Oh happy day. My vacuum cleaner finally died and John is in heaven.

How we spent our summer vacation . . .

The summer went by so quickly. We enjoyed camping and hiking in various state parks.

Tree-go-round

There has to be a name for these things . . . Part merry-go-round, and part rope tree. Is it a tree-go-round? No matter what It's called, if you can climb it, John's interested.

Monkey Boy

John climbs to the top of the tree-go-round.

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Colorful Helmet

John models his colorful new motorcycle helmet. We rode motorcycles to church on Sunday.

Sign Post

When I returned home a few weeks ago to attend my 25 year high school reunion, I stopped by my old church in Milford, IL. I spent much of my childhood at the corner of Axtel and Lyle. Visiting this place brought back many memories for me.

Milford Church Of The Nazarene

Side Door

I remember entering through this side door, between the church and the fellowship hall.

Fellowship Hall

Bellfrey

This was the main entrace, and the bell tower. The handicapped ramp was added since I last attended in the early nineties.

Sign

The pastor's office, the colorful sign, and the view across the street.

Pirate Ship Sand Sculpture

Sword Fight

The pirates are fighting a duel.

Sculptor

He owns a restaurant in Florida, but travels to all parts of the country to do sand sculptures.

Work In Progress

Tiki Island Treasure Map ... not yet completed.

Giant Octopus Battle

The captain is battling a giant octopus which has engulfed his ship.

Cannonfire

The cannons are firing as the pirate ship attacks.

Octopus Battle

The great mollusk has broken the main mast of the ship in the fight.

Ready ... Aim ... Fire

Detail of the gunners

John and Emmalee learn sand sculpture from a professional.

John works with a professional sand sculptor to make a space shuttle.

Emmalee's sand sculpture - a submarine

Coasters On The Lake

The signature skyline of Cedar Point.

Artificial Rapids

Emmalee is a blur as she rides the Thunder Canyon. The first time she rode she emerged dry and complained 'What a Rip Off! i dido't get wet. ' I said, just ride it again. the second trip she was satisfactorily soaked.

Neon Lights

We squeezed every possible minute out of our last day at the Park.

Peaceful Shore

The sights and sounds of the beach on South Bass Island.

Climbing down

John climbs down the steep bank to the beach.

Rock skippin'

Emmalee skips rocks at the beach.

John Climbs

My son the climber.

John demonstrates his climbing ability for the camera.

Our trip to Put In Bay

The view from foot of the lighthouse on the island.

Waves

Waves breaking on the shore of South Bass Island.

John pushes the envelope

Don't go beyond the rope!

It didn't say anything about stretching the rope!

Jet Express

Day two of our vacation . . . a trip aboard the ferry.

Wake

The wake of the ferry

Carolyn feels the Great Lakes wind in her hair.

Passengers on the ferry.

John, Carolyn and Karen enjoy the ferry ride.

Islands

Monument

The monument on South Bass Island.

Another Island

Arriving Put In Bay

Rental "Car?"

Another of the island's unique rental vehicles. three wheels and two passengers.

6 Passenger Cart

Our island transport.

Mom and Dad, Let's GO!

On South Bass Island, you ride a ferry and then rent a golf cart to get around.

John enjoys the unique mode of transportation.

Emmalee poses for a picture in the golf cart.

King Seagull

King Seagull surveys his domain.

Part Mountain Goat

I see a rock and i climb it! says John.

Descent

John climbs down the rocks to the beach.

Overhang

This tree overhangs the rocky beach which has eroded under it.

Karen and Carolyn survey the beach from above.

Emmalee's Descent

Emmalee climbs down to the beach.

Leaving Put In Bay

Lake Erie Sunset

Another perfect day.

Cedar Point

School starts in just two weeks. We celebrated summer in the finest way possible . . . a trip to Cedar Point amusement park. The weather was beautiful.

Fist Of Pain?

One of the many rides in the park. this one is named 'Demon Drop'.

John and Emmalee

This is the best day ever!