September 5, 2014. Honey-dos and errands.

We are with Meredith and Gautham.  The camper is parked in the condo complex's community center parking lot.  It is near their condo so we can run back and forth.

Meredith made a traditional Indian breakfast for us.  Really good.  

Gautham's mother Bala and I made the wedding party favors.  Bala and Meredith worked on menus and shopping lists for the family dinner party and the wedding party.

In the afternoon, we ran errands, shopping for the parties.  Meanwhile, George tackled a honey-do list for Meredith.

Meredith is still working, even with the chaos around her.  She had a client delivery today that I helped her with.  

DINNER:  Pate for an appetizer, and grilled chicken and vegetables.  

September 4, 2014. Wedding continued

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Here are a Gautham and Meredith saying their vows.

 

Signing the marriage license

We toasted the couple with champagne and caviar we had brought from Alaska

And a kiss....

It was all very nice.

Afterwards, we relaxed in the afternoon and went shopping.  Gautham's mother is preparing an Indian meal for the family on the evening before the party, so we shopped at an Indian grocery.  

We all went out to eat at a Greek restaurant to end the day.

September 4, 2014. Wedding bells!

PWe went to the Ann Arbor courthouse for the marriage ceremony.  Here we are before the judge arrived.

This is Gautham

Meredith looks pretty in this white dress.

Here are George and I with Meredith and Gautham.

And here are Gautham's parents

See next blog for more photos

September 3, 2014. Chicago to Ann Arbor

I met Gautham's parents at O'Hare.  Alexis has made this sign for me so that they could identify me.

Everything went smoothly.  We met George back at the hotel, and hit the road.  Lots of traffic, especially trucks.  It was another 7-hour drive on the interstate.

We stopped for a picnic at the Michigan Welcome Center.  Then, on to Ann Arbor.  Meredith came home from work around 7:00.  We picked up the wedding rings at the jewelry store.  Gautham came home at 10:30.  

DINNER:  We did portabellos and peppers on the grill.  Served with baguettes and cheese.  Nice!  

September 2, 2014. On to Chicago

We left the RV park in Rochester, MN, and hit the road for Chicago.  This is the first time in a long time that we have driven on an interstate.  We don't like the traffic.  Lots of construction, too.  We drove through Minnesota, across Wisconsin, and then on to Chicago.  We are staying at a hotel at O' Hare airport, and will pick up Meredith's fiancé's parents who fly in from India tomorrow, and then drive with them tomorrow to Ann Arbor.  

The trip was uneventful.  It took 7 hours due to construction.  We had a picnic at a rest stop.  

We ate a typical Chicago dinner at the hotel's pub.  We had Italian beef and sausage with peppers, and some local Chicago craft beers.   

September 1, 2014. Rain and rooftops

CAMPGROUND:  Another night at Autumn Woods RV park

LOCATION:  Rochester, MN in SE Minnesota

WEATHER:  AM rain; nice in PM. Highs in 80s

It stormed all night.  We had the skylight open, and the lightening gave us a real show.  Unfortunately, when we got up this morning, we realized we have a leak.  The rug was soaked, and some of the dinette cushions were wet.  Here's George trying to find the source of the leak.

When it stopped raining, we took everything out to dry.  But, it started raining again.  Eventually, we got things dry and back in their places.  George climbed on the roof, found cracks around the ceiling fan, and calked them.  Let's hope this fixed the issue.

In the afternoon, I had a wonderful get-together with some of my former staff.  It was great seeing them, and catching up.

Then, we were invited to dinner by Alexis's boyfriend's parents.  We had delicious New Mexican enchiladas.  We said good-bye to Alexis and Graham. We will see them  in Ann Arbor in 2 weeks at Meredith's wedding party. 

August 31, 2014. Road trip to Mississippi River

CAMPGROUND:  Another day at Autumn Woods

LOCATION:  Rochester, MN in SE Minnesota

WEATHER:  Nice. Highs in 80s.  Storm in evening

We took daughter Alexis and her boyfriend Graham on a road trip to the Mississippi, about 40 miles from Rochester.  First we drove through Lake City, where there were a lot of sailboats on the lake.  Then down to Reads Landing for lunch and for one of their own beers.

We drove along the Mississippi that we jokingly called the Minnesota Riviera, as there were so many people out boating and swimming.

 

Back in Rochester, we all went to Whistle Binkies, our favorite neighborhood pub.  

We relaxed in the evening and watched 60 Minutes which we haven't seen in months.  

DINNER:  I'm trying to use leftovers, as we will be heading to Ann Arbor soon.  I sautéed leftover onions, celery, and corn.  I microwaved a sweet potato to add to the soup, but forgot to take it out.  Has anyone else ever done that?