Frakes Reunion 2016

The annual Frakes Reunion was Saturday, October 1st.  Frank was again our perfect host.  
Our sweet 94 year old Matriarch with the Johnson's.
Nancy, Pat, Mom and Scott.  In the background Jeremy, April and James.
James and Madison
the kids
Frank worked a lot on the decor.
It was a great day.  Sorry I missed so many "people pictures."

a few days in Holland, Michigan

SIL Pat and I just returned from a few days in Holland, Michigan and surrounding small villages.  We enjoyed walking the piers and shorelines, shopping, dining and photographing.  Come along..  On the walking tours we were on the lookout for statues and sculptures.

Pledge of Allegiance


The Immigrants


always pretty flowers


cool yachts...each with a unique name


Strong-hearted woman

Joy of Music


Even the restrooms were decorated :)


lovely Dutch architecture



Ben Franklin

candy stores...and every other trivia shop you can imagine...even The Blueberry Store.


and, of course, lighthouse and piers

And hammocks on the pier.  I would probably end up in the water getting out of it!

The DeZwaan Windmill...the only authentic working Dutch windmill in America.


We climbed up on the inside, but the miller climbed outside to make some repairs.



 another neat lighthouse

and...the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan



We could drive along the waters and look at the houses along the shoreland for miles.  It doesn't take too much to entertain us.  It was a great trip!

A pre-spring road trip

Today was a pretty, though cool day for a drive.  Sunshine on this early day in March made me dream of Spring.



The courthouse in Salem has awesome architecture.

A roadside lake...soon ducks will find it.



The clock tower in Paoli, Indiana...another masterpiece.


Patoka Lake was glimmering in the sunlight.



Yep!  Hints of Spring are in the air :)

Fall Favorites

Bill & I take many road trips.  I drive him crazy sometimes saying, "slow down" or "stop" for a pic.

  
 
I loved this one because it made me recall the many happy hours we spent in our swing in the front yard at the home place..  Here's that photo from 40+ years ago.

 I love old barns...they certainly hold many wonderful stories.



...and churches with steeples




Trains and Fall just seem...right.



...and I wonder who does all the graffiti?



Somebody did a lot of roadside decorating.


..and sometimes the roadside decoration is just....there.


...and Fall gives us some of the most glorious sunsets.


Radmacher Family vacation to Gettysburg 2015

Seventh Heaven Lodge

spacious dining
5 bedrooms
reading "David Gets in Trouble" with GranPop
beautiful ferns
a walk in the woods
 lovely

"What Gran?"
beautiful green moss

 "Save this stick, Gran"

a lesson in the woods


 gathering sticks for the fire
 the road from 7th Heaven Lodge
 more wood for the fire

 master builder
staying away from the flames

 a perfect treasure
taking a picture of Gran
 reading the tour booklet
ready for the walking trail

 on the battlefield

"I'm tired"
 "Carry me, Dad"
 "Is Abe smiling?"
apples by the crate

tunnels of trees
pretty color