Day 63 -- Last Day on the Road. THE END!

Inasmuch as we were in West Branch, MI with family on Saturday and some of Sunday we will end this blog  at the end of this wonderful trip. I hope you have enjoyed reading at least some of the blogs and certainly the photos.

Saturday we had a chance to attend grandson Tavin's  soccer game in Saginaw where they won 10-0 on a very hot and sticky day for a game.  (They won their second game on Sunday 3-1) His team can qualify for the regional in the National Youth Soccer League  as they move to the semifinals in a few aweeks.

Tavin (#3) at Saginaw Soccer Complex

A little action in the 10-0 win.

Upon returning we had a visit with granddaughter Ella and her Dad.  There was a recital in which Ella received her five year certificate from her teacher. There were 15 participants in the Piano recital, and they performed wonderfully. Two in particular were high caliber pianists. It was a fun recital to watch the the youngsters perform. There was some classics as well as "Bumble Boogie" So it ran the gamt of music.

Ella and her Dad after the recital.

Later that eveing the family (all that were there) celebrated my great grandson Oliver's 2nd birthday. (It was that day). The pizza that we had took an extra longtrip to get here as it was ordered at a simialarly named  pizza store, but 25 miles away! (accidental misidentification). Oliver's Dad made his first cake and decorated it  all from scratch.  It was a good social evening wth lots of stories and exchanges.

Oliver, the 'birthday boy',  loves his garden tools

Many of the family celebrated their mother's (grandmother's) love of a DQ wth an 

Anniversary treat of sorts.

At the Birthday party were all the celebrants.

Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Brother in law, Sister in law, Grandchildren, Children, 

NIeces, Nephews, Grandchild, Great Grand Child,

Grandfather, Husbands and Wives.

Oliver loved his  birthday gifts especially the garden tools.

Ruth an I had breakfast with the family at the old Forward's Restaurant in West Branch, MI.  That building is a collection of logging artifacts and worth stopping to have  meal there if just to look over the logging tools all around the Motel and restaurant. Especially for the children it is a learning experience.

We hooked up the trailer and cleaned all the tanks and headed out, but before we did on the way out, Ruth said "Stop"! I did  easily, and there was a Pileated Woodpecker on a tree near the ground. It was beautiful! It lingered and, as we had not counted one during the entire trip, it was added to the list. I believe we are at 227 birds.  BUT....after the drive home  and backing into the yard, I hear the sound of another bird we had not seen all trip.  A Baltimore Oriole  as singing. 'Welcome home' it was saying!

That Pileated Woodpecker in the campground as we were leaving.

The Pileated Woodpecker didn't seem concerned with us as it ate.

All in all it was a terrific trip and worth the days away for awhile. Ruth is rested and even though she would have liked to "keep on going" we are back safe.  Thanks for following along, and here's looking to more new adventures in the future. We will be in PA for 10 days celebrating  a granddaughter's graduation early in June.