Family Gatherings

We wanted to make sure that we got together with family and friends before we leave for our life on the road. For some reason, that is always so hard to do. Everyone’s lives are so busy. After a few scheduled and canceled dates, we finally found a day to meet up with my siblings and their spouses at the Iron Bridge Inn, a restaurant in Mercer, PA. It was definitely a great choice; the food and company were wonderful. My younger brother drove the furthest and was planning on visiting a winery/cidery and spending the night in a hotel before heading back home. With our new lifestyle, it was easy for them to convince us to join them. It was a fun afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, my older brother and his wife had to leave after we ate but my sister and her husband joined us at the winery/cidery before they went home. My younger brother, sister in law, Tim and I went back to the bar next to the hotel for drinks before ending the day. All in all, a terrific day.

Family dinner

The quaint town nearby where we went to the winery/cidery

Winery stop

Nightcap to top off the day

Tim’s family has a gathering every year on Labor Day weekend so that gave us a good opportunity to see his family. I have to get much better about taking pictures. I enjoyed talking to everyone that day and didn’t take a single picture. We also had a retirement and bon voyage party last weekend and again I didn’t take any pictures. I guess if we are going to blog, we have to get much better about capturing the moments. It was terrific to see family and friends and get to say goodbye. We are hopeful that they will be able to find time to join us at times on our journey as well as time for us to visit other family and friends as we travel. It is sure to be a great journey.

Our daughter Kim wasn’t able to come in to the party but joined us the next weekend for a family photo session. It was scheduled early Sunday morning with hopes of a sunrise shoot. Instead it was cloudy but still a beautiful day. I am sure the photos’ will be wonderful. I don’t have those yet but took a few other shots as we spent the day together. Unfortunately, Whitney and Ian had to go to work, but we joined Whitney and had lunch at Lincoln Brewery where she works. After lunch, Katie, Kim and I went to Soergel’s orchard for their fall festival and to pick apples.

Good thing Katie is tall; she could pick the apples higher on the trees.

Kim getting in on the act.

Great shot of the girls.

While staying in Cook Forest, we had time to visit some friends here. Tim has a friend, Nancy, from high school/college who lives nearby. We have been able to visit her and her boyfriend Ed a few times while we have been in the area. Last Friday night, Ed had us over to his beautiful home that is nestled in the woods right on the Clarion river. We had a fantastic dinner with them, enjoying being outside on the river. We will definitely miss them and the area when we leave.

Tim enjoying the fire.

Beautiful view from the backyard.

As you can see, we are finding a lot to do as we wait here for repairs before we can start traveling.