That wild and crazy gal Bronnie, and her equally interesting husband Franklin, made their way to Fredericktown, Ohio, and livened up our lives for an afternoon, evening and a breakfast the next day, before continuing on to the East Coast. They arrived about 2:30 on Saturday and we proceeded to introduce ourselves, and show them around the old homestead. She is a very lively sort, in person, and full of great stories, and much enthusiasm. I got on well with Franklin, as we both share a love of woodworking, and tools, and making lots of sawdust. Lois and Bronnie hit it off, as Bronnie is quite a cook, herself, and they started right in on sharing recipes, and cooking lore. We talked, and talked and talked. In between stuffing ourselves with some of Lois' Artichoke Dip, and other sundry goodies. Then came dinner, Stuffed Mushrooms, Smoky Gouda Quiche, Salad, and Apple Crisp with Vanilla bean cream on top, and sharing a bottle of California Chardonnay wine with dinner. Not me of course, as I was the "desiccated driver", due to an early life of dissolution and wanton disregard for the norms of society. We settled down for the evening, to continue talking, and talking, and talking. She is much better now that her foot has begun to heal, from the small break in her ankle, early on in this cross country adventure. We stayed up till the late hours, until we all realized that they wanted to get an early start on the next stage of their adventure, so it was lights out till morning. Bright and early this morning, it was coffee, and fresh fruit and yogurt, and some of Lois' French Breakfast Puffs, and Cornmeal/ Blueberry Muffins, and a long drawn out good-by. Then they were off, heading for Pennsylvania, for an overnight camping stay, before continuing on to Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts. Franklin was very keen on seeing this historic village of the Shaker Sect, with the buildings restored and lots to look at. Then it is on to Boston, New York, and then up to Portsmouth Maine, to stay with one of the other RCTQ's. They were really wonderful folks to have as house guests, and they have great stories to tell. They both love to travel, and they take one long trip to a different continent each year. Or at least some far off place of interest to themselves. She did lots of checking out and planning to put this trip together for the drive across the country, and they said that even though they had both been to the US in earlier times, this was a really great way to do an in depth immersion in this country. All the back roads and small towns along with the Big City cultural high lights, in a mix of experiences, that they felt was the best time they had had in this country to date. We are thinking now of how we can swing a vacation to the Antipodes, and repay the visit, in Australia. They have encouraged us to try and do it, I know that if we ever get down there, we will pick up right where we left off, as if it was just the next day, no matter how long a time transpires, between then and now. Happy Trails, Bronnie, and Franklin, and Godspeed.
John