Growing Older But Not Up

Like most of us who full time RV, we meet friends along the way and really enjoy each other's company.  Thanks to Facebook, email and the like, we're now able to keep in touch even though we haven't actually "seen" each other in awhile.  Such is the case with Jim and Susan Lovay.  Married for 43 years, they're who Connie and I want to be when we grow up.  😉  Like Jimmy says, they're "growing older but not up."

We met at Pioneer RV Resort in Port Aransas, TX very haphazardly.  I noticed a Sparty "S" on the back of his jeep while walking our girls one day, mentioned something about their big game happening that day, and struck up a conversation about our Big Ten roots.  Turns out he's not a Spartan fan, he's an alumni.  Like I've told many people who call me an Ohio State "fan", there's a big difference.

Anyhoo, it just turned out to be one of the greatest wins in MSU history as Sparty picked up a mishandled punt and took it to the house for a game winning score.  I'm a Buckeye alum, but I'll root for anyone playing U of M.  Watched the video again.  Sean McDonough's call and the look on that Wolverine fan's face are both priceless.

Truth be told, I watched the whole game, gave up on Sparty, came back out and couldn't figure out why they were showing MSU players in the end zone celebrating.  I look down at Lovay's (they watch games outside like us), and they're all up celebrating.  A friendship was born.

It was a magical season for MSU as they beat OSU on the last play of the season (one of Jim's happier moments as we watched it together at Sting-Ray's) before getting flogged by Alabama in the playoffs.

They were like us, arrived at Pioneer for October, got November free then went to their winter destination (South Padre KOA).  We saw each other again the following April on their way back to the UP in Michigan, and that was the last time we saw them.  Until two days ago.

We were fortunate that the spot right across the road was available.

Jim and Susan would love to full time, but they're trying to sell their house in Manistique, MI which hasn't happened yet. We hope someone steps up and buys it from them.  Here's the link, contact their realtor soon! They were gracious enough to include us in their summer plans as they celebrated Canada Day, went to Niagara Falls, then looped around to our park.  

The girls just love Susan.  We tried (and failed miserably) to bring their new puppy Lacey, into the fence, but that went awful. 

The weather kind of cooperated for the couple of days they were here.  Was muggier than hell, but the rain stayed away enough for us to enjoy ourselves, especially at our favorite watering hole along the Vermilion River, Quaker Steak & Lube.

After coffee in the morning (Sloopy did what Sloopy does to Susan), we mapped out our day.

We went into Cleveland where we first went to First Energy Stadium home of the Browns, and where are daughter works.  She was nice enough to show us around.  Forgot to take pictures.  My bad.  Then, we went off the East Flats.  Only disappointing thing of the visit was the Rooftop Bar at Margaritaville Cleveland was closed because "it could rain".  

We moved down the river to Coastal Taco and enjoyed some appetizers, cold beverages and the view of the river which Jim reminded us maybe a dozen times that had once caught on fire.  Again, couldn't sit outside, but we were in the first level under cover.

 We decided to have a late lunch at one of our favorite places to eat, the Flat Iron Cafe.  It did not disappoint.  

Jim and Susan went old school and had a Stroh's.

They left this morning (after we had coffee together and Lacey explored the neighboring field).  Connie and I wish them safe travels, a buyer for their house, and that we see each other again soon.