Patti and Cathy cooked and I fixed raw veggies.  We enjoyed a great meal eating at the picnic tables outside.  Nicole cooked
                                                      marshmallows over a fire and JJ
delivered Samores to each of us according to our order.  Then the "boys" got down to some serious poker playing.






     I can't believe how well I slept, considering there were five of us in one room. We had two bunk beds, kind of like this photo, only the double bed had a single bunk above it. 

     It was a lazy morning until we decided to go hiking... then there was some scrambling for several to get breakfast and dressed to go.  

     Kaysha is ready at the word "walk".   Here Michael is givin' her some lovin'.

     And A Hikin' We All Went.








     We did a two mile loop and stopped mid way at "Look Out Point".



      Enjoying a snack with the view.  The first photo on this blog was taken here.  We had most of the family together, minus Britney and Valenica.  Courtney and I liked our Krispy Treat.

     Being hot and sweaty from the hike, the pool was our next destination after lunch.  Some of our clan spent the day there, others went back to the cottages for a nap or to watch TV (the Indy 500) and play computer games.  I discovered that even one alcoholic drink by the pool side was enough to zap me.  So I joined the nappers. 

     There was a lot to do at pool side and in the lodge.  Sidenstick's played Corn Hole and Shuffle Board.  There was also a game room, and an exercise facility.


     Behind and to the right of Michael and JJ you can see the bar stools.

     Memorial Day Monday was a hot one, just like Friday and Saturday.

     I'd like to take time to solute our military men and women and thank them for their service to, and sacrifice for this country.

     We had a noon check out, so the morning went fast.  Back on the road, we were headed west into the hot sun and an almost seven hour drive.  I don't know how riding in the car can be so tiring, but we were exhausted when we arrived home. 


     Everything was hot and dry.  The house was 84 degrees so we turned on the air conditioning.  Joe and I took to filling water buckets and bowels outside.  We put the horses in the barn to give them a break from the sun, and then Joe went to Jack's to pick up our carry out dinner.  Marty and Elliot came over to get the chicks, which had really gotten big, and take them home.  I was relieved to have that food and water chore over.   

     It wasn't long after dinner that I was up in bed reading the novel that I had been working on during much of the day's drive.

     This morning  I sat on the front porch, here at the computer, to catch up on E-mails and Facebook.  I have also started some "Words With Friends" and felt compelled to take my turn with each friend and add a word.  Abbey was busy bird watching, which kept her out of my way.  I needed to get this Blog posted, but by 9:00, the out doors and horses were beckoning me.  Family "Getaways" are nice, but I love being home.  Going for a ride is my
"At Home Getaway."