A real summer vacation

What a whirlwind trip back in WI. It has been so good to get in touch with friends and family. Fishing trips, concerts, baseball games, trivia nights, biking and time to

help the kids with a couple of projects. After staying at Comfort Suites for a month and a half, I moved into Dave Ladick's place, a very generous friend. Summers usually go by so fast but this doesn't seem like that, even though it was late June when I got here. It is truly amazing to have time to head off to whatever comes up, and it's summertime.
The tickets have been bought for the first round. Headed for Orlando to visit friends on Sept 17, then off to Nicaragua on Sept 27. I am registered for the Spanish immersion school in Leon, Nicaragua starting Sept 29. This should be interesting, I will be staying with a host family throughout the time. I am hopeful to become fluent in a month or so, but am willing to stay as long as it takes. The freedom it will allow to travel without the language barrier will make the travels after so open with options. After the school I want to check out Granada, Managua, and San Juan del Sur, all other cities in Nicaragua before heading south to Costa Rica and Panama. The local travel will be by bus.
A few final preparations are what I'm working on now. Packing everything needed for travel in one bag and a backpack is going to be a challenge. Getting excited about taking the leap.

Summertime in WI

Settled in at Stevens Point for the rest of the summer. Kind of strange not knowing where you will be staying, after a week and a half of bouncing around WI I negotiated a long stay at the Comfort Suites in town. Nice to be close to Austin's family, Carly is enjoying being back with her friends, lots of giggles and running around.. Have enjoyed having time to meet many friends that I haven't seen for awhile, did some fishing (out of state license required) with Austin, and now the Riverfront Rendezvous is going on at the park all weekend, had a coat and blanket for last night, this is July, right? Got on the bike for the first time in over a month, have a great trail right by the hotel. Mom looks great, had a nice visit early this week, met there with Jim, Kathy and Mary for a staff meeting. Had supper with Corey Ladick, a seasoned traveler, last nite and he brought up immersion language classes. Think that would be a great way to start this fall, will be checking on this, maybe will help steer me to a starting country.
Time for fun and music, happy July 4th to everyone!

Getting used to the "manana" lifestyle!

The "Retire Overseas Conference" that drew me to Puerto Vallarta is over, even though I will stick around for another 10 days. Amazing collection of people from all over the world. One couple that spoke live right here, and I could very easy, but there is so much elsewhere to be seen. I am going to step up the pace though, was going to stay in one country per year, now I am planning on 3 - 4. Went for a walk around town yesterday, very hilly, and took these shots. Today I stopped at a leather shop to see if they could fix the working end of my belt. On the spot he replaced the buckle for just over $3US, then picked up my bag of laundry for about $3.50 on my way back from a 75 minute massage for $24. And after hearing these others talk, most of these other countries are cheaper yet. As you can imagine, I can't wait to get started, or should I say restarted after I come back from here. Its not all roses and champagne though, the very nice little place I'm staying at is up on the hill a bit, about 350' above sea level. Down to the beach is an easy 5 minute walk, back up is two blocks rising about 280', then a block almost level, then (yes, I counted) 90 steps up to the room. Great exercise though!

 They have this walkway along the water for well over a mile. Great gathering place for everyone.

Packing up to leave as hurricane season moves in.

The summer weather pattern has arrived in SW Florida, rains every afternoon. Well, five months are up. Was going to stay for six, but Joe (landlord) sold his house in Philly and is headed this way. Worked out well as I'm headed for Puerto Vallarta in Mexico for a couple of weeks, a few days of which is for the International Living convention. A group of expats from all over the globe to speak on the in & outs of living in their new country. After that, the slow journey north, planning on the Gausmann reunion and a relaxing summer in WI - the first in about 40 years.
Got to see the Brewers in Miami last weekend, next time in good old Miller Park.
Heading back a little lighter than on the way down, sold the boat and a number of small items, there all piled up in the next door condo. Will pack up after Mexico and am hoping it all fits into the vehicle.

Cold temps - Warm Reception

It has been a couple of busy weeks. On the 22nd of April I headed up to Wisconsin, glad I kept a warm jacket. The rental car place had only one vehicle left, Dodge Caravan. Awesome!
Quick but nice visit with Trish & Dave on first night, then went to join Sandi at a conference in Elkhart Lake.  Stopped at Austin's on Thursday while Sandi was still in meetings. Great visit then off to Wausau. The big event was a retirement party for me at Greenwood Hills in Wausau. I was overwhelmed by the group and their good wishes. Crowd was friends, family, customers, office buddies, even some from corporate came up with the owner. Great meal and I was expecting a roast but they were all very nice. It was so nice to see everyone and I can't thank everyone enough for coming to share this with me and my family.
I also got in a couple of real nice visits with mom, she seems to be doing very well. She had moved into another building in the same center and it looks much nicer than her previous spot.
Two last days spread between Austin's and Sandi's then hopped the plane back south. Dave Ladick joined me on the trip back and spent a few days down here, "relaxing".  Right, we saw Tampa, Ft Myers, Key West, Miami, fished, airboat in the Everglades, and had pool time. For those of you that don't know Dave, the Energizer Bunny can't catch him. Took him back to the airport and then I slept, and slept.
This is my last month at the condo, so I am getting things ready for the next adventure, starting with two weeks in Puerto Vallarta.
Lost my last post, still trying to get used to this. Just plain old operator error. Hope this one sticks.

First Family Visit

My brother Jim and wife Kathy arrived mid-Feb.  It was great to see family again.  We did the Miami Boat Show, couple days fishing, visited a local nautical flea market (cool), local farmers market and enjoyed the area.  Kathy enjoyed free range of the kitchen and we enjoyed some good home cooking, I have many leftovers in the freezer, thank you.  We became curling experts watching the Olympics, almost every evening we had fun trying to understand the concept and strategy.  Jim brought a cold virus along but only suffered real bad one day.  It was a relaxing good time, Jim and I could not remember when we enjoyed so much relaxing time together.  He was even kind enough to leave the virus with me for a couple days after they left.

One month in.

I celebrated the last day of the month with a two plus hour trip up the coast to Clearwater to see Jake Shimabukuro play the ukulele at the newly restored Capital Theater.  As he started to play, I could not believe how many people waited to be seated till then.  I was getting quite upset as many were still filing in after five songs.  Then out came the cell phones to record and take pictures even after the intro speaker said none allowed.  Of course, most of the cell people were the same rude people that weren't there for the instruction.  I'm not sure who to target, the self absorbed patrons or the theater for not getting the people in place before starting.
But, regardless of them, Jake was phenomenal!  It amazes me the power of an instrument in the hands of pure talent.  The message he portrays gets straight to the heart.  I was very glad I came.
So again, on the last day of the month, I find myself driving south on 75  at close to midnight.  No fireworks this time, just the music on the radio and some light rain.  This is part of what I was looking forward to, having the time for events like this.  After all, like Tricia said, "what else do you have to do!"