A day just like today–sunny, warm, and full of expectations. We were married in a small country church a few miles southeast of Waukon, IA. Close to the church, Clear Creek tumbled and bubbled on its way to the Mississippi River. Peonies were in bloom along the hillside and birds sang their songs. We said our vows in front of our loved ones, while a light breeze fluttered through the open windows.

That lovely day was 55 years ago. We lived most of those years along the Mississippi River in Stoddard, WI. Fourteen years ago we sold everything and moved into a 40′ motor home, traveling to Washington State, back to the Midwest and south to Zapata, TX. Our sons, Scott and Billy, with their wives Angela and Heidi, settled in and around Seattle, WA. We spent our summers close to them, enjoying watching our grandchildren, Mason, Zak, Ellie, and Maddie, grow-up. We recently moved in Ocean Shores, WA, as far West as one can get and still be in the continental United States. The Pacific Ocean is two blocks from our front door. We are able to watch the big rollers splash onto the shore. I love it.

Duck Lake runs through the length of Ocean Shores and there are several canals leading from the lake. We enjoy afternoons on our pontoon boat cruising the waterways. Our town is quiet during the week, but when the weekends arrive the streets and the beaches bustle with folks from the Seattle area. Everyone is happy to finally be able to enjoy summer after the long months of staying at home during the pandemic.

Fifty five years seems like a very long time, but I gotta tell you, those years flew by. We’ve done a lot of cool things during this time, and we’ve seen a lot of awesome stuff. I wouldn’t have traded any of it.