We left Cocoa on 21 August to head back to Tucson. Wonderful days spent with Tom's sister and husband and new kittens. Of course had to make time for our favorite restaurants and added more! Made homemade Apple Dumplings too. The kittens decided that we were OK so would even come and lay next to us. We kind of ATE our way through the last two weeks! We did not venture to Tampa this year as one of the kittens was not feeling good and had to go to the vet. He is fine now just did not want to leave him. We did go to Celebration, Florida and had some great food at the Columbia Restaurant that was named one of America's Most Historic Restaurants by USA Today. Spent some time walking about the picturesque lake town of Celebration. Also went to the Veterans Memorial in Cocoa....very nice as it honors not only all the military, but firemen, policeman and all first responders. Was so good to just spend time together. We are so blessed to have been able to spend several weeks with Maryann's sister Joan and Tom in State College, Pa. and then with Tom's sister Charlotte and Bill in Florida. They just always open their homes to us and just ask when we are coming but not how long we are staying!!!!
Then it was time to "get on the road" again heading to Tucson. We spent the first night in Biloxi, MS. Spent some time walking on the beach and of course having more seafood.
Then on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and saw some of the destruction of the flooding. Also picked up some type of bolt in our tire so spent about 4 hours waiting for the tow truck and sitting waiting for the car in the Firestone Dealer where we purchased a new tire!! Our guardian Angel took care that God blessed us as we were in the city and not out on the road so only had to be towed about 6 miles!! Saw some amazing sunsets as we headed West. We then stopped in Houston to spend time with Fred and Belinda. Went out to eat at a great Mexican Restaurant....they had a female singer that night who had the most beautiful voice. Once again Fred and Belinda made us feel so welcome and like we were at home!! Then on to Northlake, Texas to spend a few days with Diane and Jerry Stapleton. They have a beautiful new home and we had the "West Wing"!! It was so good to see Jennifer and Rheanna and family too. We had not seen the girls since they were just in grade school in Cheyenne in 1982. We spent the time catching up and playing card and board games and of course Jerry and Diane kept our stomachs full!!!! What a fun way to end our trip with our Martinez and Stapleton Family!!!
We stayed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso on our way back to Tucson. Arrived to our Tucson Home about
2 PM. Love it when we gain hours when we travel due to time change. We thank God and our Gaurdian Angels for our safe travels ...and thank our friends and family for their prayers while we were "on the road".
4 March to 30 August equals 178 days on our road trip 2016. Or should we say road, airplane, car ferry, bus, taxi, subway, river boat, tram trip!! SO MANY BLESSINGS. We feel like we were given a treasure of gifts of not only experiencing so many countries, meeting and sharing conversations with so many people that we encountered , our family, and our friends that we call family. Thank you ALL who welcomed us into your homes and made us feel like we were "at home" and those we were just able to spend time with over dinner or lunch and also our Tucson Family who welcomed us home and helped take care of "stuffs" while we were gone. Hilda , you have our vote for number 1 mail person as you collected our mail and made sure you took care of all. (AND Susan who stayed at our Tucson home a few times for looking after our home while you were here). AND thank you to Kelly and Carrie for supporting our lifestyle of traveling ...and our grand girls who always are willing to "FACETIME" with us and welcome us home with the best hugs and kisses!!! We must ESPECIALLY thank Pat and Geroge who agreed to go on this journey with us....without the two of you it would have been "a trip" but instead it was a dream of a life time to spend this time with you and for the constant laughter that we share when we are together. We had belly-laughing events that were to be labeled. "What happens in Europe, stays in Europe". May have to share some of those events EVENTUALLY!!!!!
AND the four of us will never forget all those that suffered and lost lives during World War 2 ...the emotions and sadness we felt as we visited Auschwitz, the Jewish Ghetto and Jewish Cemetery, Luxembourg American and German Cemeteries and the Battle Fields of Normandy(Normandy was the main reason we traveled these many miles) was at times overwhelming. AND we need to honor all those who were so brave despite putting their lives and those of their families in danger trying to help their fellow citizens.
"ONE'S DESTINATION IS NEVER A PLACE, BUT A NEW WAY OF SEEING THINGS".
~ Henry Miller~
Until our next adventure. God Bless each and everyone of you!
Love and hugs,
Tom and Maryann
