'25/#4 The Family Tree Grows

 The last few blogs I have mentioned old friends and new family. Some might think of new family through a wedding or a birth, but that is not the case. Some time ago Mary got some family information that motivated her to look into DNA testing. After some " should I or shouldn't I", she did. Whatever the results it wasn't going to change the family that was important and in her life right now. Drum roll, and the envelope please! Actually a Facebook request but I needed a dramatic intro (wink, wink).

Mary has a sister she never knew about. Without going into all the details it turns out she has two sisters and another brother! Back and forth communications and it turns out that their lives had criss-crossed in the same area durring their early years. Mary and sister Brenda were getting along well through on line conversations and decided to take it to the next level. Ever the skeptic I cautioned Mary about getting her hopes up. 

Cheryl, Mary, and Brenda

Our travels were taking us through Mary's old stomping grounds so plans were made. The big day came when we pulled our monstrous RV into their front yard. My concerns were unfounded. These people are awesome! Even if there wasn't a DNA connection I could see us being friends with them. We met Brenda's husband Victor who welcomed us with hook-ups right there at their home and just got along with them both as if we had know each other for years. We met Cheryl and Robbie, Susan and Jay, Greg and Viki, Payton and Parker, and of course Pat. 

Four generations on the family tree that we never knew about and I think everyone had a good time! Talking about our current lives and of course events in the past helped fill in some of the gaps that may or may not have been known prior to the DNA tests. The answers were illuminating while others just created more questions. With many of the people from the past not with us any more some of the quetions will never be answered.

After spending ten days with the new part of the family promises were made to keep in touch and to get together when we can. My skepticism was unfounded and the reunion worked out as good as Mary could have hoped.

Our next stop was in western Virginia where we caught up with Joanie and Greg. It was just an overnight stay but is was good to see them and the next time we pass through we will spend more time visiting. Back on the road and continue our trek north.

We still had some rain but it looks like the weather system is passing and the rain will be gone for the rest of our trip. I will sign off now from our home outside Toledo Ohio because ....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'25/#3 Maybe We Need A Boat!?!?

 It has been seventeen days since we returned to the road. The travel has gone well with no incidents, but I do have to say it has been challenging. This has been the wettest trip we have ever taken. I don''t think we had a single day of travel without some rain. It slows us down and caution is the watch word and that makes the driving more fatiguing. Fortunately the rain did stop whenever we were spending time with people along the way.

Our first stop was between Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina. We have known Sherry and Terry for almost thirteen years and whenever we are near enough to stop in we will. They bought a home there and are what they call "homesteading". All I can think of is the theme to Green Acres with Terry is on the lawn tractor and Sherry is getting eggs from the chicken coop. The place is awesome and they are happy. That is all we want for our friends.

The next stop was Brunswick County North Carolina. This is the first time we have seen our friends Chris and Chuck since they left Florida to be closer to family. It was a brief visit but everyone looked great and we had a good time catching up. Our friends Terry and Bob from the Charlotte area built their retirement dream home down near the beaches and we also got to see them. Our timing was off so it was again a short but sweet visit. Maybe next time we will have more time.

We will be traveling through Virginia next to see old friends and new family, but that is a story for another blog. By the way I am catching up on my blogging. We are a ways down the road from Virginia. In fact I am going to call it a night from our home in Lake Milton Ohio because......

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

"25/#2 Finally Got Something To Blog

I know that it has been too long since my last blog but I didn't think anyone wanted to hear about my aches and pains. This winter was all about doctors, medical tests, and prescriptions. We are doing better and back on the road again. 

We had broken our rule of one and done when it comes to our destinations already last year and are going back to Michigan for the third time in three years. Having seen so much of the country we are finding that we are getting picky about where we want to go next.  We have enjoyed Michigan and the people we worked with so going back was not an issue. We'll see what happens next year. 

Our trip north is not a straight line. It is not even anywhere near the shortest route. There will be three stops to see and stay with old friends and one to see new family. More on that later.

Like the rest of the country weather has been less than cooperative. No real problems but still wetter than we would like. Such is life on the road

We're doing laundry now so I will continue this later. Signing off from our home in Callao Virginia because...

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary