Today we finished the first leg of our trip after about a 6 1/2 hour drive to Wendell and Dawn Lantz's home Archbold, Ohio (Northwest Ohio). It was cool and rainy for a good portion of the trip.
We have set the motorhome up on Wendell's father's property which is real near their home. It's a good set up with electric and water and a paved area near their house (which they are trying to sell and no longer live in).
This part of Ohio is really flat. Where we are parked, we can see for what seems to be miles over newly planted wheat and corn fields.
We finally have gotten to see Cole and Amy's new baby, who was born premature. Clara immediately laid claim to all Brayden's time.
Friday, May 24
I spent the morning at the YMCA a few miles from here swimming and Clara spent the day entertaining Brayden.
As is usual when the Lantz's visit their home in Beaufort (which adjoins our property), we always eat dinner together. However, when in Beaufort, we swap homes. We can't very well do that here with the motorhome. The size of their family seems to continually increase. At various times, there are their four children (Cole, Autumn, Dylan and McKinna), Amy, Cole's wife and Brayden, and Dylan's girlfriend, Emily at the table. I don't see how they do it, but it gets done.
Saturday, March 25
Today starts the parties. We are here to help celebrate Dylan's graduation from High School. It is traditional that most Seniors graduating have a party at their home, inviting family, friends and classmates. That's nearly 100 parties over this weekend for graduating Seniors at Archbold High School.
We accompany Wendell and Dawn to two today. They are really big affairs. Each host student has mementos and photos laid out on tables at the party showing all the key moments in their life to date. Like I said, it's a really big affair.
Sunday, May 26
Today is Dylan's big day! This will be the third Lantz family member graduation that we have attended. Only one to go in 4 years, Mckinna.
 |
| Dylan Lantz receiving his high school diploma |
 |
| The Lantz family - Autumn, Cole, Amy and Brayden, Dylan, Wendell, Mckinna and Dawn |
 |
| Four Lantz generations, Marvin, Dylan, Wendell, Brayden with Cole |
 |
| Dylan and the "honorary" grandparents |
 |
| Dylan with Mom and Dad |
Today is Dylan's day to have his graduation party. It is big affair, with well over 100 people dropping by the Lantz residence to congratulate Dylan and to share stories. The party is from 4 pm to 8 pm and the visits are steady. Of course, you can't have this many people drop by without feeding them. We had hamburgers and sausage burger and the garage is set up as the picnic area because it rains just about the whole day - but a little rain doesn't deter a party!
 |
| Dylan with Dave and Shirley Lersch (Dawn's parents) |
Add caption
 |
| Autumn and Dylan |
 |
| Dylan and Emily |
 |
| The cooks |
 |
| Serving up burgers |
 |
| Clara and Brayden become buddies |
Tuesday, May 28
We are in no particular hurry, so we decide to spend another day in the corn fields of Ohio and enjoy the Lantz's hospitality another day.
I get in a good swim at the Y and relax, while Clara continues to play with Brayden. Tonight we all go out for Mexican food to celebrate a great weekend.
 |
| We enjoy the beautiful grove of walnut trees. Wendell and his Dad grow them. These are about 15 years old and will be harvested when they are about 30 years old. |
We pull up stakes and move on down the road. A rather frustrating day trying to find our way across Michigan toward Lake Huron. Between ignoring the GPS, and then not ignoring it, we managed to get thoroughly lost twice. That's a new record.
 |
| There are many beautiful barns in Ohio and Michigan |
