Inn at the Michigan League Ann Arbor

... for gifts and souvenirs on the return trip...<br><br>There's a old travel rule of thumb..."Never travel with more than you can run with for a quarter mile."<br><br>Gotta' work on that.<br><br>Thanks to 'Beca, Mark and Layla for their marvelous hospitality! It won't be three years again before we visit. Save the milkweed! Save the Monarchs!<br><br>Adeau America!<br>

... pytti pannam (onion, potoato, beef hash), plus steamed kale and wonderful Swedish-style beans, with honey and vinaeger. DeLISH! The small restuarant/tavern is filled with Sousaphones, Euphoniums, and of course, bigass TUBAs. Lots and lots of tubas! We were seated in one of the booths, with a world map next to us on the wall. I told our cute waitress that I was headed to Ghana, and she exclaimed, "My sister JUST got back from ...

I am still at home. Only one more week. Being away from my home for three weeks requires a lot of preparation. I even know the movie that are going to have on the Flight. I am tired already!! Since I will be on a plane for almost 24 hours, I am collecting all the necessary stuff needed to be comfortable. <br>

Phew... Going through US Customs was a bit trying... No searching but a lot of questions meant - I supposed - to catch us with something bad... Who knows. We did not loose any meal. We're in the middle of a fairground, with a weak WiFi but OK. The only analog TV channels are from Detroit but the Detroit area offers 22 digital channels, many <br><br>Longer day than expected but we grinded the flying condo to a halt. No problem other than a sticking lock on the propane door.

... diversion into Great Smoky Mountain National Park to see the fall colors. A week from tomorrow, we'll be back at our friend Pat's Place, in Webster, Florida, where warm weather awaits!<br><br> The colors have started to change up here - will upload a couple of pics taken today as we're traveing.<br>

... city cemetery - that was really moving - I wasn't expecting to be so moved by it - just being there in that presence.<br><br>After that we drove about 20 miles southwest to New Salem - an historically accurate reconstruction of a village Abe lived in when he was a young man - he worked there as a surveyor, wood splitter, and store owner. It is staffed with people in costume, like Sturbridge Village. Very well done, empty because of the heat, and ...

... s house, was great - a fabulous, traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, and the opportunity to get to know Megan's fiance', Daniel, and Nate's girlfriend, Kate )and her Mom), a bit better...and to meet Jill and Rick's "new son" - Basti - an exchange student from Germany who is a part of their family for this school year. A really neat day, with great company, fabulous food, and many good opportunities to think about ...

... I get the chance to hang with my counselor, Jeffrey Strouss, and his son James, always a happy occasion. Then Adam and I tear ourselves away to drive back to Detroit so we can make our first hit in the morning with Jeff "Baby" Grand at Fox 2 TV . ************ Speaking of Fox 2, here's an interesting feature story that was filed awhile ago but has resurfaced in the wake of the new edition of GUITAR ARMY. It's by a guy named Bill Gallagher, now writing for ...

... consistently losing money on the event. There were a couple of scandals along the way as well, like when one of the Board members doubled as the primary ticket sales outlet and failed to turn in promptly the proceeds from ticket sales one year, or like when it became apparent that the non-profit sponsoring organization hadn't perfected its application for 501(c)(3) status and was significantly behind in making its required filings with the government. I've always ...

... and go to Chrysler's Proving Grounds to help test the vehicles. And I actually got to use the long-term test cars to go on trips to put miles on them. This was right after I proposed to Jacqui and she moved to Ann Arbor with me after she graduated(she was a 4-year program) So we got to make many trips using the cars from C&amp ...