LAKE TAHOE

We were invited to spend a few days in Stateline Nevada with some friends. Stateline is on the south end of the lake on the Nevada California line. The scenery is great. We took several walks, a dinner cruise on a paddlewheel boat and lots of sight seeing. The lake water is very cold so no swimming. We did use the pool and hot tubs. The best part is spending time with friends.

NEW PICTURES POSTED IN PHOTO ALBUM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL

Happy Birthday Jill

AUGUST UPDATE

In August we celebrated Nancy's birthday. This was Annabelle's first time coming to our house. Lauren and Daniel (niece and nephew from Alabama) visited us on the birthday weekend. They were relocating from Alabama to New Jersey. We celebrated on Sunday then on Monday Adam, Nicole and I helped them move into their apartment in NJ.

We left the next day for California. Our packing experience on Monday evening was full of tension. About 30 minutes after I returned from NJ we started have electrical power problems. After about 30 minutes of frustration, I realized that we had lost one phase of our power. After making sure the freezers, Refrigerators, Alarm system, and phone was on the working phase I was able to start packing.

The trip to California was great. We spent three nights in San Francisco where we rode the cable cars, visited Alcatraz, fisherman's wharf, did a bus tour of SF, drove Lombard street and the steep hills. Leaving SF we drove south on the coastal highway to Carmel (17-mile tour), San Simeon (toured Hearst Castle). Between San Simeon and San Luis Obisbo we started our wine tasting tour. From San Luis Obisbo we drove to Paso Robles where we took a guided tour of "mom&pop" vineyards. It was enjoyable.
Our second week was concentrating on wine-my kind of week!!! Sonoma first, where we
were surprised they rolled up the sidewalks at 6:00 PM! HELLO!!! We've got thirsty people here!!! Restaurants were still open, but that was it! The next day was 3 or 4 vineyards (yes,
you lose count after awhile), a farmers market with musical entertainment and an evening
in the hot tub. The next day we headed up to Anderson County (near Mendocino) but took
a break to tour the Jelly Belly Factory-FUN! Then to Boonville for disc golf and, of course,
vineyards! Quaint town, with a unique hotel. We walked a trail and saw some awesome redwood trees. From there we went to the Charles Shultz Museum-terrific museum for the inner child in us all! Then on to the Sierra Foothills for - more vineyards!! Stayed 3 nights at the Imperial Hotel in Amador City-another fun place! BJ's brother Jimmy did a great job finding us unusual places-Besides the vineyards we panned for gold and visited the quaint shops of that area-
We feel so blessed to have Jimmy and Sue not only as brother and sister-in-law, but also as
great traveling buddies!

JULY UPDATE

In addition to enjoying Annabelle, we went to Holyoke, MA to attend the wedding of our niece Katie to Nat. It was great and all of the Hamilton side of the family was able to attend. We had a great time.

After the wedding I went to Bois Blanc Island Michigan to join Andy, Steve, Chip, George, Jim, Bob, and John for a boys weekend at Andy's summer home. Very remote quiet and enjoyable.
While the guys were in MI, the gals got together at Jan's for a pool party and sleepover. We had a ball! Since not everyone could make it to the sleepover, we
got together again for dinner and movies - Mamma Mia - what a fun movie! I can't
imagine my life without my girlfriends-they are all a true blessing to me!