HEADLINE 2010: Alumalitis Strikes Al : Pat gets gas….
Many of you know how much Patty has always coveted a gas stove, but the old hand-me-down electric range WOULD NOT DIE!
Now
Al, normally a hopeless gift giver and already several occasions
behind, searched for months for the perfect present — thoughtful,
romantic and grand —to thank her for their many joyous years together.
Clearly this called for an electric appliance.
“No, No. Remember the Gas Range. ...but Miss Frugal would never just replace something that still worked…”
SO,
on April Fools Day, HE BOUGHT HER A NICE TWO-BURNER AIRSTREAM
......Which they named “LOTTI” after Pat’s Mom who secretly yearned for a
long, long trailer (but already had a gas range.)
Together
Lotti, Pat and Al have been On The Road —One hundred nights and
countless miles through eighteen states and a little of Canada without a
plan or a care. It has been GLORIOUS — many, many new things to learn,
great new friends, and the best Fall colors EVER.
It
is hard to summarize a year when nearly every day brought us new
experiences, fresh vistas and weird plumbing. Our picture taking tapered
off as we confronted “still another bloody gorgeous view” at every
turn, but, sitting here, bits of memories come back...
...snowstorms
in New Jersey and, surprisingly, in Montgomery, small town parades and
fireworks, pulling the new Airstream down twisting roads to old haunts
along Ozark streams., discovering Maine’s Baxter Park and glimpsing
Katahdin Peak the first time. Sharing the day with thru-hikers finishing
the Appalachian Trail , and sharing the “waiting room” with caring
friends while Lotti underwent front Panel replacement. Sighting whales
from Head Harbor Light with Dan Anthony, biking the carriage roads in
Acadia NP. Joanie relishing a lobster roll and Anthony sighting his
first eagle, little girls baking bread with MeMe, “To Kill a
Mockingbird” in Monroeville with a favorite cousin, a quilt show that
took over every yard and business in a Pennsylvania town, Patty “dialed
in” on Brook trout in Shenandoah, more bears from bikes (again, and yet
again), many new Airstream friends and Airstream places.
Patty
and Al wish to thank the entire Suellentrop clan for including us in
the last years’ multiple weddings and showers throughout the Midwest.
Especial thanks to all the little cousins for their decorum during all
the events, and for sharing their St Louis vacation with Em and Cassie.
Revisiting the Science Center with Stephen and Em eleven years later was
filled with memories and the visit to the City Museum created new ones — and a few sore muscles.
And
thanks to Joanie, Tim and Anthony for taking the three of us to their
special places in Bar Harbor and choosing the only mosquito-free year in
Maine’s history. We love our stays at “Lotti-dock” between adventures..
And thanks to
Jeff’s clan—Trina, Emilyn and Cassie— for taking up Volleyball, which is
played in dust free air-conditioning. Watching them makes an aging
setter very proud (and pretty sore after practicing Bumps and Sets in
the back yard.)
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