Oh Boy, Loading this blog using the hotspot on my phone is murderously  slow. We've been without an internet otherwise for five days and won't for another two or three. We're now in Oregon, Ohio on the banks of Lake Erie. The campground is a state park and nicely laid out with lots of sites with electric hookups only. There is a gathering of birders here for the "Biggest Week in American Birding". We missed the first day, but we'll be out tomorrow at 8 am to see what there is to see.

We have been visiting my cousins, Chips and Jeannie, in Demossville, Ky for the past two days. Don't bother looking it up. You won't find it easily on a map. We had explicit instructions on when to get off the interstate, but, you guessed it, we missed the turnoff. Not to worry, the next offramp would also take us to their farm. Jeannie said we should just pull over and she would come to meet us and guide us in. Okay, well, no place to pull over, so we trudged on. Met up with her in Gardnersville and was guided carefully over rural, windy, narrow roads all the way to their farm. Chips was there to greet us after spending the morning chasing escapees. Found them two farms over. We were able to back the coach up next to their barn and hook up to power so we were good to go. The farm is Jeannie's childhood home, also where many of her relatives lived. Originally a dairy and tobacco farm, Chips has turned it into a cattle farm and has increased the acreage to almost a full section with close to 100 head of cattle. Their house is over 100 years old and in great condition. Dusty was overjoyed at being able to run and romp with Rex, a chihuahua. Rex wasn't too sure, but eventually decided he could hold is own with the big dog. Since we hadn't had an opportunity to visit any bourbon distilleries while we were in Lexington, the four of us did a little sightseeing on Friday ending up at Four Roses bourbon distillery somewhere near Lexington. Jeannie was guiding us with her GPS and had me totally turned around, but we got there. Had a tour of the distillery which was shut down for the summer season. They get rolling again in another couple of months. Must have something to do when the corn is harvested. After the tour, we got to taste each of the blends Four Roses bottles. I learned bourbon isn't my choice of cocktails, but Rob enjoyed it and bought a bottle of special stuff. We did make it to a beautiful winery which was more to my liking, Elk Creek. We enjoyed a great lunch and a bottle wine on their patio overlooking rolling hills sparsely (by Calif standards) planted with grape vines.

We had a great time visiting with Chips and Jeannie and catching up on some family history. Chips' father and my mother were bro and sis. Both my father and my uncle were at Annapolis together so had many military exploits together. Photos when we have more internet power.