July 12 and 13--Rochester Hills, MI

We woke up on Tuesday the 12 of July and I hardly knew where I was. Days of traveling and sleeping in different places made me a little confused and dizzy. We got in to Rochester Hills, and Dennis and Laurie's home just before dark on Monday night. It was nice to have a home base and get some chores done and relax. Their home is comfortable and full of momento's of their family and travels.

Bouncy Chairs East

The deck in the back is shaded by a tree and includes "bouncy chairs". I started calling them "bouncy chairs East" and was thinking fondly of my chairs on the patio back home.

We had some chores to get done. Jeff and Dennis went to get the oil changed in the truck (manly stuff), see why the other propane tank wasn't working (more manly stuff), and get some groceries (gender neutral stuff). Laurie and I went to Kohls for some shopping. (I had an underwear malfunction.....'nuff said.) I needed to get a prescription filled and we also did some laundry and I had a nice long nap. I really never was much of a napper, but I was really feeling tired, dizzy and achy. I think it was the result of so much moving around.

After getting all our errands done, in the evening we went to Dennis and Laurie's oldest daughter, Megan's house. She is married to Rick and they have a wonderful little girl, Maia and are expecting another baby in the fall.

Maia with "Papa" and Uncle Jeff

One of my favorite pictures

Rick, Maia and Megan

 We went to eat at a Cajun restaurant that had food as good as anything I got when I was in New Orleans.  It was hot and spicy and delicious, especially with a good dark beer.  Among the many things that Laurie and I have in common is our love of good beer. 

Then we went to get ice cream.  They had the most unusual flavors and it was some of the best ice cream ever.  Maia wanted "blue" ice cream.  Rick sat and discussed his work.  He has many talents but the most amazing is what he does for a paycheck.  He builds and refurbishes piano's (piano keys and action) where he is working to one ten thousandth of an inch.  He has literally invented tools, glue and processes to improve the rebuilding of a piano.  He is currently working on cutting and gluing ivory to keys - unusual as it is now done in plastic's.  It was fascinating to listen to the rigors that go into making a piano.  When I build something, I am just happy if two corners just sort of meet.

The 1st and only Microcreamery I have been to

After that it was home to talk, relax and settle down for the evening.

On Wednesday, Laurie and Dennis babysat Maia.  She arrived at about 8:30 and enlivened our morning.  The sounds of Scooby Doo and The Little Mermaid filled the house.  The plan was to go to downtown Detroit to "Greek Town" for lunch.  I have never eaten Greek food, but I sincerely  hope this first time is not the last.....it was amazing food with flavors I never expected.  After lunch we went to a bakery next door and got baklava.....Yummmm!

THE Bakery, yes, dreams can come true!

Laurie and Dennis took Maia to the Detroit Science Center (which has a children's room in the basement) while Jeff and I indulged our gambling jones and hit the casino at Greek Town.  no, our ship did not come in.   Later,  Megan came to pick up Maia and we all had pizza, and salad on the deck.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Tomorrow, Jeff and I are leaving Dennis and Laurie's house.  It will be sad to say goodbye.  I feel like I have found new members of my own family.  We are going to Cedar Point amusement park for roller coasters, cotton candy and other delights, and then on to Cleveland to see more of Jeff's family and his old haunts.   The Rock and Roll museum and good deli, Chinese, pizza, Hungarian, Polish, bakeries - yes, we are going to eat our way across the Midwest.  Just think of it that at the end of our trip, there will be more of us to love.