Back to Lindas - Ohio Time #2

Friday, August 16, 2019
Pickerington, Ohio, United States
SUNDAY AUG 18- LABOR DAY SEPT. 2                                     OHIO TIME #2
After a good night’s rest, we rejoined our schedule with the ROTONDA Family reunion at Freedom Park in Gahanna! Several members of the extended family could not make it this year, but it is always fun to see those that are able to be there including my aunt Helen and aunt Janie! A special shout out to my cousin Kris for organizing this each year and for also serving as the “central posting connection” to keep family news in circulation all throughout the year! If its going on, Kris knows about it!
Monday
OK, since moving to Alabama I am frequently asked about what I miss! Of course, people that are life long friends and remaining family are missed, but I miss a GOOD PIZZA !!! There are the usual national chains in Pensacola and one especially good Tuscan Oven Fire pizza on the other side of Pensacola, but in Pickerington there is THE GRAPEVINE and Monday night is our Pizza night! We had about 12 members of Debbie’s family join us at Grapevine to have a fun night of Alaskan Beer and great pizza! (no pictures this time)
Tuesday
I am a graduate of Bishop Hartley H.S, and on Deb and I were able to join a group of 26 Hawks for a get together lunch at Rusty Bucket in Gahanna for some old-time storytelling and good laughs! 50++ years ago people looked different  LOL !!!!
Wednesday
I went to go visit the Eye Doc and did some shopping at the grocery and we grilled Salmon for dinner,
Thursday
Deb had a 9 AM doctor appointment north of Clintonville, so we got to enjoy Columbus rush hour traffic, something which neither of us misses at all in our “laid back” southern life!!!
Friday
Debbie arranged a little get together at one of Columbus oldest Italian restaurant, the TAT. About 14 camping friends were able to attend and enjoy some Italian soup, salad and pasta and tell lots of stories that might be embellished by years of retelling! I think there were plenty of Brandy enhanced stories told and Linda, who had not been subject to these before, got to hear a side of them!
Saturday and Sunday
Football, going shopping at Menards,( we DON’T have one in Pensacola or all of BAMA but I wrote the company pledging that all the retired military and re-programmed former northerners plus the “snow birds” would make an excellent base of support for opening a store in Pensacola). We’ll have to see, but that is the one store I think is missing in our Southern home! I can’t wait to shop Menards whenever we get north!
Monday
Hurricane HUGH  paid a visit! This 19-month-old ball of energy was all over the house in 3 minutes and had every dog toy and child toy out within that allotted time! He is a cutie, especially with an ALABAMA T shirt and OSU sweats! We have to cover our bases, but photo was last season!
Tuesday
We have some nice AMC theaters that we patronize in Gulf Shores and Pensacola but now I’m conflicted between 3D and Dolby ! Linda, Deb and I went to see, Angel has Fallen at Easton in Dolby and it was an experience for sure! Come on let’s add one of these at the AMC in our towns!
Friday
Jake got to go visit his favorite twins ,Darci and Alli who were able to hold him as a puppy! Darci and Alli are daughters of Rob and Tammy who are great friends from Debbie’s old working days! So, while Jakey was occupying the Twins, we went out to dinner and then the Hollywood Casino with Tammy and Rob. It must have been because it was our first visit to the Hollywood, as former Ohio taxpayers, but we actually walked away with a few more dollars than we entered with!
Don’t worry, it was not a huge loss for the casino but it was a heck of a lot of fun to laugh about and share with our friends! And our little casino fund could enjoy a little replenishment! Hated to say good by to the Ringhisers and Jake was happy he got to play with Lilly, the new puppy! Thanks Darci and Alli!
Saturday- (lots of talk about Dorian)
Finally got to go visit the Harper family ! And what better way to  start off an OSU football season than with family! Mike & Deb made up a 10 layer tray of lasagna, all cooked from scratch and the BUCKS took care of their business with a 28 point first quarter! Some wine, family, pasta and football with both OSU and ALABAMA taking care of business it was GO BUCKS and ROLL TIDE time in Westerville.
Genene also got us a copy of their latest CD “Decade”( InnerVision is the group name) and later we really enjoyed listening to that traveling!  If you get the chance to see and hear Sam Shephard and Genene Blackwell (Harper) you will be amazed! Sam and Genene started playing music as youngsters at the Ohio School for the Blind and later formed Inner Vision LLC!  www.InnerVisionMusic.com.  
Sunday- (more talk about Hurricane Dorian)
While we always camped the Labor Day weekend at Dillon State Park when we lived in Ohio, we drove the jeep out to visit our camping friends this year! Later we fixed another tray of lasagna and we had dinner with Linda’s children and grandchildren and of course Hurricane Hugh!
Monday (lots of talk about Dorian and maybe NOT going to camp in N, Carolina
Having resided in our motor home in Linda’s driveway for 16 days it was now time to prep the motorhome for travel! Debbie has become so used to the routine that is almost a seamless project! Deb has her tasks and I have mine and suddenly the Jeep is ready to tow, the RV systems have been checked and put in proper order, 16 days of pulling stuff out to live with suddenly gets repacked and the behemoth  “Wheelie House” of Jake is transformed for road travel from a home!
Linda had a cookout for Labor Day, friends and family came over and a few beverages were consumed! The night ended with a friendly game of Farkle and Nephew Nathan came from behind to beat all 8 players on the last roll! This was a great way to end the long visit, but I think Linda had fun most of the time! Tomorrow AM to be decision time regarding canceling our trip to N. Carolina
Tuesday Sept 3 (Dorian Decision Day!)
The news media is all over itself about this hurricane and with good reason as a Cat 5 storm is no Joke. We reviewed the weather reports which continued to predict a weakening and changing land fall area and decided to give our North Carolina plans a try! Mike backed the motorhome to the street and Deb backed the motorhome onto Ault road and then a side road where we hooked up the Jeep and said good-by to Linda!
The GPS plan was 509 miles to the campsite but we took the recently improved Rt. 33 and we were able to reduce that trip to about 460 miles! The gasoline from Cleveland was sufficient to get us to Wytheville Virginia which was great because we needed to pay the West Virginia toll of $6.50 3X, still it was not like New York Tolls!
Called the campground and found out they expected regular operation, filled up with 70 gallons, but at a reasonable $2.11 per gallon and headed Southeast! We arrived about 6:15, we were on our site by 6:30 and settled in to a great site! Secluded, 50 Amp, water and sewer!
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Comments

Rita Gabbert
2019-09-07

Loved seeing all the comments and photos

Kris
2019-09-09

loved the picture of you and Mom... glad you were able to catch up with so many family and friends - you are so loved. xoxo

2025-02-06

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