Thursday, September 17, 2009

After all the fun and frivolity from the night before, Pam and I were much later walking Clarabel this morning than usual. The sun was completely up and the school kids were all standing outside waiting for the bus—much more activity at 7 a.m. than at 5:30 a.m. when Pam and Clara usually walk.

This morning’s sustenance was provided by Cappuccino’s Café. Lattes (which I thought were better than Starbucks—yes, that’s what I said), blueberry muffin, blueberry scone, and French toast with bacon were our choices. We have so enjoyed our morning coffees, pastries, and visiting. The fond memories of laughter and conversation while breaking our fast around Pam’s kitchen table will sustain us for some time to come.

We left Pam’s about noon today for Maryville University. Pam was so excited to introduce her mom and sister to her co-workers. What mom and I discovered, however, was the people we met today are so much more than co-workers—they are Pam’s extended family. Mom and I loved getting to see the building where Pam works—her office, her desk, her 5-star restroom—but, we could never have imagined the genuine kindness which we would receive from each person we met. It is so easy now to see why Pam has been with Maryville all these years, and such a proud feeling to see that Pam means so very much to each and every one of the lives she touches. We take home with us not only a visual of where Pam works every day, but a better understanding of her loyalty to the area and the work she does at Maryville University.

Olive Garden was our stop for lunch today. Pam shared her birthday gift card with us, and we savored each bite of salad, breadsticks, and pasta. Next on our agenda was more shoes shopping for Mom. At Chesterfield Mall, we found what we hope will be the answer to Mom’s shoe dilemma at The Walking Company. Two pairs of shoes have been ordered and will be shipped to moms next week. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that they will fit.

I cannot recall the last time Pam and Mom and I were all in a shopping mall together. We talked to mannequins, sampled expensive perfumes from the tester bottles in Macy’s, helped Mom purchase her first pair of silver hoop earrings, and watched mom overindulge in her selections at the Nestle Toll House Café. Mom had an overwhelming urge to purchase expensive cocktail dresses for Pam and me—talk about your impulse shopping!!

On the way back to Pam’s, we stopped at Kaldi’s Coffeehouse and Oberweis Dairy for coffee and ice cream treats. Pam showed us the Westinn Kennels where Clarabel goes on Thursdays.

Mom and I will leave for Marshalltown tomorrow morning. What we take with us is far more than the surprise we brought to Pam. I think I speak for mom when I say we certainly have a better appreciation of where Pam and Matt live, laugh, and love their life. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit and so glad we got to share in some of their daily activities. Love you Pam!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The later we stay up at night, the later we get up for our morning walk. This morning, Pam took Clara and me on a different route, and as the sun came up over O’Fallon, I got to see more of the beautiful homes and pristine landscaping throughout her neighborhood.

The treats with our Starbucks favorites this morning came from Heaven Scent Bakery. Plain cake donuts, old-fashioned glazed donuts, and cannoli were just a few of the sweet treats we selected.

After breakfast, we were on a mission to find mom some comfortable shoes. Shoe Carnival, Famous Footwear, and Heart and Sole were the three places we tried. Unfortunately, we were not successful in our mission, but we got some good leads on prospective shoe places to try tomorrow.

The rest of the day, while mom and Pam researched shoe store possibilities and played Scrabble, I went to Washington, MO (about 40 miles from O'Fallon) to visit my friend Cindy. Cindy and I got to know one another when we lived in Washington for three and a half months in 1998 for Joel’s job. I hadn’t seen Cindy in over seven years, and it was great to reconnect and see how her kids had grown. Cindy also took me on a tour of Washington so I could see how much it had grown and changed since we had lived there. I got back to O’Fallon in time to sit in rush hour traffic.

For supper, we picked up burritos, tacos, and chips from Qdoba Mexican Grill. It’s very much like a Chipotle or B.A. Burrito. While we dined, I learned more about Mom and Pam’s Scrabble game. “Irregardless” of what I say or “doeth” those two are very competitive when it comes to board games and sometimes it takes a call to the National Scrabble Hotline to settle a score.

The end of the evening involved an incident with an American Idol Wii game. Let’s just say that if anything winds up on You Tube from tonight, it wasn’t me!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Our visit is limited as Mom and I will be heading back to Iowa on Friday. Therefore, we must not waste any daylight! Not only that, but we should probably not waste any pre-daylight time either. So Pam, and my ca-niece, Clarabel, and I were up at 5:30 a.m. to take a two and a half mile walk around their neighborhood and adjoining subdivision. It was a balmy 69 degrees, and the time passed quickly as we conversed and observed the morning paper delivery car toss out the day’s news.

Breakfast consisted of caffeinated beverages from Starbucks and bagels and cream cheese from the St. Louis Bread Co. Anywhere else, this bagel place would be called Panera’s, but in this region, it goes by its original name from whence it began. I had a cherry vanilla bagel, mom enjoyed a cinnamon crunch bagel with raspberry cream cheese, and Pam chose the asiago bagel. Why do the bagels taste so much better here??

Mom decided to stay at home and catch up on her napping and having her feet up after the previous day’s long ride in the car, so Pam and I ventured out to St. Charles for a day of shopping on Historic Main Street. We made a couple stops on the way at Kohls and Mid-Rivers Mall for some necessities. Even though the sky was gray and overcast, Pam and I were walking on sunshine. We were having a wonderful time wandering in and out of the various gift and specialty shops lining the cobblestone streets. We inhaled the fabulous aroma at “Scentchips;” Pam petted the puffy pooch outside “Canine Cookies,” “Collectors’ Centre” made us long for the Christmas season; and we got a little froggy at “Friperie.” At “String Along With Me,” we were invited into the owner’s backroom work area to browse beads and findings. Pam took my picture under the “Deb’s Gifts and More” sign. After we stopped at the Gazebo for a photo opportunity, we decided we needed to partake in some of the local fare. I spotted people eating on a third floor balcony, and we joined them for lunch at the Lewis & Clark’s Restaurant.

Before leaving St. Charles, we found the 2nd Street Beads store. I could’ve spent several hours and several hundreds of dollars here, but somehow refrained. Pam understands as she could’ve done the same at a couple of shops on Main that we passed by: “Rock, Paper, Scissors” (a scrapbooking store), and “Knit & Caboodle.”

I love the names of the stores and shops in this area. Pam had to stop at Muddpuppies for dog food before we made our food run. Penn Station East Coast Subs has melt-in-your-mouth bread and fresh, tasty toppings. A cold treat I haven’t had the pleasure of partaking in for some time is Baskin-Robbins ice cream. Of course, we have some of that for our dessert. Mmmmm—Chocolate Mousse Royale. Why are Baskin-Robbins stores so few and far between!??! Irregardless, it was just as I remembered and a high-def, sculpting workout was definitely in order after all those calories—Thanks for making it the “express” version, Pam!!

Enough about food—must sleep now so I can eat more tomorrow.

Monday, September 14, 2009

They said it couldn’t be done.

They said we would never make it.

Okay, there was really no “they,” but MY MOTHER was certain she would never be able to make the trip in the car down to her youngest daughter’s in O’Fallon, Missouri. The last time she had been there was in 1999 when Pam’s house was just being built.

On my sister’s last visit to Iowa, I could hear the sadness in her voice as she told me that mom had never been down to see her home after they moved in. It was after that conversation that I vowed in my own mind to get our mom to my sister’s. About the first part of August I began to voice my plan out loud to Mom. At the time, I thought how perfect it would be to schedule a trip around Pam’s birthday and bring mom along as a surprise. To MY surprise, Mom was agreeable. Looking back, I believe mom never thought my plan would come to fruition.

As it turns out, Pam is always incredibly busy with the Maryville University admissions duties where she works and can’t take time off during her birthday.

I began to lose sight of my plan when I got caught up with Mary’s school schedule and helping with the school election. But something kept niggling at me that I needed to carry through with the trip.

Well, a few hundred fabrications to Pam, LOTS of reassuring and planning with Mom that we could make it, some doubts of my own, and seven and a half hours on the road, and we were arriving at Pam’s. I had made three or four calls to Pam during the course of the day with “my” progress and estimated time of “my” arrival. Mom and I were giddy with anticipation of what Pam’s reaction would be.

Pam did not disappoint. When she came around the side of the garage to greet me and saw mom in the passenger seat, it was a series of epileptic movements. First Pam did the classic double take, then her hand flew up to her mouth, her eyes grew wide and she crossed her legs and doubled over. And then like a prairie dog she dodged back and forth from her front door and back out to peer into the van at what she assumed must be a mirage. And then she began muttering, “Oh, oh, oh,” and something about needing to go to the bathroom. The planning and scheming totally became worth it at this point!!

Throughout the remainder of the night, Pam kept requesting that we pinch her as she must be dreaming. A banner on her living room fireplace mantle proclaimed “Welcome to Sister Week 2009 in St. Louis 9/14-9/18.” Pam quickly added the word “Mom” in red marker so it read, “Welcome to Mom and Sister Week.”

First on the agenda was a trip to Starbucks followed by a small grocery run. Pam then fixed us her yummy tuna melt hot dish for supper and followed it up with some delicious “homemade” ;) Nestle’s Tollhouse Cookies.

We made a list of what we wanted to accomplish during the week and then attempted to go to sleep, but instead tossed and turned due to the adrenaline still pumping through our veins.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The fish caught this morning are steaming, flaky and tender, and drenched in lemon butter. As Joel stated, “It doesn’t get any fresher than this unless we would’ve cooked it on the boat.” The fruits of their labor are savored and enjoyed. Joel, Mary, Jon, and Kristine headed out early this morning with Captain Kelly of Tofte Charters to fish and take in the sights and sounds on beautiful Lake Superior. The temperatures never got above sixty degrees and the swells were a foot high making for a very wavy ride. If they didn’t succumb to motion sickness, they were chilled to the bone. I was very glad I stayed back on land. I slept in, went to Moondance Coffeehouse in Lutsen for my caramel latte, walked along the shoreline trails, and relaxed in the chairs along the beach area of the resort taking in the scenery and doing as all good North Shore visitors should—reflecting on life and contemplating future goals.

Like a fingerprint, the ebb and flow of the waves crashing on the shore are unpredictable and each very different. The chaotic rise and fall of the water against the shore is a poignant reminder that the only thing constant is change and the only way to keep up with the chaotic day to day craziness of life is to go with the flow. It’s not what happens to us—it’s how we react to what happens.

The touching effects of this natural magnificence even moved Mary to poetry this evening:

“When the waves are crashing on my feet
When the breeze is in my hair
Makes me feel that I’m flying through the air over a lake
I never want this summer to end
When the first day of school starts
I’ll try to keep up my courage
But for right now I only want to be here right now.”

As I sit next to the wood burning stove here in Cabin #406, the warmth of the fire literally melts away my cares and worries. Reflecting on the last few days here by the lake on the shores of Superior I can recall the perfectly horizontal line of water splitting across the sky. I can still visualize the moon’s light reflecting like a jet stream in the water below it. I will forever be mystified at the part of the day when it is nearly impossible to tell where the earth ends and the sky begins, and I will be haunted by the effect of the fog rolling in swallowing the scenery in a heavy mist. We will leave here tomorrow for home, but the sights and sounds of this vacation will remain treasured memories and a reminder that a time for reflection is necessary for the well-being and refreshing of the soul.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Our travel mates, Jon and Kristine, are frequent visitors to this area, so they knew all the great places to take us today. Grand Marais was the perfect place to relax by the harbor with my latte from Java Moose. A breakfast treat at World's Best Donuts was our first stop before taking a stroll in and around the quaint shops, inspired art galleries, and historical sites.

A short walk down Broadway Avenue ends at the Coast Guard parking lot. There we picked up the trail that leads to Artists' Point, overlooking East Bay and Lake Superior--one of the most beloved and famous spots in Grand Marais. Our hike to the Point, took us over ancient lava rock and through a small boreal forest. It was great to witness the place that has been an inspiration for artists, photographers, and poets for many years.

After dining at the Blue Water Cafe, we made a brief stop at a scenic overlook to photograph Grand Marais from above, and then we traveled further up Highway 61 to just shy of the Canada border then back to the Grand Portage National Monument. The Grand Rendezvous was just getting underway as this was the time of year when furs from wintering posts, which reached into Canada were delivered down the historic Grand Portage. Re-enactors from across the country and Canada were on hand to demonstrate and educate us on this historic past.

Back at Lutsen's, Joel and I enjoyed dinner at the Poplar River Pub located in the main lodge while Mary stayed at the cabin with Jon and Kristine. Jon got another roaring fire going in the stove, and we roasted a few marshmallows over the flames to make s'mores. Kristine and I took a walk around the resort grounds discovering a hidden covered bridge over some rushing rapids. Back at the cabin, we played a couple more games of Farkle before turning in for the night.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Breathtaking views of Lake Superior were interspersed with stops along North Shore Drive to check out local gift shops and trading posts along the way to our destination. The weather is gorgeous; however, the temperature is definitely getting cooler the farther up the lake we travel.

Gooseberry Falls State Park was a perfect place to stop and hike around to take pictures of the area on our way up scenic Highway 61. The water levels are low so the falls were not quite as spectacular as I remember from when we took in the sights here in 2002. But it was still beautiful. We stopped at Cove Point Crossing overlooking the lake for lunch, and Mary sat in a giant Adirondack chair on the side of the road.

Our spacious cabin at Lutsens Resort and Sea Villas is nestled up in the trees on the shore line. Sitting on the deck of our cabin the view of the lake meets the sky and the sound of the waves is a constant soothing lullaby.

Mary joined a planned kids’ activity at the Resort to watch a movie and eat pizza with some of the other kids staying at the resort while Jon, Kristine, Joel, and I ate supper in the resort dining room. We strolled along the beach and pathways around the resort before collecting Mary and heading back to the cabin. Jon got a roaring fire going in the wood burning stove, and we played a couple rounds of the fun dice game, Farkle—the real one, not the facebook version.

Before turning in for the night, Joel observed the moon reflecting off the lake, and we enjoyed the view until the moon had raised high in the sky.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Our last vacation of the summer...

Got our first glimpse of Lake Superior in Duluth at 2 p.m. when we arrived today. Found the Great Lakes Aquarium and Mary burned off some energy from the car ride on the play structure outside. We walked around down by the water for awhile watching the big ships making their way through the lift bridge canal. Then we met up with our friends Jon and Kristine and took our tour of the Aquarium.

Sampled the local fare at Grizzly's Grill, and then checked into our room at the Country Inn & Suites in Hermantown. Mary and I checked out the hotel pool complete with a water slide. Then Mary hung out with Jon and Kristine while Joel and I headed back down to the canal for an evening stroll of the waterway between the lighthouse and the lift bridge.

Tomorrow we take our drive up along the North Shore to Lutzens.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

As the sun sets over the lake on our last day here, we reflect on the many wonderful friends we’ve made, the fantastic experiences we’ve shared, and the amazing food we’ve tried and enjoyed.

Today, we attempted to pack in as many fun, lake activities as possible (before having to pack to go home)--wave running, shuffleboard, swimming, soccer, basketball, horseshoes, croquet, fishing, reading, picture taking, eating 7-layer dip, going to Famous Dave’s Original Restaurant for more of the best BBQ, and viewing our own private, spectacular fireworks display on the lake put on by our hosts and our cabin caretaker.

You’ve all heard my daily descriptions, Ross’s eloquent way of writing, and Mary’s musings, and now in honor of Father’s Day and fathers everywhere, Joel will share his perspective on our last day in Hayward, Wisconsin at the Tamarack cabins on Round Lake…

Perfect is the only word to describe our week here with Dave and his wife Kathy. We really have enjoyed getting to know them and the extended group of family and friends that made us feel so welcome. Paul, Mark and Chris, James and Colleen and the kids, John and Lance, Chris and Eric and all of the other Original Famous Dave’s people too numerous to mention.

The weather was absolutely amazing and to walk out of our cabins in the morning and to witness the sun hitting the lake surrounded by trees is something out of a nature mural. Taking the pontoon boat out around the lake and watching a bald eagle soar out of its nest was amazing. Deb’s family has always been such a joy to be with and the lively discussion and superb food are what I always look forward to. One surprise was getting to try Dave’s Wild Rice soup. I am a huge fan of soup, and I can honestly tell you that it was the best wild rice soup I have ever had! We will hate to say goodbye tomorrow but the memories and friends we have made will always be very special to us. I will also hate saying goodbye to the ribs, brisket, catfish, soup, and pizza! I know I will have to see Bev soon for more 7 layer dip, pizza, and quesadillas along with her incredible wit and charm she brings to the table. This has been just one more incredible trip with Deb’s family, and I am so thankful they think to include us on their many adventures. I could go on and on but one word describes the people, the food, and the location….perfect!

Friday, June 19, 2009

At 4:45 a.m., the lightning and thunder were a spectacular beginning to a torrential downpour with wind and what we thought was some hail. Turned out it wasn’t hail, but pine cones from the tall pine trees surrounding the cabin that were plopping down on to our deck. Sleep had eluded Joel and I for much of the night prior to the storm when Mary had come in and climbed in our bed after a nightmare about bugs. I can’t imagine why she was having a bad dream about bugs—there are only triple the amount of creepy crawly and flying things here than there are in Iowa. Joel had to get up and go help out with a computer issue at the Famous Dave’s Restaurant at 7 a.m. and I went back to sleep for a couple more hours. I’m still pretty wiped out, so I’m going to let Mary tell about the rest of our day…

This morning we went downtown and we went to all these stores. Some were cool and some were interesting. So when we get to this candy store called Tremblay’s Sweet Shop where I drooled and drooled and drooled…it was so good I had to go back. We went to the bakery store which had huge danishes that I decided I must be in heaven. And so I had to skip the ice cream and go right to the bakery. Then we went back to our cabin and we had quesadillas for lunch which were so good. We went to a restaurant called Old Hayward Eatery and Brew Pub so Ross and Daddy could eat since they were out on the boat fishing when we had our quesadillas. Then we went back to town once more and went to some stores that we didn’t see before and some that we had seen.

When we went to the candy store again I bought some candy for myself and we watched the guys making the fudge on the big marble slab. My candy was taffy from taffy town which was flavors chocolate chip, chocolate malt, and chocolate—yeah, I know, mostly chocolate. And then we showed Dad the bakery, and then he was like let’s go straight to the ice cream, because I am so hungry. And so when we got there, the name of the ice cream store was West’s Hayward Dairy. We were the first people in line to pick the choices of our ice cream. My mom got the flavor Minnesotas Nut So Goody, and my brother got the sinful something and I was thinking of getting chocolate since that’s what I usually get, but when my mom told me about the s’mores, I went straight to the s’mores and my dad got that, too. We thought our ice cream was so good, we didn’t think we could eat supper.

We went back to our cabin and went onto the boat over to Famous Dave’s Restaurant where we got t-shirts. While the grown-ups were buying their t-shirts, me and Andrew went to the arcade. Andrew was playing a hunting game, and he showed me like this stampede scene of the game and at the end of the stampede, there’s this lion that comes at you closer and closer each time you chuck this thing at it. I don’t usually play hunting games, but we were just laughing about it. Back out on the boat, me and Andrew were playing a game of gibberish words.

Ross went on a sailboat ride and mom just stayed at our cabin and read her book.

I played on the swing and then we went to Dave’s cabin for supper where we had his Chicken Wild Rice soup, Bev’s pizza, and Dave’s burgers. I ate so many pieces of pizza, I could not count. After I ate some pizza I did so many things like watching Baby Brad; playing soccer games with Andrew, Christopher, and Chris; and going crazy, while the grown-ups played horseshoes and talked.

We’re back at our cabin relaxing a bit now before we go out for our nightly bonfire. See ya tomorrow!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Started the morning off early once again, when the temperature is still cool and the air is fresh and crisp and the constant mixed orchestra of the overly enthusiastic song birds is practically an assault on the hearing. The faint scent of fried breakfast foods filtered through the air attracting hungry little children and coffee carrying adults.

Throughout the day everyone found something to keep themselves occupied. Some ventured out on to the lake to sink into a deep depression as hooks kept being reeled in wormless and fishless. An occasional note was left by a few sarcastic fish stating that we should keep trying; maybe we'll get lucky. An hour later, it never changed.

Some went into town to do some shopping and endulge on the pleasures of many seductive candies, chocolates, and heavenly homemade ice cream. Still some decided to slip into a deep state of unconciousness and prepare for the day's later events.

For lunch Bev created a preview of her famous pizza to try for those that would not be around in the evening for the endless pizza buffet.

At 2:00 PM the meeting of the minds was in session. The majority of the people sat and endured the endless streams of information at the meeting. While the minority stayed and fished, swam in the lake, and pushed the jet skis to their limits.

When the meeting was over the battle of the best pizza maker was on. Bev the wise and legendary Collins vs. Dave the Cunning and Famous Anderson. I'm not sure how many people were actually comparing whose pizza was better, it was just a matter of how many pieces you could eat before everyone else got to it.

A vigorous competition of badminton, soccer, and croquet followed after everyone had reached the point of discomfort and agony, of course. Once the night fell upon us, the mosquito population seemed to quadruple and chased the crowd into the safety of their cabins. The night finished with everyone peacefully relaxin' and letting the day's many events creep over them and drive them into a much needed sleep--in order to prepare for another day in paradise.

Deb's Note: Today's blog was written by my son Ross. He does me proud--I couldn't have said it better myself!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

There’s something about waking up, peering out the window, and gazing out across a lake that just makes the day start off great! It doesn’t hurt that just three doors down in Cabin #7 Bev has eggs, bacon, and toast cooking for anyone hungry for breakfast.

First item on the agenda after breakfast today was the purchase of fishing licenses and bait. The fish got fed well off the dock this morning with the catch and release method of fishing. What was funny was that the kids (who didn’t need to purchase a license to fish) caught the most fish. It was such a delight to see their faces light up and hear their squeals when reeling in each fish. They all picked up on casting and became pros. I had great fun “catching” their expressions in pictures.

I got to do one of my favorite relaxing pastimes (after my first favorite pastime of photographing my vacation): sitting on the deck overlooking the lake, reading a good book, and sipping my coffee. While sitting there, Dave (THE Famous Dave) drove up and extended an invitation to come hear him speak at his restaurant. Bev and I went over and listened to his motivational speech that he was giving to some 70 realtors and bankers assembled to hear the advice from this multi-millionaire.

Back at the cabins, Bev was in her kitchen (again) preparing quesadillas for our lunch. I taught everyone how to wave a pizza pan at the smoke alarm to get it to stop beeping. Thankfully, Bev will be teaching everyone what she does best with a pizza pan tomorrow!

Out on the pontoon boat, we took another tour around the lake; and then the kids cooled off in the water before we got ready for dinner. For our meal tonight, we were guests of Dave Anderson at his original Famous Dave’s Restaurant which he built 15 years ago. Dave ordered the feast for all of us consisting of the best ribs, brisket, corn muffins, coleslaw, BBQ baked beans, corn on the cob, BBQ chicken, and fries. To top it off (as if eating with THE Famous Dave at the Original Famous Dave’s is not enough), his bread pudding is a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy not found anywhere else.

Following the fabulous feast, several members of our party as well as some of Dave’s family and staff met in a conference room on site for an Internet Marketing meeting. Brainstorming and picking the brains of top Internet Google experts is energizing as well as inspirational. We adjourned some three hours later to meet the rest of our group back at the cabins who were sitting around the bonfire.

The weather today was again perfect as was soaking up more of the surroundings. We’re looking forward to more of the same tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

It's been a few days since my last post, and although we did make it back from our Disnsey World vacation, I will continue to use this blog as we are off on our next adventure.

After returning home from Disney, we celebrated Mary's 10th birthday with several parties--a weiner roast with ice cream cake, lunch at Hickory Park with ice cream, and a friend overnight so they could finish the ice cream cake.

But now we are off to Hayward, Wisconsin, where we will be guests of Famous Dave at his Tamarack Cabins on Big Round Lake also home of the Original Famous Daves. We'll be sharing the cabins with my aunt Bev and her family and we're really looking forward to all the great cooking Bev has planned. She and Famous Dave will be having a pizza cook-off and I'm sure we'll get in on some of his Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que as well.

Arrival at the cabins was around 2 p.m. After Mary found out that we had been having a little fun with her and there really weren't outhouses but actual working bathrooms in each cabin, she could settle down and begin enjoying the surroundings. Andrew immediately became Ross's new shadow and the kids had to try swimming in the lake and horsing around on the play structure at the bottom of the hill from our cabins.

I'm sitting here in my Adirondack chair on the deck of (blue) cabin #2 enjoying the view and trying to decide how I can afford my own lakefront property. It's serene paradise here. The peace and quiet is only punctuated with the occasional lapping of the waves on the shore or the call of a loon. The temperature is a perfect 70 something, and I'm basking in the glow of having just eaten my fill of Bev and Denny's 7-layer dip.

After a pontoon boat ride, we will be lighting the campfire for s'mores and singing (except for Beth--no singing for Beth!) In the meantime, I'm going to following the advice of the posted Beach Rules sign: RELAX, ENJOY, RELAX, ENJOY

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Checked out of the Clarksville Days Inn and drove to “the highlighted route.” Beth decided a good mid-day stop would be around the St. Louis arch. I began texting my sister Pam to see if she could get away from work for a bit to meet us.

Beth took the kids up in the arch for a view of the city while Bev and I met Pam and a couple of her work study students outside the entrance of the arch. We visited in the hot humid heat and shared Disney stories before they had to get back.

Our lunch stop on “the hill” at Rigazzi’s was very disappointing. I’m afraid our fabulous experience at Sal’s has forever set the standard by which we will judge all Italian cuisine—and Rigazzi’s just didn’t measure up.

After lunch, our Garmin had a little difficulty navigating us back out of town because of some unexpected road construction. By the time we found our way, we were all ready to just be out of the car for the day—so I made a phone call and got us a place for the night. Thanks Pam and Matt!!!! The kids watched TV, and we shared videos, pictures, and stories with our hostess.

Six more hours on the road tomorrow and we should be home.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

"On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again."

Left St. Simons Island Georgia at 10 a.m. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel just north of Altlanta late afternoon. We thought we might stay in Nashville, but after driving through downtown, decided the night life wasn't very kid friendly.

A rest stop provided a beautiful view of the Tennessee River and mountains. After Beth eluded the highway patrol by taking an exit and ducking into a parking lot, we found a Days Inn outside of Clarksville to stay for the night.

Another long day on the road will commence early tomorrow.

Monday, June 8, 2009

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s Amore!”

Today was spent touring St. Simons Island. We had a history lesson, a lighthouse experience, an ocean view, and a special treat that there are literally no words for (if you tuned in earlier and tried to read the June 8th post).

Over a year ago, one of Bev’s pizzeria secrets DVDs was purchased by a Salvatore Cenicola. Bev and Sal had many email conversations after his purchase prior to his opening his own pizzeria last January—one of those communiqués included Sal extending an invitation to Bev to visit his Neighborhood Pizzeria if she was ever in the St. Simons Island area.

So…our lunch was at Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria with Pie Guy, Sal Cenicola. We immediately fell in love with Sal, the pizzeria, his pizza, and his enthusiasm. Walking into his restaurant, the heavenly aroma of the cuisine, the music and décor all made it feel like we’d stepped into a New York Pizzeria or a quaint café in Italy. There’s a mural depicting Venice on one section of the back wall, red and white checkered cloths covering the tables, and a wood bar enclosing the pizza making area and brick oven. On the other walls painted a deep rich red hung different photograph displays. Behind the cash register are all the pictures of Sal from his youth during his 18 year boxing career. Sal is pictured with Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Marciano, and Don King, to drop just a few names. As we exclaim over the pictures, Sal shows us some of his fancy footwork jabbing and dodging imaginary blows. As Bev moves over to look at another grouping of pictures, Sal starts shouting from behind the bar where he’s tossing our pie in the air that the pictures there are of his parents when they got married and his dad as a young boy, and Sal’s two boys ages 7 and 9 with his wife Lisa.

Meanwhile, I’m reading a framed article on another wall from a local publication tracking Sal’s life from boxing, to salon owner, to paratrooper, family man, and finally pie guy! His resume is just as impressive as his personality. As he pats out and tosses the pizza dough, he sings to the music playing and never misses acknowledging every customer coming or going. I could come up with a hundred adjectives to describe Sal, but until you actually experience his southern New Jersey hospitality, it’s an experience you couldn’t possibly imagine! We had such a good time at lunch that we went back for dinner. Over the course of two meals, we got to sample several of his dishes and a couple kinds of pizza. We also had the privilege of trying items from the dessert menu—New York style cheesecake, gelato, and cannoli. Again, adjectives like rich, creamy, heavenly don’t even come close to describing the desserts. Beth even has a video of me licking my dessert plate clean that she won’t delete in the event she needs it for blackmailing purposes at some point in the future.

Our history lesson was learned at Fort Frederica. In the early 1700s, Georgia was the epicenter of a centuries-old conflict between Spain and Britain. In 1736, James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica to protect his southern boundary. Colonists from England, Scotland and the Germanic States came to Frederica to support the endeavor. Today, we stopped to explore the archeological remnants of Frederica which are protected by the National Park Service.

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is one of only five surviving light towers in Georgia. Beth, Bev, and the boys climbed the 129 steps to view neighboring Jekyll Island, the mainland Glynn County, and the south end of St. Simons Island. The current lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s dwelling were built in 1872.

After the lighthouse tour, we walked to East Beach at the historic Coast Guard Station which is St. Simon’s most popular beach location. We played in the ocean, watched the dolphins, walked out on the pier, and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze during an afternoon shower.

A quick swim at the hotel pool and then to bed. We begin our 20+ our drive back to Iowa tomorrow. What an incredible vacation we’ve had!!