I sure have been remiss in keeping our travels up to date, so I best be getting to it. On May 8 Lil Annee and I pulled out of Montrose early headed out on a 45 day trip around the country, with the primary purpose being her 50th high school reunion scheduled for May 18 in St. Augustine FL. We breezed on out of Colorado, across the northeast corner of NM, into the Texas panhandle, and on to Wichita Falls for our first night. Next day it was a fairly short drive into Colleyville, TX for a two day visit with the Cahills.

At Del Friscos

We had just enough time to freshen up a bit and we were off with Jared, KK, & William over to Ft. Worth for Mothers Day brunch at Del Friscos. Talk about a high falootin' restaurant, this were it! We had 6 waiters humming about the table, but the food sure were good. After we drove thru the old Ft. Worth Stockyards that was full of tourists and even got to see Billy Bobs dance hall. Next day we relaxed around Colleyville, had lunch out, and crashed at the Cahill's, planning on an early AM pullout to try & avoid horrendous Dallas traffic.

With Jerry & Pat

By 7 AM we were clear of Dallas, headed for Louisiana. In Baton Rogue we got a quick glimpse of LSU stadium, then we headed on into Mississippi along the Gulf Coast into Alabama. At that point the oil spill hadn't hit the coast. That night we camped in the Florida panhandle east of Pensacola. Next day we drove on to The Villages to visit ole frat brother Jerry Houchens and his lovely Pat.

Off We Go to the Store

We've all seen the TV ads about The Villages, and this is one REALLY BIG retirement community, with over 80,000 retirees. When you buy a house there, you get a golf cart, not only because of their 38 golf courses, but you can literally go anywhere you need to go in your cart. That night we went out to dinner at Gator Joe's on a lake about 20 miles away, and we feasted on gator tail. Afterward we hit one of the nightly concerts and two stepped to some good country music.

Annee, Jerry, & Pat

Next day we went to the Florida Carriage Museum that had literally hundreds of carriages, including the state carriage of Franz Joseph of Austria on display. That night we went out to another restaurant and took in another concert. Sure was great to spend a couple days with the Houchens and take in The Village lifestyle, but St. Augustine beckoned.

Pat, Jerry, Annee, & Me

By noon next day we were checked into the reunion Holiday Inn in ST. Augustine Beach to find the reunion in full swing. This was the first time Annee had been to a reunion since graduation, so we jumped right into the middle of it. No sooner had we met all the folks than we all went out to the beach to see the last space shuttle blast off from 160 miles south of us. Right on cue, a big orange ball appeared from below the horizon and as it neared we could clearly see the big ship riding a ball of fire.

Class Pic

For two days we partied, drank, ate, and took long beach walks. While Annee renewed frenships during the day, I wandered the ole Spanish fort that guards the harbor from pirates. The last night was a bang-up banquet with lots of laughs as each class member was highlighted. Sunday was checkout day and we loaded up for the short drive over to Sawgrass, where we planned to spend a couple days.

Annee Then & Now

Sister Sherill's son Joel lives north of J-ville, so we planned Sunday PM to visit with him, Janet, Erin, Alex, and young Logan. We had a great time catching up on all their doin's and went out for a nice dinner before heading back to Sawgrass.

Annee & the Vains

Next day we toured J-ville, went by Annee's old home, and took in lunch at Sonny's BBQ. That night we had dinner with Carol & Ray Lanzi, frens from Richmond now living in Sawgrass. It was great to catch up with them again.

Annee, Carol, & Ray

Next afternoon we hit the trail for Richmond after lunch and made it up to Dunn, NC for the nite. Next day was an easy drive into Richmond and by 2PM we were unloading all our gear at son Del's house. 'Course, all her brood were sure happy to see Annee!

Del & Drew Happy to See Mom

Annee with Harper, Peyton, & Taylor

Annee, Bailey, & Madison

Usually when we hit Richmond, Annee goes one way and I the other catching up with frens. My first order of business was to trade in my ole Ford for a brand new Chevy Silverado thanks to Del & Drew. Then I was off to the Northern Neck to visit ole fren De Judge Tris Hyde. First stop was to Lively to check out Joanna's new lavender shop, that she and Ellie had opened. Walking in the scent of Lavender will clear your sinuses, but then you are realy overcome by the beauty of "the lovely lavender ladies from Litwalton". Catching up with brother Hyde I presented him with a black duck mount done by buddy Gerald here in Montrose. Hyde was so taken with the gift I feared he would sleep with it that nite!

Ellie & Joanna

Hyde & His Black Duck

Next morning, TT & I headed for Kilmarnock and breakfast at Lee's with a bunch of ole Northern Neck guys. Steve Proctor and Billy Carden, ole frat brothers, showed up, along with Don Mauney. We had a front and center table and proceeded to keep the entire restaurant entertained with questionably appropriate tales.

Tris, Billy, Steve, Don, & Dee

Memorial weekend I headed over to the Eastern Shore with Mudtoad, while Annee took the camera and headed to Topsail with the Drewster & family. I spent the weekend with Mudtoad catching up with ET & Linda Sue while Annee enjoyed a weekend of sand, sea, and sun with all the Mug grankids.

Aidan's First Fish

Annee with Sharon & Drew

Taylor, Harper, & Peyton

Back to Richmond, the big task was getting Robert moved into his new condo. Young Dee made a few trips from Roanoke with furniture and he helped get lots of boxes moved from RD's apartment. Bob Argabright offered lots of advice, but the best we could get out of him was a breakfast conversation.

Bob & Dee

RD & Lil Dee

One of the major events for Annee was to see grandaughters Harper and Taylor in the production of Peter Pan. Harper and Peyton played indians and it was cause for the entire Mugford family to turn out and enjoy it.

Taylor & Harper

Hollis, Peyton, Annee, & Winston

Bailey, Annee, & Madison

Del, Annee, & Wendy

No visit to Richmond is complete without lunch out with my sister Mary Lou. Her favorite lunch spot is the lunch counter over to Maybury Pharmacy, so Lil Annee & I set up a lunch date with Lou, nephew Winn, and Young Dee to catch up with her.

Lou, Dee, Winn, & Dee

We had originally planned to head home after the big production, but got wind of a surprise birthday party for Bill Carden, so we decided to delay our departure for home a couple days. We loaded up all our gear, said our byes to all, and headed down to the Davidson's on the Rappahannock. That night we drove across the Neck to the Mt. Pleasant party, that was aswarm with Bill's frens, plenty of food, and libations. Bill pretended like he was surprised, but he's a sneaky one and probably smelled out Candy's plans.

Herb, Dee, Billy, Tommy, & Steve

Next AM, Lil Annee & I headed out on the last leg of our 40 day trip. After an overnite in Knoxville, we headed to Little Rock and a long overdue visit with George Peters & Diane. Hadn't seen them in a couple years, so it was great to catch up. A bonus was a chance to see Lil George, who ain't so little anymore.

Dee with Lil Big George, Big George, & Diane

Next AM we were up early, headed for Raton & a brief layusdown, before heading home to Montrose after a REALLY LONG 40 day trip.

VISITORS & SUCH

No sooner had we gotten unpacked, visitors from Virginia showed up in the likes of Bob & Sue Lipscomb [frequent visitors], and Ed & Linda Morris, who were planning a tour around the west.

Ed & Linda, Annee, Sue, & Bob

The next week brought Tom & Liz Younggren from up Montana way. We hadn't seen them for a while, so enjoyed their company a few days, before they headed up to the ole E4 for the summer.

Liz & Tom

Next up was a surprise 85th birthday party for Virginia Sutherland over in the San Luis Valley. V had smelled this "surprise" out way ahead of time, but she has never been one to quibble over a party, especially one with lots of good bourbon.

VA & Lynn

July 4 or so, politics were heating up, and I joined the big holiday parade in support of one of our local frens for County Commissioner. Jane Norton, former Lt. Gov was running for US Senate, so she was out getting votes, along with every breed of politician you could imagine. [Jane ended up losing the primary to Ken Buck, but she sure were cute!].

Dee & ATV

Jane & Dee

THATS ALL FOLKS

Coming up in the next issue we'll have more guests and then we'll be getting into hunting season, so there will be lots of stories and pictures for you.

As I'm wrapping this up, Lil Annee is in her first week of recovery from a bionic knee transplant and doing well so far. One thing I'm finding out is that I will never make a qualified nurse, hard as I might try.

Until the next time!!

LOVE

ANNEE & DEE