5 Days of Bliss

I haven't ventured outside of my current living situation for several years, but last week I traveled, with my granddaughter, back to God's Country and my true home. On Tuesday, Adrianna and I packed up the car and hit the road for Superior. My mission was to spend some quality time with Adrianna, my brother Bill, my son Matthew, my nephew Mike and my uncle Bill Holmes. I also had the chance to connect with an old high school friend. Thanks Paulie for the fun afternoon. You owe me a rematch in cribbage, Mister! LOL

There's nothing that smells so good as Lake Superior, especially when you haven't been near her in many years. Adrianna and I drove out Mocassin Mike road to Wisconsin Point one afternoon. It was cold outside, the wind was bitter and it was drizzling out. I didn't care. I was home. We took some pictures as I reminisced about the days when my kids were young, having bonfires right there on the beach. They were wonderful times.

I think we managed to hit nearly every restaurant in town. Breakfasts at Kitches and the Billings Park Café, lunches at Appleby's and Aces on 29th, dinners at Grizzly's, VIP Pizza and Barker's Island. We also stopped in to the new candy store, Sweeden Sweets. Thank heaven I no longer eat candy. I would have bought out the place!

We traveled the streets of Superior everyday, memories flooding back of days gone by. Adrianna had her history lesson in living color, that's for sure.  She saw the places her mom grew up, the spots where the schools use to stand and the gravestones of her ancestors. We took a guided tour of Cathedral Church. I grew up going to church there 6 days a week from grades 1 - 9. The restorations they have done are stunning, but it broke my heart just a little to find out they no longer use the choir loft. Oh my word, the hours and hours that Ann Kimmes and I spent up there, singing for masses and funerals. Extraordinary memories.

Spending time with my family was the best part of our trip. I had missed my brother so much that I didn't want to leave. I promised him that I would be back much sooner next time. We got lucky one night, as the weather turned nice for a moment, so we had a bonfire in my brother's backyard. At dusk, as usual, the mosquitoes came out in droves, so we bid each other good night and retreated to the hotel. Seeing son Matt and nephew Michael was sweet. Hopefully next time, Mark will be with us, too. My Uncle Bill turned 90 years old on Thursday and I swear he just doesn't age. I'm so grateful for the close relationship he and I have forged over the past 20 years or so.

It was tough packing up and leaving on Saturday. For me, there's no place on earth I love more than my hometown. I shed a few tears as we drove out of town and vowed that I would be back again soon. After all, I have a mountain of friends there to spend time with, as well. I know they all understand that I needed this past week mainly for family time.

So, this was my amazing, awesome week. One last note... my granddaughter, Adrianna, was one of the best traveling companions I've ever had. Thanks for the good time, laughs and talks, Punkin. Love you all the way up to the sky!

xxxJBDxxx