When we planned our trip to Canada to visit Bill's family we expected to be leaving from Dallas but our unplanned trip home in July meant we would be in Colorado instead. After driving from Jackson Hole to Denver, we parked the trailer at Cherry Creek State Park and drove to the airport. We allowed two hours at the airport and needed every minute to catch our flight to Dallas. The self-check kiosks would not scan my passport, so we stood in line forever to check our bag and a large box of hand me downs for Bill’s family. Security was a mess as well when the line we were in was suddenly closed and everyone had to funnel into a single line. We were almost the last to board and had no time to get any food. We landed in Dallas at 8pm, checked into the Grand Hyatt, and ate outrageously priced room service for dinner.

Our flight the next morning was at 8:30am, so we were up early to drag our giant box back to check in again. This went much better since the concierge drove us to the terminal in the hotel car. After a layover in Chicago, we flew into Kitchener, Ontario municipal airport. We had never flown directly into Kitchener before and it was great. We saved the hour plus drive from Toronto and clearing customs in Kitchener was much easier and faster.

This was the first time we had been back since we had brought the cats to live with Bill’s parents last October. He was eager to see them but his feelings did not seem to be reciprocated. We knew the cats were very happy with his parents since they frequently sent us pictures of the cats sitting in their laps (not something they had ever done with us). As we were putting our stuff away in the guest bedroom Commie (the male cat) found himself trapped in the bedroom with Bill on one side and me at the door. He almost killed himself trying to escape when he cut the corner too short at the doorway and slammed his hip into the door jam. He ran away and hid under a table crying for a while. I was afraid he might have really hurt himself but he recovered eventually. They really didn’t want much to do with us, and Bill decided maybe they were afraid we had come to take them home. No chance of that, they hated trailer life. We are very glad they are happy with Bill’s parents and grateful his parents were willing to take them. The cold shoulder was a small price to pay.

Most of Bill’s family joined us a few days later at his sister Tracy’s cottage (lake house) about three hours north east of Toronto. This is an annual gathering, where we all crowd into one small house for big family meals and games galore. This year we had a surprise birthday celebration for Bill’s dad (75) and our brother-in-law Kevin (50). Each year the "Summer Olympics" are held with the games changing each year. This year we played Bocce, Ping-Pong, Crokinole, and Beer Pong (without the beer of course). We play in teams, with elimination rounds, ending ultimately with a trophy awarding ceremony. There are some fierce competitions between the more athletic members of the group, and lots of fun for all. This year’s overall winners were the Old Guys, Bill’s father and Ian his older sister’s husband. The Beer Pong event was won by the Dread Pirates, Bill and his niece Laura, the only non-drinkers in the crowd. The kids are now all teens and twenties, with some bringing significant others along. There are lots of card and board games, plenty of drinking and snacking, and even water sports for those young enough to be willing to get in the freezing water. It really never got very sunny or warm (in the low seventies is not warm to a Texan), but we all enjoy the great company and the beauty of Maple Lake.

On the way back to Kitchener, Bill’s parents dropped us at the airport in Toronto where we caught our flight back to Dallas. Air Canada had changed our plane so they were re-assigning everyone’s seat at the gate. Getting a travel break at last, we got upgraded to business class when the agent saw that we shared a last name. Alex and Hunter picked us up at the airport, because we had planned a day in Dallas for a quick family visit. After squeezing in as much as possible in 24 hours, it was back to the airport for the final leg back to Denver. I worried a bit while we were gone for 10 days about our home sitting abandoned in a state park, so I was relieved to find it unmolested when we finally got arrived. I was so happy to be back in my own bed. It was heaven! Home Sweet Home!!!

We are staying in the Denver area for the next 10 days and Alex, Ashlee and Hunter are coming up to visit us. Unfortunately, RV parks with space for us are hard to find, so we will be forced to move two times. Too bad, the state park is really nice.

... Bill and Dessa