The next morning we drove to the Christ of the Ozarks and got a great view of the hotel...before heading to Huntsville...8 hours ...then to the TUMBLEWEED Friday morning...Lots of busy work to get the canvas off and things ready to roll. Norman, the engine mechanic, showed up at 1 for the test run...which went very well...then we got busy restoring the furniture to its rightful places so that we could begin living aboard. Major grocery shopping on Saturday morning and then the list of chores began. Boat was really pretty grimmy...but then it has been 6 months of weather and wind. By Sunday we had her looking good. Floyd is determined to clean up the dinghy and the new ice maker has been delivered...so installation is on his agenda.

Backed tracked a bit to spend time with Jacque...yes, Doug is of being the Hill Hiker...so she is home alone. We had a short but pleasant visit...then headed to tour the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art....wow, what a display ....then a stop at ThornCrown Chapel and Eureka Springs. Again it was a tour of "places we've been" but not seen in ages. Amazing how things have changed. Spent the afternoon browsing and doing our bit for the ecomony...then a pleasant "rocking chair moment or two" on the patio of our room at the Cresent Hotel. Great view of the Christ of the Ozarks....and a lovely gourmet dinner at the local restaurant...and very pleasant celebration of our 62nd anniversary (months, that is).

 After a short stay with my mom in Fredonia, we headed to Springfield to have lunch with an old friend of Floyd's before heading to Golden. Floyd spent a delightful afternoon touring me through the "spots of his youth". The cabin his parents had on Table Rock....wow, he couldn't get over the changes in the scenery...trees had grown...imagine that. Then we visited the lovely cemetery close to there where his mother was laid to rest. Peaceful and serene....places he has talked about often since we started this relationship. Now I've been there....



We spent the winter in Wichita...holiday events, visiting parents, friends, children, working on charity projects and just a few condo projects...Nothing too exciting...Floyd had the TUMBLEWEED port engine replaced in February...how they accomplished that is anyone's guess...we couldn't watch!!!! We packed again and began a leisurely return on April 30th.

Spent a delightful day touring Graceland...I had already seen the extras but not the house...so Floyd was willing to let me explore...then we headed straight to Fredonia...a long day of travel...and we resembled the Clampets....

Jacque and Doug Nelson stopped  for the "clean out the refridge" supper and over night stay. Doug is quite the walker and they have been.  He plans to walk the Applalachian Mountain trail this spring and summer...we know all about chasing those dreams and wish him much luck.  After they headed home, we picked up the rental car and headed to Graceland.

I am so far behind...but I do have notes and photos to publish...Hopefully I can get caught up and current soon...