Back in Zeeland Again

After 15 days on the road, we were glad to be back in our condo in Zeeland. Being in Zeeland means that we get to spend time with Jon and Joy, Isaac, Kendra and Ella. This past week we were able to go to one of Isaac's last baseball games of the season.

Here is Isaac just before he hit the ball into right field for a single.

Kendra and Grandma enjoying the game together

Our two week trip from New Mexico to Michigan was a great way to start our summer. Now we're looking forward to spending some relaxing time with friends and family in Michigan.

Indy Bakers

Our last night on our trip was spent in Indianapolis with Jonathan and Janna, Ethan, Caleb and Anelise.

We were given a brief tour of the Friddle shop where Janna works.

Here's the owner sharing her newest addition to her candy line...chocolate covered bacon! 

Great for all those bacon lovers!

Before our supper of steak on the grill with a side of fresh asparagus we were handed invitations to a Jedi duel that was to be held at 7:15 that night. 

Here are the featured Jedi warriors beginning their duel...not sure who won...but it was a great show!

After the duel, Anelise put on a little gymnastics show that I only caught this little part on camera...she did lots more including cartwheels and round-offs.

 

After the kids went to bed, the adults played a game of Tichu. (girls won)

It was a short visit but worth being able to spend some time with the Baker family.

Halmi Home

Dave and Karen had told us about a wonderful Hungarian pastry shop that we could stop at on our way to Orsi and Zoli's. We traveled to downtown Wooster and found a wonderful Hungarian women who owns the bakery. We spoke a little bit of our limited Hungarian with her and heard a little bit of her story. After looking at all the delicious Hungarian pastries we decided to buy one of each of the retes (streudel)...cherry, apple, cheese, and poppyseed to bring to Halmis.

The pastry display.

 When we arrived in Wauseon we spent time getting to know Sam. He wasn't too sure at first.

 We went out to Mancino's for supper

 Sam started warming up after awhile

 Chair that Zoli designed and made for Sam

Amish Country Visit

Next stop on our trip was long time friend Dave and Karen. Karen was maid of honor in our wedding. Cindy and Karen have been friends since 1st grade! They live in the most Amish populated county in the country. It's a beautiful setting with lots of rolling hills. We spent time seeing some new as well as old favorite sights. 

Here is an Amish home with buggy that we passed on our walk the first night.

Amish horse and buggy 

Trail bologna original store opened in 1931 where we went for lunch our second day. 

Jack getting his Trail bologna sandwich ready. Delicious!

From there we went to tour an authentic Amish home and farm that has become a kind of living museum.

That night we went back to Dave and Karen's to relax and have a wonderful dinner together.

Pittsburgh friends

We've never been to Pittsburgh before...what a wonderful city! We had a great time seeing the city with our friends David and Barbara. The weather was perfect for walking around the main part of the city and going to a baseball game. The Pirates were playing the Brewers so we rooted for the Milwaukee team while the rest of the stadium cheered on their "Buccs". Good game for Pirates fans...15 to 5.

Fountain in front of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass building

We went to an art festival that was being held downtown along the river.

David and Barbara

Fountain at the point where The Three Rivers come together

view of the city from the bridge to PNC Park

Jack and Willy Stargel at PNC

PNC Park

The four of us at the park

view of Pittsburgh from PNC Park after the game

fireworks after the game...

The next morning we went to "The Strip" to check out all the unique little shops.

In the afternoon we took a hike in Frick park

Mating black snakes along the trail

At night, David and Barbara had invited their neighbors Deb and Rich and Sandy and Jaakko to join us at their favorite jazz club for dinner. It was such a delightful mix of people to enjoy some good jazz with. The group performing as well as the crowd was an interesting mix of older and younger/black and white. Afterward we continued the conversation with the eight of us over dessert and drinks on David and Barbara's back deck. 

Lynchburg visit

Our next three days on our "road trip home" were spent with our friends Will and Joanna and their baby "Little Will" in Lynchburg. While they were at work we went to see the city and to bike and hike on the rails to trails paths along the streams and rivers in Lynchburg.
We were also able to visit with Cindy's Aunt Bettye who lives in Lynchburg as well as Cindy's cousin Terry and her husband Matt. It was really great to be able to see them after not being together for such a long time.

Bridge going over the James River

Tunnel on the trail

snake along the trail

Hollins Mill Falls 

 Train trestle that the trail goes under

Will and Joanna and "Little Will" 

Cindy and Aunt Bettye

Matt and Terry with Jack and Cindy

North Carolina Time

 We were invited to spend three days with our friend Katie at her parents' beautiful home in Brevard, NC. Katie met us so that she could lead us up the mountain to their house. So much green everywhere!

The next morning we headed to the Pisgah National Forest to hike up to John Rock. These are the sights as we hiked to the top.

Jack on top of John Rock

View of Looking Glass Mountain from John Rock

Jack and Cindy on John Rock

Waterfall on the way down

Katie by the waterfall

Looking Glass Waterfall

Rhododendron blooming along the path

View along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The next day we went to Dupont State Park for another hike. We hiked a total of eight miles and saw five more waterfalls along with lots of beautiful plants.

Bridal Veil Falls at the top of the trail

On our last day in North Carolina we spent part of the day at The Biltmore Estate, taking the tour and seeing the gardens. It was a beautiful day for walking around the grounds. What an amazing place!