Text Box: Smith Family Newsletter June 2009

Text Box:                 .    .    

Text Box: Fun, Trials and Friendships!

Text Box: Well, this was the beginning of 68 days of touring with our good friends, John & Barbara.  We really had a great time together despite the health issues that developed on my side.  A minor discomfort  gradually turned into a significant one and ended with gallbladder surgery in early July.  Although it did effect our schedule somewhat, we were still able to accomplish what we set out to do.  I was glad John & Barbara were with us as they were a big help to both Bob & I in many ways.  At the very least they kept Bob company when I was in the hospital.  Thank you again John & Barbara!   Now for the fun side!  From the time we met them at the end of May through the month of June, we made 9 stops and visited 5 states.  We started in Salem, VA and ended the month in Independence, MO, which is where I had my surgery.  Our relationship was a balance of give and take.  They were there for me and John was a big help to Bob in fixing one thing or another.  John likes to keep busy doing minor repairs and Bob welcomes the help.  As for our part, Bob was more than happy to help John with computer issues and Bob & I both enjoyed helping them get used to the touring routine and making suggestions as to what to see and were to go.  We did not always agree, however, like  John’s choice of lunch, at Sonic Burger!  Then there is Barbara and her ‘Starbucks’!  I really think she was going through ‘withdrawal’ for a while when none were available!  Elkhart, IN was a ‘must see’ for John and I think he enjoyed it, even though so many places had closed.  While there we got together with Henry & Ann and their daughter Wendy and family.  Little Henry took John over to the Fire House, which I know was a highlight for John.  Barbara and I kept busy planning the next leg of the grand tour or doing some needle work.  Barbara had her must see touring attraction also and it was to seek out some Abraham Lincoln exhibits.  Most was done in the month of July, so you will see those in that newsletter.   As for tours and sightseeing, it may have been a second time around for Bob & I on some stops but there were  new adventures as well.  We visited three capitals that Bob & I had not visited.  On the top right is the TN Capital in Nashville.  The second one down on the left is the KY Capital in Frankfort.  Right under that picture is the IA Capitol in Des Moines.  One of the first places we visited was ‘The Secret City’, Oak Ridge, TN and the nearby Museum of Appalachia.  The top left picture of John & Barbara was taken there.  The bottom three pictures were taken in the General George Patton Museum.  Barbara and I were practicing our tank maneuvering skills!  The last picture is our visit with the families of Goldman and Terrazas in Elkhart.  I just realized little Henry was not in the picture, don’t know why?  In the interest of catching up and moving to July I am going to end now.  Next month may be a little longer so as to cover some things that I missed.