JULY/AUG 2017

Headed out of New England towards Virginia Beach to visit with Vinny Olivieri and other old buds.  Had a great 4th of July with the Olivier's and Rachlis'.  Fireworks on the beach chairs, dinner every night with good friends and greats laughs.  Really fun getting together with these guys, just missed having others from the group there, maybe next trip.  July 6th and leaving the beach, had a coolant reservoir meltdown and had to delay leaving to get it repaired.  Can't travel in RV with no engine coolant.  Really hot at the beach and in the Virginia area. Humidity killing me.   Had the coach towed to Cummins engine repair since they found a belt broken after analyzing the coolant reservoir.  Another day of service, total 4 days, and we are finally hitting the road to Hershey PA.  Good thing Vinny and I go back more than 60 years cause I really think we outstayed out welcome but they, Vinny and Patty, are wonderful and their hospitality was not only much appreciated but so very welcome during a trying time. 

So the trip continues, headed up to Hershey PA on I64 when a person hits a tree in the left lane of a 2 Lane interstate, tree comes down cars hit, I'm confronted with slamming into the rest of the pileup at 45 mph or trying to avoid it because I want dog 40,000 lbs at the same speed as the accident occurred so it's miss the left lane accident by the thickness of a layer of paint and have an 18 wheeler not move over so I can shift Lanes and have him take off my right side view mirror and keep on going.  Call troopers reported the contract and am trying to pursue cause it was a shared contact accident.  Not a good few days when it comes to traveling.

Jayme, Tracy and kids left for London and Ireland and Scotland.  Great pic on Facebook they really look like they are having a ball.  Can't wait to see them all when we and they get back to Boston area. In the meantime we are headed to Long island and wine country to revisit LI grapes.  Meet up with friends Bob and Pat and visited the Long island casino Jake's 58.  No longer pay taxes but made our contribution to the economy.  Really nice smoke free casino those locally should visit.  Next day on to wine country.  Visited a nice winery, brought some cheese and chips bought a bottle of crisp Rosé.  Really nice calm relaxing visit to LI wine country.  Packing up headed to the ferry on Orient point to New London and on to Boston area and the kiddies.   Taking up residence for a few weeks in Maine, Wells until August 8th.  Then down to visit JJ and Tray for a while, Fleming's Steak House for celebration Aug 6th then back up to Wells Maine Aug 15th. Keep Y'all posted. Enjoy the summer.

Remainder of August just chillen in Maine met up with old friends from the 70's and had some really fun nights and memories revisited.  Labor day in Maine then headed down to just outside Cape Cod.  Summer almost gone but had been fun. Hope this finds everyone having enjoyed their summer.  See all after labor day.

MAY 2017

Starting the month of May back where this Saga began in Las Vegas after leaving a tearful scene in Simi Valley CA two days ago. Met with a dear friend here in Vegas , had dinner and enjoyed a couple of hours of reminiscing . Boondocking in North Las Vegas I'm ready to start the Trek North to Evergreen Colorado and the visit with Tom Hickey a dear old friend from high school.  With any good luck he will keep the snow at his house elevation of 8600 feet and leave the roads below him clear for us 40 foot RVs to enjoy in safety. 

Headed out of Colorado, staying overnight at 8000 feet is difficult when not used to the thin air.  On the way to I70 then I80 Into Nebraska.  Heading to Wells Maine, should be there by the ninth.  My baby's 40th on the ninth, can't believe my youngest is 40.  I must be old. Driving through some cold weather but can't wait to get to Maine. 

In Wells Maine, settled down and taking the day off after 3000 miles in 9 days.  Sitting somewhere other than the driver's seat feels good.  Sunday, mom's day spent with my daughter, her wife, our other little mother of our beautiful grandkids and the kiddies.  Brunch was wonderful kids spent the day at the arcade in Dave and Buster's and the adults at the bar for a few hours just relaxing and talking. Great afternoon​.  Back up in Maine awaiting the end of the precip enjoying a lazy bleak Monday afternoon. 

Jayme and Tracy going to a Redsocks game and we get the kids.  Afternoon of bowling, such fun, kids are jokers, snacks and games, great day.  Back in Arlington at Not Your Average Joe's for light dinner, we're all full from bowling snacks.  Back to the house and an hour long talk on FaceTime with Brooke and Jordan in SoCal nice seeing them interact together, boy are they growing up. Brooke had a soccer tournament in Irvine SoCal and as goalie, came in first.  Great job Brooke... Wish I were there, save some of that greatness for the winter season when we're back in California.

Just arrived in Saugus MA for about 3 days visits with the kids then a little traveling music then up to Maine again for a few weeks before heading to Virginia.

APRIL 2017

April in California, made it to Acton and here for a few weeks through the kids birthdays towards the end of April. Weather is beautiful, actually getting on the warm side, almost needing air conditioning during the day but the nights are beautiful in the fifties and sixties. Brookie going in for her surgery on the 11th, many good wishes and prayers coming her way from our Facebook family. Thank you all because one of the toughest things besides seeing your children get hurt is having to watch your grandchildren go through a major surgery. I'll keep you posted. It's the 15th of the month and everything is going well but luckily and with The Graces given Brooke she came through her surgery marvelously. Her doc at Los Angeles Children's Hospital was very confident and gave Jonathan and us that same confidence prior to going into surgery. He did very well gave her a small bikini incision and took care of business very professionally and as promised. Brookies recovering very nicely from anesthesia and the surgery as we knew she would she is a very strong young lady.

Birthday celebrations for both Brooke and Jordan in California.  Cali is now teenage free all are thirteen o r above and growing quickly.  Jordans BD present is a wanted piano keyboard, really glad he's wanting to learn an instrument.  Spending great quality time with kids just feeling like we are monopolizing their time.  Cindy and Jonathan are being great about it hope we're not overstaying our welcome.  Making plans to bugout to the East by May first possibly haven't decided yet if we're driving through to get to Jayme by her birthday or take our time and see some of the northern USA. 

Finished two birthday dinners one for each Brooke and Jordan final one at Red Robyn Simi Valley for Jordan on April 27th.  Loved being with them but not enjoying the fact that they are growing so quickly. Him being 15 is definitely not expected.  Love to watch them grow though!  Making final plans to head east, right now Vegas, Denver area, then open to discussion. That's it for now.  Not looking forward to allergy season.

FEB / MAR 2017

This February in SoCal spending time in Menifee CA about 40 miles off the cost near Irvine.  Met up with friend Vinny Olivieri and family at his two year old granddaughters second birthday at son Vinny's house on the campus of UC Irvine.  Superbowl Sunday back home after birthday party enjoyed a great second half. Congrats to my grandson lukie on the win of his NE Pat's. 

Great weekend soccer with Jonathan's family in San Diego at the Polo fields.  Brooke played wonderfully really enjoyed watching it, took us back many years with our kids and the travel weekends spent for soccer.  Awaiting tremendous rainfall in socal at campground could be flooded and considering wheels hitting the road. Sunday headed to Palm Desert for a couple of weeks.

In Palm Desert, really nice low 70's top down weather nights are beautiful.  Seeing the area, last year went to Joshua Tree National Forest so we'll pass this year.  Joanee just went to the bank so casino here she comes!  I'll keep you posted if I can afford dinner out tomorrow night. TBD!  Back at Wilderness Lakes in Menifee CA, great weather, really nice space in CG with ducks and geese and lake right behind coach.  Just got some disturbing medical news about granddaughter staying very optimistic she's a strong kid and will get through anything.  Jonathan getting things together in LA Children's Hospital.  Will continue...   Got much better news and prognosis from a really good MD in hospital.  She will do fine. We are headed out end of March to nearer campsite to kids house to be with Brooke during her time of need.  Quiet time enjoying great weather in SoCal outside by the lake with geese, ducks, morning doves and other noisy neighbors. 

Currently in Acton, CA for a few weeks will be visiting Brooke in hospital April 11th and getting kids one at a time to spend a few days with us in the RV for some personal alone time.  We love having them conveniently nearby and will do this a few times before heading east again.  Weather has been great, no a/c needed but heat in the evening is necessary.  Gets into the 40's at night.  April coming soon. Will keep those interested up to date, until then.... Enjoy our travels thru this blog.

JAN 2017

So January has been relatively quiet. Spending time watching 12 year old soccer 14 year old high school wrestling spending time with Jonathan and shopping. Joanee went to Florida to visit her sister and to have the unveiling since it's already a year since her passing. Only spending a week there but Karen is taking good care of her and being a very gracious hostess and a really nice person. So glad we hooked up with her again after so many years she has a lot of fun with her and enjoy each other's company. Spent most of the time in Acton California with the last few days hooked up to Jonathan 50 amp service at his house so my apartment is right outside their front door. Very convenient for dinner visiting and seeing the kids and Jonathan and family have been very warm and very comfortable with my being here. Picking joanee at LAX on the 31st and heading south for a few weeks. Will be about 40 minutes from Vinny olivieri and have been invited to celebrate his baby's second birthday with them my bud Vinny will be there looking forward to seeing them all. He's in Irvine California. Moving on to February and hope that all reading this had a good start to 2017

DECEMBER 2016

December starts in California.  Spending time with Jonathan and family this month staying in Acton California campground.   Staying cold and unseasonably dingy for southern Cal. Finding new restaurants and places to visit in Santa Clarita,  Palmdale and Lancaster. Great visits with the grandkids waiting for them to spend a week with us while Jonathan and Cindy are cruising the Caribbean.  Moved up to a Campground in Santa Barbara between SB and Solvang.  Visited Solvang, really good cheese shop and bakery in town.   No WiFi or cell service at this CG so we are moving back to Acton close to kids.  

Spent a wonderful evening at Ellen's home for chanukah.   Kids getting ready for their cruise in a few days.   We picked up the grandkids Saturday and they are staying with us for almost a week,  have to make plans so they aren't bored.  Keeping a couple of young teenagers {12&14} busy is a full time job.  Thank goodness Joanee enjoys playing games to keep the gd's occupied.   New years with the grandkids,  noisemakers,  hats  and a new york feed on TV so we can get to bed early.  Kids up to celebrate California News Years.   End of year here so wishing all a happy, healthy  new year and to be continued in 2017.

OCT / Nov 2016

Most of this period was spent in Elkhart Indiana getting my coach spruced up,  painted and repaired for the winter in California.  Spent Thanksgiving in Pahrump with friends and headed for cali and the grandkids last week in November.  No pix boring time but getting back to our nomad life soon.