July's unexpected vacation

Like most things in life, this story came about most unexpectedly. Every once in a while God gives us challenges. This was a week-end of challenges. This is the story of our journey and God’s amazing provision each step along the way through what was supposed to be a very relaxing uneventful 4th of July weekend.
God is so faithful.

Weeks before when Janine and Gary asked to cash in their “Christmas coupon” to “rent” the 5th wheel for the July 4th week-end they did not expect it to be such a momentous adventure; nor did we, when we accepted Nico and Stacy’s invitation a few weeks later to join them on a trip to Lake Erie on that same week-end. Our plan was to follow the Herrmann’s over to Lake Rudolph on Friday 1st and help them set up camp at Lake Rudolph and then continue our journey Saturday on to Lake Erie to join the Wiese’s. Gary was to break camp on Tuesday and drive the truck and 5th wheel back home.

DAY 1
(Challenge) Everything was going good, but as Nick was repositioning the camper a fluid started leaking from under the truck – Air conditioning condensation? Brake fluid? Power steering fluid? Oil? Transmission fluid? Radiator coolant? The guys decided TRANSMISSION fluid!
We listened apprehensively to the campground maintenance person’s advice. He knew someone in the nearby town who could help us. Not knowing much about mechanics all I could understand were “worst case scenario transmission is blown; to best case scenario just the tubes or hoses from the coolant tow package to the transmission had split.” With this in mind we started back toward home in Clara’s van.
God is good.

I had organized my 5th wheel information in 3 packages, one- all the warrantees and “how to” information on the appliances etc on the camper, two- all the paperwork concerning campgrounds, and three- the insurance and maintenance records. For some reason I had package three- insurance papers at home.

(Challenge) Nick called our towing/breakdown insurance. They had no problem paying to tow the truck to Mariah Hill for an evaluation. It was decided it was most likely a seal had blown. Parts would be in on 5th July and fixed no later than noon 6th.
God is good.
***


DAY 2
Lake Erie
We left the truck problems behind and packed Clara’s van for our trip North to Lake Erie where the young Wiese’s were expecting us. On the road again……

(Challenge) We arrived tired but glad to be there after a short conversation with the State Police just outside of town. Our hotel was a decent comfortable place to lay our heads, but I have never stayed in a 2 story hotel that did NOT have an elevator. "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." like climbing stairs.
They did have  a great continental breakfast,
God is good.

(Challenge) As we excitedly unloaded the van, excitement turned to concern and disbelief. I could not find my suitcase. We looked around in all the obvious places. No one had carried it up to the room. I had a small case with extra blankets, I had my purse, I had my camera, I had my snack bag, I had 2 devotional magazines and 2 books. Soon, it became apparent my suitcase and all that was in it had been left at home.
(Challenge) Our first hurdle was my medicines. Blessing, I had the list of my meds with dosage amounts in my purse. We evaluated our options – Kroger pharmacy to Kroger pharmacy, or call Dr in Louisville and have him prescribe 3 of each med. Nick’s GPS found Kroger. We arrived there at 7:10. Pharmacy had closed at 7. From there I called Dr and while waiting for him to call me back we located a CVS pharmacy still open. The connection was made and in an hour we had the medications. WE laughed instead of cried and all of us went out to eat. All along, Clara had been quietly faithfully praying and this evening at the Bob Evans table Andrew prayed for Granny.
God is good.
***

Day 3
(Challenge) Next morning, as soon as my eyes popped open and the sun was peeking over the horizon I quietly sneaked away and went ½ mile to Walmart. Christmas in July! I was able to pick out for myself- 3 women’s tops, 2 pair pedal pushers, package of generic white socks, package of granny underwear and a cute Disney (Tinker Bell) gown to sleep in, it fit comfortably and was only $6. All were on summer clearance total of $48 for my Lake Erie “souvenirs.” I used Clara’s deodorant, both Clara and Nick had an extra new tooth brush. I did not need a brush for my hair - who knew with all the breeze coming off the lake.
God is good.


  Marblehead Lighthouse and Put-in-Bay/South Bass Island



This day began with an outing to Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest continually operated lighthouse on the Great Lakes.  It has been in use since 1822.  This cone shaped lighthouse is constructed of native limestone on Marblehead Peninsula at the entrance to
Sandusky Bay.

 Through history there have been 15 lighthouse keepers, two of whom were women. During World War II, the lighthouse became strategically important for national defense and the United States Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the beacon.  Today, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate and maintain the lighthouse beacon. There are guided tours and the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society operates a Museum in the old keeper's house. 

Unfortunately neither was open this day.

I have not seen Hollyhocks since I was a child when Mother taught us to make dolls in flouncy dresses with the blooms and buds. They would only last for the day, maybe a little longer if we just looked at them and didnt play with them. They could be as simple or creative as our imagination would take us.

These above look most like the dolls we would make.

You can see below how creative you can get.  Some people would construct theirs with toothpick bodies and arms with and extra buds but ours were always just 2 part dolls, with maybe a double skirt.  

We enjoyed the rocky coastal area and picnic grounds.

 The grounds surrounding the lighthouse offered excellent views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island and Cedar Point.



Marblehead Lighthouse is one of Lake Erie's best known and most-photographed landmark!

(Challenge) Just as we were moving on to our next destination, Put-in-Bay/South Bass Island,  a young pre-teen girl took a bad fall on the rocks along the shoreline. Our prayer warrior, Clara, grabbed our hands and we prayed for the girl as the medics moved in to help her. God is good.

   

PUT-IN-BAY
Located in the shallow western end of Lake Erie is a group of 20 or more islands. One of these, Put-in-Bay on South Bass, served as a base of operations for Commodore (“We have met the enemy and they are ours;”) Oliver Hazard Perry. It was from the harbor called Put-in-Bay that Perry sailed to defeat the British fleet during the war of 1812.

Today, Put-in-Bay is a tourist destination on South Bass Island just three miles off the mainland. This tiny two by four mile island can be reached by ferry boat and this ferry journey is the beginning of the island fun.



(Challenge) When we arrived at the dock to board the ferry to travel to the island the place was packed. Parking lot was overflowing. Young Wiese’s had to park 2 miles away and walk out to the pier. With Nick’s handicap placard we parked at the dock. Sierra was thanking her lucky stars she had decided to travel in our car.
God is good.

(Challenge) As we “put in at the bay”  we had to solve the problem of how to get around the island. Although Nick had brought along his scooter it did not look like it was going to be of use. Island transportation varied from bicycle, bus, taxi, touring tram, car and the most popular mode - golf cart.  Cars were limited as to how fast they could travel by the hundreds of golf carts on the road.



Parking space for cars were also at a premium. All the eight passenger carts were rented. This was solved with 2 - four passenger carts. Nicolaas practiced his driving skills by operating our cart.

We stored Nick’s scooter at the rental store and started off on our island visit. We had a great time exploring streets with an eclectic mix of shops,  
restaurants and pubs, -the marina, -the winery with a geode crystal cave, but no free wine tasting, hee hee ;)  -we did have some great tasting ice cream at the Chocolate Museum,
-the Commodore Perry Peace Memorial, 
Observation tower had scaffolding around it and the monument was currently closed to visitors. The 352 foot column is a dedication to the lasting peace between the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. 
post card picture

-the merry-go-round (with the oldest hand carved wooden horses in
the United States.)

We were sorry to miss the butterfly house, even so, we caught the second to last ferry back to the mainland.

Sunset on Lake Erie
God is good.
***

Day 4  and Day 5 to be continued in next post.