Summer/Fall 2023 Road Trip - Pt 6

I almost didn’t do this part of my trip even though I had planned to when I left Oregon. On the drive back to Stacie’s from the trip to Florida and Georgia I was just worn out and the idea of more travel seemed like to much. 

When I told Stacie after a night of rest she asked, “Will you regret it if you don’t go?”  I said “probably” and that’s when I decided I needed to go it was a chance to catch up with old friends including some newer “old friends” Doug and Cherie our hosts in Illinois. I had first met them at the Midway Reunion in San Diego four years ago. 

That night at dinner Tom told me to find out what kind of AB beer they drank and he’d get it for us. Once I sent out the beer request and got their answers I was committed. 🙂



The drive over wasn’t bad and I knew I made the right decision when I arrived and Doug came out to help me unload the beer. 🍺 Smitty, Denise and Cherie were in the dining room when we went in and CNN was on in the background. It was nice to know I was going to be spending the weekend with all anti-Trumpers. Joe and Judy weren’t getting there until later because they had to attend a funeral. 

It was a weekend of friends, food and football and just completely relaxing. The first night Doug cooked St. Louis style pork steaks and they were amazing. 










Saturday was a college football day. We even had Oklahoma, Doug’s Alma Mater and Oregon on the split screen. The TV was 80” so it was like watching to full size TVs. Food was homemade tailgate food and of course AB beer. 








Between games we were back and forth to the pool the weather all weekend was beautiful. 










Sunday after breakfast outside on the deck we went to the lake where they keep their pontoon boat and took a cruise on the lake. 


















After the boat ride we went to a wine and art festival for several hours and then headed back home. Doug took Smitty, Joe and I on a tour of their property and then it was more hanging out outside before we had a really good dinner of homegrown black eyed peas with ham hocks and cornbread. It was delicious even though Cherie said her Mom would turn over in her grave if she knew she served that to company for dinner. 😂









It was a fantastic relaxing weekend and I’m so thankful I didn’t talk myself out of going. 

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