Happy Mother's Day in Ohio

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After our anniversary celebration with Kim and Kris, we prepared to head out to Ohio to be with John's mother for Mother's Day. It would also be an opportunity to see how they had settled in to their new retirement center in Chagrin Falls. We saw them last year after the wedding when they had just moved in and there were boxes all around and they were trying to figure out how to stow things in a smaller environment.

We left Martinsburg and drove west on interstates to Morgantown, over the mountains and through sometimes pounding rain. It was tiring but not scary. By the time we got to Ohio, the rain had stopped and we pulled in to the trailer park in Chesterland, OH we had stayed at last year and got set up. We took Koko out on a leash and he adapted quickly to the new environment and seemed to enjoy exploring, even if he did have a 16' limit. He spotted his first ever chipmunk, tried to sneak up on it, and when it dropped down a hole underground, couldn't figure out where it had gone. The chippy popped up about 5 minutes later and about 20 feet away; he chattered at Koko and the poor cat was totally confused. Mom had made dinner for us and we had a wonderful time at their new home in Chagrin, admiring the decor, relaxing and looking out the big picture windows/sliding doors overlooking the Chagrin River, and catching up.

Thursday we relaxed in the RV some, did more walking in the mobile home community. Dinner that night was a big pizza from Guido's, best pizza ever in Chesterland. I started eating it when we moved to OH and I was in high school and they now have the 4th generation working there making pizza, calzones, spaghetti and all kinds of wonderful Italian food. We had enough to be able to have pizza for several days after for lunch (or breakfast!) That evening attended a concert for the West Geauga vocal music groups. Our niece Kelli was in several groups and we were excited to see and hear her. The concert was not in the gym, as when I was in school, but instead was held in a local church with a great stage and sound. All the various groups were awesome. They have (as they did 50 years ago) some fabulous talent and put on a great concert. The only disconcerting thing was the small number of males involved. Used to be lots of guys got involved (hey, why not, there there lots of girls in choir) but now, it is not so many. Those who were involved were good, but sorry there is not greater diversity.

Friday my brother Steve came over from Detroit after work. We wanted to take Mom out for Mother's Day, but Steve couldn't be there on Sunday, so we decided to celebrate early. However, Mom insisted on cooking and preparing the food. At first we objected, then realized that it really was a labor of love for her to do this for "her boys" so we sat back and enjoyed. Todd and Kelli came and we provided a special dessert--a small wedding cake just like the one Kim and Kris had a year earlier and also for their first anniversary. It was delicious with almond flavor and a light raspberry jelly filling in the center. It was fun to have most of the family all together again. Todd lives only a short distance from the folks and Steve gets over from Michigan every few months. But having all of us together is really great and lots of fun. I think Kelli enjoyed seeing her uncles interact with her Dad.

Saturday Steve spent time with the folks in the AM and we drove up to Kirtland, north of Chesterland. It's a pleasant little town with a wonderful old Mormon church built by Joseph Smith as he moved west. There is also a Veterans Park we wanted to visit. A former JAG officer in the Marine Corps, and my Executive Officer in Iwakuni, is honored there and we wanted to see for ourselves. Pete Collins grew up in Kirtland and we shared a lot of memories and stories of Cleveland and the agony of rooting for the Indians and Browns. Pete is a heck of a guy (he was a special invited guest to my retirement) and when he retired a couple of years ago as a Brigadier General, he was honored with a special memorial stone at the Veterans Park. So we went and looked and discovered a lovely park off the main road and beside the library. It is a peaceful setting and we were proud to see the honor given Pete and other residents of Kirtland who served our country.

We also visited a historical village in Chesterland where they have gathered old buildings from the community and moved them to one location to keep them intact and for younger generations to see how the area developed over time. For such a small community, they have taken great pains to keep the flavor of the times and the ambiance of the area alive. Trish went back to the RV to clean and rest while I went in to Chagrin to spend more time with my brother. We had a good time catching up and then he hooked up his computer and Skyped with his son and family in Washington state. It was good to see Jason, Emily and the kids and watch them play, read and talk to GreatGrandpa and Grandma. All too soon Steve packed up and headed back to be with his wife for Mother's Day. My folks came up to Chesterland to have dinner with us in the RV. We try to have them to "our house" whenever we visit and fix a meal for them. This was their first chance to see the new RV and they seemed to enjoy the larger size and more leg room.

Sunday we went back into Chagrin after church and relaxed with the folks. Then we drove to a local eatery to meet Todd and go out for Mother's Day. This was Todd's treat and he picked a favorite spot with wonderful appetizers for a main course. The local Burntwood Tavern in Chagrin was full, so we drove to Solon and there we had no trouble getting in and getting served quickly. Back to Chagrin and more sightseeing around town before finally everyone going their separate ways to get some well deserved naps.

Monday we got to see a dear friend from John's teaching days at West G, Carane Ladd. She still lives in the area and we try to get together with her and others whenever we are back. She visited the RV and we caught up on old friends and then went out for dinner. John also met with Frank Gafric, a former high school classmate. There is a lot of excitement about next year's 50th reunion, and it was good to learn more about what folks are doing these days and plans for the upcoming get together.

Finally it was time to leave and we decided to try a different route south to avoid Cincinnati. Instead of fighting the interstates, crazy traffic, and bumpy roads, we took a back trail down to the Ohio River and crossed into Kentucky at Maysville. Though it was a US route, it was narrow, winding, and not well banked, thus meaning we drove slower than on interstates, putting us behind. Then after we crossed the river, we noticed the gathering storm, so found a Walmart, pulled in and hunkered down for the night. Next day we drove through beautiful horse country and finally to I-75 near Lexington and on home. It was a long drive but a great 2 week visit with family. We're already excited about going back at the end of July for Dad's 90th birthday!!

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Photos

Campsite in Chesterland, OH
This is a lovely 55+ mobile home community that has taken some of the sites that used to house single wide homes, and converted them to RV sites. They are continually expanding the number of sites and they are wonderful.

Early dinner for Mother's Day
Mom, Todd, Steve and Kelli relaxing around the table. Mom insisted on making dinner for "her boys" since we were all there together. It was a good chance for Kelli to be with her uncles.

More relaxing after dinner
Todd, Steve, Kelli, Dad and Trish. It is traditional in our house to sit at the table after a meal and continue to talk, share, laugh and relax. That's one of the things I remember most as a kid, the fun at the dinner table after the meal.

Anniversary cake
Since Grandpa and Grandma couldn't make it to the wedding last year, we got them a small cake just like the one Kim and Kris had. It was even decorated the same so they could share in the joy we had the previous year. Todd and Kelli had been at the wedding, but neither of them remembered the cake and everyone was wowed by it.

Veterans Park, Kirtland, OH
North of Chesterland is the town of Kirtland. They have a delightful Veterans Park and we have a friend and former boss who is honored here. We decided to drive up and take a look.

Pete Collins
Pete Collins is a retired BG in the Marine Corps. He was the XO when we were in Iwakuni from 2000-2004 and I reported to him. He was a great boss and when we learned he had a memorial stone in the park, I had to get a picture.

Dinner in the RV
We like to get the folks to the RV for a meal when we come. This time we had marinated lamb steaks with baked potato and beans. There is a lot more room in this coach and both parents enjoyed the couch and easy chair, relaxing and enjoying a different meal.

Living Room in Hamlet Hills
Pictures are up, furniture arranged, curtains in the big windows and all is comfortable and relaxed. The folks really enjoy the views from this room--sunrise in the AM, and partial sunset in evening. There are birds and squirrels in the woods outside and they have even had deer come by.

Grandpa's den
EVERY man needs a place to retreat. This is Grandpa's den, complete with many of his books, computer, rocker and a great view out the upper window to the yard outside. It is a warm and cozy spot to read, write and research.

Dining area
The hutch has been with the folks for years, as has the large table. There was some question if they really needed it that large, but it has turned out fine and continues to be a center for gatherings.

Finally got one over on Pete!
Since we were both from Cleveland, Pete and I had a good time sharing stories, jokes and frustrations about Cleveland, particularly their sports teams. Pete is younger than I am and once pointed out that even if he had gone to the same school system and I had been his teacher, he STILL would have given me a hard time. Got you this time, Pete!