Vacation

Hi all
Yes, vacations are appreciated even when you are retired.
A time to get away and spend time with your loved ones.

We got the BWB parked at Millie's cousin's place so it can have a little hibernation time.
And be waiting, much further south than home, when we are ready to get away from winter.

After getting all put away we headed north for a little vacation time in Brainerd, MN.
Home of the filming of the movie Fargo, go figure.
We traded for a week at a time share resort there, actually in Nisswa, MN on Gull Lake.
While we were planning putting the trailer away and looking forward to a mini vacation,
Millie was busy inviting her sisters and any of their families that were close by.
We had also been looking forward to spending time with friends from the Twin Cities,
who had got a week at another time share about 20 minuets north of ours.
First night Millie's sisters and spouses joined us and the next day we ended up with about 17 or 18 total of us amounting to about half of her close family, including sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Niece and nephew, one each of many.

And on to the Great nieces and nephews.

This bunch sure has beautiful kids. Could be I'm a little prejudice, Naaw, they're just cute.

And guess what??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
We had a great time! Yes, it's true. I think the kids may have been more well behaved than the adults!
Was a really great time and I am so lucky to have married into such a wonderful, loving group of people.
Just another thing I thank Millie for giving me.

Winter is setting in and light snow and lakes beginning to freeze over.

And a view from our condo.

We had visitors almost every evening and many mornings. Of course deer gun started this weekend and I'm sure this one's family knows very well they are safe on the resort.

Yesterday we became empty nesters. Got together with our friends for some adult beverages and a wonderful meal at a local smokehouse. Realized it has been about 30 years we have known each other. Meeting at the resort they are staying at this week. So much has changed since then, kids have grown up and some married. Our friends have become Grandparents, twice, since then. We have all changed jobs, some of us many times. We've all moved into different homes and traveled to many exciting places. Doing all of this while not looking a day older than when we met. Well, not many days.

Thanks Bev and Bernie for allowing us to be part of your lives.

Now today we start packing up to be out of here and back to real life Saturday. It has been a wonderful week and so much fun.
So here's to you our readers!

Make your day great!
Tom and Millie

Good morning!

Hi all
So glad we came south to store the trailer.
Below freezing every night and Halloween was the 2nd coldest recorded in KC.
We are only about 40 miles from KC.
Today we have to organize and get ready to leave the BWB here near Ottawa, KS
Thanks so much to Millie's cousins Dawn and Gary for allowing us space to park.
Happy to not think about towing the BWB out of ND in February.

Yesterday we had a great day, maybe because it was so chilly being only in the low 40's.
Best part was the wind stopped. Made it kind of fall like to be outside not having to hold your hat.

Started out going to the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa, KS.
http://www.olddepotmuseum.org/historical-sites/old-depot-museum/
Great choice, and we had a wonderful and informative couple of hours going through the displays.
We had the place to ourselves and did not have to move along any faster than we wanted.
One of the displays was about an early local photographer "Dad" Martin.
Long before Photoshop, "Dad" produce many fun prints exaggerating the productivity of the area.

After enjoying the museum and starting to get hungry, we did the only thing that made sense.
But on the way we cruised Main St. stopped by the Franklin County Court House for a quick photo.

Then we made our way to.....................

Great Vodka, made from Kansas sweet corn. (I guess it is their form of "corn liquor" commonly known elsewhere as "White Lightning".
However, Iv'e tasted a couple of those and this is nothing like them.
Smooth and a slightly sweet flavor, so good I bought one.
Millie liked the Pumpkin Spice flavored and we bought one of those for Holiday sipping.
Buck-U Products

Proprietor of the distillery directed us to the "best place in town for lunch".
Smoked Creations BBQ
Somewhat like a sports bar, BBQ joint. The food was great and had a good selection of beer.
We had an appetizer between us and took enough home for supper.
Loaded Potato Chips

Good service and prices were reasonable or better.

So all "loaded up", we headed next to "Pome on the Range" just outside of Williamsburg, KS
and only a hop, skip and a jump down the road from the RV Park.
Pome on the Range
The great Orchard, winery and gift shop, where you could buy fresh apples, frozen Ubake pies, Jelly, wine, salsa and lots more.
We sampled the wine and of course purchased a few bottles, bought some jelly and got Apple Cider Slushies.

After the day of sightseeing, sampling alcohol, eating and delicious desert (the slushie) we went back to the BWB for a relaxing evening. Finished the BBQ appetizer, watched a little TV and headed for a good night's sleep.

Today will bring it's own challenges (repacking) and rewards.
Make your day great
Tom and Millie