Don Ho would be proud

A luau in South Haven?  At Cousins RV Park? ... Who wooda' thought.

Grass skirts, flowered leis, yummy tropical drinks, and a feast fit for King Kuwanahana (I think the famous leader of the Opanicani tribe on the Big Island).

Pat and Sandy hosted the extravaganza and no body, and I mean no body was disappointed or went home hungry.  All of us were amazed at the variety of scrumptious goodies provided.   In addition, fantastic snacks and deserts were provided by a number of other campers.  To put on a party of this magnitude took an almost super-human effort and I hope all of those who attended take the time to again thank Pat and Sandy (and their families) for a very memorable Hawaiian Luau.

So Don Ho, where ever you are, take note ... this is how a Luau is done.

Thankfully I couldn't find a grass skirt my size so I'm still livin' the dream.

And by-the-way

Here's just a sample of the photos I took at the luau.  See them all on my other website by clicking the following: www.philipdean.zenfolio.com

Phil

Antartica WRU?

Okay ... I've have readers of this blog in all the earth's continents with the exception of Antartica.  So what gives?  I know people (upwards to 5000 per year) live down there in places like Grytviken, Leigh Harbour, King Edward Point and Husvik so what's keeping you from logging in?  Too cold to type?  Busy making snow angels?

The continent is twice the size of Australia and besides that ... what else have they to do down there?  So thaw out you folks in Husvik and get on line.  (Do they have cable or is it still dial-up?)

Anyway I'm looking to some of my globe trotting friends (like Suzanne in Helsinki)  to get the ball rolling on this by spreading the word.  As a matter of fact ...  I'm not exactly on the hit parade in South America or Africa either (see widget "Where My Readers Live") so  lets everyone get to work on increasing my readership.  My ego needs help.

Still livin' the dream but still looking for Antartica.

Phil

Sunday finale

Bicycles and airplane aside there was yet another party in the making last Sunday afternoon to celebrate the birthday of one of the guests here in camp.

Henry is what most around here might call a southern gentleman.  Soft spoken and deliberate, taken by an occasional cigar, maybe a little whiskey now and again, an observer of the world around him, and ... is usually in the company of a lovely southern belle.  To complete his persona is his faithful four-legged companion ... Buddy.  A dark brown lanky mix of Lab and Poodle who is well groomed and well mannered but still likes act a little foolish when given the chance.

Henry and his wife Geannie returned to camp this summer with the intent of a short stay but, with maybe a little encouragement from the locals here, decided to stay for the remainder of the season. They, along with Jerry and Della, are refugees from Hilton Head Island who escape the summer humidity and oppressive heat there ... so it's the Palmetto States loss and our gain.

Anyway it was Henry's birthday and what better an idea than to have a little celebration.  Since we were already planning on happy hour,  ... with some extra bells and whistles (translate ... great pizza, food and deserts) we turned it into a first class party.  Maybe the only sour note was the groups rendition of Happy Birthday which I think, caused Buddy to break into a howl before we mercifully stopped.

Probably not used to having a bunch of folks make a fuss over him, Henry remained the consummate southern gentleman and maybe with a little more encouragement, he and Geannie will return next year.

Geannie and Henry

Still getting along just fine and continue  livin' the dream.

Phil

Planes, bicycles, and waiting

Today was another outing for the guys here at the park.  No Blueberry Festival craft show for the men.  This was going to be real men's stuff.  The smell of aviation fuel, the roar of radial engines, the chance to touch and feel those magnificent machines that allows one to 'escape the surly bonds of earth'.  It was the annual South Haven Fly-In pancake breakfast at the airport. 

Since we are a tough lot and shun the thought of eating pancakes in an outdoor hanger with lesser types, we settled in at Cousins restaurant for a normal man's breakfast.  You know ... pancakes.  So after filling our faces with all types of breakfast goodies we headed off to the airport, some 5 miles away.  

One car headed off following the northern most path while Bill and I decided to take the southern route as Bill convinced me that this was much shorter.  Something about Pythagoras's theorem  c squared equals something plus something ... it sounded believable at the moment.  Anyway were rolling along quite well thinking that we'd arrive early (certainly ahead of those other guys) when the traffic began to slow, then stop.  In the distance we could see flashing red lights at our upcoming turn so something was wrong.  After a few minutes and still no movement, I could see something pass near the flashing red lights.  Closer inspection determined that they were bicycles.  Lots and lots of bicycles streaming across our road heading south.  We waited, inching our way forward ever so slowly until we were next to turn.  Two Michigan State troopers were manning the traffic and were holding back east and west traffic that was now backed up at least a half a mile in each direction.  Across the road the bikes streamed.  The riders all decked out in their brightly colored skin tight Lycra race outfits.  Heads adorned with Stars Wars helmets and arms and legs marked with large black numbers (apparently given out by the race people to identify their name and class).  Where in the world were they coming from and where were they going I wondered.  Well I actually didn't care but just wanted them to pass.

The trooper came over to my window and gave me a little advice.  'Go like the wind when I give you the high sign' he said.  As the racers occasionally got spaced out he would let a car make the turn and I was next in the launch lane.  After a few minutes I got a quick nod and an authoritative hand gesture and off I went.  Probably the best left turn I have every made and ... I did it without my turn signal being on.  Now this is real grey power.

From that point it was another mile to the airport and when within sight of the place we again came to a halt.  The bikers continued to stream past us.  Hundreds of them of all shapes, colors and sizes.  The highly tuned two wheeled pedal pushers hummed with precision as they flew past me.  Every now and then I could catch some of them talking as they went by.  "The poor suckers and going to miss out on their pancake breakfast" was said more than once as the minutes ticked by.  My thoughts raced on how smirky they'd be if I all of a sudden I open my car door as they flew by?  Evil thoughts like this are really just thoughts and besides ... it was Sunday.

 

We could see the rest of our group inside the  airport enjoying the exhibits while we sat idling on the road.  

As I looked into my rear view mirror and the stream of cyclist disappearing down the road I could only hope that this nightmare was soon to end.

Some 45 minutes and several hundred more bicycles passed and we finally got in.  Our short cut was not so short. 

Anyway we walked around the parked planes in the cold, overcast day but were treated to a couple of the old WWII war birds tearing up the sky over the airport.  Engines roaring as they made several low level passes over the crowd before landing and allowing the crowd to examine these beautiful old fighter planes up close.  

I did manage to take a few photos while there:  No this isn't Pappy Boyington's 'Black Sheep Squadron' but some of the finest RV jockeys around. 

 

Bill, Jerry,Rod,Don,Charley, and Corky.  Concealed under Don's shirt is junior pilot Evan.

Here's a Grumman trainer (I think) that's tight on space but looks like a hoot to fly.  Painted pretty, this pint sized  aircraft was a crowd pleaser.  Pretty confident nose art for such a little puddle jumper.

And all this was going on before noon on Sunday.  I think I'm exhausted but wait!  There's more to come this afternoon.  To be continued on the next installment.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil

Mother Nature

The weather radar had that ominous dark red signature indicating that another round of rain and wind was soon to hit the South Haven area.  Already soaked with almost two inches of rain, this newest helping of Mother Natures stew was roaring across Lake Michigan.  I thought this might be an opportunity to get some new storm photos so I got of hold of my friend Bill, we grabbed our gear and headed to the South Beach area of the city.  The horizon was dark the clouds looked angry and the wind was picking up.  We could see towering rain shafts both north and south of us but in between was this dark blue/black ledge of clouds that was rolling toward us with bolts of lightening seeking places to release their energy.

Thunder in the background along with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, began herding beach goers and boaters alike to safe grounds.  The rush was on as boats of all types and sizes rushed for the safety of the Black River harbor.  Looking over their shoulders to confirm the pending danger, these lucky jet skiers made it back just in time.

The race to safety

I should know better but  ... I must have been thinking that as long as these other folks were out on the pier watching the approaching storm I should be out there to trying to get some pictures.  As I stood there under  the metal causeway that ran from the lighthouse to shore I got to thinking about how well that metal structure would transmit the power of a lightening bolt along its entire length.  As the storm approached and the lightening bolts were firing across the horizon, a collective notion of all of us getting the hell off this pier might be prudent.  I started to back off, trying not to stumble as I continued to shoot the storm.  Trying to catch a shot of that elusive lightening bolt is a challenge but while navigating in reverse is a fools wish.  Slipping off the side of the pier into the frothy water was an option I quickly thought distasteful and had time enough to grab one more image and get back to the car.  As luck would have it got the shot.  Not the real dramatic one I really wanted but not too bad.

South Haven Lighthouse

Still staying dry, avoiding lightening and still livin' the dream.

Phil

Old neighbors and old trees

Old friends are a lot like old coins ... You're glad you have them and they become more valuable the longer you keep them.

We've known Dick and Linda for the better part of 42 years.  Neighbors back then with little kids,  Dick worked steadfastly at his craft of graphic art design and Linda spent her time raising the kids.  As the years drifted by, and we later moved out of town, we always kept a thread tied to them as these are friends you need around for the long haul.

So now each of us has more time and the opportunity to get together is easier.  We received a call the other day that  they would like to drive over to South Haven and pay visit.

When they arrived we knew Dick had something he was excited to share with us.  After all the accomplishments he has acquired in his professional career he had decided to make a little course correction and delve into the world of writing.  Not the earthy novel or gut tightening thriller but a simply, yet elegant children's book.  Written and fully illustrated by himself, his first venture into writing for the little ones is brave new step.  Kids books aren't often labeled 'thought provoking' but within this verse is something for all ages.  A thoughtful message about friendship tells the tale of an old man and a tree and what that tree meant to him.

So if you'd like to learn more you can soon pick up a copy at your local book store or order on line at Amazon.

"The Old Man and the Tree" by Richard Schlatter

Another day, expecting little but receiving a lot and still livin' the dream.

Phil

Hubba, Hubba

Livin' the Dream Headline ....

Saginaw Valley State University graduates excel in picking good looking babes!

Now Tom, Rick and myself may not have been the sharpest tacks in the box of scholars but we sure knew how to pick our ladies.  Now that the three of us have greyed and fallen apart, it's a relief to know that the 'sweeties' we picked (or was it the other way around?) are still lookin' good and turning heads.  We all met for dinner in Saginaw the other evening, reliving outrageous stories of our college days and still enjoying each other friendship after all these years.

Cindy, Sharon, and Jan

So there you have it.  Another reason we are still livin' the dream.

Phil

Twofer day details

At the drop of a hat we've had yet another party.  When will I get some rest?  Oh but this time we've had a  'twofer' celebration.  Two for the price of one!

Friends Jerry and Della  celebrating 56 years of marriage along with friend Bill who had another one of those semi-forgettable birthdays so ... the camp soldiers are summoned and let the festivities begin.

Ya' ...  I'm sure you think this RV life is one continuous party ... well you may be on to something.  But really it's keeps us off the shuffle board courts.

Oh, by the way ...  before I forget ...  or maybe I'm just remembering something I've already said ...
The new round-about we have on Blue Star highway (just in front of RV park) has turned into a real good training ground for us more senior drivers.  Since many of us like to drive with our left turn signal on continuously, this counter-clockwise intersection is providing some needed practice.  nfortunately a few of us have run out of gas before we could figure out how to exit the damn thing.

Back to the partying.

Jerry and Della, compared to many of us, define grace and style.  No nose pickers here.  These folks probably know what to do with that extra fork they give you at the sit-down eating establishments.  And their socks match and their clothes are pressed real nice.  So to help this really great couple celebrate another year of marriage was really our pleasure.  No kiddin' ... truly an outstanding couple whom we all admire and wish  the best of everything to.

Della and Jerry on their 56th

Still working at feeding the SS system, Bill has not slowed down a step.  Retiring from one job and  mmediately starting another, his stamina is noteworthy and, as the SS system is in such trouble, we all appreciate his ongoing contributions to our lifestyle.  Rumor has it that he may hang up his volt meter next year and dive headlong into RVing almost full time.  We wish him all the best on this special day.

Birthday Boy Bill and his sweetheart wife June

So another party, another celebration, another good time with friends and still livin' the dream.

Phil

Celebration(s)

The first week of August was a time of celebrations for us.

Our son Steve turns 37.  A great son, a loving father, and a devoted husband.

Our fantastic daughter Leigh and her husband Scott celebrated their 6th year of marriage.  A stellar couple. (Oopps ... I forgot to take a picture of them together.  Maybe they'll send me one.)

Our friends Jerry and Della celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.  More on this later.

My old friend Bill will be celebrating yet another semi-forgettable birthday.  More on this later to.

Each a milestone ... each special in there own way and we so fortunate to share that special time with them.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil