Ken's Adventures at Home While I Was in New York!

Friday he had breakfast with Marcia's husband, Gary, and then went to Jamie's for a good haircut.  (Mine are a bit marginal!)  Then he enjoyed going to the movies to see "God's Not Dead".  In the evening he went to 10,000 Villages to hear 2 ladies sing and sat with Sam and Kathy.

Saturday Ken went to the Wolf Sanctuary near Speedwell Forge where they currently have 44 wolves.  He spent 2 hours seeing the different packs, hearing their history, and learning how they live in the wild.  A very interesting place! Late afternoon and evening was movie time in the apartment watching War Room and The Letters.  He really enjoyed War Room that was on the power of prayer!

This is the home of the wolf sanctuary owners and it is also
a Bed and Breakfast!  Beautiful!

Quite a crowd on Saturday!

...and now for the stars of the sanctuary - the wolves!

After Church on Sunday, he loaded his bike and went to the Riverfront Park between Marietta and Bainbridge and rode 7 miles on the River Trail to the visitors center at Columbia and then 7 miles back to the car. 

This is the new visitors center overlooking the Susquehanna River!

It was a gorgeous day for a ride and he really enjoyed the trail along the Susquehanna River.  Part of the trail was along Front Street in Marietta where there are beautiful old homes with lots of history.  He also passed by Chickies Rock, where several outfitters were helping people ascend the face of the high rock. 

Nice bike trail!

Over the river and through the woods!

This is the Susquehanna River!

Heading down the main street of Marietta!

Some folks are getting instructions on rock climbing!

An old furnace along the trail!

/The old bridge over the Susquehanna!

The supports in the water were from the original bridge over the
Susquehanna.  It was a 1 1/2 mile covered bridge that
was burned during the Civil War!  What history!

Ken spotted this red fox while riding the trail!

From there he went to Jamie's to visit and enjoy a delicious dinner.  He picked me up at 8:30 and his time of being alone and doing his thing was over!!!! 

Time to Fill in the Blank Days!

Wednesday, April 20 was an early rise day meeting the Curvettes for breakfast at 6:45 in Ephrata to discuss our trip to Watkins Glen.  From there I went to Wal-Mart for a few groceries.  When I got home I started some packing for the trip and loading some things to take to mom later.

Ken and I had an appointment with our financial advisor and from there went to Masonic Homes to play Pinochle with Mom and Dad.  It was a fun afternoon.  I was extremely sleepy on the drive there, probably because I didn't have my "needed" chai this morning for that boost of caffeine.  I can't believe I have gotten so "hooked" on that stuff!

We left there around 4:45 and stopped at John and Cindy's for a short time and then took a moderate walk when we got home.  I spent the evening recording our expenses in our budget program - what fun!  Where does all that money go????

Thursday morning I did some wash and then spent a lot of time packing for the Watkins Glen adventure.  How can it take so long and do you "think" you need so much stuff for a 3 day, 2 night trip???  It's crazy, but the weather forecast and temperatures for that area caused me to pack "layers" of clothing.

Ken and I went for a long walk in the 70 degree temperature.  It was a very nice day.  When we returned we called our youngest granddaughter, Katelyn, to sing Happy Birthday.  She turned 5 today.  We grilled for dinner and I spent the evening making cards while Ken read. 

I did get a phone call from Noela today and they signed up for Passport America, a membership for RVer's that gets you in to many campgrounds at a reduced rate.  She also made reservations for the CG where we will be staying for 1 week in Mesa, Arizona when Dane is participating in the Ironman competition.  It's exciting! 

Planned to go to bed early, but only turned off the light around 10:30.

Monday and Tuesday Were Gorgeous Days!

Both Monday and Tuesday were exceptional days with cool temperatures in the morning but plenty of sunshine and then afternoon temperatures in the 70's. Just perfect days to be outside enjoying all the beautiful of Spring!

After a long walk, we had lunch on our deck and then I shopped at Michaels and AC Moore Craft Stores while Ken picked up some groceries at Costco.

When we returned home we made delicious salads for dinner and prepped food for dinner tomorrow evening when Cindy and John will be here.  Ken went to Celebrate Recovery and I watched "The Voice" while working on some cards.

Tuesday's weather was a repeat of Monday so after breakfast, making a camping reservation in Arizona for November when Dane is doing his Ironman Competition, we took a long walk.  When we got back we enjoyed lunch on the deck.

I talked to Melissa today and they are extremely busy in Nashville but enjoying their time with her mother.  We had a nice long chat - so good to talk to her again.  I also talked with Noela to discuss a few more details about our trip to the southwest US in Sept., Oct., and November.  They are planning to join us around the middle of October in Utah.  We will keep them posted as we do more finalizing of our plans.  Enjoyed hearing her voice again and the excitement of them having a grandson born early this morning.

Cindy and John were here to visit, have dinner and then play Up the River and Pinochle.  They arrived around 4:30 and left about 10:30.  It was a fun evening. We realized we hadn't seen each other since camping at Winter Quarters Manatee in Bradenton, FL and that was the middle of March!  So good to be together.

A Busy But Fun Weekend!

On Saturday, we both took a walk, but Ken had left earlier than me.  We left at 9:30 to get our "tuned up" bikes on our way to get Samantha and Katelyn. They were excited to see us and have a sleepover with PaPa and Grandma.

1st stop was Samantha's school playground that she thought we just had to see! It is a very nice place and the girls had a good time playing.  After unloading the car when we got to our apartment, the 4 of us walked to downtown Lititz for a pizza lunch.  Then off to Wilbur Chocolate to sample those delicious Wilbur Buds.  We did limit it  to 2 pieces each, but we purchased a special treat for each of the girls - a Rice Krispie Treat covered in chocolate and on a stick!

Katelyn eating her treat from Wilbur!

From there we went to the Lititz Springs Park to enjoy the play areas and feed the ducks.  We were there for about 1 1/2 hours and just loved watching Samantha and Katelyn play together.  Of course, Katelyn wants to do everything Sam does and she almost always accomplishes that goal.  She has no idea that she is 2 years younger!

Time to feed the duck, but because of the beautiful day
and all the folks that were at the park, the ducks weren't
very hungry.  They were well fed today!

I think you are supposed to be in the train and not on the train!

This was a new trick for the girls.  Samantha had done it
1st and of course Katelyn had to try!

You did it Samantha!

They enjoy sitting on the lion that is in the park!

We walked back to the apartment and the girls did so well playing together.  We went to Target so they could choose a toy.  After dinner at home, we had some ice cream sundaes complete with whipped cream.  They had brought the movie, "Madagascar" so we all enjoyed it together.  They were in bed by 9 and went right to sleep.

Sunday the 4 of us were up by 6:30 and the girls watched a short movie while we got ready for church and made the girls special breakfast - pancakes and fresh fruit.  Samantha and Katelyn liked their Sunday School classes.

After church we went to Jamie's house so the cousins could play and we could sip on tea.  We left around 11, stopped by the apartment for our camera, and drove to Masonic Homes where our daughters and their families met us and we had lunch with my father and mother to celebrate Dad's Birthday.  Masonic Homes has a room that seats 16 that you can rent and then they allow you to pick a meal off their menu for a small fee.  We also took a birthday cake.  It was a nice arrangement!

The "Birthday Boy"!

Jamie and Dane

Lanie and Bob

Happy Samantha!

Cali is getting ready to show us her
muscles from swimming!

Oh no, what are we going to order for lunch?

You should try the grilled cheese!

Bria is getting so grown up and tall!

Time to make a wish!

It was a gorgeous day so we did a little walking outside and then all of us left by 2:30.  Cindy's whole family had visited yesterday with cake and ice cream and both Mom and Dad were rather tired from all the excitement.

There is our side of the Althouse clan, minus the
photographer, Ken!

Ken and I went for a walk when we got back to Lititz, had a light dinner and then went to our Small Life Group from 6:30 to 9.  It is a great support group.