Yesterday was our 29th wedding anniversary and we spent the evening at the Hotel Chequamegon in Ashland, Wisconsin. Why Wisconsin? We are driving from Steamboat Springs, Colorado to Michigan. Why? Okay, let's back up...
Earlier this year, we shipped the big black van back to Michigan (to Donald and Sarah's farm) from Panama in anticipation of a three-month driving trip around the U.S. and expecting to spend about 6-8 weeks in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, building stained glass windows for Cynthia.
We arrived in Michigan in mid-June and shortly thereafter Tommy was diagnosed with recurrent cancer. The tumor is not in the esophagus (the site of the original cancer, four years ago), but rather along the vocal cords and the right lung. Since the tumor encases nerves and arteries, it is not operable. After weeks and weeks of tests and doctors and sickness, we couldn't stand it any longer and decided to take a break and drive to Steamboat Springs.
We raced across country, getting there in four days, with our last night in Laramie, Wyoming: a very cool town. Then we dropped down into Colorado and arrived in Steamboat in mid-afternoon, shortly after Tom (Brown) and Cynthia. And the fun began. Tom and Pat Barron arrived the next day. Wilson, Linda and Tom Terry arrived a few days later. Too much fun was had by all, as evidenced by the recycling box and the number of missed planes. Tom Barron successfully made his plane but only because he had a private plane meet him; he was mercilessly teased about that plane. Everyone left by the 7th of September, and Tommy and I stayed around to rest and tidy up; we left on the 8th.
We had a short drive to Denver, where we met up with Peter Shipman for dinner. The next day we hit the road, driving through Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and now Wisconsin. We hope to be in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan later today.
Photos to come...if I can figure it out!
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