Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Pups Across America! - Jerry and Mitzy, over and under
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

(Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Alas, our coach repairs are taking much, much longer than hoped or anticipated, and we have been “forced” to stay in Kalamazoo. However, if one must be sequestered somewhere, this is it! Great host, wonderful home, beautiful setting, close to many friends, and near-perfect weather.

Quick Trip to Vegas
Early in the week I took a quick trip to Vegas to participate in my business partner’s, Service Strategies, executive summit. I ran a pre-conference workshop on leading a services account management organization then co-presented a keynote with a client. Excellent conference with a great bunch of people. We stayed at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Aria resort. You gotta love Vegas--as I opened my room door, the multi-, multi-sound system cranks up, a personal welcome greets me on the widescreen TV, and the drapes automatically open to a view of the city and the mountains.



Road Trip
Late Saturday morning, we took off in Jamers’ convertible with Mers at the wheel, neighbor Dave riding shotgun, with the Alexander’s in the back.



We headed north and west, taking back roads and moseying through downtown Kalamazoo, enjoying the near-perfect weather and the vibrant fall colors.







We stopped at The Pub in Richland to fuel up on homemade deviled eggs (they were awesome) and classic pub grub.



Gilmore Car Museum
From there we took more country roads to the Gilmore Car Museum, one of the top five car museums in the country. Here we viewed hundreds of classic cars on hundreds of manicured acres. If you are into cars, this is a must-visit kind of place (allow four hours). www.gilmorecarmuseum.org

























After a hugely enjoyable tour, we stopped for ice cream (Jan had a cone and Dave and I had malts) at the diner on the property. Mers spotted this frog attached to the diner door.



We then returned back to Mers’ home enjoying the warm wind and the pleasant scenery. Back at Jamers’ place we enjoyed a bonfire and another simple meal. Marvelous day.

Pups Across America

I really like these shots of Jerry and Mitzy. Out on the trail, a large branch had fallen across the path. As is their personality, Jerry leaped over it and Mitzy ran under it.

Headlights

We still are not 100% certain when BERT will be ready to travel, but we are hoping to leave Michigan by Wednesday morning. Because I have to fly to Seattle out of Orlando, we will have to beeline to Apopka, Florida once back on the road.

October 9-11: Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 12-15: Travel south
October 15-19: Visit Auntie in Apopka (Orlando area)
October 20: Arrive back on Pine Island

Note that since we will be back on the Island (hopefully) on October 20 and Motoring Across America will be officially completed for 2011, I will be in Alaska the following week and will be posting pictures of eagles at that time.

Have questions or comments--send them in.

See you next week.

Tags: Michigan, Gilmore Car Museum